Easter Decorating
Sweet Days
Enjoy your sweet and hot days!
Lowquats
I discovered this wonderful evergreen tree in my backyard, and decided to try its fruit. Its small but really delicious, little unexpected. Lowquats are combination of mango, apple with little hint of citrus, really delicious. I tried them in pie, and although it requires some work, taking the pits out, its worth taking some time. I always mix my pie filling with pectin which works better for my body than any type of flour. Well, if you happened to have lowquat tree nearby use the fruit, you can be surprised.
Lunch time
I think that it's always a good idea to stop for lunch in Bouchon!
Sugar Cookies
These cookies are really delicious, you can't compare them with any pre made store bought. I was raised with an idea that everything is better if made from the scratch. It's like baking and little craft, specially when my daughter is involved too. Have fun, make some cookies!
SUGAR COOKIES
1 cup room temperature butter
1,5 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
2,5 cups flour
Cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer. When mixed, add the egg, vanilla, and baking soda. When incorporated add the flour . When the flour disappears, transfer doubt onto a floured surface. Knead the dough until it forms a solid ball. If dough is sticky, add more flour.
Wrap dough in plastic and put in a refrigerator for at least an hour. Preheat oven to 325.
Roll out the dough. Cut your favorite shapes with cookie cutters. Using spatula transfer cookies to baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes, depending on size. Let them cool out before decorating them.
ROYAL ICING
3 egg whites
4 cups confectioner's sugar
half a tsp. cream of tartar
pinch of salt
1 tsp. of lemon juice
In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt on medium speed until blended. Increase the speed, and continue beating until stiff peaks form, and looks shiny. Add your favorite food coloring for desired color.
The Journey of a Dress
Los Angeles, February 2014. What a treat! Thank you Diane for all these dresses.
Valentine's Day
I wish everybody lots of love and happiness today. May this day will be filled with candy, flowers and people you love.
Grapefruits & Avocados
These two are my absolute favorite, they also very good for you. Grapefruit is now at its peek, and together with perfectly ripe avocado, never too mushy, you can have a feast of your life without unneeded calories. Just slice your avocados. Grapefruit might be little more challenging, but with the help of small sharp knife you can cut through all the segments, add your favorite lettuce, some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and pinch of cayenne. Wonderful
Dumplings time
Today starts Chinese New Year, the year of the horse. That brings me to my favorite Chinese treat- the Dumplings. They resemble silver ingot, for money, Chinese symbol of prosperity. Dumplings are very easy to make. This is my version that needs pre made store bought round wonton wrappers. Then the filling: 1 lb ground pork, some soy sauce, chives, little sugar, sesame oil, fresh ginger, 2 tsp of corn starch. Chop the chives, and in a bowl combine chopped chives with pork, soy sauce, sugar, corn starch, finely minced ginger, and sesame oil. Put one small spoon of filling into each wrapper. Wet the whole edge of the wrapper, so the dumpling closes nicely. Steam in bamboo baskets for the best flavor, for about 6 min. Enjoy! Amazing.
Citrus
January is always the month of the ripest citrus. This wonderful winter fruit is at it's peek when days are the shortest. Just in perfect time for flu and cold season. Citrus has some amazing benefits for our overall health . It helps cleansing our body, elevates our mood, fights cancer cells, help in digestion. It's just amazing and always refreshing!
Central California
So beautiful in a winter time. Just driving to Santa Barbara, and then north to Pismo Beach takes you away from the big and fast Los Angeles. Then San Simeon with wonderful Hearst Castle takes you back to Europe and its incredible art colections. You can never forget to stop in Cambria, and have in my opinion one of the best chicken pot pie in America! Visit Santa Barbara zoo, that is very family oriented and intimate, smaller than any other zoos. But there is always something new to discover on a road trip in California! Just get on the road!
My favorite places
Bottega Louie is always the perfect place to enjoy the best food. And then all the amazing desserts are just too tempting to resist. Stop there when you are in Los Angeles.
Happy New Year
Merry Christmas
Christmas shopping
Manhattan Beach Fireworks 2013
Christmas decorating
Happy Thanksgiving
Cranberries
With the smell of cooked cranberry sauce it starts feeling like Thanksgiving!
Persimmons
My new favorite fruit! Is is absolutely delicious in salads, just perfect combination between peach and mango. Always look for plum, soft fruit, never mushy. They are in season from October untill February. Sweet and delicious full in vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. Persimmons actually came from China and Japan to California in nineteenth century, not a long time ago. Just enjoy them, they will be gone soon!
