Culinary Special! Homemade Burger!!

This recipe is to die for and is so simple that you can still make it this weekend: a delicious homemade burger!
I´ve already posted here two of my favorite burgers: Umami Burger and Father's Office. Then, past weekend, my hubby and I decided to make a mixed version of these two burgers, and the result could not have been better!
First of all, I found for sale the umami paste (the so called fifth taste) and I bought it to give it a try. For my surprise, when I checked the ingredients, there is nothing mysterious and you certainly can prepare it at home (the ingredients are: tomato paste, anchovies paste, black olives, oil, salt, pepper, garlic, balsamic).

I bought the patties but you can make them at home (Rachael Ray has excellent patties recipes!), crumbled blue cheese (or gorgonzola), arugula, cherry tomatoes, mayonnaise with garlic (or aioli) and a sliced Italian bread (not too crispy).

Well, there's no secret: while the patties are in the pan (or grill), butter the bread slices and place them onto the pan/grill to toast (both sides). When they are almost done, add cheese and remove from heat (the heat of the pan is enough to melt the cheese). Blue cheese is more delicate than gorgonzola and it softens very quickly. Spread mayonnaise on one other side of the toasted bread and umami paste on the other. Then just put everything together: bread with mayonnaise, patties with cheese, arugula, cherry tomatoes, bread with umami paste. You will lick your 10 fingers! Meat is super soft, the cheese is melted and the umami really gives it a charm (even more for me since I love anchovies and black olives) and the bread was a great choice (neither heavy nor dry).

I'm waiting for comments of those who will face the challenge and will be in the kitchen this weekend preparing this delight!

A 5-stars burger from the best of all restaurants: your kitchen!

Deeply in love: Kitchen Aid Mixer!

I just bought my Kitchen Aid mixer (yohoo!!) and totally recommend it! Fame is not for nothing: stylish, quiet, great accessories, beautiful colors, in sum, all perfect!

This week´s DELIGHT!

Marble Cake (this and other recipes here)

Porcelain - Part II (Reiko Kaneko)

Reiko Kaneko is a British ceramic designer who makes beautiful, simple and delicate pieces. However, she really got me with her work with these tea sets with lipstick marks in gold and platinum. Perfect for the colder seasons that are knocking on our door!
Apart from its "normal" use, it can also be a beautiful decorative piece in your kitchen if you place it in a open cabinet or shelf.

To learn more about the designer and where to buy her pieces, visit her website.

My favorites: French Toast from Grub Restaurant

Continuing my endless search for the best French Toast, I found a wonderful one at a restaurant called Grub, in Hollywood, that certainly enters into the hall of My Favorites!
Forget the calories and cholesterol and ask for Our Friggin 'Amazin' French Toast. It is a piece of heaven on Earth, made ​​with sliced croissant - yes, croissant! - dipped in a sweet mixture (I don't know the ingredients but maybe milk, cinnamon, sugar, eggs etc), the bread is golden brown and it is served with maple syrup and raspberry butter (delicious and super easy to make - I will teach you that here later on).

My hubby ordered a croissant (also french toast style) with eggs, cheese and bacon. The bacon ... hum ... While not part of most of my meals, I felt like asking an extra portion of it! It is super crisp but with some kind of sugar or maple syrup coat. So it is sweet, savory, crisp all at the same time. What a delight!

The place is very informal, small and it seems lost in a super quiet street in the middle of the old post-production studios in Hollywood, but you are in the right place. And during rush hour (brunch time) you'll wait a bit.

I could certainly go back there...every morning ...