Paris 2013 ~ The Love Chapter

Sorry my loves its been a while since I've last posted. I went on my annual Christmas / New Year trip to Paris and wow did I come back enlightened and in love. On my trip I was able to explore a new cooking school called La Cuisine Paris and learned how to properly break down a quail, parsnips puree, and make a delicious scallop appetizer. The Chef was amazing!! I even came back home and re-created the dishes and boy did my family love it. I also have a new found love for Macaroons and went back to the World Famous Laduree which was only 3 blocks from my rented apartment. Speaking of my apartment I was only steps away from Dallayou (French House of Gastronomy) on Rue du Faugbourg Saint-Honore. Every morning I picked up a mini quiche and apple juice (jus de pomme). Who knew I would be next to this huge treasure. I think it was must have been scallop season because scallops were everywhere. However, I'm not complaining. I also found a new restaurant which was (dah dah dah) on the same block of my apartment Le Boeuf sur le Toit. It was an amazing restaurant with a live jazz singer and pianist every night. I had one of the most amazing fillet fish that I couldn't stop eating and I ended up going back for the count down for the New Year! Each Trip I am always sure to stop by Lafayette Market to pick up items that I know I can't get at home. Not only does this place have cheese tastings, wine tastings, seafood tastings it has the best spice displays I have ever seen. I wish we had a grand gourmet center in L.A. (but people don't cook and enjoy good food the way the French do). You're probably wondering how could a small person eat all of this?? I eat in moderation and I EXERCISE!! Well, It looks like I will be saving up once again because I can't imagine being any other place than Paris for Christmas.

Grub

Found a little treasure in Los Angeles called Grub. When you go to places like this... it's LA written all over it. Their cumin fennel seasoned bacon is delicious. My other suggestion is the raspberry jalapenos sparkling wine. Last but not least the patio seating sets the mood. A must go!

Halibut

Something I made to appease a craving. Want the recipe?!

Ribeye steak recipe

It's not easy finding a steak recipe that actually tastes good. Most steaks are under seasoned,  under done or over done.

Dinner for two:
Go to your local butcher or wholefoods and purchase a quality ribeye steak with the bone in. Do not substitute with bone out. 

First prepare your ingredients

2 ribeye steaks with the bone in
1 lemon zested and half lemon juiced
5 sprigs of fresh thyme leaves
5 sprigs of fresh rosemary minced
3 garlic cloves grated
1 tablespoon of kosher salt
Black pepper and red pepper
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of corriander seeds toasted in pan for 30 seconds w no oil.

Preheat grill  at 425

After ingredients have been prepared
Mix olive oil and lemon juice together and pour evenly over steaks.

Season steak with salt and pepper. Pepper steaks to taste.

Then, evenly cover the steaks with the rest of the ingredients. 

Place both steaks in zip lock bag at room temperature for 30 min along with the juices and oil.

Place on grill 6 min on each side to achieve a perfectly medium steak. You can add additional sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary once you've flipped the steak.

Remove from grill and let steak rest for at least 5 minutes to avoid juices from running.

Meet in Paris-Culver City

Mm m. The decor was very Parisian. The food was so so but what turned me off was the price of the bottomless mimosa.

Gottsui - Little Osaka

Went to Gottsui off Sawtelle in little Osaka since I have been craving yakisoba. I have mixed reviews of this place. Unfortunately whoever designed this place did not adequately install the doors correctly. Every time the staff would open and close the door a loud crack sound would scare the guest.

Food : the Yakisoba wasn't bad but it wasn't fantastic either.

The mini Ramen was delicious but if not eaten fast it quickly become cold. The broth was savory and the beef was tender. The added ginger brought the dish together.

The sukiyaki was good as well but I'm not a fan of sweet savory combinations. I will take two bites and I'm usually done.

Their signature dish Osonomiyaki..... it tasted like a deconstructed octopus ball you'd get in tokyo with a street vendor.  Its not a bad snack but not as a main entree. Its almost like having breakfast with the egg,  potato and bacon. This dish is very confusing to say the least. It was not my favorite dish.

I won't be returning unfortunately. Its not bad but not enough for me to return for a second visit.

Double Devon Cream

This sinfully rich cream is good with French toast,  wine poached pears,  fruit salads and blue berry pancakes. You can find at your local Wholefoods.

Chicken Masala

Boiling crab

Super Bowl

Had so much fun!  Menu consisted of:

The tri truffle slider - truffle burger w truffle cheese and truffle salt

Short rib slider with a slaw salad

Jazzy's fried chicken n waffles with brandy butter

Shrimp n grits

New Orleans pasta with pancetta and anduille sausage

Cran canapes with a micro green salad

Flourless chocolate cake

Banana ice cream with a ginger snap cookie

Food-storming for the Super Bowl

Caramel popcorn with vanilla salt
Truffle sliders
Pull pork sandwiches with a slaw
Fried Chicken n Waffles JK style
Curry pineapple ice cream
Pork belly

Morel sauce from France

One of my collectibles in France. I love how the French know how to add the right amount of flavor and spice. The morel sauce really brought my dinner together. I made a roasted herb chicken with aligot potatoes with morel sauce and spinach.
Tip: oven on 425 degrees. Cook for one hour. Try not to open the oven. If your oven happens to have a convection roast option use it.

Turkey pastrami

Yummm Wholefoods has Turkey Pastrami meat from the deli to die for. I toasted a french roll and made a relish to go on top.