Today is the birthday of Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, The Botany of Desire, and most recently, In Defense of Food.

Michael has been a good friend and adviser to The Kitchen Sisters and when we were producing our story, Deep-Fried Fuel, about biodiesel made from farm crops and recycled restaurant grease, we spoke with Michael and asked him to weigh in on the rise of biofuels. Take a listen to this Kitchen Conversation with Michael Pollan.

Red Bean Buns

I simply couldn't resist to bake something while I was away from home recently. My hand was so itchy that just couldn't stop touching those utensil in the kitchen of my mother-in-law. She had ready made red bean paste so we decided to make some red bean buns together using her new bread machine. I felt so good after the baking as the bread turn out quite pretty, soft and tasty.

Bun recipe:

(A) 200g bread flour / 20g plain flour / 25g sugar / 1/4 teaspoon salt / 1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp yeast / 15g milk powder / 25g eggs / 115g water / 15g butter

(B) 200g red bean paste (divide into 8 portions) / 20g white sesame

How we do it:

1. Mix ingredients (A) with bread machine for 30 minutes until it become a smooth and elastic dough.
2. Place the dough into a clean bowl and cover with cling wrap to proof for 60 minutes.
3. Divide the dough into 8 portions and round them into small balls. Then fill the doughs with red bean and shape it into a smooth balls. Let the dough proof for 15 minutes.
4. Slightly flatten each dough and use a scissor to cut the edges into 8 flower pedals. Continue to proof for 10 minutes.
5. Egg wash the doughs then top with some sesame. Bake at 190'C preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden brown.

tool storage

It’s great that we have the finished basement and third floor, but this leaves little room for storage of things like tools.  As you might imagine, the collection is big, unruly and always growing.  Can I get a “That’s what she said”?  Fortunately, there is a large built-in closet/tv unit in the basement with some extra room – this is after the first coat of primer.

We stole one of the closets and added pegboard.  If you don’t LOVE pegboard, you’re not invited.  It makes for great organization and I’m digging the fact that right now, I know exactly where my plumb-bob is (don’t you love that name?)

No, that is not everything.  We also had to convert this Harry Potter under-the-stairs-room into additional storage with some utility shelves, more pegboard and an overhead flourescent light.

 Notice the brass knuckles to the left.  I have no explanation.