tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33074686924678046092011-07-07T21:57:03.809-07:00Discover gastronomy the natural wayUshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.comBlogger171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-7539581970642670122009-08-30T22:26:00.000-07:002010-03-05T20:02:40.589-08:00

It was a hot Sunday. There are wild fires everywhere in our state yet I am so fortunate to be close to the sea to benefit from the sea breeze and was able to enjoy the day instead of worrying about where to evacuate. Life can be so cruel. This is why it is so important to enjoying every moment. Spending the day in the back yard with such a lovely sea breeze was a choice and a blessing. BBQ

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-53256934170847535572009-08-23T21:43:00.000-07:002009-09-02T10:20:58.054-07:00

For my birthday dinner, I decided to put my recent awakening into action by making some changes with my grocery shopping habits.The ingredients were composed from last minute shopping at Venice Wholefoods Market. I was so thrilled to take the steps to make changes by selecting “local” first then “organic”. I picked a free ranged duck and some organic green figs both from local farms, some

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-74458808443394306172009-08-14T14:35:00.000-07:002009-09-02T09:30:20.391-07:00

I decided to write this after reading Financial Time, Aug 12, 09, on the analysis column, A new twist on Life. After genetically modifying our food, restricting what seeds farmers can use and when they can use them, our Frankenstein scientist are now going into the ocean to modify algae for bio fuel. Not only that, species can be converted from one to another by “genome transplant”; an

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-51177011018260899152009-08-02T20:31:00.001-07:002009-08-02T20:33:40.452-07:00

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-34145534113519697552009-07-28T16:55:00.000-07:002009-08-02T20:39:26.783-07:00

...Of course the bottle is empty...I came across this excellent wine while waiting for my girlfriend at Cafe Ugo in Culver City. It was surprisingly delightful, balanced, easy to drink yet just complex enough to challenge your palate with a refreshing finish. At $29 a bottle at Wholefoods, it will not disappoint you.

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-55888532267069367052009-07-28T16:32:00.000-07:002009-08-02T21:11:58.172-07:00

Just around noon on this beautiful summer day, my neighbor knocked on my door and asked me if I wanted some freshly caught pacific barracudas; he just came back from sport fishing trip…lucky him!As I approached his front yard, there I saw three 3-feet long strong, fresh, and handsome fish. He insisted for me to take two of them. After I took them home, I immediately cleaned them up without

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-59170015757187003392009-07-22T11:06:00.000-07:002009-07-22T11:21:17.235-07:00

We arrived at the grand and airy setting of Frida at Glendale for lunch and were welcomed by the friendly staffs. Frida at Glendale offers casual hang out for margaritas and wonderful chips and salsa, green salsa was the preferred choice for us. The service was great, decent Mexican cuisine; it makes a nice stop before or after shopping.www.fridarestaurant.comThe Americana at Brand 750

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-26500678202564476382009-02-24T19:34:00.000-08:002009-02-24T19:37:05.745-08:00

My hand chopped lamb burger was grilled to one’s liking, sandwiched between arugula, a slightly spicy herbal seasoned red sauce, and pain rustic was to die for. The skinny fries are lightly seasoned with herbal sea salt cooked to perfection, my standard, of course. I have visited Gjelina twice so far, the service is consistently impeccable yet very friendly and casual cool. The décor is arty

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-22434600630448153652009-02-19T20:44:00.000-08:002009-07-29T07:42:29.009-07:00

What I love about this place is the tasting room with automatic wine tasting stations. You can taste as many or as little wine from the tasting station as you like. The ambiance is cozy, relaxing and casual. The food was OK on the tasting room side. A great place to hang out, try some new flavors and you don't have to shout to have the conversation.

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-2442181581461962352009-02-07T20:52:00.000-08:002009-02-19T21:25:19.648-08:00

I am crazy about fish roes. These elegantly shaped herring roes can be found in most of Japanese markets in southern California. They are perfect when you feel the need to challenge your palate with an extraordinary crunchy texture.RecipeRoe DressingCaper, a fewParsley, few leaves, finely choppedPaprika, a dashOlive oil, about 2 tablespoons or as desiredZest of lemon For Salad:Micro greens, as

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-11797732267741720292009-01-08T20:16:00.001-08:002009-01-08T20:27:50.359-08:00

Thanks to the local farmer's market and the heirloom culture, we now can get carrots in fun shapes, vibrant colors with uncompromising flavors. Not only they are sexy looking and fun to cook, once you bite into them, they will change your mind about how carrots shall taste.

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-64705580688177400612008-12-19T18:15:00.000-08:002008-12-22T18:06:36.856-08:00

Roasted chestnuts remind me of the flea market at Porte de Clignancourt in Paris. As a student living in Paris, going there on a Sunday morning to meet my fellow fashion classmates for extra dose of inspiration was a ritual. As you exit the metro station and walk toward to the flea market, you will smell the wonderful roasted chestnut aroma from the street vendors, the smell of streets of Paris

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-68320731826909775102008-12-14T20:01:00.000-08:002008-12-19T19:36:07.899-08:00

One of the most precious findings at Santa Monica 3rd Street farmer’s market are those incredible black truffles. They are the best in all sizes at the beginning of the season. Pick only the larger ones toward to the end as the aroma becomes less intense.1. Cut thin slices in desired amount.2. Beat the eggs (with desired quantity) for a few seconds, add sliced truffle, pinch of salt and creme

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-14854405728412380292008-12-09T20:13:00.000-08:002008-12-20T11:24:48.228-08:00

I love autumn in Germany. During my first visit, my German husband introduced me to all the wonderful mouthwatering local dishes composed with ingredients from the harvest and hunting trophies. Wild boar is one of my favorites. Since wild boar is not easily accessible for the most of us, it is substituted here with farmed pig.This dish takes about 20 minutes to prepare.2 to 3 Small carrots,

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-38293392753042009132008-12-03T18:59:00.000-08:002008-12-05T04:32:53.560-08:00

Brownie never was on my list of favorites when I crave for sweet delectable. After moving to our new home just few miles south of the stylish urban Santa Monica, where all the fine things in life are within walking distance, to this emerging neighborhood yet still mostly is epitome of suburbia, I had trouble finding a local bakery to satisfy my cravings. There is not much here except blasé

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-2126660425655651412008-10-30T14:42:00.000-07:002008-12-05T20:28:58.838-08:00

It was the day where nothing sounds appetizing and you have no idea what your hungry for. I walked up and down the isles at Whole Foods did not find anything screams “pick me, pick me, I am soooo yummy!!”. As my husband and I continue to search for the great find of the day, he asked me if I would be up for some chicken liver. I followed the end of where his finger was pointing and there I

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3307468692467804609.post-89855575502675621842008-01-24T19:08:00.001-08:002008-12-05T20:34:17.823-08:00

Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202626343598249521noreply@blogger.com0