Food Maker, Chef, and Traveling Diner
I cook often. If I could blog as easily as it seems for me to whip something up to eat in the kitchen, I’m sure I could fill another four blogs with my recipes. But as most of you know, I cook with more intuition …
A delicious grocery and dining establishment, Follow Your Heart adorns the streets of Canoga Park on Sherman Way. Amongst the dollar stores, small antiques marts and other dining establishments is a valley landmark for Vegans and Vegetarians alike. A store unlike many, it’s a one-stop …
I guess I never really understood all the hoopla about Valentine’s Day. Maybe the romantic memo missed me somewhere along the lines. My childhood memories of Valentine’s Day involved receiving some kind of yummy red cupcake from my mom and a card with a box of candies, along with a big hug and kiss, from my dad; that’s all I’ve ever needed. As I grew up and became a chef, the prospect of Valentine’s Day grew dimmer and dimmer. You develop a hatred of heart-shaped anything and the dining aspect is one of the busiest and biggest days of the year, which, of course, leads to many terrible problems and mishaps, all of which usually include someone just not getting it. But overall, a feeling of later drunken accomplishment sets in after a couple glasses of champagne. I’m glad I didn’t have to deal with that this year.
This year, like every year, I celebrate the people who I care about the most. And most of all this year, I feel a sense of caring and understanding that I hope everyone can feel for their loved ones all year around. I see Valentine’s Day as a reminder of the love that everyone can possess and the honesty that we can all share with one another over an indulgent piece of chocolate, some pretty flowers, a nice meal or a loving whisper of thanks. I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
My day was filled with sweet smells and the savory satisfaction of cooking a big meal for some very special people.
Valentine’s Day Menu
Pan Seared Chilean Seabass with Roasted Garlic, Chardonnay and Thyme Beurre Blanc
Braised Sake, Mirin and Rosso Wine Short Ribs with Broccoli Stems, Green Peppers and Roasted Oyster Mushrooms
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Orange Cauliflower with Pepperoncinis
Roasted Candy Cane Beets with Shaved Easter Radishes, Arugula, Goat Cheese, Squaw Croutons and Creamy Avocado Black Truffle Vinaigrette
Dark Chocolate Strawberries
One of my favorite menus. So fun and delicious!
Cheers
-Unrivaledkitch
When it’s time to head home, we have our rituals as well: we pack up the condo, have a breakfast of whatever is left in the fridge that can’t travel back with us, and make our way into Bishop for a couple of shopping bits …
Hidden amongst eateries of all sorts, though not known for its culinary successes, Mammoth plays host to a few gems along the way; one of these fine places is Roberto’s Cafe. I’ve written about this Mexican food before, but I figured a couple more pictures …
As we entered town after the long drive from Los Angeles, we decided we needed to kill a little bit of time before we were able to get into the condo and unload all of our things. So we made our way up to Twin Lakes and saw the first snow falling, before the snow storm started to gain momentum. It was such a beautiful and breathtaking moment to see something that I normally see, but in such a different light. With all the cold browns and harshness of the trees’ leaves swept away by the storm’s cold icicles, the lake lay dormant with a layer of hard ice beginning to form at its surface. As we threw snowballs at each other and took pictures in the windy cold, we definitely built up an appetite. This was the perfect time to head back into town and warm up.
In a shopping center alongside a Vons grocery store and a movie theater, is a small, tucked away pizza place called Giovanni’s. It serves delicious pizza pies and is home to the Mammoth-sized pizza (19-inches across). My family has enjoyed many fond memories here, all while growing up. When we entered Giovanni’s we were cordially greeted as people coming from skiing and snowboarding quickly filled the establishment. We sat down and decided on a pizza topped with Canadian bacon, sausage and roasted red peppers with thick crust and spicy tomato sauce. Delicious. The crust is crispy and chewy and the sauce has just the right amount of heat. After a couple bites of a small dinner salad, which I have to pair with pizza, and some pepperoncinis and parmesan cheese, we devoured most of the pizza with the premise of leaving a couple of slices for a midnight snack. Our service was cordial and not overbearing, just like most things in Mammoth. Enjoying delicious pizza and an amazing view of Twin Lakes with my brother and sister-in-law, made for the perfect beginning to our Mammoth trip.