Guilty Pleasures »

Julia Child- a delicious life story By dailyyummy

August 8th, 2009

Before you watch the new Sony Pictures film about Julia Child, Julie and Julia, take a few step backward and read below on how she became the legend that she is.

According to Biography Channel, Popular TV chef and author Julia Child was born Julia McWilliams, on August 15, 1912, in Pasadena, California. The eldest of three children, Julia was educated at San Francisco’s elite Katherine Branson School for Girls, where (at a towering height of 6 feet, 2 inches) she was the tallest student in her class. In 1930, she enrolled at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Upon her graduation, she moved to New York, where she worked in the advertising department of the prestigious home furnishings company W&J Sloane.

In 1941, at the onset of World War II, Julia moved to Washington, D.C., where she volunteered as a research assistant for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a newly formed government intelligence agency. She and her colleagues were sent on assignment to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), an island off the coast of India. In her position, Julia played a key role in the communication of top secret documents between U.S. government officials and their intelligence officers. In 1945, she was sent to China, where she began a relationship with fellow OSS employee Paul Child. Following the end of World War II, the couple returned to America and were married.

In 1948, when Paul was reassigned to the U.S. Information Service at the American Embassy in Paris, the Childs moved to France. While there, Julia developed a penchant for French cuisine and attended the world-famous Cordon Bleu cooking school. Following her six-month training (which included private lessons with master chef Max Bugnard), Julia banded with fellow Cordon Bleu students Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle to form the cooking school L’Ecole de Trois Gourmandes (The School of the Three Gourmands). With a goal of adapting sophisticated French cuisine for mainstream Americans, the trio collaborated on a two-volume cookbook titled Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961). Published in the U.S., the 800-page book was considered a groundbreaking work and has since become a standard guide for the culinary community.

Then living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Julia promoted her book on the Boston public broadcasting station. Displaying her trademark forthright manner and hearty humor, she prepared an omelet on air. The public’s response was so enthusiastic that she was invited back to tape her own series on cookery for the network. Premiering on WGBH in 1962, The French Chef TV series, like Mastering the Art of French Cooking, succeeded in changing the way Americans related to food, while also establishing Julia as a local celebrity. Shortly thereafter, The French Chef was syndicated to 96 stations throughout America. For her efforts, Julia received the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award in 1964 followed by an Emmy Award in 1966.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Julia made regular appearances on the ABC morning show Good Morning, America. Her other endeavors included the television programs Julia Child and Company (1978), Julia Child and More Company (1980), and Dinner at Julia’s (1983), as well as a slew of bestselling cookbooks that covered every aspect of culinary knowledge.

See below for Julia Child must reads:

1. Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking
2. Mastering The Art of French Cooking, Volume One (1)
3. The Way to Cook

Father’s Day Menu By gourmetlady

June 7th, 2009

Father’s Day is big day for dads everywhere. Make sure to let your dads know how much you appreciate them by cooking up a deliciously impressive yet low maintenance BBQ feast. This year, we designed a unique and outside the box lineup in our menu that will surely blow everyone away.

		Hooters Hot Wings Start off the meal with the famous Hooters Hot Wings. This will surely turn any family BBQ to an homage to Guys Night Out. Make sure to serve with Ranch Dressings, Veggie Tray and Extra Napkins
		Apple Mango Salsa Pair the hotwings with another conversation starter. Our next pick is the delicious Apple Mango Salsa, who knew those two fruits go well together. Sweet, tart, spicy- just the right recipe for a fun BBQ. Serve this with Blue Corn Tortilla Chips and extra Tabasco for those in the mood for more heat
		Shish Kebab On to the good stuff. We can all agree that meat on a skewer is the best invention since sliced bread. This exotic delight is the perfect twist to your hungry meat eaters. Great to grill with tomatoes, corn, peppers, onions and the works. A true crowd-pleaser.
		CheeseBurger Tacos I always love Mexican Food and Cheeseburger. This recipe combines the two and it’s a fantastic dish that’s easy to make. Your guests will surely applaud your creativity.
		Pesto Chicken Tortellini a la 220 No meal is complete without a little Italian in the mix. This dish is definitely the staple to any party menu. The sauce is truly spectacular and it’s a favorite in my house.
		Banana Foster Light and fun dessert for your sweet tooth. A really great way to end the menu. The kids especially will love this.
		Moose Juice Make sure to serve this delicious drink at your event. It is a perfect accompaniment to a delicious feast. Drop in a few cut oranges or lemons to add a nice zest on the drink dispenser.

What is a Probiotic? By mjamic

June 6th, 2009

Probiotics are known as “good bacteria” that take up residence in the gastro-intestinal tract of humans. They not only aid in the digestive process but also help to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause an upset stomach. There are approximately 400 different types of probiotics in the digestive tract, with the two most prevalent types being Lactobacilli, which is found in the small intestine, and Bifidobacteria, which is found in the large intestine. These probiotics operate by producing a slightly acidic compound which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and promotes digestion of essential nutrients the body takes in.

So what does this all mean to me?

Consuming foods such as yogurts (with live cultures), some milk and soy products or miso promotes a healthy immune system and digestive regularity. Taking probiotic supplements also does the trick. Just make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Long Line at Sprinkles By lacredo84

April 18th, 2009

It’s just cupcakes!

What is it about this simple food concept that generate lines that take longer than to ride a roller coaster?

On my recent visit to Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills, I was quite astonished how such a small store was infatuated and fascinated by so many people. I waited about 30 minutes before actually entering the crowded store of no greater than 300 square footage of space. It was then when I set my eyes upon the finely crafted cupcakes of so many unique flavors from Red Velvet to Chai Latte. All lined perfectly, cupcake by cupcake, behind a crystal clear glass as if they were some fine diamond jewelry. The rush of gluttony began to unfold as one lively employee delightfully asked “Which one are you most interested in?” I said “All of them!”…only in my greedy head.

The store provides simplicity of another kind, just take a look at the creatively designed schedule for the cupcake availability during the business week. The price is mediocre, about $3 per cupcake and most of them are immensly sweet. They sell souveneirs for the millions of tourists/residents bound to tour through the busy streets of Rodeo Drive and even create the sensational cupcakes for dogs!

I can say Sprinkles adds another simple food concept to the city of Los Angeles that has gained renowned success through their word-of-mouth marketing and brilliant market segmentation. Enjoy it while it lasts!

9635 Little Santa Monica Blvd

Crowned Best Restaurant in the World in 2006, 2007, 2008…El Bulli By lacredo84

April 16th, 2009

The St. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants has voted El Bulli of Spain as the most prominent restaurant in the world in 2006, 2007, and 2008 with the Fat Duck of United Kingdom placing second in the consecutive years.

A three Michelin starred restaurant inspired by the ingenious chef Ferran Adria, is open to 8,000 reserved guests per season with over 1 million in requests. The average cost of a meal is about $325 U.S. dollars. Utilizing science and chemical processes to transform the ingredients used in many food concepts, the molecular gastronomized plates is sure to catch the attention of the restaurant’s curious diners.

Even Joel Robuchon, once critiqued as the best chef in the world before his retirement in Paris, considers Adria to be the best chef in the world presently. His simple ideology of food, service, and ambience being the focus of a restaurant has brought tremendous success to his name and to those that he impacted in the culinary world.

The 2009 list of World’s Best Restaurant will be released in London on April 20. We shall see if El Bulli wins a 4th consecutive title!

Kogi Korean BBQ Taco Truck By lacredo84

April 16th, 2009

The Kogi Korean Short Rib taco is a delightful, yet innovative must-have dish for anybody in the Los Angeles area. It is packed with chopped Korean short ribs flavored in a delicious marinade that is definitely one to savor. Garnished with chili salsa, romaine lettuce, cilantro, and sesame seeds, the treat is served on a scheduled basis in different locations of Los Angeles.

Here is the schedule found on their website:

Tuesday
Roja
6PM-9PM@Eagle Rock - 4372 Eagle Rock Blvd
10PM-1AM@Rowland Heights - Daisetta & Nogales

Verde
3PM-5:30PM@SMC - Pearl in between 19th and 20th inside the Campus
6PM-8PM@UCLA - Gayley & Strathmore
9PM-2AM@The Brig - Abbot Kinney & Palm in Venice

Wednesday
Roja
2PM-5:30PM@Levi’s - Pico Blvd & Appian Way in Santa Monica
9PM-2AM@The Golden Gopher - 417 W. 8th St in Downtown LA

Verde
2PM-5:30PM@Levi’s - Pico Blvd & Appian Way in Santa Monica

Thursday
Roja
12PM-3PM@T. Lofts - 11491 W. Olympic Blvd
6PM-9PM@JANM - 1st & Central in Little Tokyo
10PM-1AM@4100 Bar - 4100 Sunset Blvd in Silverlake

Verde
3PM-6PM@SMC - Pearl in between 19th and 20th inside the Campus
7PM-9:30PM@UCLA - Gayley & Strathmore

Friday
Roja
tbd

Verde
7PM-Midnight@Alpine and Toyota Headquarters - Gramercy and Toyota Way in Torrance

Saturday
Roja
10PM-1AM@Eagle Rock - 4372 Eagle Rock Blvd

Verde
7:30PM-9PM@Miracle Mile - Wilshire & Cloverdale 10PM-2AM@The Brig - Abbot Kinney and Palm in Venice

The times and location are subject to change. They are also on Twitter for exact location.

Kitchen Nightmares: Secret Garden By joseph

January 22nd, 2009

Classic Chef Ramsay Moment.

Three words: “You French Pig!”

Kitchen Nightmares: Dillons By joseph

January 21st, 2009

This is actually the worst restaurant i’ve seen on T.V. - thank god for Chef Ramsay.

Restaurant ratings and the Michelin star By joseph

January 19th, 2009

The Michelin Guide uses a system of symbols to identify the best hotels and restaurants within each comfort and price category.

For restaurants, Michelin stars are based on five criteria:

• The quality of the products
• The mastery of flavor and cooking
• The “personality” of the cuisine
• The value for the money
• The consistency between visits

Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants offering the finest cooking, regardless of cuisine style. Stars represent only what is on the plate. They do not take into consideration interior decoration, service quality or table settings.

* = stars

*A very good restaurant in it’s category

**Excellent cooking and worth a detour

***Exceptional cooking and worth the journey

Below are the restaurants in the Los Angeles area who carry a Michelin star:

For more information regarding the Michelin Guide - please visit:

http://www.michelinguide.com/us/la_stars_09.html

Green Dining Placemat By Olive Oil

November 16th, 2008

Being Green couldn’t be anymore trendy with these Crate and Barrel 2 Mosaic Recycled Placemats. 100% of the these mats are made from shredded juice boxes, compressed, processed to uphold the strongest wear and tear. Guaranteed to resist water, splinter, and chip - you’ll have a one of a kind conversation piece at every dinner party.

Click here to purchase