Good Times.

These smiles are a result of martinis, sweet potato fries, baked pastry filled with artichokes and cheese, vegetable pizza, wine and champagne. Thanks to Lola's in West Hollywood, me and my girls had a swanky time. I kid you not, I ate sweet potato fries for dinner that night. Perhaps I'm going vegetarian?!? LOL! I love these girls and I miss them dearly.

This is just one of the beautiful sunsets I got to watch when I stayed in Long Beach with my BFF, Laurel. Yes, we were sipping on Chardonnay and eating a cheese plate. Such is the life.

I admittedly do not like this picture, but I now have proof that I visited NapaStyle in Pasadena. Michael Chiarello (PBS and Food Network) has his own catalog, but now you can shop in store too. There are several stores in California and I wouldn't be surprised if they expanded further. From olive oils to dips, spreads, to beautifully crafted, artisan handiworks, this store will make your mouth and your pocketbook water.

Now we are talking....a plate of gorditas from Tres Hermanos. Laurel and I made a pit stop there for some authentic Mexican grub. This was one of my "usuals" when I hit that spot on a weekly basis. Yes, you heard me, I said weekly. The problem is it's reasonable, delicious and super close to my dad's house in the valley.



Laurel, Deborah and I met at Electric Lotus in Los Feliz for some girl time and Indian food. It was so cool that we sat below this gorgeous Shiva painting. One of my favorite Indian restaurants in Los Angeles. The restaurant is mysterious and dark, sari prints hanging everywhere. Plus the spread is to die for....as you can see below. Garlic naan, chicken stuffed naan, a dish with roasted cauliflower and potatoes (the name escapes me), raita, and chicken tikka masala. Spicy, warm, complex flavors that keep us coming back for more and more.



I have more pictures from latest trip to Los Angeles, which I will post on my facebook and myspace accounts. It was great to get away, though the circumstances are sad. I'm so lucky to have awesome friends and family. I have never felt so much love and support. It's amazing. And if anything, it's amazing to see how friendships and the sharing of food bring us together.

chicken curry-licious.

Right about now if you walked into my house you would still smell the remnants of Indian food I cooked last night. In the January 2009 issue of Bon Appetit, I found a recipe for chicken with a red pepper and shallot curry that screamed my name. I simply adore Indian food. I adore the complex combination of spices. Indian food is rich, deep and above all else, delicious. The chicken thighs were baked in a tomato-yogurt mixture that included cumin, cayenne, paprika, cloves, cardamom, celery seeds, salt, pepper, canola oil, garlic and a few others that have escaped my brain at the moment (13 in all). While the chicken was baking and the basmati rice was steaming, I made the red pepper and shallot curry that included red and yellow bell peppers, shallots, tomatoes, jalepenos, paprika, turmeric and cumin seeds. Spicy and intoxicating. This dish warms your spirit and your belly. The perfect ending would've been a Bollywood movie, but we settled on the Superstars of Dance. So sue me. Perhaps during this new year you will take a culinary train ride and dive into some new recipes! Whatever your intentions may be for the new year, I wish you well!