happy anniversary

I celebrated my 5 year anniversary of moving to San Diego on Tuesday with my bff.   Our anniversary always falls right around the time of SD Restaurant Week, which is amazing.  This year, we decided to try Imig's Kitchen & Bar located in the Lafayette Hotel in North Park.  So affordable, fresh and tasty.  The best takeaway.to.recreate.at.home was the cous cous salad.

Cous Cous Salad
2 cups plain cous cous prepared
1 cup seeded chopped tomato (preferably heirloom, go crazy and get different colors)
1 cup chopped romaine
1 TBSP. chopped basil

Assemble all ingredients in bowl and drizzle with a bit of white balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  Toss and enjoy.  Don't over do it, this should be a light salad.

http://www.imigskitchen.com/

dip it

There's nothing better than a girls night with good food, wine and PJs.  The theme was italian and I felt like a dip was in order.  Here's my creation....

Antipasto Dip

1 can artichoke hearts (drained)

1 jar julienned sun dried tomatoes (drained) 

1 cup kalamata olives

1 8oz block of light cream cheese at room temperature 

1 6oz container non-fat plain greek yogurt

1 sprig rosemary coarsely chopped 

1 TBSP. olive oil 

1 TBSP. parsley

salt

pepper

1. Blend cream cheese, greek yogurt and olive oil in food processor until smooth.

2. Add artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, salt, pepper and rosemary. Pulse for 10-20 seconds.  *Do not over mix, you want the dip to still have some chunks in it.  

Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy with your dip cracker of your choice.  

*Recipe inspired by one of my favorite cookbooks

At Blanchard's Table 

ramen refined

I must admit I was never a top ramen gal.   If I was going to get hooked, it would've happened during my broke college days and it just never did.  For all those top ramen lovers, good news...your old favorite has been refined by Underbelly in San Diego.  No reservations and not many tables so be ready to wait.  Fresh, affordable and filling.

Deliciousness courtesy of Underbelly

http://godblessunderbelly.com/

super loaded

Turquoise Coffee is one of those coffee shops you hope is within walking distance of any home you ever live in.  My favorites are their Hawaiian Hazelnut coffee and the infamous super loaded bagel. THE super loaded is just one of the best creations ever....and all the credit goes to Turquoise.

Super Loaded Bagel
bagel
cream cheese
lemon pepper seasoning
cucumber slices
tomato slices
sprouts
*added bonus, avocado

Deliciousness courtesy of Turquoise Coffee

www.turquoisecoffee.com/

welcome

My boyfriend's parents visited from Wales a few weeks ago.  They were going to be in a hotel for 14 days so I figured fresh flowers would be a nice way to freshen up the room.   I put together this basket as a 'Welcome' to San Diego.   I purchased the contents at Marshalls.  I took the vase to a local florist and asked them to put together a bouquet for $15.  This is what she gave me.....STUNNING!

Flowers from Impulsive Flowers

www.impulsiveflowers.net/

summer birthdays

I'm partial to summer birthdays since I have one.  Summer birthdays allow for fun gifts such as the one below I made for my co-worker.   Eat a popsicle, fire up the grill, smash a pinata <3 summer.

Summer Sangria
1 bottle white wine (Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio work best)
1/2 bottle club soda (lime flavored is nice)
1 apple cut into pieces
1 lime
1 orange cut into slices

Mix over ice, let sit for a few hours and enjoy!

pinning

When BFF gets a job, you have her over for a delicious congratulatory dinner.  I figured this was a good occasion to refer to my Pinterest 'I'll make this one day' board. This is what I made....

Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper Dip
1 Medium size eggplant
1 Red Pepper
1 TBSP. Parsley
1/2 TBSP. Olive Oil
Splash of Lemon Juice
Pinch of Salt & Pepper

1.  Cut eggplant lengthwise. Put skin side up. Prick a few holes on the skin, drizzle with
olive oil. Cut Red Pepper in half, remove seeds. Roast on 450 for approximately 25
minutes. Remove from oven, let cool. Red pepper will probably be finished before
eggplant. Feel free to remove prior.

2.  Remove skin from eggplant and red pepper (should easily come off when
cool). Coarsely chop and puree. Don’t overdo it, a few seconds should suffice.

3.  Mix puree with parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Serve with warm
naan. Best if made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator overnight.

my la

I was anti-la for the first few years I lived in San Diego.  After a few weekend trips, I've finally found my la.   My top 5....

5. Sprinkles Cupcakes

Have to give credit to the originator of the cupcake phenomenon.  Visit the flagship store in the heart of Beverly Hills off Rodeo Drive.  Avoid weekends at all cost due to long lines.  Late night? Hit up the cupcake ATM.  

Sprinkles S'Mores Goodness

4. 3rd Street Promenade (Santa Monica)

Best time to visit is on the weekend.  Plenty of outdoor patios for a leisurely lunch.  Great shopping and entertaining street performers. 

Photo Courtesy of http://www.newretailblog.com

3. Griffith Observatory

Amazing views of the LA skyline, outdoors and best of all FREE.  Weekends can get crowded, but it's still worth the trek.  Try parking at the bottom and hike your way to the top.  Make sure to get a picture by the Hollywood sign.

Beautiful Views at Griffith Park

2. Mao's 

The freaks come out at night, or the day as is the case in Venice Beach.   Venice is great for people watching and vintage shopping.  A meal at Mao's is a must.  Generous portions and a great value.

Egg.Rolls.Yum

1. Getty Museum

Just like the Griffith, amazing views of LA and FREE (besides the cost to park).  I'm not a museum kind of gal, but it's fun to take a stroll through some of the exhibits. 

Getty Museum

nola

New Orleans is one of those special places you just have to see to believe.   In New Olreans, you breath a little easier, walk a little slower and eat a little more.  A trip to New Orleans is all about good food and music.  Here's my top 5. 

NOLA River view from the Hilton Waterfront

5. Cafe du Monde (Beignets)

Whether for breakfast, a snack or dessert...beignets are good any time of day.   There a many locations to choose from, I recommend the one in the French Market on 800 Decatur Street.  Start your day with a hot beignet and cup of chicory coffee and it's bound to be a good one.

http://www.cafedumonde.com/

4. Garden District - 

You must leave the French Quarter if only for an hour or two.  Take the St. Charles line on a streetcar.  It's cheap $1 or so each way (exact change required).  Stop off at Lafayette Cemetery and stroll past the world famous Commander's Palace.

http://www.norta.com/

3. Pat O'Briens (Hurricanes)

I left off Bourbon street, since you'll end up there by visiting Pat O'Briens for a hurricane.  Grab one and sit in the back courtyard.  Your smile gets a little bigger halfway through your drink.

http://www.patobriens.com/patobriens/

2. Frenchmen Street

Live.music.heaven.  Walk into any one of the numerous bars/clubs on Frenchmen street and you're bound to catch a stellar performance.  Some top choices are d.b.a and The Spotted Cat.

http://www.spottedcatmusicclub.com/

1. Po Boys, Oysters, Gumbo oh my…(Acme Oyster House)

The biggest travesty about eating at Acme Oyster House is being there alone, because you really can't get a good sampling of all the wonderful dishes they have to offer.   No reservations are accepted, best time to go is during the day for lunch.  A MUST....grilled oysters, shrimp po boy and gumbo.

http://www.acmeoyster.com/