I’ve lived my whole life here in Los Angeles, and it is a total privilege to be a native of this beautiful City of Angels.  I have learned to take my first steps here and take great pride in being an Angelino.  Yes, I root for the Dodgers. Yes, I love the fact that I can visit a snowy mountain top and a warm beach within the same day if I wish.  Yes, I love that L.A. has one of the best food scenes in the United States. The history of my city is vast and amazing and I have learned about it through The Los Angeles Times as it occurred. This weekend my treasured Los Angeles Times will be hosting The Taste hailed as “The food and wine festival that is authentically L.A.” It will encapsulate the many food cultures that make up fine dining in this glorious melting pot of ours. My excitement expands past it’s snapping point to spend the Labor Day weekend (August 29 -31) in elastic stretch pants as I eat my way through the Taste.

My friend Average Betty and I got to preview a little bit of the Sunday Brunch hosted by Noelle Carter (LA Times Test Kitchen Director) at the actual Los Angeles Times test kitchen a few weeks ago.  Noelle along with Russ Parsons (LA Times Food Editor And Columnist) hosted a gaggle of writers to some extraordinary eats as a little preview of what is to come. We noshed on chilaquiles from Mexican Chef Jimmy Shaw of Loteria Grill,  maple bacon cinnamon rolls (pictured above, recipe will run in the Los Angeles Times Food Section 8/30 Saturday) that Noelle made herself, and some of the most divine pastries (strawberry croissants) from Farmshop and almond brioche from Bouchon Bakery. Wowsers…. All I can say is if you don’t have tickets to this weekends event held at Paramount studios, I highly recommend you get on your computer this instant and buy a pass. The Taste will transform Paramount Pictures Studios’ backlot into the ultimate epicurean pop-up block party Friday, August 29^th through Sunday, August 31^st: Click here to purchase tickets.  This food fest will be like no other and will really remind you what a food festival should be. Be ready for the most sublime flavors to pass your lips and take advantage of the fact that you can sample all the best restaurants of Los Angeles in one place at your disposal for a flat fee. It’s a great way to go down the list of where you must dine, and what you don’t need to desire afterall.  I will be there with bells on and a big smile, cuz I know I’m in for a treat. See you there!

Check out the schedule below:

• Opening Night; Fri., Aug. 29^th, 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.
  The Times’ renowned Food staff, the festival’s co-hosts, and participating chefs and bartenders gather for a soiree with a focused collection of tastings, premium cocktail and wine offerings, and live entertainment. Restaurants include CAFÉ del REY, DeSano Pizza Bakery, Girasol, Guelaguetza, Hamasaku, Mexicali Taco & Co., Pedalers Fork, Phorage, Plan Check, Sotto, Sushi Roku, THE Blvd Restaurant, Waterloo & City.

• Field to Fork – Hosted by Russ Parsons, Times Food Editor, and Nancy Silverton, Chef/Co-Owner of Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza; Sat., Aug. 30^th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.                                                                                                       Local flavors shine at this day defined by fresh, seasonal ingredients with demos from Silverton, Tal Ronnen (Crossroads), C.J. Jacobson (Girasol) and Bruce Kalman (Union). In addition to wine seminars that inspire the palate, the event will feature a roundtable about cooking with famers market finds moderated by Parsons with Roxana Jullapat (Cooks County), Josiah Citrin (Mélisse), Jessica Koslow (Sqirl) and Vincenzo Marianella (Copa d’Oro). Restaurants include BOA Steakhouse, Chichén Itzá, Eveleigh, Girasol, Lemonade, Lotería Grill, Lum-Ka-Naad Thai, Michaels on Naples, Napa Valley Grille, Palihouse Brasserie, Pono Burger, Tender Greens.

• Dinner with a Twist – Hosted by Betty Hallock, Times Deputy Food Editor, Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, John Sedlar, Chef/Owner of Rivera, and Master Bartender Julian Cox; Sat., Aug. 30th, 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.
  LA’s formidable cocktail and culinary cultures collide with demos from chef & bartender duos including Sedlar & Cox, Ricardo Zarate & Deysi Alvarez (Mo-Chica, Picca, Paiché) and Michael Hung & Michael Lay (Faith & Flower). The collaborative spirit continues with a group demo featuring Alex Day & Devon Tarby (Honeycut, Proprietors LLC), Max Deaman & Mikki Kristola (The Varnish) and Naomi Schimek (The Spare Room). Restaurants include BierBeisl, Carnitas El Momo, Craig’s Restaurant, Grub, Public School on Tap, RivaBella, Sotto, The Churchill, The Misfit Restaurant + Bar, The Raymond.

• Sunday Brunch – Hosted by Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Thomas Keller, Chef/Proprietor of The French Laundry and Bouchon; Sun., Aug. 31^st, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  Brunch gets its due at a family-friendly affair with demos from Carter, Karen Hatfield (The Sycamore Kitchen, Hatfield’s) and Casey Lane (The Tasting Kitchen). Russ Parsons will be on hand to discuss 20 years of The French Laundry with Chef Keller and Laundry alums Jeff Cerciello (Farmshop), David Breeden (The French Laundry) and Timothy Hollingsworth (Broad Museum Restaurant). Melissa Nicola (Nic’s Beverly Hills) will join Times columnist Steve Lopez to share edible creations from the students at CAKE (Culinary Arts Kids Eat). Restaurants include Del Rey Deli Co., Guelaguetza, Lotería Grill, Muddy Leek, my two cents, THE Blvd Restaurant, Wilshire Restaurant.

• Flavors of LA – Hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, and Michael Cimarusti, Chef/Owner of Providence, Chef/Partner of Connie and Ted’s; Sun., Aug. 31^st, 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.
  The closing night spotlights the city’s rich and varied tastes with demos from Cimarusti, Evan Kleiman (KCRW’s “Good Food”), Jimmy Shaw (Lotería Grill) and Amelia Posada (Lindy & Grundy). Exploring the art and science of foraging, Gold will talk found fare with chefs Ari Taymor (Alma) and Wes Avila (Guerrilla Tacos) and wild food expert Pascal Baudar. Culinary mixologist Tricia Carr will cap off the evening with a crushed cocktails how-to. Restaurants include Acabar, Ayara Thai Cuisine, Border Grill, Fishing with Dynamite, Horse Thief BBQ, Manhattan Beach Post, Meals by Genet, Mr. Chow, Osteria and Pizzeria Mozza, Phorage, Pine & Crane, Urban Garden.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post; however, I did receive complimentary entry into the park.  All opinions are 100% my own. I Love being a part of the Disney family. 

Yes… I am a California girl, a native of Los Angeles, and a Disneyland devotee. There are several things in this life that excite me, and Disneyland and the holidays are definitely at the top of that list. When you combine those two things together the feeling becomes electrifying, like a bolt struck by lightning in Frankenstein’s neck.  With that being said, I was so thrilled to be invited to Mickey’s Halloween Party this past Friday night for the mark of the first of 13 Halloween parties celebrated Disney style. The park was decked out from head to toe in “spook-tac-ular” fashion.

I opened my trick or treating bag wide and marched down the candy trail, I had a little ghoul named Maxie following close behind me with an equally eager desire for candy . The magical kingdom sparkled in hues of purple and blue while music played in minor chords making the park feel eerie and ominous like a bad guy in the room kinda feeling.

I looked over my shoulder  to find Jack Skeleton inviting me into the Haunted Mansion Holiday. Talks of his gingerbread house in the center of the mansion ballroom was how he lured me in…revealing 13 different Jack Skeleton faces in each door.

I ran out of there spooked and straight into the arms of the Dia De Los Muertos exhibit where I was comforted by memories of loved ones lost but not forgotten.

Cadaver Dans Ghoul quartet filled my ears as they sang loudly on the rivers of America.

I could see a little red light floating above the castle when I realized it was Zero (Jack’s dog) he was letting the people know “Halloween Screams” firework spectacular was about to start. I watched showers of lights fill the sky in the dead of night as I munched on another treat.

What I ate while I was there is another story….go to Babble for a peek of the GORE- met apples and other treats!

Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separate-ticket event for trick-or-treating families, will expand to a spooky total of 13 special nights in Disneyland Park. Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party are on sale at the Disneyland Resort main gate and by phone at 714-781-4400.

Tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party purchased in advance are $59 each for selected nights, while tickets purchased on the event days are $67 each.  Tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and Halloween Night, Thursday, Oct. 31, are $74 each.

The dates: Friday, Sept. 27; Tuesday, Oct. 1; Friday, Oct. 4; Tuesday, Oct. 8; Friday, Oct. 11; Tuesday, Oct. 15; Friday, Oct. 18; Monday, Oct. 21; Wednesday, Oct. 23; Friday, Oct. 25; Monday, Oct. 28; Wednesday, Oct. 30; and Thursday, Oct. 31.

A photo of all the lovely Disney guests/ bloggers/ story tellers….. taken in Town Square. 

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post; however, I did receive complimentary entry into the park.  All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for the invite Disneyland!

  I find it interesting when my Mom recounts the days of her youth.  She tells it in a very matter of fact tone.  For the most part it was an unfair childhood, but the way my Mom paints it you can tell she never felt sorry for herself.  I’m the one who gets crushed for her when I hear what she lacked.  One of the things I remember her telling me was that she never had money to eat in the cafeteria at school when she was a little girl.  She says they use to serve a rice dish with meatballs and gravy on top and it always smelled delicious, but not once did she ever try it.  When I started cooking I decided it was time for my Mommy to have her meatballs and gravy over rice.  Thank the cafeteria chief for making a simple child-proof dish that I jumped all over and vamped into an adult plate.  I added Wonderful Pistachios to the meatballs and rice to give it an extra bite of flavor.  My Mom use to love this dish before she became a vegetarian, but my man and our son think this is one of the best things I make. 🙂  Enjoy!

All photos taken by: Nicole Presley and Mando Lopez

Ingredients for meatballs: 

1 – pound ground beef

1 – pound ground pork

1 – egg

1/4 – cup chopped green onion

1/3 – cup Wonderful Pistachios (shucked and chopped)

1 – heaping tablespoon of minced garlic

1/4 – cup fresh cilantro leaves

1/3 – cup chopped mushrooms

1/4 – cup bread crumbs

Salt and pepper to taste

Using your hands, mix all ingredients in a bowl. Then grab a small handful of meat mixture and roll into a ball. Repeat until done. Set to the side.

Ingredients for pistachio rice:

 4 – tablespoons butter

1 – tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 – cup onion

1 1/2 – cup long grain rice

1 -tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

1/3 – cup Wonderful Pistachios (chopped)

1 -teaspoon salt

1 -teaspoon black pepper

3/4 – cup peas (optional)

3 – cups chicken broth

Over a medium high flame add butter and garlic to a sauce pan with a lid. Melt butter, then add onion and rice. Mix until rice starts to brown. Then add sesame seeds, chopped pistachios, salt & pepper and mix well.  Add peas if you like. Wait until rice is very golden brown. Then add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Once broth starts to boil, lower flame to low, and put the lid on the rice. Cook the covered rice for 20 minutes. Then remove from flame and set to the side.

While your rice is cooking, let’s start the gravy.

Ingredients for gravy:

4 – tablespoons butter

1/2 – tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 – cup chopped onion

1/2 – cup chopped mushrooms

2 – cups beef broth

1 – tablespoon corn starch

1/8 – cup water

In a small sauce pan over a medium flame add butter and allow to melt.  Then add garlic, onion and mushrooms.  Saute until onions are soft.  Then add beef broth and bring to a boil.  Once broth is boiling get a small cup and fill with water then add corn starch and mix until corn starch is completely dissolved.  Now add corn starch water to boiling broth onion mixture.  Mix well.  Broth will thicken and remove from flame.

Lastly… over a medium flame take a large frying pan and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and allow to get hot. Then add your reserved meatballs and cook on each side for 5 to 7 minutes or until cooked all the way through.

That’s it your done. I like to add a piece of pineapple to the plate for the perfect touch of sweetness! You could enjoy this dish either way!

No compensation was received for this post. I was provided with a sample of  Wonderful Pistachios to aid this recipe. The recipe and opinions are my own.

Erika serving her truffled shumai.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the exclusive truffle party of the year.  Erika Penzer Kerekes of “In Erika’s Kitchen” is one of the nicest ladies on the planet.  I don’t know anyone who is generous enough to open up their home to a bunch of food bloggers and knock our socks off with all her amazingly delicious creations.  Believe me when I say, she does it right.  Sponsors were clamoring to donate their goods to the most sought after private party according to LA WEEKLY.  Piles of Fiji water kept the crowd hydrated. Cases of Wente Vineyards wine filled everyone’s glasses.  Most importantly Sabatino Tartufi’s truffles, truffle oil, salt and honey were all the rage. Posted below are a  few pictures from the party, keep in mind these pictures don’t do any justice to how scrumptious the food was.

The menu:

Truffled egg salad,  Emery’s Salad with pancetta and truffle vinaigrette, creminelli “tartufo” salami and fabrique delices truffled pates,  truffled puff pastry straws,  creamy wild mushroom soup with truffles,  truffled radish tartines,  open faced filet mignon sandwiches with truffled butter,  truffled twice baked melissa’s potatoes,  truffled pork and shrimp shumai, roasted california figs and goat cheese drizzled in truffle honey,  truffled pacific rockfish brandade,  crostini with fresh ricotta thyme and truffle honey,  crepes with truffled duck confit,  truffle butter spaetzle,  truffled chocolate truffles,  truffled rice pudding,  and rice krispies treats with truffle salt.

All photos taken by: Nicole Presley and Mando Lopez

My pal E. Sanchez of Nibbles & Feasts and I toasting to all the deliciosa comida.

Thank you Erika for hosting such a fabulous party!