A [Spanish] Fly on the Wall

{Too much yum in one place at Spanish Fly Gastropub}

I always want to pat myself on the back when I try a new restaurant and it is a great success. My boyfriend and I had been looking for a place in Koreatown (yes, where he lives) that fit our unique taste. Don't get me wrong, I love Taylor's Steakhouse (where ol' blue eyes used to get his martinis) and all of the Korean Barbecues scattered around, but I was really in the mood for something that was eclectic and fusion - something that was incredibly unique, and not too expensive.

Crispy Salmon with Mango and Avocado Salsa

{Crispy Salmon with Mango and Avocado Salsa}

Eureka! This may be the most luscious, delicious salmon dish you've ever tried. I promise.

Easy Bruschetta Balsamic Tomato Salad

{Easy Bruschetta Balsamic Tomato Salad}

You can call it a sauce, you call call it an Italian salsa, but I like to refer to it as a balsamic tomato salad.

During the summer, nothing is better than tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. Yes you can roast them or sautee them, but who wants to eat something warm when it's hot out. Not I (especially in this hot SoCal weather). Here's a perfect dish that goes fantastically on a crusty baguette on a hot summer night especially with a glass of Pinot Noir.

Ingredients:
2 tomatoes
4 garlic cloves
4 TBSP balsamic vinegar
1 TBSP olive oil
Dash of salt
Dash of pepper
Dash of dried oregano
Dash of dried basil

Chop up the tomatoes in cubes. The smaller you dice the tomato the more it will soak up the vinegar. If you prefer a more subtle vinegar taste, you should chop the tomatoes in larger cubes. Mince the garlic cloves. Throw tomatoes and garlic into a bowl.

Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and herbs. Drizzle with vinegar and oil. Toss all together and pile on top of a crusty baguette or eat with a spoon - I enjoy it either way.

It's the perfect dish for summer. It's filling, satisfying, and refreshing. Enjoy!

Blackberry, Feta and Arugula Summer Salad

{Blackberries, feta and arugula}

I was recently inspired... by a trip to the market.

Whilst innocently perusing the produce section of my local market, I stumbled upon the holy grail of fruit: blackberries and blueberries on sale for $1.50 a carton. Naturally I grabbed two cartons of blueberries and two cartons of blackberries, intending to use them as an afternoon snack.

However, one of my favorite favorite things to do during the summer is to incorporate fruit into salads. I have had a block of feta cheese hanging out in my fridge for far too long to continue being ignored - I had originally wanted to pair it with beets, and recently bought a head of peppery arugula which to be honest, always goes bad before I can use all of it. Alors, I was inspired.


This salad is the perfect balance of sweet from the berries, salty from the feta, peppery from the arugula, and tangy from the dressing. It's something that you definitely need to try because the subtle sweetness of the blackberries is almost highlighted by all of the other ingredients. I was worried that it would get lost, but it doesn't.

Recipe

Ingredients
1/2 carton of blackberries
2 TBSP crumbled feta cheese
2 handfuls of arugula
2 TBSP red wine vinegar
1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

In a small bowl whisk together the oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic powder and set aside.

Toss in a medium sized bowl with the arugula, blackberries and feta. Serve immediately or the greens will wilt.

*You can substitute the blackberries with any other berry and the feta cheese for goat cheese.

{A perfect complement of flavors}

{The perfect bite}

Favorite Summer Snack: Balsamic Avocados

{Balsamic Avocados}

My personal love for avocados started growing up taking summer vacations in Baja California, Mexico. A man drove a fruit truck and delivered fresh avocados to us every day. Although I have a slight allergy to them (cured with an allergy pill), I can't get enough. Since starting to cut complex carbohydrates, I have been looking for ways to make avocados the star, rather than just a condiment or compliment.

It's officially avocado season in southern California, which means it's time to reinvent the fruit with extremely bold flavor profiles that can stand up to the soft, buttery texture of the avocado.

My favorite way to eat avocados (other than smearing it on a toasted slice of sourdough bread) is to drizzle it with balsamic vinegar, salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder. This dish is a very light and healthy way to get those healthy oils, and a great way dish for you to serve at a dinner party as an appetizer.

Balsamic Avocados

Ingredients
1 avocado
2 TBSP balsamic vinegar (amount will vary based on avocado size)
Pinch of salt
Pinch of lemon pepper
Pinch of garlic powder

Halve the avocado and remove the seed. You can use your knife to cut into the seed and twist to remove. Using a large spoon (or a butter knife if you're avocado-savvy) pull the entire half of the avocado out of the skin.

Place the avocado facing upwards on your dish so that it looks like an avocado bowl. Drizzle with your vinegar, and sprinkle with salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder. If you're looking for a twist, chop up some shallots or roasted garlic for an extra crunch.

Enjoy at room temperature immediately.

Weekend Wrap-Up: Cars, Carnitas, Chocolate Mousse

{Homemade Chocolate Mousse}

This weekend was a hectic weekend at that. The highlight of my weekends definitely centered around food and shopping, but in an unexpected and surprisingly delightful way.

Dinner Parties for Unmarried Twenty-Somethings

We have quite a great group of cooks in my group of girlfriends, and one of our favorite forms of get-togethers is to throw an impromptu dinner party. Wine, delicious food, and captivating (mostly inappropriate) conversation make a weekday dinner something special. Here's how to seamlessly pull together a dinner party for a group of unmarried twenty-somethings.

Embrace Your State's Cuisine

{State of the Art Sandwiches}

Arguably enough, I live in one of the coolest states in America, but I'm a little biased obviously because I've lived here practically my whole life. However, these two series are fantastic ways to embrace your state no matter where you live.

Stately Sandwiches

The first one, State of the Art Sandwiches, is a collection of prints deconstructing the sandwich that each state is famous for. Of course the California one is a vegetarian sandwich with avocado and sprouts on multigrain bread (because all we eat here is tofu and kale, right?). Other sandwiches include the Philly cheese-steak and the New York Reuben. Prints will be available soon - I may snatch one up for my kitchen.

State-of-the-Art Cutting Boards

The second series is a collection of adorable cutting boards from AHeirloom (and you can get 10% off with this code from A Cup of Jo). You can choose to have a heart, star, or any sweet shape you prefer to mark your favorite city or the state's capital. They are handmade in Brooklyn, and quite fantastic if you ask me.

{California Cutting Board from AHeirloom}

Monday Date Night at The Perch

{A peach kir royale, bread and butter - complete with rooftop views of downtown}

After a long weekend complete with family bonding and high school graduation parties at the yacht club, I decided to take a mental health day on Monday in order to tie up some loose ends (and spend some much needed time with loved ones).

This included an extravagant date -a late Valentine's Day, so to speak- at The Perch in downtown Los Angeles. With rooftop views of the city skyline, The Perch is an ideal date spot with delicious French decor, and a 1920s feel that really makes you want to stay and order another Peach Kir Royale. We were actually able to take in the whole feel of the metropolis by Subway, with our final destination with a romantic dinner of drinks and delicious food. The highlight for both of us was undoubtedly the Jacques Collins -lemon juice, soda, simple syrup, and saffron gin. It truly was an unexpected and savory delight. Click through to see more photos from our romantic date.

Slutty Brownies

{Slutty brownies and Essie "As gold as it gets"}

I know. I know... The title of this post sounds like a horrible frat party... but bare with me.

Two things: (1) I am starting to be able to drink martinis like water - delicious olive water. This may or may not be good. (2) I forgot how much I love Oreos (sometimes with peanut butter, like LiLo in The Parent Trap)... but I digress.

This weekend in lieu of a cake for my Dad's 55th birthday, my sister (our little baker) decided to make "Slutty Brownies." This is how it works in our family in terms of preparing holiday meals: I am a competent baker and she is a more-than-competent cook, but she is definitely the baker extraordinaire in terms of creativity while I like to "wing it" with savory dishes. Together, we'd make a perfect team on Top Chef... or Chopped... or The Next Food Network Star... but I digress, again.

Funny side note: my dad used to get my sister and I to drink our milk by feeding us cookies. So cool but it's amazing neither of us is obese.

Here's why these brownies are slutty (according to my soon-to-be-21-year-old sister): they're super easy to make, and you can shove a lot of stuff in them. Appropriate for our father's birthday? Absolutely. Here's how you make them:

Weekend Wrap-Up: Happy Birthday Dad!

{Roasted bone marrow with croutons and a parsley salad}

Today is my lovely father's 55th birthday. Not only does the man not look a day over 40, but also he is one of the most caring, loving fathers out of anyone I know. Okay, I'm a little biased - but he really is one of the most awesome dads in the world. Ask my friends. He also is one of the most humble people I know - he insists that instead of taking him out to a fancy restaurant, that my sister and I cook a "low maintenance, home made meal." Of course since he is so special to us, we find ways to spruce up the annual birthday dinner. This year with roasted bone marrow, pork with a white wine cream sauce, white wine risotto, and garlic haricots verts.

 It may be one of the best meals that we ever threw together (and I may or may not have thrown in some cute pictures of my dad from childhood until now)...

Get Baked (Goods, that is)

{Best Cookbooks for Baked Goods}

Since trying to minimize my intake of complex carbohydrates, the cravings have started, and Pinterest is not helping the temptation. Today I came across this article on Bakerella which counts down the top cookbooks that you need to read if you love sweets. Oddly enough, I don't usually crave sweets (until I cut them out of my life completely).

I have to admit the ones that I'm looking forward to reading the most are Les Petits Macarons and Tartine Bread - but there I go again, showing off with my obsession with France. So go on - get baked (goods).

Four Ingredient Authentic Pizza Margherita

{Cheese, cheese, cheese}

Ever since returning from Coachella, I have been craving pizza, and only pizza. Earlier last week I had to do a repeat offender of my butternut squash and arugula pizza (except with an added goat cheese and prosciutto), but I only used half of my dough. Woe is me. So, since I have a slight obsession with mozzarella cheese, I decided to return to the basics: the perfect cheese pizza but grown up a.k.a. pizza Margherita. If you've never made pizza the authentic way, I highly recommend trying this recipe.

Los Angeles Spotlight: Orochon Ramen

{Orochon Ramen, Little Tokyo}

This past Saturday morning my boyfriend looked at me and said: "What do you want for breakfast? Coffee? Eggs?" My response: "Orochon and beer." It may not be my classiest moment, but it was quite the moment of glory that added to my credibility as a girlfriend.

Orochon Ramen used to be nothing more than a "cult classic" that my boyfriend and his friends used to obsess over. And then I tried it. Orochon may be the most delicious bowl of noodles that I have ever tasted in my life - and that's saying a lot for me, I don't typically enjoy just a bowl of noodles.

You may recognize it from the Travel Channel show Man vs. Food. Orochon is no joke. You can order how spicy you want your broth from 7 (mild) to -2 (yes, that's negative 2 and it will probably burn your esophagus all the way down to the toilet). If you can eat a whole bowl of -2 Orochon, then you are a champ. However, you may pass out before the sheer volume of food before you realize how spicy it is.

We always order a miso #4 (4 is spicy but not too spicy - we always add a little bit of hot oil). There are three broth options, but I haven't even bothered trying anything other than the miso because miso is the best. Don't forget to order a few eggs with your Orochon (which makes it even more decadent). The basic bowl comes with noodles, broth, veggies, and pork. I tend to add an egg or two, double meat, and garlic to that.

There is no dainty way to eat Orochon. You just really have to dig in, and wash it down with a nice pitcher of Kirin or Asahi. There really is nothing better to cure a hangover or a craving for a great bowl of noodles in Little Tokyo than Orochon Ramen.

{The only way to eat Orochon: shovel it like a beast}

Banana Bread (with Extra Bananas)

{Yum - moist, delicious banana bread held by my beige nails}

Just because I call them "nanners" does not mean I'm not grown up enough to edit and make my own banana bread when I'm bored on a Saturday afternoon. Now, I tried to follow this recipe, but unfortunately I had way too many bananas and not enough of the other ingredients... so in true "Amy fashion," I improvised...

You're not really supposed to improvise with baked goods, but hey, come on, who could it hurt? Just my sensitive stomach. So whatevs. Instead of granulated sugar, I used brown sugar. Instead of sour cream, I used plain Greek yogurt. I nixed the walnuts, and didn't have any vanilla (to my surprise). Shh... I also doubled the bananas - instead of using two bananas I used four. Yes, four bananas. And voila, the most moist and delicious banana bread that I have ever made.

{Moist banana bread over-populated with extra bananas}

{Prepare for your close up, bread.}

Baked Garlic Parmesan Kale "Chips"

{Baked garlic Parmesan kale "chips" - held by my beige nails}

It's official: I've fallen in love... in love with kale. First, it was the kale quiche; then it was the kale smoothie; now it is the kale chip. I had read about the mythical kale chip, how this once unpopular vegetable crisps up in the oven to absorb flavors and create some airy sort of munchie  that resembles our favorite junk foods. These baked garlic Parmesan kale chips will rival your favorite junk food and (yes ladies) it's nearly free of calories.

Quick Fix Meal: Quinoa Chicken Salad

{Quinoa Chicken Salad}

It's always difficult to pull together a healthy meal that doesn't take too long to cook. This past weekend my boyfriend and I decided to stay in and make dinner, which usually is some mish-mash meal consisting of random sides like shrimp cocktail and balsamic tomatoes (or whatever else looks good to him at the store).

This night we actually planned it well - I had quinoa and broccoli, he picked up chicken and aromatic veggies and herbs. It turned out delicious - the chicken was moist, the flavors meshed together extremely well, and the dish was hearty and still healthy.

Friday Favorites

{Life summarized in four bottles - source}

It's Friday and while I may or may not win upwards of $600 million tonight I still wanted to share my favorite internet finds from this week to help you transition into your weekend. This weekend I'm cooking some sort of quinoa concoction with the boyfriend tonight, and then going out to celebrate one of my best friends getting into vet school at UC Davis on Saturday. Sunday brings the dreaded April Fools' Day (look up gullible in the dictionary: you'll see a picture of me - I prefer to call myself a concerned, empathetic person... not gullible), but for I'm spending the day in Los Angeles with my dad and my sister who is finishing up her spring break. I hope your weekend is relaxing and fulfilling! I'll be enjoying the overcast, slightly cool weather here in Los Angeles (I embrace any change in weather I can get!).

{I may have to attempt to make these decadent Raspberry Coconut Macaroons}

{Is this Burger King ad female-friendly?}

{Definitely making these spicy micheladas this weekend}

{Create your own "space" artwork - source}

{Baby Otters}

{Donnez-moi these dainty rings}

{A wild book for civilized people - source}

{Indulge in this Chicken Liver Mousse}

Much Ado About Kale Smoothie

{Kale-Almond-Vanilla Smoothie}

Confession #1: I should have gone to the gym after work but instead I decided to paint my nails, blog and eat leftover kale quiche (and a few glasses of wine). Confession #2: There is a lot of kale in those pre-chopped bags that you buy at Trader Joe's - I think I may turn into a head of kale if I keep eating it for every meal (quiche functions as breakfast, lunch or dinner right?). Confession #3: I enjoy putting stuff in the blender and making it taste delicious - hence my kale-almond-vanilla smoothie that seriously tastes like melted ice cream (seriously).

Crustless Kale, Onion and Cheddar Quiche

{Kale, onion and cheddar quiche}

Lately I have been playing the "what can I cook before it goes rotten" game for dinner. I recently read an article that said that Americans waste $2000 worth of food per year (that I could be spending on shoes or concerts), so I have really kicked my improv cooking skills into high gear and throwing together what sounds edible that night. Tonight: an abundance of kale plus an abundance of eggs meant that I was winging a quiche. Yes, winging a quiche... from scratch... no recipe. What could go wrong?