summer food

Posted on June 16, 2013 | 1 Comment

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Ahh, colorful food. Brightens my day. Finally back home (left 31 days ago!!) and the first thing I do is cook! I’m soo happy to be back in my kitchen. I got inspired by the sunny, grass-scented sky of LA and made this fresh healthy plate.

I’m really horrible at sharing recipes because I don’t like the constricting feeling of measurements so I just eye-ball everything.

But I’ll try. So, basically this is a Shrimp Pesto Couscous! Cook 1 cup pearl couscous as directed on package. Saute 1 yellow squash and red bell pepper. Set aside. Saute shrimp (my secret: I drop in a spoon of bacon grease!!). Stir together in big bowl: couscous, veggies, shrimp, a few dashes of red wine vinegar, lime juice, olive oil, pesto (homemade or store bought. I like mine fresh & homemade. I’ll add the pesto recipe at bottom of post), sea salt & pepper. Serve warm or cold.

Big Veggie Salad. That’s the only decent name I can think of. This is my fave! And it’s so easy. Just mix together your fave veggies, veggies that are in season, colorful ones, all kinds! None can go wrong! Something about chopping them up in tiny pieces makes it more delicious. Then the dressing: whisk together white wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, dijon mustard, olive oil. Ta da!

One of my highlights in New York was eating the best pizza EVER. Sicilian slice from L&B Spumoni Gardens. I usually don’t like thick pizzas but this was sooo good. Crispy on the bottom, doughy soft, tangy tomato sauce, just a little bit of fresh cheese.

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lbspumoni-dessertThis was the dessert they brought out. The plate was like 2 feet long. oh.my.god.

The other equally delicious highlight was going to Eataly (I’ve been wanting to go there for over a year!). It is AMAZING. Italian heaven. Food heaven.

eataly2 eataly1You can order grocery items on their website too which I’m doing asap!

I decided that from now on I will make my own pasta so that’s my new project this week… any tips? Videos? Tutorials?

Basil Pesto
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Season with salt and pepper and mix in the cheese.

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11 june

Posted on June 11, 2013 | 3 Comments

Raaaar…

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I was waiting for the longest time, she said. I thought you forgot.

It is hard to forget, I said, when there is such an empty space when you are gone.

(Brian Andreas)

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that lonely place

Posted on June 6, 2013 | 1 Comment

Sometimes I look back and wonder, How did I get here…  I used to be so so scared of people. I had to psyche myself up just to go out into the world, avoid eye contact, or maybe I had to put on my facade and pretend I was somebody else just to get through the day, or I just bared my way awkwardly through it and came home and cried and cried over how uncomfortable and stupid I felt. Now a friend might bring up something from years ago and I don’t remember. Nothing. I wasn’t “present” most of my life. I was in my own head, somewhere else in my fantasies, guarding and protecting myself. But it’s understandable… I don’t feel bad anymore about that person I was. I can see why she felt that way.

An ex used to tell me stop being so selfish and to get out of my head. How easy it is to tell someone to snap out of it… to look on the “brightside”… it’s easy to judge or dismiss others when one doesn’t even understand their own self..

My pasts still haunt me in my thoughts, my dreams… I still get angry sometimes. But they’re less sharp. They don’t sting as much anymore. Sometimes my thoughts scare me but I can understand why my mind goes there and it’s okay. I don’t stay in bed for days anymore, riddled with sadness and anxiety; I don’t have to run away; I don’t self destruct; I don’t have thoughts of death (well, it’s been 6 months); I don’t have to drink to dampen my feelings. I can still be very shy around people but I don’t judge myself about it anymore. I soak everything in and maybe ask, How are they feeling…

And then when I am sad, crying hysterically, feeling like the depths of me are being ripped apart (that’s the only way I can describe it), there is someone next to me holding me til the waves go, telling me he’s always there, even if he doesn’t understand why or how, it doesn’t matter, he just listens to that hollow place inside.

To me, I see humans as lonely lone survivors… finding their own unique way to feel like they belong again. Each way is different. Even those who are mean to others to fill up their own emptiness, I can’t judge them.. (easier said than done!)

Life has felt more freeing once I opened up to my insecurities, admitted to my loneliness, played like a kid again, stopped wondering if I was at the right place and time in my life and opened up to the fact that other people can be lonely too.

 

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english countryside + eats

Posted on June 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

We went to a friend’s house the other day and he had a collection of videos and photos from years and years and years and it completely inspired me. It really is important to keep physical memories of life’s moments, whether in picture or written form. This will be a food post extravaganza!

First of all, the country sides of England are soooo beautiful, I just can’t believe it. We’re in Harrogate for a total of 2 weeks and during this trip I’ve seen more of Yorkshire county than I did last year. It’s so green and lush and speckled with little cotton ball sheeps.

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One of the best burgers (Sun in Splendour, Notting Hill). Pork & chorizo burger. I don’t eat meat but I had fouuuur bites. If I smell this around me I’ll probably do it again. But I won’t make the same mistake. I’ll make sure to eat the whole thingsuninsplendour2
Salmon cakes mm mmmdu_vin cote6 bubsandsqeak
Bubbles & squeak!!stonebass
This meal was wrapped up like a pretty present.stonebass1
Opened it and poured it into the cast iron. Stone bass en papillote (with olives, tomatoes, artichokes, carrots.) This I’m going to try to re-create back home.

Seems like every place we order they reply, “Are there more people joining you?”

No…

We’re just really fat and american.

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sasso2Good italian restaurant in Harrogate: Sasso

And….one of the highlights: LIMA in London. Aaaamazing peruvian food. Really cool vibe. Just took a few pictures…

lima-london ima-london1 lima-london2 lima-london4I don’t even like sweets all that much but this is the best dessert period!! Coffee ice cream with amazonian herbs and coconut powder. Ahhhh!

So, I’m here til the end of the week then to New York for another food fest! We’ll be doing a mini shoot with Chef Tony showing us his favorite places to eat, the best pizza, etc etc. I swear those hosts of those Best restaurant/diner shows on the cooking channel have the best job!!

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The Symptoms of Inner Peace

Posted on June 1, 2013 | 1 Comment

I’ve had this saved on my computer since 2009 (to hopefully inspire me). More than all the traits in the world — being outgoing, being funny, good at presenting themselves, etc — I really do admire those rare few who are always calm, humble, a little quiet, and have a kind aura about them.

1. A tendency to think and act spontaneously, rather than from fears based on past experiences.

2. An un mistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

3. A loss of interest in judging self

4. A lost of interest in judging others

5. A loss of interest in conflict.

6. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.

7. A loss of ability to worry.

8. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

9. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.

10. Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart.

11. Increasing susceptibility to love extended by others, as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

12. An increasing tendency to let things happen, rather than to manipulate and make them happen.

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paris skincare

Posted on May 30, 2013 | Leave a comment

Kind of ridiculous but true: one of the highlights of Paris was visiting ANY pharmacy. Every time I saw that lighted green sign, I screamed PHARMACY! LET’S GO!

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(from left to right) Nuxe dry body oil: love love love, smells so pretty
Embryolisse Radiance boosting serum: usually I hate serums because they feel sticky and I can feel the extra layer but this one sinks right in and disappears
Nuxe Creme Fraiche: my new favorite day moisturizer!! I love the scent too
Nuxe Foaming rose cleansers: skin is so soft!
La Roche Posay SPF 50 tinted: awesome. doesn’t feel “sunscreen-y” and melds into skin
Fragonard anti-aging cream: this is ok. I wrote down Fragonard cream on my list but forgot the Royal Jelly part which was what I really was looking for but I didn’t see it in the shelf so I grabbed the anti-aging cream. I would’ve returned it if we had time. Might just use it as a hand cream.
Bioderma Crealine & Sebium: these are nice. I know they are the “must have” products but I don’t really see myself reaching for these often. They’re nice but not “wow.”

Ahhh, I miss the pharmacies already.

Saw the Eiffel tower and Louvre museum, of course…

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parissHad dinner with friends… platters of finger foods. Ok we’re done with the appetizers, where’s dinner????

Forget trying to find mexican or thai food or anything in Paris! We went to Phillippe Starck’s Miss Ko (japanese/sushi) — we could not eat one more bite of bread or pate, bleh — which is supposed to be highly rated, blah blah blah but the food was TERRIBLE. Of course the ambience is cool but that’s it. The restaurant’s service was also so bad the waiter even refused tip. YES we’re creating a Tripadvisor account just to leave a review.

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Drinks and dessert at Four Seasons King George–something like that. It’s like the grandest of the grand. Gold bars are literally dripping out of people’s pockets. A hamburger is $65. Whaaa.. but for the extra $$ the ice bowl for your martini was a nice touch. I’m shallow like that.

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L’atelier de Chef

Posted on May 25, 2013 | 2 Comments

MOROCCAN COOKING CLASS! So much fun. No one else had signed up for the class so I had a 2 hour private lesson :)

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Pomegranates to go in the couscous mmm

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Lamb tagine – sooo delicious. (lamb, apricots, onions, red chili, garlic, cumin, fennel, tomatoes, star anise, cinnamon stick, mustard seeds)

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Prawns

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Lots of leftovers. For dessert: pistachio orange butter cakes, so yummy. And there was a macaroon how-to class downstairs so I got some of those too!

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with Chef Steve. He’s awesome!

Totally recommend these classes. They have so many different ones and have a really cool kitchen. I learned how to hold a knife properly and chop faster and better. Also, to pick out those little green sprouts inside garlic cloves. I’m told the salt in France is the best so I’m off to find some this weekend :)

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