Vanilla Pleasures

Road Trip: Lake Tahoe

2010-07-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend we headed to Tahoe to celebrate the 4th. I hadn't been to Lake Tahoe in a few years and was so excited to head north as it's one of my favorite places on earth. The combination of morning hikes through the forest, afternoons spent on the deep blue lake and evening BBQs made for one of the best 4th of July weekends I've ever had.

About to board the boat

Evening BBQ in the backyard of our cabin

View from our front porch

Berry Good

2010-06-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

Now that it's officially Summer, I've finally been seeing my favorite Summer Fruits at the farmer's market. Last week, my local farmers market had some ripe sweet early season Blackberries. One of my favorite Summer Desserts is a super easy Blackberry Crumble Recipe from the late great Domino Magazine (RIP.. insert tears here). It's even better when served fresh out of the oven and topped with vanilla ice cream. Bon Appetit!

-1 cup plus 2 tbsp. all purpose flour
-1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
-1/2 cup dark brown sugar
-1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
-1/4 tsp. cinnamon
-1/4 tsp. salt
-1 stick cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes
-1 tsp. lemon zest
-1/3 cup sugar
-3 tbsp. creme de cassis (This can be hard to find at grocery stores and it can be replaced with Blackberry Bourbon)

Preheat over to 375 degrees. To make the topping, 1 cup flour, oats, brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl and mix with your hands. Add butter and lemon zest and mix by squeezing together clumps with your fingers until no loose flour remains. In another large bowl, toss the blackberries with sugar and the remaining 1 tbs of flour. Add creme de cassis and toss again. spred the berry mixture including any liquid, in a 9 inch pie plate and crumble the topping evenly over it Bake until topping is golden brown (about 30 mins). Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Quick & Delicious Dinner: Roasted Shrimp & Orzo

2010-06-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

With the weather getting drastically warmer (Thank God) and my constant travel schedule, I've been finding myself cooking fast one dish meals lately that require little time in the kitchen and few ingredients. My good friend Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere turned me onto this dish from Ina Garten for Roasted Shrimp and Orzo, which she made for Tony and myself when we lived in LA . This recipe is incredibly easy, very healthy and fresh and a great dish for a hot summer night. Especially if you have an apartment from the 30s with no air conditioning (did I mention I miss the central AC unit in my old apartment?). You can find the recipe here.

Might I also suggest a pairing of this dish with an episode of Arrested Development. I think the flavor in the shrimp really brings out the hilarity in the series. :)

Gone Fishing

2010-05-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

Been traveling - will update soon.

Aloha

2010-05-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

So okay it's been a while. Several business trips coupled with jam packed weekends have created a delay in my blogging, but as all five of you who read this know, this is typical behavior. After much heckling by certain people whose names rhyme with "Femily" and "Hisa" I realized I need to get my lazy butt in gear and get on my post. So where did we leave off? Oh yes, Hawaii.. wonderful, tropical Hawaii.

So nearly one month ago, Tony and I set out to the North Shore of Oahu to Turtle Bay. The North Shore was absolutely beautiful. The most intense waves I have ever seen (it is one of the premier surfing spots in the world ya know), water as blue and as clear as the sky and lush greenery all creating a little den of paradise. We spent the week snorkeling, kayaking, beaching, eating and did I mention eating? We ate at a few formal restaurants but our favorite eats were the local hole in the walls like Giovanni's Famous Shrimp Truck, Ted's Bakery and their amazing Haupia Pie that we ate at least 4 times during our trip and once even for breakfast (that's what vacation is for right?)and the Kahuku Superette, a run down convenience store with a fresh supply of Ahi Tuna from the local fisherman serving a lunch special of Ahi Tuna Poke with Sticky Rice for only $4. The biggest splurge and most was when we discovered that our favorite sushi restaurant in LA Sasabune, has its original location in Honolulu and we were fortunate enough to eat the best sushi of our lives - a 15 course Omakase Style Sushi Dinner prepared by the founder himself, Nobi Kusuhara. It was like meeting a rock star, if the rock star prepared the best sushi you ever ate in your life.. ever.

Needless to say, it was a grand time and I would recommend the North Shore of Oahu to anyone looking for beautiful scenery and tasty local eats.

Garlic Shrimp and Sticky Rice from Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

My Hawaiian addiction - Sugar infused Guava Juice in a can that I can never find on the mainland. Brought a six pack of this the first day and it was gone by day three

The man, the myth, the legend at the sushi bar

Lobster Tail was just one of the 15 courses at Sasabune in Honolulu

Ted's Bakery - If you go to the North Shore you HAVE to get the Haupia Pie. It's made of chocolate, magic and dreams.

Eating fresh Mango at the beach from the fruit stand across the highway

Blue Hawaii

2010-04-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

Next week we head out on vacation to the North Shore of Oahu. I have never been to Oahu, but supposedly the North Shore is "True Hawaii." When I return, there will be posts with tales of beaches,tiki cocktails and shrimp trucks.

Aloha!

Happy Belated Passover

2010-04-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

So as usual, the spring holidays of Passover and Easter snuck up on me without warning. Since it's been a long time since I lived near family, Tony and I had become accustom to non-traditional celebrations of Easter and Passover that usually involved picnics in Griffith Park or at the beach. This year, I am thankful to spend the holidays with my family and we kicked off the mixed faith fest with a week day Passover Seder with my sister-in-laws family. I was delighted to attend a real Passover Seder and when asked to bring a dessert, I had a mild panic as all of my best dessert recipes included flour, which is not suitable for Passover! So who do you turn to when you need a great passover recipe in a flash? The biggest WASP in cooking of course! Martha Stewart came to the rescue with her Chocolate Chunk Macaroon recipe which was incredibly easy and delicious. I could have eaten the entire batch myself! I highly recommend this recipe for any future Passover celebrations.

*Cooks Note, she says to mold the dough like "hay stacks" which of course made me think squares but it's more of a "sand dune" shape to get a true Macaroon form.

Before:

After:

Day Trippin'-Santa Cruz

2010-03-21T14:50:00.000-07:00

Tony and I love to go on little adventures and now that we have new territory to explore, we've been making an effort to take day trips on weekends. Since Tony grew up in Southern California, he hasn't been to many of the treasures in Northern California. A few weeks ago, we decided to venture south to Santa Cruz to explore where the redwoods meet the ocean. We went to the infamous mystery spot (which was indeed, very mysterious), ate at the legendary vegetarian haven Saturn Cafe, and explored the beaches. It was a great way to kick off our first of many weekend expeditions.

The Mystery Spot in all its glory. I am actualy standing upright in this picture.

Go Green

2010-03-15T19:25:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about my new hood is the awesome Farmers Market held two blocks from my house. I've made a Sunday tradition of grabbing a cup of coffee and walking over to see what's fresh. Many of my meals have been inspired by the seasonal goodies they've had lately and since it's the tale end of winter, there is an abundance of leafy greens. On last Sunday's trip, there was a special on Swiss Chard (a fantastic super food that doesn't always come to mind when I'm shopping). When I got back to my apartment, I had a mild freak out as to how I was going to use up all of this Swiss Chard but soon remembered that I had a killer recipe for Swiss-Chard, Potato and Chickpea Stew. This rustic Spanish Stew although vegetarian, is incredibly hearty and filling, super healthy and best when cooked with your loved one. Topped with a hard boiled egg, it's the perfect quick dinner on a cold night. You can find the recipe here.

Slow Cookin'

Finished Product

Everything Old is New Again

2010-03-11T22:19:00.000-08:00

Alright , so it's been a while. We decided it was time for a change and in January 2010, we left our cozy westside neighborhood in Los Angeles and headed North to Oakland. So far, I am LOVING the East Bay and the city of Oakland. The local farmers market, the amazing food and wine culture in the Bay Area and having seasons again has inspired me to cook, travel and blog again. Also, with this move, Tony decided that it's time we got a DV-R (which I can't believe we ever lived without) and I've been able to nerd out and record all of my favorite cooking shows during the day so I've been exposed to even more recipes than before. So with this new year, comes the revitalization of Vanilla Pleasures, the Oakland Edition.

So... on with the show. Since I now live in an area that has normal seasons and it is Winter, I have been craving comfort foods lately. Tony surprised me this Christmas with a beautiful Lemon Yellow Kitchen Aid Mixer so I've been baking up a storm. After work last week I watched a recorded episode of Giada at Home where she made Peanut Butter Cookies with Blackberry Jam. This recipe combines all of my favorite ingredients (peanut butter, chocolate and berry jam) and tastes like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in cookie form. I made this recipe this past very cold Oscar Sunday and took them to a party and they were an instant hit. I highly recommend making these bad boys when you need to warm up your soul or you just need some comfort food.

Scenes from Saturday

2009-08-01T14:13:00.001-07:00

Just a few snapshots of Saturday afternoon and the procrastination of packing. Reading design books with your cat helps people prepare for an upcoming international trip right?

Farm Livin'

2009-07-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show
Okay time for my once a month blog post.. sorry all 5 readers! I swear it's not because I don't love you, but when you work for an Internet company and are online all day, sometimes the last thing you want to do is blog. Alas, let me tell you about the Underwood Family Farm in Moorpark, CA! Just a hop, skip and a jump away from LA (45 minutes to be exact) is the Underwood Family Farm that has a "You Pick It" Farm where you can pick out your own seasonal fruits and vegetables. Tony and I pulled our little wagon through fields (and were the only people there with out kids mind you) and came home with fresh lettuce, green beans, yukon gold and purple peruvian potatoes, carrots, blackberries, strawberries, cucumbers, brussels sprouts, onions, herbs and the largest squash I have ever seen in my life (see below for Tony's "Squash Phone"). And, all of this amazing produce only cost $25!!! After our hard day of labor in the field, I came home and made Tony and I the freshest Nicoise Salad I've never tasted!

Tony taking a business call on the Squash Phone

Field of Greens

Viola! Salad Nicoise

Salad:
-Any kind of Lettuce (I like butter lettuce)
-Can of Albacore Tuna in Water
-Cucumber sliced
-Carrots sliced
-Thinly sliced red onion
-Olives
-Capers

Dressing:
-Mix 1 tbls of fresh lemon juice with 2 tbls olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste and whisk.

-Lay out all ingredients on a plate, generously drizzle dressing over salad.

Tony's 30th

2009-06-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

Hands Off...Shes Mine - The Beat / The English Beat (USA)

A few weeks ago we trekked to Palm Spring to the Desert Star Hotel for Tony's big 30th Birthday. The Desert Star Hotel is this amazing little boutique hotel that has 6 mid century modern bungalows that open up to a spacious court yard with a salt water pool and an unobstructed view of the mountains. Since the hotel was so small, we rented out the entire hotel with a group of friends and spent the weekend BBQing, drinking and relaxing. The owners Walter and Davey gave us plenty of space and made us feel like it was our house for the weekend. It was the perfect birthday getaway!

Nick and Tony outside the Desert Star Hotel's blank sign

Poolside Bungalows

Salt Water Pool in the middle of the courtyard

My Grey Gardens Poolside look

Road Trip - Palm Springs Part Two!

2009-05-30T09:21:00.001-07:00

Tea for Two - Doris Day

Next weekend we will be heading to Palm Springs (again) for Tony's big 30th birthday. This time, we are going to a really small boutique hotel that consists of a few mid-century modern bungalows. Since we are staying at a retro hotel, I picked up a new swimsuit and sun hat that I am calling my "Grey Garden's Look" and I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing yet...

All I need now are 10 cats and a dilapidated house and I'll look the part

Soon to come, stories of home made pool side cocktails, debauchery and possible sunburns. Stay tuned...

Cha Cha Chicken (or minus that last part if you are like me)

2009-05-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

Tropicalia - Beck

Recently, during one of the hot weather days we've been having, Tony finally took me to Cha Cha Chicken which he has been raving about for years. Since the the restaurant is in a bustling part of Santa Monica with limited parking, we never seemed to be able to find a parking place when we attempted to dine there before and after 10 minutes of circling, gave into our hunger pains and abandoned the mission. This time we finally scored a parking spot and I got to try the magic of Cha Cha Chicken (minus the Chicken since I don't eat meat). The food was DELICIOUS! Tony of got their specialty jerk chicken and I got the spicy black pepper shrimp with rice, cabbage and plantains and a strawberry lemonade...it was pure heaven.

I highly recommend this spot for some tasty cheap eats straight of the Caribbean. Put on your finest sundress and flip flops, head to the beach and enjoy the island flavor (just don't go hungry and allow time for parking or it will take you 4 years to eat at this restaurant).

Tony drinking his fruit juice

Tony's chicken

Far Out

2009-04-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to make on the weekends is this killer homemade Granola recipe that was posted on slashfood.com sometime last year. This recipe is super easy and sooo good. Accompanied by Tony's famous soft boiled eggs and a cup of mocha java, this breakfast is the perfect start to a lazy weekend morning. Unleash your inner hippie and enjoy.

Granola: (FYI.. Trader Joe's is a great place to get all of the ingredients for this)
2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup toasted almonds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried fruit (apricots, craisins,blueberries etc... i bough a mixed golden raisin package w/ cranberries, raisins and blueberries at trader Joe's that made this mighty tasty)
1/4 cup cooking oil (anything but olive oil)
1/2 cup honey

Mix the oats, nuts, and grains in a large bowl. Measure the oil into a measuring cup and swirl it around the cup before pouring into the bowl. Measure out the honey in the same unwashed cup (the oil helps the honey exit the cup).Toss everything together until evenly coated, then pour into a baking pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 mins, turning it with a rubber spatula every 10 mins so everything cooks evenly and looks golden brown. When it's finished cooking, return the mixture to the bowl and add in the raisins, fruit and coconut and stir gently several times so it doesn't clump. Serve with yogurt of milk and enjoy!

The Weight - The Band

"What France Would Taste Like"

2009-04-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I know that I said I wouldn't disappear for weeks at a time with out blogging but I'm guilty as charged! The past 2 weeks have consisted of traveling to NYC for work, Connecticut for a lovely Passover, back to LA for Easter Sunday and then this past weekend to a bridal shower in Oakland. So as I'm sure you can imagine, I haven't had much time to cook. However, during my travels I have been living vicariously through Molly Wizenberg of Organette who has written this lovely book, A Homemade Life sharing stories and recipes from her life. There is a rockin' Chocolate Cupcake with Bittersweet Glaze recipe in here as well as many recipes for some tasty French treats from when she lived in Paris. One in particular that I fell in love with is a recipe for Bouchons au Thon (which are an egg and tuna mixture you bake in muffin tines) which she claims sum up what "France would taste like" and I have to say she is right. I made these in between trips and I was instantly taken to Paris for the 2 minutes it took me to inhale them. So if you too don't have much time for the kitchen lately, I highly recommend this read to get you inspired to cook or to book a trip to Paris.

La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf

Weekend Getaway

2009-03-28T18:58:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we headed to Palm Springs with some friends for a quick night getaway to the Ace Hotel. We've stayed in other Ace Hotels before and love the entire concept that each hotel is designed well but with minimal amenities to keep costs down. The Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs is a step-above it's other sister hotels since it has a pool area with functioning bar, but it still kept the same low key vibe. The hotel rooms, grounds and pool area where very nice but still kept a modern spin from the old motor lodge that stood before it. The pool area was made for pale people such as myself, complete with covers to shade your face on each lawn chair and giant circular shades that you could move when the sun changed directions. The pool scene was hip, but laid back and with the amounts of hipster parents with their hipster children and dogs running around, it felt more like you were in someones backyard. The music at the pool provided a great background for the tasty and affordable eats, not to mention the amazing drinks like the "Old School Daiquiri"made with fresh lime juice, rum and brown sugar over ice. Overall, the Ace Hotel and Swim Club is the perfect getaway giving you much bang for your buck. For the drive to Palm Springs, I highly recommend this:

Miss It So Much - Röyksopp

ACE HOTEL HIGHIGHTS

The vintage ice cream truck that will eventually serve ice cream and alcoholic snow cones

Delicious Mediterranean Plate with some of the best marinated Feta Cheese I've ever had.
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The Pool at Sunset

The Hotel Grounds

Tasty breakfast eats at the Kings Highway Diner. My Lox and Bagel came with a Broadway serenade by Linda, the 75 year old hostess with clip on earrings and an epic soul

Roadtrip - Palm Springs!

2009-03-19T23:07:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I will be headed with friends to the new Ace Hotel in Palm Springs (a trip in inspired by my friend Emily) for some new adventures. Soon to come, stories of poolside drinks and greasy breakfast. Stay tuned...

In the meantime, a little roadtrip tune to set the mood.

Night And Day - Frank Sinatra

Sunday Blues

2009-03-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I made Blueberry Muffins with a great recipe from The Enchanted Broccoli Forrest. Nothing beats a rich cup of coffee and the smell or fruity goodness baking in the oven. I highly recommend some jazz as the soundtrack for your baking experience. One of my personal favorites is this little tune by the Ray Brown Trio.

Bon Appetite

Lil Darlin - Ray Brown Trio

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind
1/3 cup sugar
4 tbs. melted butter
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
3 tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen -defrosted)

Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease muffin tin

Sift together four, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a medium sized bowl and make a well in the center.

In a separate bowl, beat together all remaining ingredients except the berries. Pour mixture into the well and stir gently until blended, gradually adding the berries. Fill muffin cups to the rim.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove an cool on rack for 10 minutes. Enjoy.

Puff Piece

2009-03-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend we discovered a fantastic Japanese Bakery that specializes in cream puffs. Tucked away in a strip mall off of the Japanese district of Sawtelle Blvd is Beard Papa's. At Beard Papa's you can choose which flavor of custard you want inside your cream puff and then watch as it gets injected with delicious gooey goodness. We got strawberry and chocolate and both were divine. Cream Puffs, coffee and the East Coast feed of Big Love... does it get any better than that on a Sunday?

I Scream, You Scream

2009-03-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

For the most part, I eat pretty healthy with the exception of my never satisfied sweet tooth. One of my favorite pleasures in the entire world is Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt. Below is a list of my top 5 Ice Cream/Fro Yo spots in the city of Angels (in no particular order)

1. Mashti Malone's - Tucked away in a dirty strip mall on La Brea just above sunset is one of Hollywood's hidden gems. Mashti's is known for it's exotic flavors like Rosewater and Lavender, but the Black Cherry is out of this world! All the ice cream is made with natural ingredients and often, the owner will be in the shop, force feeding you a new flavor he is inventing.

2. Al Gelato - Not only is this place amazing for a great low-key Italian Dinner, the Gelato is tasty tasty! With huge portions and a complimentary "taste" of another flavor on your single scoop, it's worth every penny. Not to mention the rockin' Chocolate Ice flavor they have for all the lactose intolerant ice cream lovers out there.

3.Bennett's Ice Cream -An old ice cream stand in the Farmer's Market that has been around since the 60s and most of the ice cream is made on site. Bennett's is a great pick-me-up on a hot day at the Grove or Farmer's Market.

4. The Big Chill - There is always a line at this small yogurt shop off of Westwood and Olympic, but it's completely worth it. The yogurt is totally rich and creamy and doesn't need the help of a topping! Make sure you have some green as this spot only takes cash.

5. Golden Spoon - The Golden Spoon is a chain that is only in Orange County and Agoura Hills, so if you are in the valley or are up for a long trek for delic fro yo, you are in for a treat. Golden Spoon has an abundance of yummy flavors and toppings most of which are non-fat and heavenly.

Goodnight Pleasure

2009-03-10T10:31:00.001-07:00

Lately, I've been feeling the need to majorly decompress after my LONG days at work. My nightly ritual has become curling up in a blanket with a cup of Sleepytime Tea, sliced pear with Havarti Cheese and Dark Chocolate and listening to the Weepies Album Say I Am You. My favorite tack "Gotta Have You" is the perfect song to slip away into the night to. Try it and see what happens....

Gotta Have You - The Weepies

New Beginnings

2009-03-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

So it's time for a fresh start. After a very long dry spell of no blogging, I decided to start a new blog dedicated to the small things in life that bring me joy. You can expect an eclectic mix of posts about food/recipes, travel stories, day trips and adventures.. but most likely I'm sure there will be a heavy influence of food and more food!

And of course things like this that make my day....

Stay tuned!