June 27, 2012

This Week's DELIGHT: Salmon Tartare


I love raw or smoked salmon, but I confess that the fish was not part of our meals as much as it should be. But now that I learned to make Salmon Tartare, I'm sure it will be more present in our house!


Salmon Tartare is a super simple, light and refreshing dish, made with raw fish (you can use tuna too). Easy to make, it's a great option for an appetizer. But in my case, it was a hot Sunday, so I made it as my main dish, with spinach, feta cheese and dried cranberries salad.


Check here to get this super healthy and very tasty recipe!

June 24, 2012

Beauty Tips


Recently I discovered two amazing products that I wanted to share here with you:

RD Protein Cream

My hair is dyed and after so many coloring, the ends got dried and now I suffer with some frizz. So I was almost buying Moroccan Oil, when I read in some magazine a girl's testimony about the RD Protein Cream and her hair was gorgeous. I decided to give it a try, bought the cream and it's fantastic! It leaves the hair super silky, shiny and no frizz. A winner!


Now, for red lips lovers who, like me, don't remember retouching the lipstick, and get angry when look in the mirror an hour after applying it and realize that half of it has faded, here is the solution of our problems: Sephora Cream Lip Stain



It's the best long lasting lipstick ever! I confess I have not tried that many, but now I don't need it! It was a friend's tip who always has her makeup flawless! During a dinner, I could not resist and asked which lipstick was wearing. To my delight (and my wallet's), it's Sephora! I bought it, tried, and the same day I went out with my red lips, I got three compliments and people asking me where I had bought it. My color is number 01, but I'll go back at the store and buy all the others!

June 20, 2012

Mashti Malone Ice Cream

To celebrate the first day of summer and longest day of the year, nothing better than a post about ice cream! We don't find many "traditional" ice cream shop, but I heard of Mashti Malone through a great couple of friends that always gives me good tips and this was one of them.



Do not expect anything fancy or expensive. The shop is located in one of those typical small center malls in Hollywood. They have eccentric flavors and they're known for the rosewater ice cream.


So I knew that this was one of the flavors I'd try, and the other, I was in doubt between saffron, ginger, cardamom and pistachio. Since I had already chose a different one (rose water), I decided for pistachio.


The pistachio is delicious! With pieces of it. The rose water is a little strange at first - it's very floral - but after a few spoons, you begin to get used to and enjoy it!


I will definitely come back during the summer to try out other flavors!

June 18, 2012

Weekend...

As you will see in the pics below, the end of the week and the weekend were spent in the kitchen. But this is not a problem at all! They were delicious moments spent with really cool people, and I love it!

Starting on Thursday, with the first sheet (of several!) of the best peanut cookie ever!


A fluffy and tropical cake, made for two dear friends - Liz and Ligia, and of course, cute Lucca - who came in for a coffee on Friday! (and the cake on Sunday)



Tomato and mozzarella di bufala pizza made by hubby!


Our new Sunday obsession when we don't go out for breakfast: poached egg (with soft yolk!)



Vintage cars exhibition on Rodeo Dr.


And, last but not least, chocolate chips and raisins brioche. God, what a good life!


June 14, 2012

This week's DELIGHT: Coconut Macaroons



This week's recipe is Coconut Macaroon. It has nothing to do with macaroon despite having the same name (Who knew...)


In Brazil we have a similar dessert called Cocada. It's also made with coconut and condensed milk, but in a different shape.


It's a great sweet treat after lunch or dinner, very easy to make and perfect for coconut lovers! (check out this recipe here)

June 12, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Today the blog turns 1! Thanks to all of you who follow the blog, leave comments, suggestions, send me emails and spread the word - and the tips - to friends. I'm having a blast sharing my experiences here and I do hope they change your day a little bit, simply by bringing you a smile, a good idea, or delicious food ...


I can't wait for one more year (at least!)

In love: Trumpette Baby Socks

What not to love about this Trumpette socks mimicking ballerinas, maryjanes, oxfords, sneakers...


If it was already difficult to choose the pics, I can imagine how hard is to buy them...

June 11, 2012

Peruvian Dinner

Last Friday we had dinner with our newest and amazing friends at their home. The menu was Peruvian - made ​​by a legitimate one: fish and shrimp ceviche, baked potatoes, causa (mashed potatoes stuffed with tuna, mayonnaise and avocado) and, for those not much into Peruvian food: pesto chicken pasta with mozzarella di bufala. And, of course, bottles of wine and lots of chatting!






I was responsible for dessert and I made a healthier chocolate cake (no flour nor refined sugar) with an yogurt and orange cream (I forgot to take pictures of the yogurt cream, but I will post the recipes).


It was so nice and we were all chatting excitedly that we received the visit of a Beverly Hills Police Officer asking us to slow down and be quiet because was already late into the night ... I mean, this dinner was success!!

June 08, 2012

Cheers!

I promised here that I'd give you the recipe of the drink hubby and I had few weeks ago, but I have to confess I forgot its name and could not find the exact recipe. But the drink is so good and since I know which ingredients are used, I'll list them here then you can make it according to taste (sweeter, stronger, lighter)
Let's call it Hubby's Drink because he was the one who chose it - wisely! - and now he keeps asking me to prepare it at home.


Ingredients
1oz vodka
a splash of St. Germain Elderflower liqueur (heads up: it's very sweet)
1/4 squeezed lemon
lemon-lime soda (Sprite, Mountain Dew ...)
lemon for garnish
Pour all ingredients into a glass with ice and garnished with lemon and fill it with soda. It's light, refreshing and very tasty! (I, particularly, like strong drinks, so I'd be generous with the vodka!)

An amazing weekend to all!!

June 05, 2012

The Griddle Cafe, Hollywood

Hubby and I finally got to go to The Griddle Cafe in Hollywood.


I had heard so much about this place, but all the (several) times we had passed in front there were long lines and we had no patience to wait.
One day, we decided to "take the challenge" and we have no regrets! (and the line took us 20 minutes - not too bad for a 10:30am Saturday).
The place is small and alive. Waiters are running around and the food is very good!
We ordered coffee, poached eggs with fresh fruit and their "flagship" dish: pancakes filled with bananas (but you can find many other great suggestions for your pancakes!)



I had no idea, but the pancakes (3 or 4 units) are larger than the plate! Delicious, but impossible to eat them all. The good thing was that we took almost half home, ate for breakfast the next day and was still good!
So, if you want to order pancakes, I recommend you to either go hungry, share with one or more friends, or don't forget to ask for a container so you can eat it later!

June 04, 2012

This week's DELIGHT: Ginger Cookies

Monday is "international diet day", but not here! I'll start the week with a recipe for ginger cookies with (or not) lemon glaze that is great to eat with a nice cup of coffee or tea. I tried two different recipes, but this ended up being the most delicious, buttery, and melting in your mouth.


These cookies are also really nice to give as a simple gift to teachers, neighbors, friends etc. The recipe yields a lot and you can use different cookie cutters (but be aware of making each batch with same size cutters so they all take the same time to bake).


Check here for this and many other recipes!

June 01, 2012

Cheers!

Let's celebrate the end of this week and the beginning of a new month with a delicious cocktail: Raspberry Bombshell (I think women are gonna love this drink!)


3/4 oz raspberry flavored vodka
3/4 oz Chambord (raspberry liqueur)
2 oz lemonade
1 oz cranberry juice
Lemon twist (to garnish)

Shake all the ingredients with ice and pour into a tall glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and a black raspberry (the regular one works too!)

Have a happy weekend!