Category Archives: Enticing Events

Sweet Almond Buns and A Food Gal Giveaway

A breakfast pastry adorned with almonds that's not too sweet. (Photo by Carolyn Jung)

A breakfast pastry adorned with almonds that’s not too sweet. (Photo by Carolyn Jung)

 

It’s rare that I allow myself a pastry for breakfast during the week.

But come Sunday, I am sure ready to indulge in one.

“Sweet Almond Buns” are just the perfect size, too. Not Super-Size me over-the-top. But just a couple bite-fulls of something sweet, tender and with a haunting hint of cardamom.

The recipe is from “Williams-Sonoma Breakfast Comforts” (Weldon Owen) by veteran cookbook writer Rick Rodgers. The book, which I received a review copy of when it came out in 2010, is full of inspired recipes for the most important meal of the day. There’s everything from “Golden Cornmeal Waffles with Fried Chicken” to “Raspberry Jam Doughnuts” to “BBQ Shrimp and Grits.”

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These little buns are full of almonds, one of my favorite nuts. They get stirred into the yeast-fortified dough, and mixed with sugar to sprinkle on top of the buns just before baking.

For those who don’t like their breakfast treats cloying, these are perfect as they are just sweet enough.

An almond-packed prize. (Photo courtesy of the Almond Board of California)

An almond-packed prize. (Photo courtesy of the Almond Board of California)

CONTEST: One Food Gal reader will win a most almond-packed prize from the Almond Board of California. It includes 1 pound of whole natural almonds, one jar of almond butter, 1 pound of sliced almonds, an insulated travel pouch for breakfast on the go, and a $20 VISA gift card to help you purchase everything else you need for a hearty breakfast.

Entries, limited to those in the continental United States, will be accepted through midnight PST Sept. 21. The winner will be announced Sept. 23.

How to win?

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Join the Food Gal and Chef Howard Bulka at Macy’s Valley Fair

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If you’ve ever wanted to perfect pizza-making at home, now’s your chance.

Join me at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at Macy’s Valley Fair in Santa Clara when I host a cooking demo with Chef Howard Bulka of Howie’s Artisan Pizza in Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village.

Bulka, who left the world of fine-dining to research the fine points of pizza making, will show you how to create a superb dough using a starter that will add so much more flavor to your crust.

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Scenes From San Francisco’s Debut LuckyRice Festival

Roka Akor chefs assembling chiccharones topped with Mendocino uni at LuckyRice.

Roka Akor chefs assembling chiccharones topped with Mendocino uni at LuckyRice.

 

Last Friday night, the San Francisco Ferry Building was transformed into a celebration of Asian foods and cultures.

It marked the debut of  the city’s first LuckyRice Festival, which has already been held in New York, Los Angeles, Los Vegas and Miami.

Twenty of the city’s top restaurants held court, doling out Asian specialties to the sell-out crowd, as mixologists shook up cocktails created just for the occasion.

Take a taste:

The action at the Ferry Building.

The action at the Ferry Building.

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Roka Akor's rice cake with fig jam and El Rey Chocolate.

Roka Akor’s rice cake with fig jam and El Rey Chocolate.

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New Desserts at Hopscotch, Your Chance to Stomp Wine Grapes & More

Peach melba at Hopscotch in Oakland. (Photo courtesy of the restaurant)

Peach melba at Hopscotch in Oakland. (Photo courtesy of the restaurant)

New Sweets at Hopscotch

Hopscotch, the upscale diner in Oakland famed for its fried chicken, aims to satisfy your sweet tooth, too.

The restaurant, which serves American classics with Asian influences, just debuted a new dessert menu.

Among the treats to enjoy are: Peach melba with Greek yogurt sorbet, fresh raspberries and chervil; fig and almond tart with red wine sauce; and chocolate ganache cake with arare rice crackers and caramel sauce.

All desserts are $8.

Chocolate ganache cake. (Photo courtesy of Hopscotch restaurant)

Chocolate ganache cake. (Photo courtesy of Hopscotch restaurant)

The Mandarin Oriental Celebrates the Upcoming Moon Festival

Join in the commemoration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, typically held during a full moon close to the autumnal equinox, at a special event at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in San Francisco, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 20.

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Dog Days of Summer at SusieCakes, Alcatraz Prison Fare & More

SusieCakes salutes man's best friend during August. (Photo courtesy of SusieCakes.)

SusieCakes salutes man’s best friend during August. (Photo courtesy of SusieCakes.)

SusieCakes Salutes National Dog Day

Throughout the entire month of August, SusieCakes bakeries in the Bay Area will be hosting the “Dog Days of Summer.”

Just donate any new pet accessory during that time-frame and receive 2-for-1 cupcakes (limited to two dozen).

The bakeries will be accepting donations of items such as dog toys, dog beds, leashes, collars, unopened bags of dry dog food, blankets and towels. They will all be given to local pet shelters.

LYFE Kitchen Offerings Available on New Delta Airlines Route

If you’re a fan of LYFE Kitchen’s healthful fast-casual dishes served at its Palo Alto restaurant who flies to Los Angeles regularly, you’ll be glad to know you can satisfy your cravings on the new Delta Shuttle service that starts up Sept. 3.

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