Blueberry Lemon Scones

Blueberries are finally in season! And here they shine in yummy scones. Using seasonal fruit in baked goods adds natural sweetness, so you can cut back quite a bit on the sugar without compromising flavor. 

The Nutrition Rundown: A scone from a standard coffee shop may run as high as 500 calories. This perfectly-portioned, whole grain version gets flavor from fresh fruit instead of refined sugar.

Blueberry Lemon Scones

Makes ~10 scones

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour

3 Tbs sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

5 Tablespoons chilled butter

1 cup blueberries

6oz plain yogurt

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
2. In large bowl (or bowl of standing mixer) whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Cut butter into dry ingredients. Mix with whisk attachment or with electric mixer until butter is about pea-sized.  
3. In separate bowl, mix together yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and egg. Stir into dry ingredients until just combined. 
4. Flour work surface, and knead dough (it will be difficult to knead). Pat into circle ~1/2 inch thick. Cut into ~10 triangles. 
5. Transfer scones to baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees. Cool on wire rack. 

Pumpkin Apple Spiced Oatmeal

Pumpkin and apple are a delicious and tasty autumnal pair. This morning, I made a batch of this hearty oatmeal. It not only made a great weekend breakfast, but it filled the air with the smell of fall! The recipe below serves 4, and whether you're serving 1 or more, I recommend making a hefty batch to re-heat and enjoy all week long. 

The Nutrition Rundown: A bowl of this well-rounded breakfast treat is full of  beta-carotene (aka vitamin A found in orange fruits and vegetables), and it boasts plenty of cholesterol-lowering, satisfying soluble fiber from apples, pumpkin, and oats. 

Pumpkin Apple Oatmeal

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 cups water

1 ½ cups rolled oats (or use steel cut and increase cooking time)

½ cup cooked or canned pumpkin puree

1 apple, chopped

¼ cup unsweetened apple sauce

1 Tbs cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp cloves

½ tsp nutmeg

1/3 cup raw almonds, chopped

¼ cup raisins

Honey (optional)

Direction

1. Bring water to a boil. Add oats and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently, ~5 minutes or until oatmeal begins to thicken.
2. Add pumpkin, apple slices, applesauce and spices. Turn heat to low and simmer another 10 minutes, stirring often.
3. When oats are desired consistency and apples begin to soften, remove from heat. Stir in almonds and raisins.



Nutrition Facts without added honey


4. Serve warm as is or drizzled with honey. 

Watermelon Basil Martini

Summer is coming to a close, but with a last heat wave here in LA, I thought I'd sneak in an end-to-summer cocktail. This Watermelon Basil Martini is easy, light, and refreshing!

The Nutrition Rundown: Many cocktails have added sugar or simple syrup. Fresh, seasonal watermelon adds sweetness without too many added calories. Seltzer lightens the alcohol content and calories as well. As always, try to enjoy in moderation...

Watermelon Basil Martini

Makes 2

Ingredients

1/2 cup diced watermelon

~5 basil leaves

3 oz (2 shots) gin- you could substitute vodka if you prefer

1 cup ice

6 ounces club soda

Directions

1. In martini shaker, muddle/smash watermelon and basil. Add gin and ice.Place lid on shaker and shake vigorously. 

2. Remove shaker lid. Add club soda and stir. Strain into ice-filled glass and serve. 

Big Bear Hiking: Castle Rock

A couple weekends ago, my husband and I took a quick overnight trip to Big Bear for some quality mountain-lake-infused fresh air. We hiked Castle Rock in the morning before heading back to LA. Though difficult to find the trailhead, this 3 mile round-trip trail was easy and fun to navigate, with opportunities for amateur-friendly rock climbing and astounding views the entire way up.




Getting to the trailhead: Off of Big Bear Blvd, just west of Talbot Drive, the trail starts and ends on the southeast (non-lake side) of the road near the 40 MPH sign. There's also a trailhead sign (but some of us didn't see that any of the 3 times we passed it).

Connie and Ted's

A New England style fresh fish bar in the middle of West Hollywood? Yes please! Connie and Ted's offers a great bar, raw bar, and uncomplicated seafood, all sustainably and freshly caught. Last Friday, we enjoyed sitting at the raw bar and asking every oyster question we'd had pent up for the last decade to the very knowledgeable shellfish "bartenders". As someone with lots of oyster-love and little oyster-know-how, the list that came with the chef's selections was a welcome cheat-sheet!



Here's a look at everything we enjoyed:

Chef's selection of a dozen oysters

My drink...someone else's dinner. Maybe crab next time?

Little Gem Lettuce
A great take on the classic wedge salad

Market Fish: Sea Bass with a side of Onion Rings (all shared!)

What Should You Eat On A Date?

I get asked a lot of scenario-specific nutrition questions. Just in time for your Valentine, I've decided to address this one.  There are quite a few considerations: price, breath, ease-of eating/chatting, dining etiquette...I could go on. And there are certainly those dates on which you feel you can toss some or all of these considerations aside and just go for it (we'll call that "true love"). But, if you've asked this very question recently, here are a few tips:

• Don't show up starving. I'm not in the "eat a meal before your date" camp- if you can't eat with someone, you shouldn't be dating them. But you should never enter any meal FAMISHED-it's a sure way to 1) overeat and 2) be super cranky should the kitchen-to-table process take longer than expected. Instead, have a 200ish calorie snack that includes protein and fiber about an hour before you head out. Good choices include a small smoothie, carrots + hummus, or Kind Bar.  
• Stay light on your toes! Overdoing it can make you feel tired and sluggish. Carb-heavy meals make you especially vulnerable to the sleepy part. Sharing a couple appetizers and a salad or going lighter on meal ordering knowing you could always grab dessert if you're still hungry are 2 good strategies. 
• Share plates. In case the previous point didn't sell you, this will also prevent the awkward "should I order the most or least expensive item" dilemma (and no, you should not). It and also creates a natural path for the conversation. If the dish you order is more awkward to eat than you'd anticipated, at least you're sharing in the challenge. Which brings me to my next point...
• Choose what's easy to eat. For example, at Cafe Habana, think about the difference between the Grilled Corn on the Cob versus the Guacamole. The latter makes eating and talking a whole lot easier. If you really want something though, go for it! Just remember to cut small pieces and take small bites. This allows you to focus more on the chatting and less on the chewing.
• Caution with foods that cause bad breath. Unfortunately, these are a lot of delicious foods/drinks. Think onions, garlic, cheese, and spicy foods. Carrying a travel mouthwash might be the closest thing to a cure. Alcohol also causes bad breath. This occurs when the alcohol in your blood circulates to your lungs and you expel air (this is how a breathalyzer can detect the amount of unprocessed alcohol in your system). The best approach is to do what you can to prevent the bacteria build-up in your mouth that leads to bad breath by staying hydrated and limiting sugar consumption. And a steady stream of sugar-free gum if all else fails. 

Ad Hoc

No pictures of the cheese course or dessert because I didn't get to it before it was gone...

Last weekend, my husband and I took a quick (birthday!) trip to Napa. We loved the road trip, wine tasting, and relaxation. But the REAL reason for the excursion was to have dinner at Thomas Keller's At Hoc, one of California's best restaurants. The casual atmosphere is perfect for a post- wine tasting date or group dinner. And every bite we took was full of fresh, balanced flavors, making it impossible to pick a favorite course. Check out our fabulous meal, and keep in mind that the menu changes daily (making it even more tempting to go back again and again!)

 

A New Hike: Topanga State Park Parker Mesa Overlook

View from Parker Mesa Overlook

A couple weekends ago I did my favorite LA hike to-date: Topanga State Park's Parker Mesa trail. A rolling 3 miles each way, the trail is quite user-friendly and leads to the Parker Mesa Overlook, which is the most beautiful view of LA I have seen yet! The hike in total took us about 2-2.5 hours (including time spent on all these photos and soaking in the gorgeous sights).

Directions: From the Topanga State Park parking lot off Entrada Road, begin at the obvious trail head. You'll walk ~1/4 mile before you see a sign indicating the Parker Mesa overlook to the right. GO THERE!



Tips: Bring water, watch out for mountain bikers.

Low-Fat Pumpkin Pancakes

Try them with low-fat Greek yogurt and raisins

What could be better than a hearty, delicious, HEALTHY fall breakfast?  A breakfast of the usual buttermilk pancakes + syrup can leave you hungry shortly after you've downed a stack because it's full of only simple carbs (aka no fiber or protein) . That's why I love weekend pancake makeovers. I hope this low-fat, fiber-rich, tasty recipe will leave you satisfied and in a happy autumn mood!

The Nutrition Rundown: 

• Whole wheat flour for fill-you-up fiber
• Applesauce subbed for butter to reduce fat and calories



A crowd pleaser!

• Pumpkin for fall flavor and vitamin A (healthy skin and immune system!) 

Pumpkin Pancakes

Serves 4

(8 medium pancakes or 4 large)

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups whole wheat flour

2 Tbs raw turbinado sugar (white sugar works if you don’t have this)

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp ground cloves

1 cup skim milk

¼ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

2 Tbs unsweetened applesauce

1 large egg, beaten

Oil or pan spray

Directions

The recipe's nutrition facts

1.  Combine all dry ingredients (flour through spices) in medium mixing bowl. Whisk together to combine.
2.  In separate bowl, whisk together milk, pumpkin, applesauce, and egg.
3. Fold wet ingredients into dry until well mixed.
4. Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat. Coat/Spray with cooking oil.
5. One pan is pre-heated, pour ~1/4 cup batter per pancake onto pan for 8 pancakes, or ~1/2 cup batter for 4 large pancakes. Once top bubbles, flip and heat on other side.

Serve with butter and maple syrup or try with applesauce, Greek yogurt and raisins for something different!  

Fresh Pick of the Week: Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes

I've been an absentee blogger recently due to a few amazing weeks off from reality. Those weeks included a trip to Napa Valley where I spent one afternoon at Volker Eisele Family Estate getting a detailed tour and explanation of the grapes they grow and the wines they produce from their crop.


These Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown in the warmer areas of the still cool vineyard, and make up the majority of the grapes grown at Volker Eisele. These little red grapes also make up the majority of the winery's complex yet easily drinkable (almost too drinkable!) Cabernet Sauvignon bottles, which also include Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes to round it out. The thought of their wines and the experience at the vineyard makes me wish I was more articulate in the ways of wine-tasting, but alas you may just have to experience the family-run, organic vineyard for yourself by visiting or buying a bottle to enjoy!

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. 

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!)

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 :)

Joshua Tree

I started this past Memorial Day weekend with a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park for a hike. I never realized how unbelievably gorgeous the desert really is (my pictures do NOT do it justice, so you'll have to make time for a visit). Having just moved to the LA area from NYC, I'm immensely looking forward to the ease and frequency with which these outdoors adventures can occur.

Weekend hikes have been one of my favorite activities on past trips to Southern California. They're a terrific way to enjoy nature, friends, and are a fun way to burn some calories. I'm no hiking expert, so if there's anyone out there with local tips, please share! Next trip to Joshua Tree may include camping and/or bike ride through the park. I will definitely be back for more!

Make a Meal out of Appetizers

Want to have a dinner party without tons of work? So did I! Some appetizers homemade and some simply store-bought and plated--I was able to do about 20 minutes of cooking, and enjoy hours of relaxed conversation with one of my favorite dinner guest. The key is to have a mix of breads/starch, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Hearty enough for a meal, but healthy enough to nibble while you chat. Here's what was served:

• Zucchini Oven "Fries" with Spicy Garlic Aioli (see recipe below)
• Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus Spears (simply blanch the spears, wrap them, and stick toothpicks)
• Grandaisy Bakery Sesamo bread with brie cheese, olive oil and vinegar for dipping
• Delicious red wine (courtesy of my generous guest)

Zucchini Oven “Fries” with Spicy Garlic Aioli

For the Zucchini Fries

2 Medium Zucchinis

1 egg, beaten

¼ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

2 tsp dried basil

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

For the Aioli

1 Tbs mayonnaise

¼ cup Greek yogurt (I use Fage 0%)

1-2 garlic cloves, roasted and mashed

1 Tbs Sriracha sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise, then into ¼” diameter spears.
3. Beat egg in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 2 Tbs Parmesan, basil, salt and pepper in bowl.
4. Coat each zucchini spear first in egg, then breadcrumb mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet. Once all spears coated, bake for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through.
5. While zucchini is baking, prepare Aioli by combining all ingredients in bowl. Transfer to small dish for dipping.
6. Remove zucchini from oven, sprinkle with remaining 2 Tbs grated Parmesan and serve with Aioli.

 

Escondito Falls

This past weekend I went on a "hike" through Malibu's Escondito Falls. While the first two legs offered a rigorous but novice hiking experience, I will go ahead and call the third and final leg an all-out boulder climb (and I'm NEVER one to exaggerate). With shaky legs, we summitted the cliff for a beautiful view of the waterfall beneath and the Pacific Ocean. The next day, I felt not only accomplished, but general body soreness--a hurt-so-good kind of feeling. Not surprising given that just 30 minutes of rock climbing burns nearly 400 calories. If you're not up for the last leg, the view of the second waterfall is still worth the trek.

Climbing out of this cave required advanced shimmying technique.