129 replies to this topic

[CaliPoutine]

Lunch today was at the hospital. I figured if they're going to bill my insurance company 100 grand for my treatment, I might as well eat the lunch. Oh, yeah, thats another thing I miss from Ontario. Free health care.

I could chose from meatloaf or chicken alfredo( with peas and carrots). I could also chose something from the grill. I got a turkey burger with cheese and fries. They gave me dessert, I had 1 bite. It was so rich, it was not a cake, rather a very dense mouse.




Later on, I ordered a fruit plate. It looks a lot better than it tasted. The melon was hard as a rock.




Its 100F today, really hot and I'm exhausted. I stopped at Whole Foods on my way home and got a piece of baked chicken and some sides from the hot bar. On Wednesday, the hot bar and the salad bar are 5.99lb( regular 7.99). Julie is having dinner at the station tonight.

Edited by CaliPoutine, 12 October 2011 - 05:00 PM.

[CaliPoutine]

The migas look and sound good to me. Was the rice leftover? I have not explored the colored rices other than brown. Can you describe the taste and texture as well as how you have been using it?

I may have to head around the corner to Bed, Bath & Beyond to check out those tumblers

Yes, the rice and spinach were leftover. I was going to make a quiche with a rice crust( a recipe from a Culinary Mystery Novel), but I didnt get to it. The rice is nutty and chewy. Similar to brown, but with a bit stronger flavor. I cant remember the last time I used it. I was looking for brown in the pantry and I came across that.

Make sure you use a 20% off coupon for Bed, Bath and Beyond. Those cups range in price from 14.00-19.00.

That quiche with rice crust sounds lovely. Which culinary mystery? I love them.

I'm certainly enjoying your blog. It is reminding me of all the things I miss since moving up here. It was so easy to jaunt over the hill to Santa Monica and West L.A. (and points further south and east) when I lived in the valley. Now it takes most of a day for a round trip. Sigh!

The quiche is from Crunch Time( by Diane Mott Davidson). Its called florentine quiche and has cottage cheese instead of half and half. Julie wont eat it, so I was going to make half a recipe. I just didnt get around to it.

Sometimes it takes most of the day for me to get to Santa Monica too. On Monday, there was a car accident and it took almost an hour an a half to get home. If I can leave the westside by 2pm, I'm usually home in 30-45min. Next time you're in my neck of the woods, let me know and we can have lunch.

[robirdstx]

The quiche is from Crunch Time( by Diane Mott Davidson). Its called florentine quiche and has cottage cheese instead of half and half.

Hi Randi,

Enjoying your blog! I'm currently reading another of Davidson's culinary mysteries - a friend gave me a whole box full of her books. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but my friend has and she said they worked well.

[CaliPoutine]

Any Kitchen Nightmare fans? Julie and I and our friends are going to be on in 2 weeks. The episode is Burger Kitchen. I can't wait to see how it was edited, because the food wasnt that bad( we went before the restaurant had the Gordon makeover). We did have some issues, so I'm sure we'll be on the episode. The cameras were in our face a lot.

[heidih]

The quiche is from Crunch Time( by Diane Mott Davidson). Its called florentine quiche and has cottage cheese instead of half and half.

Hi Randi,

Enjoying your blog! I'm currently reading another of Davidson's culinary mysteries - a friend gave me a whole box full of her books. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but my friend has and she said they worked well.

This all sent me to Amazon to order the few I have not picked up at library sales - though not the newer ones out only in hardback - Kindle is looking good. I've not tried the recipes but have used some of the concepts and they are a great way to relax (or as my kid says "chillax" - chill out and relax)

[CaliPoutine]

Dinner last night.

I picked up this baked chicken breast and some mashed and corn. This was around 5.00. The chicken was dry. The dogs were happy In hindsight, I should have just picked up some salad. That meal had too many carbs for me. My blood sugar was higher this morning than it has been all week.



Breakfast today.

Julie had cherrios( she's off today) and I had 2 scrambled eggs with a laughing cow light cheese wedge. I also had 2 small pieces of onion rye( from the freezer)with light cream cheese. The bread is from Bea's Bakery in Tarzana. When I have a craving for rye, thats where I go. They have really good Black and White cookies too. Julie is addicted to those. I'm glad we live about 30 miles from Bea's.

[CaliPoutine]

Cant forget my morning iced.



We're going out to a local Mexican place( not a chain) for lunch. Not sure whats on the dinner menu yet. I have to pick up some buttermilk for the boob cake, so dinner might come from Trader Joe's.

Some of you might remember that I'm diabetic. I'm currently participating in a clinical trial for a drug that is already on the market, combined with insulin. I have to be careful regarding carb intake so as not to have too high or too low of a blood sugar. I only take the injection at night. Previously, I was on Byetta. Byetta prolongs gastric emptying so you stay full longer. When I first started Byetta years ago, I was so nauseous that I didnt eat much and lost 35 lbs within 4 months. This new drug makes me feel full too, but I'm not at the full dose yet.

We are heading to Long Beach tomorrow for the weekend(we're dogsitting). I think I'm going to make a reservation @ At Last cafe. An awesome restaurant that has been featured on Diners, Drive Inns and Dives. Saturday night we're using a groupon for an Italian place in Belmont Shore. I might do some baking while I'm at my aunts, she has a great kitchen for cooking/baking.

[heidih]

Just saw your Yelp review of At Last - sounds like something my friends and I should check out. We are adamant about supporting the independent diners.

This will be the 3rd Sunday of the month so the Antique & Collectible swap meet will be going at Veteran's Stadium next to Long Beach City College. Have you been? Lots of kitchen collectibles - sometimes even a bargain like these gorgeous bowls I posted about. We will head to Dale's Diner after. (Cajun burger for me, Loafer for my friend and Grilled Cheese for her veg sister).

[CaliPoutine]

Just saw your Yelp review of At Last - sounds like something my friends and I should check out. We are adamant about supporting the independent diners.

This will be the 3rd Sunday of the month so the Antique & Collectible swap meet will be going at Veteran's Stadium next to Long Beach City College. Have you been? Lots of kitchen collectibles - sometimes even a bargain like these gorgeous bowls I posted about. We will head to Dale's Diner after. (Cajun burger for me, Loafer for my friend and Grilled Cheese for her veg sister).

Thanks for reminding me about the swap meet. I think we will check it out. If you're free on Friday and would like to join us, let me know. I'll call this afternoon for a reservation.

Now I have to go check out Dale's diner.

[Mr Holloway]

Great blog CaliPoutine
You will be happy to be in California
Ontario is starting to get cold

Shane

Edited by Mr Holloway, 13 October 2011 - 12:49 PM.

[heidih]

Thanks for reminding me about the swap meet. I think we will check it out. If you're free on Friday and would like to join us, let me know. I'll call this afternoon for a reservation.

Now I have to go check out Dale's diner.

Thanks for the invite - unfortunately tomorrow is a "zoo" of commitments. Will look forward to your report about At Last.

[CaliPoutine]

lunch today. Local Mexican place. First up chips and salsa. I'm not a fan of chips( I know!!), I'd much rather have warm tortillas.




I got the lunch special, a chicken enchilada ranchera style( comes with sour cream and guac). I got double rice, I'm not in love with their beans. Kinda pasty. I much prefer black beans.

Julie gets the same thing every single time. A cheese enchilada. Both entrees were 7.95 each.




I currently have some ground turkey sloppy joes simmering on the stove.

[Kim Shook]

I actually HAVE made a boob cake - for one of the doctors at work. I've also made a...um....gentleman cake (urologists)! I don't know what you are planning for icing, but I found that a few coats of really thick glaze worked best to accentuate the 'contours' !

I looked at the At Last menu. It looks great - I'd love some mac and cheese with ham!

[CaliPoutine]

Dinner tonight.

I cooked some onion, garlic, spices, carrot and celery in evoo. I added 1lb of of ground turkey( breast). I then added organic tomato puree, worsteshire, brown sugar and cider vinegar. I also added a Tbls of tomato paste. We had this on small slider buns from Trader Joes.





I dont think Julie liked it very much. She asked me how I was going to make the sloppy joes. She said " are you using tomato soup"?, and I said " Ummm, NO"?, I dont use canned soups. She then replied " just dont tell me whats in it". Sigh......

[Peter the eater]

Any idea what the white ground turkey package means by "natural flavoring added"?

I like a sloppy joe where the bun is eclipsed by the slop.

[CaliPoutine]

I actually HAVE made a boob cake - for one of the doctors at work. I've also made a...um....gentleman cake (urologists)! I don't know what you are planning for icing, but I found that a few coats of really thick glaze worked best to accentuate the 'contours' !

I looked at the At Last menu. It looks great - I'd love some mac and cheese with ham!

How did you make the cake? I was thinking of baking a 9 x 13 and then using two stainless bowls to make the boobs. I was going to attach the boobs to the body, and frost it with flesh colored frosting.

What kind of cake did you bake

[CaliPoutine]

Any idea what the white ground turkey package means by "natural flavoring added"?

I like a sloppy joe where the bun is eclipsed by the slop.

Hmmm, not sure. Maybe Pam knows since its Empire Kosher turkey.

They were good and the small slider bun was enough. My blood sugar was perfect this morning too.

Btw, I bought those black and white checkered papers at Restaurant Depot. I use them when I send baked goods on platters to J's work. I also use them to line plates. Easy cleanup and the papers were cheap.

Coffee today.

Edited by CaliPoutine, 14 October 2011 - 09:02 AM.

[Zeemanb]

Any idea what the white ground turkey package means by "natural flavoring added"?

I could be wrong, but when I see that I generally associate it with salt water being added to various meat products. But most of the time it will say "x-percentage of solution added"...so not sure here.

[heidih]

Here is a link to the USDA page on the term. Sounds like spices, but not meat extracts or MSG.

[andiesenji]

I actually HAVE made a boob cake - for one of the doctors at work. I've also made a...um....gentleman cake (urologists)! I don't know what you are planning for icing, but I found that a few coats of really thick glaze worked best to accentuate the 'contours' !

I looked at the At Last menu. It looks great - I'd love some mac and cheese with ham!

How did you make the cake? I was thinking of baking a 9 x 13 and then using two stainless bowls to make the boobs. I was going to attach the boobs to the body, and frost it with flesh colored frosting.

What kind of cake did you bake

I made dozens of these back when I was catering. I started with a 1/2 sheet pan cake but a 9x13 is good for a smaller cake.
I used two SS pudding basins as they have rounded bottoms, some mixing bowls work too and for one smaller cake I used cappuccino cups - either one fill 1/3 full of batter to get the best proportions.

The bottom cake has to be fairly dense to avoid it collapsing under the weight of the "boobs" (a mistake I made with my first one). I just used one of the Bundt cake recipes as they tend to be firmer than regular layer cakes.

You need to carve the base cake to imply shoulders and a narrower waist but that isn't difficult.

Most of the ones I made were actually bikini cakes rather than "naked lady" cakes.

Edited by andiesenji, 14 October 2011 - 11:06 AM.

[onrushpam]

Hereis a blog with step-by-step instructions for one that turned out pretty well. It doesn't have a cake base, however.

[heidih]

Forgot to mention that I like the wooden spoon shot above. Is that your cooking implement of choice? I feel awkward in a kitchen without one :)

[CaliPoutine]

lunch today was in Seal Beach. I didnt really want to go to Seal Beach because of the salon shooting on Wednesday, but we were both craving pizza and this place has good NY style pizza( which is sorely lacking in our town). 2 slices and a drink are 6.50. I had mushroom, J had pepperoni.





We wanted a little treat so we proceeded to Belmont Shore for a cupcake from Frosted. I've tried lots of cupcakes from all over LA and Frosted is one of my favorites. Julie always orders a choc. with vanilla frosting. I had the chocolate with toffe frosting and we shared the hi-top. Salted caramel( 1.45). The cupcakes were 2.95 each.



We have a 6pm reservation tonight @ At Last.

Btw, its about 82F here. Perfect weather to enjoy the pool. See ya later.

[Peter the eater]

Enjoy the dip -- you deserve it!

[CaliPoutine]

Forgot to mention that I like the wooden spoon shot above. Is that your cooking implement of choice? I feel awkward in a kitchen without one :)

For most things, yes. For eggs, I use a silico spatula, but only one that is made in the USA. Either Le Creuset or Williams Sonoma. For chicken, I use tongs.

[CaliPoutine]

Dinner tonight( my pics are taking forever to upload, I'll have to try again tomorrow)

Julie and I shared the "house" salad(5.25). Mixed greens, pecans, bacon bits and mozzarella. I didnt realize there were raw tomatoes in here too. I asked that the greens be changed from spring mix to romaine.

I had the polenta appetizer(6.50). This is the dish featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. I get this every single time. Julie ordered the stuffed center cut pork chop. I had a few bites too. It was dry, which surprisd me. I think this is another dish that was on the tv show. You can watch the video of the show on You Tube. I told the waitress that it was dry, but that we would still eat it. She brought a complimentary bread pudding for dessert. I LOVE bread pudding, but this wasnt that good either. It was cold in the middle and hot on the edges.

I took a picture of the food from the table next to ours too.

[CaliPoutine]

Here are the dinner pics.
salad

polenta with mushroom sauce

stuffed pork chop


The gentleman at the next table ordered this mac n cheese w/ham( for you Kim)

His wife ordered mahi mahi with a mango salsa. She said the fish was bland.

Complimentary bread pudding. This was meh. Cold inside and warm on the edges. Ive had much better bread pudding.


So, overall, a somewhat dissapointing meal. I've eaten there half a dozen times, but only for lunch so not sure if this was a "dinner" issue or what. The total cost of the meal came to twenty nine dollars and change( without tip)

I have two groupons to use today. One for breakfast, the other for dinner.

[percyn]

Are these "Now" groupons or regular ones?

[andiesenji]

Are these "Now" groupons or regular ones?

Depending on your location, if you first sign in to Ebates and then to Groupon or Restaurant.com, you can get cash back as well as the discount.

My daughter lives in the bay area and uses this extensively. There is nothing much up here in my area but closer to L.A. and the O.C. there are many ways to save $$$ this way.

[Dejah]

Randi: I love that you took pictures of the food on the next table. I like to do that too, especially if it's something I'd want to try and replicate at home.
I once told another egulleteer to do that, and she actually used it as her signiture line.
Enjoying your blog. Have some places I'll try next August. And I'd love to cook with you when I'm down that way again...or go for a meal.