BLD

After reading countless reviews and blog posts about BLD, I finally made my way over.  Before walking through the door, I already knew my order...  I would be getting the Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes and thick cut bacon.  I am the first to admit I am NOT a pancake fan.  If I had to choose between pancakes over waffles or french toast, chances are, I wouldn't be picking the pancakes.  But I couldn't go to BLD and not order the pancakes they are so well known for.  So I gave them a chance, and it all worked out in the end, the pancakes were great! and one of the best I've ever had.  Great fluffy and creamy texture, blueberries were still in tact and nicely spread throughout my pancake, and to top it off... the portions were very big! I could have shared them with at least another person.  Service was great, food was fantastic, and my party and I were all going home happy.  Overall, great experience! On a side note, larger parties should call in for a reservation during prime time hours (9am-11am), the table was set up for us and we were immediately seated.  

nice winter themed centerpiece

WINE! hm... which one to order??

Brulee'd grapefruit ... it was a nice new way to eat grapefruit

Nutella Crepe with bananas... tasty but got a little too sweet 

Mushroom Frittata with chorizo potatoes.... super super yummy!! 

Huevos Rancheros

Side order of crisp potatoes

Eggs Benedict with chroizo potatoes... so good nothing was left on the plate afterwards... 

nueske's thick cut bacon, nice and smoky with a tasty crust on top

Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes with Berkshire Maple Syrup.... LOVED IT

Spanish Omelet with chroizo potatoes  

PS- I am seriously backed up on my posts! but promise to post throughout the week.... make sure to look out for them!!!

Thankful for Good Food

Wow! It's been a while since my last update! Sorry about that folks, it's been a crazy November.  I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving shared with friends and family. This Thanksgiving at my parents house was lots of fun but a ton of work.  This year, my extended family was coming over as well, so cooking for over 20 people was going to be a mission, which required lots of prep work and planning.  But in the end, it was all worth it and I was happy with the results. I have so many reasons to be thankful this year, I am appreciative of my family, friends and my life. Shout out to my sister Jenny for always helping me with my various cooking projects.  She is the ying to my yang in the kitchen....

Lemon Garlic Basil Chicken cooked for 4 hours on low in a slow cooker.. what a time saver!

Caprese Salad... Yummy

Chinese Chicken Salad, not pictured is the homemade dressing my sister made with apricot preserves and freshly minced ginger, and mandarin oranges 

Crimini  Mushrooms with garlic and basil

Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Penne pasta with cheese sauce 

Slow Roasted Pork Belly 

Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Ham, Roasted Beef

My specialty!!!! Chicken Pot Pie... I think I need to start making this more often... it was very good and I was very happy and proud of the results! 

Grilled Oysters on the half shell with crushed peanuts and scallions 

SHOUT OUT to my Cousins who made ALL the Desserts... They were soo soo good!

Chocolate covered Strawberries with almonds and coconut.

Cheesecake... one of the BEST I have ever eaten!!

Almond Jello with Mixed Fruit... YUMMYYYYY!

Chocolate pecan and coconut cake

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Homemade Tiramisu... Yummy!

Thank you David Chang.....

.....for these AMAZING Pork Belly Buns.  For everyone out there, David Chang is the executive chef and brains behind Momofuku.  Over the past few years I have read various articles written on Chang, his innovative ideas brought into his kitchen, and how insanely long his wait list for his various restaurants are (we are talking about months long people!) I am not the type of person that gives into the hype until I experience it first hand.  Well... I wasn't able to try any of his restaurants in NYC, but I was able to try his recipe on Pork Belly Buns.  It seemed simple enough, all I needed were a few ingredients: steamed Chinese buns, pork belly and garnishes.  Easy right?! Well, it was... to a certain degree, it was a long process, but it was worth it! I brined the pork belly for about 12-14 hours, roasted it for 2.5 hours in low heat, cranked up the heat for 20 more minutes, then took it out of the oven to rest for 30 minutes before slicing it.  As for the buns, I took advantage of the fact that I live in a heavily populated Asian community and I bought them in the refrigerated aisle at a local Asian supermarket.  I did not buy them frozen which is an option, but I knew the refrigerated buns were just made a day earlier.  My results were amazing!! My Fams and Tone are already requesting this again for Thanksgiving! Here is a link for anyone out there that want to make there own: Pork Belly Buns

*side note* I did not follow the recipe to a T.  I added my own spices to give it more diverse flavors.  This is what I love about cooking... even though I have a guide (recipe) I can still make it my own and different.

Porky goodness... a gift from the oven.... 

My Pork Belly Buns assembled with seedless cucumbers, scallions and a quirt of hoisin sauce. 

I also made stir fry Udon noodles with oyster mushrooms, scallions, garlic and ground pork.  

Class 302

I feel so spoiled this week! In the past two days I have had foodie adventures back to back! I cannot complain about that.... Life is yummy!

Last night I met up with my dear Little Sis, Jax, from the good ol' college sorority, to catch up and eat some yummy food.  Our meeting point is always the Rowland Heights/Hacienda Heights area.  She is coming from Orange County and I from LA County.  Good thing we love Asian cuisine because this area is littered with all types of Asian restaurants.  Chinese,Thai, Korean, Taiwanese and Vietnamese foods at every corner and plaza. Jax had recommended, Class 302, a small Taiwanese cafe/tea house that has amazing Shave Snow (explanation of Shaved Snow listed below).  I was introduced to Shaved Snow not too long ago when my sister brought it to my parent's place for everyone to try (one of the perks of having five siblings is when one of us tries something new and likes it, that person will then spread the wealth with the other four siblings) It was pretty tasty, but what I had at Class 302 was even better!

There was no way I would go to a tea house without ordering any tea!  Inside this vessel:  Iced Milk Tea with egg pudding.  I am pretty particular about my Milk Tea, I like it mildly sweet, a bit bitter and creamy.  This Milk Tea didn't disappoint.  It was very very good!
Side Note- make sure to order this drink in the morning or afternoon.  I had dinner at 7 and I wasn't able to fall asleep until 2:30am.  This baby is PACKED with caffeine! 

We shared a combo meal consisting of fried shrimp wrapped in wontons, pieces of chicken leg meat with rice and  pickled mustard greens and scrambled egg with steamed cabbage and carrots.  Not to shabby for around $7.00. 

The star of the show- Strawberry and Mango Shave Snow with some condensed milk.  Shaved Snow is ice finely shaved down that it literally melts in your mouth.  The texture is so creamy, and literally felt like I was eating ice cream without all the guilt! The fresh strawberries and mango were a nice flavor contrast, tart vs. sweet.  It was so yummy, I ordered one to go for Tone to try at home (his was topped with red bean and chewy rice balls)

Lastly, shout out to my lil sis and one of my closest friends', Jax.  I believe people are brought into my life for a reason and she is no exception.  Remember to always be honest with yourself and that no matter what, you are an amazing person.  Here's to all the memories! 

 

Daikokuya Hacienda Heights

For a few years now I have heard rave reviews about this small ramen shop.  I remember reading through Tone's Maxim Magazine and it was voted the best ramen house in LA (wow what a huge statement!) Even a client of mine said I had to experience this scrumptious ramen house for myself.  So after years of waiting, I found myself having dinner here with my sorority family.  I didn't know what to expect, and I definitely didn't want the hype to ruin my experience, so I tried to kept an open mind.  Unfortunately, Daikokuya fell short for me.  I thought the ramen was mediocre, but  it wasn't fair that the side dishes stole the show.  I wouldn't mind going back again, but it wouldn't be my first choice.  

If you order a combo (half sized ramen and rice bowl) you get a small salad of shredded cabbage and a mayo based dressing 

House-made Gyoza topped with scallions and served with a light soy sauce.  I loved the crispy sides and pork filling inside. 

This Pork Fried Rice was by far one of the most flavorful and tastiest fried rice I have had in a very long time.  In all honestly, I liked this fried rice more than my ramen and I wasn't the only one that felt this way! 

Pork based ramen, Daikokuya's specialty, it was definitely tasty, but I have had better.  I did fall in love with the soft boiled egg, the yolk was half boiled and a bit runny.. the BEST part of the ramen in my opinion.  

Kimchi Beef Sandwich

This past Sunday, my family and I celebrated my grandmother's 88th birthday with a celebration at my parent's home.  We were grilling short ribs, flank steak, chicken wings and oysters, all staples at a Vong Family BBQ.  Needless to say, every one went home very full, happy, and with a doggy bag.  I think I may have left with the biggest doggy bag of raw meats to cook later on in the week.  The first 2 days were easy, I knew I would cook the short ribs and/or flank steak and serve it with vermicelli or rice with my mom's special fish sauce.  As the days went by, I realized quickly that I needed to start getting creative. I still had at least a pound of both meats left! Hm... what to do?? Then it hits me, why not make a sandwich?  It would be quick and easy.  As I go through the ice box, I quickly find a few more ingredients to include.  I found some kimchi, scallions, garlic, eggs and some rolls.  I was very happy with the end result and was even more excited because Tone was on his way home from work with a hunger the size of a bear.

Open Door Part Deux

I couldn't resist it.... I had to go back.... This time a few more friends joined me.  We sat down, ordered a carafe of Strawberry Soju, and began furiously looking through the Happy Hour Menu.  Here is what got our senses tingling.....

Sesame Chicken Wings- the meat was falling off the bone and the sauce was sweet teriyaki 

Tempura Zucchini- the zucchini still had some bite to it and the sauce was creamy and light.  

Takoyaki- little spheres of happiness is the best way I can describe this...  must get more

Chicken with garlic aioli 

One of my new favorites- Spicy Albacore with Crispy Rice...yummmmmy