Protein-rich salads are the perfect meal for summer. When the weather’s warm and the sun shines for 16 hours a day, sometimes you just want a light meal. But summer is also a time of activity, which means your body needs a healthy dose of protein to keep you going. When you’re looking for a power pack of energy-rich foods, but don’t want a heavy meal and CERTAINLY don’t want to flip on the stoce, what’s a girl (or boy) to do?

This salad is light and rich, all at the same time. It’s got the protein you need without the heaviness, and you don’t need a bit of heat to prepare it. Can you think of a better summer meal?

... Read the rest of Sweet Summer Black Bean Salad on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in American, Gluten Free, Salads, Travel on Aug/Wed/2011
Post tags: agave nectar, balsamic vinegar, black beans, black pepper, corn, cumin, curry powder, olive oil, parsley, salad, turmeric
© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2011.

This weekend, Oakland’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension hosted their annual Oakland Greek Festival. A celebration of all things Greek, the festival is a haven for Mediterranean food lovers – especially if you’re a fan of the lamby-lamb: think lamb kabobs, lamb chops, 3-pound open-faced lamb sandwiches, and a whole lamb on a spit. Clearly, if you’re at all squeamish about meat, this isn’t the place for you (sorry, vegan contingent!).

Besides the lamby-bits, there were also a wide variety of non-meaty treat. Grilled haloumi squares, honey-dipped pastry dumplings, some of the best spanakopita, and a flaming cheese dish called saganaki (seriously — stand back when they set it on fire). For those who love to cook, Saturday and Sunday were filled with countless Greek cooking demonstrations.

Friday I hit up the festival’s opening day, with my much-missed Canon 7D w/ 24-70mm 2.8 in tow (I couldn’t bring it with me to Europe because of space constraints). It was a perfect spring day of food and sunshine. Seriously, I love my life. ... Read the rest of 2011 Oakland Greek Festival on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in European, Travel on May/Sun/2011
Post tags: bay area, food events, greek festival, greek food, lamb, oakland, photography
© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2011.

A few weeks ago, I shared my experience with Baillardran, a chain a shops in France that specialize in mass-produced canelés de Bordeaux. Since then, I’ve gotten many emails asking for the recipe that came with the copper cannelé molds I bought that day. I hunted all over the internet to find a copy of the recipe to link to, but it was nowhere to be found. After a quick call to one of the Baillardran shops, I was told that they didn’t have a problem with me posting the recipe – so, here it is in all of its glory.
... Read the rest of Baillardran Cannelé Recipe (Canelé de Bordeaux) on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in Baking, Desserts, Travel on May/Thu/2011
Post tags: Baillardran, Baking, caneles, canneles, desserts, eggs, europe, flour, france, little sweets, milk, paris, recipes, rum, sugar, sweets, vanilla
© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2011.

While I was in Paris, visiting every bakery I could get my hands on, I was determined to get my hands of some cannelés. I’d never seen any in the Bay Area and I was intrigued by these little cake-like treats, which are cooked in very expensive copper molds (yes, you can buy silicon molds, but they don’t caramelize the outer shell of the pastry). Sure, they’re not gluten-free, but at some point I’d like to attempt to develop a gluten-free cannelé recipe – which meant I’d have to try one first-hand.
... Read the rest of Baillardran Canelés – Paris, France on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in Baking, Desserts, Travel on May/Mon/2011
Post tags: Baillardran, caneles, canneles, france, paris
© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2011.

I was fresh off the plane in Paris, and I had a plan to experience as many unique gastronomical sights as I could possibly fit into five days. Right off the bat I wanted to visit Librairie Gourmande, a tiny shop that boasts two solid floors of wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling cookbooks.

When I first walked into Librairie Gourmande, I was taken aback by their extensive collection of cookery books. As I dawdled and scanned the shelves, admiring the selection and deciding which book to take home with me, I found entire sections on gratins and mini-cocottes, a whole shelf dedicated to sauces, and an area of the shop that dealt only with seasonings. And that was only in the first five minutes of my visit. ... Read the rest of Librairie Gourmande, A Parisian Must-See on The Culinary Life.

Permalink | Posted in Travel on Apr/Thu/2011
Post tags: cookbook stores, cookbooks, france, Librairie Gourmande, paris, travel
© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2011.

This is just a short post to share a photo of the best pizza I’ve ever had, from La Gallina Bianca in Rome. Buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. Simple and perfect.

And yes, it was almost one foot in diameter.

Permalink | Posted in Travel on Apr/Sat/2011
Post tags: italy, photos, pizza, rome, travel
© Stephanie Stiavetti for Wasabimon!, 2011.