On Direction and Apples: The Post That Never Was

Every year, I sit down and think about the direction of this blog. Given how infrequently I post, it probably sounds pretty surprising that I sit down and think about this blog at all. Nevertheless, I care about what I post and I'm always thinking about who I am as a writer. There are so many labels out there... blogger, writer, publisher, recipe developer, hobbyist, professional, photographer, storyteller...

Who am I? Why am I writing this blog?

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Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap: Meyer Lemon Sables

The package was coming together nicely, but as I almost finished putting them together, I realized that my lovely little chocolate macarons had started to split. Their cajeta middles were oozing everywhere. It was clear that these wouldn't survive shipping without refrigeration. Baking them was a moment of overambition borne out of our recent trip to Paris. I'd wanted to bake a cookie that was undeniably French. The cookies were baked and filled, but the cajeta filling was just a little too soft at room temperature.

It was the day the cookies were to be shipped. Out went couple of panicked emails to Lindsay and Julie notifying them of the delay and then I had to figure out my Plan B. I still wanted to do something French, but it had to be fast and delicious.

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Giveaway Winner and San Diego Food Blogger Roundtables

Happy Father's Day! I'm going to post a more appropriate, non-cold-medicine-influenced ode to my dad soon.

Needless to say, it's been quite a week.

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Foodbuzz 24x24: Stay Classy, San Diego

I have wanted to submit a proposal to Foodbuzz's 24x24 for the longest time. 24 meals presented by 24 bloggers in 24 hours. I finally submitted a proposal and it was accepted! I am extremely excited to have brought this meal to fruition and to celebrate some of the great food and drink that can be found in my adopted hometown of San Diego.

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National Food Blogger Bake Sale 2011

Want to meet some of your favorite San Diego food bloggers? Do you love to bake and want to help combat childhood hunger? Want to buy some great grub and shop for cookware at an amazing cookware store?

Come by on May 14, from 10am to 2pm, for the National Food Blogger Bake Sale!

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Have Fork, Will Travel: Taste of Hillcrest

"Oh, is this your first year?" he asked around a mouthful of pad Thai. "Mmmhmm," I replied, chewing a big bite of sticky rice with mango. "Newbies! Great! You guys are going to love this," said his friend.

"Remember the place that gave out whole burritos?"

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Taste of Hillcrest

I took this picture at 7 in the morning. On Sunday. On my way to work.

Sigh. It's been quite a week. The highlight of which was working on the weekend, when I finally caught up on an enormous mountain of paperwork. It's actually quite a relief.

Next weekend, however, I won't be working. I'll be at the Taste of Hillcrest, roaming through the participating restaurants and taking lots of photos. Over fifty restaurants will be offering a variety of tastes. Buy tickets here and join me April 16 from 12pm-4pm.

Thanks to the folks at McFarlane Promotions for the invitation to Taste of Hillcrest!

Say Hello to Meandering Eats!

Cupcakes from the lovely Influx Cafe in San Diego's Golden Hill neighborhood

Well, it's been happening for a while. The changes in layout and color. The new (and intentionally temporary) header. Larger photos, better photography, and hopefully better writing. Last, but certainly not least, a new name.

This humble little piece of the interweb is now Meandering Eats.

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Let's Raise Our Glasses...

There is going to be a major change coming to Adventures of an Amateur Foodie. It's going to happen on Wednesday, so heads-up to everyone. I've had a lot of fun writing this blog and thank you, many thank yous to those of you who are reading along.

See you Wednesday.

Gung Hay Fat Choi!

Gung hay fat choi and happy new year! It's time to ring in the year of the Rabbit.

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El Take It Easy: On Building Community

I keep a low-profile online. Weird, right? I have a blog and, yet, I don't like putting identifying details about myself out there. Until I went to Food Blog Camp, I did not post my name or my picture on AoaAF. I didn't spend time with other bloggers.

At camp, Jaden encouraged us to think of other bloggers as co-workers. Elise encouraged us to play nicely in the sandbox. Matt and David encouraged us to watch each other's backs.

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Wordless Wednesday: Weekend Walking

Make that almost wordless. It was a gorgeous weekend here in San Diego and, for once, I did not have a lot on my plate. So, we took a walk.

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Playa del Carmen, México: Más del Food Blog Camp 2011

Well, camp wasn't this much fun when I was a kid. I've learned a ton from some amazing bloggers, indulged in a few moments of "squee!" hero-worship, and made a bunch of really great new friends. 2010 was one hell of a year, but it was rough and I couldn't wait for it to end. This perfect start to 2011 makes me think that only good things can come and there's just so much to look forward to.

So, thanks, Food Blog Camp, for a ton of great memories, new skills, and new friends. I really hope I do this next year and, if not, the only thing that keeps me away is that I'm a first-year med student.

Our fearless leaders were awesome. Needless to say, I learned a lot from them.

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Playa Del Carmen, México: Food Blog Camp 2011

Want more Food Blog Camp? Aquí es el parte dos!

Happy new year! I hope 2011 finds all of you well. It's been a whirlwind during the last few weeks. The holidays tend to be hectic because D. and I have families on opposite sides of a large state. Lots of driving, eating, and celebrating.

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Iron Foodie 2010 Voting Begins!

The polls for Iron Foodie 2010 have opened! My fellow challengers have put together a fabulous collection of entries, so check them out. Please be sure to vote and, of course, I'd love it if you voted for my "Blasphemous" Guanciale Fennel Fried Rice!

Vote here and voting ends at midnight PST on Wednesday, December 15.

Best of luck to the challengers and many thanks to the voters!

Iron Foodie 2010: "Blasphemous" Guanciale Fennel Fried Rice

Voting begins 6am PST on Dec. 7 and ends midnight PST Dec. 15. Vote here! Best of luck to everyone!

When I received the box of mystery ingredients from Marx Foods, I was at a loss on how I'd like to use them. Yet, the answer came in a moment of inspiration, a place where my past and my present intersected.

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Iron Foodie 2010: Why I'm here

The Foodie BlogRoll has partnered with Marx Foods to present Iron Foodie 2010. I've been dying to try more recipe development and, with one recipe, this challenge is very friendly to my hectic and crazy schedule.

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Anniversaries

Lots to celebrate here at AoaAF.

One year ago, I married my best friend and the best teammate one could ask for. He's still putting up with me, so something's going right.

Three years ago, I decided that I should write about what I eat. I'm floored that there are people out there who read the swill I post and for that, I thank you all.

One year ago, Bear passed his Canine Good Citizen test, proving that old dogs can learn new tricks and that a little faith can bring one back from the brink.

One year ago, I had no idea I'd dig up the cajones (finally!) to take the MCAT and (finally!) apply to medical school.

One year ago, I was on my way to the most beautiful place on Earth.

A lot happens in a year and it's been one hell of a ride.

Our celebratory dinner was steak frites with maître d'hôtel butter from the Bouchon cookbook. Fries from a newly acquired trick. Corn from the Hillcrest farmers' market.

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Yup, still here.

Whoa... hi, there.

I'm still here. Still moving along the path of MCAT mastery.

I was chugging along when I was sidelined with two sudden and very painful infections. Burnout was already hitting me hard, so it was time to take a break. Besides, I knew I needed one when I was sitting in the waiting room at Urgent Care and all I could think about was the cell cycle. Or maybe how it might be viral, so I pictured little viruses, like Tholians, attacking my cells. Then, they prescribed an antibiotic that disrupted the bugs' DNA gyrase and all I could picture was unwinding double-stranded DNA.

As insane as all of it sounded, the true crazy came when I was driving home and traveling downhill on the freeway. I literally thought, Oh, I'll just ignore the coefficient of friction between the car's tires and the road and let mg sin Θ take over, and took my foot off the accelerator.

Yikes. The deep end, friends, is a hard place to return from.

I have had the opportunity to take a few study breaks and I'll report on them soon. For now, I leave you with a little bit of comfort food, a hot bowl of rice noodle soup with sauteed ground pork, scallions, and a fried egg. Courtesy of Sunday Bistro, one of my dad's favorite restaurants. Check out Wandering Chopsticks' post on it.

I've been taking a lot of standardized tests in the last few years, trying to figure out the rest of my life. My dad and D. have been the tireless leaders of my cheering squad. I've been really lucky to have a lot of people in my life offer advice, support, and encouragement as I masochistically throw myself into another round of evil standardized testing. Thanks to all of you, because I really couldn't do it otherwise.

Wine Vault & Bistro: St. Paddy's Dinner

UPDATE: Wine Vault & Bistro very kindly added two more dates, so I snagged myself a spot at the March 31 dinner. YES!

Ah, yet another meeting of one of my favorite restaurants with one of my favorite boozemakers. Of course, I can't go because I'll be at MCAT class. Yes, woe is me. Wine Vault & Bistro is pairing up with Stone Brewery (signature gargoyle above) for their St. Patrick's Dinner. Apparently, owner Greg Koch has given Wine Vault some awesome limited brews and beermaker Jeremy Moynier is hosting the dinner. March 17, 6:30pm, $39.50/person.

Anyway, if anyone out there goes, please let me live vicariously. Don't forget the pictures. Oh, and 1/2 liter carafes of all of the beers will be available during the dinner for $6. 6 bucks?! Geez, I might have to skip MCAT class for this.

Asparagus Salad | Burrata Cheese | Shaved White Asparagus | Nasturtium | Watermelon Radish | 25-Year-Old Balsamic

Stone "Levitation" Ale (4 oz. pour)

Fish 'n' Chips: Beer Battered Yellowtail | Potato Cake | Porter + Malt Vinegar Aioli | Micro Greens

Stone "09.09.09" Vertical Epic (4 oz. pour)

Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin | Brussel Sprout Hash | Guanciale | Thyme Jus

2007 Stone "Old Guardian" Barley Wine (4 oz. pour)

Lamb Shepherd's Pie

Stone "Arrogant Bastard" Ale (4 oz. pour)

Glazed Corned Beef and Cabbage | Braised Baby Vegetables | Stone Ground Mustard Aioli

Stone "Ruination" IPA

Chocolate Espresso Creme Brulee | White Chocolate + Brown Butter Mousse

2008 Stone "Imperial Russian" Stout

Levitation Ale ROCKS. It's too bad they don't have the oaked Arrogant Bastard, which I tried at a recent tasting and really liked. Just remember that when you're relaxing with that carafe of Levitation, I will be working on my organic chemistry problems. Sigh.