WoodSpoon A Bite for Peace

So grateful to be invited to A Bite for Peace at Woodspoon in downtown Los Angeles. 

A Bite for Piece is a traveling dinning experience created by chef and restaurant owner, Natalia Pereira. 

Using food and the dinning experience as a comfortable respectful catalyst to discuss topics aimed at learning about each other as human being rather than labels.

Bibiana  and Tindi Mashamba were 2 of the Incredible guest, (click to view there unbelievable story) Albino sister from Tanzania that were dismember by an accent believe that Albino bones and organs bring luck and wealth. Its unbelievable to see what these teenage girls have been through and still there beauty and light shine though

Mucûî Stew with Wawi

I had the great pleasure of my friend, Wawi coming over and sharing her favorite vegetarian meal with me. This root vegetable stew, named Mucûî is a common dish of the Embu tribe of the Bantu group and was something her grandmother made for her in Kenya as a child. 

It was a feast of cassava, squash,taro root, peppers, sweet potato,carrots,  greens, plantains and coconut. Fascinating to learn all about these vegetables and her way of utilizing them for nutrition and flavor. It was the first time I had tried Cassava It was all so delicious!

Thank you Wawi for sharing and spending a wonderful afternoon XO

Peru Pa'Ti

Just arriving in Lima and my hotel room is not ready I wandered the neighborhood and found this amazing Local Organic coffee house ...restaurant .... Bar.... Shop ....Bakery... one stop food Heaven!
PeruPa Ti
They are curating some of the finessed chocolate and coffee from local sources in Peru which are getting world wide acknowledgment and  acclaim
 Well, I had a fabulous coffee, actually Cacoccino :-)

Made by Maria... I bought 2 cups ...and the second ..she decorated with a ¿pig? ...... It was really cute!!! 

Lunch with Chef Latiefa Larney

Such a highlight having a traditional Cape Malay meal prepared for us by the Amazing private chef  Latiefa

Cape Malay cuisine is such a flavorful  taste of the history of South Africa, using spices on the trade routes from India and the east with local  seasonal ingredients available in South Africa.

 She made me a complete vegetarian meal!!!! Unbelievably Delicious!!!

Sustainability Grootbos

I was able to take part in the "future tour" of  Grootbos. It explained a program run by the hotel in environmental sustainability for the hotel and local township. I learned that a majority of the food and plant life in and around the hotel was grown at a local farm...all possible waste from the garden was composted...seed saving...farming  and there was a training program to teach the locals in these processes, with classes available in hospitality service all leading to jobs within the respectful industries  

After the farm we were privalaged to visit the township... where I learned of "Smilie" roasted..smoked goats head.... Thank you but Im a vegetarian 

Blue Train Pretoria to Cape town

The Journey begins on the Blue train, a luxury excursion from Pretoria to Cape town. It's a  beautiful train and the amenities are sensational. The Staff is spectacular, anticipating your every need and making you comfortable the whole day and a half journey.

On board you are inundated with relaxing comforts, beautiful scenery, sparkling Wine, MCC tasting as well as wine tasting along with amazing food prepared by the on board Chef, who made me some SPECTACULAR vegetarian meals!!! My fav being the vegetable biryani 

It is a perfect way to easy some of the jet lag and get acclimated to the luxuries of South Africa

Melon with Spicy Radish

I just picked some of the Black radishes I planted and one of my favorite things to do with them is eat them with sweet melon. Its a play on prosciutto & melon salad

I simply use a mandolin slicer to slice the radishes very thin give them a little sprinkle of salt and then eat them over a variety of sweet summer mellon with olive oil and maybe a touch of balsamic on herbs or greens

I did them here with summer cantaloupe on some bronze fennel greens
Make sure the radish is very spicy and crisp  as well as the melon smooth and sweet Also I love it with arugula as well!

Sweet Green

Ok  I found this amazing place for healthy, local inspired.salads!

 Sweetgreen,  sources local and organic ingredients from farmers they know and partners they trust, supporting our communities and creating meaningful relationships with those around us.

They have pre-planned  salad menu or your choice, In an case it is made in front of you fresh when you order with any substitutions you like. And the salads are so fresh and addictive! 

Check out the web site to look at the menu and they have online ordering with pick up

www.sweetgreen.com

My favorites are  Wild Rice Bowl (with tofu instead of Chicken) , Misoba (Vegan) and  Chic P (Vegan)

www.sweetgreen.com

They exist to create experiences where passion and purpose come together. 

Welcome Home from the garden

Thrilled to come home and collect this handful of super delicious dragon tongue heirloom beans from the garden! Yes Already! Guess what I am having for dinner:-)

Falafel Pita Végétarienne

I am so in LOVE with these now in Paris...Down the street from my apartment is Falafel Cafe and they do Fabulous emporter!:-) 
So I get the vegetarian pita with Falafel ... hummus, lettuce, tomato, marinated red onions, cilantro, mint, tahini, falafel, grilled eggplant,and a couple of olives on Pita!!! SO GOOD! 
They also make a Galette Libanaise Zaatar Extra but the galette machine for the fresh dough is broken today:-(..so I don't have any pictures but they roll out fresh dough and cover it with olive oil and zaatar and cook it on the dome shaped grill, fill it, roll it to eat, also Amazing. 
I want to remember these delicious flavors when I cook at home!

The Mill

Yes, San Francisco, Thank you for making what seems plain and ordinary, the MOST WONDERFUL THING EVER! 

The Mill, on divisadero street in San Francisco serves up gourmet toast. Yes Toast, (well and coffee) before you say anything ...It is the most amazing toast you can have! 
It is a joint venture between Josey Baker Bread and Four Barrel Coffee and it is a great place to start the day or take a mid-day break and relax.

Bäco Mercat

Bäco Mercat is the home of the “bäco,” the signature flatbread sandwich that was developed by chef Josef Centeno.Located in the historic Old Bank district in downtown Los Angeles, Bäco Mercat is a convivial neighborhood spot that also offers a focused liquor program with hand-picked spirits, beers and wines from around the world. 

DTLA! My Favorite, The Fava Fritter!!!! also Zaatar (!!!) with bäco's puffy bread

and Radish salad and stuffed squash blossom. 

Peach Dessert

I am loving this Peach dessert I made , inspired by a friends idea/recipe.

1/2 a cup of soaked (over night) raw cashews
1 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon almond coconut milk or soy milk
2 large peaches

1 tablespoon maple syrup

juice of 1/2 of a medium sized lemon

First soak raw unsalted cashews in water overnight,(I enjoy the organic raw cashews from Sunfoods).
Next take 1/2 cup of the soaked cashews, the water, almond or soy milk and maple syrup (from Dean at Maple tree farm ,of course) and puree in a good blender or food processor until smooth (you can add small amounts water or almond /soy to help smooth out the nut cream) 
Then cut the peaches and add to the mix along with the lemon juice and blend until smooth puree
Pour mixture into a freezer safe baking dish and put in the freezer

after a couple of hours take a fork and break up the mixture (similar to a granita or sorbet) scraping across the top, repeat this as often as you like or need until mixture is light and icy

then serve it up!!! I added some mint from the garden but you could top it however you feel

It light and refreshing dessert for Summer!

thanks Taaj!

Let's Lunch DTLA, Bottega Louie

One of my favorite and a very well known restaurant downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), Bottega Louie 

Oh my goodness the food, and the atmosphere are remarkable!

Fresh Bread,egg with asparagus, cherry tomato burrata, portobello fries, and brussel sprouts with pistachio

but don't forget dessert

Amazing flavors of macaroon that make me miss Ladurée in Paris 
With a beautiful bar to hang out at and amazing baked goods and treats, plus to-go counter with prepared items
At night and weekends it is really "the place to be" DTLA 
Seriously,If you haven't been.....Just GO!
  Bottega Louie!

check out their website and Facebook blog

http://www.bottegalouie.com/main.html
or
https://www.facebook.com/BottegaLouie

Cilantro Hummus Summertime Favorite.... Easy!

I have really been enjoying the produce of the garden with Hummus this year! With all the green beans , tomatoes and cucumber its been such a perfect acompanyment. A friend gave me a great idea for my hummus... add a big hand full of cilantro and a hand full of spinach ... It turns it a beautiful green and the flavor is delicate and delicious. Now you can use the recipe I tested in my "New Years 2011 post" ...remember?  or 

This amended version I have been making this summer

1  (16oz)   can organic ready to eat garbanzo beans (and liquid)

1    cloves garlic

 juice of one fresh medium lemon

¼     cup tahini

 ¼cup olive oil, plus extra for garnish

1      teaspoon ground cumin

½      teaspoon salt (to taste)

       1 large handful of of Cilantro

and one medium handful of Spinach


Place beans, garlic, lemon juice, tahini,  ¼ cup of the olive oil, cilantro, spinach, cumin and salt in a food processor or blender (good Blender works best for me).
 Add liquid from the canned beans and process to a smooth consistency, about 2 minute.

And dig in with any fresh vegtables.. above I have lightly steamed green beans from the garden and a variety of tomatoes from the  garden and these  Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers , they serve them on Virgin America Airlines and I just LOVE them...and just by chance they are gluten free

Figs Already!!!

I can't believe it, Went outside and noticed all these figs on the tree already !!!

 Iced Coffee and fresh figs and another look thru these French magazines 

Divine!!  

EggPlant Pasta :-)

Cherry tomatoes and eggplant and tiny globe basil from the garden

Maple Tree Farm

I had the privilege of heading to New Hampshire and meeting Dean of Maple Tree Farm.

Throughout the 1990's working with Country Home and Matthew Mead I was introduced to the splendors of the NorthEast. Un-knowingly I was buying Deans Maple Syrup from local shops and bringing it back to friends in NYC as a gift...Well The Maple Syrup is like no other and I was fortunate enough to learn why and finally meet Dean, He is an Amazing and Wonderful Man.

He gave me a gracious tour of his property and trees. I was amazed how much goes into maple syrup and yet how thoughtful, productive and efficient he has made it.

I always think of Maple syrup in the fall and was surprised to learn its made in spring... go figure! Dean explained how his process works , when, where and what kind of trees he sugars from. and walked me through the entire process ... which he also explains on his web-site

He is such an honorable character and it shows in the integrity of his product.

I was surprised to learn all the uses of maple syrup... (I LOVE it in my morning coffee) The flavor is so specific and comforting, (I will not even mention Maple Cream, Maple crystals ...oops!) 

Regular sugar seems chemical/sterile tasting to me now. In fact I use maple syrup for my bread recipes..It adds a comforting character to the flavor of the bread

Dean is also an amazing resource for Maple syrup history and let me see his collection of  antique syrup tins and maple cake tins as well as wooden taps and buckets

Check out his web-site there is a wealth of knowledge and ideas about maple syrup .... Consider its other possibility..... Its not just good for pancakes.

Did I mention that he Ships but has only limited quantities

Blend Hamburger Gourmet

Ok you maybe wondering why I would have this Hamburger and Fries on my Blog .. Well because it a pretty AMAZING VEGGIE BURGER! YES! Veggi (I'll stop shouting) I am lucky enough to have it right down the street from where I a staying in Paris and It is Fantastic! Its Called Blend

 This one is the "veggie smoke" and its bleu cheese and veggie burger and just yummy!

 I spoke with one of the owners and he said that they frequently travels to places just to try burgers and explore flavor combinations and is heading out to California this week to go burger tasting. The menu is pretty basic but everything they do is done brilliantly, from the fries, regular and sweet potato, to the sauces and ketchup and even cookies.
 I am watching it become more popular ( the line out the front door grows longer everyday) but luckily you can have "emporter" 
Well there is one  more great Vegetarian suggestion in Paris!

Check out Blend Hambuger Gourmet

Honolulu with Maya

I was able to spend an extra day in Honolulu to hang out with my friend Maya! She owns and runs a Yoga studio in Honolulu 

We met at a great Breakfast spot in Waikiki  beach called Cream Pot

the weather was so beautiful we sat outside and had Cranberry lemonade with me, Salted Caramel and Banana Pancakes and Maya, the Hawaiian Eggs Benedict ..... Yummmmmm!
Afterwords she took me to one of her Favorite beaches to hang out and shoot some photo's of her in yoga poses:-)

I rarely do yoga but She tempted to come to her class that afternoon
(I had to work off the pancake ¿right? :-))