In the Kitchen - Coconut Crack

I love a good cooking challenge. A number of my friends and family members have dietary restrictions - dairy-free, wheat-free and refined sugar-free to name a few. Finding any recipe that meets this challenge, let alone a dessert recipe presents a unique opportunity...to eat something delicious. Enter an idea for a build-your-own dessert. Fresh fruit, whipped cream and a wheat-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free crumble topping allows anyone to select from the three options and create their own. Since I couldn't find a recipe for a crumble topping that met all of these needs, I decided to do what any reasonable person would do - I made it up. The measurements are listed, but since I never really measured in the first place, you can feel free to adjust as needed. And feel free to substitute any ingredient for another. In fact, don’t think of this as a recipe so much as it is a general how-to. A quick note for anyone who wants to make the whole dessert dairy-free, substitute coconut cream for whipped cream and just add a little vanilla. I've included links for a few of the more unusual ingredients.

• 1 cup shredded coconut (the unsweetened kind)
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 3 Tbs. virgin coconut oil
• Cinnamon to taste.  And here is the only part of the recipe where I will be a total stickler.  I used Vietnamese Cinnamon.  The flavor is incomparable (think Red Hots, only more awesome) and it can be found online - http://www.spiceace.com/herbs-spices/cinnamon-vietnamese.html 
• ¼ cup. chopped walnuts or pecans  
• Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  (Author’s note: I once toasted this in stages in a toaster oven set to 400 because our oven was broken at the time. Both methods work just fine.)

Mix all of your ingredients in a bowl.  No need to melt the coconut oil, since it is soft at room temperature, just use your hands to massage all of the ingredients in a bowl.  Or use a fork if you don’t like getting your hands involved.  Taste the mixture before baking and adjust accordingly. Taste it again just to be sure. And then, oh wait, better taste it one more time just to be extra certain. Family members will likely invite themselves to taste this too. (Author’s note: better make a double batch, just in case).

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Stir and continue to bake until crispy; just don’t let it burn. As it cools, the sugar will make this harden and you can crumble it over ice cream, or oatmeal, or onto a spoon that you will put right into your mouth.

Alternative ingredients - leave out the nuts (for anyone who is allergic or just averse), add a shot of bourbon (the consistency will be slightly different and this version also burns more easily), add a Chai Spice mix instead of or in addition to the cinnamon, use crushed almonds instead of pecans or walnuts.

Oh, and I’m not kidding about making a double batch.  This stuff is like crack.

A Perfect Sunday on Divisadero

I often have people visiting from out of town ask me what to do with a free day in San Francisco.  They don’t want to go to the wharf or ride cable cars- they want to do something that the locals do.  For me, this always means eating.  Below is a step-by-step guide to the perfect day in a wonderful San Francisco neighborhood: The Divisadero Corridor (also sometimes called NoPA, Divis, or Alamo Square).  What we lack in the neighborhood for a consistent nomenclature, we make up for with an amazing variety of places to eat and things to see.  Welcome to my neighborhood- enjoy your Sunday!

First Stop: The Mill 

It’s probably relatively early, so you’ll want to start your day at The Mill.  The Mill is a beautiful marriage between local roasters Four Barrel Coffee and Jose Baker Bread.  It’s also one of the most beautifully designed coffee shops I’ve ever seen.  You’ll want to sit and enjoy a pour-over coffee or cappuccino in the beautiful, bright interior or hang out outside at the parklett.  

If you skipped ahead and saw all the high-calorie deliciousness that awaits you and you are thinking about skipping breakfast...think again.  Jose Baker Bread is some of the best I’ve ever had.  My husband and I are originally from Vermont and for years we could not find the rustic, homemade quality bread that is easy to come by back home.  Jose’s bread is baked on premises and delivers everything you want in a thick, warm piece of toast: crunchy outside, chewy inside, rustic, flour-dusted crust and toppings like cream cheese, almond butter or jam.  It was no surprise to me to learn that Jose is actually from Vermont.  And ladies, he’s also very nice to look at.

Stop 2: Farmer’s Market

After you’ve woken up a little bit, wander down toward the Sunday Divisadero Farmer’s Market.  This market is relatively small compared to some of the others in the city, but it’s got everything you need.  You can literally start to smell the fresh strawberries from almost a block away.  Pick up some of your favorite fruits and veggies for later- you’ll be needing the healthy-food karma.

Stop 3: 4505 Meats

After feeling all fresh and healthy at the farmer’s market, you’ll be ready to attack lunch with vigor at the newest (and much welcome) addition to the neighborhood: 4505 Meats.  This brand-new barbecue joint is a wonderful, wonderful place.  Their menu is simple: sandwiches, bbq meat platters and side dishes.  The atmosphere is easy and unpretentious- you can eat outside in the sun at a picnic table.  The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, offering you drinks while you wait in the long line to order.  (There will always be a long line.  Just get over it and get in it.)

Get a beer (they have a great selection) and order one of the meat platters.  Their classic meat choices like bbq ribs, pulled pork, and brisket are all mouth-wateringly juicy and tender.  The platters come with a choice of two of their amazing sides which are (dare I say?) my favorite part.  One of the side options is something called Frankaroni- a deep-fried creamy mac and cheese with pieces of hot dog in it!   I rest my case.

Stop 4: Alamo Square Park

About this time you will need a break from eating and so a brief foray into sightseeing is in order.  Leave 4505 and walk up Grove Street to Alamo Square Park.  This gorgeous hilltop park offers great views of the city, frolicking dogs, and picnicing locals.  Flop yourself down on the grass and digest for a bit.  When you feel up to it again, I suggest walking the perimeter of the park (it’s only one square block) and checking out the classic San Francisco architecture, including the famous Painted Ladies.  

Stop 5: Rare Device

Head back down to Divisadero (via Hayes) and do some browsing at one of my favorite local shops- Rare Device.  Rare Device is the quintessential San Francisco shop- they have a curated collection of beautifully designed jewelry, art prints, home goods and stationery.  A lot of the merchandise is locally made, and you will likely spot a few CBL member’s work there.  If you are from out of town, I can’t think of a better place to get a souvenir of your trip that you will actually want to keep.

Stop 6:  Bi Rite Creamery

All that sunshine and shopping has likely made you hungry.  Wander down Divisadero a little farther and explore the wonders of Bi Rite grocery store.  Crazy varieties of fruit you never knew existed, amazing artisan cheeses, and hundreds of locally made products await you.  I don’t recommend getting your groceries (hellllloooo $14.99/lb chicken breasts!) but instead getting in line at the creamery- Bi Rite’s ice cream is legendary (and with good reason).  Their most famous flavor is the salted caramel, and if you don’t get a scoop of it, at least get a sample.  It might change your life.

Stop 7: The Page

It’s been a long day.  You couldn’t eat another bite if you tried.  I don’t blame you.  All you want now is a cold beverage.  Walk a few more blocks down Divisadero and grab a table at the neighborhood’s favorite bar: The Page. Cozy is the best word to describe this excellent neighborhood pub.  As the wind starts to blow and the fog rolls in, The Page awaits with dark leather and decor that looks like it came out of your grandfather’s hunting lodge.  Small but excellent beer selection, pool, and friendly people will keep you occupied as long as you choose to stay.  

That was a Sunday well spent.  You enjoyed my neighborhood as the locals do- for the most part with your stomach.   

Retailer Feature: Modern Mouse in Alameda, CA

 Why did you decide to open Modern Mouse?

I love all things handmade, and I've always had an entrepreneurial streak. When the opportunity presented itself to bring a handmade boutique to my community, I jumped at the chance. Modern Mouse first opened its doors to the public with a collection of fun, high-quality handmade goods from over 50 starting artists on November 9, 2009.

What helps you decide which pieces to carry in your shop?

We're a little-bit-of-everything boutique, and we look for the most delightful in each category! Our specialty is in local + handmade goods, and we offer a carefully curated collection of stuff we love and think our customers might too. We scour local craft fairs and other sources for new artists and also get new applicants through our online application. 

Where do you recommend customers eat or grab a coffee and snack 
near the shop?

My favorite place to eat at South Shore is Sushi House -- generous portions of fresh and delicious sushi at great prices. Up Park Street (our main drag), my favorite places to grub are Hang Ten Boiler (mm, crab) and Burma Superstar (tea leaf salad!), followed by a tapioca milk tea dessert beverage from newly opened Bambu.

What's a hidden gem (eatery, shop, scenic lookout, hiking trail, etc.) in Alameda that few know about?

Eatery: Little House Cafe. Scenic lookout and walking trail: Shoreline Park on Bay Farm Island, which is close to where I live. Oh, and the family and I also looove hanging out on the outdoor patio at the family-friendly Rock Wall Winery (yes, a winery in Alameda) on a sunny day!

What is the best part/most surprising part about owning the shop?

Aside from being able to be surrounded by such dangerously tempting merchandise all the time, one of my favorite parts of shopkeeping is getting to meet and befriend such a wide variety of people, from our talented and inspiring artist/crafter/design entrepreneurs to our wonderful customers, and my dear staff whom I affectionately consider a part of my growing family.

On the more surprising end is just how much has to happen behind the scenes to make the business run smoothly. I knew it would be a ton of work but haven't ceased to be impressed by how much data there is to manage, track, report on and analyze, especially given our consignment business model. I should thank my dad for forcing me to change majors from Poli Sci + Rhetoric to Business Administration, and I don't know if our systems could ever have been so solid if it weren't for my lots of backend work by my software developer hubby and sister. It takes a village!

Modern Mouse
2223 South Shore Center
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 814-8830

Mon – Fri 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm