Spicy Pumpkin and Miso Soup

This soup is hearty with just a hint of miso, and a nice spicy kick as it goes down. I used this recipe, but didn't put nearly as much basil as it called for, and used water instead of the soy milk.

To accompany this pumpkin miso soup, I made a dish reminiscent of my childhood, stuffed cabbage rolls. Click here for the recipe. I used brown rice instead of white, and made my own tomato sauce from scratch.  Next time, I want to double wrap the cabbage rolls (in two cabbage leaves instead of one) since I love cabbage so much.

Hunger Games Dinner: Katniss's Lamb Stew with Dried Prunes

This recipe is a winner. It took about 4 hours from start to finish (most of it is down time while it simmers on the stove top) but it was just outstanding.

It took me 3 days (actually, 3 sleepless nights) to read the entire Hunger Games trilogy. I couldn't help it--the story was so intense that I couldn't put the books down! Obsessed with all things Hunger Games, I scoured the internet for recipes from the book until I found this one. The Vancouver Sun had the brilliant idea of having a recipe contest for Hunger Games-inspired meals. This was the winner in the "Capitol foods" division. Being Katniss's favorite dish, I knew I had to try it. It's comforting and luxurious at the same time.

Even Better Oven Fried Chicken

I made oven fried chicken again, but this time dipped the drum sticks in buttermilk first, then a seasoned flour/breadcrumb mixture (flour, paprika, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs). I baked them in pyrex dishes containing a pat of melted butter on the bottom of the dish and then turned them half way through the cooking process. The breadcrumbs made them crunchier, and Brad declared them better than the other night's drumsticks.

Provencal Rack of Lamb

Tonight I made Provencal Rack of Lamb, but instead of potatoes I used parsnips that I picked up at the Farmers Market. It reminded me of a rustic meal that Katniss of the Hunger Games would enjoy.

Caprese Salad, Oven Fried Chicken and The Barefoot Contessa's Granola Bars

 I have two weeks off because my students are on Spring Break, and one of my goals for these two weeks is to cook something new every day.  I made a simple Caprese salad, Oven Fried Chicken and Ina Garten's Granola Bars.

With a 5/5 star rating on the Food Network's website, I had high expectations for the bars. I loved the flavor, but the bars kind of fell apart--they weren't packed enough. Maybe that was my fault and I didn't pack it well enough in the pan (although I did press down pretty hard with my spatula). Still, the taste was definitely there. I want to try more Barefoot Contessa recipes soon!

Inn of the Seventh Ray, Topanga Canyon

My plate

Some call the Inn of the Seventh Ray the "most romantic restaurant in L.A.". I've been coming here for years, but this was my first time trying their weekend brunch. For $18 you can go through their brunch buffet once. For some higher price (I don't remember what) you can go back for more. We opted for the once-through and carefully constructed our plates to maximize the amount of food we took back to our table.

I was pleasantly surprised by the buffet. $18 was a bit steep, but it came with a beverage (we got the ginger mint drinks, but they also had mimosas and juice. The only disappointment was the dessert... All of their dessert options tasted very "healthy," and not in a good way. Next time I'm skipping dessert and piling on more quiche, crab and smoked salmon.

Brad's plate

Petrossian, West Hollywood

beef tartar with caviar. egg salad sandwich with caviar in the background

We went with some friends to Brad's favorite L.A. restaurant for his birthday. Everything was amazing, as expected, but if I had to choose my favorites, they would be the beef tartar and the mushroom soup. I am in love with Petrossian's soups! Their vanilla panna cotta with espresso "caviar" was a delicious and inventive way to end the meal.

Petrossian

the soup I have been waiting my entire life for

flatbread. caviar blinis in the background

burger

vanilla panna cotta with espresso "caviar"

Merry Christmas! And another short list...

Wishing everyone in cyberworld a safe and merry Christmas! Keeping with the list theme, here's more "Best Of 2010"

Best Hawaii Restaurant: Sushi Izakaya Gaku I fell in love with their tofu with dashi jelly, spicy tuna tartar, and homemade tamagoyaki. And If you thought salmon couldn't get any more fatty and melt in your mouth, you gotta try their toro salmon sushi.

Best foodie book: Ruth Reichl's Garlic and Sapphires. I love this book. It details her life as a food critic for the New York Times, and her adventures going incognito so as not to be recognized by the restaurant staff. It was fascinating reading about the special treatment she got dressed as a hot blonde, and the nonchalant service she received dressed as an old lady. She drops recipes here and there throughout the book like breadcrumbs leading you from one chapter to the next.

Recipe you must try: Pumpkin stuffed with everything good. This recipe is from KCRW. This dish is testament to the fact that you really cant go wrong with cheese, cream and bacon. Click here for the recipe.

Market of the year: Nijiya. I was perusing my year in food, and I laughed remembering that crazy long obsession I had with Asian food the first half of the year. I have Nijiya to thank for supplying me with the ingredients to make okonomiyaki, beef tendon soup, and congee. Plus, I love how it's open till midnight.

I'd love to hear your "Best Of 2010"s. Leave a comment with your favorite restaurant, foodie book, market or recipe of the year!

Best of 2010!

Ah, I love food lists. Here are my top picks for 2010!

Favorite Restaurant of 2010: Petrossian! This is a hands down pick for both me and Brad. Each time we've been there, we have had the best service, the most delicious food, and--strangely enough--the whole place to ourselves! I have no idea why this place is not more crowded than it is. Petrossian, by the way, is a caviar lover's dream. You must get the beef tartar, which is layers of beef tartar with loads of caviar stuffed between each layer. This is Brad's favorite dish. They also have egg salad sandwiches heaped with caviar, caviar tasting blinis, and even an espresso "caviar" panna cotta. The dish that I fell in love with, however, was not a caviar dish. It was their soup. Or soups to be exact. I have tried three of their soups (cauliflower, mushroom and borscht) and they were (I am not exaggerating) the best soups I have ever tasted.

Favorite Brunch Spot: LA Mill in Silver Lake. Sometimes I miss the east side, and a visit to LA Mill fixes that longing with an espresso shot of hipsters and well-crafted food. There is also no other brunch place that can come close to the stylish modern interior of LA Mill. Sitting there eating my little puffs of brioche dougnut holes, I feel both at home and in heaven.

Favorite "Slow Food" Restaurant: Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica. Everything at Rustic Canyon is wonderful in that "rustic" sort of way. Since their menu changes with the season, I would love to come back here again soon.

Favorite "Everyday Meal" Restaurant: Govindas! And by "everyday", I mean that I would eat there every day if I could. Govindas has been my 2010 restaurant obsession. I love their clean and healthy dining options, and their price of $8 for all you can eat food. Govindas is a part of the Hare Krishna Temple and all their cuisine is vegan/vegetarian.