A Ferran Adria Food Gal Giveaway

Believe you me, I wish I could be so lucky as to give away a table for two at El Bulli.

But now that the illustrious and pioneering restaurant has closed, I can at least give you a better understanding of the culinary genius, Ferran Adria, revered by chefs all around the world, who created what was arguably the best restaurant in the world.

“Ferran: The Inside Story of El Bulli and the Man who Reinvented Food’ (Gotham Books) tells of Adria’s humble beginnings as a college drop-out who took a job as a dishwasher only to make enough money to party. Then, he was drafted into the military, where he landed the demanding post as a cook for an admiral. During a summer leave, a friend urged him to take a job in the kitchen of a Michelin two-star restaurant in the middle of nowhere in Spain. Adria so impressed his bosses at El Bulli there that he was promised a full-time job after he finished his military service.

At age 25, he became El Bulli’s sole head chef. That same year, a chance encounter with some Spanish chefs would forever change his life and his way of thinking about cooking. Learn what set him on the path to creating foams, gels, spheres and other breathtaking, modern cooking techniques we now refer to as “molecular gastronomy.”

The book, by Saveur magazine co-founder Coleman Andrews, has just been released in paperback with a new afterward that details what Adria plans next.

Contest: One lucky Food Gal reader will win a copy of the book, “Ferran: The Inside Story of El Bulli.” Entries, limited to those in the continental United States, will be accepted through midnight PST Dec. 31. Winner will be announced Jan. 2.

How to win?

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Merry Marzipan

A basket of warm scones full of sweet marzipan nubbins.

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning to warm scones that hide little nubbins of sweet marzipan.

How’s that for a holiday gift to bring a smile bright and early?

“Marzipan Scones” is a recipe from the new book, “Baking Style” (Wiley) by noted baking authority Lisa Yockelson, of which I recently received a review copy. The book is full of  recipes for homespun cookies, breads, muffins and cakes  that just make you want to turn on your oven and spend an afternoon baking your heart out.

These scones are quite unusual. They look like bread and taste like cake.

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Bottle Cap Opens in A Legendary Spot in San Francisco

Comfort food like butterscotch pudding highlights the menu at Bottle Cap.

San Francisco’s Washington Square Bar & Grill was the ultimate power-dining spot. Back in the day, it wasn’t uncommon to see Willie Brown and other movers and shakers holding court there in North Beach over perfect burgers and classic cocktails.

Like all good things, though, the Washbag (as it was affectionately known), sadly came to an end.

Now, Chef Dane Boryta and his wife, Elizabeth Ferro (who met while working together at Bruno’s in San Francisco), are trying to bring glory back to that landmark spot with their restaurant, Bottle Cap.

Opened in July, the restaurant is outfitted with aqua stenciled tables, which give it an air of an ice cream parlor. There’s eclectic art on the walls, including a mosaic of Tina Fey. Old movies are projected on a wall of the back dining room. And live music is featured three times a week.

Old movies are shown here in the back dining room.

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited in as a guest of the restaurant. It’s a very personal venture, with Ferro making the rounds to greet tables.

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Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and An Asian Spin

Pretty in deep red -- cranberries with Brussels sprouts.

I think of fresh cranberries as nature’s own holiday ornaments.

With their striking deep red hue, you can’t help but notice them no matter where they pop up.

Including in this dish of “Asian Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries” from the October 2011 issue of Coastal Living magazine.

The original recipe calls for dried cranberries. But when fresh are abundant at this time of year, why not use those instead, right?

That’s just what I did in this easy dish that’s great served warm or at room temperature.

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Bringing Home the Bacon (Of A Different Sort)

Smoky and sweet cottage bacon.

It looks a little like pastrami, but has the texture of ham.

It’s Lobel’s of New York’s new Cottage Bacon.

I recently had a chance to taste a sample of this marbled, center-cut pork butt that’s cured and smoked, and has less fat than traditional strip bacon.

It’s like an artisan version of Canadian bacon with a wonderful sweet and smoky flavor that’s far more pronounced than your regular supermarket variety. It’s great for sandwiches or with scrambled eggs. I used mine to top grilled pizza with mozzarella and tomato sauce.

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