The folks behind Ratatouille spill the beans on how to create beautiful food photography. I couldn't tell you what they were though, I couldn't get past the actual gorgeous food photography... - Becks & Posh
This weekend I went to a new pal's birthday bash and wow does she know how to entertain! The table had a nice spread of local quiches, breads, meats and more, but my favorite nibbles - the ones I literally had to tell myself "STOP. BACK AWAY. YOU LOOK LIKE A PIG!" - were the Clairesquares - a delicious three layer concoctions consisting of buttery shortbread, smooth caramel and fine Belgian chocolate. I've had combinations like this before, but these were amazing. They're made with 100% preservative free ingredients and contain no trans fatty acids. If you like chocolate, caramel, shortbread and all things delicious, then do yourself a favor and order a pack. Actually, you should order two, you'll thank me later. A pack of five squares is available for $12.
If you'd rather make your own, we've got a recipe for something similiar, to check it out, just read more
Don't go to the farmer's market because it's too expensive? You might want to reconsider your thinking. Here's a breakdown of farmer's market prices versus Safeway prices. - Becks & Posh
Don't miss out on the HUGE English food is not a joke roundup that Sam at Becks & Posh did to celebrate St. George's Day. There are over 65 entries, including the one pictured (Fish & Chips Samanda Style) and mine for Steak & Ale Pie.
English food is not a joke because...
Any cuisine that combines meat with ale gets gold stars in my book.
That's the answer I'm giving for Sam's Fish & Quips challenge. She's asked food lovers everywhere to help her prove that English food does not have to be a joke. After reading about it, I immediately wanted to participate. I lived there for almost a year and had plenty of amazing food (I have crazy fond memories of the cheese guy in my local outdoor market), however I couldn't come up with one dish that I wanted to make. So I called in the brigades - actually I just IM'd my friend Johnny and asked what he thought I should make:
me: What is your favorite British meal - like quintessential British?
Johnny: Meat pie! Like steak and onion pie!!!
I think this is a nice idea, a nice project - British food has a huge inferiority complex for a few reasons.me: So what should i make?
Johnny: You should try steak and ale pie if you can manage it. I think it is pretty easy really and tastesome.
me: Why'd you choose that dish?
Johnny: It is the thing I like best that is "English"
Make a nice round pie - with leaves on the top of course.me: Of course
Hrmm... a steak and ale pie. Funny, I never actually had one of those while I was out there - but I figured it was the time to start. So I hunted down a few recipes and cobbled together a pretty decent pie. I cheated and used puff pastry, but I didn't forget the leaves on top.
The end result was pretty tasty, like a stew with an added pastry crust - and it was definitely not a joke. To see what recipe I used, and to see a bunch of step by step pictures, read more
On Sunday night I had the lovely opportunity to meet a few wonderful food bloggers face to face. From left to right we have Catherine of Food Musings (who was delightful and funny), the secretive couple from BunRab (who's site I didn't know but have since fallen in love with their photos and their wild story about how they were the first couple married at the French Laundry back when it just opened), Kristen of Give Me Some Food (who actually went to college with Adam, proving my theory that foodies somehow attract other foodies), and the visiting Adam of the The Amateur Gourmet (who's working on a book right now). Also present were Sam & Fred of Becks & Posh (who arrived soon after the photo was snapped and were even more charming than I imagined them to be). 
We ended up at Place Pigalle over in Hayes Valley (a neighborhood here in San Francisco). I'd never been there before and wasn't 100% sure where it was - that is, until I got there and realized I'd walked past it a bajillion times. It was a low-key bar with lots of beers on tap, a decent wine selection and a great happy hour price (pint of Stella less than 3 bucks). Plus it got bonus points for big booths and a foosball table.
So, what does a table full of food bloggers talk about? If you said food you'd only be partly correct. We also, somehow ended up talking about American pop-culture and American Idol for much longer than I'd like to admit. However we did talk a lot about food. Adam is visiting from New York and has a large list of places that he's hoping to make it to. In fact, the night before we met, he drove out to Yountville to visit Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc. Talking to him made me realize. Wow, I live here and I've never been to half the places he's going to make it to - this has got to change. I'm going to have to start going out more often...
Our conversation also made me realize the funny lengths we go to for a good meal. So tell me everyone, what's the furthest distance you've ever gone for a good meal?
And hey Adam, next time we meet I will (a) have a gift for you and (b) take you up on that foosball challenge.
