I've moved....

After nearly six years, I've finally made the Wordpress leap and have a URL that you can actually remember!

I am now at Tuna Toast- www.tunatoast.com

See you there!

Farmer's Market Pasta

Do you ever hit a road block when you're trying to figure out what to make for dinner?  It happens to me on weeknights here and there, but it hardly ever happens when I know in advance that people are coming over.  In fact, I get really excited about the prospect of cooking for others and have so many recipes I want to make that I have to reign it in.  Yesterday, however, was totally different.  I must have flipped through 15 or so cookbooks, spent a good hour on Foodgawker, yet nothing grabbed me.  We finally decided to hit the Pasadena Farmer's Market and hoped inspiration would hit while we checked out the produce.

Mother Dough, Los Feliz

The second I read about a new, wood-fired pizza place opening up in Los Feliz, I bookmarked the page and made a mental note to get there as soon as possible.  First of all- the name of the restaurant- Mother Dough- just grabbed me.  You see, the dough is- by far- the most important element of any pizza (to me, at least!) and after reading about how their recipe was sourdough-based, I knew we had to try it.  J LIVES for sourdough and he also loves a good, thin crust pizza, so there was no question- we were going.

Breakfast: Bagels, Coffee Cake and My Favorite Scramble

Just a quick post to catch you up on what I've been making lately.  Sorry to have not posted in a week, but it seems all I've been making are those Peanut Butter Crispy Bars which I've already blogged about twice!  I did take some quick pics of other things I'd made, so although a proper post is coming up, I wanted to fill in the gap with these breakfast items.  

Bakesale for Japan: Success!

Just a quick post to give Los Angeles a big 'ol pat on the back for raising a whopping $15,484.00 during the Bakesale For Japan for Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims, which will be distributed via Peace Winds Japan.  Who would have thought that image-conscious Los Angelinos loved sweet baked goods so much, ha?!  I'm happy it was such a success, and I had a fantastic time participating.  Thanks SO much to everyone who came out, said hi at the Pasadena location, and tweeted about the event.  I'm eagerly awaiting the final total for the entire, nationwide bakesale, and I think it's going to be a BIG number!

Highlights from the Pasadena location (Chef's Center of California):

 Look at all of the homemade goodies!  WOW!

 My little friend H is doing a little quality control.......

Sampling to make sure it's good.............

It's approved!  Just look at that smile!

Some of the most creative and fun treats included these amazing sushi cookies from Sabrina's Sweetery

I picked up a few to share with the sushi chefs at my regular spot, and they loved them.

Can't wait until the next Bakesale event!  Ciao!

Bakesale for Japan

Hi everyone!

If you're a food blogger, you've probably already heard about Saturday's nationwide Bakesale for Japan.  If you haven't, I'm here to tell you about it!

On Saturday, April 2nd from 10:00am- 2:00pm, bakers from around the U.S. will be selling their homemade goodies at various locations.  The price of each item is up to the buyer- donate as much as you feel is appropriate.  Of course, the more generous you're feeling, the better- all proceeds go to Peace Winds Japan to help the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan.

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know how close Japan is to my heart.  It's where I was born, where I learned to play the piano, had my first real job; met my husband, my best friend and my cat Cory.  It's where I had my first apartment (it was the size of a bathroom but I loved it anyway!) and spent countless nights drinking beer and hanging out with friends until 4:30 am after having missed the last train.  It's also home to my obaachan (grandma) who, at 101, is still hangin' out down in Osaka.  Japan holds so many precious memories for me, and I have many friends and family members there.  Luckily, none live up north and they escaped the worst of the disaster, but seeing the devastated faces of my fellow Japanese is still utterly gut-wrenching and I'd love to do anything to help.  I hope you will too:).

I'll be shilling my baked goods at the Chef's Center of California, located at 45 N. San Gabriel Blvd in Pasadena.  If you'd like to purchase a Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart or a Peanut Butter Crispy Bar, please come out, say hello, donate to a good cause and chow down on some sweet treats.  If that location isn't convenient for you, there are many others to choose from, and each will have a variety of awesome homemade baked goods for you buy, eat and share!  If you can't make it to a bakesale but would still like to donate, you can do so here.

Hope to see you this Saturday!

New Orleans: Food, Food and More Food!

Last week, I took my maiden voyage to the great city of New Orleans.  My best friend M was my partner in crime since she'd lived there for six months a few years ago and had been itching to get back.  When you tell people you're going to New Orleans, the recommendations start coming almost immediately about where to eat and what to eat.  Having seen my fair share of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, I had a few ideas myself, and M and I set out to sample as much of NOLA's amazing cuisine during our short, 2.5 day trip.  Fried oysters, here we come!