Category Archives: Classics

Buffalo Mozzarella

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I am having a love affair with Buffalo Mozzarella. Who says a 22 year old grad student can’t indulge? I picked some up at the Cheese Store of Silverlake on Sunday.

mmmm. Buffalo Mozzarella is made from water buffalo milk and is generally creamier tasting then regular mozzarella. I got a small ball because I have to consume it before I travel to Boston on Wednesday.

I used it Sunday to make tomato basil pasta with basil. This is a recipe I made a lot last summer because its easy and also basil, mozzarella and tomatoes are so flavorful and summery together.

So I roasted cherry tomatoes, cut up some basil and mozzarella. I cooked brown pasta and then combined all the ingredients with a little EVO.

mmmm always gooooood.

This was a perfect dinner to cap off a day of site seeing with Joe and David. We had brunch at Local in Silverlake and then saw the Hollywood sign:

And then we got SUPER touristy and went to the Madame Tussauds to look at the celebs:

Shenanigans.

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Mint Juleps

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As some of you might be aware, today is the Kentucky Derby. I decided long ago that this was the year I would make my own mint juleps, the traditional Derby drink. I made a half-hearted attempt to throw a derby party, but apparently law students with a massacre-like con law final two days away aren’t that into day drinking. Shock! Or not. I wasn’t that into hosting people over. That would require cleaning my apartment, making a lot of drinks, and honestly I have a lot of work to do also. So I decided to mix a mint julep, keep the con law flash cards in front of me and enjoy the Derby.

My Grandfather’s family is from Kentucky. As a child we took a lot of trips to the Kentucky Horse Park and we even have water glasses that list the winners of the derby. There’s lots of family lore which my Grammy would regale my brother and I with while we were growing up and every year we pay attention to the Derby. I don’t exactly put my hand over my heart when they play, “My Old Kentucky Home” but I’ve always enjoyed the Derby. It should also be noted that attending the derby is on my bucket list.

So this year, I decided to make Mint Juleps. The traditional Mint Julep recipe includes bourbon, simple syrup and mint. For my recipe I deferred to my Aunt who is the family expert. The Old Family Recipe includes: crushed ice, mint infused simple syrup, bourbon, and a mint sprig. First I made the mint infused simple syrup several days before the derby.

I took equal parts water and sugar, one cup each, and heat it until the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar has all dissolved, the syrup will be clear at that time, turn off the heat and let the syrup cool. After turning off the heat, let a container of mint sit in the syrup until the syrup has completely cooled off.

Once I let the syrup cool off and the mint “infuse” I put the simple syrup in a container and refrigerate until I wanted to use it today.

I was told when making mint juleps its important to use a short glass…

And, crushed ice is also important… and since I don’t have an ice crusher I did this:

Eh, It worked! Then you measure out simple syrup and bourbon. I used a jigger of each because I have to run later. Also, I bought the cheapest bourbon that they offer (whoops, 101 proof).

As mentioned above, I bought the cheapest bourbon that Trader Joe’s has to offer. Wild Turkey doesn’t scream “class and distinction” but it was cheap and whoops 101 proof. Seems like I’m going to have an interesting boozy run later. Yeah, not ideal, but I’m at the end of my loan money so I have a hard time justifying more classy bourbon.

anddddd Viola!

Delicious. That’s all I have to say. The syrup definitely tastes like mint but isn’t overpoweringly sweet or minty which is good. This is the perfect warm spring afternoon drink, and no wonder its a derby staple.

The horses are getting into their stalls so I have to stop blogging and pay attention! Happy Derby Day everyone!

Mad Sprint to Freedom

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We’re almost there!!!! Less than a week. Ugh, everything I’ve been eating lately has, sadly, not been blog worthy. But I have other announcements:

First, Happy May Day

Not only is May Day a day that raises awareness of important social issues, but it’s a major Simmons College tradition. Above you can see me with long hair my Sophomore year on the far left doing the may pole dance. The tradition involves running through the senior dorms way too early in the morning with pots and pans, waking up said seniors and then dancing around the may pole. Then we indulge in a strawberry breakfast. I loved participating sophomore year and it was great being woken up by the sophomores last year, about two weeks before graduation. May day is one of my many cherished Simmons memories. Plus, how New England woman’s college is this tradition? I love it.

Secondly, I have an urge to blog about issues again. I had a short lived blog on the Simmons College network where I talked about actual political and social issues. Maybe its the finals stir craziness, but I have an urge to write about the racist email that was sent at Harvard Law last week. BUT. I will NOT write anything until after finals are over because it would only serve to be a distraction. Yell at me to focus on my studying via blog comments if I post any sort of commentary. But check this article which I think does a good job of summing up several main issues related to the email. I’ve been appalled by the commentary on above the law and was glad to find another source of commentary.

That’s it for now. I promise to have something more interesting later.

Off the Wagon…

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I haven’t had a bagel for two months mostly because they have no redeemable nutritional value but I figure I was entitled. That is a dangerous feeling for me to have because I can justify everything with it. I will run tonight, I will run tonight, I will run tonight…

Comfort Food.

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As finals draw nearer I find myself seeking out comfort food like I used to. I have been able to maintain some semblance of health and wellness. I basically coffee shop hopped all day and made some progress then I came home and decided to treat myself. According to Clementine, its grilled cheese month, so I decided to keep with the theme…

Whole Wheat Brie Grilled Cheese with Arugula! Typical grilled cheese. Butter both sides of bread, fry it up with the cheese and the arugula and then mush it together.

YUM! I had dinner with the TV tonight. E! was playing an oldie but a goodie…

Dazed and Confused!

Love this movie. Matthew McConaughey’s character cracks me up every time. The music in this movie remind me of driving around the North Shore at 17. Nothing like driving around in the summer with “free ride” playing. I also treated myself to a beer:

I rarely drink beer but occasionally I get a craving which I’ll indulge. Tomorrow is the second to last day of class AND I don’t have my 9 am! It feel like finals, but its also the second to last day of instruction of 1L. I can’t believe its almost over. This year has flown by and I am so excited for the summer to get here.

And here is a picture of Iz while I was eating grilled cheese. She was very interested and clearly loves french cheese as much as I do:

Isn’t she looking slender?

Grandma Swanson’s Orange Jello

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This is the first of several Easter posts! Of course, I wouldn’t be able to host a Midwestern Easter without a good jello. I used a recipe that Grandma Swanson gave to me for Christmas. My dad even noted that it was one of his favorites so I thought it would be good to try on Easter.

First step is to boil orange juice and add orange jello to the boiling orange juice…

Then you let the mixture cool and bit before adding Ginger Ale…

Then you put the mix in the fridge so that it can thicken. Once it has thickened you add a can of Mandarin oranges.

Then you put it into the mold…

Once the jello has molded it done! It was slightly difficult getting the jello out of the mold. Luckily I had a pro there to help me get the jello out…

TA DA! Of course it was delicious. One of my friends said it was the first time he really liked jello. Grandma was so pleased!

Grandma Swanson's Orange Jello

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This is the first of several Easter posts! Of course, I wouldn’t be able to host a Midwestern Easter without a good jello. I used a recipe that Grandma Swanson gave to me for Christmas. My dad even noted that it was one of his favorites so I thought it would be good to try on Easter.

First step is to boil orange juice and add orange jello to the boiling orange juice…

Then you let the mixture cool and bit before adding Ginger Ale…

Then you put the mix in the fridge so that it can thicken. Once it has thickened you add a can of Mandarin oranges.

Then you put it into the mold…

Once the jello has molded it done! It was slightly difficult getting the jello out of the mold. Luckily I had a pro there to help me get the jello out…

TA DA! Of course it was delicious. One of my friends said it was the first time he really liked jello. Grandma was so pleased!

Clementine

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I have a new favorite spot in LA, Clementine. I have been wanting to try Clementine for a while but its just far enough away to be out of walking distance. When my mom came for spring break we tried it, twice because it was so good!

Clementine has great seasonal foods, this means that they change the menu depending on the season which I love! It means that food is natural and freshly grown with no additives and ect. You can tell that its super fresh. Let me tell you, this place gives Flour in Boston a bit of a run for its money. Nothing trumps Flour, but Clementine is DAMN GOOD! Our first trip was for lunch:

I ordered the rare roast beef sandwich with horseradish, marinated onions and arugula. It was so good and it came with a side of pickles! I also had a mint iced tea:

Whoops! All gone...

On the way home from Palm Desert my mom and I stopped by for breakfast. We woke up really early and had breakfast then, so by 10 am we were starving but they were still serving breakfast. Both of us ordered a quiche because quiche is always so good and a compromise between lunch and breakfast.

I had the bacon and leek quiche with a side salad. It was very good. I also had an ice tea and we ordered hot buttermilk bisects.

SO DELICIOUS! They came with jam and a cream thing. Not sure what it was but it was delicious. Clementine is my new favorite! Check it out for yourself: http://www.clementineonline.com/

Lillet Blanc

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Yes, I’m a 22 year old graduate student that likes to come home and sip an aperitif after a long day at school. Is there anything wrong with that?

Lillet Blanc is a wine and citrus liqueur. Good in a cocktail or on its own but always served with a twist. Also was featured in James Bond novels as part of the “Vesper” Martini. I have never found it in a super market but Jensen’s Fine Foods in Palm Springs had it. My Mom even bought me the bottle! Katherine FTW!