July 29th, 2010
duodishes
Right in the heart of LA, there’s a small strip of Ethiopian eateries lined up to each other for several blocks. It was just a matter of time until this little neighborhood, appropriately called “Little Ethiopia,” was on our radar for one of our monthly Ethnic Explorations. We decided this was the month to venture into the African cuisine. Immediately, Merkato Ethiopian Restaurant and Market stood out among the many options in the area for its quaint market and gift shop filled with goodies. Read more »
July 26th, 2010
duodishes
Here’s another Guest Test Kitchen for ya! This month, our dear friend James shares one of his favorite recipes and cooking inspirations. He shows how your favorite recipe can be jazzed up or tweaked to fit any occasion and season, and how sexy a simple squash salad can be. This dish would be a fabulous contribution to any summer meal gathering. Plus, it’s vegetarian so everyone can love it. Enjoy!
Read more »
July 22nd, 2010
duodishes
Have you ever made something once and then become determined to use it over and over again in new ways? Let’s use simple syrup as an example here. It’s such an easy, and occasionally necessary, component for a cocktail or sweetened beverage, but we do have some friends who didn’t even know that you could make it yourself. With just a little sugar and water, yes, even you can make your own simple syrup. It’s a blank canvas that can be adjusted and flavored however you choose. Once you have the base, you can add it to just about anything. Make a big batch and store it for all those times your recipe needs a little something sweet.
Read more »
July 19th, 2010
duodishes
Always on a mission to step outside of the box, here’s a a recipe from uncharted waters–Vietnamese cuisine. Can you believe we’ve never made one Vietnamese dish? When it comes to cooking, we both have our own personal missions and goals, and one of them is to try new recipes from all across the globe. About a month ago, we spent an afternoon noshing on a full array of Vietnamese food cooked by Hong and Kim of Ravenous Couple. When Hong heard we had never eaten Vietnamese before (not even the well known banh mi), he graciously extended an invite. They stuffed us to the gills with a myriad of foods that tickled the tongue with flavors. It was time to add Vietnamese food to the list of must-eats. As easy as it is to find a Vietnamese restaurant in this town, it’s more fun to try it at home.
Read more »
July 15th, 2010
duodishes
It is so easy to be lazy in the summer. Sometimes you just don’t feel like cooking! Your boss is getting on your last nerves, so you run out of the office to escape. Traffic’s terrible (as usual), and the ride home feels like an eternity. You walk in the door, and all you want is to pour a glass of wine–not turn on the oven. We’ve all been there, no matter how much you enjoy to cook. There are many ways around this, and one of them is planning ahead, but another is keeping your mind open. Instead of making a big meal that feels daunting at the time, think about what is light, easy and satisfying. Fresh vegetables are so easy to make into quick, varied meals. Plus, they make the perfect summer dish when the sun is high, and your patience is low. And you can still have that glass of wine. We’d never take that away from anyone!
Read more »
