Girls on Film: Buzzfeed's PB&J Challenge

Here's a fun video I got to do for Buzzfeed Food! I had so much fun with this crew and look forward to hopefully shooting with them again!

  How to Hack Your PB&J

Here's a BTS look at the shoot:

Living in Venice, I rarely get to see the Hollywood sign. So that was encouraging to see before the shoot. 

My producer and friend Ely Wilbur setting up the shot. We got the shoot at a rad Hollywood Hills house that Buzzfeed operates out of. 

Ely setting up the shot on the "Banana Hammock". 

My pal Chris Miller noshing on the Eggo PB&J.

The Grilled PB&J, so gooey, so yummy...

Justin Dailey getting himself prepared for the next concoction as Ely films. 

Seems weird, right? It was actually the most popular with us. The peanut butter cuts the saltiness from the chips and pickles but it remains an oddball mix of flavors.

Thanks for stopping by Foodies!

Sunday Girl: La Petite Creperie and Mar Vista Farmer's Market

What's up Foodies? 

The transition from Seattle to LA was a tough one on me and I wasn't able to get out and enjoy tasty morsels as much as I wanted to. Now that I'm a bit more settled (I've got a great day-job and a gym to burn those problematic calories) I can venture out and have some new experiences. 

I'm sure some of the readers will disagree with me, but I feel like LA is a bit of an over-rated city when it comes to food. First off, LA is so huge and the traffic gets so crazy, it's tough to venture out far. I currently live in Venice and the thought of driving to Silverlake to try some of it's top places seems dreadful. Although I love living on the Westside, it's easy to get bored with the food here. Santa Monica is too touristy, Venice's Abbot Kinney is out of my price range (there are some good reasonably priced eats on Main Street which I'll write about soon) and although I adore cocktails from the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey, most restaurants have been nothing to write about. 

Mar Vista is a small residential and commercial neighborhood West of Venice. It reminds of Downtown Roseville, which is where I grew up, outside of Sacramento. There are cute shops, cafes and restaurants within walking distance of each other on Venice Blvd. Mar Vista seems to have a family/community type feel to it after researching it online. I found a cute Creperie there and I'm becoming a bit of a regular there now. What girl isn't a sucker for a Provencal-style cafe with a hint of shabby-chic whimsy to it? 

La Petite Crêperie

lpcmarvista.com

3809 Grand View Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066

Poulet à La Crème 

I was in the mood for a savory crepe and the Poulet à La Crème was just what I needed. This is a different presentation than what I was expecting (ingredients folded into crepe) and I didn't know it was going to be a Wheat Crepe mix used. Luckily, looks are deceiving because this was just as good as eating a stuffed crepe and the wheat adds a grainy texture that I now prefer over the standard crepe mix. The Crème Fraîche sauce is very rich and seemed to have a great white wine taste to it. The Chicken is also perfectly cooked and soaks up the Crème Fraîche sauce. There's also enough sauce to mix into the mixed green salad it comes with.  

A la Banane

The second time I went it I asked the server what the most popular item outside of crepes was and he recommended the A la Banane; which is French Toast smothered in a Brown Sugar and dark Rum sauce, topped with Bananas, Hazelnuts and imported Marscarpone cheese. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but how could I resist this? It's like a breakfast version of Banana's Foster. This was very delicious but I think it covered a year worth of sweets for me. Their menu is online and I'm looking forward to trying the Pommes and the Saumon Fumé. 

 Blue Flowers - From Mar Vista Farmer's Market

Mar Vista Farmer's Market 

Sundays, 9 AM - 2 PM

Grand View Ave and Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006

One thing I really miss about Sacramento and Seattle are their great Farmer's Markets. It's a Sunday morning tradition for me; eat a good meal, get fresh local produce and if I have a few extra bucks, some pretty flowers. It's also fun to build bonds with the vendors so they hook you up with the best items. In LA, most people flock to the Santa Monica Farmer's Market on Wednesday mornings. I find it incredibly over-whelming. There are way too many people and vendors crammed together- I get claustrophobic! I also heard a story about a person driving through the market and injuring people. I know it's an irrational fear, but...

I recently discovered the Mar Vista Farmer's Market (http://www.marvistafarmersmarket.org/) and it has become my Sunday morning ritual. The Farmers are very friendly and they offer plenty of samples. In addition to farmers, there are plenty of activities to keep kids busy and cute kitchen accessories, there are also a lot of food vendors with plenty of hot goodies you can munch on while shopping. A few of my favorite things are below. 

Ring Baked Tofu Donuts

I'm going bonkers trying to find any contact info for this business! Such a shame because the Red Velvet was so delicious. Ever since I started working behind the camera donuts have been my enemy. They're usually greasy and gross. These baked Tofu Donuts where light, lightly sweet and don't weigh you down after consumption. If anyone out there has contact info for this business let me know. I want to try the Green Tea donut. 

Dairy Goddess Farmstead Cheese

http://dairygoddess.com

I tried them all and not only are all of them fantastic spreads THEY'RE ALL UNDER 30 CALORIES PER SERVING!!!!!!!

I never thought I'd see the day I'd post low-calorie food but I guess there's a first time for everything. The kind gentleman working the stand started me on the Naked spread, so I could taste the base, a savory Fromage Blanc. Then he had me try all of them. I walked with the "The Valley", which is a spread with Peaches, Almonds and sweetened with Honey. This is a great addition to Non-Fat Greek Yogurt and to dip your Strawberries in. I also walked with the "Ol West" spread with bits of real bacon and ranch flavoring. I have used this spread to dip Bellpeppers in but it's also perfect (and guilt-free) on-top of a baked potato.  

MASA - Artisan Gourmet Tamales

http://www.masatamales.com

I picked up a bag of MASA's Goat Cheese Corn and Jalapeno Tamales but was a little concerned they'd dry out when I tried to heat them up. What I did was put the tamales (keep corn wrapper on) on a plate and put about 2 tablespoons of water on the plate. Also, lightly dampen a paper towel and wrap it around the plate. This way it steams in the microwave and keeps all the flavors succulent inside. The Goat Cheese was a bit of a risk since I am so used to a traditional Mole or Verde mixture inside. These were great tamales though and can't wait to pick up the Spicy Chickpeas and Guatemalan Rice Tamales next trip. 

Drinking My Way Through Portland...

I finally made it to Portland! Once my bucket list for this culinary mecca became too ridiculous to ignore I called my sister and the next thing I know we're sipping champagne waiting for our flight. Armed with an extensive list of places to enjoy thirty exquisite meals should we please on our three-day jaunt, we were prepared to eat well. (And, we did.) It was the cocktails that took us by surprise. 

Of course they were great, but it was the sheer abundance that blew us away. There is a vegan, gluten-free bakery with a cocktail menu. Let that sink in for a second because it took us a beat to fully grasp it when we wandered in... A VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE BAKERY WITH A BAR. Half the restaurants in Sacramento are only licensed for beer and wine! Impressive Portland.   

Below is a collection of my favorite sips in a city I can't wait to taste again... 

The Last Word
Aviation Gin, Maraschino Liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse, Lime Juice
@ Brasserie Montmartre

This is a prohibition-era cocktail, usually made with green chartreuse, and it's fantastic. It's not for everyone though. (My sister hated it.) If you're not a gin fan, this is not the drink that will win you over. It is herbaceous. And strong. But still a little sweet and very interesting. Bronx Cocktail, you've now been demoted to number two on my list. 

New Horizons
Bulleit, Canton Ginger, Cucumber, Fresh Citrus,  Ginger
@ Departure

In general, I'm not big on bourbon. I tend to like it better in dessert than a glass but cucumber and ginger can be pretty convincing. This one is incredibly refreshing and the best part: it's served on a rooftop patio with an incredible view of the city, alongside killer happy hour bites. 

Bottle Rocket
Gin, Lime, Apricot Liqueur, Soda, Lime Peel
@ Clyde Common

Attention fellow Gin & Tonic fans: Immediately stock your home bar with apricot liqueur and make the switch. That is all. 

Bitter Spring
Aperol, Lillet, Grapefruit, Celery Bitters, Sparkling Wine, Orange Twist
@ Olympic Provisions

If you love mimosas, stay away from this. It will ruin them for you. Aperol, Lillet, Grapefruit Juice? Yes. Celery Bitters?? YES! 

I can't move on without mentioning two things: 1) Brunch here was simple and legendary. I had the sudden urge to move here with every bite. 2) The other drink in the picture is a tequila cocktail, that my sister ordered for breakfast. I was proud. 

Tom Kat Sour
Hayman's Old Tom Gin, Aperol, KASK Ginger Syrup, Lemon, Mint
@ KASK

This is a terrible photo but I had to include it in the list because it was taken at the best bar in Portland! Granted, I've only tried three days worth of bars there but I'm near positive this would be confirmed by locals. 

Water Lily 
Aviation Gin, Cointreau, Rothman and Winter Creme de Violette, Lemon Juice
@ Petunia's Pies & Pastries

And now we've arrived at the infamous vegan, gluten-free establishment with a full line of dessert cocktails... This one is definitely dessert, very sweet. Normally this wouldn't be my cup of tea but just look how cute it is! The bakery is adorable too, don't let the vegan part deter you. 

Passionfruit Berliner Weisse in Coconut Water Sorbet
a ribbon of marmalade made from passionfruit and
Breakside Brewery's "Passionfruit Berliner Weisse," in a coconut water sorbet
@ Salt & Straw

Since this blog is technically about food I feel the need to include at least one thing you can nosh on. Of course, in true Portland style even the ice cream celebrates the hard stuff...

This was one of SIX beer-infused flavors! We stood in a line that ran down the block, sweating, doubting it would be as good as everyone says but, like you may have guessed, we were wrong. And in case you're thinking I got lucky with the one flavor I ordered, I should admit that I sampled eight others in line. (Don't judge.) They were all amazing and obviously this place knows how to churn out a profit by the look of the lines but the most impressive thing to me was to see a love for beer so strong on both sides of the counter that over a third of the menu was dedicated to it. You've got your priorities in line Portland. I like your style.  

The Catbird Seat

The Catbird Seat 

1711 Division Street 

Nashville, TN 

thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com

Your adventure begins thirty days out at midnight, when they open up the reservations online. Yes, you should wait up for this. The thirty-two seat restaurant fills up fast! Once you book all you need to do is show up a month later, prepared to be swept away by three hours of fabulous food, drink and five-star treatment by some of the best chefs on the planet. 

The menu is ever-changing so your experience will be different but here's a peek at the kinds of delights that await you from the night I was sittin' pretty in The Catbird Seat... 

Savory "Oreo"
porcini mushroom cookie with parmesan cream filling

For me, it was love at first sight. This grew stronger with the first bite. Apparently I'm a sucker for clever, delicious takes on popular snack foods because I fell hard for you right away with this one Catbird. And it just got better from there. 

Left: Scallop Cone (parmesan cream, roe, chive)
Middle: Jelly Roll (jalapeno jelly, cream cheese)
Right: Hot Chicken (crispy hot chicken skin with Wonder Bread purée)

Picture a scallop, in every form you've ever eaten one. Now, picture turning it into a waffle cone. Insane, yes? And incredible. As was the whimsical jelly roll and their version of the Nashville favorite "hot chicken." 

Heart of Palm Salad
coconut, pineapple, habanero, nasturtium 
  
Pairing: Joel Falmet Brut Rose - Champagne, France

Sake Cocktail
TY KU, gin, ginger, lemon

As you enjoy the last of your champagne a new cocktail promptly arrives to accompany the rich dish below. My favorite sip of the evening. 

Monkfish Liver
steel head roe, spring onion, ponzu, cucumber, avocado 

   

Shrimp & Onion
truffle, celery, crispy potato, lemon, tarragon 
   

Pairing: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi "Podium," Garofoli 2009 

Grilled Chicken
red pepper, broccoli, oyster mushroom, pea purée
   
Pairing: Penner-Ash Pinot Noir 2010 - Willamette, OR

This was a crowd favorite. The chicken was deboned and pressed together mixing the white and dark meat so you get a bit of both.

Veal Tender
swiss chard, potato, oyster cream agnolotti, parsley, lemon 
   

Pairing: Le Grand Bouqueteau Reserve Chinon 2009 - France

I know the veal is supposed to be the star of the show here but the oyster cream agnolotti with lemon dots completely upstage it. Two of the most memorable bites of the evening. 

Hudson Red
mustard seeds, fried shallots, cornichon, honey vinegar, 
beer & pretzel mustard
   
Pairing: Shneider Weisse, Hopfen-Weisse - Germany 

This was the most stunning cheese dish I've had in quite some time. It's a semi-soft cow's milk cheese that is incredibly rich, elevated by all of the flavors on top. 

Coconut

Coconut - Inside
milk chocolate ice cream, coconut, eucalyptus crisp,
sweet plantain, tangerine

Egg
bacon, maple, thyme, custard 

Bourbon
pineapple gelee, vanilla cake, cherry crisp, 
charred oak ice cream, bourbon beads
   
Pairing for Desserts: Royal Tokaji 2008 in a glass soaked with 
Black Maple Hill Bourbon

The entire night I couldn't help but feel that this restaurant just completely gets me, as if they had me in mind when designing the menu. This feeling grew stronger at the tail end of the dinner, when they served cheese followed by three courses of dessert. 

The filling in the coconut, unexpected and refreshing. The bacon in the egg, paper thin and delicate. The bourbon beads, a playful surprise. And wine in a bourbon-soaked glass? Genius.

Sweet "Oreo"

chocolate cookie with espresso cream

Oh, and before you go they end the meal as cleverly as they began it - with a parting Oreo, this time sweet. 

SF Eats: Nopalito

I've lived in California all my life. This has influenced me in many ways: I talk fast, say the word "like" more times than I'll ever admit, and I have a deep, undying love for Mexican food. It makes up a solid 60% of my dining out experiences as it is and if I lived a little closer to this place, that number would skyrocket... 

306 Broderick St. - San Francisco
nopalitosf.com

It's a quaint, casual spot with a menu meant for sharing and a small but potent cocktail list. The margaritas are a given but I found this little gem to be the perfect way to kick off the meal:

El Diablo
Pueblo Viejo Blanco, Cassis, Bundaberg Ginger Beer, Lime

Totopos con Chile
Tortilla Chips, Salsa de Arbol, Cotija Cheese, Crema and Lime 

It's hard to go wrong with their sustainable, organic menu but there are two things you shouldn't skip out on. The first is this incredible take on "nachos." The chips are drenched in the fiery salsa and the cool sour cream with fresh lime is the perfect complement. You'll be tempted to resist this one so as not to "fill up" before the main courses, but my advice? Just come hungry! You won't want to miss out on anything because it's all spectacular...

Ceviche Verde de Pescado
Marinated Fish, Lime, Tomatillo, Jalapeno, Cilantro, Avocado

Empanada con Desebrada de Res
Fried Masa Pastry, Grass-Fed Beef, Tomato, Jalapeno, Cabbage, Avocado,
Queso Fresco and Salsa Frita de Guajillo 

Carnitas
Braised Pork, Orange, Bay Leaf, Milk, Cinnamon, Beer, Cabbage Salad,
Pickled Jalapeno and Salsa de Tomatillo 

Carnitas is basically my favorite thing on every menu it makes its way onto, and it's especially good here. The same goes for ceviche. I've ordered both every visit and plan to continue this trend. 

Whatever you choose though, be sure to pace yourself because the second thing you mustn't skip out on (no matter how much you've had to eat or drink) is dessert. 

Mexican Coffee: Siete Leguas Anejo, Araku, Whipped Cream, Orange, Canela
Popsicles: Cafe con Leche & Dark Chocolate Cinnamon

The popsicle flavors rotate but the dark chocolate cinnamon has been on the menu every time I've been and it's incredible. They also serve Blue Bottle coffee, which is fantastic by itself but I highly recommend the tequila spiked version above. I'm not really a "dessert cocktail" type of person, shy away from the sweet drinks for the most part, but this is one I could begin AND end every day with. 

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Oh, and did I mention dessert comes in two courses? They save their amuse-bouche for the end of the meal! This single, perfectly crumbly bite will put a smile on your face as you walk out the door, already dreaming about your next trip back.

Facebook Friday: Tabitha Bastien's Ice Cream Cone Vegan Cupcake & Vegan Frosting Recipe

You ever see pictures of amazing looking food on Facebook but don't see a recipe? I'm taking it upon myself at Girls on Food to start asking for the actual recipes so we can all recreate them. This week's  image and recipe comes from Seattle actress/musician Tabitha Bastien. Tabitha and I both appear in the indie horror film "The Anniversary" (which you can read about and watch the trailer here: http://www.facebook.com/TheAnniversaryMovie). 
Although we shot separate scenes, we became social media pals through promoting the film. In addition to performing, Tabitha is very passionate Vegan and Animal Rights Activist. When I saw these adorable ice cream cone cupcakes on her Facebook page, I had to get the recipe from her. Although I love my meat and dairy, I also love my veggies and trying out different Vegan recipes. I don't know if I could permanently make the transition right now, but after seeing I could still enjoy a creamy, chocolaty dessert... it could happen. 

Ice Cream Cone Vegan Cupcake Recipe:

For my fun Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes, I started with the basic vegan chocolate cupcake recipe from the book "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World" as the base of the cake and they turned out delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

•Ice Cream Cones (box of 12 flat bottom cones)
•1 cup soy milk
•1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
•3/4 cup granulated sugar
•1/3 cup canola oil
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1/2 teaspoon almond extract, chocolate extract, or more vanilla extract

•1 cup all-purpose flour
•1/3 cup cocoa powder, Dutch-processed or regular
•3/4 teaspoon baking soda
•1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•Vegan Frosting (See below - Pillsbury has many frostings that happen to be vegan if you don't want to make from scratch)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line cupcake pan with aluminum foil.
2. Poke holes in aluminum foil and place flat-bottom cones in holes to prevent tipping while baking.
3. Whisk together the soy milk and vinegar in a large bowl, and set aside for a few minutes to curdle. Add the sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and other extract, if using, to the soy milk mixture and beat until foamy. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add in two batches to wet ingredients and beat until no large lumps remain (a few tiny lumps are OK).
4. Pour into cones, filling 3/4 of the way. They will rise quite a bit. Bake about 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting. Makes about a dozen.

Basic Buttercream Vegan Frosting Recipe from "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World"

Ingredients:

1/2 cup nonhydrogenated shortening
1/2 cup nonhydrogenated vegan margarine (Earth Balance is a great brand)
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted if clumpy
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup plain soy milk or soy creamer

Instructions:
Beat the shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat for about 3 more minutes.
Add the vanilla and soy milk, and beat for another 5 to 7 minutes until fluffy.

To learn more about Tabitha, check out her website: http://tabithabastien.com/

Beachy Brunch: Geoffrey's Malibu

The drive to Geoffrey's Malibu on the PCH is one of the best drives you could ever experience. If the weather is behaving or not, to your left (if driving from Venice) is a beautiful view of the California Oceanside. Malibu has many beachside spots but I had read the Geoffrey's Malibu had the best view, and that was no lie! Plus, you have to have seafood if you're eating on a shoreline! 

Geoffrey's Malibu 

27400 Pacific Coast Hwy

Malibu, CA 90265

http://www.geoffreysmalibu.com/

https://twitter.com/GeoffreysMalibu

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Geoffreys-Malibu/113367325036?fref=ts

We were a little concerned we wouldn't get the best seat, since we came here on a busy Sunday brunch, but look at the view to your left. That was the view we scored, in fact, I can't imagine there's any "bad view" here. All of their patio seating had a breathtaking view. My favorite items are below and I cannot wait to come back!

We started off with a Mimosa and the Golden Beet Salad with  Herbed Goat Cheese, which was a perfect portioned appetizer to split. The Goat Cheese looks like a smaller portion, but it spread out among the beets evenly. I'm also a sucker for candied walnuts. 

This is Geoffrey's Lobster Quiche, this was a risky choice for me since I'm not usually a fan of quiches. What makes this dish stand out to me is the Lobster Vanilla sauce. I never considered mixing the two together, but it creates a sweet and salty perfection. Also, Geoffrey's Lobster Quiche's crust is light and wonderfully buttery. The egg mix was baked to a perfect texture as well. I also love that they pair their items with a light mixed green salad, so you leave feeling stuffed to a miserable degree. 

My Mom ordered the Seafood Paella and thankfully, she shared some with me. Prawns, Mussels, Manilla Clams, Scallops, Chorizo, Chicken and Saffron Rice are stewed in a Seafood Broth with a light blend of veggies.