Sunset back issues from December 2008:
New traditions.(From the editor)(Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008; ... A few years ago, wine editor Sara Schneider gave me a decadently priced Cabernet as a holiday gift. It was a Louis M. Martini, Lot 1. One critic called it "downright heroic." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I brought the bottle to my mom's house for our first Christmas Eve ...
Peaceful Utah.(Katie's picks this month)
Dec 01, 2008 ... I fell hard for Utah after visiting last fall and now I'm determined to go in winter. Check out Alta, ...
Unexpected Combo.(Katie's picks this month)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Tuck silvery gray dusty miller alongside yellow poinsettias for a classy splash of ...
Affordable art.(Katie's picks this month)
Dec 01, 2008 ... I can't resist these handblown votives. For $40, you can give an amazing piece of art to warm the soul this winter ...
San Francisco treasure.(In our mail ...)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Thank you for "No Ordinary Museum" [October, page 30]--reading your article, I was 6 again. I grew up half a block from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and as a young girl in the '30s I often went to the California Academy of Sciences. I was overjoyed to see the fantastic new museum ...
Taco temples.(In our mail ...)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008; ... I recently read "Sunset New Essential No. 2: The Taco Truck" [October, page 132]. I am a schoolteacher and a native Californian living in economic exile in northern Arkansas, and I really miss Cali-Mex food! We have mostly Tex-Mex here, which, in my opinion, is hardly a worthy substitute ....
Green and quiet.(In our mail ...)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008; ... I was dismayed to read your article encouraging Harley-Davidson motorcycle rides in the California redwoods [October, page 86]. In my experience, Harleys are notorious noise polluters, destroying any sense of peaceful ...
Are you thirsty?(In our mail ...)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008 ... WE WANT TO HELP YOU KNOW WINE What would you like to learn from our wine editor? Are you looking for the right wine pairing for dinner tonight? Want to throw a wine-tasting party? Hear more about Cabernet, Chardonnay, or ...
Caprese sticks appetizer.(In the blogs ...)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008 ... POSTED AT ZOOMIESTATION. BLOGSPOT.COM It's Sunset's idea again, and a good one ...
New ways with wallpaper.(In the blogs ...)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008 ... POSTED AT PRETTYPERFECTPAPER.COM This looks awesome [September, page 48], and it is another one of ...
Pumpkins made easy.(In the blogs ...)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008 ... POSTED AT DREAMJOSEPHINE.BLOGSPOT.COM This is a really sophisticated ...
Always breezy.(In the blogs ...)(Letter to the editor)
Dec 01, 2008 ... POSTED AT TEAMSMALLDOG.COM/BLOG Every single year for Christmas, my mom gives me a subscription to Sunset magazine (Hi, Mom!). If you are a perfect, secret-Marth type but looks super-hot wearing yoga pants to the farmers' market, this is your guide. Sunset has a sunny, low-key ...
The West at its best.(Buyers guide)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Our ultimate gift guide From surprising finds under $30 to dreamy indulgences: Here's a look at what Sunset staffers and friends are giving (and craving) this holiday season No-fail hostess gift Inspired by the terraced olive groves of Italy, these olive ...
East Bay day Solano Avenue.(Day trip)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Why go now: 20 walkable blocks of stores in Albany and Berkeley let you knock out your holiday shopping in a single decisive blow. 'Tis the season: White lights drip from the lampposts and local teens play jazz from the street corners. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dress ...
Check a few more off your gift list.(Day trip)
Dec 01, 2008 ... FOR THE QUIRKY COUSIN No hohum gifts at the Bone Room. That is, unless you're bored with a bat skeleton, a faux amber key chain encasing a scorpion, and a real spiderweb captured behind glass. Silver pendants made of bits of butterfly wing are undeniably gorgeous. Closed Sun, 1569 Solano ...
Ask the experts Derek Fagerstrom and Lauren Smith: The co-owners of a crafty San Francisco design shop share gift ideas, and show you where to go to make your own.(Insider tips)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Go-to craft stores We love Lacis in Berkeley (lasic.com) for all sorts of crafty goodness. part museum, part retail store, it's got amazing books, supplies, and equipment for needlework, costumery, and lace making. But if you're looking to prove that old adage, "One man's trash is another ...
Lodi.(Editor's picks)
Dec 01, 2008; ... On our radar: The sandhill cranes are back What we think: Every autumn, prehistoriclooking birds with the wingspan of a college basketball player fly to the Central Valley. At the 353-acre Woodbridge Ecological Reserve/Isenberg Sandhill Crane Reserve, watch them as they wheel in ...
Napa and Sonoma.(Editor's picks)
Dec 01, 2008; ... On our radar: Drinking beer in wine country What we think: You've toured the wineries, but have you tried the brewpubs? St. Helena's Silverado Brewing Company (707/967-9876) pours six housemade ales--sample each or go straight for a pint of the dark, creamy oatmeal stout. Up the ...
Redwood City.(Editor's picks)(San Mateo County History Museum )(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... On our radar: Maverick's--at a museum What we think: Most of us will never tackle the biggest waves on the Pacific coast. But a new surfboard-shaped virtual motion machine in the San Mateo County History Museum so clearly ...
Sacramento.(Editor's picks)(Lounge ON20)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... On our radar: Sipping champagne at Lounge ON20 What we think: The capital city's chic new hot spot-boasting 30 bubblies by the glass--is reason enough to celebrate this holiday season. Done up with white leather chaises and a floor-to-ceiling wall of ...
San Francisco.(Editor's picks)(74XCultureBus)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... On our radar: 74XCultureBus What we think: Though San Francisco's culture meter has gone off the charts with four major museums opening in the last few years, navigating public transit form, say, the avant-garde Contemporary Jewish Museum to the copper-skinned de Young Museum ...
Yosemite.(Editor's picks)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... On our radar: A Yosemite photo op just got better What we think: You're driving through rock-ribbed tunnel darkness, then--pow!--the entire Yosemite valley spreads out before you. Welcome to the Tunnel View Overlook, Your first good look at the valley after you enter Yosemite ...
Sausalito secrets: an insider shares the top five experiences you won't read about in guidebooks.(Escape)
Dec 01, 2008; ... LIKE MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS, I learned to tell high tide by the markings on the wooden piers at Scoma's restaurant, an oldie but goodie along our town's well-visited southern waterfront. But far too many Sausalito travelers don't make it much beyond Scoma's, and that's a shame. Just off the ...
Tourist in your own town.(Top holiday spots)(City overview)
Dec 01, 2008 ... JOEL STEIN TAKES A HOME TOWN TOUR OF L.A. THROUGH A NEWBIE'S EYES AND CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH HE LIKES IT. I'd never really seen the Ivy before. Sure, I'd eaten at the snooty, overpriced restaurant. But with tables full of trophy wives, and celebrities walking by pretending that ...
Poinsettias with style.(Inspired idea)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Make this holiday standby look new by balancing the smoldering hues of berry red poinsettias with a spritz of lime green foliage in contemporary ...
The giving garden: a bland backyard becomes a lush landscape for healing.(Personal space)
Dec 01, 2008; ... ASK A TEENAGE GIRL what she covets most, and her answer may range from an iPhone to a chance to meet the Jonas Brothers. But when Rebecca Gologorsky of Piedmont, California, was asked this question several years ago, she suggested something more enduring: a lush, plantfilled garden she ...
December: what to do in Northern California.(Checklist)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Go shopping Get bare-root roses Sunset climate zones 7-9, 14-17: They start arriving in nurseries this month (after purchase, soak them for 24 hours before planting). The largest possible choice of varieties is available from specialty rose nurseries such as Garden Valley Ranch ...
Mini forest.(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Feathery tabletop conifers, slipped into cherry-colored cachepots, bring a sprightly, wintry feel to your home without dripping sap or dropping needles. Sometimes sold as European tree and golden European tree (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwoodii' and x Cupressocyparis leylandii), they're ...
Good wraps: this month, get crafty (and cut costs) with beautifully ordinary packaging materials from around the house.(Easy style)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Keep it simple: more ideas for reducing holiday waste CHRISTMAS TREES Rent a live tree, or buy one that can be planted in your backyard. To learn more about rental programs in your city, visit livingchristmastrees.org (Portland), adoptachristmastree.com(San Diego), or fuf.net ...
Rethink the garage: the result: a light-filled guest cottage, playroom, and home office.(Before & after)
Dec 01, 2008 ... PARKING IS AT A PREMIUM in San Francisco, but Reed Maltzman and Jennifer Gosselin had to admit that their two-car garage was overkill. They needed space for people, not cars. So the couple enlisted Maltzman's childhood friend, architect Jonathan Feldman, to transform half of the detached ...
The green bed: how to have an eco-sensitive snooze.(Natural home)(Buyers guide)
Dec 01, 2008; ... YOU CAN GET an environmentally friendly. car and an environmentally friendly washing machine. But can you get an environmentally friendly night's sleep? The answer is yes. As we become more concerned with the state of the planet--and more aware of how personal and planetary health are ...
The sustainable holiday: Allison Arieff investiges a kinder, gentler--and less stressful-spirit giving.(First on the block)
Dec 01, 2008; ... TRYING TO HAVE an environmentally friendly holiday is a bit like serving Tofurky in Texas. Your enthusiasm for soy may spur your guests to scramble for steak, and merely expressing a desire to put limits on gift giving may make your family think you're a Storage. But after learning, among ...
The last great ski resort: no glitz, no attitude. Just world-class snow and welcoming people. High in the utah mountains, alta will remind you why you love to ski.
Dec 01, 2008; ... "I HAD SUCH A CRUSH on him when I was a kid," says my friend Didi Linburn, pigtails peeking out from beneath her pink ski helmet rather than the wool pompom hat she wore as a kid. I peer into the tiny ski shop at the Alta Peruvian Lodge and catch a glimpse of a cute guy in glasses behind ...
Create a stunning centerpiece: all-natural, no-fuss holiday decor that's as simple as it is beautiful.(berries)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Combine organic and architectural elements for streamlined elegance. A piece of 1/4-inch-thick acrylic plastic (cut to fit at a framing shop) rests atop a bright jumble of berries and seeded eucalyptus. Vintage blue-glass bowls overflowing with deeper red berries are staggered with taller ...
Silent night.(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... SILENT NIGHT As December days shorten, each minute of daylight becomes a prize. At dusk on Oregon's Cannon Beach, tide and sky glow mystic blue against the cathedral precious in the holiday season: a chance to consider man's place in a natural world that is wild, beautiful, and vast ....
We've got the answers: sweet treats for each type of holiday party.(Recipe)
Dec 01, 2008; ... Cranberry obsession snow cake The party: The big Christmas feast The appeal: With its jewel-like filling, this cake is a snowy white showstopper Peppermint ice cream bonbons The party: Cocktails with lots of finger food The appeal: ...
Peppermint ice cream bonbons.
Dec 01, 2008 ... SERVES 8 to 10 TIME 40 minutes, plus about 6 hours to freeze BAKERS' TIP When you dip the ice cream balls in chocolate, make sure you coat some of the skewer too--this keeps the ice cream from sliding off as it melts. <Pre> 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream, softened 1/4 tsp ....
Banana pecan dacquoise.(Recipe)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The party: Dinner with good friends The appeal: Silky caramel, ripe bananas, creamy vanilla custard, all oozing from a stack of crunchy meringue layers: You want only certain people to see you get this messy Banana pecan dacquoise SERVICE 12 TIME 2 1/2 ...
Orange trifle with Grand Marnier cream.(Recipe)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SERVES 12 TIME 1 hour, plus chilling time BAKERS' TIP Segmenting citrus fruit (removing the membranes so just fruit is left) makes it seem juicier and more tender. <Pre> 12 to 14 medium oranges * 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp. Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored ...
Cardamom brown-sugar palmiers.(Recipe)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... MAKES 16 TIME 30 minutes, plus chilling time BAKERS' TIP As with any super-buttery dough, chilling it makes it much easier to slice. <Pre> 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 2 tsp. ground cardamom 1 sheet (8.6 oz.) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed according to ...
Eggnog cheesecake.(Recipe)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SERVES 12 TIME 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling time and at least 3 hours to chill BAKERS' TIP Run a spatula around the inside of the pan just after baking to help the cheesecake firm up without cracking. <Pre> 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs 3 tbsp. butter, melted 3 ...
Cab's big night: chef and wine pro Maria Helm Sinskey serves the king of reds with the king of beef for a pull-out-the-stops holiday meal.(Dinner with friends)
Dec 01, 2008; ... MENU Crispy shrimp with arugula and lemony mayo Salt-and herb-crusted prime rib with fresh horseradish sauce Golden olive oil-roasted potatoes Braised winter greens with bacon Caramelized pears with toasted hazelnuts and chocolate ...
Crispy shrimp with arugula and lemony mayo.(Dinner with friends)(Recipe)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SERVES 8 TIME About 35 minutes This crowd-pleasing appetizer can be plated with the greens as a sit-down first course or served without greens as stand-up finger food. "I like my shrimp spicy; my daughters don't," says Maria. "So I split the crumbs and add the cayenne to half." ...
Lemony mayo.(Dinner with friends)(Recipe)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... In a food processor, whirl 2 large egg yolks, 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. With motor running, pour in 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil and 3/4 cup canola oil; mixture should be thick and shiny (you ...
Salt-and herb-crusted prime rib with fresh horseradish sauce.(Dinner with friends)(Recipe)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SERVES 8, with plenty of leftovers TIME About 3 hours, plus overnight to marinate and 1 1/2 hours resting time Packing a rib roast in a salt crust keeps it moist and makes those richly seasoned end pieces hot items at the table. THE WINE Serve Cabs in a ...
Fresh horseradish sauce.(Dinner with friends)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Peel 4 oz. fresh horseradish root * with a vegetable peeler. Grate finely or whirl in a food processor until finely chopped. In a small bowl, mix horseradish with 2 tbsp. White-wine vinegar. In another bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups creme fraiche or sour cream until slightly thickened. Stir in ...
Golden olive oil-roasted potatoes.(Dinner with friends)(Recipe)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SERVES 8 TIME About 1 1/4 hours, plus overnight to chill Nothing more than good olive oil and crunchy sea salt turn super-simple potatoes into an irresistible holiday side dish. <Pre> 5 lbs. large Yukon Gold potatoes 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil About 1/2 ...
Braised winter greens with bacon.(Dinner with friends)(Recipe)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SERVES 8 TIME About 1 3/4 hours Old-fashioned long-cooked winter greens are pure comfort; sneak in some top-quality bacon and zippy mustard seeds, and they're holiday fare. <Pre> 8 slices (about 10 oz.) applewood-smoked bacon, chopped 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive ...
Caramelized pears with toasted hazelnuts and chocolate sorbet.(Dinner with friends)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SERVES 8 TIME About 2 1/4 hours These golden-brown pears make a stunning finale, and they can be made well ahead of time. Chocolate sorbet adds a deep, rich flavor note. <Pre> 1 cup hazelnuts 3 tbsp. superfine sugar 8 to 10 large, firm-ripe Bosc pears with stems ...
Maria's wine picks.(Dinner with friends)
Dec 01, 2008 ... A BUBBLY TO START Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 2005 (North Coast; $36). Lovely core of pear and crisp apple flavors, with rich yeastiness underneath and effervescent lemon on top. WHITE WITH THE FIRST COURSE Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Napa and Sonoma ...
Thai chicken coconut soup (Tom kha gai).(Fast & fresh)
Dec 01, 2008; ... In a medium saucepan, combine 1 can (14 oz.) coconut milk, 1 can (14 oz.) reduced-sodium chicken broth, and 6 quarter-size slices fresh ginger. Cut 1 stalk fresH lemongrass into 1-in. pieces and add to pan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add 1 lb. boned, skinned chicken breast or thighs, ...
Veal scaloppine with mushroom marsala sauce.(Fast & fresh)
Dec 01, 2008; ... <Pre> SERVES 4 TIME 30 minutes1/3 cup flour About 1 tsp. each salt and black pepper, divided 1 tsp. dried oregano 1 lb. veal cutlets, pounded to about 1/4 in-thick 2 tbsp. olive oil 3 tbsp. butter 12 oz. mushrooms, slice 3 tbsp. chopped garlic 2/3 cup sweet ...
Swanson roasted turkey & pan gravy.(Fast & fresh)(Recipe)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Prep: 15 minutes Bake: 4 hours, 30 minutes Cook: 8 minutes Makes: 9 servings <Pre> 18-to 20-pound turkey 1 1/4 cups Swanson Chicken Stock Ground black pepper 1/4 cup all-purpose flour </Pre> 1. Remove the package of the giblets and ...
Penne all' amatriciana.(Fast & fresh)
Dec 01, 2008; ... <Pre> SERVES 4 TIME 30 minutes8 oz. penne pasta 4 oz. pancetta or good-quality bacon, cubed 1 cup chopped onion 1 tbsp. minced garlic 1 large can (18 oz.) diced tomatoes 1 tsp. each kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red chile flakes 1/4 cup grated ...
Our favorite cookie frosting.(Fast & fresh)
Dec 01, 2008 ... In bowl of a mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter (at root temperature) until very smooth. Add 1 Ib. powdered sugar, 3 tbsp. half-and-half. and 2 tsp. vanilla extract of finely shredded zest from 1 lemon, and beat until very smooth. For a thinner frosting or a glazed, add more ...
3 ways with tangerings: these bright, sweet, orange orbs give a spark to winter cooking.(Fast & fresh)
Dec 01, 2008 ... FRISEE, TANGERINE, AND SESAME SALAD Finely shred zest from 1 tangerine and combine it with 1 tsp. finely shredded fresh ginger, 3 tbsp. fresh tangerine, juice, 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil, an salt to taste. Peel 3 tangerines and divide them into sections ....
Feast on crab: it's prime time for sweet Dungeness. We share our secrets for secrets for amazing cracked crab and crabcakes--plus how to cook the crustaceans live for the most succulent meat of all.(In the Western Kitchen)(Recipe)
Dec 01, 2008; ... JUICY AND BRINY-SWEET, Dungeness is celebration food. Any evening that begins with crabcakes instantly feels festive and special. And cracked crab is great to eat with close friends and family or with people you'd like to get to know better--because it requires rolling up your sleeves and ...
3 tasty dunks for cracked crab: a mountain of cracked crab with a decadent sauce or two--or even three--is, quite simply one of the best meals of the season.(In the Western kitchen)
Dec 01, 2008 ... GARLIC HERB BUTTER In a small saucepan, melt 3/4 cup butter over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp. chopped garlic and cook, stirring often, until garlic is softened and butter foam subsides, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, 1 tbsp ....
The secret to our crabcakes? No bread, lots of seafood, and diced bell peppers for crunch and color.(In the Western kitchen)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Ultimate crabcakes SERVES 6, as a first course TIME 40 minutes Frederick Basgal of Menlo Park, California, a stellar home cook, shares with us his extravagant recipe for crabcakes loaded with seafood, plus bright chives and a tiny dice of bell peppers. His ...
Dungeness 101: if you've never cooked live crabs, it can seem a little intimidating. But our paper-bag method for getting the critters in the water helps things go smoothly.(In the Western kitchen)
Dec 01, 2008 ... How to cook 1 Keep live crabs chilled up to 12 hours. Fill a large pot with enough water to cover crabs by 2 to 3 in., leaving 3 to 4 in. clearance below pot rim; bring to a boil. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 Gently unwrap crabs into a sturdy paper bag (cut ...
Make it a mocktail: hold the booze and bring on a few rounds of these festive, celebratory toasts.(Healthy living)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008; ... LUCY BRENNAN SURE KNOWS her way around a cocktail shaker. As the owner of Mint and 820, a restaurant and lounge in Portland, she has the classic martini down ice cold--but she also knows the value of offering guests tasty booze-free alternatives. "Mocktails are a great way for people to ...
Sparkling spice.(Healthy living)(Recipe)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... MAKES 1 mocktail TIME 10 minutes, plus 30 minutes to steep A lively, aromatic, fizzy fluteful that makes a good stand-in for a kir royale. You'll have enough syrup for 8 mocktails. <Pre> 1/2 cup sugar 2 1/2 star anise, plus 1 for garnish if you like 1 tbsp ....
Pear tree.(Healthy living)(Recipe)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... MAKES 1 mocktail TIME 10 minutes Tart, refreshing, and appealing to mojito fans. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] <Pre> 1 cup ice 1/3 cup pear juice 2 tbsp. each Lemon-Lime Juice and Simple Syrup (see "Bar Essentials," page 102) 4 fresh mint leaves, ...
Best ever butter cookies.(Healthy living)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Preparation time: 60 minutes Baking time: 6 minutes Makes: 3 dozen [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] <Pre> Cookie:1 cup LAND o LAKES (R) Butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 LAND o LAKES (TM) Egg 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons orange juice 1 tablespoon ...
Citrus kiss.(Healthy living)(Recipe)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2008 ... MAKES 1 mocktail TIME 10 minutes Sweet and tangy and sure to please the sidecar-loving crowd. <Pre> About 2 tbsp. superfine sugar (see "Bar Essentials," at right) Wedge of lemon or lime 1 cup ice 1/3 cup blood orange sparkling cider 1 tbsp. mandarin orange or ...