our five year wedding anniversary

Can you believe it, M and I have been married for 5 whole years.  Who are these kids?

Of course a lot has happened since then -- cross country move, 7 nieces and nephews, two short films, law school, first jobs -- but it does feel like it was just yesterday.

Here are some pictures from our night out on the town:

Unfortunately, even though I had my nice new camera, the waiter that took the picture of us below didn't use the camera quite right, so it is, sadly, a little out of focus.



Here is the picture of me opening our anniversary present.  Matt purchased us two tickets for a hot air balloon.  We are planning on going on the ride in February in Palm Springs, so stay tuned for those pictures.  Although, I am completely terrified of heights, I am totally excited!

the last merry Christmas

M got a camera for me for Christmas this year.  This is my favorite picture from today. 

quick Christmas eve appetizer

So we are having tamales tonight courtesy of M's uncle, and I am so excited about them!  So I wanted to make an appetizer to compliment these tamales.
On Thursday, I went out with my girlfriends to Playa for Happy Hour, and I had a great appetizer, homemade potato chips with a salsa verde.

Well I am not going to make my own potato chips, but I figured I could get close to replicating this appetizer.

It was really simple. 

Combine 1/2 cup of salsa verde with 1/2 of an avocado in a blender and then blend until silky smooth.

Put a dollop of the dip on Kettle's Sea Salt potato chips and stack like so:

Enjoy!

the stress free Christmas

Yes, I said it...this year's Christmas was totally stress free! I really cannot say that about any past Christmas I have had as an adult.  Last year's Christmas ended, five days before Christmas, with a steady stream of tears after going to three shopping centers, not finding one items I wanted, only to get stuck in the parking garage of the last center for an hour.  Needless to say, my Christmas was over... I didn't get presents for anyone.  It was just too stressful.

After living in Los Angeles for five years, I have finally learned that you don't go Christmas shopping in L.A. during the Christmas season - if you do - you are just insane!!  And I stand by that comment.

So here are some ideas for all of you readers out there.

Christmas Decorations?

There is a reason that traditionally people put up their Christmas tree decorations the day after Thanksgiving . . . because that is the only day during the Christmas season that one has time to actually decorate their home.  So do it on this day, or chances are you won't do it at all or when you do it, you won't enjoy it!

Also, I grew up with real Christmas trees, but honestly I am so happy we have a small fake Christmas tree (I feel so guilty saying it, but its true), it takes 5 minutes to snap the pieces in place, and it is actually cheaper.  There is no dragging the limbs through the hallways of our building... or tying the tree to our car...

Hosting A Christmas Celebration?

I have stated this before, but most grocery stores (for a small fee) will do your grocery shopping for you and deliver it to your front door.  If you are hosting any Christmas celebration - this is the way to go.  Watch your favorite TV show, put in your on line order, and schedule you delivery time.

If you really want to give yourself a treat, hire someone to come and clean your home for you.  While your at your job, someone else can be in your home getting it ready for the party.

Opt for a cocktail party, instead of a dinner party.  Keep a few bottles of holiday cheer around the house so you can whip up a few cocktails on the spot.  To cut down on stress, find two cocktail recipes to use, master them... then by the time the party comes you won't be stressed out when it comes time to whip up the drinks. For the munchies serve a cheese platter with some great proscuitto, salami and olives, bruschetta, and then one appetizer that is more complicated and original.  For dessert serve peppermint ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream or vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso.  These treats are simple, but yummy.


Christmas Presents?

Avoid shopping centers and the post office if at all possible.  This year, I did the bulk of my shopping on Cyber Monday.  Not only did I get some great deals (which I can't share because its not Christmas yet), but I got free shipping on almost everything.

To cut down on the sheer cost of Christmas, try to get family presents.  For my sister and her family this year, I got them a pass to the Zoo for a year and a half (for the price of a year).  These types of gifts are easy to get, and give all year long.

Buy Christmas items in twos.  For the babies (two) in my family, I ordered a cool new (at least new to me) toy:

Honestly, I think this is a present for both child AND parent.  I saved money on this by bidding for it on  e-bay.

Eliminate the chance that you will leave presents for co-workers on the kitchen counter.  For instance, I got my assistant a day at a spa in LA., I purchased the spa package online and had it shipped to her at work.

Agree with your girlfriends - that instead of giving each other presents you will go out for a nice dinner after work.

Hostess Gifts

Buy a few bottles of the more expensive balsamic and/or olive oil (often holiday parties spring up at the last minute so always buy two more than you actually need) when you order your groceries online.

Holiday Greetings

Instead of a Christmas greeting, send a Happy New Year greeting .  This way you have all New Year's Day to write your greeting.  Cut down on time by using a service like paperless post. Its good for the environment, easy on your budget, and saves a bunch of time (i.e. no trips to the post office).

so cute

There is something so Angela Lansbury/Murder She Wrote (remember that show?) about these TOMS - I love them! I want them!

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - playa's sundae

As some of you might remember about a month ago I blogged about my dining experience at Playa (here).  Being a huge ice cream fan - one of the best things I had during my dining experience was Playa's sundae.  This is a dessert built on texture: it has a grit, pop, and a crunch that makes eating it so much fun for your mouth!  This dessert also uses bitter and sweet really well.

I loved the sundae so much I drug M along with me to get my second one about a week later.  We sat up at the bar had a few drinks - he ordered a couple small plates, but I started with the sundae which garnered a few inquisitive glances from the waiting staff... but, in my defense, I wanted to make sure that I had enough room for it.

Now as much as I may like to visit Playa every week ... that is just not an option.  So I have been working on a replicate of this wonderful delicacy.  And I think I have successfully done it.  What can I say where there is a will, there is a way!

Grit:

The hardest part of this dessert was finding the recipe for the gritty chocolate cookies that you crumble over the sundae.  I remembered the menu said the cookie was some sort of blue corn cookie.  Blue corn??  Never heard of that ... but a few clicks of the keyboard I had a recipe for chocolate chip blue corn cookies.  But the recipe wasn't quite right, I didn't remember there ever being walnuts in the cookies so I got rid of the walnuts, and the actual batter I remembered was chocolate so I added a 1/4 cup cocoa. I also baked these puppies for about 12 minutes because I wanted them to be crispy for ultimate grittiness.

So you might be asking what is blue corn?  It is blue cornmeal. 

I found my blue cornmeal at Wholefoods, it wasn't at my regular grocery store.  You can also order it online if there isn't a grocery store near you that carries it. Note - these cookies really aren't that good unless they are on the sundae.

Pop:

No doubt the pop, is the roasted whole hazelnuts.  Its important that the hazelnuts are roasted thoroughly, and that there is none of that brown skin left on the hazelnut.  Roast the hazelnuts with the skin on at 300 degrees for about 10 mins, and then the skin will loosen and peel off with only a little effort.

Crunch:

It was the roasted cocoa nibs that gave the sundae the crunch (100% cacao).  (The sound they make when you sink your teeth in reminds me of the sound of really crunchy snow when you step on it).   I also got these babies at wholefoods.

Sauce:

When I had this dessert the first time I didn't notice that the sauce was very bitter.  But when I had it the second time I made a point of tasting the chocolate sauce separately - it was creamy, but bitter.  I did some playing around and a fourth cup of either cream or evaporated milk and at least 1 tablespoon of cocoa does the trick. Whisk the chocolate in with the dairy, and then heat in the microwave until warm.

Ice Cream:

I chose a vanilla bean flavor - Playa's was homemade. 

Serve in a mason jar...

On their own the ingredients for this recipe are less than ordinary, but combined they makes a dessert that is really special and unexpected.

Bon Appetit!

~A

i love me some stripes

1 - Container Store's Rugby Stripe Bin
2 - West Elm's Stipe Shower Curtain
3-  West Elm's Yarn Dyed Organic Napkins
4 - West Elm's Stripe Sheet Set -White Dusty Navy
5-  Found this picture on this blog
6- DIY Stiped Bench

9 - Serena and Lilly's Clay Ticking Sheet Set
10 - West Elm's Stripe Duvet Cover + Shams - White/Navy

checklist for the weekend

• Make this leisurely dinner
• Pair it with a nice glass of cabernet sauvignon
• Watch Masterpiece's "Emma" on PBS tonight at 11 - while sitting next to my Christmas tree drinking hot cider
• Walk to the supermarket to buy all I need for dinner
• Check a few names off my Christmas list (shop using the internet - I am NOT stepping foot in any stores this year for shopping... too busy and stressful...the feelings of anxiety I get when I go to an LA area mall to shop at Christmas time is too much.)
• Call a dear friend or family member
• Work on New Year's Greeting
• Find inspiration here for more apartment decorating

Enjoy your weekend, I am going to.

~A

the christmas season has begun

spike the egg nog and prep the party food - the Christmas season has arrived!

thanksgiving recap . . .

This year I made Thanksgiving dinner for M and his aunt and uncle.  It was a great crowd to make dinner for.  Here are some pictures from the day.

The Table Spread:

Place setting: rosemary, thyme, and sage - I especially liked these name cards because they looked and smelled pretty, and because after the dinner was over I just tipped them upside down and let them dry out.  Now I have dried herbs that will last up to six months.

Turkey - This year I used the Zankou garlic paste on my turkey.  For those of you that live in LA you know what I am talking about when I say the paste they give you for you rotisserie chicken that kind of resembles vegetable shortening.  That is what I spread all over my turkey, and the skin turned out nice and crispy.  Unfortunately, I over cooked the turkey a little bit due to the fact that my thermometer was clearly NOT working...  She did look beautiful though and had great skin :)

Brussel sprouts with pomegranate, orange and lime zests, and toasted hazelnuts - I got this recipe from Bobby Flay.  This was my favorite dish of the day, and my favorite to prepare.  I don't know about you but I love picking the seeds out of pommegrantes, for me its similar to snapping bubble wrap. Anyway, this dish was all about texture, it had a pop and a crunch to it that was delightful.

Roasted Veggies - I put cauliflower, red onions, and carrots underneath my turkey as it roasted and they were very good.

We also had my granmother's noodles, which I have featured on this blog before.  We also had mashed potatoes, stuffing, and homemade greenbean casserole.

And of course we had pumpkin pie with whipped cream:

After dinner we streamed the British series Sherlock Holmes from Netflix, which is a modern take on the classic.  Believe me by 4:00 p.m. I was ready to kick back and relax.  SH is a particuraly brilliant (much more intersting than the Hollywood version), and I highly recommend.  The first season has 3 episodes, but they are about 80 minutes in length.  Season 2 is due to air in early 2012, and I hope it will be available on iTunes or Netflix.

Courtesy of BBC.

Later in the evening, since many of the stores opened at midnight in Burbank, M and I went out at 11:45 p.m. to see what all of the fuss was about.  We headed to Best Buy, and I couldn't believe all of the people that were out, I would say there were over a thousand people waiting in line at Target and Best Buy alone.  The Cheesecake Factory even had a truck at Best Buy and they were selling food and beverages to those poor souls waiting in line. 

Then M and I headed over to Macys, you should have seen the women in the shoe department...need I say more... hilarious.  We did not buy anything, and we were both in bed by 1:30 a.m.

All in all... it was a lovely Thanksgiving Day, and I am very thankful that M and I spent another Thanksgiving together and with those that we love :)

curtains...

This weekend I installed curtains in our apartment.  I finally got rid of the plastic blinds -- you know the ones that usually come with apartments.  I figured we have been here for 2 years, and we will probably be here for 2 more years... so it was time for them to go.  I really wanted to do a before and after for all of you, but after I put up the curtains, I realized I had not taken any pictures of the old blinds . . . apparently, I hated them that much. 

Inspiration for my curtain choice came from my trip to Hawaii this summer. Ever since we went to Hawaii I have been longing for a "beach" look in our apartment to bring back those good times :) So I ended up choosing a navy striped curtain from Lowes that was meant for a cabana.

 I figured a vertical stripe would make the ceiling look higher in our apartment. 

To help achieve the illusion of a taller ceiling I installed the curtain rod about a foot above the window.  Overall I am very pleased with how it looks.  However, I think I will probably add one more curtain panel for the center of the window, to make it look like there are two distinct windows there, and not a sliding door.  Here it is with the third panel.

now for something to go over the fireplace . . . and wouldn't one of these club chairs look awesome here.

playa - two thumbs up

Me and the gals went to Playa last night.  This is a place I want to return to over and over again . . . 

Atmosphere - warm, bright and modern.

Service - left a lot to be desired.

Food - There wasn't anything, and I mean anything, on the menu I don't want to have at least one more time, but my favorite was the Maize Cake Bombay Taj, Mezcal, and the Sundae.  The flavor of these dishes was exceptional, but it was really the texture that was delightful yet playful. From my cocktail which really had a grit to it - to- dessert that had a crunch and smoothness all wrapped up in one, it really was a dinner that made you use all of your senses.   

Cocktail:

Streetfighter - White Rum, Coconut Cream, Turmeric, Pineapple, Mint

Dinner:

Maize Cake Bombay Taj -  pork belly confit, chile-lime jicama, mango pickle, masala, chana crisp, raita cocktail vinegreta

Maize Cake Breakfast -  63° egg, pan-seared potato, truffle cheese espuma, market mushrooms

Maize Cake Mediterranean - lamb meatballs, spiced yogurt, capers, kalamata olives, feta

Mezcal - Long Green Chile Relleno, Braised Pork Cheeks, Pineapple, Almonds, Chichicapa Mezcal Sauce

Tamale Chili - wild-mushroom duxelles dumpling, filet mignon, chipotle béarnaise

Mussels Meltdown - Vapor Cooked Mussels, Charred Tomatillo-Serrano Salsa, Avocado –Lime Crema

Pan-Seared Loup De Mer - sea bass filet with five sauces: romesco, chimichurri, verde, ají amarillo, ají panca

Dessert:

Sundae - Goat’s Milk Ice Cream, Hazelnuts, Cocoa Nibs, Blue Cornmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pastel Café - mocha sponge, espresso crème, toffee honeycomb, colombian chocolate ice cream

sweet and smokey chili

The rain came yesterday to L.A. which made me start thinking about soups and stews.  Today, I wanted to make a dish without buying any groceries -- enter sweet and smokey chili. 

This recipe turned out great.  I love making chili because you really can't mess it up, and because if made correctly it can actually be pretty good for you.  And by correctly I mean make sure you strain the fat off your meat, use low sodium broth, and rinse your canned beans to remove sodium (canned veggies usually have a lot of extra sodium that adds very little extra flavor). 

To get the sweet - I didn't want to add sugar and so I used a red onion and caramelized it.

To get the smokey - I used two chipotle peppers in adobe sauce (seeds and all) and smoked cheddar cheese.

So here is the recipe . . .

Ingredients:

• 1 red onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 lb of ground beef (or if I could have gotten groceries, pulled pork would have been great in this chili)
• kosher salt
• pepper
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 2 cups low sodium organic chicken broth
• 28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 16 oz. can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
• smoked cheddar
• fresh tomato (optional)
• avocado (optional)
• cilantro (optional)

Directions:

• Slice the onion into thin pieces reserve about 2 tablespoons for garnish and throw the rest into a large stew pot with olive oil and minced garlic.  Cook until the onions are caramelized. 
• Remove the onions from the pan, and add the ground beef and cook over medium high heat.  When the beef is done pour it into a strainer to remove the fat and then return the onions and beef to the pan. 
• Season the onions, beef, and garlic with chili powder, cumin, pinch of salt and ground pepper and return to medium heat for about a minute. 
• Add the beans (rinsed), diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, pinto beans, and two sliced chipotle chilies. Simmer for 30 minutes (and add salt to taste).

Serve with grated smoked cheddar, fresh slices of avocado, sliced red onion, fresh tomatoes, and/or cilantro.  Unfortunately, all I had was the smoked cheddar - but it was still the best chili I have ever had.

happy halloween . . . party ideas

So this year M and I threw our only little Halloween soiree.  I hope to do this in years to come, and have it grow year by year.

The menu (blood splattered) for the night:

Dark & stormy cocktail:

I am not the world's best mixologist. In fact, I know very little about mixing drinks.  I have been featuring one cocktail at each party I throw so I can, little by little, build my repertoire.  The dark & stormy is one of my favorite drinks.  It has four parts ginger beer to 1 part dark rum, with a spritz of lime, and garnish of mint.

I used Martha Stewart's Halloween labels on the drinks.

I decorated the bar area with little mice silhouettes, courtesy of Martha Stewart, really the woman thinks of everything, and these little guys are so cute put in the right place.

And of course I served an assortment of wine.  I am finding that four bottles of wine usually do the trick: a witch's brew (shiraz), arsenic (cabernet sauvignon), frog's syrup (chardonnay), and a cyanide (rose). I especially like the spiderweb on the picture in the upper left of this picture.

For dinner the menu included, blood & guts (spaghetti & meatballs), an infested picnic (an assortment of cheeses - blue, triple whipped Brie, feta, and English cheddar), and swampy goodness (baked spinach & artichoke dip)

A Halloween party, just isn't a party without a skeleton and a skull  . . .

ants . . .

eyeballs (gum balls) . . .

and cockroach cake (homemade chocolate cake with chocolate ganache with chocolate whoppers).  Again the idea came from Martha Stewart - the name of her case is creepy-crawley cake.  The best thing about this dessert is that it has about 1 lb of chocolate in it, and the inner filling has crushed chocolate malt balls which really gives you the feeling that your biting into something nasty.  Honestly, this case tastes so yummy, and it photographs great.