Mainland Poke

Poke is a wonderful thing that hails from a wonderful place: Hawaii! There are all kinds of poke, but when I hear the word, I think of raw tuna marinated with soy sauce and sesame oil on top of rice. I was so happy to eat poke while in Hawaii where supermarkets have dedicated poke "counters," much like deli or seafood sections. It is a beautiful thing to behold, all the different poke choices before you (memories!!). Poke is riding a big popularity wave right now in LA and I am pretty thrilled because it is a more affordable option to take care of those sushi cravings! Also, I’ve been trying to think of different ways to eat fish after hearing a piece on NPR last year (I think it was this one.).

I recently stopped in at Mainland Poke and tried the lu’au bowl with octopus, tuna and salmon; the pieces were not marinated, but a sauce of your choosing is added (I got the spicy shoyu). I also added tobiko because I cannot resist fish roe. The bowl turned out quite good and made me a happy camper. It was about $12 and, considering the quality of the fish, I thought it was worth it. The shop is small and very casual (like a sandwich shop where you pick and choose as you move down the line) with some counter seats and a few tables outside.

Parting thoughts: to me, any poke shop outside of Hawaii may come close, but will not be the real thing. The way I look at it, even with the best ingredients, the missing component would be Hawaii (the sand, the beautiful water, the relaxed state of happiness that occurs when you are there). It just won’t be the same. But, if you can’t go to Hawaii, let it come to you (sort of) by eating (sushi-grade) poke wherever you can find it! If interested, you can read more about poke over at Bon Appetit.

Mainland Poke
8312 1/2 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: (310) 234-8800

Republique

This pumpkin sticky bun at Republique was very, very good. I savored every single bite. I have eaten at this place of joy and wonder a few times now and it makes me so happy. Walter and Margarita Manzke have created a thing of (food) beauty with their restaurant.

I can be a little jaded about LA food, but Republique is everyday magic* and has quickly made its way to the top of my take-people-I-love-here list. On my first visit, I had their salmon tartine and it was magnificent. It sounded simple on paper, but when I took a bite of all the components together, it was like time stopped. But, that's what Republique does; it surprises you about something you thought you knew (case in point: smoked salmon and some type of bread. I have had this combination many times in life, so didn't have high expectations. But, goodness, gracious, it was so good.)

If you go for dinner, you must have their bread, order something with butter and/or cheese and save ample room for dessert. They really know what they're doing on all fronts. Two things to keep in mind:

1. it is super popular. Patience is a virtue, but maybe have a snack before you leave the house; if you're going for dinner, make a reservation.

2. speaking of dinner, the price point veers towards "celebration" level. Fortunately, they have their menus with prices on their site (it is so helpful when restaurants do this!).

So, in short: I love Republique and hope you do/will, too.

Republique
624 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
310-362-6115

*this phrase means that even though I understand real people make this food, it boggles my mind.

Milo and Olive

This photo is of a recent breakfast of baked skillet eggs at Milo and Olive, which is a major favorite of mine. I love everything about this place: THE BREAD (this is one of Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb's restaurants; she is a master of baking and basically a local hero in my opinion), the coffee (they serve Caffe Luxxe, which is really strong and superb), the food in general, the beautiful space and the friendly and professional staff. The first time I ate here, I think I had a margherita pizza and it blew my mind. The crust was hold-the-phone good and I was telling people it was the best pizza in the city. Nowadays, I come in for breakfast, which makes for a wonderful way to start the day, especially during those moments when you need a pick-me-up because you're not living in Paris right now, for example.

But, I need to visit at a pizza appropriate time and have that glorious crust again. It was a pizza miracle. Also, if you're anything like me, you may daydream about having all your meals there like an heiress from a Wes Anderson movie, but we take what we can get. Take note: it is a popular place and they do not take reservations. They recently expanded the space and added more tables, but people really love this place, so consider the time of day and your hangry status before heading over. If you're dining solo, you might be able to snag a seat at the counter or the communal tables. But, just try to pick a non-peak time window and you should be okay. Trust me, it is so worth it.

Milo and Olive
2723 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-453-6776

Homemade Granola

I am trying to make 2015 the year of learning basic recipes that will enrich my life forever (please note how I softened the resolve with "trying" rather than just saying this is THE year, people). Now, my idea of "stuff I should know how to make" will probably differ from yours; it's not like I want to cook my way through a famous cookbook. I don't even have a long list. Off the top of my head, it seems to be just "roast a whole chicken without batting an eye" and make-your-own granola. So, as you can see from the photo above, I'm off to a good start and the only thing I need to learn for the rest of the year is roasting a chicken. 50% of my list is complete! What an accomplishment!

As I knew it would be, making granola is super easy. It is somewhere above PB&J, but definitely below chocolate chip cookies on the difficulty scale (I feel like whenever an egg is involved, things instantly become more precarious and the outcome is a little less certain. Just me?). I used this straightforward and helpful recipe (it has a photo stills, you see). My granola turned out pretty good (I used lots of cranberries and raisins), but next time, I would throw in some slivered almonds and more honey. I was short on the honey, so I used only about 1/4 cup. Really, I wasn't expecting miracles from homemade granola; most of the satisfaction comes from knowing I made it and I can do it again. For me, learning something new, however small, makes that particular day special and gives it the tiniest bit of meaning.

Okay, so if I get serious about this list, a few sauces and some baked goods would probably end up on there. Oh, AND PANCAKES. For a fairly simple pleasure, there is so much mystery around making a good pancake. Let's see how I progress this year. Mastering the pancake might be more of a lifelong goal.

Clams with Garlic & Lemon

I love clams. But, it's all about timing. They get too chewy if overcooked, losing their "je ne sais quoi" and resulting in abject disappointment for the eater. One way to avoid such a scenario is to make them yourself! At home! Once your clams are clean, the cooking phase is very quick. BTW, there are many different takes on how to get your clams grit-free. Choose whichever one suits your schedule; I soaked mine in cold water in the fridge for about 20 minutes. Now, on to the cooking steps:

Saute some chopped garlic, throw the clams in and pour white wine on top of them (add a little salt if you want, but they probably don't need it). Add lemon juice now and/or later when serving. Place a lid on the pot, wait for everything to bubble and the clams to open. Take one out to see if it's cooked enough and then turn the heat off. The only thing left to do is eat and cherish the moment.

One ingredient that was missing from my preparation: butter, which will be included next time because the broth needed some depth and richness. Can't wait to eat clams again! (Parting note: most people insist on bread to mop up the broth and they are totally right. I didn't buy any this time, so chose to drink it straight from the bowl.)

Persimmons

I grew up eating persimmons, but thought it was an Asian thing. So, I am pretty pumped that they seem to be more mainstream now with recipes popping up everywhere; just look at Food 52's Your Best Persimmons contest! These little guys are Fuyu persimmons and I love them. Just so cute and cheery! Although, persimmons are a little more serious than other cute and cheery fruit (like Rainier cherries) because they herald the beginning of autumn, which I think of as the season of gravitas.

Winter is like a whole other thing because it has the emotions of the holidays and, depending on where you are, an enduring wait for spring/light at the end of the tunnel feel to it. I don't hear as much "when is it going to be over?!?!" exclamations about autumn. But, to give winter its due, it's the more "complicated" season (maybe that's a backhanded compliment).

Anyway, if you see persimmons and have never tried them, I encourage you to give them a whirl. It's difficult to explain what they taste like, it'll be easier if you just go for it. Unless you dislike most fruit, in which case, I don't know what to tell you.

And lastly, here's some delightful stuff I've seen online lately:

-Jolly Ranger Vodka from A Beautiful Mess! Sounds like a partayyy.

-3 Everyday Eyeliner Shapes from Cupcakes and Cashmere. I've been wanting to try a cat eye and these tips look very helpful.

-An articles club from A Cup of Jo. Love this idea, mostly because I am that person who is always telling you about this article or that op-ed someone wrote. I'd imagine it's more fun and a longer conversation (ha) if you discuss with friends who have also read it.

Happy Sunday!

Huevos a la Mexicana

Sometimes, I choose a recipe because it looks easy and the ingredients list is fairly short (okay, on most occasions, this approach is how I decide what to cook). When I was looking for something new to make for breakfast, this Huevos a la Mexicana recipe from Simply Recipes spoke to me (like, eggs? I know how to crack eggs. Tomatoes? We have great tomatoes here! And so on and so forth). I made a couple ingredient changes: instead of green onions and jalapeno, I used half a yellow onion and canned green chiles.

Well, I was floored by how good these turned out! I am so happy I made this dish!!! Don't think I've been this excited about eggs in a long time, not exaggerating. This thing was so good. I highly recommend it for a weekday breakfast when a packaged granola bar just won't cut it or a friend brunch gathering that needs some pizzazz; it will be a surefire hit. I'm definitely adding this one to my repertoire.

Pears & Cheese

I usually take forever to pick cheese at the store. For sandwiches, it is not a labored process. Easy peasy. But, when I am looking for snack cheese, the beguiling wedges of domestic and imported alike can throw me into a loop of indecision. Sometimes, I even abandon the quest. But, this time, I persevered and emerged with something called Uniekaas Robusto, which is firm and nutty. Try it with pears or really, anything you like. This cheese is legit.

Other stuff I've been doing aside from looking intently at cheese:

-reading The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta. Real good.

-watched my first TED talk by Mac Barnett! I get it now, guys.

-resisting the urge to follow too many pet Instagram accounts. I don't know why, everyone needs some cute in their lives (perhaps my daily quota is higher than others). I will probably get over it. Here's one of my favorite dogs.

Happy weekend!

Pan-Fried Shrimp with Cherry Tomato Corn Salad

Note to Summer: please stay. I am not ready to face the last months of the year. Let me luxuriate in the long days, pink sunsets and artisan ice cream a bit longer. I realize my tune has changed as I used to dread your high temps, seeking out air-conditioning like it was a life force. But this year, it feels different. I am different. So, please stay.

Based on what I've learned over time, this request will go unheard. So, I will take solace in the fact that a lot of nectarines, plums and peaches were consumed this summer. And I got to make this festive dish of pan-fried shrimp and a cherry tomato, corn and red onion salad. I am always amazed at how much flavor comes out of letting veggies or salads sit around in some lemon juice and olive oil. When in doubt, reach for the lemon and olive oil. You will get super results about 98%-100% of the time. You cannot say that for most things in life.

Happy long weekend!

Strawberry & Blue Cheese Spinach Salad

This spinach salad is an excellent example of something I like to make at home mainly because I can control the size of the blue cheese crumbles. Also, this salad needs strawberries of high caliber and I knew the strawberries I had on hand would fit the bill nicely. In a restaurant, I usually just hope for the best with fruit quality. Most of the time, it's passable, but not anything that could be classified as good.

The only component that requires some attention is the balsamic vinaigrette; my version is a bit of Dijon mustard, honey, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper whisked together furiously with a fork until emulsified (meaning everything has combined and the olive oil isn't a separate layer on top). A whisk probably works better, but I just use a fork.

If you want to get cute, you could throw in blueberries instead and call it a "blue" spinach salad. Just a thought!

Caviar + Crackers

I have been thinking of caviar and crackers for some time now, but could never commit to buying any of those tiny jars. But, finally the caviar-at-home dream has come true! Not an everyday thing for me, but salmon caviar is one of the more affordable types out there and a little goes a long way. Admittedly, I went overboard when spooning out the caviar, but I have never been one to shy away from salt. I added cream cheese to the mix and would recommend it highly because not only does it work well with the caviar, you will have a very good reason to stock up on bagels. Let's hear it for occasional splurges!

Japan - Part 2

Let's continue with the delectables from Japan! The ramen below was from a shop that had a vending ticket machine outside where you pay before entering and handing them your ticket. Interesting note: I only had ramen once while in Japan, but eat it quite often in daily life. Additional note: I am starting this post talking about vending machines again, although of a different variety.



Yakitori had to happen and what you see here is grilled cheese mochi.



A bit rich, but as I look at this picture, I want to have it again. And again. We had a bunch of other stuff, but I was very drawn to the mochi (it IS one of the best food items ever and I hadn't encountered such a skewer before).

Of course, more desserts to share! Here is a wafer cookie holding red beans, green tea ice cream and... you got it, mochi!! Not entirely sure if these qualify as mochi or if I should just call them sweet, chewy rice cake things, but either way, this dessert was totally wonderful.



By the way, the red beans are remarkably good in Japan. Beans are beautiful in sweet and savory forms, end of story.

And lastly, doesn't everyone love a roll cake? Especially as pretty as this one?



That's all for Japan! Parting thoughts: when traveling and in life, not every little delicious thing is photogenic. But, getting a good photo wasn't difficult in Japan because so many of the dishes were presented beautifully.

For a few more food photos from the trip, please check my Instagram!

Japan - Part 1

Hello! Exciting travel news: I got to visit Japan!!! We stayed in the Kansai region, which is home to cities like Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. Unsurprisingly, walking around Japan felt like being in another world... one with so many vending machines! Really, I could not get over it. It must be so convenient, although I imagine a couple hundred yen here and there on your commute could add up quickly. It was a really major trip and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the sights, many of which were straight from magazines, the movies and the Japan of my mind. I basked in it all and will always treasure those moments.

Here's the first installment of food photos:


Cold soba, one of my all-time favorites, with tempura. We had a lot of meals set in front us in trays with little dishes; it was pretty delightful. Note the pink stems on the sprouts!


Such beauties at the fish market. Another all-time favorite: salmon roe!


More fish market goodies. Practically anything your sushi-lovin' heart desires.


And the fine, beautiful desserts! Perfectly balanced flavors and so light and lovely without being too sweet. I didn't get a picture, but I also LOVED the "softcream" ice cream cones there. Seriously irresistible, I'm still dreaming about them.

Stay tuned for Part 2! More food to come.

Spaghetti with Bok Choy

Here's what happened: I was in the mood for lots of garlic, crushed red pepper and olive oil with spaghetti (otherwise known as aglio e olio, but if I'm being honest, I never think of that entire phrase in my head when I'm putting the dish together) and some bok choy was sitting around solemnly waiting to be forgotten. As home cooks like to do, I asked myself "why not?" and threw some shredded bok choy in with the pasta (this step was done a few minutes before the pasta was done). I am happy to report that it worked out! The bok choy didn't add a ton of flavor, but it brightened things up visually and the spaghetti pairing was an unusual way for me to enjoy it. I may end up doing the exact same thing with the rest of the bok choy; it's just so simple yet delicious.

London

I have wanted to visit London for a long time (my whole life, possibly). A steady diet of Jane Austen, "Love Actually," and BBC shows will do that to a girl. So, I was beyond thrilled that I finally made it over there! It was wonderful to take in the immense history, the gorgeous parks and all that tea. As an American, I will admit that England has a magical quality to me, so I took great delight in the small, ordinary things. Case in point: eating crisps in a pub, which is something I've seen British TV detectives do after a long day at the office (also, calling bagged chips "crisps" was a small thrill). Here is a collection of my London eats:


A full English breakfast was a major to-do item on my list. Beans on toast!


Lovely scone with clotted cream and jam at afternoon tea. The allure of clotted cream is completely deserved.


Mango lassi at Dishoom, a very busy, modern Indian restaurant. The ruby chicken curry below was excellent.




My favorite version of fish and chips was at Kerbisher & Malt. These fish nuggets were notable because of the batter. Not at all soggy! Plus, the shop design is super cute.


And lastly, a very good chicken pie with a beautiful crust, which revealed to me that I had never had a proper savory/savoury pie until this trip.

Since this was my first trip to London, I was interested in trying a lot of "traditional" fare. But, next time around, I would love to have more ethnic food as well as visit some of the current/hip darlings of the restaurant scene.

Carrot and Daikon Pickle

Pickles are my jam. Not just cucumbers, but any vegetable, really. I especially love the pickled radishes and carrots at Vietnamese restaurants, so I was pleased to find this Saveur recipe (short and simple, just the type of recipe I gravitate towards!). I did things a little differently: I am not great at cutting uniform sizes and overlooked "salt" in the wilting stage, so had to sprinkle that in, mix again and wait a bit longer. I also used rice vinegar instead of white. (Sidenote: I did wonder why the recipe mentioned only sugar and no salt, but shrugged it off. Just goes to show, trust your inner voice! And read the directions.)

For more flavor, the veggies probably need to hang out in the fridge for a while. I'm planning on eating them as a snack or a side dish since I need to add more produce to my diet. But, I think they would work well in their "quick pickle" form in a bibimbap or a lettuce wrap. I'm just happy to have found an alternative to bagged salad!

Inari Sushi

I find inari sushi irresistible. Yet, I only eat them at restaurants or buy them pre-made at the Japanese grocery store. As I'm trying to expand my cooking repertoire, I decided it was high time to cross this one off the list. And... it turns out there's not much to it if you work fast and not think at all about making your rice look pretty.

But, you do need to carve out some time to make the steamed rice, start assembling the inari, take a tiny break to wonder why you started this whole endeavor, tell yourself to stop whining and soldier on until finally you have a plate of these stuffed fried tofu pouches (pickled radish are optional, but I love them so, so much). TRULY IMPORTANT: keep re-wetting your hands because otherwise, the rice will get unmanageable.

I bought my fried tofu pouches (with sushi rice seasoning and savory sprinkles of some sort included) at the Korean grocery store, but I did throw in some roasted sesame seeds to "make it my own." For my next inari experiment, I am thinking about adding something a little extra to the rice, such as kimchi, shiitake mushrooms or even cheese (okay, that last one could be going too far, but I'm probably going to do it anyway).

Fried Egg with Kale

This egg was going to be photographed sunny-side up, but then the yolk looked weird and I was like, whatever, I'm going to flip it over and just take the picture. Perfection is relative. Let's move on.

I got it into my head that a gooey fried egg would be pretty tasty on top of a mound of kale. After trying it, I can say I was about 85% right. I cooked the kale on the stove with broth, so there was a little too much juice on the plate. Next time, I will try a roasted something for the base (cauliflower? Brussels sprouts?). I like a good kale salad as much as the next person, but I adore braised kale. Here's my quick version:

-Chop as much garlic as you want. Heat olive oil in a pot over low to medium heat; give it a few seconds to warm up before throwing in the garlic.

-Once the garlic is sizzling, add kale (I tore it up by hand because kale gets everywhere when you chop it) and toss it around, making sure to get the garlic up from the bottom of the pot.

-After the kale has wilted down, add enough vegetable or chicken broth to cover (I happened to use chicken this time) and raise the heat to bring to a boil. Then, drop the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes or until the bitterness is gone. If you have the time, keep simmering until you're happy with it. I generally like to eat as soon as possible!

-Add seasoned salt and pepper to taste after the kale is done (the broth can add a good amount of salt, so do a taste test to see what is needed). Regular salt is fine, too, but I am on a crusade to use up my spices! I have a lot of seasoned salt to go.

Warm Herb and Jam Goat Cheese Spread

When I saw Joy the Baker's Warm Herb and Jam Goat Cheese Spread recipe, I was immediately intrigued by the flavors. It sounded like a fresh take on the cheese spread and I didn't want to forget about it. So, I put it at the top of my mental to-do list and boy, am I glad I carried through with it. It is fantastic for two reasons: the flavor combination is superb and it can be thrown together in two shakes of a lamb's tail (how delightful to have the chance to use that phrase).

I used cherry fruit spread with rosemary and thyme and it was a very pretty, very festive home run. The genius of it is that it takes all the flavors normally seen on a (goat) cheese plate and puts them in one bite. Also, perhaps even more exciting for all the hosts and hostesses out there, it's just one dish and one spoon for serving! Thank you to Joy for this game changer!

Miscellany of Berlin Food

As a traveler, the food of a place is very important to me. A lot of times, everything else is the backdrop or the stuff I do until it's time to eat again. Here is the roundup of the other things I ate in Berlin:


A glorious cheese pretzel from Kamps Backstube, which was an extra welcoming sight after a very jet-lagged night.


Currywurst is a local dish of "wurst" with curry powder. I've had currywurst before and thought it was fine, but I liked it more in Germany eaten at Dom Curry. When in Berlin.


Obligatory photo of soda in a different country.


This meal of bratwurst took place after a quick visit to the Schloss Charlottenburg. I was fading quickly and had to skip the gardens to make a beeline for food. Thank you, Brauhaus Lemke.

This post concludes the Berlin series. I hope you've enjoyed reading about my travel eats; I would love to visit the other German cities (and eat their food) at some point. Usually when traveling, I'm already thinking about my next big trip (I am constantly trying to live more in the moment, I will get there). This time, I was relieved to be home and settle in before the holidays. November and December are my favorite months of the year, but we can probably agree that we all need a break between the end of sweaty summer and the peppermint bark and eggnog latte-fueled holiday cheer phase! That's basically what it feels like out here in southern California, at least.