Simply J Life » Great Food

What I crave!!!

James — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 01:22:24 +0000

Here is my ritual when I go to Chicago. I fly in, pickup my rental car, and head to White Castle Hamburgers! It does not matter if it is morning, noon, or night, I gotta have ‘em.

Update: The above photo has been added to the White Castle Hamburger website photo banner. I am very honored.

Chocolate Torte with Pine Nuts

James — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 01:07:37 +0000

Just a little dessert after dinner at Boot and Shoe Service in Oakland.

Bacon Cheeseburger @ Flame Gourmet Burgers

James — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:47:30 +0000

At the suggestion of a good friend, I went to Flame Gourmet Burgers on College Avenue near Ashby Avenue in Berkeley for a late lunch. I had the bacon cheeseburger, steak fries, and raspberry lemonade. My burger prepared medium well with cheddar cheese and smoked applewood bacon on a toasted sesame seed bun. I was very satisfied with my meal and it was all for under $15 with tip. I will definitely be visiting Flame again soon.

Brunch @ Farmer Brown

James — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:51:48 +0000

I had brunch at Farmer Brown Restaurant in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago. As you can see, it was very yummy. I look forward to going back again soon.

The Making of a Peach Cobbler

James — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:32:58 +0000

Baking is one of my passions. I can make some desserts really well but my peach cobbler has never quite been to my liking. My dad made a much better cobbler. I think I first tried to make a peach cobbler when I was about 13 years old and try again every few years but have not mastered it yet.

I contacted my friend, pastry chef David Benton, to teach me how to make a really good peach cobbler. It turned out amazing and it was much less difficult than I expected. Everyone has a take on how to make peach cobbler but David made it look simple. I look forward to making a peach cobbler on my own very soon. I will definitely take photos when I do.

Please check out David’s baking at www.sugarsweetsf.com. Your taste buds will thank you!

Festival of Desserts 2008

James — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:06:50 +0000

These red velvet cupcakes were an absolute showstopper. They were made by friend, Marvin, for this year’s Festival of Desserts. I am hoping to get the recipe for them and I will post it here. This was the first year that we had guest desserts. I made 10 desserts, ranging from sweet potato pie to cranberry oatmeal cookies and chocolate eggnog rum cake. As always, we had ham and chicken. A great time was had by all.
Additional photos from the Festival of Desserts can be seen here. I am already cooking up ideas for Festival of Desserts 2009.

My Bakesale Betty Photo in The Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition

James — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:18:42 +0000

I am very honored to have my photo of Bakesale Betty Bakery selected for the article “A New Gourmet Ghetto” in The Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition for December 29, 2007.

Dessert Goodness – Part 3

James — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:35:33 +0000

Dessert Goodness, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

Once again it is that special time of year when wonderful baked goods come from my oven. The 6th Annual Festival of Desserts was quite fun this year as you see from the photos above. I will come back shortly to share recipes.

Congratulations to Bakesale Betty!

James — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:21:14 +0000

Apple Pie, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

Congratulations to Alison “Bakesale Betty” Barakat and her husband, Michael Camp, on their birth of their daughter, Hazel Mary on November 6. Mom and baby are doing well. I got to chat briefly with Betty when I stopped by on Saturday for a fried chicken sandwich and a slice of really yummy apple pie. Truly a guilty pleasure but I did take a short bike ride before going there.

Petersen Ice Cream

James — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:22:45 +0000

Long before Fenton’s Ice Creamery in Oakland ruled my world, there was Petersen Ice Cream on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park, Illinois. I took this photo recently on an early morning drive from the airport through Oak Park. I lived here for nine years before I moved to California in 1998. I remember I became fascinated with Oak Park when I took the “el” train to see the movie “Reds” in early 80′s with friends at the Lake Theater. I knew then that I wanted to live there. Five or six years later, I made my move and I loved it. Oak Park will always hold a special place in my heart.