This week's DELIGHT: Passion fruit Cake

I made this cake with my mother, a few months ago, and it was delicious! As you may know, here in the U.S. passion fruit is not an easy - neither cheap - fruit to buy so I used concentrated juice in a bottle (you can find it in any Brazilian or Latino minimarkets) and it was great!
You can really taste the passion fruit in the batter and the passion fruit glaze complements it all.
As I was having a very creative day, besides the ordinary square format, I made a donut version. And instead of using passion fruit glaze, I made a chocolate one (melted milk chocolate with a couple of tbsp of heavy cream). I did not have enough chocolate for the amount of cream (I only realized it when I could not get out and buy more), so the glaze was very thin, but it turned out good because it penetrated the cake (and, between us, passion fruit pairs very well with chocolate!)

Check out this and many other recipes here.

Firestone Vineyards, CA

As California is very famous for its wines, it is really easy to find great wineries almost everywhere. Of course that a trip to Napa or Sonoma is more than recommended, but if you have little time or want something closer to LA, my suggestion is Firestone Vineyards, in Santa Ynez Valley, CA.

This region is also known for the wineries and you will find many other along the road. But we chose Firestone (randomly) and enjoyed a lot. The service was very good, the tour was interesting and the tasting was delicious!

We're having such a great time there that we bought more wine and some appetizers and spent the whole afternoon in its yard.

One of the most interesting things we did over there was to see a "cork tree". Yes! If you, like me, had no idea where corks came from, now you know: they come from a tree. They scrape the stem (which will reborn every time), take the material and make it into a cork format. Nice, right?

Pink's Hot-Dogs, LA

It took me over three years to try Pink's Hot Dogs, but now I'm part of that huge army that made Pink's such a famous place in LA.

A few weeks ago, after having some cultural time, hubby and I decided to face the line (yes, there is always a line, always!) and finally get this famous hot-dog.

You can order your dog with pretty much everything: chili, guacamole, tomato, onions, sauerkraut and  more! I ordered a chili-dog (chili, cheese and onions) and hubby ordered a "special" one with bacon, guacamole and two dogs! (but I must say he did not eat the bacon).

We ate at one of the tables available in the back. They also have a parking lot, which is a good idea, since it's located on one of the busiest avenues of Hollywood.
But even before enjoying your dog, you will have fun checking out the attendants making dogs and frying tons of food, non-stop, right in front of you.

A great option when you're hungry and want some nice fast-food.

Cheers!

Today's Cheers! is celebrating Cinco de Mayo. The date is not known in Brazil, but is very celebrated here in the U.S. and in Mexico: it's the the Day of the Battle of Puebla. Puebla is a city in the North of Mexico, scene of a battle between the Mexican and French armies, in 1862, won and celebrated with great pride by the Mexicans. So here's the recipe for a very typical Mexican drink called Michelada, which is a cold and spicy beer!

1 bottle of beer (light or dark beer such as Corona or Negra Modelo)
juice of one lemon
a dash soy sauce
two dashes Worcestershire sauce
a dash Tabasco
a pinch black pepper
salt to garnish

Using a beer glass, salt the rim of the glass by rubbing lemon juice on it then dipping in the salt. Place all ingredients in the glass and add the beer (adding more as you sip). Some versions are served with ice (like the one pictured above), some without. It's up to you. It's a different drink, strong and spicy.
A delicious weekend to you all!

Details...

Partagás Cigar's Factory (Havana, Cuba)

This week's DELIGHT: Chili - Version I

I was thinking about posting a cake recipe, but since today is cold or raining in almost everywhere, I decided to go for a comforting Chili recipe. In fact, this recipe is adapted from the original, which is Mexican and basically made ​​of ground beef and pork (and, in some versions, with beans). Hubby and I are huge fans and we make a lot, so I don't follow any recipe and I'm always creating different - healthier, of course - versions depending on what I have in the fridge. So, I will call this recipe Chili - Version I, because, I already have other versions around!

It's a perfect dish for cold and rainy days. Since it's a complete meal (has grains, protein, vegetable etc), there is no need to serve anything else. It's very satisfying, warm and delicious!

In love: French Bull

It's Spring time in the States, so we're already blessed with beautiful ideas for the summer. And one of them is French Bull. With super colorful designs, it's tabletops are perfect for setting an amazing outdoor table, for a barbecue, a party, for the beach house or even every day. They're all made of melamine which means practicality and durability!

On their website you will find dishes, plates, glasses, knives, bowls, kids utensils, oven mitts, placemats, containers, floor mats etc. It'll be hard to pick one!

Get your home ready - and colorful - for the summer! (if you're not in the States and the company doesn't ship internationally, some items are available at Amazon)