Fresh Pick of the Week: Peaches

Fuzzy-skinned yellow and white peaches grow in the summer months in many parts of the country. Here in Southern California, they're available May-September. The smell is delightfully overwhelming at the farmer's market and grocery store when they are at their peak season, letting you know they are just right to have as a snack, chop into salsas, or use for sweet summertime desserts--a great recipe to come!

Fresh Pick of the Week: Fresh Dates

You may be used to seeing dried dates available in grocery stores year-round. These sundried, sweet and caramelized versions are in the tamr stage (meaning ripe and sundried).  Now is the short harvest season for dates, meaning you can enjoy   fresh dates from Southern California or Arizona farmers markets in their ripe, sweet and crunchy khalal stage. I tasted my first fresh date a few days ago (a gift from a co-worker!) It resembled and crunched like a miniature apple and was quite delicious! If you live in Southern California or Arizona, go out and grab some while you can at your local farmer's market over the next few weeks.

Fresh Pick of the Week: Corn!

I live for corn season! It reminds me of growing up in Indiana: toward the end of each summer, the sweetest, most melt-in-your-mouth corn was available at almost every meal and available for unwrapping at the state fair. I might be biased, but I have yet to have a cob in any other part of the world quite as extraordinary as what I experienced in my hometown. Whether east, west or somewhere in the middle, I still delight at the coming of this season each summer, when a favorite grain is available at its best and for quite cheap. Grab some at the grocery or farmers market. It's great boiled, grilled (my favorite!), or you can  get creative with it. ENJOY!

Fizzy Basil Tom Collins

What a weeknight treat! These fresh, fizzy cocktails were simple to make (and even simpler to drink). Fresh basil added a new twist on an old favorite. Here's the recipe:

Fizzy Basil Tom Collins

Fresh basil, lightly muddled

1 part gin

2 parts freshly squeezed lemon juice (I had one ENORMOUS one from a friend's tree to use, and that worked too)

Fill remainder of glass with sparkling water and dash of simple syrup, honey or agave

Add ice and a sprig of basil for garnish

Outdoor Movie Picnic

This past weekend I headed to Hollywood Cemetery's outdoor movie. A group of us grabbed sandwiches from Mendocino Farms, some of LA's best beer, and some blankets to join tons of fellow movie watchers. It was the perfect summer way to enjoy good company, tasty food and drinks, and a movie.

Interested in checking it out? Get advanced tickets and a parking pass to avoid the long line. Get there as early as you can to get a good view of the film. 

Food Fair by Diego

Sides:
Tomato Salad-simple, full of fresh basil flavor
Roasted Beets-our server's suggestion

Al Fresco Pizza:
Sauce-less with Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Arugula, Roasted Garlic
and an AMAZINGLY crispy crust

 Delicious sides to share, crispy crust fresh pizza, $10 bill per person...I'll take it! Food Fair by Diego was perfect for a weeknight BYOB girls' date. The sandwiches and menu entrees also looked (and smelled) worth-trying, so this is definitely one I will repeat. 

Fresh Pick of the Week: Pluot

Pluots (pronounced ploo-aught) are in season! This fruit, also called "Dinosaur Eggs", grows from July-September in California. Pluots are a plum-apricot hybrid and have a smooth, plum-like skin with a sweet, red, juicy (delicious!) interior. Great on their own, sliced in yogurt or salads, or used for baking or jamming. Pick some up at your farmers market or grocery store and enjoy.

Racion Restaurant-Pasadena

Last weekend I stumbled upon this gem in Old Town Pasadena. Racion serves Spanish style tapas with Spanish wines, all delicious and well worth the trip to Pasadena. This competes for the best restaurant I have been to since moving to Los Angeles! With food to share that is to die for and friendly yet classy service, Racion is a perfect spot for a date night or an evening with close friends. Next time, I'm looking forward to checking out their outdoor patio seating :) 

Here's what I enjoyed on my date night to Racion (in addition to the not-pictured bottle of Temperanillo!): 

Amuse-Bouche:
Parmesan Crisp w/ Blueberry and Goat Cheese

Salted Cod Fritters (front)
Beef Tongue Crostini (back)

Roasted Vegetables w/ UNBELIEVABLE Garlic Sauce(we almost licked the plate!) 

Squid Ink Pasta
with Mussels and Poached Egg 

Dessert and (delicious) Coffee:
Pound Cake with Fresh Whipped Cream
and Stone Fruit (seasonal fruit?! yes please!)

Dietitian's Guide to Bacon

No denying it...bacon is one of the most delicious foods imaginable. Most of us know it's also not the healthiest. Bacon is mostly fat (the saturated, unhealthy kind) packed with sodium and additives. The sodium and fat in just one slice might not break the bank (see nutrition facts below), but how often does anyone have just one slice? 


I'm a big believer though that all foods, even bacon, can be part of a balanced diet. Here are a few tips to true enjoyment in moderation:

1. Go Natural. Bacon is cured, meaning that salt, spices, and other additives are used to give it the flavor and stay-power it has. Choose a bacon that uses minimal additives. Avoid potentially harmful food additives, like nitrites, by choose a brand like Applegate Organic and Natural Bacon instead of, say, Oscar Mayer.  Not picking on Oscar Mayer, here. Many brands use the same additives. Avoid ingredients lists with things like, "SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM ASCORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE."


2. Treat it like a condiment. And not like the fist-sized pile of ketchup you put next to your fries. Don't think of bacon as your meat option. Because bacon, even more natural varieties, is full of salt and fat, use it sparingly. Try it sprinkled on top of salads (like I did, pictured) or use a strip to add flavor to an omelet. The key here is to use the delicious FLAVOR in your meal and to avoid popping it piece by piece until the whole package is gone before breakfast has even begun. 


3. Enjoy it. Take the time to really taste your bacon (and all your food). Let your brain register that you've eaten and enjoyed it, and you'll be less inclined to mindlessly go back for more.  


Nutrition Facts for 1 piece of bacon:
43 Calories
3.3g Total Fat
1.1g Saturated Fat
8.8mg Cholesterol
184.8mg Sodium (this is a lot!)
0.1g Carbs
3g Protein

Look Where We Hiked Last Weekend! Griffith Park

This past weekend, I visited Griffith Park for the first time. It is full of walking and hiking trails as well as the beautiful Observatory and amazing views of Los Angeles. I'm no photographer but decided the pictures are better than any description I could give :)