Monthly Archives: January 2012

Risotto with chicken sausage, tomatoes, and roasted vegetables

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Project 365: Day 5

I really should stop going out on a work night, ouch! Met Hubbs and Shumster out for drinks last night and of course all the usuals were out too. Needless to say, I stayed out later than I should have and ended up eating cheap, greasy Chinese take out. Not good. What is good is that Hubbs might join the Ireland trip, yay!

Risotto with chicken sausage

Arborio rice, organic chicken sausage, canned tomatoes, organic chicken broth, organic brussels sprouts, organic mushrooms, organic garlic, organic onions, organic butter, brillat savarin, olive oil, salt and pepper.

I love risotto because I can just whip it up and throw in any leftovers I need to get rid of. I had a package of chicken sausage that I had purchased on sale so I made this risotto that I will be eating the next couple of days for work lunches. It’s not very traditional but it tastes fickin’ good! I try to cook using all natural and organic ingredients when I can.

Calamars a la planxa – Contigo

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Calamars a la planxa Contigo

Grilled calamari with arros negre, chorizo, artichokes, allioli and Guindilla chile oil. $12
Contigo, San Francisco CA

Omg, this was SO good! Total comfort food. I loved every component of this dish. I just wish I knew what the greens were on top. The squid ink rice and chorizo made the perfect smoky base for the calamari and roasted artichokes. This dish was pretty rich so they don’t overdo it on the portion. NOMS!

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2012

Local xipirons a la planxa - Contigo
Local xipirons (squid) a la planxa.
January 26, 2014

Annabelle’s chichories salad – Contigo

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Annabelle's chichories salad Contigo

Mixed greens with seared cana de cabra goat cheese, persimmons, pomegranates, walnuts and chervil. $13
Contigo, San Francisco

I can’t say that I’ve ever had a salad quite like this! And it was yummy! The persimmons and cana de cabra goat cheese were the ingredients that were new(ish) to me. I don’t usually like raw persimmons but they were really good in this salad. This was the first time I’ve had this goat cheese and I love the crunchy sear on the outside that contrasted with the soft smooth interior. The thick, crsipy greens were hearty enough to hold up to the rich toppings. Great salad!

Eggs in jail – Outerlands

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Project 365: Day 4

It’s a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning in San Francisco! I’m only slightly hung over from a late-ish night out with Silverfox and friends after a yummy dinner at Hecho and an even later after-bar dinner at Curry Boyzz (ugh!). We trekked it over to the Outer Sunset to try Outerlands, it’s been on my list of restaurant to try. I never really noticed some of the beautiful homes along Lincoln Way before. When we got to the restaurant 10 minutes prior to opening, there was already a throng of people waiting and we got onto the second column on the waiting list. Sadly, we just missed the cut for the first seating, but the tables turned pretty quickly and we were eventually seated outside to enjoy the amazing morning weather – no fog today!

Eggs in jail Outerlands

Organic egg fried into house baked organic levain toast, with 2 strips of bacon and side of mixed greens. $9
Outerlands, San Francisco

Everything we had was SO good! I think that the quality ingredients made all the difference because the things we ordered were simply prepared. Their levain toast was lovely and the bacon was delicious. The simple salad was also very good – I liked the variety of greens.

The table next to us ordered a dutch pancake and it looked amazing! It came to their table totally puffed up and the size of a football. Once they cut into it, it deflated of course. I’ll have to remember to order that on a return visit.

Eggs in jail Outerlands

All done!!!

It’s such a beautiful day today that I’d love to just go to the park and do nothing but relax. I have to hit the gym though and have a productive workout. The nice weather will totally motivate me. Also have to make a grocery store run so I can prepare lunches for the work week. So excited that I have a 4-day work week because because Silverfox and I are driving down to Palm Springs on Friday. F-yeah!!!

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2011, 2012

Monterey sardine and avocado toast – Contigo

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Monterey sardine and avocado toast Contigo

Wood oven roasted Monterey sardine and avocado with pickled onions and smoked salt. $2.50
Contigo, San Francisco

I know that sardines tend to be super oily and fishy tasting, but this one was especially so. In addition, it was hard to bite through. I love the concept of this, but the sardine was way too overpowering. It was pretty to look at! 🙂

Wood oven roasted local sardine and avocado toast - Contigo
Each $3
January 24, 2014

Jamon serrano – Contigo

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Jamon serrano Contigo

Cured Spanish ham with Warren pears, Valdeon blue cheese, arugula and honey. $13
Contigo, San Francisco

So simple, so delicious! This was such a bright and refreshing starter. There’s not a lot on the plate but every ingredient counts. I love the beautiful pink color of the Spanish ham and the sweet Warren pears paired wonderfully with the salty meat. The arugula and honey drizzle were yummy additions.

Huarache de nopales – El Huarache Loco

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Project 365: Day 3

Today has been a full day so far! I took my Baby-girl out for a walk at Fort Funston with Silverfox. She had a great time running around in the dunes and smelling everything in sight, even other dogs’ butts! We finally made it to the Alemany Farmers’ Market for the first time where we ate the huarache pictured below. That place was a mad house! But it’s so great to see such a diverse crowd gathering at these San Francisco Farmers’ Markets.

Huarache de nopales El Huarache Loco

Huarache is the signature dish of this particular booth at the Alemany Farmers’ Market. Huarache literally translates as sandal. They attribute this to the shape of the organic oval tortilla which is stuffed with homemade pinto beans before grilled. I order it topped with nopales, a cactus salad. It’s served with sour cream, queso fresco cheese, cilantro, onions, and salsa. $6.75
El Huarache Loco, San Francisco

Who knew that dogs aren’t allowed at this open air Farmers’ Market, unless their service dogs? The security girl who confronted me was nice enough to give me a pass by implying that one of her tags was a service dog tag. I played dumb and said I didn’t know because I was only watching her for a friend. Thanks nice lady!

El Huarache Loco is a crazy busy booth! I guess everyone knows that their huaraches are frickin’ delicious! The cactus salad huarache was awesome! I’ve never really had cactus as a main topping (only as a garnish I think), but I was surprised at how good it was. It kinda tasted like pickled jalapenos with a little slimier texture. The tortilla had a great hearty texture and it was topped with everything – nice and messy!

I’m feeling a little better today, but still not 100%. I couldn’t stay in again, though, so that’s why we decided to take Baby-girl to the beach. Also hit the gym afterward because I was starting to feel disgusting. I couldn’t do everything I wanted, but it was still a good workout considering my lingering sickness.

Ok, signing off!

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2010, 2011, 2012

General Tso’s chicken – Grand Palace Restaurant

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General Tso's chicken Grand Palace Restaurant

Wok sauteed chicken with onions, green and red bell peppers, and black fungus in special sauce over steamed white rice. To go special $6.75
Grand Palace Restaurant, South San Francisco CA

Like I’ve said in a previous post, every place has their own version of General Tso’s chicken. Grand Palace’s version uses sauteed sliced chicken instead of deep fried breaded chicken bits.  Their sauce also isn’t sweet or sticky. So what I’m saying is that, I don’t like this version very much – LOL! But it true, after all the guilty from ordering General Tso’s chicken, I want the satisfaction of biting into fattening, fried chicken pieces.

Szechuan eggplant – Grand Palace Restaurant

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Szechuan eggplant Grand Palace Restaurant

Sauteed eggplants with green onions, bamboo shoots, onions, black fungus, ginger and dried chilis in a garlic sauce. To go special $8.00
Grand Palace Restaurant, South San Francisco

Oh how I love eggplant! These were SO good too. I love how they were super saucy and garlicky. I was also surprised how much food they give you for their To Go Special. This didn’t come with any rice so it’s just a huge container of Szechuan eggplants, noms!