ProCook Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

I love my enameled cast iron cookware. Nothing can really beat enameled cast iron for stews and braises. It holds the heat well, and is easy to clean. It is compatible with every type of range (gas, electric and induction) and is ovenproof up to 500 degrees. It's heavy, so I leave some pieces on the stove all the time. I mostly have Le Creuset, because that's what I registered for when I got married and I have bought some for friends too. But Le Creuset is terribly expensive so I have a hard time recommending it. 

Late last year I wrote about the Martha Stewart line of enameled cast iron. It was much less expensive than Le Creuset and definitely performed as well. The colors and shapes were a bit different from Le Creuset, but the price made up for any differences. Now I've got an even better recommendation, the ProCook line of enameled cast iron. 

Take a look at how the ProCook in aubergine compares to my Le Creuset in white (and ignore the crumbs on the stove). The ProCook casserole is a bit larger at 4.2 quarts versus the Le Creuset 3.5 quarts.  

The lid on the ProCook actually is a bit better in my opinion, because it has those braising ridges that help baste.

I cooked onions in both and they performed equally well. 

But when it comes to price, there is no comparison. The Le Creuset is $235 and the ProCook, only $52! On sale the Martha Stewart 5 quart oval is $99, almost twice the price of the ProCook piece. I have no idea how they can produce these pieces so inexpensively. Even better, they offer free shipping for any online purchase over $50. The range of colors includes black, red, cream and aubergine. The colors, shape of the pieces and the handles are all very attractive. 

ProCook is a family owned company from England, though I imagine the pieces are manufactured in China. I had never heard of them, but found they get very good customer reviews online. They have only two retail shops in the US in New Hampshire and Maine, but sell everything online. They also have great prices on other types of casseroles and cookware, an "Atlas" style pasta maker for only $27, box graters for $5. Whether your are setting up your own kitchen or buying a gift, ProCook is well worth a closer look. 

Disclaimer: ProCook provided me with a piece of cookware for review purposes. I was not paid for this or any other post. 

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Turns 20

The Center for Urban Education and Sustainable Agriculture, aka CUESA is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ferry Plaza farmers market. It's one of the best farmers market in America, and for good reason. In addition to being a showcase for some of the finest local produce, it's also been a model for building community and reestablishing the urban connection to farms. 

Thanks to CUESA and the Ferry Plaza farmers market, the farmers market movement as whole has grown, with somewhere around 20 markets in San Francisco alone. Beyond helping to grow the farmer's market movement CUESA has supported chefs, created educational programs, and regularly holds events that engage the public in a variety of ways.

The Ferry Plaza farmers market is a showcase for gorgeous produce, but in some ways the very success of the market has chased me away. While I have friends who still shop there religiously, I've grown tired of the hustle and bustle of tourists and chefs, and when the bus stop was removed from in front of the market, I pretty much stopped shopping there on Saturdays.

Thankfully the market is much less crazy during the week. If I'm downtown, I will swing by on a Tuesday or Thursday to pick up a few items. like these amazing strawberries from Dirty Girl Produce. They taste better than just about any other strawberries I've ever had. 

Whether you shop there frequently or not, I hope you'll consider supporting CUESA and attending one or more of the upcoming celebratory events. 

• Birthday Party: Cocktails of the Farmers Market, this is the signature seasonal cocktail events featuring top mixologists and chefs. Inspired by the seasonal bounty of the market they create tasty bites and top-notch cocktails. Wednesday May, 15, 5:30 pm – 8 pm

• Birthday Bash! Extravagant Shortcakes and Outrageous Mimosa & Juice Bar, Farmers Market Treasure Hunt, Presentation with Local Luminaries (11 am).  Saturday, May 18, 2013 – 9 am to 1 pm

• Summer Celebration a lavish walk-around tasting reception in the Ferry Building Marketplace. Sunday, July 14, 6 pm - 9 pm

• Sunday Supper a whole-beast, four course feast prepared by San Francisco’s best chefs in the elegant Ferry Building Grand Hall. Sunday, October 20, 6 pm-10 pm

Read more about the history of the market: 

Ferry Plaza Market cultivates revolution by Tara Duggan

Starting a farmers' market by Patricia Unterman

Grocery Outlet Wine Bargains

Robaire showing off one his wine picks at Grocery Outlet in Berkeley

I've been buying wine at Grocery Outlet for a long time and I've always been curious about Robaire, the manager in the store who picks the wine. At Grocery Outlet you won't find a lot of "shelf talkers" or ratings and descriptions of the wines, but sometimes you will see "Robaire recommends" at the Berkeley store or a sheet with details on the wine that Robaire has printed out.

When Robaire took over the wine department at the store he was a cognac and scotch drinker. He told me he thought a lot wine was "just hideous." But he started reading about it and tasting and over the course of about six months, he became something of a wine lover. Today he recommends wines he thinks his customers will enjoy and not just the ones he prefers. Likewise Andy, the wine buyer at Grocery Outlet says he never buys for his palate.

The wines at Grocery Outlet all have stories. Not just the story of how they came to be, but also, how they came to end up at Grocery Outlet. Grocery Outlet choses wine based on value. According to the Andy, up to 40% are purchased below cost. How can they do that? I'd say it's because the wine business is very complicated and risky. The slightest little changes can mean a producer ends up with wine they cannot sell. Here are just some of the reasons why:

Uh oh...

Please, don't let your children design your wine label

The label was really awful. The bottle changed.  Stores or restaurants want to carry only a newer vintage. It's a brand created for a restaurant. Ownership of the winery changed. A newer vintage got high ratings or reviews. There is no space to store it.

The thrill is finding something really special, that is just too good for the price.

Right now Grocery Outlet has a sale on wine, and everything is additional 20% off through May 12, 2013.  So I talked to both Andy and Robaire to get some of their top picks:



Pope Valley Merlot
2008 Napa Valley
$11.99
This wine has the scent of red fruit with spice and violets, it's earthy and has velvety tannins. It generally sells for over twice the price.






Wild Oak by St Francis Winery Syrah

Sonoma 2007
$10.99
The Syrah is a Rhone style, with blueberry and black fruit and a hint of violet, it typically sells for $30 or more.




Swanson Instant Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Rutherford
$24.99
Swanson is very well respected for their Merlot, and you'd be hard pressed to find a Napa Cab of this quality, this reasonably priced. It's a blend of Cab, Merlot and Petit Verdot, and it includes fruit from Rutherford, near the Mayacamas range in Yountville, Oakville and Oak Knoll.  


Three Rivers Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Washington
$9.99
From Walla Walla Washington, this sells for over twice the price, and got 89 points from Wine Spectator it's a big "chewy" Cab with cherry, vanilla, blackberry and earthier notes of tobacco.

Wilson Daniels Chardonnay
2010 California
$4.99
Known mostly as a negociant, they also bottle some wines under their own label. It sells for about $14
and is from Paso Robles, it's lemony, with melon and tangerine.





Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva magnum
2008 Italy
$22.95
A favorite among chianti lovers and (Wine Spectator), this needs decanting but would be great for a party. Check out this review.




Michel Schlumberger Merlot 
California 2011
$6.99
I haven't tried this wine yet, and plan on holding on to it for a bit. This winery is known for particularly elegant wines and
Schlumberger Merlot generally sells for $35 a bottle.





Disclaimer: My thanks to Grocery Outlet for providing me with a gift card so I could buy some wines, they did not pay for me to write this or any other post. I've been a fan of Grocery Outlet for a long, long time and was paid to create some recipes for them in the Fall of 2012. 

Mango Mustard Chicken Recipe

Recently I was at a dinner hosted by Maille, an award-winning brand of Dijon style mustard that's been around for 265 years. Mustard was used in everything from cocktails to dessert. Mustard adds complexity and brightness and can be used in the background or front and center, it all depends on the dish. It also seems to balance out sweetness, adding pungency and acidity.

As luck would have it, the National Mango Board sent me a box of luscious mangoes and I was instantly inspired. Mangos and mustard! I'm happy to say this recipe for Mango Mustard Chicken was a smashing success from the very first try. The sauce of mango, sautéed onion, mustard and honey is tangy, sweet, spicy and so good you won't be able to stop eating it! The pungency of the mustard is tempered by the sweetness of the mango and honey. I bet it would be good on a roast pork loin as well.

A few years ago I learned not all Dijon style mustards are the same, some are sharper and some emulsify better than others. I highly recommend you use an imported French variety, such as Maille, because they work best in recipes. Read about my friend Sarah's trip to the Maille shop in Paris then try my recipe.

Note: Different mangos are available throughout the year. To learn about the different varieties, visit www.mango.org.