Far Out

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"

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

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!

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

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

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

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.