Why I loooovvveeeeee butter: My top 3 reasons!

Baking and cooking all require fat. Fat brings out: flavor, enhances other flavors, and, well, makes food taste darn good. Like salt, it is require for any type of cooking, no matter what cuisine or dish you are creating in your kitchen.

What is butter? For you newbies, butter is made by simply churning ("agitate") fresh cream or milk. And, ta-da, a creamy-yellow mixture appears! I love it on toast, to baking chocolate cookies, or a simple sauté of veggies.

 



Here are my top 3 reasons I can't get enough of butter:

1) Butter melts in your mouth.
Unlike fake fats, like margarine or shortening, butter is a natural fat, thus melts at body temperature. Once it hits your mouth, it dissolves into pure magical foodie goodness. Fake fats tend to leave a weird, white film on your mouth and anything it touches.

2) Butter is natural.
Usually made from cows milk, you will not see any fake, weird, or odd ingredients when you read butter's nutritional facts. It is no secret I enjoy food...wholesome, re al, and unprocessed food. Butter is one of those foods I just can't get enough of.

3) Butter adheres to other flavors....easily.
Compound butter made with fine herbs, cinnamon-sugar butter for toast, European-style butter for grilled steaks....the list goes on and on. Smooth, creamy butter adds depth and flavor to other ingredients. It is rare I consume butter by itself, usually it is paired with other Pacific Northwest ingredients.


Like tea, there are many flavors and varieties of butters on the market. Try them. Try them on different foods with different herbs and spices. One thing I love about food is experimenting and see what the Seattle-community is eating and enjoying.

Butter is one true ingredient that will never go away from any professional or domestic kitchen.


Happy Cooking!
Kimm

THE TOP 5 QUESTIONS FOODIES ARE ASKED!

First off... What is a foodie? Someone who enjoys food for more than just fuel and calorie. We crave food flavors, sensations,  and textures. We think about our next meal yesterday, analyze food reviews, and get really, really excited over new restaurant openings.

Like any other hobby or interest, we get recommendations and questions about, well, food. Some we are more tired of answering but will happily do it in the name of food.

 And the questions are...

1) "What is your favorite restaurant?"
Answer: Tough. What cuisine? What price range? Lunch, dinner or breakfast? Are we talking just food or wine and spirits? High end or low end? Cooperate or mom and pop?
My answer: I answer this questions with other questions. Then happily answer their questions.

2) "What's your favorite dish?" (AKA entree)
Answer: Hard. My favorite childhood dish? Or holiday dish? Dish for one? Dish for ten? Family style dish? High end fancy-schamcy dish? The choices and answers are endless.
My answer:  I pick my top 3 all time favorites and answer their question.

3) "What's your favorite cooking or baking book?"
Answer: There are millions of delicious cook/baking books in the world and yet to be published. I have a bounty of books that I easily accumulate over the years.
My answer: When asked this, I pick a basic cooking book, baking book, and my latest one I added to my collection.

4) "What is your favorite cuisine?"
Answer: Like most, I have more than one cuisine I enjoy. In one day, I am enjoying dim sum for breakfast, that afternoon I am indulging with a chocolate crossiant, and for dinner I'm feasting on homemade risotto. My taste buds range from super spicy to super sweet.
My answer: All Asian cuisines and French cuisine tops my list.

5) "What is your favorite dessert?"
Answer: Just like with question #2, I have multiple favorite desserts. Which one I enjoy most depends on the day and meal before hand.
My answer: Anything chocolate or made with seasonal fruit. My favorite sweet snack are French macarons.

What I love about being a foodie is being asked questions about food, local restaurants, and bakeries. Being a person-to-ask is a food blessing and I can't wait to spread more knowledge through Seattle and Eastside.
Let me know what your answers to these popular questions in the comment section below.

Happy Cooking,
Kimm

Seattle/Bellevue Community: Fun, family-friend, and foodie Event this Saturday 14th at Bellevue Whole Foods Market!

'Tis the season. The chilly weather is here! Lights are up! Peppermint mochas are everywhere! What is a very sweet way to start the holiday season: decorate your very own gingerbread house! Whole Foods Bellevue Bakery Team is hosting a gingerbread decorating event this Saturday 14th.
Perfect event for families, little ones, and die hard foodies.



The Details…

TIME AND DATE: Sat. Dec. 14^th at Bellevue Whole Foods Market (888 116^th AVE NE Bellevue WA), 10:00 AM – 1:00PM. Feel free to arrive at any time to start decorating!

WHERE: Front and center of Bellevue Whole Foods Market. There will be tables set up when you arrive on Dec. 14. Still can’t find the event day of? Ask a helpful Whole Foods Team Member who can assist you in the right direction. (Free parking in our spacious lot right off of 405, by the hospital. Minutes from downtown Bellevue.)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: $19.99 gets you one gingerbread house to decorate, all the frosting and candy décor, your entire parties admission (no matter how people you bring), and fun drinks and snacks to munch on. Plus, Bakery Team Members will assist you on decorating your house!

HOW DO I RSVP? Easy! You can 1) Pre-pay  inside Bellevue Whole Foods Market at the Bakery Counter  (Recommended! This event is popular) or  2) Call Bellevue Whole Foods Market  (425-462-1400), connect to the Bakery Team, reserve a spot, and pay on December 14th when you arrive.

WHAT HAPPENS ON December 14th: Come on inside with your party, decorate your beautiful gingerbread house (everything will be ready for you), eat snacks, check out the sales happening at Whole Foods, and take your house home with you! Don’t worry, we will deal with the clean- up and mess.

MORE QUESTIONS?Call Bellevue Whole Foods and ask to be connected to the Bakery Team. We will happily answer any questions or concerns you have.

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/447089168728742/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar

 

See you Saturday!

Kimm

 

Seattle Happy Hour with dishcrawl: This Wednesday (9/18) at Capitol Cider!

What is best part about having a food blog? Meeting fellow foodies and going to tasty events around my beautiful home city, Seattle. Dishcrawl is a nation-wide company that host fun, foodie events around big cities, like Seattle. I, luckily, met Julia and Melissa, two local dishcrawl ambassadors through social media and I am pairing up with them to help promote their fabulous events.



The next dishcrawl event? It is happening this Wednesday the 18th, from 6:00-8:00pm, at Capitol Cider (http://www.seattleciderbar.com/) in Capitol Hill. Tickets are only $5 and you get to try and assortment of their new menu as well as be eligible for killer drink specials.

Buy tickets here --> http://www.dishcrawl.com/capitolcider/

 



Come meet new foodie friends and hang out with me and the local dishcrawl team for a relaxing evening at Seattle's newest cider shop, Capitol Cider.

 



See you Wednesday,
Kimm

Seattle Foodies: Feral Feast is happening TOMORROW!

Greeting fellow blog readers. I have been on a foodie heaven vacation: It started with the celebration of my "last-year-of-my-20's" birthday swaray at the very classy Rob Roy in downtown Seattle (http://www.robroyseattle.com/). There are far too many delicious cocktails to pick a favorite one...
Then, the annual Seattle Restaurant Week (http://seattletimes.com/seattlerestaurantweek/) started mid April and you can purchase a 3-course meal for $28. (Hey, that is less than what it cost to fill my gas tank!) It is a killer deal to go out and try new restaurants and foods you would not normally attend or consume.
On top of that, more birthday meals with friends and happy hour cocktail dates have me out and about verus cooking in for one.

Another tempting and delicious event, this month, for anyone and everyone in the Seattle food scene: Feral Feast! What is it? (Be sure to check out my previous blog post for my review!) A secret "pop-up" dinner hosted at GRUB restaurant (http://www.letsgogrub.com/)  in upper Queen Anne. Every month a new and inspiring menu is created for your tasting pleasure.

What is in store for tomorrow's feast?

Check  out the Span-Asian menu:


Course 1
Duck 'salad' served ban chan style;
Turnip greens, pine nuts, pickled currants, sherry vinaigrette, Quacklins'
Tortilla Espagnola; Duck ham, yukon potatoes, sambal alioil
Duck confit, blood orange, rhubarb
Fennel kimchi, pickled cucumber

Course 2
Zaru soba;
Cold soba noodles served with rich meat broth mentsuyu dipping sauce, pickled shiitake, nori

Course 3
Cocido;
House made chorizo, morcilla, braised pork belly
chickpeas w/ baby turnips, baby carrots and mint, roasted fennel, fennel pistou, sambal alioli

Course 4
Dessert
Pineapple coconut milk ice cream, carrot cake w/ cardamom cream cheese frosting, lime zest, molasses


You can purchase tickets here: http://feralseattle.brownpapertickets.com/
Please remember gratuity and alcohol are NOT included.
Follow Feral on twitter: @FeralSeattle https://twitter.com/Feralseattle

See you tomorrow!
Happy Baking,
Kimm

dishcrawl Seattle presents: NeighborFOOD in Capital Hill on April 28th!

One of my ways to find out new foodie events in the Seattle community is through social media. Recently, I met Melissa, a kind, young, foodie diehard woman who repesents dishcrawl.
We met at pintxo (http://www.pintxoseattle.com/), a Spanish tapas restaurant in the heart of Belltown, for a small bite and sangaria.

“We started Neighborfood to rejoice and share in the things we love most: food, family, and our neighborhood,” says Dishcrawl Founder, Tracy Lee.

 

 

 

 

 

 



She explained to me what dishcrawl was all about: Creating fun and unique foodie events for the Seattle community. There are dishcrawl ambassadors through the country, thus no matter where you travel to, there will be a delicious dishcrawl event in the city! Melissa, being a new Seattleite, loves her job because it gets her a chance to explore the fresh Seattle food scene.

What is the next dishcrawl Seattle event? "NeighborFOOD' in Capital Hill. On Sunday April 28, from 2pm-5pm, they will merge with the Seattle Humane Society to give the community a tasty, easy-walkable food festival. Particapting restaurants will offer drink specials, so don't worry!

Checked out some featured items and restaurants that will be participating:

Manhattan - Pork belly mac and cheese

Marination Station - Best Taco Ever

Ayutthaya Thai Restaurant- Drunken Noodles with Tofu

95 Slider - Chicken and Waffles

Sam's Tavern - 50/50 Sliders

Plum Bistro - Spicy Cajun Mac ‘n’ Yease (vegan)

Capitol Club - Champiñones Al Ajillo

Cupcake Royale - Cupcake Surprise

Tickets are $40 ($45/day off)  and they can be purchased here -->  https://dishcrawl.com/purchase/event/1049

Be sure to tweet to dishcrawl: @dishcrawlSEA https://twitter.com/DishcrawlSEA

For more information, contact Melissa: melissad@dishcrawl.com

 

 

Happy Cooking,

Kimm

LATEST FOODIE INTERVIEW: With Lee Johnson, Kitchen Manager of the famous Cirque de Soleil show!

At my Bikram yoga classes, in downtown Redmond, (http://www.bikramyogaredmond.com/) I always meet great, unique, and happy people. Many are foodies, health freaks, and Seahawk fans. I recently met Lee Johnson, the kitchen manager of Cirque De Soleil show. We quickly bonded over a love of Korean food, hatha yoga, and kitchen life.



What is Cirque de Soleil? (http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/welcome.aspx) It is a dramatic, ariel-feasted, and visually stunning show that will leave you amazed and breathless! Cirque de Soleil comes, annually, to Redmond and shows sell out...fast.

Before Lee left good old Redmond for his hometown, Toronto, I managed to ask him a few questions about his experience and work with Cirque de Soleil.

Check it out:


1) How did you get started with Cirque de Soleil?

I started with the Cirque du Soleil in July 2005. I was living in Toronto at the time and working in a small 50 seat bistro. I happened to see the job description in the Toronto Star classifieds. I applied but did not expect to hear anything. Two weeks later, I was interviewed. Four weeks after the interview, I was working on tour in New Jersey.

2) What is the best part about your job?

The best part of the job has been the opportunity to travel through the world while working. I have traveled through parts of North America, South America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. It has been a great experience to try the food and meet the local people from these destinations.

3) What is thw worst part of your job?

The worst part is being away from friends and family.

4) What is your favorite restaurant you have ever been to? Why?

The best restaurant I have ever been to is a difficult question. One of my favorites would be the Country House Pecora Nera in Teramo, Italy. In 2008, I drove with two other cooks from Berlin to Teramo. We stayed at this inn set in rolling farmer's fields. The Country House Pecora Nera had a restaurant which served the cuisine of Abruzzo and sourced everything locally. All the vegetables were grown by the chef's family and the pasta made by hand as well. I was never disappointed with what they served. They were good memories.

5) What do you hope to gain from your Cirque de Soleil experience?

In many ways, I have gained a renewed appreciation for home. I am looking forward to getting back to Toronto. I have also gained a bigger perspective of the many cultures around the world. Travel is good education. I have been really lucky to have had this experience.



From this interview, it keeps on reminding me there are many outlets and adventures in the food industry. See what is out there and what you truly like and want to do!

Happy Cooking,
Kimm

S.U.M: A fun, secret, and DELICIOUS food event!

Last Saturday evening in Seattle's SODO District, it was rainy. Grey. Miserable. But, outside a large abandoned warehouse, there were colored paper signs that said "SUM -->." Inside, long lines of  hungry foodies eagerly wait for a sample of one of Seattle's new, upcoming, and popular restuarants and catering businesses.

Exactly what is S.U.M? It is Seattle's Underground Market, a pop-up foodie event that happens monthly, all over the greater Seattle- area and Eastside. Did you know Underground Markets happen all over the USA? Yup, S.U.M. was inspired by San Franciso's Underground Market.
Eveytime the location changes, making it a true way to explore the city I live in! How do you know where the location is? Sign up to become a member and you will receive email updates before an event happens.

With a small entry fee ($10), and bites costing $1-$3/per plate, it is easy to sample a large variety of cuisine under $20.00. Chefs, restauranteers, and bakers unite to show off their best of the best for the community. From a small dessert catering business, to a popular asian restaurant, and a fresh squeezed juice bar, there are many offerings to delight your palate.

Sign up to become a member, FOR FREE:
http://www.seattleundergroundmarket.com/Home_Page.html

"Like" their page on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/SeattleUndergroundMarket?ref=ts&fref=ts

What did I try and LOVE? The POP-shrimp were golden delicious-ness of popcorn and deep fried shrimp. The seared ahi tuna was one of the most popular offerings! Chiptole braised pork and corn pudding offered comfort food to the crowd in the stormy weather. Plus, the Mexician Coffee kept my hands warm!

I can't wait for another S.U.M!

Happy Cooking,
Kimm

Theo's chocolate tasting with Google Plus Local: sweetness in your community!

If you know me, I love a new foodie event and meet fellow people in my community. Thus, that is why I am avid attendee of Google Plus Local events in the Seattle-area. Google Plus is a social media site where you and mix and mingle with current and new friends, globally! Google Places is a rate and review app (download it now in your smart phone!) to help you choose the right business for your needs. All the reviews are done by customers, not paid writers or editors.

On Sept. 5th, Google Plus Local hosted a very sweet chocolate event with theo's chocolate factory in Fremont, a hip Seattle neighborhood. Theo's chocolate is "proud to be the only Organic, Fair Trade, Fair for Life certified Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Factory in North America. " Growing since 2006, they are dedicated to making delicious, safe, and real chocolate for nation.
From "Spicy Chili" chocolate bars, to "Grey Salted Caramels," and the classic "Coffee" chocolate, there is a sweet treat to delight anyone's taste buds.

Theo's Chocolate - Retail Store in Fremont (Seattle, WA).

Wondering through the sweet smelling chocolate factory, it was amazing to see how the chocolate is carefully mass produced for the public. Every detail is considered and not left out. The host gave us a brief history about theo's mission statement and chocolate.

Inside the lecture room at theo's chocolate factory.

The best part of the tour? Making our homemade chocolate bark with theo's own dark chocolate. One of the pastry chefs gave us a demo on how she personally makes chocolate bark for the retail store.


The special tempering machine for the chocolate.

The Pastry Chef lightly "taps" the tempered chocolate, on the baking sheet, to remove any air bubbles.

 Theo provided us with chocolate and toppings to make our own homemade chocolate bark to take home and share. Working in teams of three, everyone had more than enough chocolate to go around!

Our chocolate bark: Half sesame candy and half dried banana-strawberry.

I love going to these events because I meet new foodie friends in the community!

Overall, the event was a sweet success: I ate too much chocolate, saw the inside of a real chocolate factory, and have my chocolate container FILLED at home. Thank you again to Google Plus Local, Google Places, theo's chocolate, and Charles Koh for hosting the event.

For more infomation on theo's chocolate: https://www.theochocolate.com/about-theo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theochocolate (@theochocolate)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100292210395080&set=pcb.10100292212615630&type=1&theater#!/theochocolate ("Like" Theo's chocolate)

For more information on Google Plus Local:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoogleSeattle
Newsletter sign -up: https://services.google.com/fb/forms/seattlenewslettersignup/

Happy Baking!
Kimm