My Hatred of Casey---renewed on Top Chef Finale

I really disliked Season's Three chef, Casey Thompson. I found her extremely annoying. So, while I was beyond happy to see Richard and Marcel (two finalists who were worthy of the title of Top Chef and fell short), I was less than pleased to see Casey. But, as much as I cringed at the return of Casey, I was so mad at Karla. She managed to do the VERY thing that landed her in the bottom during the competition...being amiable.


Sooooooooo, Hosea is Top Chef. Congratulations Hosea...I guess.

Stefan was robbed.

Recipe: Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I hate to toot my own horn (who am I kidding; TOOT TOOT!), but I make a pretty good Spinach and Artichoke dip. I am not one to hold on to my favorite recipes, I share them freely. I once took a few friends step by step through the process (after which they decided it was just easier for me to do it). So, here it is!

Ingredients:

1 10oz bag of frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
1 4oz jar of Italian marinated artichokes, drained and chopped
1 cup of Alfredo sauce (I use the jar kind)
4 oz garlic herb cheese spread
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 shallot, chopped
1 tbs of olive oil
2/3 cup of Parmesan Cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 350.
2. Saute garlic and shallots in olive oil. Add artichokes, and saute for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together spinach, alfredo sauce, garlic herb cheese spread, the artichoke mixture, and 1/3 of cheese.
4. Transfer to a dish (I use a large tart/quiche dish)and top with remaining cheese
5. Bake in oven until bubbly and slightly brown around edges (about 15-20 minutes).

Serve with baguettes or tortilla chips

ENJOY!!

Favorite Thing:Tender Green's Grilled Flatiron Steak Salad

I can go on about how salads aren't that special. I mean, you have to try really hard to make a bad salad. However, I've learned that even if my previous statement is true, that doesn't mean that a salad can't rock your world. Because, it can. Oh, and that salad is in Culver City.

The flatiron steak salad consists of tender red and green butter lettuce topped with breakfast radishes and red and golden beets. The salad is tossed in a light and flavorful horseradish vinaigrette. This lovely salad is then topped with a nice piece of medium rare flat iron steak, and finished with a sprinkling of chives. Omigoodness!I could eat it everyday.

Tender Greens prides itself on providing the freshest product available. Their food is not complicated, however, it is simply delicious.

9523 Culver Blvd., Culver City, Ca 90232

Top Chef Five: Ho Hum

*sigh* Once upon a time, writing about Top Chef was a big deal on this here blog. I will admit, my excitement tapered a bit during Season Four. But, I still blogged occasionally. However, there is only one real episode left in Season Five and not a word. Why? It's not because I'm not watching. I've watched every single episode of the show this season...more than once. However, I have no real excitement for any of the cheftestants. Carla is entertaining. I'm glad to see the tortoise nearing the finish line. I could listen to Fabio forever. Oh, and Stefan amuses me. His crush on Jamie was a little funny. Still, I'm not compelled to write at length about anything that's happened. Most of the chefs were forgettable and that's unfortunate. Oh, and where the heck was Anthony Bourdain?!? So, yeah...whatever.

Favorite Thing: Soon Tofu Soup

Soon from Beverly Tofu

I work with a very diverse group of people. While always a fan of Asian foods (Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Filipino foods are my favs), I've been exposed to a variety of new dishes. Some I've enjoyed so much that I have incorporated them into my diet. One of those dishes is Soon Tofu Soup. I was introduced to it a couple of years ago, and on a cold day like today I crave it like my parent's gumbo. It is the ultimate comfort food. There's nothing better than enjoying a big steaming bowl of delicious spicy soup, filled to the brim with beef, shrimp, clams, and silken tofu. This delicious soup is topped off with the introduction of a raw egg. The boiling hot soup cooks the egg, adding a little something special to the flavor of the soup that you didn't know was missing. Mmm.

It's about 48 degrees here and I'm headed out to get a bowl at lunch time.


Where I get my soup:
BCD-There are various locations in the LA area. Visit their website for location information. http://www.bcdtofu.com/
Beverly Tofu-2717 W Olympic Blvd Ste 108, Los Angeles, CA 90006-2642, (213) 380-1113

My Favorite Things

Move over Oprah. I think I want to start highlighting some of my favorite food-related things. These include, restaurants, dishes, cooking utensils, products...you name it.

My Japanese Breakfast at Fukagawa in Gardena

One of my food groups is in the midst of a series, "Ain't Always Eggs and Bacon". Basically, we are exploring various non-American breakfast spots. They previously went to 3 Square Cafe and Bakery in Venice (German breakfast). Due to my schedule, I was unable to join them. However, I can vouch for the great food at 3 Square. I had very yummy corn pancakes, poached egg, smoked salmon, and fruit. Also, after wandering into the bakery, I was able to sample my friend's triberry scone. I was rather annoyed by her going on and on about this scone. I mean, I like scones, but how good can a scone be? Apparently, a scone can be amazing. Seriously, after one taste, I coveted the scone. I actually talked about this scone for a good week.

But, I digress. Back to Fukagawa. Breakfast at Fukagawa consists of four specials.
The basic (Combo A) is a bowl of rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, seaweed, an egg (hard-boiled, raw, or tamago) and a small dish (perhaps a potato croquette, boiled spinach or tofu). Combos B-D just add on to the items in Combo A. See all combos below:

Combo A:
Rice, miso soup, small dish, nori (seaweed), pickles, and an egg.

Combo B:
Combo A + Natto (fermented soy beans)

Combo C:
Combo A + fish (grilled Aji-spanish mackerel, Saba-mackerel, or salmon) or steak

Combo D:
Combo A + Natto + fish or steak


Since, it's not everyday that I have Japanese food for breakfast, I decided to get Combo D. My final order consisted of a bowl of rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, nori, a raw egg, a tofu small dish, a bowl of natto, and grilled salmon with a side of grated daikon radish. It was quite a bit of food.

The miso soup was good. However, there were so many other things to concentrate on, that it became an afterthought. This was also the case for the pickled cabbage. As for the salmon, it wasn't my favorite. I found the grilled salmon a little overcooked and dry. Based on information from our group organizer and yelp.com readers, there is a special way to eat the rice. You mix a raw egg and soy sauce in the rice. The steaming rice partially cooks the egg and you end up with a delicious dish. I love steamed/runny/poached eggs, so I decided to try it. However, as it turned out, my rice was not as hot as I expected. So, I did not have the desired outcome. Still, I enjoyed the taste of the egg, soy, and rice. It was different. The tofu dish was very nice. There were two large pieces of tofu in a very flavorful broth. The dish was accented with shaved bonito flakes and green onion. I really enjoyed it. Oh, let me not forget the natto. Hmmm, what to say. I came to natto with an open mind. Even as one of my Japanese dining mates went on about how much she disliked it. The natto arrived with a raw quail egg in the center and topped with green onion. There was also a little bit of spicy mustard on the side of the bowl. As I attempted to stir in the ingredients, the natto began to foam and spiderweb like strings developed. The more I stirred, the more it bubbled. I finally decided to bite the bullet and just taste it. Remember, I have an open mind. Well, after one taste of natto, it was officially closed. The taste was akin to a teenaged boy's dirty gym sock. It was without a doubt the most unpleasant thing I have ever eaten. I strongly believe in second chances, but I think it's a wrap for me and natto.

Overall, an interesting experience.