Channa Masala + Kale Salad (Almosttttt Vegan)

So I had a relaxing weekend at home... working... and getting my car repaired. Apparently, having brake pads are like important or something. Whatever, now I'm poor. So in making dinner for Grant, Scott, Brooke, Ivana, Chris and Issac, I essentially had to raid my mom's pantry and MacGyver something delicious and healthy. With contributions of an avocado, two blood oranges, feta and naan, plus my stolen goods and mom's amazing recipes, I made Channa Masala and a grapefruit kale salad.

Channa Masala:
(ingredients: onion, green chile, garlic, chile powder, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, garbanzo beans, potatoes, tomatoes.)


Chop up one onion, three cloves of garlic, two quarter sized pieces of ginger and a green chile. Sautee until translucent in three tablespoons of veggie oil.

I added two chopped potatoes to make a little extra as well as three chopped tomatoes (vine ripened please).

Add 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 tsp turmeric, 3/4 chile powder.

Throw in three cans of rinsed garbanzo beans.

Add a cup of water.

Bring to a boil, then simmer for a half hour. Add some salt.

Serve with warm naan.

Kale Salad:
(ingredients: avocado, balsamic, grapefruit, blood orange, lemons, olive oil, salt, pepper, kale, feta)

Massage juice of lemons in a few bunches of kale.

Segment up some blood oranges and grapefruit. Throw into salad.

Mash up avo with EVOO and balsamic, salt, pepper and vinegar (vegan creamy dressing, mofos)

Throw on salad with some feta (if you want some cheese or just add a little extra salt instead)

Serve.

Lavender Lemon Cakes with Chocolate and Whipped Cream

To be honest, this was close to be a complete fail until Ellie and Ivana showed up. I found some fresh lavender on a walk yesterday and rushed home to bake something. Minor issue: we barely have any baking supplies. I improvised a random recipe for shortbread cookies, but they ended up being too puffy - more like little cakes. So then I was sad and about to trash them, but the girls were like just frost them with something. Boom. Genius. And deliciousness was born.

Lavender-Lemon Cakes:
1 stick softened butter
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
juice of 1 lemon, zest
1 tbsp of chopped lavender

- beat up. roll into cookies. place on greased cookie sheet.
- bake at 325 for 20 mins.
- cool
- top with nutella/cocoa almond spread and whipped cream.
- boom

A Night on the Ace

My best friend, confidante, savior, etc, Rob Chua, came into town this weekend for a conference and thank god, because I needed his chill vibe for my last two days of spring break.


After a couple of hiccups, we met up Saturday afternoon and hit up Red Lion Tavern for a pitcher (The Dunkle) and pretzels before heading to the Upstairs Bar at the Ace Hotel. (Pro tip #1: the elevator up is in the back of the restaurant, LA Chapter; otherwise you have to wait in the main lobby for someone with a keycard.)



The roof is gorgeous and separated into three parts: patio with awnings, candles, tapestries, etc.; the bar area by the main elevators with tattooed, bearded mixologists; and the the pool area. (Pro tip #2: this is where they play music, but its hella breezy so bring a cardigan.)

Rob and I got IPAs (duh) and the girls got a variety of of drinks. (Pro tip #3: the well cocktails are double-digits, so you might as well get a fancy one. ya know?)

Between Ellie, Jacy, Hannah, Lauren, Becky and I, Rob had his hands full :)


We then hit up Veronica's apartment, played some Beyonce and Grant met us. We checked out Spring Street Bar and then LA Cafe for some late night eats. (omg the lobster grilled cheese).

It was lovely to bring some of my closest friends from three parts of my life together (Fullerton, Santa Cruz, and the Boise crew), and I appreciate so much the warmth and kindness they show each other.

Yesterday deserves its own blog post, so I'll hold off on that update.

xoxo

Bootlegger's and Besties

Jacy and I went to my mom's for the last two days, which meant utter gluttony - mimosas, pate, fresh bread, cheeses galore, figs, dates... just for starters. Then we had a beautiful roast chicken and watched American Idol and it was great. And Lauren came over and it made my day even better. How did I get such amazing friends and such an amazing mom and aunt? Like I literally can't even start to rationalize how I deserve such wonderful people in my life.

After stressing my mom out with work and demanding crepes, Jacy and I met Lauren for beer flights and pizza from Two Saucy Broads and Bootlegger's. Lauren like the Golden Chaos, Jacy liked the Mountain Meadow and I liked the Rustic Rye. We got the Firecrackers from TSB - bread, cheese, jalapeño, siracha and chili flakes with ranch. Yum. And then we played Jenga. Seriously such a wonderful afternoon.

Jacy and I just headed back to LA and are preparing for a trip to Villains Tavern and for work tomorrow :)

More updates to come but can I just say that I am so happy right now?