Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Rio de Janeiro for Churrascaria
Singapore for the Hawker Stall foods
San Francisco for the seafood

cv

Singapore, 1984. Purchased 1# of ripe durian pods. Triple ziplock bagged creamy looking flesh. Stored in hotel room.....did not know that was illegal. Returned to discover an deeply violating, unholy odor permeating the hall from behind my closed room door. Quickly removed offending package to the rear building parking lot, lit only by floods and fireflies. Attempted to spoon flesh into my mouth. Attempted to swallow said flesh. Expectorated flesh and half my supper supper on the ground....did not know that was illegal in Singapore. Sealed the zip locks with a shaken hand, hurled the package out into the dark over the rear chain link fense, thereby breaking a third (no littering!) Singapore law. Total fines evaded....$3000. But the room.....would....not....air....out.

coastalvicar

Revueltos....crisp fried potatoes, chopped green onion, diced red and green peppers, crumbled crisp thick sliced bacon, bay shrimp, diced garlic, mushrooms, hot pepper flakes, parlsey.....and eggs poured over the lot when all are combined and HOT. Turn slowly....the eggs cooks to custard consistance on the hot potatoes, etc....not on the pan. Texture is creamy, crunchy, and delicious.

coastalvicar

Dark....brooding, deep, long lasting aftertaste....then the smile.

coastalvicar

Common Ground, on El Camino in Palo Alto, CA. They offer classes on biodynamic gardening, sell seeds by the spoonful, and offer all kinds of tools and advice. Great people.

cv

Bavette....marinated as asado, grilled medium rare, sliced thin with pickled vegetables and homemade tortillas/guacamole/salsa.

cv

crisp...cut thick, browned until it's lean parts will shatter on the tooth.

cv

Braising.....name any meat that is not super tender/marbled....and it will be better braised with root vegetables, kale, and a splash of wine.

cv

Dark....as in drumstick.

cv

Practice. My Mom started me cooking with her 55 years ago, and I watched in amazement when she glanced at recipes, modified them based on cupboard ingredients, seasoned in her palm (not spoons), and imparted a passion, a zing, a deep appreciation for good tastes, good presentations, and good company. Cooking is my recreation and mental discipline.

coastalvicar

Foccacia.....dimpled, shiny with good olive oil and chunky sea salt, speckled with rosemary. Or with red Hawaiian Salt and toasted Szechuan Pepper corns. Or with browned Asiago cheese. Whew, hungry!

Coastalvicar

Morimoto for his intensity....and he has signature beers offered by Rogue Brewing Company in Oregon that are dynamite offerings with his food!

coastalvicar