This week's DELIGHT: Homemade Granola

Tomorrow is Monday, also internationally known as "starting-a-diet day", so I will end the weekend with a healthy recipe: homemade granola!

I was interested in making a homemade recipe for quite some time because I wanted to have a little more control over the ingredients. When we bought granola at the grocery stores, usually the best ones (in taste)  are always packed with sugar and, those healthy ones have some grains I'm not too fond of.
Anyway, hubby who only eats one type of granola, from one certain brand, from one certain grocery store, loved it!
And the cool thing is that you can change the ingredients whenever you want and have a different version each and every time (of course I didn't have all the ingredients at home, so I made my own!)
Check here this and other recipes.

Have a nice week you all!

Breakfast

You guys know how much I love breakfast! From a simple cup of coffee to those huge tables at hotels (or even at home, during the weekend, when we are feeling more inspired to set a beautiful table).
I always share here with you some tips of great places that offer delicious breakfasts but today I chose simple but tasty things that can upgrade your everyday breakfast.
Some photos were taken from restaurants but I already made those dishes at home and there is no secret! Just go for it!

Greek yogurt with seasonal fruit (in this case, fresh cherry)

Quesadilla. You might think it is too much work but think of it as a "Mexican melted cheese." Just buy a nice
cheese and tortilla, put them in a hot pan (or even grill) and voilá. You have a delicious and themed breakfast (to make it even easier, don't worry about the guacamole and sour cream. Quesadilla is amazing by itself)

Bagel with cream cheese. You can replace the bagel for any other kind of bread (brioche?). And if you're in a good mood, make a iced/frozen mocha.

Amaretto French Toast. This version goes in the oven and, as the name says, has almond liqueur in it. I love it! I'll post this recipe very soon!

Toasted bread with peanut butter and banana. This is my child side speaking!

Eggs Benedicts. I've shown you here my version of eggs benedicts. It doesn't have to be fancy and still it is going to be a success!

Pic-Nic/Breakfast in the hotel room (it can also be in your room, at the beach house, boyfriend's house...): yogurt, fresh fruit, juice, English muffin, jam, cheese, prociutto. Do I need to say more?

Spresso with pastry (this is even more special because it is from Di Cunto, a very traditional pastry shop in Brazil). It is also an excellent choice for an afternoon coffee.

This is easy for those who live in Brazil: cheese bread!  (for those who don't, just go to any Brazilian/Latino Market and you will find it)

Hot chocolate (it will be hard to beat Angelina, but using a good milk and a good chocolate, I'm sure it's going to be delicious too!)

This is one of my favorites: waffle* with Greek yogurt and maple syrup (this is the light version. The traditional version has sliced banana. Hmm ...). * You don't have to make the waffle. Buy it from any supermarket.

There are endless ideas for a very nice breakfast: jellies, cheeses, cakes, cookies, granola, fresh fruit, fresh bread, juice, coconut water etc. Just use your creativity and start your day differently! Have a good week you all!

Clementine

One of the places I first visited when I got here in LA was Clementine.

I confess I did not pay too much attention at the time because I had just arrived here but now, here I am, and after a few years I went back there during 4th of July (that explains all the American flags in the pictures) and the place is really worth going: cool ambiance and a great menu with delicious pastries, salads and sweets!

I went for breakfast on a Saturday morning, but got there a little late and could not order certain plates with eggs. It was not a good start but soon I found other interesting things to eat: small biscuit with prociutto, parfait with peaches, apricots and berries, latte, fresh bagel, jam etc..

They are also known for grilled cheese, but I remembered that detail after eating my breakfast, so I have to come back again and check it out ;)
The salads and pies are amazing! I have tried a few and they were all delicious (the chicken pie is crazy good!)
Some points against the place: a little bit tricky to park, not open on Sundays and, as I said before, they stop serving certain plates with eggs at 10:30 am. But it's just a matter of planning and once you're there you will became a regular customer!

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!

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!

This week's DELIGHT: Brazilian Carrot Cake

This is a Brazilian classic! Who doesn't love a fresh carrot cake with chocolate glaze? I do! In fact, I also love the American version of carrot cake with grated carrots, raisins, walnuts and cream cheese (I'll post a recipe in the future), but the Brazilian version is much simpler and soo good!
I don't know why, but the last Brazilian carrot cakes I had made were not turning out right. I don't know if it was the quantity - or quality - of the carrots, or if I was doing something wrong, but my sister sent me this recipe, I tested and voilá. Hubby loved it!

Delicious, with a beautiful color and huge!

This week's DELIGHT: Cinnamon Scone

I LOVE scones, but besides thinking it was too difficult to make, in some recipes the amount of butter was so huge that it made me quit. But, lately, I got a couple of pretty good recipes and I am testing them all. I'll start with a ver simple one, with few ingredients and little butter, but a surprising flavor: Cinnamon Scones.



For those who don't know, scone is kind of a sweet bread from Scotland very popular in the UK. There, they are always accompanied by jam and clotted cream (which I never found here in U.S, but I'll do a detailed search again), and here in the U.S. they are easily found at any coffee shop.

There are thousands of variations: with cranberries, orange, cinnamon and even savory. It's great to be served for breakfast or afternoon break with milk, coffee or tea.

To make it even better, set up a nice table "5 o'clock tea" style, or use your Sorapot, and enjoy it! It will be a huge success!

Good news!

Today, in addition to celebrate post number 200 (yeap!!) I finished translating my blog. In case you don't know, I had started writing my blog in Portuguese, but since I have many American and Spanish friends, I decided to write it also in English, so they would be able to enjoy the blog as well. Now both versions are completed and I'm very happy! In case you want to check out the original version, just click on the link Versão em Português, located on the upper right corner. Tell your friends!!

PS: for breakfast this morning I made the sweet quinoa again but this time with red quinoa (until then I had only used the white one) and, in addition to the ingredients I used the first time, I added grated coconut. Hmm .. I'm sure this recipe will be repeated over and over and over again!

Jack n' Jills - The Return

As promised here, I went back at Jack n 'Jills and this time I took pictures of the food! I went there with hubby and a great friend, and we had coffee, belgium waffle, omelet and granola parfait.

  

What a great way of starting a day!

This week's DELIGHT: Cake Dulce de Leche

This cake was a suggestion of my friend Sylvia. She sent me the recipe, I made it and loved it!

For those interested in this loaf pan, I bought it recently and this was the first time I was using it. It's great. Even with all the 3D details, if well greased and floured the cake comes out perfectly! 

A sure bet for breakfast or an afternoon snack with a nice cup of coffee, tea or milk!

Sweet Moments: Sweet Quinoa

From now on I will include the category Sweet Moments here on the blog. Posts with quick recipes invented by me or found in books, or some snack bought at the store just to satisfy those craving moments during the day.
And as my weakness is sweet, I will begin with a Sweet Quinoa recipe.

I'm a fan of quinoa for quite some time and I prepare a lot of savory versions, but I found this sweet recipe today and made it for ​breakfast.
For those who like oatmeal (I love it!), it is almost the same but with two advantages: it has less carbohydrate and it is easier to digest. The texture is different, of course, but I can say that this healthier version is already on my list of options for breakfast, especially with the winter right in the corner.
I didn't make the original recipe (here), because I didn't have all the ingredients at home, but my version, simpler, was two thumbs up! Cook 1/2 cup of quinoa (with water and no seasoning). When it is cooked, place it in a small saucepan with 1 cup of milk, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, sugar (I used stevia) and a chopped banana. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat and when it is the way you like (more or less consistent), remove from heat and place it in a bowl with a drizzle of maple syrup (or honey). I cooked the banana together with the milk, because I like it almost disappearing in my mouth, but if you prefer it firmer, add it for last.

Keep your mind open and try it! (If you make this recipe, tell me the results here in comments!)

Bottega Louie Restaurant, Downtown LA

Last weekend I went to visit the restaurant/bakery Bottega Louie (Downtonw, LA). I had heard many good things about the place and I was not disappointed! On one side you have the bakery with a few tables to have a coffee and some pastry and, on the other, a huge area for longer meals.
I thought I would have to wait, but I arrived early for brunch (10 am) so it was very calm. However, around 11am/11:30am the restaurant was very busy and all tables were taken.
The waiters are very polite and as an starter, they serve you a fresh baguette with butter and jelly.
The food is delicious: we had coffee, fritatta with tomatoes and cheese, and french toast. On the way out, of course, I had to check out the bakery and buy the famous macaroons (I'll talk more about them in the next post!)

Another good reason to drive to Downtown!
Photos: MW

The Tasting Kitchen Restaurant

The Tasting Kitchen (Venice, CA). Located on the very hype Abbot Kinney Blvd, this restaurant has an great environment and delicious food. Perfect for a Sunday brunch! (after brunch, go for a walk on the Blvd to check out all the cool stores there are over there!)