My Afflation

I am sooooo glad to be moving back to LA! However, it won't be in time for this month's DineLA. But, if I can't help myself, there are some hotel packages good for a romantic getaway or just someplace really nice to sleep off the amazing meal. Deal: DineLA Hotel Packages For this season's Restaurant Week(s), DineLA's brought in a slew of local hotels, all of which are offering sick deals that include schmancy dinners, like a $50 food credit at the Standard, a room w/ dinner for two at the Ritz at the Marina, and an under-$200 breakfast/dinner/room package at Hollywood Heights -- so, apparently, someone did end up talking to an angel, and said angel had a really reasonable deal. (via Thrillist LA ) The full list's at DiscoverLosAngeles.com If I didn't have to worry about packing, I would definitely pack myself and The Hunk off to the Portofino in Redondo Beach or The Ritz-Carleton, Marina del Rey -- love those ocean views... Tweet Related articles Dine...

On December 2 I had the opportunity to preview Tea by the Sea  at the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. Despite being a native Los Angelina, I didn't know that this Getty existed. Like most people, I was only aware of the Getty Center off the 405. Both comprise the Getty Museum . Join the Getty Villa for Tea by the Sea , a special dining experience and garden tour inspired by the Mediterranean herbs, vegetables, and fruits that grow at the Villa. Tea by the Sea gives you the opportunity to take a vacation to Rome without leaving the city and relax while enjoying exquisite delicacies and panoramic garden views. Guests will deepen their understanding of ancient Roman Cuisine and will be indulged with a menu that includes Prosciutto and Brie with Fig Jam on Artisan Wheat Bread, Shrimp and Cucumber Tea Sandwich with Tarragon Aioli and the famous Mrs. Garrett’s Original Carrot Cake. The event will take place at the Founder’s Room, an elegant space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows o...

"How can one make friends without exquisite dishes!  It is mainly through the table that one governs!" ~ Jean-Jacques Regis de Cambaceres, French politician (1713-1824) Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.  ~Voltaire  You can read all about the gastronomical adventures in " Ganging up at Drago Centro "

I was going to do a flower arrangement because that's what first popped into my head, but then I couldn't find one that I really liked. Then I thought I would do something completely new, but again was at a loss for a subject. This morning I was making waffles. It turned out that there was 1/4 left from one and the last of the batter only made a 3/4 waffle. I put it on the plate and voila! A Pac-Man like creation "arranged" on the plate. More fun than flowers any way.

I had the most beautiful breakfast - a buckwheat flour  crêpe with fresh berries and some of the best whipped cream I have ever tasted. Great way to start the day. Now I just have to find a business center around here. I forgot to print out my itinerary for NAB Show as well as my badge info. By the way, this delightful concoction can be found at Payard in Cesar's Palace . Related articles by Zemanta Off the Menu: A Payard Cafe in the Village (dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com)

is so fresh and easy! I had a blast last Thursday night . Thank you, Oakley, for letting me be your guest. I think you have made me a convert. Can I join the monastery ? The following review is based on the NOM factor and has plenty of asides. Grab a napkin, you're going to need it for all the salivating. And now on to the important stuff, THE FOOD . First, appetizers – wine (La Giosa Prosecco – a sparkling wine, St. Helens Reisling) – there were also two types of red, but I stuck to the whites. There were also fresh veggies, pita chips, bread, cheese, and NOM artichoke dip. I’ll have to get the list from @ Fresh_and_Easy I want more of the cheese. First off, I must say that @ sallieb , @ jennifervides , and Chef Mike put me right at ease. Usually I am a wallflower, and would have waited for Oakley to show up, but they got me going right from the start (thanks guys!) It helped that the conversation revolved around food. I really love food. The wine probably helped a l...

Image by kattebelletje via Flickr In honor of all the belt-tightening going on around these days, here is a pretty tasty and filling low-cost stew. This is also a protein-rich, yet meatless, meal. (Don’t faint Rachel, there’s got to be a few vegetarian Texans by now ) . Serves 6. Ingredients 2 teaspoons vegetable or olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 3 cups water or broth of your choice 1 cup dried lentils, sorted and rinsed 2-3 medium carrots, chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (or to taste) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained Directions 1. Sautee onions and garlic in the oil 2. Stir in remaining ingredients 3. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer about 40 minutes. Serve with bread or rice.

asparagus , originally uploaded by Nannerlady . Stir-fry asparagus in olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper till just soft. NOM!

I had the most amazing dinner last night, and for once I wasn’t the cook! Oakley aka Oakmonster , made Guinness Stew and Guinness chocolate cake, and there were Irish car bombs involved. From Oak’s blog : Here's the preview of tonight's dinner for 12. Yep.   The massive vat of Guinness Stew is back.   (Not in picture, a pound of carrots. And actually, I only used 3 potatoes, one box of stock, and 1.5 bottles of Guinness.) … That's   the Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes with the Bailey's Cream Frosting   I made last year for the house party. Now I can watch my unsuspecting colleagues stumble through the office. Hehe. The dozen kids tonight, instead, will have the   Nigella's Chocolate Guinness Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting . … You MUST read the blog post she got the cake recipe from. A good read, and then good food! What could be better? Also check out Hmm…Food… Good for more mouth-watering pictures and th...

Image via Wikipedia   What was the last meal you ate out? Lunch here at work, I got a sandwich, a nectarine, and some chips from the local grocery store. If your partner or friends could take you to any restaurant you wanted (their treat), which one would it be? Outback. I <3 their salmon. There’s also this place in San Diego that serves the most succulent filet mignon, but I don’t know if they exist anymore, it’s been about 12 years since I ate there. Oh, and for dessert, Extraordinary Desserts . Buffet, take-out or sit-down restaurant? Depends on who I am with. With a growing teen, definitely buffet. Take-out during the week and sit-down for a date or hanging out with friends. What restaurant do you eat at the most? Does McDonald’s count? What type of restaurant is missing from your current town? I don’t know, I haven’t wandered around enough. from Deep In the Dish

what are you currently trying to learn/master with your cooking? Crockpot cooking of all things. Sometimes I don’t quite get it right. And pancakes. Though, after 20+ years, that might be a lost cause. where do you go for ideas for new recipes (cooking shows, cookbooks/magazines, experiment in the kitchen)? Usually things I try in a restaurant, like pho, or ethnic food. Like the empanadas . I’ll also try some of the recipes in the back of magazines. what is one thing that you make, but you don't eat? Shrimp stir-fry. Both me and my son are allergic, me mildly, him severely. But so far my estranged-dh and dd are ok. what is your biggest guilty pleasure with food? Tasting while cooking. what is one thing that your mom (or who ever taught you to cook) can make better than you? Traditional Mexican food I suppose. It’s been a while since I made huevos rancheros or chile rellenos. Now I’m getting hungry… I should stop all this food blogging.W...

With the permission of the best twitter DJ on the planet ( @adbert ), I present his yummy Receta de Empanadas: Here is my worldest famous recipe of Argentinian "empanadas." =) Empanadas are very popular all over Latin America, there are thousands of variations...Each house have 3 or 4 variants. But this one is the Best of the Best. ;-) he he he. Ingredients: Crust (Masa): ------------- - 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 1/8 -1/6 teaspoon salt - 4 ounces stick butter or margarine. The real recipe is made with "fat cow": tastiest but heavier! LOL - 1/3 cup milk Or you can buy the Crust. =P Filling (Relleno): ------------------ - 1 pound ground beef / corned beef. Mom is mom, she prefer ground beef. - 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil, olive extra virgin preferred. - 1 large onion, finely chopped. I said: Finely! - 1 red bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, finely chopped. What I said? Finely! - 2 hard cooked eggs, finely chopped. Have to explain? Fi-ne-ly! - 10 green olives, f...

deep in the dish of texas : "tuesday take 5 -- week #3 here are your five questions for this week's tuesday's take 5! thanks for everyone who has been playing along! 1. what surprises you most about your cooking? That it's actually good and some of my best meals are my "made-up" recipes. Just taking what we have on hand, not using a recipe, and combining flavors in such a way that everyone in my family will eat all the dishes. 2. what one that you have mastered cooking (that you could not cook when you started)? Pancakes. Actually, pancakes are still a work-in-progress, my kids make them better than I do, but at least I don't mix up the baking soda and baking powder anymore. 3. who was your biggest inspiration to start cooking? I started cooking out of necessity to feed a large family. Every Sunday it became my "chore" to feed 10 people. I still prefer baking, but I am a pretty good cook these days. The biggest motivation to become a better c...

from: deep in the dish of texas 1. what is one food that you refuse to try? Brussels sprouts. I had a bad experience with them as a kid and just can’t stand them now. 2. what is the one food that you like to eat, but won't make? Chorizo 3. what is the farthest you've traveled for a meal? From Hillsboro to Lincoln City for some awesome burgers and shakes at the 60s Cafe View Larger Map 4. what is the most creative/exotic meal you've ever made? Red Thai Curry Chicken 5. what is scariest (i.e. hole in the wall) place you've eaten at? Probably the ‘berto’s on Miramar near the base in San Diego. Hole in the wall, but the best burritos EVA! oh, and Chinatown Sam Woo. Not a hole in the wall, but at one point it got a “D”. Still good food.

So I'm watching and pondering a post that I have had in mind since yesterday. Because, you know, something has to change. I asked Tim to bring my scale over, he did. I got on it this morning (dripping wet as you're supposed to) and my fear was confirmed. I'm back up to 180#. I'm at least 30# overweight for my frame and height. There, I said it. My real weight. And I want to get my real weight back to 150#. Preferably between 135 and 145, that's where I felt healthiest and strongest, but 150# is doable too. That's about where I was when I was running the daycare. I am going to get rid of these rolls! Or figure out someway to move all my fat to my bustline. (Like that's ever going to happen). For the record, with both pregnancies I never got above 165#. So for me to be at 180 first thing in the morning, is ... distressing. Mainly because of all the weight-related diseases that run in my family. Diabetes. Heart diseases. High blood pressure. I want to live to ...

I wish I could post some pictures with this, but I only took some of the tiny Cornish game hens. I fit four into the roasting pan that we usually use for the turkey. Overall, it was a good, calm, quiet Thanksgiving. Totally out of character for me, but not in a bad way. AND I got to go Black Friday shopping with my mom, something we have never done before. Luckily we avoided being trampled or shot. The Menu: Cornish Game Hens Candied Yams Mashed Potatoes Roast Vegetables (corn, red potatoes, fresh green beans, crookneck squash) Wheat Rolls Cranberry Sauce No stuffing, but we had so many other starches we all agreed that stuffing was overkill. We ate late for thanksgiving, closer to 6 than 3, but in the meantime we watched Wall*E, the kids fought intermittently, I had a Mike's or two and settled into having a small Thanksgiving. And even though I could never live in Lancaster , going to my mom's always restores my spirit a little. So yes, Annette, it was ...

I'm in an odd place today. I shouldn't be stressed, but I feel a little anxious. I'm down because this Thanksgiving, like last year's, is not what I envisioned. I guess it helps some that I didn't plan ANY vision for this year. That's a lie. I had envisioned a cozy dinner at my mom's place with my kids, my nieces, my sister, and a few displaced friends. Because I always find some extra people to feed during the holidays. It's what I was raised to do. I was hoping that a good friend from Oregon would be able to make it down. He's been having a hard time and, well, misery loves company, right? Long story short, he can't make it. My sister made other plans, my nieces will be at their father's and all other family members are either in OR, Northern CA or NV and not traveling. I'm not even sure my dad celebrates Thanksgiving with his new family. We weren't invited last year and I haven't heard from him this year either. This is the...

Chenille Scarf You are bidding on a chenille scarf made from Lion Brand Chenille Thick and Quick , available in 30 colors. The winning bidder will actually have their choice of color, this is just a sample. Here is how the auction works: Please leave a comment with: your bid name and a way to contact you. The bidding will end sometime on Wednesday 11/19 and the winning bid will be announced via Twitter. You do NOT need a twitter account to qualify! You will be notified via email as well. The winning bidder will then need to pay directly to the paypal account set up on the GNO-cares page , in order to have the item shipped. Also visit Mommygossip-GNO to see other items to bid on. Opening bid is $15. Please bid in at least $1 increments.

So every Tuesday I participate in GNO on Twitter . A few of my guy friends have finally realized that they cannot tear me away from tweeting furiously with other women, especially @ sugarjones , @r ogbark , @ kitrona , and @ jyl_mommygossip . This week's Topic is Thanksgiving . We'll be exchanging recipes, talking traditions, and giving back. So even if you don't tweet think about donating to the Virtual Food Drive. Even $5 helps. Take part in the GNO Gives Back fundraiser. You may donate from November 4-21. We will collect the donations and send one large amount to FeedingAmerica.org . Technorati Tags: thanksgiving , charity , virtual food drive

Ok, so the official start of fall was Sept. 22 but in SoCal that's still summer. And up until a few days ago the weather was definitely NOT autumnal. And it was hotter in the Valley where I work. So today, it rained in the morning and stayed cloudy and cool all day long. My son made reference to how he missed Oregon and I was finally prompted to make potato soup. And so starts Autumn in the Holland household. Josh couldn't wait to dig in. Let me know if you want the recipe. Technorati Tags: potato soup , Autumn , Fall , weather Recipe : Ingredients 1 lb. potatoes cut into 1/2" cubes 2 cups water 3 cups milk 1/4 cup butter 3/4 cup celery (about 2-3 stalks) 2-3 medium carrots 1/2 cup chopped onion (or 1/2 tsp. onion powder in a pinch) 1/4 lb. bacon, about 10-12 slices (at least that's what I use) and/or sausage -- i use turkey bacon and sausage, already cooked and fit my one pot style of cooking. 3Tbs all-purpose flour salt and pepper to taste ...