Millionaire's Shortbread

I just saw this recipe on "Five Ingredient Fix", a show on Food Network that uses only 5 ingredients per dish. It looks like it would be a treat for a summer barbecue.  I haven't tried it yet--but I did find out that there is such a thing as non-fat condensed milk, and  I am still trying to work what to use instead of all that butter. What do you think?

Ingredients
Shortbread:
2 sticks butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for preparing pans
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for preparing pans
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Caramel Layer:
2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
Chocolate Topping:
3/4 pound good-quality milk chocolate


Directions
Shortbread:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter 2 (8-inch) square nonstick pans and coat with flour, tapping off excess. Place the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse once. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles peas. Press the shortbread mixture into prepared pans and bake until golden brown around the edges, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Caramel Layer:
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the condensed milk and 2 tablespoons of butter. Slowly bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously. Continue stirring over the heat until mixture becomes thick and amber in color, about 15 minutes. Pour the caramel over the cooked shortbread and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Cool to room temperature.
Chocolate Topping:
In a glass bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the chocolate. Once chocolate has melted, pour it over the cooled caramel layer. Cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes, and then place in the refrigerator to cool completely, allowing chocolate to slightly harden but not get hard. Cut into 2-inch squares and enjoy, or store in an airtight container, at room temperature, or keep in the refrigerator.

Recipe for a Good Day

I can't put my finger on exactly why, but this has been a tough week. Classes are really slow, and I am feeling particularly uninspired. It seems like I have had a few bad days that are culminating to form a general bad week. I found this cute "recipe for a good day" on another blog, and it got me thinking...

"Don’t make any plans. do the things you need to do. friend calls you, wants something fun to do. suggest a hike at a local state park. call other friends. apply bug spray, suntan lotion. pick up food. pick up friends. listen to interesting radio music while sitting through absurdly slow traffic. arrive at park. hike five mile long trail through forest. sweat. drive to restaurant. eat. drink. ice cream"

I realized that we ultimately control our "bad weeks" because we can always plan something to look forward to or something that will make us happy, turning around a particularly frustrating week. Everyone keeps telling me that keeping a positive attitude is what it's all about, but this is easier said than done. Like most things in life, sometimes we just need instructions. Here are some ingredients for my "recipe for a good day", or for simply turning around a bad one.

Take a yoga class. Read a chick lit book (Something Borrowed...so good!). Watch You-Tube videos of babies laughing. Snuggle with my puppy. Take a long walk while listening to my favorite artist. Start a gratitude journal. Bake cookies (always a good one). Phone my best friend. Phone my Dad (he always makes me feel like I can do anything). Volunteer. When all else fails, take a bubble bath, eat some chocolate, and know that tomorrow is always another day!

What does your recipe look like?

xx,
Penelope Anne

A Night In WEHO

Ben and I just got back from dinner and it was so amazing that I had to blog about it as soon as I got home! After a tough week of work and school, we both decided to unwind while having a delicious meal at LA Foodshow (a restaurant in Beverly Hills that serves everything from fish and chips to chinese chicken salad), when much to our disappointment we realized it was closed when we got there (or closed down? hope not!). So we decided to be spontaneous and drive up Santa Monica and pick an interesting restaurant as we drove. We passed a few good ones, but then I saw a cute cafe with tables outside filled with people, so Ben made a quick left and we parked and went inside. Basix Cafe...the winning restaurant of the night, was perfect. It had a hip atmosphere and reminded Ben of the cafe's he used to frequent in New York. It was casual yet romantic, with brown beaded candleholders on the tables and intimate lighting. We were surrounded by cute gay couples, both young and old, as well as big groups who came for a cocktail an appetizer and a chat.

We began with cocktails--I had a Pomegranate Marga-tini and Ben a Cucumber Cloud that arrived with cucumber foam on top. I am not a big drinker, but I literally finished my drink in three long sips- it was that good! Next up, an artichoke ravioli appetizer and caesar salad. I am obsessed with artichokes and as we took the first bite we were speechless. WOW. After this we had our main courses (sea bass for me and pot roast for Ben). The fish was crispy on the outside but the inside melted in my mouth. It was the perfect meal, and the best part was that we were able to order high quality food in such a casual and friendly atmosphere. After that I decided I had a frozen yogurt craving (I know...how could I still have room? Blame it on my sweet tooth), so we went to the Yogurt Stop a couple blocks down. They offered flavors like "Original WEHO Tart" and "Peanut Butter Princess", and it was the perfect place to end our little West Hollywood adventure. Needless to say, my frozen yogurt is still sitting in the fridge as I wait to digest such a satisfying meal. Have a wonderful weekend :)

xx,
Penelope Anne

Passover Mandel bread

Passover can be a really challenging holiday, especially if you are like me and really enjoy something sweet with your afternoon coffee. I found a great passover recipe for mandel bread (mandelbroit in Yiddish), a german cookie that is similar to a Biscotti. It called for so much butter, eggs, and sugar that I decided to experiment a bit. I used half the amount of butter and substituted the rest with plain yogurt. I used Splenda brown sugar instead of regular sugar, and used eggbeaters instead of eggs. Be careful when using any Splenda product--it is REALLY sweet so you have to halve what the recipe usually calls for. I also added orange zest for a citrus kick. The mandel bread came out very well, but I wish that I had left it in the oven for a little longer so that it was crunchier. You can also add walnuts or almonds if you would like. Enjoy!

Passover Mandel bread

Ingredients

1 cups Splenda brown sugar

½  cup pareve margarine

½ cup plain yogurt

6 eggs (eggbeaters)

2 ¾  cups matzo cake meal

¾  cup potato starch

½  teaspoon salt

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon orange zest

2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a large cookie sheet.

In a large bowl, cream together the sugar, margarine, and yogurt until smooth.

Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one.

Combine the cake meal, potato starch and salt; stir into the creamed mixture.

Mix in zest, cinnamon, and chocolate chips. The mixture will be heavy.

Form into 2 long oval loaves. Place onto the prepared baking sheet.

Sprinkle the top with a mixture of 2 teaspoons sugar and cinnamon.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center, comes out clean.

Cut longways into 2 inch pieces. Put back into the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until golden and crispy

xx,

Penelope Anne

Brisket

I grew up in a traditional Jewish community, and (confession!) only found out a few months ago that brisket is not so much a dish provided at many a Jewish holiday meal, but is actually a cut of meat. More specifically, brisket is the cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of beef. There are millions of recipes out there for amazing brisket, and everyone has their own "special" ingredient. Some use Coke, others use  beer. In a fit of domestication, I decided a few weeks ago that I really wanted to make a traditional brisket for Shabbat Dinner. Ben's mom has a wonderful and easy recipe that she gave me, and my favorite part about it is that her "special" ingredient is coffee. The recipe called for barely any work on my part which was really nice. The meat turned out wonderfully, and the only downside was that the brisket that I bought was REALLY fatty (oops). I was advised to go to a butcher next time, and tell them the exact cut I want to get a leaner piece of meat. I really loved the tang of the sauce, and I served the brisket with spinach and sliced potatoes (both regular and sweet) to complete this customary meal.

Brisket
Ingredients:
Brisket
Onions- sliced in rounds
2-3 bottles of Heinz Chili Sauce
8-10 cups of coffee
Carrots and potatoes (optional)
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Black pepper
Paprika

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Slice the onions and place on the bottom of a oven pan. 

Season the brisket with all the spices and place on the onions. 

Bake uncovered in oven at 375 for about 45 minutes. 

Then cover with chili sauce and coffee.  

If you want add the carrots and potatoes and cover and bake at 350 for about 2 hours or more depending on the size of the brisket. 

About a half hour before you eat, slice the brisket. 

Make sure you cut it against the grain.

Put back in the oven cover and bake for about ½ hour. 

Thank you Ilene Rosen for such a wonderful recipe!

xx,
Penelope Anne

Jelly

One of the things I love most about Los Angeles are all of the brunch places one can go to on a lazy sunday morning. This past weekend Ben and I went to Denver, and he really wanted to show me that there are just as many amazing brunch places in the Mile High City as there are in LA. We went to a cute little place called Jelly, a creamsicle and pink restaurant started by San Francisco natives who pride themselves on their natural, home-made preserves, among many other delicious dishes!

When you walk in to Jelly you can't help but smile. The staff is very friendly, and there are framed vintage cereal boxes on the wall. There is a small wait, but only because anyone who knows about this yummy brunch place will get out of their warm bed for a fantastic meal, even if it is 30 degrees and snowing outside! Ben ordered the vegetarian biscuits and gravy, and I just ordered a basic egg breakfast. Our favorite part were the donut bites. We got one of each, and they were delightfully sweet. My favorite was the chocolate of course :) If you are planning a trip to Denver anytime soon, Jelly will leave you full and happy!

xx,

Penelope Anne

Delish Drink: Blue Bottle Coffee

My best friend Giuliette decided, much to my chagrin, to move to San Francisco two years ago for a graduate program. Giul and I have never really lived more than two hours away from each other, so this was a big transition. One of the perks of our new long-distance friendship was that I could go explore the beautiful city of San Francisco while visiting Giuliette. During my visit this past summer, Giul took me to the most amazing farmers market I have ever been to, located at the Ferry Building and overlooking the bay.

Giuliette and I have always shared a love for coffee. Our obsession began at sleep-away camp in the hills of Ojai, where our counselors would treat us to Starbucks bottled iced coffee that induced many a sugar coma. Starbucks then became "starbs", and a once monthly Frappuchino became  twice daily double shot iced lattes that got us through many late night study sessions. So of course, Giuliette had to introduce me to Blue Bottle Coffee the minute I came to visit her in SF.

Blue Bottle Coffee Company prides itself on serving only the freshest coffee, and has an interesting way of creating their delectable drinks. Their specialty is the slow drip coffee that is allowed to drip at varying consistencies for hours before the perfect cup is brewed.

There is a Blue Bottle Coffee Shop inside the ferry building, but if you don't feel like waiting in the ever-present long line I would recommend the stand outside (they serve the same drinks). The market boasts colorful vegetables and fruit, and if you go early enough you can get the best squash tamale in the city. If you are planning a trip to San Francisco soon, a cup of Blue Bottle joe is a must!