fête à fête

Being healthy with the sweet stuff doesn't have to be hard (or taste yucky) anymore. Thanks to Ania Catalano's new book Baking with Agave Nectar, you don't have to compromise your taste buds with strange-tasting sugar substitutes in your baking. With over 100 recipes featuring this wonderful sweetener, you will be amazed at how the All-American Apple Pie and French Pear Frangipane Tarte recipes will taste, or try the Lemon Chiffon Cake. There is a chapter on using agave in buttercreams and other types of frosting and sauces.

Agave nectar carries plenty of health benefits, along with having a low glycemic index. Its taste is sweeter than sugar, and it's ideal for diabetics and those with hypoglycemia. It's also perfect for those who are trying to lower their sugar intake, and the texture is great to work with in baked goods. Try the refreshing sorbet recipe below - it's a great start to toast the start of summer...

Watermelon Sorbet

Makes 1 quart
Vegan & Gluten-Free

This particular sorbet is like really good Italian ice. It’s got an icier 
texture than some of the other 
sorbet recipes because it’s made from fruit that has a naturally high water content. It’s most appealing and quite refreshing on a hot 
summer day.

Half of a small seedless watermelon, 
rind removed, cut into pieces
½ cup light agave nectar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Pinch of sea salt

Place the watermelon pieces in a food processor and blend until liquefied, about 1 to 2 minutes. Measure out 3 cups of the watermelon purée into a large bowl. Add the agave nectar, lime juice, and salt and combine well. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight until ready to freeze. Pour into the ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for freezing. Freeze 20 minutes. Transfer to a plastic storage container and place in a regular home freezer to firm up. Remove the sorbet from the freezer 10 minutes before serving to allow time to soften up.

Reprinted from Baking With Agave Nectar: Over 100 Recipes Using Nature’s Ultimate Sweetener by Ania Catalano, photographs by Lara Hata. Copyright © 2008. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA.

-Tami

Tagged as: baking, cake, cookbook, cookies, cooking, cooking techniques, health, pie

Posted by Tami Yu at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Talk about a breathtaking collection of Spring gifts from Vosges! Just in time to shower Mom with your adoration, here are some last-minute gift ideas to make her smile:

The Green Collection is a gorgeous celebration of life and is inspired by the spices, teas, fruits and flowers indigenous to Asia. The Ellateria truffle is a beautiful Indian green cardamom, while the Kaffir (Thai kaffir lime) is a nice interpretation of this exotic flavor. The Kayoko (Japanese macha green tea) goes very well with the white chocolate. I just loved the aromatic and earthy Buddha's Leaf (Malaysian pandan leaves).

For more of nature's bounty, the pretty Les Fleurs du Chocolat Collection will send you into a blissful dream of organic fruits and flowers. This limited edition collection includes Siam Citron (jasmine tea , lemongrass, coconut), Mirabelle Orange (mirabelle plums, orange flower water), Rose Vert (tarragon + rose water), and Platanos y Orchidus (orchid vanilla + caramelized bananas + Jamaican rum).

Lastly, the pièce de résistance...go splurge on the Red Velvet Party Cake. The sweet chocolate red velvet cake is layered with cream cheese & white chocolate ganache (oh my!) and organic New Mexican pecans. This Southern darlin' will thrill everyone, and it's encased in a flower embellished white chocolate shell. It's almost too darn cute to eat!

Buy at: www.vosgeschocolate.com

-Tami

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, chocolate truffles, food, gifts, Gourmet and Gourmand, holiday, organic ingredients

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the best ways to pamper mommy dearest on Mother's Day is to send her to Miraval, the award-winning retreat. Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, AZ, it's the perfect place to show your mom some TLC.

Miraval offers luxurious focus on a balanced body, mind and spirit. Guests are free to create agendas that suit their whims, goals and mood. Amidst mesquite trees, wild flowers and stunning cacti, this paradise features a yoga center, spa, swimming pools, healthy gourmet cuisine, and a Zen garden. There are also tons of meditation, fitness and nutrition classes, as well as adventure challenges, hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Miraval offers special all-inclusive packages, including the favorite "Bring a Friend Special" -perfect for you and mom! Rates begin at $535 per night and the package includes:

* Luxury accommodations & use of complete resort facilities
* Three gourmet meals daily, unlimited snacks, evening hors d'oeuvres and all non-alcoholic beverages
* One spa service, or one round of golf up to a $125 value per room/per night of stay
* Unlimited access to all scheduled programs and activities
* Round-trip transportation from Tucson International Airport

www.miravalresort.com

-Tami

Tagged as: entertainment, health, holiday, Luxury, spa, travel

Posted by Tami Yu at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My very chic gal pals and I formed a Blog Carnival to list our favorite shopping sites (and what we'd love to buy from each!), so here's a sampling of vintage-inspired fashion ideas:

Sandra from Debutante Clothing's Deblog is "the" vintage clothing guru in my circle of fashion obsessed friends! Leave it to Debutante Clothing to really pick out the best of the vintage inspired fashions featured on www.Unique-Vintage.com.

Nancy of Ten Pretty Girls has chosen something from the gorgeous dresses at Unique-Vintage.com:

Stella Louise talks about how vintage is not really her thing, but she does find something truly cool-- very much “her” for this summer: Well Above Average Explores Unique-Vintage.com .

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LA-Story's Stevie decided to be more practical in her choice despite some swoon-worthy dresses that were calling to her. She went the accessories route and decided on a pair of shoes because shoes can make -- or break-- an outfit.

As for me, the Interlude Flapper Style Illusion Lace Dress is such a gorgeous 1920s style! The black lace overlay and silver beading creates the ultimate flapper dress! It's truly a classy one to slip into for dancing or a fancy night on the town. I love the filmy lace asymmetrical hem, it is perfect for twirling on the dance floor.

Shop at: www.unique-vintage.com

-Tami

Tagged as: clothing, dress, fashion, fashion design, shopping, vintage

Posted by Tami Yu at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

NARS has a talent of making neutral shades look so sexy. The new Summer 2008 Exotica collection has a great edgy range of natural looks for everyone. The nude pigments help exude a mystique of the sensual coquette.

There a couple of great eye color duos. Portobello is a matte ecru and a soft mushroom, giving the lid a very natural wash of color for an everyday look. Unconditional Love (duo cream eyeshadow) has a lovely cream to powder feel, with delicate shades of seafoam and shimmery copper. This is great for those sizzling days at the beach. Galapagos, a bitter chocolate with flecks of gold, is really awesome for a dramatic smoky eye.

I love the buttery smooth glide of the velvet matte lip pencils. The Dolce Vita is a pretty dusty rose, while Roman Holiday is a pale pastel pink. Both are nice by itself, but to make it punchier add a touch of the sparkly Supervixen lip gloss (sheer mauve). You can pretty much add Supervixen to every lip color and it will shine. This will definitely stay in my on-the-go makeup bag!

The Mindgame lipstick (sheer warm brandy) is now my fave neutral lip color. It gives the face a nice polished feel, and with Misbehave gloss, you will get the desired come-hither effect with the cherry red glaze dusted with gold shimmer.

Check out the entire line at: www.narscosmetics.com

-Tami

Tagged as: cosmetics, eye color, eyeshadow, lip color, lip gloss, lips, lipstick, makeup

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here are a few more film reviews for the upcoming San Francisco International Film Festival, which starts tomorrow through May 8:

Solitary Fragments (Spain) is a close examination of family dynamics within the circle of human relations. Director Jaime Rosales weaves a natural and unbiased study of people struggling with everyday challenges while Yasuhiro Ozu's creative use of the split screen pieces the intersecting stories together.

Single mother Adela (Sonia Almarcha) leaves her provincial town in search of a better life in Madrid with her infant son. Struggling with a bland job, she moves in with Carlos (Lluís Villanueva) and Inés (Miriam Correa). The roommates become friends and open up to each other about their personal lives over shared meals. Inés’s mother Antonia (Petra Martínez) soon becomes an indirect acquaintance. A widow with three daughters, Antonia is literally the rock in the family. Dealing with one daughter's cancer prognosis and manipulated by another to help supplement her selfish ambitions, the normalcy of daily life unexpectedly ends for these these women when tragic events occur. The survivors have to find the strength to carry on, and the viewer is strongly drawn to the well-being of each character. I liked how certain silent scenes reflected the inner strength of the main characters. Lonliness, grief, and isolation surround them like an invisible wall yet they manage to maintain their dignity as life goes on, with or without them.

Click here to watch the trailer (Click on "Watch" link on the lower right corner of the movie still).

Secret (Taiwan) is a beautifully shot teen romance. Taiwanese pop artist Jay Chou built some acting chops in Zhang Yimou’s "Curse of the Golden Flower" and he refined his skill with "Secret." Directing his own script, Chou plays Yeh Hsiang-Lun, an extremely gifted music student entering a prestigious academy. Innocent flirtations abound amongst students and the days are filled with lectures, sports, hi-jinks, and “piano battles”.

One day in an old music room, Lun encounters Lu Hsiao-Yu (Kwai Lun-mei) playing an alluring tune. This melody and the coquettish Yu begin to haunt Lun day and night. Eventually Lun discovers a photograph of Yu with his father (the matchless Anthony Wong), and the plot rises to a very dramatic and supernatural turn. Delicate and sweetly mysterious, Yu is the film’s emotional center as she and Lun performs their magical symphony for all time.

Click here to watch the trailer (Click on "Watch" link on the lower right corner of the movie still).

Just Like Home (Denmark) is a wry comedy about trust and community within a small Danish town. Filled with eccentrics, the characters share their angst and loneliness, including a woman on the lam (Ann Eleanora Jørgensen), an angry pill-popper dealing with his childhood (Peter Gantzler), a stuffy poet (Peter Hesse Overgaard), and an optimistic civil servant (Bodil Jørgensen) with a shaky hold on her job.

Director Lone Scherfig does a fine job of painting a tableau of a conservative society as the residents struggle with the rumor of a male streaker in their midst. A local pharmacist opens up an anonymous hotline to find the culprit and calamity ensues as the townsfolk use it to air their grievances. Despite their initial misgivings, the hotline volunteers learn to find their voice, help each other, and heal the community. If you've seen "Italian for Beginners," you will want to check this out.

For tickets and information: go to www.sffs.org or call 925.866.9559

See you at the film fest!

Tami

Tagged as: celebrity, film, Film Festival, Film Stars, movie, San Francisco, San Francisco event

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Film lovers will have a lot of wonderful screenings to explore at the upcoming 51st San Francisco International Film Festival. The 15-day extravaganza will not only present nearly 200 films from 49 countries, but it will also feature the work of 39 women directors. Opening on April 24 with Catherine Breillat's "The Last Mistress," the festival will close May 8 with the West Coast premiere of "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson." Award honorees include Maria Bello of "The Yellow Handkerchief" (Peter J. Owens Award), Jason Lee, and Rose McGowan (both for Midnight Awards).

Here are a few select reviews from the festival:

"Shadows in the Palace" (Korea) is part lavish historical drama, part murder mystery set during Korea’s Chosun era. Totally entertaining with non-stop plot twists (for the squeamish folks, there will be a few gory torture scenes), the film is a solid rendition of Korean palace intrigue and the complex power struggles amongst the court maids, imperial concubine and the empress.

The smell of constant fear permeates the palace in everyone's effort to win the emperor's favor. Rigid court rules strip off the spirit of the maids as they work within the thick confines of the palace. After one of the maids is found dead, female court doctor Chun-ryung suspects foul play and decides to expose the murderer. Risking her position and her life, she soon digs up an ugly mess of deception as the battle for ultimate power unfolds. The acting is well done, as well as the costume research and set design, but the special effects are a bit too dramatic for Western viewers.

"In the City of Sylvia" (Spain) presents the idea of possible romance as a young romantic (Xavier Lafitte) searches for Sylvia, the would-be lover he met from several years before. Beautifully set in Strasbourg with gorgeous-looking stars, Lafitte resembles a version of Gael Garcia Bernal, while gamine Pilar López de Ayala steals the limelight. The film is a simple pleasure to gaze at. Director José Luis Guerín encourages the viewer to engage themselves to sound and light, paring down the dialogue significantly. The sense of city life is heightened, with the everyday sound of locals strolling, students chatting, and the sound of a tram ambling around the winding streets.

"Glasses" (Japan) is a zen jewel of a story, about an uptight teacher visiting an idyllic island retreat. Upon arrival at the Hamada Inn, Taeko (Satomo Kobayashi) is subjected to the peculiar business habits of the owner (Ken Mitsuishi) because he doesn't want too many guests. Fellow guest Sakura (Masako Motai) leads the townspeople through daily “merci exercises” and all the guests practice 'twilighting' in the evenings.

Through the seemingly strange practices of the local inhabitants, Taeko learns to let go literally and figuratively, changing in small degrees with each passing day at the beach. Western audiences might not be used to the quiet pace of Naoko Ogigami's direction, but this is a great example of how in slowing down one's life, one might actually see the gems within.

More film reviews to come - stay tuned!

For tickets and information: go to www.sffs.org or call 925.866.9559

See you at the film fest!

Tami

Tagged as: celebrity, Film, Film Festival, Film Stars, international, movie, San Francisco, San Francisco event

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With true Italian sophistication, Giorgio Armani Beauty brings rich coffee shades to the lips this Spring/Summer. The new black of this season is lacquered brown, and his new Caffè Collection is a bold statement ranging from transparent mochas to deep noble browns.

The ArmaniSilk Caffè lipsticks have a special new formula to perfect the balance between high color and long lasting comfort. Available in eight easy to wear brown-beige shades, I liked the No. 59 Caffè Granita - a frosty mocha that can be worn alone or with a gloss. The star shade, No. 62 Ristretto, is a bit too dramatic for me, so I toned it down with Lip Shimmer No. 45 - a beautiful shimmery bronze that is also great for a nude lip.

A tribute to the historical origins of perfume, the new Armani Prive – Les Eaux collection is inspired by the legendary gardens of the world. Rare and exquisite, the notes are selected with great care. Vétiver Babylone is a lavish interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's love for his wife Amytis, who dedicated the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to his beloved.

The perfume opens up with bright bergamot and citron notes, blending with juicy mandarin. Spicy green cardamom, coriander and pink pepper excite the senses, echoing the primal energy and heat of the desert. Earthy patchouli rounds out the base note, reminiscent of the intermittent shade within the sparse trees. It's a sexy fragrance that is mysterious, seducing you into the lush gardens of paradise.

Available at: Select Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Barneys and www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

-Tami

Posted by Tami Yu at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Three Custom Color Specialists teamed up with celebrity makeup artist James Vincent to create a look inspired by the golden glamour of Miami's international style. The new shades are: Peacock Eye Shadow, a festive teal flecked with glittery shimmer and Poppy Lip and Cheek Stain, a bright warm coral.

To get the look:

Use Peacock Eye Shadow wet as an eye liner and buff the edges for a smoky gradated look. A soft smudge of Peacock Eye Shadow can also be added along the lower lash line. Use a bronze shadow to blend int the crease for contouring. Add a dash of Poppy Lip & Cheek Stain on the center of the eyelid. Apply a navy liner on the inner rim of the eye to define and finish with black mascara on the upper lashes.

For lips & cheeks, blend the Poppy Lip & Cheek Stain onto the cheekbones and dab onto the lips. For added glamour, finish with a lip gloss for a sparkling accent.

www.threecustom.com

-Tami

Tagged as: blush, cosmetics, eye color, eyeshadow, lip color, makeup, Makeup Artists

Posted by Tami Yu at 8:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Choco Alert!

Cacao fanatics all over the Bay Area are excited about the upcoming 2nd Annual San Francisco International Chocolate Salon, and we know why. Chocolate tastings, demos and presentations will be presented all day long. As if that isn't enough decadent indulging, there will also be wine tastings to pair with your sweet treats.

Some of the notable artisan participants include: NEWTREE Gourmet Belgian Chocolate, Coco-luxe Confections, Guittard, San Francisco Toffee Company, Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolate, Poco Dolce, Charles Chocolates, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Chuao Chocolatier, Schoggi, Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur, Silver Stone Wines, Sol Rouge Winery, and XOX Truffles.

April 13, 2008
10:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday
Fort Mason Conference Center
San Francisco

www.SFChocolateSalon.com

See you at the choco salon!

Tami

Tagged as: chocolate, chocolatier, confection, dessert, food & drink, Gourmet and Gourmand, San Francisco, San Francisco event, wine

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I am addicted to Shu Uemura's fun lipsticks. The new Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine collection incorporates light-reflective pearls with special hybrid pigmentation to create the ultimate brilliance. The innovative fusion results in a luscious formula that is light as a feather, with 17 sparkly shades to play with. I really like the Shimmery Berry (RD 174 S) and Universal Red (RD 165 S). The artistic shade (Iridescent White) is a great way to transform any ho-hum lipstick into a splash of sexy color.

Portable and convenient, you can achieve lash-curling precision with the new Mini Eyelash Curler. Paired with the famous full-sized curler, the mini curler enables professional control on creating the perfect curl. You can now curl those hard-to-reach inner and outer lashes! It's a must-have for any makeup bag.

www.shuuemura-usa.com

-Tami

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, cosmetics, lip color, lipstick

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Cosmopolitan chic reigns in Guerlain's spring 2008 Fleur de Feu collection. Radiant pinks, berries, and ash grey combine to reflect the modern woman.

The black gold case of the Ombre Éclat eyeshadow opens up to reveal four shades stamped with a bright pink floral design. Whether you want sparkling turquoise, a sandy beige or silvery bronze, the matte and iridescent textures will result in the perfect wash of color.

The unique formula of the KISSKISS STICK GLOSS glides on with the convenience of a lipstick but finishes with a gloss' brilliant shine. Lightly flavored with hints of fruit, the colors of berry, cherry, pink and grape will paint the a portrait of feminine elegance.

www.guerlain.com

-Tami

Tagged as: cosmetics, eye color, eyeshadow, lip color, lipstick, makeup

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Take the Juicy Tubes World Tour with London fashion designer Christopher Kane! Sought after by Kate Moss and Victoria Beckahm, Kane's energetic designs are now captured in the new Lancôme Christopher Kane Juicy Tubes.

Each of the nine new lip glosses are decorated with an illustration by Christopher. The shades, names and flavors were inspired by Kane’s fashion travels. Each captures the excitement of the hottest cities (Red Hot New York, Fifth Avenue Frosting, Copacabana Coffee, Rio Mango, Grand Café Crème Brûlée, Moulin Rose, Paris Bubbly, Tokyo Plum Blossom, and Peach Mochi).

The Lancôme Christopher Kane Juicy Tubes are available at lancome-usa.com, the five Lancôme boutiques, specialty stores and counters nationwide.

www.lancome-usa.com

-Tami

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, cosmetics, fashion, fashion designer, lip color, lip gloss, makeup

Posted by Tami Yu at 2:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I love Italian cuisine. When Farina opened up in SF, I was excited to try the Ligurian menu. Unlike other places where they do a California-Italian twist, this is the real deal. With a chef from Genoa taking the helm, the result is an impressive feast any formidable Italian grandmother will approve.

The Parma prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella focaccia made my taste buds tingle. The heat from the lightly fried bread contrasted nicely with the fresh and cool cheese. They specialize in focaccia so definitely make a point of ordering one. The butterfish and black cod crudo was refreshingly simple with just a splash of citrus.

The pastas are just amazing. Handmade at the marble counter, this is some of the best and most authentic I've had in a while. I feel like I'm in Italy when I ate the airy Pansotti al Sugo di Noci (tortelli filled with ricotta and borage). The delicate walnut cream sauce complemented perfectly with the velvety ricotta. The Tortelli con castelmagno al burro e tartufo nero (torteli filled with castelmagno cheese, butter, and black truffle) was to die for. The pasta was so thin it melted right onto my tongue, exploding into a cheese lover's bliss.

For dessert, get the Latte dolce fritto (sweet milk fritters with citrus salad and blood orange vanilla sauce) and the almond semifreddo with orange caramel and creme anglais. The gelati and panna cotta looked good too, but we didn't have any more room to try another bite. Try their Tai Snapper recipe below - the easy seafood dish will transport you to a quaint Italian seaside town...

Farina
Focaccia & Cucina Italiana
3560 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 565-0360
www.farinafoods.com

Dentice alla Ligure con patate

Ingredients:

2 pounds of fresh Tai Snapper
2 large potato tournet, halved and cooked in boiling water
20 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons of Italian pine nuts
15 black Ligurian taggiasche olives, pitted
3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove
Parsley, chopped
Sea salt
1 cup of Pigato wine ( Ligurian white wine)
1 cup fish stock

Preparation:

Clean and fillet the Tai Snapper in 4 filets leaving the skin intact.

Pan sear the Tai Snapper skin side first with 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. When the skin becomes crisp, turn the filet and discard the oil. Next add the cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, taggiasche olives, potato tournet, extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of sea salt and one cup of wine.

When the wine has evaporated add the fish stock, garlic, and chopped parsley, and cook in a 500 degree oven for 3 to 4 minutes. When the fish is cooked, plate the potatoes and reduce the stock to a sauce like consistency. Plate the fish and finish with the pan sauce, tomatoes, olives, and pine nuts. Serves 4.

Recipe by Chef Paolo Laboa

-Tami

Tagged as: chef, cooking, food, food & drink, recipe, restaurants, San Francisco

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Burberry's new perfume The Beat is a bright floral woody fragrance with notes of bergamot, mandarin, Ceylon tea, cardamom, pink pepper, bluebell, iris, white musk, vetiver and cedarwood.

The edgy bottle design is minimalistic, shaped like a trendy flask and etched with the iconic Burberry check. The scent is aimed at the ultra-cool hipster crowd, but no matter. You can create your own individual beat.

www.burberrythebeat.com

-Tami

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, fragrance, perfume

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Leave it to Givenchy to create another playful makeup collection. The 2008 Denim Fétiche is inspired by the modern and sexy spirit of denim. The limited edition topstitched package design says it all.

Don't be fooled by the vivid colors. They're quite easy to blend and all the products complement each other. Denim blues and dark purples give a dramatic flair amidst all the lilacs and pinks that are normally offered in spring makeup palettes. I love all the Accessor’eyes Powder & Cream Eyeshadow Quartets and the Rouge Interdit lipsticks. Each is a beauty product and fashion statement all in one!

www.parfumsgivenchy.com/make_up

-Tami

Tagged as: beauty, eye color, eyeshadow, limited edition makeup, lip color, lipstick, makeup

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Domestic Goddess strikes again! Trust Nigella Lawson to deliver another sassy cookbook for the busy home cook. With time-saving shortcuts, the Food Network celeb's latest title, Nigella Express, will provide inspiring menu ideas for every night of the week. The gorgeous photos will have you drooling as you run to the kitchen to try out all 130 recipes.

Craving Italiano? Just flip to the Hey Presto section and you'll find lightning-fast and yummy recipes for Pollo Alla Cacciatora, Black Pasta with Red Mullet, and Budino Di Cioccolato. Feeling Frazzled? Head to the Instant Calmer chapter for Cheddar Cheese Risotto or Rapid Ragu. Unexpected guests? Not a problem - just make the Curry in a Hurry from the Storecupboard SOS chapter. Check out the Scallops and Chorizo recipe below - it's a pretty crowd pleaser.

Scallops and Chorizo

I’ve long been a fan of scallops and bacon and scallops with chile, and this is my combination of the two, using chorizo — the sausage, not the salami — to ooze its paprika-hot orange oil over the sweet, white scallops. It’s quicker than the speed of light to make and quite as dazzling.

4oz chorizo sausage
1lb small scallops (halve them to make 2 thinner discs if they are very fat)
juice of half a lemon
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Slice the chorizo into rounds no thicker than 1/8 inch.

Put a pan on the stove to get hot and then dry-fry (the chorizo will give out plenty of its own oil) the chorizo rounds until crisped on either side; this should take no more than 2 minutes.

Remove the chorizo to a bowl and fry the scallops in the chorizo oil for about a minute a side.

Return the chorizo to the pan with the scallops, add the lemon juice, and let bubble for a few seconds before arranging on a serving plate and sprinkling with lots of parsley.

Serves 4 as a main course with the chickpeas and arugula that follow; would be fine with just a little leafage for 8 as a starter.

Recipe printed with permission from Hyperion.

www.nigella.com

See you in the kitchen!

Tami

Tagged as: celebrity, chef, cookbook, cooking, cooking techniques, dessert, dinner, food, food & drink, recipes

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Take advantage of the great Easter sale at Williams-Sonoma! Check out the darling Mini Iced Easter Sugar Cookies - once you munch on one, you can't stop! These tiny buttery cookies are baked in cute Easter shapes (bunny, egg, carrot, flower). They're so adorable that you don't want to eat them, but I still managed to attack a few. Prepared by a small family-owned Canadian bakery, these are made with real butter, fresh eggs, and are hand decorated with royal icing.

For a spectacular Spring centerpiece, the Moss & Strawflower Easter Basket with Chocolate Carrots will spark conversation at the table. The wire and sphagnum moss basket comes filled with six Guittard milk chocolate carrots wrapped in orange-and-green foil. The basket’s rim is also interwoven with marjoram and lavender stems and accented with sunny yellow strawflowers.

If you want to bake your own Easter goodies, the Williams-Sonoma Nonstick Goldtouch™ Insulated Cookie Sheet totally rocks. This baking sheet boasts a durable nonstick Goldtouch™ coating to resist scratches and peeling, while the insulated constriction ensures even browning. The two tin-free steel layers increases heat circulation, so cookies bake evenly throughout and emerge with a light golden crust. It won't rust or warp either. What a wonder baking tool.

www.williams-sonoma.com

Happy Easter!

Tami

Tagged as: baking, baking tools, confection, cookies, dessert, entertaining, food, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Polished and über sophisticated, Giorgio Armani's Spring 2008 colors are sleek, muted and fresh. To start, a light wash of color is imparted with the fluid sheer radiance (light sheer apricot #17 or vibrant pink #18). This is a nice contouring or hightlighting product. It can also be used as a blush.

The silky maestro eye shadow #13 is a fresh satin green that will make the eyes pop. I love how light and smooth the formula is, it glides on nicely and doesn't fade.

For the pale lip, apply the creamy and long-lasting armanisilk lipstick in beige #55 or soft pink #67. To add depth to your lips, layer with the #49 lip shimmer for a sparkly effect.

To get the look, see the master class here:
http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/_us/_en/advisor/spring_2008_1.aspx?

www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

-Tami

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, cosmetics, eye color, eyeshadow, Giorgio Armani, lip color, lip gloss, lipstick, makeup

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

You don't need to host an elaborate Easter brunch to enjoy the fine confections from Vosges Haut Chocolat. The adorable Chocolate Easter Bunnies will make you smile - choose from the new Amalfi Bunny (lemon zest & pink peppercorn), or take home the Barcelona Bunny (smoked almonds & sea salt).

I didn't believe that pigs could fly...until now. The new Flying Chocolate Pig will make your taste buds sing. If you love the Mo's Bacon Bar like I do, you will appreciate this cute arrival. The solid chocolate pig combines applewood smoked bacon (yum), Alder wood smoked salt and deep milk chocolate (double yum). That's my definition of heaven.

If that's not decadent enough for ya, then go for Bapchi's Caramel Toffee. One of their top-sellers, the salty-sweet combo is a classic fave. I bet you can inhale the entire box in one sitting. The extremely addictive and oh-so-buttery toffee is sprinkled with pink Himalayan salt, then coated with deep milk chocolate. A coating of roasted organic walnuts and pecans provide the extra satisfying crunch.

The Exotic Caramel collection is becoming another favorite of mine. Not just your average caramel, these come in intriguing blends of Aboriginal anise myrtle, bee pollen, Tupelo honey, and blood orange juice. Your senses will be delighted with the whimsical flavors, all bathed in a luxurious layer of butter, sugar, cream, and chocolate.

www.vosgeschocolate.com

-Tami

Tagged as: chocolate, chocolate bar, chocolate truffles, chocolatier, entertaining, food, gifts, seasonal, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 3:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I love the new spring perfumes from Pacifica. Made with natural grain alcohol, the Malibu Lemon Blossom spray is sublime with notes of lemon blossom, lemon, angel's trumpet and litsea cubea. The Body Butter and Natural Soap versions also rock. Inspired by the place where founders Brook & Billy Taylor live, 5% of proceeds from the fragrance collection will benefit an environmental non-profit the founders have established (Ocean Liberation).

There are also three other new perfumes to layer with: Brazilian Mango Grapefruit (mango, spice and pink grapefruit), Hawaiian Ruby Guava (guava, pomelo, coconut), and my personal favorite Bali Lime Papaya (papaya, kaffir lime, lime blossom). Such fun and flirty scents to play with! It's like a tropical beach party.

The super cute line of solid perfume tins are made with a 100% organic soy and coconut wax base. Perfect for tiny purses or travel bags, the long-lasting vegan scents can also be combined to create multiple layers of olfactory bliss. They are also friendly for the earth; you can recycle the tins. They come in the following scents: Malibu Lemon Blossom, Brazilian Mango Grapefruit, Hawaiian Ruby Guava, Bali Lime Papaya, Tahitian Gardenia, Sandalwood, Mediterranean Fig, and Tuscan Blood Orange.

www.pacificacandles.com

-Tami

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, fragrance, Natural, perfume

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Noted for their complex Sauvignon Blancs, the Langtry Estate 2006 Lake County Sauvignon Blanc "Lillie" is a fantastic addition to a lovely springtime picnic or chic luncheon. Crisp and vibrant, the wine shows off fruity aromas of grapefruit, fig, and melon. I'd get a few bottles for those unexpected visitors. They will be rather impressed with this selection.

www.langtryestate.com

-Tami

Tagged as: food & drink, wine

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you want a killer bod in a fairly short amount of time, try The Bar Method. Done three times a week, you will see results within a month. The exercise combines elements of yoga, isometrics, core strengthening, and ballet barre work into a unique body shaping class. The routine also improves strength, stamina, flexibility, and posture. Soon you will notice a tighter, more athletic appearance in the "right" areas - abs, legs, tush, and arms. This also created a devoted following amongst celebs like Drew Barrymore.