Caramelized Figs with Ginger Ice Cream... and a drizzle of Honey

While at the market, I was inspired by a basket of figs.

I love figs. I thought, caramelized figs would be great tonight. And that's how I ended up with a basket of figs sitting on the counter of my happy kitchen. Nice heavy pan. Two tablespoons of butter. Three tablespoons of brown sugar. Soft figs, sliced-side down, flipping them towards the end of cooking to cover lightly with the caramel.



Cooked fruit often go with vanilla ice cream as a contrast (ie. bananas foster), but I wanted something different... something to perk up the warmed fig flavor. Ginger ice cream... with drizzle of honey... yes. Topped it all off with cubes of frozen, black pepper whipped cream embedded with crystalized ginger. Our dessert for the night, with housemates Mary and Greg.

Fried Rice - N00b Style

Last week I went to the market to pick up some veges for fried rice. 

My housemate, Mary, had some old rice and said she wasn't sure what to do with it. My response was, "My mom makes fried rice with old rice!!" Red peppers, ginger, garlic, onions, carrot, celery, dried shrimp, fresh shrimp, hit of sake, soy sauce, organic spinach, green onion, and a toss of cilantro later...

  

   

It tasted yummy, but I learned later that I made the rice incorrectly!! You're supposed to cook the vegetables separate, and scramble the eggs separately. The rice is to be "fried" with the onions and oil... then add the veges and eggs. This allows for a drier, more fluffy fried rice.

I just stir fried all my rice and veges in the wok, made a hole in the bottom, and scrambled the eggs in the pit!

Hello!!

I've been blogging for many years now (on Xanga!) on just about anything that piqued my interest. Bits and pieces of life, cute inventions, travels, and of course, food. Mmm yes, buried in those hundreds of entries are glorious foodie discoveries and little delights of my own culinary experimentation. It has gotten a bit complicated to sort and find these tasty records, so I thought it time to give my unbreakable love for food and sharing... a formal home!

So... A ChocochipCheesecake is born.

I am Francesca.
Growing up, some used to call me "Fran-cheeeese-ca".
I have a habit of saying "choco" instead of "chocolate".

Pleased to meet you!! ^.^