Kim Bedwell – Page 9

2nd Day of Christmas: Non-Traditional Traditions

December 24, 2007 by SacFoodies

For the past 10 days, you’ve read a lot about the SacFoodies’ family holiday food traditions. Well, you won’t be getting that from me. Sadly, I don’t have one. No gingerbread house marathons. No spiced cider while caroling through the neighborhood. Not even a secret family cookie recipe.
You see, it’s Christmas Eve, and while many families will be roasting a goose or slicing up a standing rib roast, my family will be ordering take out. In true “A Christmas Story” style, we will be feasting on Sweet and Sour Pork, Szechwan Prawns and other delicacies from my husband’s hometown Chinese joint in Vacaville, the infamous Yen King. Then, we’re hopping in the car to make a lunch reservation with my mom on Christmas Day near Carmel. To cap off the holiday, we’re on to another restaurant to meet my dad. I probably won’t even see an actual kitchen for three days, and I thought that’s where all the Christmas magic happens!
Nothing we’ve ever done for Christmas has been traditional. We occasionally visit family, sometimes we hit up a movie or we’ve even crashed one SacFoodies’ traditional Christmas feast with her family (thanks Kris!). My family doesn’t even get a Christmas tree anymore. My mom just puts lights on the fichus plant and puts our presents around it. It’s actually a surprising large fichus plant, so it works, but it’s not going to win any decorating contests.
I guess my point is (and I think I have one), perhaps this whole restaurant hopping, non-Christmas tree, non-tradition thing is actually a tradition after all. So whatever your holiday tradition (or non-tradition) is, make it merry. Have a happy holiday!

Instead of asking Santa for a gift, I dressed up like one (December 1979)

Celebrating Our New Digs!

September 21, 2007 by SacFoodies

Every new office needs a party (even if you only moved across the street), and last night we did just that with good food and great guests to celebrate the office move of FH Sacramento.

The party kicked off with an informative (and often hilarious) food and wine pairing from David Mirassou, sixth generation winemaker and FH client, and David Katz from the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone. The Davids never fail to both amuse and educate and last night they treated our tastebuds to a couple of Mirassou varietals paired with savory bites from Culinary Specialists here in Sacramento. If you’ve had the pleasure of dining at Mulvaney’s B&L, you may also know they do catering through Culinary Specialists, and similar to my many visits to Mulvaney’s, Culinary Specialists did not disappoint. From appetizing canapés to perfectly sweet tarts, all our guests left sublimely satiated.

Speaking of guests, thanks to all who were able to join us. From old friends including the good people at Java City, Mirassou Winery, California Tree Fruit Agreement, California Grown, 500 N Street and AT&T to new friends such as our fellow bloggers at Sacatomato, SacRag and VanillaGarlic (thanks for the posting today Garrett — photos are gorgeous!), it was a delicious time had by all!

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Book Signing Tonight

Our favorite East Sac neighborhood hangout, The Shack, is hosting a book signing with Tom Myers from 6 – 8 p.m. Myers’ photography book, “Sacramento Impressions,” will be availble to purchase for $10, and there will be a special wine tasting with appetizers for $5.00.

The Shack
5201 Folsom Blvd.
457-5997

Weekend Round-Up

August 20, 2007 by SacFoodies

California has so many beautiful wine regions and I had the pleasure of visiting several wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains this weekend. Nestled among the redwoods, this was very different than the Napa Valley experience and the drive through the mountains was truly breathtaking. Although we tasted everything from a light Sauvignon Blanc to a hearty Cabernet Sauvignon, the region is best known for its Pinot Noir. Here’s a pic from our first stop at the Roudon-Smith Winery.

A Little Piece of Heaven in Des Moines

August 14, 2007 by SacFoodies

I was in Des Moines for business a few weeks back and had the pleasure of visiting the test gardens for Better Homes and Gardens magazine. It was incredible! The head gardener has broken the garden into separate sections from evergreens to heirloom tomatoes and peppers. We even stumbled upon them doing a photo shoot for strawberry festival recipes that will run in ’08. If you ever happen to be in Des Moines for business or pleasure, take a stroll through this free public garden located at Locust and 17th. Here are a couple of my favorite pics.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

July 13, 2007 by SacFoodies

When I moved to Sacramento more than four years ago, one of the things I most looked forward to was warm summer evenings at the Rivercats’ games. As a die-hard A’s fan, it’s great to catch an exciting game and watch a few prospects or major leaguers on a rehab assignment, and still be within 15 minutes of home. But, what I also love is ballpark food.

The other night I had the pleasure of watching my friend throw out the first pitch and then before the first out was recorded, I was roaming the concourse of Raley Field figuring out what amazing delicacies I would try on this particular outing. With my eager dining partner (my husband Matt) and heavy wallet in hand (a trip the ballpark is never cheap), we headed out to the left field concessions where I came upon the Baked Potato with Pulled Pork.

For $5.75, I got a perfectly cooked baked potato topped with a generous amount of sweet and slightly spicy pulled pork. However, here’s my left field concession tip: ask for barbecue sauce early and often. The last few bites were quite dry and could have used barbecue sauce both before and after the pulled pork was added to the potato. Did I mention it was also Tecate Tuesday? Definitely the perfect complement to this first inning treat.

By the fourth inning, Matt and I worked our way around to the other side of the stadium. We first checked out the Solon Club which offered made-to-order Spicy Linguini, but it was too hot outside and I couldn’t really get into pasta at a ballgame. However, what I could get into was the Sactown Cheese Steak for $7.50.

This was absolutely delicious (the photo does not do it justice). The thinly sliced, chopped steak cooked with grilled onions and peppers topped with glorious cheese sauce and extra chopped onions (from the hot dog stand) on a fresh French roll was hard to share. I wanted every bite to myself! I’ve never had traditional Philly Cheese Steak, but would happily enjoy a “Sactown” version any day.

By the way, the Rivercats lost the game, but I didn’t notice. I was still talking about what we’d have try next time we came to the ballpark.