cookiesinheaven

Take home this Chef...Curtis Stone

2009-07-14T23:18:00.001-07:00

Curtis Stone thanks you!
Originally uploaded by Yahoo! Answers Team (Southeast Asia).

TLC's former "Take Home Chef" Aussie Chef Curtis Stone is set to appear at the Alisal for a little "Down Under" action up in the Valley...and George at the Santa Barbara Independent gets the skinny.

So...ladies (and gents if you are so inclined)...around September 16th or so, remember to dress up when you go to the grocery store because you just never know who you may meet.

Honey Do's

2009-07-14T21:18:00.000-07:00

and don'ts in Florida.

Honey Bear
Originally uploaded by julia.picturetaker.

Beginning today, when you buy honey in Florida you will get only honey.

No additives. No preservatives. No flavorings and nothing produced with chemicals. Just honey.
Florida has enacted what is being touted as the first regulation in the nation - and possibly in the world - requiring that any product that is produced, processed or sold in Florida as honey must be "natural food product resulting from the harvest of nectar by honeybees."
If the product includes sugar water, flavorings, antibiotics sprayed into hives to keep bees healthy or anything else that is not honey produced by bees, it cannot be sold as honey in Florida. - Gainesville.com

Happy Bastille Day!

2009-07-14T01:54:00.000-07:00

Vive le France! Aux armes, citoyens...

Unappetizing news re: Farmed Fish

2009-07-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

There's trouble a bubbling in the Chilean waters....

It was only a matter of time before disease began sweeping through Chile's overcrowded, poorly designed and maintained salmon and trout farms. For years now Chilean fish farmers have jammed millions of fish into pens and poured on the antibiotics to keep them "healthy." Now strains of bacteria have built immunity, and a deadly virus -- infectious salmon anemia, known as the Isa virus -- is killing off fish in a total of 200 different "cultivation centers" in Chile.

Let's be clear: The virus cannot be transmitted to humans via consumption of infected fish. But what's going on in Chile, and in other fish farms around the world, sure shouldn't t make you hunger for farmed salmon tonight.
The Isa virus isn't the only challenge facing Chilean salmon farmers, who exported more than $2.4 billion worth of salmon in 2008. The salmon growers are heavily indebted to suppliers and banks, according to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal. They have an estimated $1.6 billion in liabilities and owe suppliers about $400 million for nets, cages and other gear.- Portland Oregonian

What a warm welcome for Whole Foods

2009-07-12T23:08:00.001-07:00

someone tagged their temporary sign on State Street. Graffiti greetings...so sad.

Is it just me or is graffiti really getting out of hand here in town?

Unemployed Farmer Gone Good

2009-07-11T19:31:00.000-07:00

Way good. Kevin Skinner shows America he's got talent. Lots of it.

Manufacturers are not required to stamp expirations dates....

2009-07-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

Is almost Top Chef Richard Blais

2009-07-10T16:34:00.001-07:00

trailblazing a restaurant concept from Atlanta to Los Angeles? His tweet says it may be so.

"Finishing menu for LA concept !"

I wouldn't mind it being an unusual concept...like bacon shakes!

Imagine a world without fish....

2009-07-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

Fun With Fabio!

2009-07-09T00:23:00.000-07:00

I don't know which is more "bubbly"...the Prosecco or Fabio.

Mexican Cooking with Chef Monica de Alba

2009-07-08T06:25:00.000-07:00

Wednesday July 8, 2009 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
1023 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Cuisine of Mexico

Casa Dolores - Center for the Study of the Popular Arts of Mexico

Join our Host, Chef Monica de Alba for a workshop of the fresh cuisine of Mexico

Menu includes:

Chicken Tingas - A tinga is a special kind of stew fromPuebla that's most often made with pork, but alsomade with other meats. This version will be made with chicken in a smokychipotle sauce and served ontostadas with black beans.

Nopalitos– A refreshing salad made from fresh cactus pads.

Tomatillo Salsa – Traditional salsa made from tomatillos (husktomatoes), a tomato like green fruit.

Horchata– Pleasantly sweet rice drink flavored with cinnamon.

We will enjoy our delicious dinner in our charming and historical adobe (the oldest in Santa Barbara), chef de Alba will provide recipes of the prepared dishes to all participants.

Whole Foods adopts new verification

2009-07-07T23:25:00.000-07:00

for its private label products with the aid of Non-GMO project.

Whole Foods Market, Inc. says it will submit its private label products to testing for genetically engineered organisms--a move that will add a new level of certification to what's on the organic and natural grocer's shelves. - BizJournals

Whole Foods Market invites the industry to join an educational webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. CDT, to learn more about the Non-GMO Project and the PVP. Webinar details are available at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/nongmoproject. - PRNewswire

Turtle Ballet

2009-07-05T23:28:00.001-07:00

La Arcada Turtle guys
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian.

On this 4th of July....Yes We...CAN

2009-07-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

Help fellow Americans who are hungry. Take some canned food to your local foodbank. Be part of the "Million Can March."

Happy July 4th!

2009-07-04T00:32:00.000-07:00

Friday Night Food Recall News Dump

2009-07-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

Salmonella concern spurs recalls

Creve Coeur-based Precision Foods Inc. is among food distributors across the U.S. that are recalling nonfat dry milk, cocoa and other products that are linked to a possible salmonella contamination at a Plainview, Minn., milk processor.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Malt-O-Meal Recalls Oatmeal With Possible Salmonella

Malt-O-Meal Company is voluntarily recalling oatmeal that contains instant nonfat dry milk that may be contaminated with salmonella.

New York Times

Thinking on how to celebrate Bastille Day?

2009-07-03T11:30:00.001-07:00

Renaud's Amazing chocolate macaron
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian.

May I suggest you think about obtaining Renaud's amazing macarons.

Sure Bastille Day isn't until July 14th, but I'm sure Renaud's will be sold out of these amazing chocolate gobs of goodness quite early on, so check on pre-ordering.

Bubonic Plague for Plants?

2009-07-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Blight is hitting the Right Coast, hard.

Tomato plants have been removed from stores in half a dozen states as a destructive and infectious plant disease makes its earliest and most widespread appearance ever in the eastern United States.

Late blight -- the same disease that caused the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s -- occurs sporadically in the Northeast, but this year's outbreak is more severe for two reasons: infected plants have been widely distributed by big-box retail stores and rainy weather has hastened the spores' airborne spread.
The disease, which is not harmful to humans, is extremely contagious and experts say it most likely spread on garden center shelves to plants not involved in the initial infection. It also can spread once plants reach their final destination, putting tomato and potato plants in both home gardens and commercial fields at risk.
Meg McGrath, professor of plant pathology at Cornell University, calls late blight "worse than the Bubonic Plague for plants." - AP via Yahoo Finance

Dog-Cat-Rat man

2009-07-02T20:33:00.001-07:00

Can't we all just get along?
Originally uploaded by santa barbarian.

is up in San Francisco...for the moment

Welcome to the Edibles...

2009-07-02T20:11:00.001-07:00

Edible San Luis Obispo!

Local Firefighter gets a grilling from Tyler Florence

2009-07-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

or rather a grilling lesson from Chef Florence (be still my heart) in the July issue of Sunset Magazine. He was one of three folks brought together to master the art of grilling and to overcome their past...well...charbroiled disasters.

Lesson 2: Ribs

The student: Santa Barbara firefighter Matt Osborne.

The disaster: Osborne incinerated some ribs one Super Bowl at the firehouse while leaving them unattended to watch the game with his coworkers. The next morning, he tossed the smoker’s mangled remains into the station’s dumpster and nearly set it on fire.

The hope: Redemption. "The entire event still haunts me today," he wrote. "It has been six years and the guys still bring it up."

I think that perhaps Mr. Osborne has just been to busy fighting fires here in Santa Barbara to master the rib thing. Let's hope that he has plenty of time to work the coals over a grill this summer instead of working the embers on our hillsides.

Support Your Local Independent Day is July 3rd

2009-07-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

The Isla Vista Food Co-op will open its doors to all shoppers and offer 10% off their entire shopping trip.

Come one, come all to the first "Support Your Independent Day" at the Co-op!. We're inviting anyone and everyone to come shopping at the store at 10% off!

You heard that right: this one is not just for Co-op Owners.

We recognize that everyone is being affected by the downturn in the economy, and we want to offer everyone in the community an opportunity to stock up for less.

July 3rd, 8am-10pm, everything in the Co-op (minus items already on deep discount) will be 10% off!

Stop on by, shop, eat, be merry, support a locally owned business and save moolah. What could be better than that?

French Press opening on July 14th

2009-07-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

Regading the Hummingbird Cafe leaving post, I received a couple of responses clarifying a few things...

1) Hiya, this is Amesia from Arcobaleno Trade...and, yes, we are still here. Joining us is the French Press another locally owned business dealing in ethically sourced goods (her's being coffee and treats!) July 14th is our Grand Opening. It's Bastille Day! Thanks Santa Barbara for supporting local business...

2) hi, it's julia from the French Press. Here is a little bit about my business, which, as amesia said, is coming soon on july 14!

Hello Santa Barbara, it is so nice to see you. We’ve spent the last 10 years becoming fanatical about coffee and espresso, about brewing it, about talking about it and definitely about drinking it! So here we are! The FRENCH PRESS! We are working quickly to create a space for all of us to explore the world of coffee - and espresso - in a format that is not now available in Santa Barbara. Using micro roasted coffees sourced fairly and with love, and exceptional brewing methods, such as french presses and vacuum pots (and our beautiful La Marzocco espresso machine that is on its way from Florence as we speak!), we will guarantee a unique and amazing experience every time.

We also love snacks and treats, and know how lovely a fresh baked cookie tastes in the afternoon. We are looking forward to providing Santa Barbara with a truly exceptional product in a beautiful setting! So come see us soon for a sandwich or salad, a cookie or a croissant, and a pot of tea or a macchiato. We can’t wait to meet you!

I know I'll be stopping by for a macchiato...hope you will, too!

Happy Canada Day!

2009-07-01T14:23:00.001-07:00

Happy Canada Day!
Originally uploaded by Ian Muttoo.

Just in time for that Red White and Blue Holiday

2009-07-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

Ina Garten's famous "Flag Cake" from Ina's third book, Barefoot Contessa Family Style. It was actually in one of Martha Stewart's Living Magazines and proved to be one of the most popular recipes. Just in time for July 4th.

FLAG CAKE

18 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1 cup sour cream at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

For the icing:
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 1/2 pounds cream cheese at room temperature
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

To assemble: 2 half-pints blueberries 3 half-pints raspberries
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter and flour an 18 by 13 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.

Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed, until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and stir until smooth.

Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.

For the icing, combine the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mixing just until smooth.

Spread three-fourths of the icing on the top of the cooled sheet cake. Outline the flag on the top of the cake with a toothpick. Fill the upper left corner with blueberries. Place 2 rows of raspberries across the top of the cake like a red stripe. Put the remaining icing in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe two rows of white stripes below the raspberries. Alternate rows of raspberries and icing until the flag is completed. Pipe stars on top of the blueberries.

I serve this cake right in the pan. If you want to turn it out onto a board before frosting, use parchment paper when you grease and flour the pan.