Recently in Food Category

I really don't need an excuse to want to eat a pie.  Whether it's loaded with chocolate pudding or fresh berries I take a slice- no make that two.  I use the summer months as an excuse to throw together all sort of pie goodness.  Here are my three favorite summer pies.

 

 

I love Lemon Meringue Pie as a dessert after that outdoor BBQ.  Nothing is better after dry rub ribs and loaded potatos. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Those Lime Cream Marshmallow Pie is a touch of madness.  Remember those crazy jello pudding salads that your Grandma used to make?  Well put that in a pie, cover it wit soft whipped cream and colorful marshmallows and you've got one crazy delicious pie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie  is a summer classic.  The sweetness of the strawberries compliments that tart nature of the red rhubarb.  And with a lattice crust you can see all the colorful fruit.  With a scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream it's a perfect day!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do you like your eggs?  I think my favorite is over medium with whole wheat toast, turkey bacon and well done hash browns.  Kinda diva, right?  At that point, the eggs are just part of a huge, delicious weekend breakfast.  But eggs are actually the perfect food!  Eggs are full of protein and essential vitamins and minerals.  They're a great source of B12, riboflavin and choline, which helps protect us from age related memory loss.  Though eggs are on the higher side in terms of cholesterol and saturated fat, if eggs are part of a balanced diet, they really are wonderufl for you.  So bust out the eggs and treat yourself to the breakfast of champions this weekend. 

I don't care how trendy they become, Red Velvet Cupcakes will always be awesome! 
Red Velvet Cake is something that originated in the American South.  Typically, it's a basic  buttermilk cake batter with a hint of chocolate and red food coloring.  The touch of buttermilk make the cake super moist and irresistable.  And with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting, you'll be in serious cupcake heaven.  While there seem to be cupcake shops popping up on every corner, try making these little beauties yourself and I promise- they won't cost $3.50 a cupcake. 

There is some seriously good food in Texas.  The state has got some very distinct flavors from TexMex cuisine to food inspired by the large German immigrant population.  And the portions are always more than enough.  They're not messing around when they say that everything is bigger in Texas. 

Two of my favorite eateries in Texas are in the small town of Fredericksburg, about 50 miles outside of Austin.  There, chef Rebecca Rather opened Rather Sweet Bakery and Cafe in 2001.  Rather Sweet is open for breakfast and lunch and serves up the most delicious Chicken Pot Pies and Colossal Brownies like you just wouldn't believe. 

For dinner there's Rebecca's Table, located just a few blocks away.   Rebecca's Table is a sophistaced restuarant that serves local seasonal food and has a wine list that showcases the local flavor. 

If you can't make it all the way to Texas to try Rebecca's treats, you can bring Rather Sweet right to your oven.  Rebecca Rather's cookbook The Pastry Queen has got some amazing recipes.  Try to Honey Almond Biscotti.  So delicious!

 

I have bad news.  It's about tomatoes.  Turns out the awesome summer veggie that I look forward to dicing up in my salad and throwing into my turkey sandwiches are tainted. 

As of early June 2008, tomatoe crops from several states have been recalled for fear of possible salmonella contamination. 

So far the outbreak has sickened 167 people mostly in Texas, New Mexico and in the western states.  The outbreak has caused restaurants and fast food chains to stop serving tomatoes on all of their dishes. 

Here's what you can do to keep yourself healthy.  While the federal disease detectives search for the source of the salmonella outbreak, consumers are being advised against buying round red tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and oblong shaped red plum tomatoes unless they're from the following places (these places have safe tomatoes): Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, The Netherlands and Puerto Rico. 

There are some safe tomatoes.  Cherry tomatoes, tomatoes on the vine and grape tomatoes have not been linked to the outbreak. 

Symptoms of salmonella include fever and abdominal cramping and usually appear within 12 to 72 hours of infection.  The illness usually lasts four to seven days and serious complications are common in infants, the eldely and people with weakened immuse systems. 

Play it safe.  Find out where your tomatoes are from by checking the sticker found on most produce or calling your grocery store.  And maybe stick to mango salsa instead of tomatoe salsa for  while.

Salmonella is yucky.  For more tips on food safety, read this.   

 I found the most amazing cookie EVER!  It's a twist on the traditional Black and White Cookie.  I happen to be a huge sucker for this traditional New York deli cookie.  Black and White Cookies are somewhere between cake and cookie and are topped with rich chocolate fudge and sweet vanilla glaze.  They're incredible!  And now they've gone from white to red.  Imagine a Red Velvet Black and White Cookie!  The taste isn't any different, but the color really pops!  Try this recipe from Rachel Ray.  They're really easy to throw together.  And the best part is how much you'll get to brag about making them yourself when everyone demands to know what bakery they're from.

I'm having a party next weekend.  My first party of the summer, and I know it's going to be a blast.  Besides the usual rowdy crew of family and friends, I know this party is going to be a hit because it's a margarita and cupcake party!  How can this fail?  Get everyone loaded up on margaritas and strawberry cupcakes, it's bound to be an all night great time. 

So here's how to throw together a margarita and cupcake party of your own and celebrate warm weather and drunk friends.

Margaritas are important.  This recipe is the perfect combination of lime and tequila.  So yummy!  Leave a card with the margarita recipe right next to the pitcher.  That way, when you run out, one of your guests can throw together some more.  You'll be able to enjoy the party knowing that everyone is properly hydrated!

Everyone likes food!  I'm going to make empanadas for my margarita party.  With smokey cumin and a hint of orgegano, this epicurious recipe never lets me down. Throw in some salsa and guacamole and people will be snacking all night!

How about decor?  Since I'm entertaining in a small space, I'm going to follow these tips.  The room will be lit with candles, Mexican paper flowers, and well... a pinata.  Just because I think every party should have a pinata. 

Every party is better with cupcakes, right?  I'm going to try these  strawberry cupcakes with light strawberry frosting.  The recipe is from the uber popular Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills.  The lines around the block for their cupcakes make me think that they must be doing something right.

Whether you serve margaritas or martinis, cupcakes or brownies, you must have a summer party.  Small apartment or lavish pool house, getting together with friends and family in the summer months is always a great time. 
And yes, you're invited to my party too!  

 

What's better than eating outside in a romantically lit courtyard patio on a summer night?  It's enough to make Los Angeles feel like a Parisian paradise. 

Cafe Stella is a tiny French restaurant nestled inside Silverlake's Sunset Junction.  When night falls, this unassuming restaurant really shines.  Inside, six tables are draped with white linens and splashed with dim candle light.  Outside another dozen tables are assembled under strung lights, surrounded by old brick and lots of greenery.  It's undeniably romantic. 

For date night, the patio is the perfect place to sit under the stars, hold hands and ooogle each other.  Order two glasses of chilled white wine,  and share the steamed mussels with french fries.  You'll feel like you've been transfered straight to Paris.  You're bound to fall in love- with the restaurant, and your date.

 

Royal/T is the coolest new cafe in Los Angeles.  And it's so much more than a cafe!  Royal/T is a collision of space.  It's a cafe, a darling shop and a really cool art gallery.    The cafe is a Japanese inspired maid cafe.  All the waitresses are dressed like maids in black and white. The menu is a fusion of California and Japanese cuisine.  They have a high tea service, sandwiches, salads, and Japanese comfort food like Curry Rice and Matcha Milk. The place is really unique.  It's a great place to grab a bite on a weekend afternoon, browse around, see some art and chat with some maids.  Go. Eat. Enjoy.    

Lemonade is my favorite summer drink.  It's sweet, tart, always refreshing and such a breeze to make!  And lemonade is like a blank slate.  You can get creative and add all sort of flavors to it. Here are three of my favorite ways to kick up lemonade.  Try them this summer!

Pink Lemonade-  Add a touch of pink to your drink with cranberry juice.  You might also crush up some fresh raspberries and add them to your lemonade.  So pretty.  So yummy.

Brazillian Lemonade-  With lime, sugar and condensed milk, this might sounds like a strange drink, but it's creamy, sweet and delicious!  Give it a try!  You might be pleasantly suprised!

Minted Vodka Lemonade-  Want to spike your lemonade?  Mint, vodka and lemon are the perfect flavor combinations for those days when your vodka really does need an extra something.