I came up with this recipe for dinner last week and it came out so well I had to share it. It is quick and simple.
April 30, 2009
Creamy Tomato and Sausage Pasta
I came up with this recipe for dinner last week and it came out so well I had to share it. It is quick and simple.
April 29, 2009
The Munch Box, Chatsworth
After a long morning of errands that ran well into the afternoon, I was hungry and craving chili cheese fries. There was no way I could make it to Pink's, wait in line and stay conscious, so we headed to The Munch Box. The Munch Box has been a childhood favorite of my fellow foodie's and it just so happened to be down the street from where we were.
The yellow building was hard the miss and seeing the long line of people outside gave me high hopes. It was nice to see the small menu hanging on the wall. There is nothing worse than trying to pick something from a menu of 50+ items or even 10+ items when I am on the verge of starvation. We ordered our food and waited...and waited...and waited. 15-20 minutes later, they finally called our order and the man behind the window apologized for the delay. Finally, the food is in my hands.
The Munch Box Menu
Chili Cheese Fries
2.45
I have never seen an order of chili cheese fries as big as the one we received. My will power was quickly fading as I reached for the camera. After taking what seemed like eternity to snap a quality photo of the fries I finally gave up. I threw the camera on my lap and grabbed a handful of fries smothered in chili and cheese. After the fries landed in my mouth and my taste buds registered, my immediate thought was, "these aren't Pink's chili cheese fries." What was I thinking? Of course these aren't Pink's fries, I'm not at Pink's. The fries needed to be cooked for a few seconds longer and seasoned with salt. There was nothing special about the chili, and definitely something missing. Not the chili cheese fries I had been craving, but they were good enough to hold me over. Will I crave these fries? The answer is no.
Hamburger with Cheese
3.05
My body regained enough strength and I reached into the white paper bag and pulled out a giant hamburger. Between the burger buns was a slice of cheese cheese, a burger patty, pickles, onions, and chili. I took a bite and my taste buds were overwhelmed by the taste of onions. I went in for another bite and noticed the thin burger patty was slightly pink. The patty in my friend's burger was cooked through unlike mine. Looks like the kitchen might have rushed the order. The patty is so thin, between the onions, pickles, and chili, it was difficult to taste it. The hamburger could have been good with less or no onions and a properly cooked burger patty. The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth.
Overall, the food was forgettable. If I take the undercooked burger patty, saltless fries and overwhelming onions out of the equation, then I would say the food is average and what one would expect from a hamburger joint. There is nothing special about the food to draw me back, but there are plenty of people who love this place and you do get a lot of food for the price.
The Munch Box
21532 Devonshire St
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Parking
There is plenty of parking in the lot on Devonshire.
The yellow building was hard the miss and seeing the long line of people outside gave me high hopes. It was nice to see the small menu hanging on the wall. There is nothing worse than trying to pick something from a menu of 50+ items or even 10+ items when I am on the verge of starvation. We ordered our food and waited...and waited...and waited. 15-20 minutes later, they finally called our order and the man behind the window apologized for the delay. Finally, the food is in my hands.The Munch Box Menu
Chili Cheese Fries2.45
I have never seen an order of chili cheese fries as big as the one we received. My will power was quickly fading as I reached for the camera. After taking what seemed like eternity to snap a quality photo of the fries I finally gave up. I threw the camera on my lap and grabbed a handful of fries smothered in chili and cheese. After the fries landed in my mouth and my taste buds registered, my immediate thought was, "these aren't Pink's chili cheese fries." What was I thinking? Of course these aren't Pink's fries, I'm not at Pink's. The fries needed to be cooked for a few seconds longer and seasoned with salt. There was nothing special about the chili, and definitely something missing. Not the chili cheese fries I had been craving, but they were good enough to hold me over. Will I crave these fries? The answer is no.Hamburger with Cheese
3.05
My body regained enough strength and I reached into the white paper bag and pulled out a giant hamburger. Between the burger buns was a slice of cheese cheese, a burger patty, pickles, onions, and chili. I took a bite and my taste buds were overwhelmed by the taste of onions. I went in for another bite and noticed the thin burger patty was slightly pink. The patty in my friend's burger was cooked through unlike mine. Looks like the kitchen might have rushed the order. The patty is so thin, between the onions, pickles, and chili, it was difficult to taste it. The hamburger could have been good with less or no onions and a properly cooked burger patty. The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth.Overall, the food was forgettable. If I take the undercooked burger patty, saltless fries and overwhelming onions out of the equation, then I would say the food is average and what one would expect from a hamburger joint. There is nothing special about the food to draw me back, but there are plenty of people who love this place and you do get a lot of food for the price.
The Munch Box
21532 Devonshire St
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Parking
There is plenty of parking in the lot on Devonshire.
April 12, 2009
Urth Caffe, West Hollywood
Since I was introduced to Urth Caffe a few years ago, it has become one of my favorite places to go for a nice relaxing evening. This time we checked out the location on Melrose.
Drinks
Honey Vanilla Latte
4
The perfect blend of vanilla and honey topped with just the right amount of foam. This drink is very smooth and addicting.
Caffe Mocha
4
Not too sweet, and not too strong, this drink has a wonderful balance.
Food
Full Cesar Salad with Chicken
13.95
The chicken was cooked perfectly with just the right amount of seasoning. The lettuce was very fresh and tossed with a nice amount of dressing. The dressing was slightly too tangy for my taste, but it gave the salad a very light taste. The crisps and shaved Parmesan cheese added a wonderful flavor to the salad. My only complaint about the salad is the lettuce could have been cut into smaller pieces.
Overall, the drinks at Urth Caffe will not disappoint and there are many dishes to choose from should you want more than just a drink along with some very eye catching desserts. There is plenty of outdoor seating at this location and more of a relaxing atmosphere than the one on Beverly. The next time you're in the mood for a good drink, give this place a try.
Urth Caffe
8565 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Parking
There are two parking spots and plenty of street parking.
Drinks
Honey Vanilla Latte
4
The perfect blend of vanilla and honey topped with just the right amount of foam. This drink is very smooth and addicting.
Caffe Mocha
4
Not too sweet, and not too strong, this drink has a wonderful balance.
Food
Full Cesar Salad with Chicken
13.95
The chicken was cooked perfectly with just the right amount of seasoning. The lettuce was very fresh and tossed with a nice amount of dressing. The dressing was slightly too tangy for my taste, but it gave the salad a very light taste. The crisps and shaved Parmesan cheese added a wonderful flavor to the salad. My only complaint about the salad is the lettuce could have been cut into smaller pieces.
Overall, the drinks at Urth Caffe will not disappoint and there are many dishes to choose from should you want more than just a drink along with some very eye catching desserts. There is plenty of outdoor seating at this location and more of a relaxing atmosphere than the one on Beverly. The next time you're in the mood for a good drink, give this place a try.
Urth Caffe
8565 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Parking
There are two parking spots and plenty of street parking.
Carnitas Michoacan, Lincoln Heights
At the corner of San Fernando and Broadway is the brightly painted taco stand, Carnitas Michoacan.
The first thing you'll notice walking up to the stand is the al pastor cooking on a spit. There was no reason to even look at the menu above us. The decision was already made. Al pastor all the way.
Drinks
Horchata
We always order horchata without ice and this is one of the best we've had. The horchata had a perfect balance of flavors and it was so smooth. Next time I will have to order a large.
Food
Burritos Al Pastor
The burrito al pastor is wrapped neatly and tightly, giving me the piece of mind that my burrito won't fall apart after a few bites. The first bite was filled with meat, beans, rice, cilantro, onion and carrot. All the flavors blended together to create one of the best first bites of a burrito. The al pastor had the perfect amount of meat and fat and cooked just right, moist and tender. One thing I love even more than the meat is the amount of rice and beans. Some places overwhelm their burritos with these two ingredients as fillers, but not Carnitas Michoacan. They add just the right amount for my taste. Definitely the best burrito al pastor I've had.
Carne Asada Taco
So we did get a carne asada taco which was very good. Definitely one of the better tacos I've had with lots of meat and wonderful flavor.
Overall, I have been to this location a few times now and the food is consistently good. My mouth waters when I think about their burrito al pastor and I can't wait until my next visit. There is plenty of seating and the woman taking the orders is very friendly and speaks English. I didn't get the individual prices on all the items we ordered, but our bill was a little over $13 for the horchata, burritos and taco.
Carnitas Michoacan
1901 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Parking
There is plenty of free parking in the parking lot, accessible on San Fernando.
The first thing you'll notice walking up to the stand is the al pastor cooking on a spit. There was no reason to even look at the menu above us. The decision was already made. Al pastor all the way.
Drinks
Horchata
We always order horchata without ice and this is one of the best we've had. The horchata had a perfect balance of flavors and it was so smooth. Next time I will have to order a large.
Food
Burritos Al Pastor
The burrito al pastor is wrapped neatly and tightly, giving me the piece of mind that my burrito won't fall apart after a few bites. The first bite was filled with meat, beans, rice, cilantro, onion and carrot. All the flavors blended together to create one of the best first bites of a burrito. The al pastor had the perfect amount of meat and fat and cooked just right, moist and tender. One thing I love even more than the meat is the amount of rice and beans. Some places overwhelm their burritos with these two ingredients as fillers, but not Carnitas Michoacan. They add just the right amount for my taste. Definitely the best burrito al pastor I've had.
Carne Asada Taco
So we did get a carne asada taco which was very good. Definitely one of the better tacos I've had with lots of meat and wonderful flavor.
Overall, I have been to this location a few times now and the food is consistently good. My mouth waters when I think about their burrito al pastor and I can't wait until my next visit. There is plenty of seating and the woman taking the orders is very friendly and speaks English. I didn't get the individual prices on all the items we ordered, but our bill was a little over $13 for the horchata, burritos and taco.
Carnitas Michoacan
1901 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Parking
There is plenty of free parking in the parking lot, accessible on San Fernando.
Shrimp and Chicken Tacos
It's taco Tuesday! I decided to make shrimp and chicken tacos for taco night night at home. This recipe also includes an easy homemade salsa that you have to try. Enjoy.
Bok Choy in Garlic Sauce | Plant Based
Bok choy, also known as Chinese cabbage, is a very versatile vegetable and can be found year round in Asian markets throughout Los Angeles. A quick and easy way to prepare bok choy is by cooking it in a fragrant garlic sauce and serving it as a side dish. My preferred way to make this dish is by cooking it in a wok. You can also make it any non-stick sauté pan.
April 8, 2009
Skaf's Grill Authentic Lebanese Cuisine, North Hollywood
Skaf's Grill had been on my radar for several weeks and we finally decided to give it a try last Friday. We arrived around 8 p.m., parked on the street and walked over to Skaf's. The restaurant is tucked away in the corner of a mini strip mall. We walked in to a packed restaurant and struggled to get the attention of the wait staff. After about five minutes, someone came by and told us we would be seated after the next table gets up. 10 minutes later we were seated and the waiter came by to take our drink orders. The menu arrived with our water and we decided to order the chicken shwarma and stuffed grape leaves special, which the owner Sam raved about when he dropped off our waters. Sadly, when the waiter took our orders we found out both dishes were sold out. I looked at the spit the shwarma was on and the waiter explained that what was left would be dry and he would not sell it. Appreciating his honestly, we decided to go with the waiter's recommendations.
Food
Hommos
Included with Entree
The hommos was incredibly creamy, smooth and flavorful. A bite with the warm pita brought me to hommos and pita heaven. This is one of the best, if not the best hommos I have tasted. We later found out that the hommos is made fresh every morning with the best tahini (according to the owner) imported from Beirut. The babaganouch is made every morning as well, but unfortunately they ran out right when we sat down.
Pitas
Included with Entree (2 pitas per entree)
Cabbage Salad
Included with Entree
The cabbage salad was crunchy and refreshing. There was a nice balance between the vinegar and spices in the dressing and the sweetness of the cabbage. A welcomed accompaniment to the main dish.
Falafel
3.95
The falafels were slightly overcooked on the outside, but the center was very moist and flavorful. The pickled radishes on the plate had a small kick of horseradish, which was a nice surprise. However, nothing about this dish stood out and not a dish I would recommend nor order again.
Kafta Kebab
Ground beef mixed with chopped parsley, onions and spices, grilled on 2 skewers
9.95
The kebabs were moist, with a good balance of spices, and made with quality meat. A dip in some left over tahini from the falafel plate gave the kebabs the extra flavor it needed. The rice was perfectly cooked, some of the best rice I have had in a restaurant. I would add this dish to my list of possibilities at Skaf's Grill, but there are definitely others I want to try before going back to this dish.
Shish Tawook
Chicken breast marinated with garlic and spices, grilled on 2 skewers, served with garlic spread
9.95
When the shish tawook arrived, all the overcooked, under seasoned, over seasoned, undercooked grilled chicken dishes I've had flashed before my eyes. I even took a bite of my cabbage salad before cutting into a piece of chicken, hoping to delay what I thought would be another bad grilled chicken dish. After I took the first bite, all the previous bad memories escaped out of my mind and I sat in my chair enjoying a perfectly cooked, well seasoned, moist and tender piece of chicken breast. I tried the chicken with the garlic spread and found it too overpowering and ate the remaining of my chicken without it. I did enjoy some of the garlic spread with a piece of pita. The shish tawook was the most enjoyable dish for me and definitely something I will order again.
Overall, the food is solid and the hommos left a lasting impression on my taste buds. There is great attention to the quality of food being served, from the cabbage salad to the shish tawook. I will be back to try the chicken shwarma and babaganouch.
Skaf's Grill
6008 Laurel Canyon Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91606
Parking
The mini strip mall has very limited parking with a busy 7 Eleven. There is street parking on Laurel Canyon and Oxnard.
Food
Hommos
Included with Entree
The hommos was incredibly creamy, smooth and flavorful. A bite with the warm pita brought me to hommos and pita heaven. This is one of the best, if not the best hommos I have tasted. We later found out that the hommos is made fresh every morning with the best tahini (according to the owner) imported from Beirut. The babaganouch is made every morning as well, but unfortunately they ran out right when we sat down.
Pitas
Included with Entree (2 pitas per entree)
Cabbage Salad
Included with Entree
The cabbage salad was crunchy and refreshing. There was a nice balance between the vinegar and spices in the dressing and the sweetness of the cabbage. A welcomed accompaniment to the main dish.
Falafel
3.95
The falafels were slightly overcooked on the outside, but the center was very moist and flavorful. The pickled radishes on the plate had a small kick of horseradish, which was a nice surprise. However, nothing about this dish stood out and not a dish I would recommend nor order again.
Kafta Kebab
Ground beef mixed with chopped parsley, onions and spices, grilled on 2 skewers
9.95
The kebabs were moist, with a good balance of spices, and made with quality meat. A dip in some left over tahini from the falafel plate gave the kebabs the extra flavor it needed. The rice was perfectly cooked, some of the best rice I have had in a restaurant. I would add this dish to my list of possibilities at Skaf's Grill, but there are definitely others I want to try before going back to this dish.
Shish Tawook
Chicken breast marinated with garlic and spices, grilled on 2 skewers, served with garlic spread
9.95
When the shish tawook arrived, all the overcooked, under seasoned, over seasoned, undercooked grilled chicken dishes I've had flashed before my eyes. I even took a bite of my cabbage salad before cutting into a piece of chicken, hoping to delay what I thought would be another bad grilled chicken dish. After I took the first bite, all the previous bad memories escaped out of my mind and I sat in my chair enjoying a perfectly cooked, well seasoned, moist and tender piece of chicken breast. I tried the chicken with the garlic spread and found it too overpowering and ate the remaining of my chicken without it. I did enjoy some of the garlic spread with a piece of pita. The shish tawook was the most enjoyable dish for me and definitely something I will order again.
Overall, the food is solid and the hommos left a lasting impression on my taste buds. There is great attention to the quality of food being served, from the cabbage salad to the shish tawook. I will be back to try the chicken shwarma and babaganouch.
Skaf's Grill
6008 Laurel Canyon Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91606
Parking
The mini strip mall has very limited parking with a busy 7 Eleven. There is street parking on Laurel Canyon and Oxnard.
Creamy Chicken Pasta Sauce
I had a piece of left over chicken breast and made a pasta sauce out of it for lunch over the weekend. I served it with #11 spaghetti, but you can use any pasta, although I prefer long pasta with this sauce. This recipe is enough for two.
Chinese Eggplant with Ground Pork
Chinese eggplant with minced/ground pork is one of my favorite simple and quick comfort dishes to make. If you prefer to have more eggplants in the dish, you can double the amount of eggplants and make more sauce.
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