beXnlog

Sweets

Happy 1st Birthday, Zahra Luna!

Z has been reminding me to check out Chikalicious, a Dessert Bar in the East Village. It's a 3 course dessert menu where your choice of main entree includes: Steamed Apple Pudding with Cinnamon Anglaise and Shredded Granny Smith, Blood Orange Sorbet with Espresso Panna Cotta and Coconut Agar Agar Gelee or French Toasted Earl Grey Tea Brioche with Candied Kumquats and Vanilla Sorbet. We had planned to go after my birthday dinner at Vatan, but we were just too full to consume one more bite. I always believe there's room for dessert (and coffee) but after that meal, there really wasn't. I'm avoiding it this weekend due to the Valentine's Day/Singles' Awareness Day mob, but hopefully i'll get to try it soon.

Now, on a bad food note, i did some internet researching on botulism from oil infusions. The subject got brought up last night from the garlic and oil dip which we all love and enjoy. Although actual cases are rare, people have gotten it from oil infusions. Fresh herbs, garlic, chiles and vegetables have tiny microbes from soil, which when placed in an enclosed environment like oil, can lead to the development of C botulinum toxins. To prevent oil infusions from developing toxins, you must make the infusion acidic (add lemon or vinegar), refrigerate it or consume it within a few hours. Now i'm a little skeptical of have room-temperature garlic oil. It sure is delicious, though.

posted by beXn @ 2:11 PM