Stella Barra Hollywood

I only just discovered the new Stella Barra in Hollywood this week and I think it could be a game changer in that neighborhood.  I haven't tried the Pizzas yet but the bakery section is incredible.  Above is the Chocolate Chip Bacon Cookie.  It was pretty smokey but so moist and sweet.

This is the Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookie with Walnuts.  It's dense and chewy with the perfect crunch. 

And the winner...the Chocolate Chip Rice Krispies Treat cookie.  There was melted marshmallow everywhere!  That RKT flavor leaked through to the already amazing cookie base making it extra sweet.  Such a great combo idea I love it!

Gourmandise School Pastry Class

  

This month I started the first level of the Pro Pastry Program at The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica and I LOVE it! I have already learned so much not only about baking and chemistry, but also about the history of the food industry.  My teacher is amazing and so far everything we've made has really turned out great.  This photo was from the first class where we talked about chocolate. We tasted several different percentages of chocolate, pure cocoa nibs and even cocoa butter (the white block in the middle) which was revolting.  I think my teacher might love chocolate as much as I do...

 Cheddar & Chive Biscuits, Lemon Poppy Seed Cake, Carrot Cake with Pistachios, Blueberry Muffins

 Triple Chocolate Brownie Cookies

Homemade Toffee

Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dark Chocolate Brownies (severely undercooked and OUT OF CONTROL amazing)

"Lemon Bars" shaped as a cake, with Vanilla Meringue

I never like lemon desserts, ever, but something about this really stood out to me!  Maybe because we used very sweet Meyer lemons, but this was seriously an amazing dessert.  

The crust was salty and fluffy and filling was dense and sweet.  I was super excited to use a torch on the meringue!  

Tate's Ice Cream Sandwich

While in Southampton I had to stop in Tate's bakery and grab a fresh bag of my all time favorite cookies.

While there I discovered some new treats - ice cream and ice cream sandwiches!

The sandwich was amazing! The cookies were super fresh and a little gooey, which is unusual since the cookies are usually crisp.  It was so flavorful and super refreshing on this 90 degree day.

While I was roaming around the bakery I caught a glimpse of Kathleen King, the creator of Tate's.  I panicked and instantly chased her around the cookie table to introduce myself.  She was so sweet, exactly how I imagined her to be.  My hero.

Vosges' Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Vosges is one of my favorite chocolatiers so when I came across this mix I had to test it out, despite it's outrageous price tag.

It came with all the dry ingredients including large discs of their signature dark chocolate.

Using the Kitchen Aid, I slowly mixed in each part of the dry ingredients adding eggs, vanilla and heavy cream.

The dough was amazing. I could have stopped here.

The secret to the massive cookie size starts here. The instructions said to pile four balls on top of each other like a snowman. I only did three layers, which seemed to be plenty.

They came out so massive, but cooked evenly.

They were really tasty, crispy on the outside but super gooey inside. I would like to find the recipe so I don't have to buy this expensive box mix again!

Ice Cream Sandwiches

I had this great ice cream sandwich at Magnolia in Hollywood. It was my favorite combination: mint chip ice cream with chocolate chip cookies. I also tasted the salted caramel which was very tasty as well. I highly recommend it!

Taste of Beverly Hills: Picnic In The Hills

The final Taste of Beverly Hills event today was themed "Picnic in the Hills" and was sponsored by Target. They handed out large jars at the door, and set up an adorable lemonade stand which was necessary on this insanely hot day!

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The stand perfectly captured the essence of Summer.


The bar tenders were cranking out lemonade, which included mint, strawberries and watermelon.


It was great! Super sweet and refreshing.


We were even allowed to take lemons home!


Mint Hummus on a Cracker, and Curry Chicken Salad on Pumpernickel from Literati Café


Assorted Baked Goods from Richard Ruskell Pastries at the Montage


The best chocolate milk I've ever had from Ruskell Pastries at the Montage


Strawberry Thyme Flavored Ice from Ice Ice Shavie


Farro Arugula Parmesan Salad from BLD/Grace


Fried Chicken with Fresh Corn Salad from Lexington Social House (this was a favorite)


Roasted Tomato Tartlet with Blue, Goat and Ricotta Cheeses from Vinoteque on Melrose


Peanut Butter Empanadas with Fluff and Chocolate Sauce from Vinoteque on Melrose


Sweet Tomato Gazpacho with Bacon from The Curious Palate


Root Vegetable Ravioli with Butter Sage Sauce from Erbe Matte (this was another favorite)


Chocolate Challah from Got Kosher?


An Interview with "Hungry Girl" Lisa Lillen


Mini Sloppy Joe from Clementine (this was another favorite)


Pizza from Pitfire Pizza


Debi Mazar and her husband Gabriele Corcos from "Extra Virgin" Cooking Pasta and Salad



Mini Cornbread Muffins with Blueberries from Huckleberry


Spinach, Quinoa and Pulled Pork from Huckleberry


Rigatoni Bolognese from Terroni


And Finally, a Q+A with Giadi De Laurentiis!

What a great weekend, I'm so happy to have been able to attend. Can't wait for next year!

Taste of Beverly Hills: Desserts After Dark

Tonight's Taste events was called "Dessert After Dark" hosted by Duff Goldman. Right in the middle of Rodeo Drive was this insane REAL cake made by Charm City Cakes West, their new LA location!

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Duff talking to the crowd


Me and Duff!


The Charm City girls at their booth! They had three kinds of cake to try, I had the Pecan.



Mini Cupcakes from B Sweet


Strawberry Cobbler from Brandiva and Sir Jerks


Godiva Liquor


Chocolate Ice Cream Infused with Frangelico and Candied Hazelnuts from Drunken Udder


Gorgeous Chocolates from Compartes


I tried several and they were all terrific, the best chocolates I had at the event!


Cookies from DeLuscious


Red Velvet Gelato from Pazzo Gelato


Assorted Cheeses from The Cheese Shop


Fresh Peaches with Cream and Cinnamon Granola from Craft


Cotton Candy from Dolly's Sweet Dreams


Panna Cotta with Limoncello and Mint from Oliverio at The Avalon Hotel


Lemon Meringue with Whipped Cream and Peaches from Farm Shop


Chocolate Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory


Mini Fruit Pies from Sweet Butter Kitchen Cafe & Market


Gingerbread Cookies from Sweet Butter Kitchen Cafe & Market


Cinnamon Sugar Fonuts


Milkshakes from The Counter


Mini Pies from Simple Things


Mint Chocolate Bon Bon from Sweet Rose Creamery


Slices of Whoopie Pies from Xtreme Desserts


Irish Butter Cake Made with Kerrygold Butter


Cake from Rosebud Cakes


Vanilla Cake with Buttercream and Blueberry from Rosebud Cakes


Chocolates by Emanuel Andrén Gastronomy


Emanuel's Passion Fruit and Blueberry Lemon Chocolates