Happy holidays! It’s the season of joy and wonder and wishes come true, and these Totoro linzer cookies might make it just a bit more magical. I was struggling for Christmas cookie inspiration this year. Rescue came in the form of Isabelle, who in just the last couple of weeks decided to fall in love […]...
Vanilla Apple Cider Panna Cottas
Inspired by the beautiful panna cotta I had at the Botanist Gin dinner, I wanted to make a panna cotta dessert for the holidays. Since I had apple cider for Thanksgiving in the house, I used this recipe from Food and Wine to make some vanilla apple cider panna cottas. The vanilla and cinnamon give the […]...
Dinner with The Botanist Gin
Although cocktails aren’t my main focus in the kitchen, there’s no time like the holidays to get me to stretch beyond my standard glass of wine. Last month I was invited to a dinner in San Francisco celebrating The Botanist Gin, an unusual, small batch gin made by Bruichladdich Distillery, more famously known for their whisky. Bruichladdich […]...
Normandy Apple Tart
Dorie Greenspan’s Normandy apple tart makes a perfect canvas for some tart crust creativity. Baking confession: although I love making pies and tarts, I haven’t gotten on the elaborate works-of-art crust decorating trend until now! But with a daughter who loves turning any activity into an art project, I figured what better time to start. […]...
Apple Meringue Crumb Cake
The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting crisper, and fall baking season is fully underway. I’ve spent the last few weekends baking various things with apples because it just feels so properly autumnal, and also because Isabelle, at four and half, declared herself capable of learning how to peel apples. She was right; with the proper […]...
{San Francisco}: Farallon Celebrates 20 Years
photo courtesy of Farallon. Twenty years after its opening, Farallon remains one of San Francisco’s most famous and celebrated restaurants. Farallon holds a special place in my heart; it’s one of the first “grownup” dining experiences I had after graduating college and starting my first job in the city. As restaurants go, Farallon is undoubtedly sui generis; entering […]...
Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. 
