What are you dreaming about?

Occasionally we review local restaurants but none like the one Sylvie at Soul Fusion Kitchen has just visited; The French Laundry in Napa Valley. This is a great post, she'd always wanted to dine there and she tells not only the menu, which is amazing, but all she had to accomplish just to get the reservations. Do give it a read.

This did bring something to mind. What would my restaurant be like, if I'd ever given it a try? If you are a foodie and you must because you're reading a food blog, or more likely, have a food blog--what would your restaurant be like? Be honest we've all dreamed of one. Would it be fancy, with a famous chef and linen napkins and a seating only by reservations made months in advance or a burger joint with one grill, you behind the grill, and a line out the door for the eleven stools at the counter? Would you serve home cookin' recipes from your grand mom or a menu like The French Laundry?

Me? A breakfast joint that also serves pie. My beloved loves pie for breakfast. I'd have specials for the day and always two or three pies to choose from. What's on the menu? The basics and don't forget the grits. Always biscuits and cinnamon rolls and pots of properly brewed tea. It would have to be small with a few tables, a counter, and a grill that was visible. Nothing like talking to the cook while while your breakfast is being prepared.

There are so many variations to choose, if you dream of opening an establishment share your dreams with us.

Vegetarians: please avert your eyes

Our crazy Californio Butchers have a different way of carving up the old beefy animal. Maybe they carve the same but they give them other names. One popular cut of meat here is the tri-tip cut. It is a lovely cut and is the best on the BBQ. I think there is a California statue preventing you from roasting it in the oven.

There is a California tradition; the Santa Maria BBQ. In this sleepy little central California town they take their outdoor BBQ seriously. On Saturdays BBQs are set up on street corners all over the town, most are used as fund-raisers, but it seems like everyone has a grill going. Some of the best are the little "mom & pop" stands. There is something so basically yummy about cooking over a wood fire.

The tri-tops are sliced thin and usually served on French rolls and no BBQ sauce, just fresh salsa. They also make this yummy little bean called the pinquito, a small pinto slow cooked and so flavorful. I drool at the thought. The entire town smells of smoke but in that fun way, not that California-brush-fire, oh my god, the-hills- are-ablaze, way.

The Gypsy Caravan will be here this weekend and I've loaded the freezer with tri-tip, an all time fav of Doodles and Mr Doodles, and we will BBQ to their hearts content. My prep is easy. A good rub either purchased or make your own. Mine has:

• Chili powder
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Spanish smoked paprika
• Ground Cumin
• Just a bit of brown sugar
• Ground Fennel
  
• Salt and Pepper

Rub down the tri tip liberally and cover and refrigerate 24 hours. I cook mine on the grill slowly in between two burners. There is a bit of fat and I don't want it to burn just slowly baste the roast. As with all meats, let it rest before slicing, Slice across the grain. Now slop on some salsa and dig in.

If you get to the Central Coast of California, Santa Maria is about an hour north of Santa Barbara, make sure it's on a weekend because there is nothing like classic Santa Maria Style BBQ.

They fatten hogs with corn, right?

High Fructose Corn Syrup, as the linked Washington Post article says, "… acts more like a fat than a sugar in your body."--is in almost everything. Lil bird made us aware of it when she tried to give HFCS up for Lent and had trouble finding simple everyday items, such as ketchup or soda, without it.

There are lots of thought on this subject and you can make up your own mind but it's good to be aware of what is going into our bodies. The article also states there are lots of contributing factors to the rise in Type 2 Diabetes but the USDA figures show the type of sweeteners consumed may help to undermine appetite control and possibly play a role in weight gain.

I did find some soda, albeit too late for the Lenten fast, and good old Trader Joe's has a HFCS free ketchup and BBQ sauce. The Jones Soda isn't bad but the colors and flavors are a bit odd. This shocking green is Green Apple and quite flavorful. The Blueberry Lemonade is an attractive pale blue but that color has always been hard to get past my lips. The Archer Farms soda came by way of a guest for dinner last week. This is carried by Target, of all places, and we enjoyed the flavors.

Of course if you just can't find a soda you like there's always this bottle in the last pix, my all time favorite, lots of fizz, no sugar--it's all turned to alcohol.

The Easter Bunny made an early visit

During one of our visits to Ft Wayne, IN Doodles and I stumbled upon De Brands, a very local boutique candy shop. They have these outrageous chocolate creations so we bought a taste for both of us. The phrase, "To die for!" doesn't do they delicacies justice. When I returned home today I found this large box on my doorstep and inside, all bundled in insulation and various layers of freezer packs, was my Easter treat from my darling sister and brother-out-law. Love them both.

Here's the conundrum; do I tell my dearly beloved, who wasn't home at the time, I recieved these? Or, eat them all myself. No, I better tell him, he'll know from my chocolate breath.

Thanks, Doodles and Norm!

tito's tacos

this is a little bit late for kitchen wench's nostalgia event, but i thought i'd get a post up before i get accused of becoming a by-stander to my own blog. due to the harmonic convergence of a relatively strong economy, an immigration system that's about to collapse and a maddeningly indifferent congress, this little parakeet found herself at the office quite a bit during the month of march preparing to file a bunch of cases for delivery to uscis on april 2. now that's over and done, i can come up for air again and maybe even start posting again once in a while. hopefully my new adventure in patio container gardening will provide some good post fodder!

anyway, on to the nostalgia. as we had some tito's tacos yesterday while we were watching the game that shall remain nameless, it reminded me that we here at pbe have never done a write up on this so-cal institution.


mecca

in business at (almost) the same location in culver city since the 60s, tito's tacos has a short menu - hard shell tacos, burritos, rice and beans - and long lines. there's also some other stuff, like tamales, on the menu, but don't waste your time. you cannot drive by tito's on a weekend and not see the four lines at the front window stretched all the way to the curb. it's definitely not fancy and some people would say they're not even real tacos (ahem, bandini), but i beg to differ on that last point...and the people keeping the lines long would probably tend to agree with me. these tacos really hit the spot sometimes, especially if you grew up with them. they haven't changed since i've been eating them (and that's basically since i was in utero). i'm sure doodles and mooncrazy would agree with that assertion. in fact, when doodles comes to town, it's the first place we stop on the way home from the airport!


tacos in situ

the best part about tito's, though, is the salsa. it's nothing fancy, but the flavor is great, with tomatoes, onions and jalepenos chopped really fine (probably milled?), and the tacos just aren't complete without them.


salsa and beans

and it really is a so-cal experience. in fact, i'm sure huell howser's done a show on it! you'll see all types of people in line: old people, young people, rich people, poor people, black, white, asian, hispanic, you name it...everyone comes to tito's and they all want the same two things: to eat a taco and for the person in front of them in line not to have a big order!

Hats off to Johnnies

Christine, one of our foodie friends on La Vida Dulce has a post on The Hat and even though I think it's one of the better fast food "joints" in Southern California I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Johnnies Pastrami. You see, Doodles and I, and then lil Bird, grew up eating there. They are truely a mid-century classic complete with neon and and a working juke box at your table.

Not living close I get my pastrami fix from The Hat, there's one in Simi, but just the thought of Johnnies, that greasy joint, makes my arteries quiver, hmmmmm, onion rings. Philly might have their cheese steaks but The Hat and Johnnies have the market on pastrami.

After you order, from some of the oldest waitresses I've ever seen, they bring you this wonderful bowl of cold kosher pickles. Eating three or four is a must, then a rootbeer, pastrami, and onion rings. I don't know what is better. Well maybe Tito's around the corner but that's for another post.

Johnnie's Pastrami
4047 Sepulveda Blvd (cross street: Washington Place)
Culver City, California 90230

A little bit of heaven in LA

Another of Doodles "must-haves" was a trip to Cielito Lindo, a taquito joint in Olivera Street which is about as downtown as you can get in LA. If you ever get to LA it should be a must. Click the link for an earlier post.


So we're there and had to browse the touristy shops a bit and found a few trinkets for Little Bird, how we wished she could have joined us, and had to buy some Jamoncillo, one of my favorite Mexican candy. I'm looking for a recipe if anyone has it. It's a milk fudge and it should be simple. That only left eating lunch at Cielito Lindo's.

Lunch is pretty simple, three taquitos, guacamole and beans. Their guacamole is different, more of a green chile tomantillo sauce with some kick. It's thin and powerful. For years I tried to copy the recipe then gave up. Why would I want to ruin the experience? We've been going there for the taquitos con guacamole since 1957, and I think they'll be here for another fifty years. It is reassuring that it hasn't changed a bit, nothing. Well, about twenty years ago they did get radical and offer tamales, they are good as well but way too filling. I'd rather eat the taquitos.

Fill'er up, ma'am?

Doodles and Mooncrazy are back, well sort of. We've been doing a bit of resteraunt review and a whole lot of eating.

A review for Ford's Filling Station in Culver City caught my attention in a recent issue of Sunset Magazine. I knew I'd seen that name and then remembered it was just west of Surfas in Culver City. I made a mental note to include that in our food explorations while sister Doodles was in town. Last night we were in LA and looking for dinner and we were not disappointed.

A small menu but everything sounded so tasty it was hard to decide. Doodles chose the Flat Iron Steak with spinach souffle and I settled with a Porterhouse Pork Steak and mashed potatoes. These were both fantastic choices. The steak was so tender it literally melted in your mouth and the pork, though not as tender, had such a wonderful rich flavor. I tried to eat it all, we both did the there was quite a generous portion of meat on both so of course some came home.

Desert? Of course. We tried the rhubarb crisp with vanilla cream. Quite tasty. The service is good with the manager coming by more than once to check up on us. Nate, what a nice guy and I hope he finds his Utili-kilt soon.

They don't have a website but there's loads of parking around the corner in a two-story structure with two free hours. And although we got there early, before 6:30, should make reservations. Near 7:00 it was filled and this was a Wednesday night.

9531 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 877-243-0925

Now we've done quite a bit of tasting so far and will have some posts on that but we both need to get back to cooking. Funny how you crave a little stove time on vacation.

Stay tuna'd

Castro couldn't get better food

Weekly Dish is collecting a list of favorite summer drinks so stagger on over and see how she cools off.

I'm a fan of the sangria at the Cuban restaurant Versailles in Culver City so went looking for a recipe and Little bird came up with this one. It's been so hot and while cleaning out a drawer I found this recipe and doesn't a nice fruity sangria sounded refreshing? YES!

This great Cuban joint is quite the establishment in LA and I read a review that said, Versaille is Jerry's Deli with a twist of lime. You'd have to be a local to get that one. If you live in LA and you've not been to one of their four establishments, what the hell are you waiting for?

Enjoy a bit of Cuba and don't throw out the fruit, it's the best part. I add different fruit depending on the season. I've got some very ripe apricots that will be taking a dip today. I've also been known to add a splash of club soda. This is enough for a party of drinkers or if it's really hot … well, it does keep for a day or two.

3/4 cup simple syrup
2 bottles red wine
3/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup triple sec
3/4 cup orange juice
2 peaches, sliced
2 lemons, sliced

Blend and refridgerate 2 hours or two days. I put a little ice in mine because I like it cold.

Support your local tomato

For the past year we've been visiting the Thursday Farmer's Market in the town next door. Only about 20 miles but hey, one does get lazy. In Bakersfield, our Saturday morning visit to the local was less than a mile. So when I heard lil old Simi Valley was getting their own and it is less than a mile from me, I was thrilled.

I was less that thrilled with the vendor turnout but am not giving up hope this being the first day and all. Not the variety I was looking for and it's not organic but it is fresh and close and I can still find my way to the Thursday showing.

I am so willing to pay more for fruits and veggies that have been picked locally. I found some gorgeous beefstake tomatoes and peaches that were firm but not still green.

If you have a local farmer's market, support it, even though it might be a bit puny, give them the encouragement to have more. The crap they push in the big mega-markets these days is a shame. Picked too early to have any flavor and travels enough to have bonus miles. I understand that two heads of lettuce vacationed to Rome on the miles they racked up.

Farmer's Market visit

Was able to get a few things there yesterday. The cantaloupe tastes like little sugar balls they are so sweet. So thinking that would compliment my gorgonzola cantaloupe salad - think I'll resurrect that little gem.

Blueberries are a favorite and these I noticed were Carolina grown as are the peaches. So thank you to the Carolina's for growing some wonderful goodies.

Now should I have blueberries with my
cereal or cereal with my blueberries?


Another thought is that I came across somewhere in my food blogland travels, a recipe for blueberry chipotle BBQ sauce. Thought that might have a possibility. I'll share when I find it.
stay tuna'd....................

If you have a recipe for Blueberry Chipotle BBQ sauce e-mail it to us and we'll post it.

the farmers market

i hereby decree that the next topic of discussion shall be the farmers market. do with it what you will.

Sherman, set the Wayback machine for 1957

I have recipes that are my "go to" comfort foods but the food that brings a smile is from an ancient Mexican food stand in downtown Los Angeles' Olvera Street. Reportedly the first street in Los Angeles, Olvera Street is filled with little stalls selling a variety of tourist trade items, two actual restaurants, and a few food stands . Cielito Lindo is a favorite. A small menu and even smaller space produces food that has been same for the forty-nine years we've been going there.

The place has always been crowded and parking a challenge but when I was a child Dad would let Mom off and circle the block, once--sometimes twice until she'd gotten our order and navigated back to the curb with sacks full of taquitos, sauce and bottles of soda. The taquitos sat in a thin guacamole, uniquely their own, so good I could eat it with a spoon and have, on occasion, tipped the paper container to drain it of the last drops. The first crunchy bite was filled with flavors new to a young Indiana girl, spicy but easily quenched with a cold drink of soda. Heaven.

I've tried to replicate the guacamole but coming close I gave up. I'd hate to miss the whole experience which is more than taste because I take one bite and I'm transported back into an eight-year-old in the back seat of her parent's '57 Mercury with a bottle of orange soda and a taste of Los Angeles.

japanese tapas?

went to a great restaurant in the micro tokyo area of l.a. last night called orris. it's a japanese restaurant, kind of asian-french fusion with a tapas, small plates format. they have counter seating and some tables. not a big restaurant by any means. kitchen is open, surrounded by the counter, in a sort of sushi bar style. we had tuna tartare (off menu special) and asparagus salad to start. then, dungeness crab cakes, grilled vegetables and venison (another off menu special) for the "entree." the asparagus salad was a standout, with a mayonnaise based taragon dressing and toasted hazelnuts. the crabcakes were my favorite hot item; they were almost all crab, with just a little crust on the outside, well seasoned, really allowing the sweet crab to stand out. the venison was pretty tasty, with small strips pan seared, served moist and tender with a red wine reduction. we polished off a bottle of argentinian malbec, which isn't on their online wine list, so i unfortunately can't tell you the name of the winery (because i certainly can't remember it after splitting the bottle). for dessert, we had a napoleon type arrangement with layers of fried wonton skins and fresh fruit and cream and topped with a carmelized poached pear. my friend thought the pear was canned, i couldn't decide. the ambience was nice, if a little cramped. the wait staff was knowledgeable about wine and the menu and very nice (we got a free round of moscato with dessert after my friend got bonked on the head by the waiter). timing of the "courses" was done very well, not a lot of waiting around but not rushed either. all in all, a very enjoyable meal.