Food52’s Roasted Broccoli with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette and Marcona Almonds

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Roasted broccoli with a smoky-sweet paprika dressing.

Roasted broccoli with a smoky-sweet paprika dressing.

 

Broccoli doesn’t always get the love.

It’s often despised by children. And of course, we know how George W. felt about it.

But roasting it will make an instant fan out of anyone. Even the former president, I bet.

It brings out the veggie’s natural sweetness, gives it a hint of char and makes it crunchy-tender. And it takes all of 20 minutes to do on high-heat in the oven.

“Roasted Broccoli with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette and Marcona Almonds” is a gussied up version that still takes little effort.

It’s from “The Food52 Cookbook, Volume 2” (William Morrow), of which I received a review copy last year. New York Times writer Amanda Hesser and Le Cordon Bleu-grad Merrill Stubbs created the online cooking community, Food52, which seeks to ferret out the best home-cook recipes. This second volume includes 104 recipes arranged by the seasons.

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Time for Goat Fest, Silicon Valley Restaurant Week and More

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The kids from Redwood Hill Farm. (Photo courtesy of Redwood Hill Farm)

The kids from Redwood Hill Farm. (Photo courtesy of Redwood Hill Farm)

Fifth Annual Goat Festival

Who can resist these cute little kids?

You’re sure to melt when they make their usual appearance at the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 20 Goat Fest at the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco.

The goats are from famed Redwood Hill Farm in Sebastopol, which celebrates 45 years in business in 2013.

In addition to getting up close and personal with the goats at the fest, co-hosted by the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, you’ll get a chance to see cooking demos, sample goat milk products, and talk to producers.

All events will take place in the CUESA classroom in front of the Ferry Building.

Cheryl Forberg, nutritionist for "The Biggest Loser'' will appear at the fest. (Photo courtesy of CUESA)

Cheryl Forberg, nutritionist for “The Biggest Loser” will appear at the fest. (Photo courtesy of CUESA)

 

Get Ready for Silicon Valley Restaurant Week

“Silicon Valley Restaurant Week,” which happens in October, is expanding to include a spring edition, April 24-May 1.

During that week, participating restaurants will offer a three-course prix-fixe dinners for a special price.

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DavidsTea Spring Collection and A Food Gal Giveaway

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Pom Tango tea by David's Tea.

Pom Tango tea by David’s Tea.

With the arrival of spring comes a new collection of teas and infusions from Montreal’s DavidsTea, which is expanding rapidly into the United States.

Last year, it opened its first locale in San Francisco. There are now five in the Bay Area.

What sets the company apart is its inventiveness with blends. Sure, you’ve probably had flowers and fruit mixed in with your tea leaves before. But not quite to this extent. We’re talking big chunks of dried fruit, sizable enough to pick out to eat and enough of it to resemble trail mix.

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Sunsweet Gets Into the Baking Business

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Purple Country Bread from the new line of baked goods from Sunsweet.

Purple Country Bread from the new line of baked goods from Sunsweet.

 

Sunsweet Growers, Inc., whom you know for its dried fruit, is getting into the baking business with its new line of breads, cookies and pastries — all made with dried plums (otherwise known by their less fashionable moniker: prunes).

The products tout the healthfulness of prunes, which are higher in antioxidants and fiber, and lower in sugar, than raisins and dried cranberries.

What sets the baked goods apart, too, is their color. They’re made with purple wheat and purple corn, giving them eye-catching swirls of vividness.

Recently, I had a chance to sample the products, which are available at Costco in Southern California, and which will make their way to Northern California Costco locations in the near future.

The Sunsweet Bakery products retail for about $4.99.

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San Francisco Film Society Culinary Luminaries Banquet, New Anthony Bourdain Show & More

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Alice Waters and Cecilia Chiang in a scene from "Soul of a Banquet.'' (Still courtesy of the San Francisco Film Festival)

Alice Waters and Cecilia Chiang in a scene from “Soul of a Banquet.” (Still courtesy of the San Francisco Film Festival)

Mega-Benefit Banquet by the San Francisco Film Society

If you’re an aficionado of Chinese banquet galas, you will not want to miss this stellar one by the San Francisco Film Society at Yank Sing in San Francisco, 6 p.m. April 10.

Among the noted guests who will be in attendance: Bay Area culinary legends, Alice Waters and Cecilia Chiang; acclaimed food writer Ruth Reichl; and noted film director, Wayne Wang, who will be showing a sneak preview of his newest film, “Soul of a Banquet,” his tribute to Chiang, who changed the face of Chinese food in America when she opened The Mandarin in San Francisco in 1961.

The event benefits Waters’ Edible Schoolyard Project.

Tickets, which include the reception, film screening and dinner, are $288 per person. A table for 10 is $2,500.

Avant Garden Food & Art Fundraiser in San Jose

Celebrate all things local in the South Bay at the third annual “Avant Garden” event, 7 p.m. April 19 at The Armory, 240 N. 2nd St. in San Jose.

Enjoy live music, crafts, artwork and plenty of food and drink by vendors such as Little Bee Pops, Good Karma Vegan Cafe and Cafe Stritch.

Event tickets are $10 online or $12 at the door. Food and drink tickets are $3 each and available at the event site.

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