Foie Gras & Flannel

I teased Saturday’s dinner on TasteFresno, but the two photos I posted didn’t do the full spread justice. David (of The Cured Ham), Chef Tommy, and Falina put on an incredible feast–one of the tastiest meals I’ve had, actually.

For more photos and the full menu (including a description of the “Prime Tasting of Three Ranches”) check out The Ham’s recap.

For dessert: bread pudding with praline sauce. *drool*

Did I mention there was wine? Brut, brut rose, Sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, muscat canelli and port, to be specific. Also, Averna (that’s what Kim’s clutching below), grappa and rum.

Special thanks to Falina and John for hosting. Looking forward to many more gatherings!

Today was weird—not bad, just weird. In fact, the last week or so has felt this way, and I can’t help but think it’s because I haven’t been to the Bay in a while. I need a day trip for inspiration.

That’s going to be hard to pull off this week, so instead, I’m flipping through recent photos from a trip to Ferry Building Marketplace.

Fresno Amtrak station. That was my first experience on a train; I think I like driving.

Inside the Ferry Building. It’s incredible (even if a little crowded).

Mozzarella sandwich from Cowgirl Creamery Sidekick. Simple and delicious.

This guy sold me salmon jerky sticks—”swim jims.” I love him.

I drove up to Sacramento on Monday for a meeting with a potential client. It’s just shy of three hours each way, so I figured I’d make the most of the day by filing papers with the state (they’re processed two and a half months faster if you submit them in person) and exploring the food scene. By 3:30 p.m., I still hadn’t eaten lunch, so I took Nate’s recommendation and headed to Shady Lady Saloon for a couple of drinks bite.

(A quick note about those papers I filed: details are still unfolding, but I’m working on a commercial kitchen/community eatery in downtown Fresno. Fingers crossed, we’ll have a legal entity a couple weeks from now.)

Back to Shady Lady. Fliers posted around the room announced the launch of Moonshine, and a special menu listed drinks featuring the clear corn whiskey.

I don’t usually order mixed drinks, but they came on good recommendation…so I tried the Swamp Fire. It was surprisingly balanced in flavor–that’s dangerous when mixing hard alcohol. Better soak it up with some food.

Up first, stuffed squash blossoms, fried:

An amazing combination of flavor. I practically licked the plate, but I was still hungry, so for dessert I ordered the Niman Ranch burger with bleu cheese, bacon and whole grain mustard:

Nothing like a full stomach and a long drive home.

The more I explore the concept of “food culture,” the better I understand how that’s defined in the Central Valley. For example, if you’re ordering from a mobile food vendor here (save from Dusty Buns), you’re eating tacos—maybe a burrito, if you’re feeling frisky.

Outside of the valley, food trucks are trending. They provide all of the necessities, like a sink to clean utensils and wash hands, but where’s the fun in that? If you want to be truly mobile, food carts are the way to go; just bring an ice chest for your ingredients, and leave the sink at home.

Saturday night I toured about eight carts (I lost count after the first few) with taco enthusiast connoisseur Mike Oz. I learned a few things:

• Don’t take pictures, unless you’re ready to assure people that you don’t work for the City or the Health Department.
• The Tupperware used for the toppings doesn’t come with a sneeze guard, but that’s okay because the salsa’s hot enough to burn through anything harmful.
• The chances of seeing a kid inside behind the counter are high; some carry their weight, though.
• Bring cash.

Mike and I will map out Saturday’s journey for those in and around Fresno—the stands aren’t exactly legal, so don’t be surprised to find that one’s moved.

More about our favorite spots is also coming with the launch of Fresno Tacos; more on that, and more photos, later.

Tuesday night was the second installment of Local Bites, a partnership between TasteFresno (a project I started several years back) and Fresno mayor Ashley Swearengin. Limón is usually at the top of my list of recommendations when people are looking to try something new in Fresno, so I was excited that we could introduce the mayor to the family and cuisine (Peruvian).

I’ve posted “official” photos recapping the event, but want to share some of my personal favorites. This may be my first post without food…

If you invite Anna Larsen to a picnic, you can be sure of one thing: she’ll bring oysters.

I met Anna at Eat Retreat a few months back—she brought oysters. A few weeks back, Kimberley (from The Year in Food) and I joined Anna for a tour of the plant where she works, followed by a tour and tasting of Hop Kiln Winery—she brought oysters. We were camping in Capay Saturday—she brought the…well, you see where this is going.

A few weeks back, Anna announced the launch of new project, Siren SeaSA. (Yep, she’s bringing delivering oysters!) From the website:

Siren SeaSA is an obsessively curated seafood subscription service that sources only the finest sustainably caught local seafood.

I tried to convince her that shipping to Fresno fits within the definition of “local” (hey, it works with produce), but Anna’s limiting the first round to Bay-area folks, and only 100 of them. The first fish ship this week: wild king salmon (filleted). Color me jealous.

To get a taste of what’s being offered in the subscription, I joined Anna for a tour of Mussel Cove Farm in Tomales Bay—that’s the farm pictured above. Here’s Anna with oyster farmer Scott Zahl:

Note that they’re both in boots; Kim and I, on the other hand, were in flip flops. Flip flops do not protect you from jelly fish.

A few of my favorite shots from the day:

Also, if Kim ever runs for office, this will be her campaign photo:

Thanks for the adventure, Anna! (I’m seriously considering a series of trips to the city over the next six weeks so I can subscribe.)

I’m not a picky eater, but there are two things that I usually try to avoid: canned meat and mayonnaise. Don’t even think about trying to mix those two around me.

I take exception on occasion, like business luncheons or situations where refusal may offend someone. Also, when it looks so tasty that I can’t resist:

That there is a fried egg hugging a tortilla full of chilorio, a slow-simmered, spiced pork that’s sold canned or in pouches here in the States.  The taco was our entree for dinner last week when Kim and I joined Tracy, Nyeland and Katie for dinner.

But first, gazpacho shooters with pickled zucchini chasers:

A little wine, a cool summer evening…

…and a table full of tasty eats.

Yep, that’s mayo on that corn. I’ll admit, it worked.

Now, about those eggs—those were courtesy of these lovely ladies. Who knew that chickens were such fans of corn on the cob?

I discovered Slow Food Madera‘s Organic Stone Fruit Jubilee last year, as an assignment for the radio show I hosted at the time. I couldn’t believe the variety of peaches and nectarines on display (and apricots, plums, and more)—all of them sliced and set out for sampling.

This year’s event was even tastier, and included not only fresh fruit, but prepared foods from Dusty Buns, Gus’s Meat Locker Chase’s Chop Shop, La Boulangerie, Chicken Pie Shop and La Reina de Michoacan (mmm…paletas).

The event is by far one of my favorites. In case you missed it: