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Wild Mushroom-Leek Soup

03/30/2012 By dana Leave a Comment

By now, even if you don’t have a teenager in the house, you’ve heard of the stratospherically successful movie “The Hunger Games.” I read the book over a weekend last summer, after my son’s school recommended it to both of us (we were supposed to read it together and discuss, but he decided to skip this bonding opportunity in favor of “South Park” reruns). You might be wondering what the story of one girl’s fight for her integrity in a blood-thirsty dystopian society has to do with cooking. Well, let’s just say when every theater nearby was sold out last weekend, I got inspired to cook up my own hunger games. My four hungry participants declared their various appetites at 5 pm, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Soup Recipes

Greek Frittata with Spinach, Leeks, Potato and Feta

03/21/2012 By dana Leave a Comment

The Los Angeles Marathon took over our town last Sunday. Fortunately, it was a brisk, sunny morning. The kids and I watched some of the more than 20,000 runners pass by mile 17, looking surprisingly sweatless and energized. As they soldiered on, we slipped into our favorite deli for breakfast. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of outsider envy. After all, our most athletic feat of the morning had been sprinting across the race route while dodging the runners. And even though I could practically taste the hash browns from a block away, I wanted to truly earn them. I thought about what I’d order if I had just run 26.2 miles in under two and a half hours, as the winning female from Ethiopia did. Something delicious and decadent. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

Spring Carrot Sunflower Pate

03/13/2012 By dana Leave a Comment

No one rejoices more than I do when we sacrifice that extra hour of the day to make way for Spring. Because it means tulips and warm weather are just around the corner. And even though the vernal equinox is still a week away, I’ve got matzah balls and Easter bunnies on my mind. Two of the year’s cheeriest, most hope-filled holidays are coming up, and what better way to celebrate than with a colorful feast? This sunny vegan carrot spread helps set the mood. Even the name makes me smile! This recipe sprung from the mushroom paté I posted last March. This time, I substituted fresh dill for thyme and sunflower seeds for walnuts to play up the sweet, fresh notes of the carrots. But feel free to try your favorite herbs and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appetizer Recipes

Parsnip Hummus with Moroccan Roasted Mushrooms

03/08/2012 By dana Leave a Comment

Veggies have always had a voice in our national diet, but they were often relegated to the back of the choir. Now they are finally getting to sing the solos. After decades of meat worshipping and protein seeking, we have become obsessed with the incredible, edible vegetable. My vegetable romance began when I was 12, the year I decided I was done eating anything with a face or a mother. And even though my own mom was quite perturbed that I wouldn’t touch her brisket or Bolognese, I never looked back. I wanted to learn about, grow, cook and devour every kind of vegetable there was. In fact, once I realized it was impossible to find the limits of the vegetal universe, it began expanding even faster (kind of like our own universe). … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Side Dish Recipes

March Giveaway, Free Berndes Ceramic Pen

03/02/2012 By dana 10 Comments

Ceramic is the new green! This beautiful new ceramic pan from Berndes pan has it all: it’s free of chemicals and Teflon, heats evenly, and is naturally non-stick. The handle is heat-protected, so it can go right under the broiler. Omelets slide right out and onions caramelize beautifully. This eco-friendly work horse retails for $121.99, but we are giving one away this month to a lucky subscriber. Send in a comment and make sure you are a Beverly Hills Farmgirl subscriber! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cooking Contest

March Cooking Contest

03/02/2012 By dana 1 Comment

Time to dig up a favorite recipe that says, “Bring on Spring!” Do you have a delicious way to prepare asparagus, peas, artichokes or Spring onions? Maybe you have a favorite salad, soup or even dessert (think mint!). Send in your best green recipe and a short blurb about what makes it special (one entry per person, please). You have until March 31st before the contest closes. I’ll be testing and tasting all your dishes, so please, no bogus recipes! The winning recipe will be featured on my website, and the winner will receive an autographed copy of Summertime Anytime, along with a handy set of salt and pepper mills from Grind! Good luck and Happy Spring! Send in your entry here. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cooking Contest

Chaya’s Vegan Japanese Minestrone

02/21/2012 By dana Leave a Comment

Los Angeles has always had a thriving restaurant scene, fueled by innovative chefs, abundant inspiration, and ever-curious diners. But when it comes to classic fine dining, there are only a handful of grandes dames left. It’s not that Angelenos don’t appreciate first-rate food, but they want it served with a fun, lighthearted vibe. In this town, stuffy and pompous just don’t fly any more. One L.A. landmark has managed to keep its hip Euro-Japanese brand of haute cuisine relevant for 27 years. Chaya Brasserie, owned by the Tsunoda family, which has been operating restaurants and tea houses in Japan for almost four centuries, is constantly reinventing the sophisticated neighborhood haunt. Chaya is where my husband took me … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Soup Recipes

Lychee Grapefruit Limeade

02/14/2012 By dana Leave a Comment

What’s your idea of romance? These days, there are a a million ways to buy it — chocolates, greeting cards, iTunes compilations, roses. But I prefer mine simple, handmade, and enduring. Growing up, Valentine’s Day was always my favorite holiday. I would stay up late the night before, glueing red and pink hearts onto doilies for my classmates and wrapping cookies for my teachers. Even our terrier, McDuff, got a special red bone to chew on. It was a day to exchange little tokens from the heart, when nothing else seemed to matter. Fast forward to a grown-up life with three busy kids, a husband, work and travel. There’s not much time for grand gestures. But what’s romantic to me now is still pint-sized. Sure, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beverages