Red Velvet Cupcakes

Red Velvet Cake seems like all the rage. I read about it on blogs, see it on menus, hear about the "red velvet cake" at such and such place that is to die for... and yet - I'm not convinced.

So I thought I'd try my hand at making a batch.

One, because I wanted to know what exactly gets put into this bright Red, Velvet cake that seems to be everyone's favorite.

And two, mostly because I had all the ingredients on hand.

So I leafed through some of my cookbooks, and found a recipe from Jennifer Appel's Buttercup Bake Shop Cookbook. And while it was good - moist, fun, and not too sweet with just a smidgen of a hint of chocolate, it was really the Red Velvet Icing that took the cake. The icing was indeed, "somewhere between buttercream and whipped cream" - light, fluffy and just the right amount of sweetness.

Here's the adapted version for a batch of cupcakes:

Red Velvet Icing
+ 1 c milk
+ 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
+ 1 c cold, unsalted butter
+ 1 c sugar
+ 1 tsp vanilla extract

- In saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk milk and flour.
- Stir constantly for about 10 min, until smooth and thick.
- Set aside and cool for about 30 min.
- When cool, remove the "film" formed at the top and discard.
- Beat butter and sugar on med-high speed until fluffly, about 4-5 min.
- Add vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
- Add cooled milk mixture in thirds and beat well.

The icing, itself, is a keeper but I think I'm going to have to pass on the Red Velvet.

So, it might have been perfect for my girlfriend JLC's wedding, but I'm still not convinced.

Love is in the Air

Love is in the air with this year's Valentine's weekend!

MS first made reservations at one of our all time favorites - Musha Tokyo Cuisine. We had our first date at this Japanese izakaya and we celebrated our first Valentine's Day as a couple together there so there's a lot of history of good eats at this small eatery in Santa Monica.

Our 8:30 reservations made for a late dinner out, but we were quickly seated at a table for two. Smoke filled the air as couples grilled meats at their tabletop BBQs, while laughter and conversations flowed as the rest of the dishes slowly made their way out of the kitchen.

We ordered the Seared Albacore Tuna Salad along with Duck Breast with Ponzu Sauce and Daikon as our cold appetizers. Both of which were delicious and the right portions for a starter. After a little wait, we then had the MFC (Musha Fried Chicken), one of their more well-known items - very tender and moist, straight out of the fryer. We also had the Asari clams cooked with mushrooms in a butter, sake, soy sauce that reminded me of a favorite dish at Akane Chaya.



But the celebrations didn't end at Musha.

On Friday, we met with our favorite sushi chef Hiroki [pictured above] at Sushi Sasabune and continued sharing the love. Our friends, JT and CT, joined us at the sushi bar and over our blue crab rolls, we talked of love, life, and happy engagements.

This past Valentine's was truly one that I never would have expected.

Along with such great eats, MS surprised me with a beautiful memory book of our trip to Spain and a romantic proposal that made my heart beat with so much joy and surprise. The tears welled up as I called my mom who congratulated us and who shared, “I’m so happy for you and the two of you, and so happy that he will be my son-in-law!”

I’ve found the love of my life, my soul mate who makes me smile and laugh, who reminds me of what’s most important in the world, and who makes me fall in love over and over again.

From our very first date and my very first blog entry - to our food adventures around the city and abroad as a couple - to this latest news, thank you for letting me share this wonderful news with you and for sharing the moments of my life.

Here's to a great 2008!

Tempura Udon, A Family Favorite at Sanuki no Sato

Who would have thought that I would be having a double-date with my mom?

MS and I met my mom and step-dad at their favorite udon restaurant, Sanuki no Sato, for an early dinner last month. Doors opened for at 5:30pm, and my mom asked to be seated at her favorite booth.

What's funny is that we all tend to order the same things when we're at this family favorite:

Mom & me: Spinach Salad without the Bonito Flakes
AS & me: Tempura Udon
Mom: Plain Udon
MS: Katsu or Curry

We love the baby spinach leaves that come with a ginger sesame dressing, small pieces of bacon, sprouts, and a wedge of lemon. The citrus juice squeezed over the salad makes this dish refreshing and light. It typically comes with katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) but none of us like the fishy flakes that leave an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. Somehow, I'm always reminded of my cat, Neko, who loved the stuff. No thank you.

The broth for the udon is delicious, and you always get an extra helping of sliced green onions. Mom and AS ask for less while I tend to pick out what I won't eat. And the tempura shrimp and vegetables are fried perfectly. Invariably, I always pass my tempura tako (octopus) piece to whomever will take it.

We talk of work, friends, and other things in our lives. It's nice knowing that I can call my mom and AS for a bite out to eat without hesitation, and I can always expect great eats with the best kind of company.

Sanuki no Sato
street: 18206 S. Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
tel: 1.310.324.9184

LA Wedding Site: Wayfarer's Church

I am a hopeless romantic, and hopelessly in love with romantic movies.

My all time favorites include: An Affair to Remember, When Harry Met Sally, and Sleepless in Seattle. I can watch these films over and over and over again, and re-fall in love with the characters - no matter how old I am or how many times I've seen them.

The first time I watched the Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr classic was during my senior year of high school. While my girlfriends DT, ES and I were writing up our college applications, we ordered two large pizzas with tomatoes and mushrooms from Domino's for delivery and watched the film during one of our breaks.

By the end of the movie, we were all in tears and wishing that one day, we would find our true loves because "winter must be cold for those with no warm memories..." (An Affair to Remember)

Fast forward four years and ES finished at West Point, while DT headed up north to Stanford and I stayed in LA at USC. After 10+ years since we graduated from high school together, DT is the first to get engaged. She has met her Prince Charming and after a romantic engagement, she will be walking down a beautiful vineyard aisle in Napa Valley this summer.



In thinking about and planning for upcoming weddings, I can't help but think about the details of what I, myself, would like.

Big wedding? Small wedding?

Church? On the beach?

After all, I'm a girl who loves the details. But... I'm still unsure about a lot of things.

For a more intimate setting in Southern California, I've been to a small ceremony at the Wayfarer's Chapel in Palos Verdes. Last year, one of my oldest friends whom I've known for almost 25 years now, had his ceremony at this almost hidden sanctuary that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It's known as a "tree chapel" designed by Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, and is a scenic place to get married. It's especially beautiful right around sunset, with brilliant hues along the horizon.

What I do know for sure is that "when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." (When Harry Met Sally)

The Wayfarers Chapel
5755 Palos Verdes Drive South
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
www.wayfarerschapel.org

Check website for pricing and more information.

Good Eats at Sakurai Grill in Huntington Beach

Growing up in the 80's, one of my favorite television shows was "Cheers" with Ted Danza and Rhea Perlman. I loved the witty banter between the bartender Sam and hostess Carla, the familiar faces of Norm and Cliff, and singing along to...

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.

I loved that idea - having a special place where you're a somebody and where all your troubles seem to fade away.

And that's exactly how I feel when I sit with Hiroki at Sushi Sasabune. He always knows what I want and how to make me happy with a simple smile and my favorite dishes. And I love catching up with him, how his wife is doing, and how work is treating him.

Unfortunately for me, though, it's not a place my purse likes. After my recent visits last month and again on Friday, I'll have to wait for MS to treat me to our next Sasabune outing.

(Valentine's just around the corner - hint, hint MS!)

So for the time being, it's time to pack my lunches, cook a little more, and find some good eats while on a budget.



So when MS and I visited Sakurai Grill in Huntington Beach to celebrate a friend's birthday, I was thrilled to order the Beef Teriyaki + Sashimi Combo plate that came with a generous mixed green salad and miso soup for about ten dollars.

Hidden in a small mini-shopping complex, the Japanese take-out restaurant may be easily overlooked. It opened less than a year ago, but the Sakurai family is not new to the Orange County food scene. Their homemade teriyaki sauce is like no other. Not thick or gooey like a nasty congealed clump of super sweet brown sauce. But smooth, light, and deliciously cooked from 4-6 hours of making the broth for the base of the teriyaki sauce.



The intimate interior is modern and refreshing - with framed photograph stills taken in Japan hanging along the long, white wall. And Terry Sakurai - the man behind the Grill - is everything nice, laid back, and ready to share his family dishes with you.

The Sakurai fish was fresh and of great quality, and my plate had so much more sashimi than what I expected for the price of the combo.

Now here was a place that my purse and I could love together.

Too bad it's in the OC.

NOTE:
If ever I'm in the area again, you'll find me lickin' my fingers and chowing down on some deliciously sweet deep fried chicken wings at Sakurai Japanese Grill - they're crispy bites of tender goodness!

Sakurai Japanese Grill in Huntington Beach
street: 19881 Brookhurst Street, Suite D
hrs: 11a - 8:15p / 7 Days a Week; Sun 12p - 7p
tel: 1.714.968.7065
www.sakuraijapanesegrill.com