Jennifer Chong

seeandsavour.com

2016-04-13T08:36:00.002-07:00

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Bring Your Best Bowl

2016-01-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

This post is in partnership with The Quaker Oats Company.

Happy New Year! It's so hard to believe a full year has gone by and the holiday season is now behind us. I'm sad the holiday break is over but I'm ready to tackle 2016!

If you know me well, you know I have a particular breakfast regimen – two eggs and turkey sausage every day. I never bore of it, but Y is always down for a little more variety. When Quaker asked me to bring my best bowl of oatmeal – I decided it was a perfect opportunity to change up my breakfast game so I stepped up to the challenge. With citrus season in full swing I decided to top my bowl of oatmeal with some poached kumquats, whipped coconut cream, almonds and shredded coconut. I love the flavor combination of everything together, and the toasted almonds and coconut make for the perfect crunch in every bite. Y's also loving the addition of oatmeal to the breakfast rotation.

OATMEAL WITH KUMQUATS AND COCONUT CREAM

INGREDIENTS
2 serving Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
1/2 cup Coconut Cream
1/4 cup Kumquats, Sliced
1/2 cup Water
1/4 cup Sugar
Agave/Honey as desired
Toasted Almonds and Coconut as desired

PREPARATION

1. Add honey to coconut cream to taste then whip until stiff. Set aside.

2. Bring water and sugar to a boil and pour over kumquats (see note below). Allow kumquats to cool, then strain and refrigerate until ready.

3. Add toppings to your bowl of oatmeal as desired!

A few tips as you make your bowl –

• Instead of boiling the kumquats with the boiling water, pour the boiling water over the kumquats. This way the kumquats don't get too mushy.

• If you want your kumquats sweeter, you can add more sugar to the boiling water.

• If you're running short on time in the morning, you can prep the coconut cream and kumquats the night before and keep them in the fridge.

What are your favorite ways to enjoy a bowl of Oatmeal? Quaker is on the hunt for America’s next great oatmeal flavor. You're invited to #BringYourBestBowl and enter your oatmeal combination for the chance to win $250,000, and have your submission brought to life as Quaker’s newest oatmeal flavor! Check out the bringyourbestbowl.com for more details on the contest. Ends 3/12/16.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Happy 2016!

2016-01-10T17:22:00.001-08:00

Thanks for a wonderful 2015, I know it's been quiet around here but hope to pop in more often this year! Cheers to a great 2016!

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Great Britain [Part 02] Brighton

2015-11-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Oh Brighton. I expected so little out of this seaside village but I fell in love with Brighton. I can't quite put into words exactly why but I felt like things just fell into place here. I city was so charming and lovely the people were so welcoming and warm. I spent two days here and I'd highly suggest visiting if you're in London. It's a short one hour train ride away from the city and it's like a little escape.

I stayed at Nineteen Brighton, a B&B that feels like you’re staying at your friends place. The room was comfy and you can get a simple breakfast in your room every morning. The location was really central to everything in Brighton, I literally walked everywhere here.

On my first day there I checked out the grand Royal Pavilion then walked across the street to the Brighton Museum Art Gallery. The featuring exhibit was Pierdom by photographer Simon Robert which showcased photos of piers from all around the UK, including piers from Brighton.

One of the things I loved so much about Brighton was how central everything was. I didn't have to go far to get somewhere and everything was a few blocks away from each other. While walking around I stumbled upon 42 Juice and popped in for some Tumeric Immune juice to help me fight off the cold. I love the atmosphere of the space and the simple packaging for everything.

In the morning I walked by the pier and loved the calm scene it provided. The pier is home to a ton of rides and attractions but I really appreciated the "calm before the storm" before the pier gates opened. Right next to the pier you can take a ride on the Brighton Wheel – a smaller less extravagant version of the London Eye but it provides a nice view of the city.

I remember reading about Silo before I visited and I knew I wanted to make a stop. The big letters outside stopped me in my tracks – love the graphic look of the outside. Silo is known for being one of England's first zero waste restaurant – which means they recycle all of their waste. They have a special compost machine to process all of their food scraps, nifty right? I just popped in for something warm to drink and I tried of of their pastries (which were delicious) though what I really wanted was a loaf of bread, look how gorgeous they are! Silo | 39 Upper Gardner Street

I fell in love with so many shops in Brighton but definitely one of my favorites was workshop. Beautiful home and kitchen goods, the ceramics were lovely and many handmade treasures in this little boutique. Walking through the Laine's and around Brighton you'll definitely find something for everyone but here are some of my favorites.

Workshop | 13a Prince Albert Street // Home and kitchen goods
Edited | 3 Gardner Street // Eclectic interiors and home-wares
Utility | 28a North Road // Household goods and beautiful cleaning tools
Mister Smith Interiors | 23 New Road // Interiors and wallpaper
Two Kats and a Cow | 167 Kings Road Arches // Gallery and gift shop
Lavender Room | 16 Bond Street // Women's accessories and lifestyle shop.

All of my meals I had in Brighton were so memorable. Small town or not they definitely have a great variety of food offerings here. My favorite was dinner at 64º Degree. The restaurant is small but offers and open dining experience where you can watch the chefs work their magic on your food. It's so much fun to watch their attention to detail as they cook and well the food is spectacular. They offer a lot of small plates so do yourself a favor and go with a friend because there is so much you'll want to try there. I really loved the cauliflower and cod and their calamari was to die for. 64º Degree's | 53 Meeting House Lane

Two other great places you should try...
Food For Friends | 17-18 Prince Albert Street // Such an amazing place for vegetarian food. I tried a sampler platter that was really delicious and beautiful. It gets crowded but it's a great spot for lunch.
The Chili Pickle | 17 Jubilee St // A street food inspired Indian restaurant. The chef from 64º Degrees told me this was one of their favorite spots and now I know why! The tandoori chicken platter was so juicy – chicken usually isn't my go-to but it was wonderful. Try any of the street snacks I don't think you'll be disappointed.

On my last night I was resting in my room and decided that I should catch the sunrise along the beach. It was an incredible sunset with a vibrant painted skys over the West Arches. I literally was chasing the sun it was such an amazing moment. Thank you Brighton for such a wonderful stay. I look forward to visiting again soon.

THANK YOU TO TRAVEL MINDSET AND VISIT GREAT BRITAIN FOR HOSTING MY TRIP
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG + FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM OR TWITTER FOR MORE! +

Great Britain [Part 01] London

2015-11-03T20:51:00.003-08:00

Growing up my family traveled to Europe a lot, particularly France. My grandparents lived there so my mom would take us to visit every summer and also tack on a vacation to a neighboring country. I was lucky enough to travel so many places around like Switzerland, Italy, and Belgium but for whatever reason we never went to the UK. So when Travel Mindset and Visit Great Britain invited me for a week in London and Brighton how could I say no?

As an adult I always imagined London to feel like a big city in America since English is also the main language there, but I was so surprised at how different it felt. I felt foreign (in a good way) in a city that spoke the same language. I was drawn to the diverse culture, the beautiful architecture and there is something about those black taxi cabs that I loved! Here are a few of my favorite things I did while in London (Part Two on Brighton up next!).

I spent most nights at the Mondrian Hotel it's on the South Bank and it was a very central location to Tate Modern, London Eye and many more London destinations. The rooms were modern and perfect for my time in London. If you want to stay somewhere a bit more royal definitely check out the Egerton House in Knightsbridge, I stayed their one night and the room was so lavish - felt so royal.

There are SO MANY galleries in London, but if you happen to find yourself in London in October be sure not to miss London Frieze. It's an incredible display of art from around the world. It only happens once a year but it was definitely a favorite. If you miss Frieze don't worry there are plenty of other museums to fill your creative inspiration. I really enjoyed Serpentine Galleries (pictured below – it consist of two galleries right across from each other), Tate Modern and the Design Museum. The Design Museum is small but they had a wonderful exhibit on Designs of the Year 2015 showcasing exactly that. The exhibit is interactive and you can even vote for your favorite design.

I wish I had been able to spend more time at Borough Market. It's one of London's oldest food market and any food lovers dream. There is an assortment of fresh foods and packaged food to fill your appetite for days. I saw some amazing mushrooms, seafood galore and you can even find a roasted pig in the market!

The Shoreditch neighborhood is perfect. It has a bunch of cute shops and wonderful cafes and restaurants. You could spend a whole day walking around this area as there is so much to see. I really loved the shops in the neighborhood. Be sure not to miss these shops in the area;
Albion Cafe | 2-4 Boundary Street // Cute cafe for lunch also carries an assortment of packaged foods
Labour and Wait | 85 Redchurch St // Home and kitchen good store old timey goods
O'Dells Store | 24 Calvert Ave // Men's accessories, including beautiful leather goods and home goods
Ally Capellino | 9 Calvert Avenue // Women's bags and accessories
Paper and Cup | 18 Calvert Avenue // Coffee shop that gives back

While I was in London I got a chance to meet my instagram friend Arlina. She just moved to London so it was nice to explore something together with her. We decided to check out the Sunday Flower Market at Columbia Road. Although we came out with some beautiful flowers the market itself was crazy, it was packed with people so it was really difficult to navigate through. We enjoyed taking a break from the crowds at Paper and Cup, a cute place to stop for drinks and a snack!

Another thing I loved about this city is the fact that I could walk to so many places and get around without a car. One day I walked from the Design Museum pass the London Tower Bridge to the Borough Market then took the tube to Shoreditch and then walked to White Chapel Gallery. Being able to see a city by foot is such a pleasure especially living in LA. Of course I also took a few rides on the tube cause that's something I totally remember wanting to do growing up. It's similar to riding the train in NYC but at times it gets really crowded but it makes you feel like a local!

I got sick the day I arrived in London so my appetite was small – but I did enjoy some nice meals. If you're looking for a casual atmosphere with good food check out Smokehouse Islington. As the name implies it offers a great selection of smoked meats and more. Their menu has dishes inspired from French cuisine to traditional British and even Asian flavors! Smokehouse | 63–69 Canonbury Rd

I'm going to share my weekend adventure to Brighton next. It's a seaside village a train ride away from London and I absolutely loved it. Stay tuned.

THANK YOU TO TRAVEL MINDSET AND VISIT GREAT BRITAIN FOR HOSTING MY TRIP
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG + FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM OR TWITTER FOR MORE! +

Persimmons

2015-10-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Just popping in to say hello! Last weekend we went to the persimmon farm and picked a bunch of fruits year despite the lack of water the crop was actually better this year than when we went last. I've been editing a bunch of photos from my recent trips to London and Iceland and hope to have those ready for you all soon! For now don't forget to follow me on instagram to see all the daily stuff that has been happening.

PHOTOS BY @JCHONGSTUDIO + FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM OR TWITTER FOR MORE! +

In the Studio with Munchery

2015-06-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Opps! I definitely didn't mean to go on a hiatus but I thought I'd pop in and say hello! If you follow me on instagram you'll notice I've been spending a lot of time at the Munchery studio. Munchery is a chef driven food delivery service that began in San Francisco and recently launched in Los Angeles (also available in New York and Seattle). The chefs in LA have developed some amazing meals for you to enjoy at home without the hassle of ordering out or picking up. Unlike ordering from other delivery services where you might get your food mildly warm rather than pipping hot Munchery delivers your meals chilled so you can heat and eat when you are ready!

It has been a fun learning process to work along side the chefs watch them R&D and come up with these great dishes. If you think creating a tasty meal is challenging on its own imaging having to taste just as good after it has been chilled and then reheated. Munchery has been the answers to a lot of my meals lately and I love my Munchery dinners!

Vegetarian Soba Noodle Salad - so yummy!

Of course sweets are always on my menu - here is one of the behind the scenes of the making of their Key Lime Pies.

If you live in the LA area (particularly West Side) or SF, Seattle and New York and haven't tried Munchery yet - check them out - use this link to receive $20 off your first order. Enjoy

PHOTOS BY @JCHONGSTUDIO + FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM OR TWITTER FOR MORE! +

Perfect Chocolate Pairings

2015-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

I’ve been super busy working, which means my meals are almost always out or on-the-go. As a result, my fridge and pantry are a little sad and empty these days. Case in point: I had cereal for dinner last week. Twice.

Lucky for me, Ghirardelli® asked if I was interested in experimenting with some new chocolate pairings, to which, of course, I said yes, ( I mean, how do you say “no” to chocolate?!), and the shipment of chocolate bars arrived this week!

Don’t worry. I didn’t just inhale the chocolate for dinner (though I did think about it), but I was inspired to finally make my way to the store to find some treats to go with my new assortment of chocolate!

I love mixing and matching flavors. It’s pretty amazing how you can enhance the taste of a food simply by pairing it with something else.

Here are some combinations that I tried out this weekend:

Herbal Tea & Cherry Tango™
I love my chocolate desserts, but sometimes I want something a little fruity after dinner too. Cherry Tango™ satisfies both those cravings. Pair it with a cup of hot tea – maybe chamomile or peppermint – and you have a warm and cozy combination that will help you relax and wind down after a long day. It feels satisfying and indulgent without going overboard.

Maple Bacon & Midnight Reverie®
It’s common knowledge that bacon makes everything better, and this mix of sweet and salty is a match made in heaven. The richness of the 86% cacao in Midnight Reverie® brings out the salty goodness of the bacon in such a satisfying way. I’m tempted to eat this every day for breakfast. If you feel like something a little sweeter, try pairing the bacon (or any breakfast meat really) with a square of Evening Dream®, which is lighter at 60% cacao.

Sriracha Cashews & Mango Sunset™
I’m lucky enough to live in Southern California where it’s basically 70-something degrees year round, but the tropical taste of Mango Sunset™ even had me pining for summer again. Since this flavor is on the sweeter side, I spiced it up with some sriracha cashews so the heat could balance out the sugar. Take a few bites of this combination, close your eyes, and even if there’s a blizzard outside, part of you will feel like you’re on vacation again.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of combinations to try. Spruce up movie night by adding a side of Evening Dream® to your popcorn bowl. Elevate your after dinner espresso with a square of Sea Salt Soiree®. Pairings are such an easy way to make everyday fare a little less ordinary and a lot more fun.

What combinations would you try?

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

January!

2015-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Oh hey! January has come and gone – oh how the year will pass us. Here are some snapshots from my outings in January, though it was relatively quiet for me working on a big new project!

I did get a chance to check out Gjusta, another sister restaurant to one of my favorite breakfast spots Gjelina. While I loved the space - Gjelina still has my heart for breakfast. The citrus salad on the right was from a project I'm working on - doesn't it look tasty?

I've been building my real life Pinterest board in my studio and collecting some new props – loving some of my new ceramics! What are your favorite places to shop for unique kitchen goods? Would love to hear them!

Till next time - be sure to follow me on @instagram for the latest :D

PHOTOS BY @JCHONGSTUDIO

2014 | Thank You

2015-01-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that I started this blog seven years ago, It's been a crazy fun ride. Thank you for following along – your kind words and thoughts make me smile every day. 2015 will be a slow start but look I look forward to sharing more adventures with you soon!

Thank you and Happy New Year friends!

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Candied Citrus Peels

2014-12-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Aren't these candied citrus peels pretty? They are also easy to make! I was fighting a cold a few weeks ago so made some juice at home with oranges, lemon and grapefruit I figured I could put those peels to good use and made some of candied gifts. I actually made these twice the first time I used coconut sugar instead of cane sugar which I don't recommend. Since the coconut sugar is a brown tone they end up discoloring the peels more than I imagined. Anyhow onto the fun stuff! Similar to the Coconut Almond Granola I packed these into small jars (here are some similar ones) wrapped it with some bakers twine, and topped it off with a custom label. Download and print the label at home for your gifts!

CANDIED CITRUS PEELS print this recipe!

INGREDIENTS
1 Grapefruit, peels only
2 Lemons, peels only
4 Orange, peels only
3 cups of cane sugar
1/2 cup of dark chocolate

PREPARATION

1. Cut the peels into 1/4 strips. In a large saucepan place all the peels and cover with water. Bring water to a boil, then drain and repeat two more times.

2. In the saucepan add 2 cups of sugar, 2 cups of water and peels to a boil until sugar has dissolved. Then turn heat down and simmer for 40 mins stirring occasionally.

3. Remove peels and allow peels to dry for 8 hours then toss in remaining sugar. If desired melt chocolate to dip and allow chocolate to harden before storing.

I preferred my peels dipped in chocolate over the sugar but try both and see what you like! Don't forget I've included the labels for you to print at home below.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts

2014-12-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

These nuts are so addicting I had to make a second batch since I ate most of the first ones! This is a great simple snack anyone will enjoy. You can use any type of nuts you have or buy an assortment from the store in bulk. I packed these up in these coffee bags and used mini clothes pins with tied ribbon to hang the label. For these label I just printed them on card stock and trimmed them down. Download the tag here.

SWEET AND SPICY MIXED NUTS print this recipe!

INGREDIENTS
5 cups of assorted raw nuts (Cashews, Almonds, Brazilian, Macadamia)
2 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon rosemary, finely chopped
1 teaspoon cayenne or chili powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cumin
3 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 375º. In a large bowl, toss assorted nuts with olive oil and spread them out evenly onto a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

2. In a small saucepan melt butter and combine rosemary, cayenne, cinnamon, cumin and brown sugar until dissolved and combined.

3. Add mixture to warm assorted nuts and toss until well combined. Then add salt. Allow nuts to cool and enjoy or store in air tight container.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Coconut Almond Granola

2014-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

What are your favorite holiday memories? This is one of the first years that I will be in California for Christmas. It's my typical tradition to pack my bags and jet off somewhere but this year plans turned out a little differently and I am staying put. While I love traveling it will be a nice change of pace to be home, though I might sneak away on a short road trip somewhere. This coconut almond granola could be a great gift for the person on the go for the holidays. It's easy to make which will make you second guess buying granola from now on! I sweetened mine with honey instead of sugar and I like the subtle sweetness it brings out. I used wreck jars to place my granola in, wrapped it with bakers twine and topped it with a custom label. Download the label here!

COCONUT ALMOND GRANOLA print this recipe! | recipe adapted from cooking classy

INGREDIENTS
3 cups of rolled oats (don't use quick oats)
1 cup shredded coconuts
1 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 275º. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl mix together oats, coconuts, almonds. In a separate bowl combine honey, coconut oil, almond and vanilla extract and heat until everything is melted and well combined. Mix both wet and dry ingredients together tossing until everything is coated.

2. Spread mixture onto baking sheet in a thin layer and bake for 40-50 mins or until golden brown. Allow granola to cool and store in an airtight container.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Five ways to wrap with Kraft

2014-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

I've been having fun creating some holiday guides over on eBay! Wanted to share with you all my latest guide – how to wrap with kraft! Hope on over to eBay to check out my guide.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

2014-12-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's already almost middle of December. Something about living in Los Angeles and 70º weather makes me feel otherwise, but I'm am prepping myself up for my sisters visit and celebrating the remainder of the year. Looking forward to the next few weeks here and a little decompressing. In the holiday spirit I've been making lots of edible gifts to giveaway. Today I'm sharing some peanut butter oatmeal cookies - these are gluten free too! I added chocolates and raisins but you could use nuts or whatever you like. I packed these up in a cute jar, sandwiched each cookie between some dotted waxed paper, and finished it off with some pretty gold ribbon.

PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIES print this recipe!

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup coconut sugar (you can use cane or brown)
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup raisins
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup peanut butter

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 350º. In a large bowl, combine sugar and butter and bear until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla, and baking soda and mix well. Add peanut butter and mix. Stir in oats, chocolate chips and raisins.

2. Place a teaspoon of dough on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

A Coastal Road Trip

2014-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Earlier this fall I took a little road trip along the coast – we drove up to Big Sur and worked our way down the coastline – San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Malibu. It was my second time in Big Sur but my first time driving along the coast. The road trip was magical – I highly recommend everyone take a week off and explore. Our trip from Big Sur back home was about five days which we realize afterwards certainly wasn't long enough to see all the sites we wanted to see.

The mocha at Big Sur Bakery was so beautiful I couldn't help but take photographs. Marble mocha goodness!

The Tuesday Night Market in San Luis Obispo is awesome, definitely plan accordingly.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Slow Cooker Pork Ramen

2014-12-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

When people ask me what is my favorite things to eat, the answer is easy - anything Asian with soup, "Soupy Asian things" as I like to refer. I could have Asian soup anytime of the year but there is definitely no better time than now to have some. It's been a wet few days here in So-Cal and ramen is the perfect answer in this weather. I typically always stray away from making anything Asian at home. I think I need to be sitting by the pot all day watching the broth stew or that the list of ingredients are so long it makes my head spin. This slow cooker recipe isn't too bad for at home ramen. It's not perfect, I think there are some other things I could add to it next time to make it hit the spot but it's definitely a good start. I actually thought the 'left' over ramen broth was better a day later. Give this a go and let me know what you think!

SLOW COOKER PORK RAMEN print this recipe! | adapted from Williams Sonoma

INGREDIENTS
2 lb boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3 equal pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 leek, white and green parts, halved lengthwise and coarsely chopped
1⁄4 lb cremini mushrooms, brushed clean and coarsely chopped
Low-sodium soy sauce for seasoning
Sesame oil for seasoning
Chili oil for seasoning
1 1⁄2 lb fresh ramen noodles
Kosher salt
8 large eggs (optional)
About 4 green onions, white and pale green parts, finely chopped

PREPARATION

1. Heat a skillet to medium high heat, add olive oil and begin to brown the pieces of pork working in batches. Let sear for 3-4 minutes then flip to the other side. Once complete transfer to the side.

2. Remove two tablespoons of the fat from the skillet and add yellow onion and sear, without stirring, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, ginger, and 1 cup of the broth, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, then let simmer for 1 minute.

3. Transfer all items above into a slow cooker and add leeks and mushrooms. Add in the remaining chicken broth, cover and cook for 8 hours on low setting.

4. When the broth is almost complete begin to cook your soft boil egg - Boil eggs for 5-6 minutes the immediately move to ice bath.

5. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and use a fork to break the pork into bit size pieces. Strain the broth with a fine mesh strainer.

6. Return the pork and broth into slow cooker and add soy sauce, sesame oil and chili oil to taste. Set on low for 30 mins.

7. Meanwhile cook the noodles according to package.

8. To assemble, divide noodles into bowls, ladle in broth and top with green onion and soft boiled egg halves.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Commissary | Los Angeles

2014-11-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

Commissary is one of LA's newest hot spots. It's housed in a green house on the roof top of the Line Hotel. They focus on fruits and vegetables but they also have meats as well! Their menu is all in pictures – which could be either fun for some who love a little mystery or not so fun for others. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by menu's – there is either way to many options or so many descriptions that everything sounds good. For the Commissary I like the surprise of it all. We picked items based on how we were feeling – lots of vegetables please! We ordered the corn, roasted carrots, deviled eggs and a few other things. Everything was quite tasty. The roasted carrots were among my favorite. I've got to take a stab at making these at home. Below you'll find a recipe for some roasted carrots to try at home!

ROASTED CARROTS WITH PESTO recipe from gaia health blog

INGREDIENTS
Colorful Organic Carrots, washed with some of the stems remaining
Pink Himalayan Salt
Coarse Ground Organic Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

PESTO
1 Bunch Basil
3 Garlic Cloves
Handful of raw pine nuts
2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3/4 cup Parmesan

PREPARATION

1. Drizzle carrots with olive oil and sprinkle with Himalayan Salt. Place carrots in the oven and bake for 15 minutes at 375°.

2. Remove from oven and turn carrots a bit then place in the oven on broil for 5 minutes.

3. Chop basil, garlic, pine nuts together finely then combine parmesan and lastly olive oil. Drizzle over roasted carrots.

Commissary
The Line Hotel
3515 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Koreatown, Wilshire Center
Phone number (213) 368-3030

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Lincoln Black Label Home in LA

2014-11-25T18:45:00.000-08:00

I've been dreaming of the day when I have my very own house to call my own that I can decorate and design as I please. Until that day comes, I’ll be taking notes and pinning away on my Pinterest boards. When Lincoln invited me to check out their Black Label Home in LA inspired by their new Black Label collection, of course I said yes! Lincoln Black Label is a unique luxury ownership experience centered around four designer themes that were carefully curated and brought to life using rare and high-end materials. I got a chance to chat with Janet Seymour, the design manager at The Lincoln Motor Company as well as the interior design team, hOmE behind the Black Label Home in LA, to hear all about Lincoln Black Label and how they transformed the home to reflect each of these themes.

Their creative process, as Janet explains, is never formulaic – it is always fluid. Inspiration sparks, leading to idea after idea that leads to another that leads to another. She prefers to keep it that way so they are constantly thinking and evolving. When they started the design process three and half years ago, they had a ton of theme ideas which they’ve since narrowed down to four exclusive Lincoln Black Label themes:
Oasis inspired by the luxury Adrere Amellal eco-resort in the Siwa Oasis Saharan. Oasis vehicles have neutral shades throughout the interior that are calm and relaxing.
Center Stage a dramatic interior environment inspired by a photo of a woman wearing a black coat with a Flaming Foxfire Red fur collar. Center Stage gives you the feeling of a dark theater on opening night just as the red curtains go up.
Indulgence influenced by a piece of beautiful antiqued deep brown leather that reminded the design team of rich indulgent chocolate. Indulgence brings together different shades of chocolate that make you feel decadent.
Modern Heritage sparked from a primarily black and white photo of an equestrian woman on a white horse but with a distinct red harness. Modern Heritage vehicles are classic and elegant – clean lines, black and white interior with a hint of red accents.

Lincoln Black Label is the ultimate luxury experience, and the Lincoln Black Label Home in LA truly reflected that. The three-story house in Hollywood was particularly amazing. Each room was designed with a specific theme in mind. The hOmE team had a strong palette presented to them, and I was excited to see how they would interpret it. I was able to check out the home before they started designing as well, and I love how each theme translated so perfectly.

Modern Heritage was my favorite look, which isn’t surprising – it is perfect for those of us who love the modern clean aesthetic - high contrast in black and white and a pop of red. In the bedroom, they used whites and neutrals in the bedding and accented the room with red books and a red throw. The room felt clean and refreshing but not overly stark. One of my favorite features of the Lincoln Black Label Modern Heritage line is the use of Venetian leather in the vehicle. The white leather is so incredibly soft, and they’ve also included a subtle red stitching on the console and seating, small details that definitely shine through when you sit inside of the vehicle.

My second favorite room had to be Center Stage. Dark tones with strong accents of red and gold surround the room. The abstract golden art panels above the bedroom were screaming “take me home!” Center Stage is all about drama and theater and the room reflected this – the red velvet throughout the room had a ‘wow’ factor, and can we take a moment to look at the incredible velvet sofa? I’ll take that too, please.

I would be happy living in just one of the rooms in the Lincoln Black Label Home. They’ve certainly inspired me to redesign my space to be a little more luxurious. I asked the hOmE team for suggestions on how to transform a room without replacing everything inside (key for those of us still renting), and they said to “Create a focal point and reflect that object or light fixture with a mirror”. I totally agree that a simple focal point and mirrors can change the aesthetics of a room (and make it seem larger!).

Be sure to check out the additional photos of the house below and Lincoln Black Label. What room would you want to live in?

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Parmesan Thyme Potato Stacks

2014-11-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

10 days away from Thanksgiving! This year will one of be one of the first times in a while that I'll be in California for Thanksgiving (and maybe even Christmas). I'm typically traveling somewhere. I'm excited and looking forward to spending thanksgiving at home this year. I think these parmesan thyme potato stacks are the bomb! They are flaky and crispy and just plain perfect. Not only do they taste delicious they look awesome too. They are easy to make and definitely a welcoming edition to a Thanksgiving dinner table.

PARMESAN THYME POTATO STACKS print this recipe! | recipe adapted from what's gaby cooking

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
2 teaspoons thyme leaves, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon thyme leaves for garnish
Flaky salt and freshly cracked black pepper
8-10 Yukon Gold or German Butterball potatoes, sliced thin (about 1/16 inch thick)

PREPARATION

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Melt butter then toss potato slides to evenly coat. Add parmesan, chopped thyme, kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, toss to coat well.

3. Layer the potato slices into stacks on baking sheet. Bake until the edges and tops are golden brown and the centers are tender, 45 to 55 minutes.

4. Let potato stacks rest for 5 mins then remove and sprinkle additional thyme, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and serve.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Persimmon Bruschetta

2014-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm heading home this weekend to celebrate one of my very best friends wedding. I'm excited to be going home but it's certainly going to be a chilly weekend! Looking forward to eating at all my favorite Atlanta spots and even playing tourist in my own city while I show Y around. Make sure to check my instagram for some snapshots from the weekend.

Anyhow, I've still got lots of persimmons at the house from our fruit picking adventure so I decided to make some persimmon bruschetta. These are tasty and would be delicious as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvres at dinner. Have you started your Thanksgiving dinner list?!

PERSIMMON BRUSCHETTA print this recipe! | recipe adapted from food52

INGREDIENTS
4 Fuyu persimmons, peeled and cut into thin slices
1/2 cup fresh tangy goat cheese (at room temperature)
1/2 cup fresh ricotta
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup toasted pistachios, coarsely chopped
8 slices crusty bread
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
coarse ground black pepper
sea salt

PREPARATION

1. Brush bread with olive oil on both sides. Sprinkle with salt & pepper, and toast until crisp and lightly browned.

2. Mix together ricotta, goat cheese, and mint.

3. Dollop cheese mixture on warm toasts. Lay 3-4 slices of persimmon on each toast, and sprinkle with coarse pepper and sea salt flakes.

4. Drizzle with warm honey and sprinkle with toasted pistachios.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Salted {3 Month Trial} – Herb Cocktail Meatballs with Honey Mustard Sauce

2014-11-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how many of you caught my guest post over on Vanessa's blog Noirve a couple weeks ago but if you did get a chance to read it you'll know that before I was a photographer and designer my dream was to become a pastry chef. I wanted to decorate cakes all day even attended a culinary program in pursuit of that journey. I learned that the program I wanted to take required me to take learn the other essentials in cooking - like butchering meat (which at the time I wasn't interested in.) The truth is I enjoy cooking but love to eat more – and I think I am a better eater than cook! :)

Anyhow enter in Salted a new chef-driven education company that just launched online – a new type of cooking school. They've worked with over 50 celebrity chefs including some chefs that you might recognize from the blog world like the ladies of Spoon Fork Bacon and Gaby of What's Gaby Cooking. I've always found it mesmerizing to watch chefs in their element and what better way to learn how to cook than in the comfort of your own home with chef's you love.

Check out the video below to get a glimpse of what they are doing. You can browse some of Salted courses for free or sign up for 100% access to all of the exclusive courses and video tutorials in their library, in addition to other benefits. Or hey that favorite foodie friend of yours would probably love this for the holidays!

For a limited time Salted is offering THREE MONTHS FREE with the code salted3 – check out saltedtv.com today to start your trial!

HERB COCKTAIL MEATBALLS WITH HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE recipe from Salted by Spoon Fork Bacon

INGREDIENTS
HONEY MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE:
Whole grain mustard (1/4 cup)
Mayonnaise (1/8 cup)
Honey (1 tablespoon)
White wine vinegar (1 teaspoon)
Cayenne pepper or hot sauce (to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste

MEATBALLS:
Ground beef (1 pound)
Oat flour (1/3 cup)
Egg (1)
Fresh thyme, chopped (1 tablespoon)
Fresh dill, chopped (1 tablespoon)
Fresh oregano, chopped (1 tablespoon)
Ground mustard (1 teaspoon)
Ground ginger (1 teaspoon)
Olive oIl (3 tablespoons)
Salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION

1. Prepare the dipping sauce by adding the mustard, mayonnaise, honey, white wine vinegar, and cayenne pepper or hot sauce to a small bowl. Whisk together, season with salt and pepper to taste, and set aside.

2. To make the meatball mixture, place the ground beef into a large mixing bowl. Add in the oat flour, egg, thyme, dill, oregano, mustard, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper. With a clean hand, gently mix the ingredients together. Do not overhandle the meat or it will become tough.

3. To form the meatballs, take about one tablespoon of meat mixture and roll it into a smooth, round ball. Set aside and repeat with the remainder of the mixture.

4. Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to coat the bottom of a large skillet or frying pan; heat on medium high. Once the pan is hot, add 5-7 meatballs depending on the size of the cooking surface. Do not overcrowd the pan.

5. After 3-4 minutes, turn the meatballs. they should have a brown sear on the first side. Keep turning the meatballs after 3-4 minutes until all the sides have a golden brown crust.

6. Once the meatballs are cooked on each side, place them onto a prep plate to rest and release any juices. transfer them to a presentation plate and serve with toothpicks and a side of the honey mustard dipping sauce.

PHOTOS BY SPOON FORK BACON

S'mores Rice Krispie Treats

2014-11-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

There was actually no firewood allowed where we were camping in Big Sur so I came home with a lot of s'more making materials! So I decided to make some S'mores Rice Krispie Treats – omg yum. I remember attempting to make rice krispie treats as a kid. I melted the marshmallows in a pan but forgot the butter which made for a a huge mess – I also happened to use a nonstick pan to melt the marshmallows so everything was stuck and burnt onto the pan. I think that was the last time I tried to make them on my own. I'm older and wiser now – these were easy to make! I actually made this twice since I've been back the recipe I'm sharing is the doubled version because I liked how it made thicker squares. If you don't want to make that much you can cup the recipe in half for 1 inch thick squares.

S'MORES RICE KRISPIE TREATS print this recipe!

INGREDIENTS
1 stick of unsalted butter
24 jumbo marshmallows
2 tsp vanilla extract
6 cups Rice Krispies
6 graham crackers, crumbled
1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

PREPARATION

1. Oil a 9x9 pan and set aside. In a large bowl combine, rice krispies and graham crackers. Keep mini marshmallows and chocolate chips nearby.

2. Melt butter over medium heat, once butter has melted add vanilla extract and turn heat to low. Add jumbo marshmallows – continuously stir the marshmallows until mixture is smooth.

3. Mix the melted marshmallows together with the rice krispies and graham crackers – then add addition marshmallows and chocolate chips (I add this a little after so it isn't so hot and some pieces melt but not all).

4. Mix well and then transfer mix into 9x9 greased pan. Oil your hands and lightly press the mixture into pan. Allow treats to set for 20 mins, remove and cut into 16 pieces.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad

2014-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

I went on a road last week along the coast down from Big Sur it was spectacular I'll be sharing more pictures from that trip soon. On the back home we stopped at a persimmon farm and picked 27lbs of fuyu persimmons! I remember eating persimmons as a kid – we didn't have them often growing up in Georgia I don't think they were as readily available as I find them here in California. The fuyu persimmons are the squatier looking persimmons that can be eaten while they are still firm or wait till they are soft. The flavor is sweet and cinnamonish.

So now I've got a ton of persimmons that I've been eating as a snack but thought I could combine them into a few of my meals too. Here is a delicious persimmon and pomegranate salad. I love the colors of the the persimmon and pomegranate combined – could be a beautiful salad for a dinner party perhaps?

PERSIMMON AND POMEGRANATE SALAD print this recipe! | recipe adapted from valleybrinkroad

INGREDIENTS
SALAD:
3 cup herb lettuce mix
2 fuyu persimmons, cut in small wedges
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
pecorino romano
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
DRESSING:
1/8 cup sherry vinegar
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons of honey
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION

1. Combine all ingredients for dressing into a jar and shake vigorously until well combined, add additional olive oil, salt or pepper as necessary. Set aside. Combine all ingredients for salad, toss in a few tablespoons of dressing.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG

Snake Oil Provisions | Long Beach, California

2014-10-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've featured a Long Beach shop here on the blog, but I am excited to share with you one of LB's newest editions – Snake Oil Provisions. SOP is a men's shop with high quality, domestically sourced menswear and dry goods. The shop is small but filled with beautifully crafted menswear, some of which can only be found in their stores right here in Long Beach. I had the pleasure of meeting Miranda and Ben on one of my visits and discovered they both moved here from Atlanta and Miranda used to work at SCAD (my alma matter). It's always a nice surprise to meet others from ATL. If you're searching for a new men's shop in LB - Snake Oil Provisions is your place.

Snake Oil Provisions
2742 East Broadway
Long Beach, California 90803

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHONG