Echo Park - Dinette

Despite my conflicted feelings about gentrification, I meandered down to Dinette in Echo Park for breakfast. My flexible schedule means I get to take advantage of food offerings and morning jaunts that I normally would not have.


Sophs and I picked up a latte and an amazing croque monsieur. MIND BLOWN.

Let's go over the reasons why I love this place:

1. The Croque Monsieur was comparable to the ones I'd get in Paris, perfectly toasted, great use of herbs, nicely done béchamel, and quality ingredients, and was served piping hot with a side salad. I impressed with the execution and the portion. Win. A must-try. Delicious.

2. The ambiance. Even the slightly irritated, tatted up, apron wearing barista was a good fit for the chipper industrial chic window cafe. The shiny, crisp display with an abundance of freshly made pastries was perfection.

3. The heating lamps. It actually fell below 65 today and walking down with Sophie, I had my doubts about how comfortable the outdoor seating situation would be. (They only have outdoor seating btw.) They have heating lamps. Stop. I can't even. I enjoyed my breakfast without frostbite.

They offer a range of hot breakfast items, sandwiches for lunch, and delicious looking pastries. I definitely recommend it for a quick bite to eat.

Afterwards, Sophs and I stopped at her favorite dog treat store, Blue Collar, to pick up a jerky treat, which she demolished before I even paid. They had been closed on our way down and she was quite disgruntled. Then we did a quick Elysian Park hike and here I am, doing some work/playing with the new instagram filters.

Roasted Garlic/Veg and Caramelized Onions with Spicy Italian Sausage Penne

I'm in a comfort food mood. (The real question is when am I not in a comfort food mood?) Yesterday my mom asked me to prepare something hearty for a late lunch and as the dutiful house-daughter, I was happy to oblige. Afterwards, Lauren and I hit up the Anaheim Packing District for ice cream sandwiches and girltalk. Quite a nice day all in all.

I sort of threw this together and it turned out surprisingly well. *Pats self on the back*.

The recipe: 
*for three to four people

- 1 zucchini, chopped up in bite sized pieces
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 eggplant, peeled and chopped up in bite sized pieces
- 1 red onion, sliced
- a couple of tablespoons of butter
- one large hot italian sausage, removed from casing
- one can of diced tomatoes
- 2 anchovies (optional, but yum)
- olive oil
- four or five big basil leaves, julienned
- a small, small handful of parsley, minced for garnish
- penne pasta, 3-4 large handfuls (for three people)
- chili flakes, thyme, oregano, black pepper, salt

Directions:

1. Throw the sliced onion on low-medium heat with salt and pepper and butter in heavy saucepan until caramelized (15-20 mins)
2. Roast garlic cloves, zucchini and eggplant with olive oil, salt, pepper and chili flakes (400 degree until soft, about 20-30 mins) -> you may have to flip over the veg halfway through to cook evenly
3. In a large saucepan, put in about three tablespoons of olive oil with basil on low heat. Let the basil infuse into the oil for about 10 minutes.
4. Toss in Italian sausage and anchovies and sear with basil oil on medium/high heat.
5. Once this is done, add the can of tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes (medium heat)
6. Toss in caramelized onions and roasted veg and garlic and a few dashes of chili flakes, oregano, and thyme. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10-15 minutes on low heat.
7. Toss with penne and garnish with parsley.

*My family eats more sauce than pasta, so you may need to adjust the recipe to fit that. :)

"Healthy" Whole Wheat Coconut Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips + A Magic Trick to Ripen Bananas

This weekend was so fun, between beer tasting with my mom, sushi with Lauren, Seven Grand with Becky to celebrate Kayla's birthday, hiking with the pups, the LA IPA Festival at Mohawk Bend (yum Ladyface and Smog City), partying in Echo Park with Rob and co., brunch at Modern Eats, a play, "Stage Beauty," with Lauren and the fam, drinks at the Old Ship and other merriment, I needed a day off to decompress. 

 I've been really enjoying everything right now, even though finding the right fit for work is a bit difficult. I've been trying to slow down my days and figure what I'm really meant to do. Anyway, I've been craving banana baked things. So I woke up this morning and decided to make banana bread BUT we didn't have any ripe bananas.


Have no fear! 

PRO-TIP: I popped the four bananas in the oven at 300 degrees for roughly 40 mins, until they were blackened on the outside, and mushy on the inside.  Let cool before mixing in to the bread.

Whole Wheat Coconut Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips
* Adapted from How Sweet Eats

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
2 large eggs
1/2 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1/3 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup coconut oil, softened
4 bananas, mashed
1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 bag chocolate chips

Directions:

- Mix up the dry ingredients

- Mix the wet ingredients

- Mix together everything, don't beat too much otherwise the gluten makes the bread tough

- Put in greased 9x5 pan (I used coconut oil)

- Bake at 325 degrees for 75 minutes, until knife came out clean

- Let cool

- Slice and inhale

Grey Day Comforts + a Bacon Recipe

The last few days have been an emotional roller coaster. Between making hard choices about what I want to do with my life, discovering new things about people in my life and what to do with that information, and trying to get Sophie to pee in the rain, it has been a long week. Margs with Christina, a delicious dinner at Tar and Roses with Alene, and finally being sworn in as a licensed attorney have certainly been cushioning the dreariness however along with truffle goat cheese pizza making and hiking with Jacy and Evan.

[I would like to add that I have been feeling disillusioned and disappointed with both the Ferguson and Garner cases as well as with UVA revelations. However, this blog has never been my venue to discus my political and social beliefs. It is important, however, for me to acknowledge that these events have affected me deeply.]

But on to other things. I want to practice a bit more gratitude in looking at the things in my life that are good and sharing them with you :)

1. My Bacon Sandwich Brunch

I've been enjoying my mornings with my mom, over good coffee and discussions about politics, which sometimes get a bit heated. It's also my opportunity to cook, since Jas doesn't invade the kitchen until later in the day. Today, I made the following breakfast sandwich, which was delicious - it has rosemary, chili bacon, with sriracha mayo, lettuce, a fried egg, grilled onions and melted aged English cheddar cheese.

Recipe (if you can call it that):
- Sriracha mayo: 1 tbsp of mayo mixed with sriracha to taste
- Bacon (fried in fresh rosemary and chili flakes until crispy)
- Fried egg (obviously over-easy)
- French bread, toasted with your favorite cheese
- Onions, fried in the bacon fat
- Some organic, washed lettuce (arugula would be great too)

Assemble. Inhale.

2. Reading Longread's Best of 2014.
Great long-form narratives. I've especially liked "The Murders at the Lake" by Michael Hall. It's totally like Serial except in magazine form. Also, Like Malone's "You’re 16. You’re a Pedophile. You Don’t Wantto Hurt Anyone. What Do You Do Now?" It's a sympathetic look at individuals who are often reviled. It is sensitively done and interesting. Definitely a must-read.

3. Being inspired by ClosetVisit at the recommendation of my friend Machiko. 
It's become my addiction and style inspiration. The blog documents the style, closets, homes and inspiration of interesting and trendsetting women, including film directors, travel bloggers, designers and photographers.

4. Beverages of all kinds.

This sounds dumb, but omg, this week has been winning. I've had a host of high quality and comforting drinks this week. You must try the:

- Lavender-whiskey cocktail at The Edison
- The mocha at Modern Eats (a new brunch place, which also has amazing fennel sausage)
- The coffee at Woodcat Coffee in Echo Park. I thought this cafe was silly for opening up down the street from Stories, but the quality is superb and the vibe super chill.
- The Breathe Easy tea from Traditional Medicinals to ward off any winter blues.

5. The coming weeks.

Despite my uncertain future, the next few weeks are looking fun and relaxing, with the IPA Fest tomorrow at Mohawk Bend, birthday celebrations in DTLA tonight for my friend Kayla, holiday parties, brunch plans with my former co-clerks, baking days and girls' nights. I'm trying to take the advice of my mom and family friend Katherine, that I should soak up this low-key time and enjoy myself. Which is exactly what I plan on doing.

xx