Author Archives: Anne

Farmer’s Market Pasta

Do you ever hit a road block when you’re trying to figure out what to make for dinner?  It happens to me on weeknights here and there, but it hardly ever happens when I know in advance that people are coming over.  In fact, I get really excited about the prospect of cooking for others and have so many recipes I want to make that I have to reign it in.  Yesterday, however, was totally different.  I must have flipped through 15 or so cookbooks, spent a good hour on Foodgawker, yet nothing grabbed me.  We finally decided to hit the Pasadena Farmer’s Market and hoped inspiration would hit while we checked out the produce.

Mother Dough, Los Feliz

The second I read about a new, wood-fired pizza place opening up in Los Feliz, I bookmarked the page and made a mental note to get there as soon as possible.  First of all- the name of the restaurant- Mother Dough- just grabbed me.  You see, the dough is- by far- the most important element of any pizza (to me, at least!) and after reading about how their recipe was sourdough-based, I knew we had to try it.  J LIVES for sourdough and he also loves a good, thin crust pizza, so there was no question- we were going.

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Breakfast: Bagels, Coffee Cake and My Favorite Scramble

Just a quick post to catch you up on what I’ve been making lately.  Sorry to have not posted in a week, but it seems all I’ve been making are those Peanut Butter Crispy Bars which I’ve already blogged about twice!  I did take some quick pics of other things I’d made, so although a proper post is coming up, I wanted to fill in the gap with these breakfast items.

Bakesale for Japan: Success!

Just a quick post to give Los Angeles a big ‘ol pat on the back for raising a whopping $15,484.00 during the Bakesale For Japan for Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims, which will be distributed via Peace Winds Japan.  Who would have thought that image-conscious Los Angelinos loved sweet baked goods so much, ha?!  I’m happy it was such a success, and I had a fantastic time participating.  Thanks SO much to everyone who came out, said hi at the Pasadena location, and tweeted about the event.  I’m eagerly awaiting the final total for the entire, nationwide bakesale, and I think it’s going to be a BIG number!

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Bakesale for Japan

Hi everyone!

If you’re a food blogger, you’ve probably already heard about Saturday’s nationwide Bakesale for Japan.  If you haven’t, I’m here to tell you about it!

On Saturday, April 2nd from 10:00am- 2:00pm, bakers from around the U.S. will be selling their homemade goodies at various locations.  The price of each item is up to the buyer- donate as much as you feel is appropriate.  Of course, the more generous you’re feeling, the better- all proceeds go to Peace Winds Japan to help the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan.

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New Orleans: Food, Food and More Food!

Last week, I took my maiden voyage to the great city of New Orleans.  My best friend M was my partner in crime since she’d lived there for six months a few years ago and had been itching to get back.  When you tell people you’re going to New Orleans, the recommendations start coming almost immediately about where to eat and what to eat.  Having seen my fair share of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, I had a few ideas myself, and M and I set out to sample as much of NOLA’s amazing cuisine during our short, 2.5 day trip.  Fried oysters, here we come!

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Homemade Pop-Tarts

I’ve baked a lot of cookies, cupcakes, cakes and pastries over the last few years, and the items that seem to get the biggest reaction are things that take people back to their childhood.  When I made a version of Ding Dongs for my former coworkers, you’d have thought I handed out $100 bills- they were damn near in happy tears over the chocolate cupcakes with the little squiggle of white icing on top.  Freshly baked apple pie wins hands down over something fancy from a French patisserie, and these Pop-Tarts may have beaten them all.  I guess nostalgia minus artificial colors and flavors plus home baking = happy people.

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Daisy Mint in Pasadena

It seems I rarely blog about my “regular” places- as in, I only post about special-occasion restaurants.  I guess if you get coffee at the same shop three times a week, it never occurs to you to whip out the camera.  However, we all keep going back to the same places because they’re GOOD, and the other day I was thinking of how I should stop taking them for granted and start blogging about the places that keep me fed and happy all the time!  I mean, isn’t it nice to go to a restaurant knowing that you’re going to get great food and service?  So here’s my tribute to one of those places: Daisy Mint in Pasadena.

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Mexico City: Friends, Food and Stink Bugs

Ok, you’re probably wondering what the stink bugs are all about.  Let’s just say there is a first time for everything, and my trip to Mexico City last weekend contained many firsts, including eating the tiny little critters as part of a fantastic tasting menu at Pujol.  I also had Mexican wine- several different kinds- for the first time and it blew my socks off – it was THAT good.  My friend R said it’s still almost impossible to get it here in the U.S. but I hope that changes soon.  There is some amazing wine being made there and it’s about time the world got a chance to taste it!

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Peanut Butter Crispy Bars



This dessert is everything you’d want in a bar: creamy, sweet milk chocolate and peanut butter sandwiched between a thin layer of rich dark chocolate and another of Rice Krispies.  We could just simplify and call them Crack Bars, because once you try them, you’ll want them.  All the time.  Every day.  Then pretty soon you’ll find yourself in a room with Candy Finnigan while your family looks on wringing their hands and being all weepy.  Yup, you’re in some serious trouble.

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