Category Archives: Chefs

A Profusion of Poppy Seeds

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Lemon Poppy Seed cookies.

So maybe you wouldn’t want to nibble on these cookies right before taking a physical, or more specifically, a drug test.

That’s because there is a profusion of poppy seeds in them. A whopping 1/3 cup to be precise.

And we wouldn’t want anyone to falsely test positive for opiates, would we?

But any other second of the day when you’re not due to see the doc, you’ll want to enjoy these lovely Lemon Poppy Seed Drops. The recipe is from “The Modern Baker” (DK) by baking authority Nick Malgieri, the former executive pastry chef of Windows on the World in New York City.

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Scrumptious Events

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starchefs

For a delicious time, head to one of these upcoming fun events:

* 22nd Annual Star Chefs & Vintners Gala: Chef Nancy Oakes of Boulevard in San Francisco once again is spearheading this gala that benefits Meals on Wheels of San Francisco, which provides meals to homebound seniors. The May 17 benefit at Fort Mason in San Francisco features more than 70 of the Bay Area’s best chefs, including Charles Phan of the Slanted Door in San Francisco, Mourad Lahlou of Aziza in San Francisco, and Christopher Kostow of the Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena.

Participating vintners include Pride Mountain Vineyards, Duckhorn Vineyards, and Vineyard 29. Mixologists from the Alembic and Absinthe will be concocting one-of-a-kind cocktails.

Silent and live auction items will include the rarest of wines, and dinner at a private estate in Pebble Beach.

Individual tickets start at $400. For more information, call (415) 920-1111 ext. 281.

Chef Tom Colicchio coming to San Francisco. (Photo courtesy of Williams-Sonoma)

* Panini tasting with Tom Colicchio: The head honcho “Top Chef” judge will be at Williams-Sonoma’s Union Square store, 340 Post St. in San Francisco, 5 p.m. April 15. Nosh on sandwiches as Colicchio signs his new book, “wichcraft.” For more information, call (415) 362-9450.

* Farm to Table at Nick’s Cove: Executive Chef Adam Mali will create a five-course dinner April 16 at the Tomales Bay restaurant, featuring ingredients from its on-site garden, Drake’s Bay oysters, and Drake’s Bay Family Farms.

Price is $65 per person. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Marin Organic, an association of organic producers. Those who want to spend the night in the cottages can take advantage of a special rate of $100 off luxury waterfront ones or $50 off water view ones.

* ”Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day” Deal: To support that national day on April 23, parents who dine at McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco and Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto in Berkeley will receive a free lunch entree and beverage for their children.

* Taste of Tamales by the Bay: Enjoy a variety of tamales, both sweet and savory, at the third annual event, noon to 4:30 p.m. April 26 at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. See tamale-making demonstrations, and enjoy margaritas, as well as heirloom beans from Rancho Gordo.

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Masala Shrimp — My New Favorite Weeknight Recipe

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Naan is a great way to scoop up this zesty, spicy Masala shrimp.

Crunchy, fresh shrimp with the heat of cayenne and earthiness of turmeric. Sauteed for a few minutes in a pan, then garnished with cilantro, chopped avocado, and a squirt of lime.

It’s really supposed to be an appetizer. But I’m here to tell you it makes one great entree alongside Trader Joe’s tender naan.

This recipe for Masala Shrimp is by the Bay Area’s Niloufer Ichaporia King, and excerpted from her book, “My Bombay Kitchen” (University of California Press).

You’ll also find it in the new cookbook, “The Flavors of Asia” (DK Publishing), a compendium of pan-Asian recipes inspired by the Worlds of Flavors conferences at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, where King was a speaker and presenter.

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Francis Ford Coppola’s North Beach Citizens Event

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Getting messy at the event in years past. (Photo courtesy of North Beach Citizens)

Mingle with the renowned film director and winemaker, Francis Ford Coppola, on April 19 when he co-hosts an evening to benefit North Beach Citizens, an organization he founded to help the homeless in the neighborhood.

For the past eight years, Coppola has hosted guests in the basement of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in North Beach for a huge family-style dinner, served at long tables, and accompanied by wines by — of course — Francis Ford Coppola Presents.

This year, Rose Pistola restaurant will do the honors — cooking the festive dinner.

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“Battle Cabbage” To Be Re-Created at Manresa

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Savoy cabbage at Love Apple Farm, where Manresa Chef David Kinch finds his muse.

You asked for it; you got it.

Bowing to overwhelming demand from diners, Chef David Kinch of Manresa in Los Gatos has decided to re-create his stunning dishes that earned him a tremendous victory recently on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.”

David Kinch of Manresa. (Photo by Chris Ayers)

In his first time in Kitchen Stadium, Kinch trounced Iron Chef Bobby Flay by a whopping 10 points in “Battle Cabbage.”

On three consecutive Sundays — May 10, May 17, and May 24 — Kinch will feature his winning dishes in a prix fixe “Iron Chef” menu at Manresa for $135 per person, exclusive of wine, tax, and gratuity. The dinner will include his five “Battle Cabbage” dishes, along with a special dessert. And in case you were wondering, nope, that sweet finale to the meal will be sans cabbage.

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