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Why Did You Eat That: If You Can’t Stand the Heat…

By |March 7th, 2011|Recipes, Why Did You Eat That?|

For months, my fiance has beeng going on and on and on about the fried chicken from TheKitchen in Silverlake.  So one rainy Friday night a couple of weeks ago, we headed over there so I could experience the joy that is The Kitchen and so he could satiate his fried chicken fiending.  Tucked in on corner in Silverlake, you would almost miss the place if you weren’t looking for the artwork on the building and tables outside.

While the fried chicken is just as delightful as my honey had described, I couldn’t help but think about which area on my body the fat was collecting.  (Bonus: the fried chicken is BONELESS which scores points in my book because I do not like food on the bone – fun fact).  Food that tastes that good can’t possibly be healthy, right? I immediately felt guilty… and the ordered the flourless chocolate cake.

Luckily, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started watching TV shows that your mom probably watches.  While tuning into one of my new favorites, Dr. Oz, I was ecstatic to see the Deen Brothers discussing how they’d revamped a viewer’s high calorie, high fat, highly delicious fried chicken recipe into a much healthier version.

Below is the Deen Brothers’ recipe for lower fat, just as yummy, fried chicken:

Ingredients:

  • 8 skinless boneless chicken thighs, trimmed of all visible fat (about 1 1/2 lbs)
  • 1/2 tsp Paula Deen’s House Seasoning (1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp ground black pepper, 1/8 tsp garlic powder)
  • 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 tsp hot sauce
  • 1 1/4 cups cornflake crumbs

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a large shallow baking pan with non-stick spray. Sprinkle the chicken with the house seasoning. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon zest, juice, egg white, and hot sauce. Add the chicken; toss to coat.

Place the cornflake crumbs on a sheet of wax paper. Dip the chicken into the crumbs pressing so the crumbs adhere. Place the chicken in the pan and lightly spray with nonstick spray.

Bake until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, 40 – 45 minutes. Do not turn.

While, I have yet to cook this up myself, I wanted to share it with you guys and perhaps we can share notes. Um, anyone have a low cal option for delicious chocolate cake?

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Get in the Mood with Food

By |February 14th, 2011|Recipes, Why Did You Eat That?|

We’ve all heard the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” and while it may sound trite, they may be right. Some of you probably already have plans to cook up something delicious for your mate, but before you start clanging around in the kitchen and setting off the fire alarm, why not try these easy, delicious and libido enhancing recipes?

Oysters with Frozen Champagne Mignonette

  • 24 fresh oysters
  • 1/4 cup shallots
  • 3/4 cup pickled ginger
  • 1/2 cup dry champagne
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp chopped chives

Directions:

  • In a food processor, combine shallots, ginger, champagne, sugar, pepper, and vinegar. Puree on medium-high for one minute. Pour mixture into a pie plate and freeze for several hours.
  • Clean and shuck the oysters, then place them on a serving platter. Just before serving, remove champagne mignonette from freezer and scrape one teaspoonful onto each oyster. Sprinkle each oyster with chopped chives and serve immediately.

Why this will put you in the mood:

Zinc.  Healthy levels of zinc are linked to the production of testosterone in both men and women and that means a higher libido for both of you.  Not to mention oysters are very phallic (use your imagination).

Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries

  • 6 ounces Dark chocolate
  • 3 tablespoons Half and half cream
  • 1/2 tablespoon Unsalted butter
  • 20 Large strawberries or 30 medium strawberries.

Directions:

  • In a one-quart glass bowl combine chocolate and cream. Heat in microwave oven on high 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Add butter and stir until melted.
  • Dip each strawberry into the chocolate mixture allowing the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. If necessary, add additional cream to the chocolate to achieve desired coating consistency. Transfer the coated strawberry to a baking sheet lined with foil or waxed paper and repeat process.
  • Allow the chocolate to cool and then chill the strawberries until chocolate is set, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Why this will put you in the mood:

Strawberries are high in Vitamin C, which is great for flushing toxins from your system (keeping your beautiful) and they are also great for keeping his “swimmers” healthy.  The color red is also scientifically proven to stoke the fire.

Tryptophan and Phenylethylamine are natural feel good chemicals.  Luckily, both are found in dark chocolate.

Spicy Chocolate Martini

  • 1 ounce vanilla vodka
  • 3 ounces Baileys
  • 2 ounce Kailua
  • 2 dried chili peppers, crushed (we used chili de arbol)
  • Ice

Mixing Directions:

  • In a glass, soak dried peppers in the vanilla vodka for 30-60 minutes. The longer you soak, the spicier you get.
  • Place all ingredients into a martini shaker and shake.
  • Strain mixture into chilled martini glass (you don’t want the seeds)
  • Garnish with extra chili peppers!

Why this will put you in the mood:

Well, you already know what chocolate can do for you, but did you know that chili peppers are chock full of a chemical called capsaicin?  Capsaicin aids in the release of endorphins which gives you the feeling of euphoria.

Dig in!

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Can I have a Peace?

By |February 7th, 2011|Why Did You Eat That?|

I have had a love/hate (mostly hate) with Los Angeles for the past seven months. Between the traffic, the inflated egos, and plastic appearances, it’s been a tough adjustment for me. Though, I must say the weather here is insane and certainly does make up for what the city lacks in other areas.  One of my biggest gripes has been finding a great restaurant that isn’t too trendy and sceney (read: tacky), has great ambience, and actually has delicious food.

This past Friday we went to Pace in Laurel Canyon.  I had never heard of it and probably wouldn’t have even noticed it driving by if it hadn’t been pointed out. I was confused at first because I thought we were heading into the local market that is attached to the restaurant (am I a cheap date?), but was relieved when we walked into the outdoor terrace of the restaurant and then inside.

Immediately, I felt as if we had left Los Angeles altogether.  The decor was warm and cozy.  I’ve never been to Spain, but we could have easily been there (in my head at least).  The clientele was attractive, but unassuming and I knew we were in for a treat when I smelled the truffle mac and cheese that was a special for the evening.  We were seated at a table in the corner and I was elated to see a glass on the table with crayons in it.  Yes, things like that score big with me.  Another special we tried was an avocado stuffed with fresh crab that I could have happily spent the rest of my days eating as my only meal.  One of the best parts about the restaurant is that the food is all from local farmers and vendors so it is fresh and that absolutely comes through in your meal.  While this was absolutely not a “cheap date” we left feeling like we had actually gotten what we’d paid for.  The food was worth every penny. Did I mention the warm chocolate cake?

For a dinner at Pace, I would suggest something elegantly dressed down.  This is not the place to pour yourself into a Herve bandage dress.  I don’t suggest looking like you just rolled out of bed, but think “Oh this? I just threw something on.”

Clockwise: Brian Atwood Studded Multicolor Cutout Pump, $790, Equipment Signature Blouse, $188, Sparkle and Fade Leather Shorts, $128, Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag, $412.50, Lilly Pulitzer Basket Case Bangle, $58, Lauren by Ralph Lauren 20 Set Delicate Bangles, $68

Peace out.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That: Pure Bliss

By |January 24th, 2011|Los Angeles, Why Did You Eat That?|

Yes, birthdays should last longer than just a day. I mean we’ve spent the last 364 building up to just one day?  Why not go ahead and spread one’s birthday out over a few days… a week perhaps?  Well, thanks to some super spoiling, that’s exactly what I did.  After spending the day getting royally pampered at bliss, I was whisked off to an “overnight adventure”- location TBA.

It was a beautiful night and we drove with the windows down until we reached Malibu where we turned into the Malibu Beach Inn.  Sheer bliss ensued (for the second time that day).

After checking in and settling in our cozy but well appointed room, we cranked up the fireplace and spent some time out on the balcony which overlooks the ocean.  I couldn’t believe that it was the middle of January, yet here I was at the beach.  I mean, I know I haven’t been 100% sold on Los Angeles just yet, but this weather certainly does make a strong argument.

Dinner was just downstairs at the hotel’s restaurant, Carbon Beach Club.  There is both indoor and outdoor seating, though I can’t really imagine who would want to sit inside when you could be dining almost literally on top of the ocean.  Call me crazy. Anyway, while the heaters and fire pit kept us warm, we began to order the spicy tuna tartar and caprese salad.  Both were very fresh and delicious. The spicy tuna tartar is a really different and original take on your run of the mill tartar.  For dinner we had the three cheese ravioli (um, you had me at ravioli) and the NY steak.  Again, both were insanely delicious and I had to stop myself from shoveling every last morsel of the ravioli into my mouth.  Clearly, I needed to leave room for dessert: cheesecake with fig and a lemon tart.  We left incredibly stuffed and happy. So stuffed that I conveniently slipped into a food coma while listening to the crashing waves.

I also awoke to the sound of crashing waves.  And then it was time for brunch.  Back downstairs we went.  Brunch was also a delight.  Huevos rancheros and prosciutto sandwiches are the best way to start your Sunday.  Oh- a delicious bloody Mary never hurt anyone either.  I really would have stayed there forever, but alas… it was time to depart and return to reality.  Goodbye Malibu Beach Inn… goodbye birthday week.

I will leave my bags packed until next time:

(L to R): Fluxus Nomad Scarf, $48, Bear Creek Weekender, $498, Madewell Mae Open Drape Jacket, $88, C & C Triblend Slim Jogger Pant, $26, Ray-Ban Metal Aviator, $129

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Eat That?: Roll Along Lil Doggies

By |January 10th, 2011|New York, Why Did You Eat That?|

While in the midst of packing up the few final boxes of my New York apartment last week, my packing companion informed me he was craving a New York hot dog.  Seems reasonable.  So, of course, the first place I thought of was Crif Dogs in the East Village. They claim to be the number one weiner in the city, and I would tend to agree.

Now, it’s hard to go wrong when it comes to hot dogs, but Crif Dogs really outdid themselves in order to make sure they would not disappoint. The chihuahua (bacon wrapped dog with avocado and sour cream) is my personal fave. Couple that with some tater tots and cheese dipping sauce and you’ve got a meal made in heaven. So, let’s say you’re ready to kick it up a notch… Well, you’re in luck.  It just so happens that Crif Dogs houses a “secret” bar.  That way if your hot dog has you ready for a little more excitement, you can enter through the phonebooth located on the left wall to a little place called PDT (Please Don’t Tell).  Now, while this is probably not news to most of you, I’m going to go ahead and spell it out for those of you who aren’t familiar:

So, you go into said “phonebooth,” pick up the receiver to get the hostess on the line and ask to be seated.  If you have reservations, this shouldn’t be a problem.  Otherwise, the hostess will give you the once over and decide whether or not there is any room for you inside.

Once inside, you will have a few rules to follow, but they are totally worth it when it comes to the delicious concoctions from the bartenders (mixologists?).  Don’t bother ordering something average. You will be snubbed.  If you’d like to just cut to the chase or you get a little snacky at the bar, you can order the same hot dogs from Crif Dogs.

Crif Dogs/PDT

113 St. Marks Place

New York, NY 10009

While munching on hot dogs sounds like a pretty casual outing, you may want to spruce up a little if you want to stand a chance of getting in next door. Try a little bit of casual, elegance with a touch of East Village hipster.  (Fellas, don’t even bother coming in your suits- We saw more than a handful of rejects).

Forever 21 Trad Plaid Flannel Shirt, $12.50

Diane von Furstenberg Sequin Dax Shorts, $113

Hue Ribbed Sweater Tights, $22

Dolce Vita Hawk Lace Up Clog Booties, $265

Where my dogs at?

xx,

WhyDid