OCElizabeth's Profile
Stir Fry tips and tricks?
Hey guys...there are a lot of techniques I am really familiar and comfortable...stir frying is NOT one of them :-) So I bought a wok I am just trying to expand my repertoire a little bit...any good tips or tricks for total novice wokkers? Thanks!
OC Restaurant Week! How/What to Choose!
Oh man, I am so excited by all the different, nicely priced options to choose from this week! I have Thurs night and Fri day available, so I figure I can get a dinner and a lunch in before my time runs out. So far my husband and I are leaning towards Sage on the Coast for our Thurs date night, but I am not sure about my by-myself-foodie lunch...any suggestions? Thanks! Also, which ones are you guys hitting or missing?
Molcajete. I Just Got One.
Agree to wash without detergent, just give it a good scrub, and then you could squish your own garlic and herbs in to season it to your preferences or not. She has actually probably done you a favor by getting it all nicely seasoned for you.
A delicious use for molcajete is to make some delicious spicy uncooked pureed salsa, put the molcajete bowl side down on a burner on High for about 20 mins, it will get nice and blazingly hot and hold the heat in, put the salsa in the bottom, then layer cooked shrimp, seared beef, tomatoes, green onions, charred white onions, crumbled queso fresco,,,let your imagination be your guide and serve like that...the molcajete keeps everything warm and also brings the salsa flavor to everything. Deeeelish! Excellent with home made tortillas! this is not a great picture but shows the idea.
Dinner near Universal Studios
Oh that's a bummer, I haven't been there in a about 2.5 years, so I apologize if my recommendation was inaccurate
OC Specific -West Costa Mesa 19th St. Recs
I am addicted to the revuelta (pork and cheese) and calabasa (zuchini) pupusas at El Chinaco. The cabbage slaw that comes with it is awesome too. I like their spicy salsa and tomatillo salsa the best, not a fan of the smoky one.
Beef Wellington in the Ventura County Area?!
No...I made my husband eat it and I ate his rib eye :-O he's not so into food as me...to him, it was meat, so it was ok! :-)
Beef Wellington in the Ventura County Area?!
I ordered it MR and it came out M/MW and there was no layer of anything yummy between the meat and pastry...just dry overcooked underseasoned beef and dry flaky pastry crust. Bleh.
Where do you go to get your knives sharpened in OC?
I love Chefs Toys! They do great knife sharpening, engraving and tempt me with so many of their fabulous kitchen toys. Even if you get your knife sharpened somewhere else, check them out for fun
Dinner near Universal Studios
It's not high cuisine but I love Micelli's - it is just down the street from Universal and has a fun atmosphere and yummy traditional Italian food.
Beef Wellington in the Ventura County Area?!
I had the Beef Flemington at the Flemings in Newport Beach and I was seriously underwhelmed. My husband got the ribeye I believe, and I ate pretty much his whole dinner, boxed mine up and threw it away in the safety of my own home. Maybe it was an off night, but I do NOT recommend the wellington at Flemings, if you are going there and spending that $$$, do yourself a favor and get a straight steak, they did that very well but the wellington was a bust.
30th Bday Brunch and Rollerskating?
OK...also got recs for Anissette and Shutters...how do you think these compare to the Chow suggestions? Thanks!
30th Bday Brunch and Rollerskating?
We are indeed looking to stay around the boardwalk...which will probably cause us to sacrifice a little in the food quality dept, but I was hoping maybe there was some gem along the coastline :- We are doing it on a Sunday, for what that is worth.
30th Bday Brunch and Rollerskating?
Well, I will be celebrating my 30th bday in the middle of April and have decided to have a girl's fun day of brunch and old school boardwalk rollerskating...now I need help with ideas! Any recommendations of places in Santa Monica or Venice near the beach where a group of about 8 30-somethings can go in shorts and knee socks for a yummy brunch and mimosas? Thanks!
I need Arabic spices in Orange County...help!
Excellent! Thank you!! Well, I hit up Super Irvine and Wholesome Choice....oh heaven! I spent $200 but still no ras al hanout. Luckily I found so many other amazing things it didn't even matter. I am now totally jonesing to go check out Anaheim and their arabic markets!
I need Arabic spices in Orange County...help!
I know where the asian and mexican markets are, but I need ras al hanout STAT so I need an arabic market somewhere in the OC, preferably somewhat near Costa Mesa :-) Can you help me find a good place for Arabic spices and other goodies? Thank you so much!
I need Chemicals for "Spherification"
Surfas in Culver City was having a molecular gastronomy workshop today, including a demo of spherification...so I would guess they probably have everything necessary - it would be worth a shot!
Considering culinary school...any advice?
Oh that's awesome news! Thank you! I will check out their program.
Considering culinary school...any advice?
Oh yeah, it's dirty, sweaty, greasy, and misogynistic...but it was awesome, I loved the nights on expo but hated that I had to take serving shifts more often to keep the bills paid. That's a big concern for me at this point too...I can't go back to making $8-$10/hour at this point.
Considering culinary school...any advice?
Haha, the funny part is I am actually reading Kitchen Confidential right now, and as much as it is NOT glamorous, it sounds great. I worked as a server and expediter through college, so I've been around kitchens and loved it, although I must admit that working the line seems pretty intimidating. I like the ideas of talking to local chefs and seeing if I can get some experience part time in kitchens before fully committing. Thanks guys!
Pasta Dinner in Long Beach
Not quite Long Beach, but a very short drive into Sunset Beach will bring you to Roman Cucina, one of my favorite places for romantic atmosphere and simple but tasty Italian food. They have huge portions and great martinis for the non-runner :-) My favorite is the sausage mozzarella with penne pasta. It's just a quick jaunt down PCH on the beach side of the street.
Most un-Chowhoundish OC Restaurants
Have to agree that El Cholo is no bueno! I have one coworker who defines Mexican food in terms of El Cholo, with that as the pinnacle!?!?!
Considering culinary school...any advice?
I am in Orange County, and food has always been my hobby and my passion, so lately I've been considering taking it to the next level. I have taken recreational classes at the Laguna Culinary Arts school, and I know they have a professional chef program as well. Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer about taking this route? There is also the Le Cordon Bleu California School of Culinary Arts that I have heard great things about, however would require a much more significant immediate life change to attend, as I could do night classes at the Laguna school and still finish in a year and keep my current job, that way even if nothing panned out professionally, at least I didn't lose my current career for a pipe dream. But I do have concerns whether having the "big name" behind you helps get you started, much like going to a well known college vs a small private institution no one has ever heard of.
Anyone have any helpful words of advice or warning for me?
Thai Nakorn burnt down?
I had gotten great reviews about Thai Nakorn and was going to try it out soon, and just came across this while reading the news...it burnt down last week. I did a search here b/c I've seen it recommended before and just figured I'd give a heads up before anyone trekked out there with a Thai craving
http://blogs.ocregister.com/foodfrenzy/archives/2007/01/a_sad_day_for_o_1.html
Date night in Huntington Beach area
I have been wanting to try Bukhara, I'll file that away to go soon!
Date night in Huntington Beach area
Where is, and what is tsurahashi...you have me intrigued :) I had forgotten about Kappo Honda, I've been meaning to try that place. The non-cookie cutter date is definitely up my alley!
Date night in Huntington Beach area
Hi all - I need a good recommendation for a date night in the Huntington Beach area. It's only our second date, so I'd like a quiet but not over the top romantic ambience, tasty food - we both eat everything, as long as it tastes good, in a medium price range (up to $20ish for entrees) I'm in downtown HB, so around there or Newport or Sunset Beach would be great. I know it's vague, but I am at a loss.
Someone once recommended Matsu...any opinions on that place? I've never been there myself. Is it teppan, sushi, ??? Thanks so much!!
Unusual Hot Dog toppings - crispy onions
In a roll with gruyere cheese and popped in the oven until it is bubbly and delicious. I don't even like hot dogs, but my bf does, and he got one outside the Louvre from a little cafe, and that's how they served it...it looked so delicious, I had to try it and man was it good. I think there was mayo too, now that I think of it.
Help - dinner near Newport Beach tonight?
Also, there is an El Ranchito in Newport...I have only been to the one in Lake Forest, which I love love love...but have heard good things about the NB location as well.
Lunch in Tustin?
My company just relocated to Tustin, and I am desperately seeking new chow places for lunch. I would love to find some yummy new (cheap) places to grab lunch for the every day, but I would also like something a little nicer for sit down lunches with clients. We are at Red Hill and Warner, and so far I’ve had to take 3 meetings at the Citrus Café. I’m over that. Other than that and Panda Express and Del Taco, I can’t find anything within 5 – 10 minutes...help me please! Thanks
EM
