Figs!! and yummy recipes

I am a big fan of Bon Appetite. In the September issue there is are two great recipes that I modified into one. Fig Salad and Lamb Chops with fig. Recipe links below.

Salad:
http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2009/09/fig_salad_with_goats_milk_yogurt_and_pepper_cress

This recipe is great. I was lucky to find some extra soft goat cheese already infused with honey for the dressing. Also I was missing the yogurt and subbed heavy cream for dressing. Also missing watercress. All I'm saying is the figs and dressing make this salad. Don't skip the mint! It is a great pop. But only use small amounts.

Lamb Chops:
http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2009/09/lamb_chops_with_fresh_herbs_and_roasted_figs

Followed this exactly minus the figs and I have to say the cook time is too long! I'm sure it's also dependent on the meat size. I would say seer the meat 3 min each side instead of 5 and reduce the oven time.

The ingredients look so yummy I want to eat them individually!

Get Your Recipe in a Cook Book!

Food52.com

I found this through Daily Candy today. It is an online sight hosting recipe contests. Anyone can enter @ any time! 52 weeks & 52 winners. End up in a Harper's Studio beautifully published cook book at the end of the year! Supper dope. Let's enter!!

Cheers,
K

Pound Cake & Top Chef!

I was on Hiatus! Doing my version of Spring cleaning for Fall. Honestly there haven't been many highlights on my menu since LA. However Mama Gibbs from MI made some ubber delectable pound cake. Am I tasting a hint or orange? and the crust was perfect!

Also I have been glued to Top Chef. Anyone else watching? I am guessing Kevin or Michael will win. I have a soft spot for Kevin because he is southern. :) Any votes?

Cheers,
K

Labor Day and LA!

I recently visited LA for labor day.
Here's the skinny

9/4
I couldn't have started the trip better than by watching the History Channels special "Modern Marvels- cheese" while on the plane!! I was glued. You can find several clips from the special. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=modern+marvels-+cheesesearch_type=&aq=f
I highly recommend it.

9/5- The Little Next Door
"E" lead me to a great brunch spot on west 3rd street called The little next door. Complete with an impressive bakery and lengthy breakfast menu. I had the salmon plate which was beautifully presented. We're talking minced onions not diced here people. Yum! "E" had an omelet with the best potato Gratin side I have ever tasted. And I couldn't leave without inhaling a lemon french macaroon. (in my opinion these are better than chocolate) The scenery was beautiful too. Just look at the light pouring into this place.
http://www.thelittledoor.com/

Next Stop: The Jar (Beverly Boulevard) Dinner
What an amazing dinner. At first glance the menu may have some items that you've seen before. But they certainly know how to make their mark. For example the Wedge salad with Blue cheese dressing. I'm thinking jeese why did my boyfriend order such an ordinary salad. Until he let me try it. The blue cheese was nothing but ordinary. Bleu D'Auvergne, a type of creamy Roquefort blue cheese from France. Order this from artisanalcheese.com and make yourself a wedge salad! Onions make a nice topping. They also knew how to make a French75 cocktail which is a plus.
http://www.thejar.com/
http://www.artisanalcheese.com/prodinfo.asp?number=10733

9/6 The Village Idiot
Ok we didn't eat Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner until 4:00pm that day but we couldn't have picked a better place. A Gastropub on Melrose and Martel. "E" and I inhale the house baked cinnamon orange sticky bun. Seriously sticky and seriously good. We were starving. Next up. Heirloom Tomato with shaved onion and blue cheese. Heirloom tomato's are the most flavorful and delicious. And then...Chorizo stuffed Bacon wrapped dates. I am salivating as I write this.
Forgive my photo's of half eaten food. Apparently I am too anxious to eat my food that I forget to take the picture!!
http://www.villageidiotla.com/


9/7 Todd & Vanessa's
These are friends of mine not a restaurant. They graciously took us in for two days and made great hosts. Check out these farm fresh eggs hand picked!! that we got to eat for breakfast that day.