Take a Leek

Actually, take four of them.

I haven't really had leeks, except for when it's blended into a potato soup. Since I found myself drooling all over the couch watching Jamie Oliver make Cheat's Pappardelle with Slow-Braised Leeks and Crispy Porcini Pangrattato, I figure I'd give it a shot.

First, the pappardelle. I even cheated the cheat by buying a pack of refrigerated Fettuccine. Heh.

Second, the braised leeks. I went to Fresh & Easy (because you know I'm obsessed) and got two packages of pre-cut leeks, total of 4 leeks minus the leafy greens. This yields 4 servings, easy. I didn't know if you'd really need all 5 with the greens.

The leeks were cleaned out quite well already. Just to be sure, I took out the outermost layer, wash them, and then chopped them. Then I employed the leek cleaning method once saw on Rachael Ray by dropping my cut-up leeks in a sink full of water so any leftover grits would sink to the bottom. And voila, my dinner was dirt-free!

On the chicken stock though, I would've gone with a little less than a pint. My sauce was, well, a bit saucier than I thought at the end without adding the pasta water. I added just a smidgen in there anyway, just in case.

About the prosciutto, I did chop them up and them back to the pan to much delight. It's delicious! But if you want to go somewhat vegetarian on this, you can probably omit adding it back in or using it altogether. Oh...but it's just soooo tasty!

Finally, the pangrattato. Brandon is not big on mushrooms. No matter how I tried to disguise it, he seems to be able to pick them out. I figured I'd leave it out altogether. And y'all know by now that I don't use rosemary. Instead, I chopped up some more thyme leaves and add it to the bread crumbs.

Oh, and for the crumbs, I used the 2 leftover cracked wheat burger buns from Fresh & Easy. One would've been enough, maybe one and a lid. Worked just fine.

Pim's Braised Chicken

Chez Pim's food blog is what this one wants to be when it grows up.

After drooling over her braised pork belly recipe for a while, Pim posted the Five Spice Braised Chicken recipe. With a husband on a diet (that I keep unintentionally wreck by bringing home treats from Lemonade), pork belly wasn't going to be an option. Besides, I don't know if Brandon would like the texture of a braised pork belly. The chicken recipe would be perfect.

I followed her recipe except for using leg-thigh pieces and that I didn't mix my own 5-spice out of pure laziness. (Pim makes her own.) I also added a pinch of brown sugar to round out the flavors and a few squeezes of lemon to brighten things up at the end. I also served mine with rice and blanched bok choy.

The chicken is obviously tender and flavorful. The sauce is just fantastic.

With the flavors like that, I start to ponder the pork belly version. Hmm....

Take a stand on Lemonade

I'm on YELP now. So I'll be doing double duty here and there for restaurant review. Hope you guys don't mind.

For Downtown Los Angelenos who like fresh, creative home-style food, delicious freshly baked goodies and is nostalgia for a cafeteria feel, come on down to the City National Plaza. Lemonade will be totally be your end all for breakfast (they open at 8), lunch, and snacks.

*

My coworker said today she was going to eat somewhere else because the staff are starting to recognize her now. She's been to Lemonade that much.

And why shouldn't she? The food there are great and the folks are very friendly. As a matter of fact, the chef was out today helping my friend with her salad. ETA: I met Chef Alan today! (wave!) You should too!

As for me, I have a little more will power so I only dream about their red cabbage, honey and apple side dish. Although, today I tried the lemon macaroons (not very traditional macaroon-y, but more of lightly crispy and chewy cookie with creamy filling) and strawberry marshmallow dipped in chocolate; they are going to keep bringing me back again and again. ETA: Chocolate-Cherry Brownies...oh...my...god!

I had the ancho chili pot roast and despite being a bit under salted it was out of the ballpark with the spices. I just wish they'd serve it with a side of rice or mashed potatoes or something. ETA: Found a kettle of orzo next to the pot roast. Sweet.

Oh, and the lettuce-bacon-blue cheese-red onion and creamy dressing chicken salad? I say throw away the wedge, friends, and have a container of this stuff instead. ETA: Ditto the butter lettuce, blue cheese, candied walnut and vinaigrette! Yes, I'm a sucker for anything with blue cheese.

Lemonade has a lot of good, home-style food to try and they're more than happy to let you try them all. In a good size little sample cup too. The lines get a little disorganized in there but it's all because of the indecisions...too much good stuff!

Same review on Yelp!