Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 4:00AM If the true test of food is how it stands the test of time, then Chef Auguste Escoffier’s Peach Melba is iconic. Still on fine dining menus around the world, Peach Melba is actually a simple combination of fruit and ice cream.
Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 4:00AM My youngest one is growing up – at a whopping 3 foot 4 and 38 pounds, Nick no longer introduces himself as “Nic-a-yis.” He’s moving up to kindergarten, has plenty to say about all matters of fact (his lovely teacher, Ms. Britton, thinks the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree), plays second base on his T-ball team, loves to sing and dance, and believes in community service. As he grows in dimension, he’s also forming his own sensibility about food and eating.
Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 4:00AM Living in LA, like any place, has its pros and cons. Yes, there’s congested traffic, the infamous smog, and the risk of getting caught between paparazzi and one of their famous subjects…sounds silly, I know, but it can be quite hectic and even rough and tumble in the middle of LA’s game of celebrity cat and mouse.
But LA also has iconic places perfect for family fun, which by our definition includes picnics. Our two favorites are Chavez Ravine and the Hollywood Bowl. The only thing our boys like as much as watching their beloved Dodgers play in “The Ravine” is going to “The Bowl.” It’s nestled at the base of a rock walled canyon in the Hollywood Hills with the Hollywood sign perched off in the distance.
Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 4:01AM Have you noticed that restaurant chefs just seem to know when a steak is done the way you’ve asked for it? It’s not just a question of experience. We test the doneness of meat by feel and touch. With a little practice, you can do this, too. Here’s the simple touch test we use.
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 4:00AM Chinese scallion pancakes are one of my favorite things on earth to eat. If given an ultimatum, I would give up potatoes, rice and yes, even traditional bread in favor of my beloved pancakes. I love them so much that last night I made them for dinner and woke up early to eat the leftovers before Benny got up. Imagine, stealing food from my own child… yes, they’re that good.
They’re like Chinese quesadillas, but instead of cheese and beans, they’re filled with ginger, garlic, sesame seeds and lots of green onions. If I’m really ambitious, I’ll stuff them with sticky slivers of hoisin-glazed short ribs and top that with a tall pile of cilantro, fried ginger threads and even more green onions. The boys eat them by the stack too, and don’t even realize they’re loaded with garlic.
