LA Culinary Opinions…From An Australian

As soon as I laid eyes on my guest, a dashing gent (as) fresh (as one can be) off a 14+ hour flight from Melbourne, I knew his three-week stint in Los Angeles would be way too short.  And while this Politico/Music loving Journo would be looking to soak in all the Sunny Southern California News and Local Music Venue rays, I had some luminous objectives of my own.  If it wasn’t obvious enough, the mission was simple; To shower him with the best Eats (and Homecookin’) that LA has to offer.  In return, he’d  pamper me with feedback – A proper Outsider’s perspective into Eating In LA.

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Pistachio and Fig *Double* Caramel Corn Recipe

So it’s been a while.  I know it – and all I’m going to say is that I’ll be better to you, EatSipChew, and I hope you know that it’s been unintentional.  A Kitchen that required my undivided attention in order to reach completion (and to avoid Litigation…tragic tale coming) has left my Virtual Culinary Ramblings a bit lonely.

And while  2009 on EatSipChew did in fact end with a phenomenal Ricotta Recipe handed down from an Awarded US Cheesemaker, 2010 will start with one of my own recipes; A sweet treat that, while simple in guise, actually took a great deal of trial and error to achieve its crisp sugar-coated perfection.  Thankfully, I had an AH-HA moment – that I can’t believe I didn’t think of that Arms to the sky instant – and The Pistachio and Fig Double Caramel Corn mystery was officially solved.

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Ricotta: Recipe + Tips From A Kind Cheesemaker

Inside this 5′4″ frame lives a Woman by the name of MOM. And as a Mom’s love for her children is unconditional I, similarly, cannot hold back from giving unconstrained praise to the friends in my life. You’re a talent; The Tops; There’s no one like you; You ARE special.

But, when it comes to Brian, I’m conflicted. Do I tell him the obvious? What kind of compliments do I give the man who’s both a U.S. Champion Cheesemaker and has dedicated part of his life to working on an Alpine Dairy Farm tirelessly leading herds into the mountains near the Italian and Swiss borders…!?  Rogue River Blue is just another notch on his belt and he’s spent the last 3 years making some of the finest Ricotta my mouth has ever curved its lips around. Ladies, take a number.

See my problem? How is he to grow if I tell him what everyone else has already said.  So, forget that.  Instead, it was time for him to flourish as an educator.  I took the course, passed with flying colors, and now I can MOM him all day with new and genuine approbations for his benevolent Ricotta-Sharing Nature.  What a guy.

*Recipe Next!*

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Kimchi Recipe + Guest Doodle!

Guest Doodle!  James and I then submitted it to the Granny Choe Kimchi Art Contest…and WON!

It’s Guest Doodler time!  From constructing graphics and animating Lenka Music Videos, to illustrating the new Encyclopedia of once common things, Obsolete, to designing the Brick Chair that was featured in July’s Australian Vogue – James Gulliver Hancock’s work is whimsical, fresh, and reeking of talent. And not JUST the Kimchi kind of reeking, but the unperceived with the nose kind as well.

So, when I asked James to draw what first came to mind when he heard the word Kimchi, I had no idea that his mind would think of the dish as a mathematical equation with the sum equaling 100 Parts Stinky.  Actually, I was sure that he loved the picked cabbage, but it turns out he was just being a great friend.  So thank you, James.  For being a Pal and letting me know that you will not be eating any of my Kimchi anytime soon.

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Eat.Sip.Chew. Cooks At Canele!

I’m not an expert, but I’ve heard the stories.  Stories about Weddings – There’s all this preparation for that one, big, gratifying Lovefest and then in a flash it’s over.  Nostalgia and reminiscing follow (Oh, Hunny, let’s look at the Photo Album again) and then the question is…”Well, What’s Next?!”  Time for Baby?!

Instead of “Wedding,” just insert “Friends Cook At Canele,” and it’s my sentiments exactly.  For weeks, I’d been honing recipes;  Planning produce pickups from Farmers and Friends;  Photo Shopping a Canele-esque looking Menu (Invite); Sending out “Invitations” and promoting the idea/essence of the night to LA Weekly/Eating LA/Eater [Also a big THANK YOU to Tony C. is in order for posting the menu on his site, Yelp and getting it into Grubstreet]; Still Kitchen-less; and have a job I’d like to keep.  All for just one (1) day back in the Kitchen.  It’s Crazy, Really.  And it suited me perfectly.

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It’s Only A Day…Ahhh…Way!

Lili Bih’s Mushrooms in hand. Check.
Preserved Meyer Lemons Picked Up from the Griswald’s. Check.
Churned Pappardelle…Far from done.  Oh these final hours are needed!

Looking forward to sharing a lovely night with y’all!

EAT. SIP. CHEW-CATION

Eat Sip Chew has been a little quiet as of late.  I’ve ping-ponged around 7 states in a little over 7 days.  It’s been a whirlwind of City and Country; Eating Dishes directly off the farm and conversely consuming some finely prepped meals ‘city’ (there can only be one).   Sleep is a rare luxury; An Empty Stomach – a sin.

‘Regular Programming’  will return next week.  Did you hear that, Kanye?!

3 Spice Cake Recipes: #3 Fresh Ginger Favorite

A Couple of Questions:

1. Is one of your favorite pieces of candy either a Ginger Chew or a piece of spicy, crystallized ginger?
2. When given the choice, would you choose a Pear and Stem Ginger Sticky Toffee Pudding or a 66% Valrhona Chocolate Pot de Crème?

If your answers are “Yes,” and “the Former,” then Hello; Pull up a Spork; And welcome to my world.  A smile-inducing place where the Three S’s (Sweet, Savory, and Spice) in identical proportions equates to my version of heaven.

I’ll trade you the other two for the one on the left.  I’m hungry now.

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Kos Kitchen Remodel: Pt 5 Never Ending Story

Last time I wrote about the kitchen, I was feeling pretty confident about things. For one, I was certain that the job was at 70% completion – with about two weeks left to go before I regained my old, Kitchen-focused life.

For another, the Kitchen and I were in deep flirtation. The more I was getting to know it…the more I wanted to be its “first.”  The first chef in its midst…of course. And I was practicing patience.  Through the hurdles: A little flooring job, a little Counter Tops, some finishing work, some painting – my vision of a Pre-Fall Functional Kitchen remained unwavering.

But, sadly, the Kitchen and I have hit a rough patch.

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3 Spice Cake Recipes: #2 Ginger & Spice Cake

At the Groomsman Cake Tasting, we had one major rule.  Try A LOT of all of the cakes before broaching the topic of “Which One Is Your Favorite.”

The Groom-To-Be, however, had a momentary lapse in consciousness.  As soon as the first crumb hit his chops, a  strident “Mmmm” sounded the room.  And then I knew.

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3 Spice Cake Recipes: #1 Lemon & Spice Scented

It’s a real honor when your friend asks you to make their wedding cake. But when the friend is Ms. D, former Friends Assistant Set Designer, I had to think twice.

And, so, it was settled. No to the Wedding Cake. Yes to the Groomsman Cake.

What’s Your Favorite Spice Cake?

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TUBS Fine Chili + Fancy Fixins’: Haiku and Doodle Review

TUBS Fine Chili + Fancy Fixins’:  A Darn Tootin’ Good Meal!

****TUBS FINE CHILI HAIKU REVIEW****

Rick Hodges spent years
Perfecting Six Tubs Chili’s.
It was time well spent.

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Neighborhood: Culver City
4263 Overland Ave
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 559-8827
www.tubschili.com
Yelp Page
Hours: Mon-Sun. 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WHAT TO ORDER:

CHILI  ($4.99 “City Slicker” Small (1 large scoop – perfect) / $6.99 “Showgirl” Medium (2 large scoops – if you’re really hungry)/ $8.99 “Rancher” Large – massive)

• STEAK TOWN CHILI: Unfortunately it was sold out, probably due to Linda Burum’s recent article.  “I had just such an epiphany over a “tub” of the Steak Town chili. It came loaded with marinated grilled meat chunks that stood out against a galaxy of seasonings driving the flavor of a grease-free sauce,” said Burum.  Those words are enough to make you run there right when it opens.
• SMOKIN’ PIG: *FAVORITE* Spice imbued Chili freckled with Black-eyed peas and finished with 8-hour wood smoked hand pulled pork.  It’s protein’s smokiness that rounds of the flavors of this excellent dish.

SIDES

• TUB’S BUFFALO CHIPS: Horizontal, Hand-Cut Russet Potatoes which are soaked then lightly fried resulting in a crisp exterior and soft interior.  Topped with dusty Chipotle Salt and served with a side of Buttermilk Ranch.  While I wish Rick used a multi-soaking process (Father’s Office technique) that would result in the reduction of starch in the potato and a crispier, more Chip-like dish, the chips still disappeared off  the plate faster than the rest of the meal.

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Jesus And The Rhone Rangers Wine Event

Yum.

Some ideas should never become reality.  The Rhone Ranger’s LA Wine Tasting Event was one of those ideas.

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Ko’s Kitchen Remodel: Pt 4 The Final Countdown

Well, Hello.

There I was, at my friend’s Summer Salad Dinner, asking her – no begging her – to do the dishes.  Please, Meg.  When this dinner is over, I’m doing your dishes.

And when I did (with Anjali’s help) it felt almost as good as…no better than… (__nameyourfavoritethingonearthtodo__).

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Sapp Haiku + Doodle Restaurant Review

Sapp Coffee Shop:  Broth Perfected.

***Sapp Coffee Shop Haiku Review***

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Row Row Row Your Boat…
Noodles gently to my mouth.
Sapp is but a dream.
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Neighborhood: Hollywood/Thai Town
5183 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 665-1035
Hours: Mon-Tue., Thu-Sun. 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Now for what to order…

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LA Food Event – Public Fruit Jam 2009

His smile says it all.

Even though The Bangle’s song, Manic Monday, is #11 on Spinner.com’s 20 Worst Lyrics in History List, I’m admitting now that the lyrics have comforted me in times of Weekday need.  And now, “Wish It was Sunday…That’s my Fun Day,” has been on Cranium repeat ever since this past Sunday’s Public Fruit Jam 2009 Session.
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$1 Weekly Item – Jam With Certo Liquid Pectin!

Back to the 99c store in Silverlake where I’ve been eying gorgeous boxes of $5 Certo Liquid Pectin (For only 99.99999 pennies!).

I’ve strayed from buying kitchen goods recently as my house is still void of anything resembling a kitchen, but this weekend I actually needed some – and it turns out that someone has been listening to my, “Please, don’t let them buy all the Pectin,” prayers.

Public Jam 2009

I actually needed it – for making Fruit Jam at Fallen Fruit’s, Public Jam ‘09 (Click HERE for post!) – and fortunately I did not have to buy it at Gelson’s!  Their price:  Over $5.

So -get to the 99c Store (now please) and get your Jam On!

NOTE: According to Amazon and legends, Certo Liquid Pectin is also considered a remedy for Arthritis.  I guess Runners have “Clif Shots” and Old folks/Over-Typers have Certo’s Liquid Goo.  I guess there are worse things than being required to eat “jam” to ease an ailment…

Elf Cafe Haiku + Doodle Review

Elf Cafe:  It’s a lot of things.  One of them being…a great place to eat.

***The Elf Cafe Haiku Review***

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You “leaf” me feelin’
So Fine…& BYOB!?
I’m back in New York?

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Neighborhood: Echo Park
2135 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 484-6829
www.myspace.com/elfcafe
Hours: Wed-Sun. 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Must Get:  Kale Salad; Tahini Avocado Puree; Moraccan Vegetable Tagine over Red Quinoa; Chevre Crepe

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Recipe: A Well-Balanced Basil Vodka Gimlet

Summer’s finally here.  Thank Jeeebus.

And along with “Thanking Jeeebus” comes a time to sit on your porch with a cool glass of (_Name Your Poison Here_) while taking in the wonderful world around you.

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$1 Weekly Item- A Cookie From Platine

Center 3 $1 Options: Signature; Chocolate Chip; Ginger Chocolate

This week’s $1 Item is a bit of a cheap shot since I just wrote up a review on Platine.  However…I absolutely cannot help it.  Unlike, Iced Coffee in which I’ve restricted my consumption to quality, Homemade .38c a day Cold Brew – I’ve got (at least) a $1 a week habit with Platine that I just cannot kick.  And I’m OK with it.

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