Thursday, December 29, 2011

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!


Sunday, December 25, 2011

the last merry Christmas

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


Saturday, December 24, 2011

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!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

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).

Monday, December 19, 2011

so cute

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

Monday, December 5, 2011

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

Saturday, December 3, 2011

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