Fashion: DIY Wrap Bracelets

DIY jewelry is so much fun.

San Francisco: Farmer's Market

This weekend in San Francisco was so beautiful. The weather went from a miserable storm that made every commuter mutter under their breath and swear they will never forget their umbrellas again to beautiful 70s weather for Fleet Week. In addition to Fleet Week, I also checked out the Ferry Building's weekly Farmer's Market that ran from 8am - 2 pm (my current obsession, after discover the Thursday Farmer's Market during lunch time at the Galleria on Montgomery).

Fruit stands, pastries, bread, vegetables, fish, food.. you name it

Grumpy because a stand ran out of chocolate covered almonds - my favorite!

They even sold packaged salmon here

Ditching the Boyfriend and running toward the flower stand. Hey, who would resist fresh flowers that were only $5 a bouquet?

Blue Angels flying in the sky, drawing out hearts and diving like a rollercoaster on steriods

Roli Roti! Tried the Porchetta sandwich - best street pulled-pork sandwich I've tried. They have a rotisserie inside the truck, and serves only sustainably farmed meats and organic produce from neighboring cities.

Sitting by the pier, watching the Blue Angels, enjoying the sun, my sandwich, and great company

From Embarcadero, we ventured out to the Marina, where we stopped by Palace of Fine Arts - there was a beautiful wedding under the dome and photoshoots going on all around it.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

In the Kitchen: Banana Bread

With my current work and study schedule, it's not often that I could find time to cook, not to mention bake. Fortunately, my schedule was fairly light last week, and I found the time to try out a new recipe for Banana Bread.

Makes: one loaf

INGREDIENTS
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar (I purposely didn't add as much sugar as the recipe directions, originally 3/4 cups)
1 cup smashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt


DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325°F

2. Lightly grease 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2-inch pan.
3. Using electric mixer; beat eggs and sugar in large bowl until thick and light, about 5 minutes.

4. Mix in smashed bananas, buttermilk, oil and vanilla.

Smashed banana

5. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt over mixture; beat until just blended.

6. Transfer batter to prepared pan.

7. Bake bread until golden brown on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1.5 hour.

5. Turn bread out onto rack and cool.

Enjoy!

Fashion: Say "Hello" to Nello

Amrita Singh is probably one of the well-known brands for statement necklaces. I have made numerous purchases on AS, and this one is probably my favorite.

Amrita Singh "Nello" necklace, in smokey

Eating Out: Chiaroscuro in San Francisco

I love visiting new restaurants and trying out new dishes. When we discovered Chiaroscuro nestled off of the FiDi in San Francisco, I was more than excited to try this place out, and was surprised that it wasn't more packed on a Saturday night.

The main concept of this restaurant is simple - "chiaroscuro," translated depicts the contrast between "light" and "darkness," that mostly resemble painter Caravaggio. Chiaroscuro restaurant uses this concept and translated it into a bold contrast that is defined by the decor of the restaurant (concrete high backed banquettes, with pillows to sit on in the dinning room), and an open kitchen surrounded by walls of mirrors.

Chiaroscuro dinning room

Sampler: rabbit meat, raspberry and chocolate sauce

Antipasti e Insalate: "degustazione di salumi"

Tasting of imported Italian charcuterie, pickled vegetables in extra virgin olive oil

Antipasti e Insalate: seared scallop with sauteed spinach and mushroom (off the menu, request for special)

Primi: spaghettoni ai gamberi e pesto di basilico

Thick spaghetti, sauteed prawns, 'nduja, basil pesto sauce, crispy potatoes, blue lake beans

Primi: bucatini con pomodori e lavanda (special order to add bell pepper and corn)

Bucatini pasta, heirloom tomatoes, peranzana olives, fresh lavender, lemon whipped cream

Dessert: semifreddo

One happy foodie.

In the Kitchen: Cooking Cod Fish

I rarely cook any meat since by the time I get home from work, I am usually exhausted and cooking is the last thing on my mind. But last weekend, I had some free time to cook a meal.

Heat up vegetable oil, add in ginger slices, garlic slices, and green onion

Once it starts sizzling, throw in the fish. Slide the fish inside the pan, flip to cover with oil.

Add Shaoxing Cooking Wine (I found mine at 99 Ranch Market) and soy sauce

Soy sauce and cooking wine

Bring it to a boil, add pieces of star anise for flavor

Once the soy sauce and cooking wine are almost dried up, add water. Turn the heat down to low, cover and simmer.

Once the soup is almost gone, add green onion for flavor and garnish

All done

Tender pieces of fish that melts in my mouth

Eating Out: Eat Real Festival in Oakland

Los Angeles prides itself with food trucks, and I wasn't surprised when I found out through the grapevine that a friend of a friend runs a food truck in DTLA. On September 23rd to the 25th, Northern California hosted its own Eat Real Festival at Jack London Square in Oakland where numerous food trucks gathered on the pier, and local organic growers and brewers presented their pride and joy.

"Eat it, make it, Grow it" - Eat Real Festival poster

Center stage/picnic area with local band

Citrus Pork Falafel

Chop Bar's food stand

Corn bread and pork from Chop Bar ($5)

Chairman Bao Truck

Chairman Bao Truck menu

(From top left to bottom) Braised Pork Shoulder, Red Sesame Chicken, Crispy Garlic Tofu, Spicy Pork Belly ($4 each) - my favorite would probably be the braised pork shoulder

All mine!

This is probably the most interesting item we saw - an upside down jell-o cup with a flower molded into the jello-o