Gastronomy 101

Fried Oyster Set - Miyajima, Japan Oysters: Today, Russ Parsons writes about oysters , not just raw, but cooked. This strikes a chord with me because I just finished reading The Big Oyster , by Marc Kurlansky. A book that details the history of New York via its relationship with oysters, as well as giving all kinds of interesting information on the biology of oysters and ecology of the areas they live in. Some fun facts I learned from the book: - The word Yankee comes from the British derogatory name for Dutch New Yorkers - "Jan Kees" (John Cheese). Tee hee! - You can train oysters! In order to keep them alive while shipping, oystermen developed methods to train oysters to stay shut when cued. As long as they stay shut, oysters can survive out of water for a long time. -When you eat an oyster raw, it is generally still alive. Its heart is still beating as you swallow it down. That delicious briny liquor that is essential to the experience is the oyster's blood. Bottoms u...

Ah, Champagne. It is like that person that you have a crush on from afar. It is exciting and elegant and carries with it an aura of fun and celebration that is irresistable. It can also be mysterious and somewhat hard to understand. And when it is a vintage that is sought after by many, it can lead to the question: is it really worth it? Is the reality as wonderful as the promise? But Champagne is really not so hard to understand. It is all about a place and a method. The place confers the name, the method produces the product, and the method can be reproduced elsewhere, leaving you endless options for any budget if you would like to enjoy a sparkling wine. My goal with this post is to answer five basic questions, and hope that once they are answered, we will understand more about this elusive unicorn of wines. 1. "Champagne" is not always Champagne? Correct. Not all sparkling wines are Champagne. By European Union rules, only sparkling wines of the Champagne region may use t...

I know, it's been ages since I've posted a cooking thing. What kind of a Gastronomy 101 student am I? I have been cooking some stuff, but it's just everyday dinner-type stuff that I don't think to take time to photograph or pay attention to what I'm doing, so as to tell someone else how to do it. But now that I'm working from home, I've realized that I actually can take a break to cook sometimes. One of the easiest things you can make is granola. It's mostly a matter of mixing some things together in a bowl, and then sticking them in a low oven to bake a little. And you can create whatever variations your clever little brain can think of. The basic granola ingredients are oats, brown sugar, and egg whites. After that, you add whatever fruits, nuts, spices and flavors you can think of. This particular granola that I made is adapted from the November issue of Bon Appetit . I think there was a last minute change in the recipe that led to a mistake. The yiel...

I couldn't put forth this gift idea before Christmas, because of course, I was actually making it as a gift. In our family we have a tradition of drawing names for Christmas. You only give one gift, so the idea is that you concentrate all of your energy on this gift. This year, with various members of the family in various states of unemployment, it was decided that the rule would be: gifts must be made or purchased second-hand. I personally love this kind of gift challenge. It really inspires people to think about the person they are crafting something for and about their own skills and come up with something within their talents that is unique and that means something to the recipient. My choice this year was my brother. Little bro is a man of simple tastes. He also is recently married and has a beautiful wife to care for his every need. What could I make him that could make his wonderful life even better? After doing some research, I settled on something that was as much a...

Today the Food Section features a subject very near and dear to my heart, tequila . And it also features the reason that tequila is so near and dear to my heart: the ambassador of tequila, Julio Bermejo. It was ages ago now, in another life, that I first walked into Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in the Richmond Distrist of San Francisco, with my mad scientist friend Dr. Tripp, her Unix-wizard husband, Dallas, and my then-fiance (but never-husband). We had heard a rumor of a man who would act as your professor in tequila, and guide you to an appreciation of this seldom-appreciated spirit. At the time, my main experience with tequila was in Tijuana's finest border bars and sleaziest dance clubs, and then later with holding back the hair (or ties, if male) of my dearest friends while their bodies rejected that last frozen daiquiri or margarita and we leaned pitifully over the curb, trashcan, or toilet (choose your own adventure!). You may understand then, why it would take a powerfu...

Tracy's last set of picks take us to the outdoors. Because yes, Los Angeles is urban, but we have great weather most of the time, and we also have ways to enjoy it. Check it out: OUTDOORS Serra Retreat Center : Tracy went here for a retreat when she was teaching at a Catholic school, but you do not have to be Catholic to come here. All you need to be is respectful, and you can enjoy the beautiful, serene gardens and amazing ocean view. Serra Retreat began its life as a family home, and was sold to the Franciscans in 1942. The retreat welcomes group and individuals to its grounds for use as an oasis in the middle of city life. You can wander quietly through scenic walks and gardens and wander over trails and contemplate all of the things you normally don't have time to think about. Serra Retreat Center 3401 Serra Road Malibu, CA 90265 (310) 456-6631 Six Man Tournament : This is pretty uniquely Los Angeles. Held in Manhattan Beach, the Six Man Tournament is an all-day, all-night ...

Part b of Tracy's picks take us into the realm of culture. Many people believe LA doesn't have any, and it's true that in such a spread out city, it can be easy to overlook the pockets of culture that in truth surround us, every which way we turn. It's not really L.A.'s fault if the rest of the world is more interested in the glitz of the city than the substance. Los Angeles is an entertainment city and as such, it is accustomed to giving the public what it wants. And what the public wants seems to be scandalous starlets crashing and burning in a big way. Of course, once they gorge their lurid curiosity on it, they turn around and talk about how vapid and shallow L.A. is. But if they didn't want to see it so badly, we wouldn't have to show it to them. In any case, anyone who has lived here long enough, and has the slightest interest knows that there is plenty of culture in Los Angeles if you really want it. Exhibits A through E: CULTURAL Harvelle's : Har...

Our next set of Hidden Los Angeles destinations comes from Tracy , also a recent MBA, educational consultant, poet, and supermodel. These are more Westside picks, which I am happy to have, since that's like a whole different country to me, so rarely do I find myself over that way. Tracy helpfully grouped her picks into categories for me, and since she has quite a few, I will leave them that way. I will also post her picks in separate posts, so as not to create a mammoth post. RESTAURANTS Joe's Diner : Tracy picks Joe's as just a good old-fashioned diner, with kind of an NYC feel to it. It's located on Main Street in Santa Monica, so it seems like a good place to get your breakfast on in the morning before shopping, or to fill your stomach with alcohol-soaking foods in the evening before drinking. The internet review roundup consensus indicates that this is a great little local place with food that's decent although a little pricey. Looking at examples of the prices...

For the sixth edition of my "hidden" Los Angeles report, I have Jake's picks. Jake is a recent MBA and workaholic who somehow still manages to find the time to have fun. His picks are all of the food and merriment variety, and really who doesn't like to eat and drink? The Bowery : Located next to celeb hangout Magnolia in the newly renovated section of Hollywood radiating outward from Amoeba and the Arclight, The Bowery is a low key alternative to the Hollywood cliche hotspots. The Bowery, created by native NYCer George Abou-Daoud, aims to be a New York style bar and bistro that is comfortable, yet elegant. The menu consists of simple pub fare upgraded for big city tastes. There's also a hand-picked wine list, a full bar, and beer, including PBR in a can for you hipsters. The Bowery is decorated like a subway stop. And the food? I have only been there once and I remember having a decent sandwich and a fun time. But don't just listen to me. Sarah liked it , and...

Annelisa, editrix extraordinaire, has some hidden Los Angeles picks that will relax and educate you. These are perfect for a weekend day trip to get away from the concrete jungle, to see some nature, to learn some botany and architecture and perhaps check out some fine arts. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden : This botanic garden is dedicated to California native plants. There are 86 acres of gardens to peruse, with mountain views as a backdrop. From now until March manzanitas are flowering, but the best time to experience the wildflowers is March and April when everything is in full bloom and bursts of color are everywhere. The garden is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is free, although they ask for a donation of $4 if you wish. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden 1500 North College Avenue Claremont, CA 91711 (909) 625-8767 Theodore Payne Foundation : This is another place devoted to promoting and appreciating native California plants. Yet another foil to the "palm trees and law...

The elegant and exotic Zee chooses Petsave Foundation , a rescue foundation - but not your standard dog rescue, of which there are many noble organizations in Los Angeles, but they are not exactly under the radar. Petsave is a shelter dedicated to rescuing, caring for, and adopting domestic rabbits. While it's not exactly an attraction, Petsave does offer you the opportunity to take a day off from your normal life and care for rabbits. Be warned, however, that it is not--as you may be imagining right now--a day of frolicking in a green and flowery meadow with snow white bun-buns. If you volunteer, you will be expected to do domestic chores such as cleaning cages and changing food and water in addition to brushing and socializing with the rabbits. Grungy outfits are recommended so it's not exactly a pastoral day of fuzzy cuddles, but you do get to hang out with bunnies and you get to help some creatures who desperately need you. If you want a day-trip of the feel good kind, and...

Alex only has one pick, but it is a good one. The Lake Shrine Temple is a shrine dedicated by Paramahansa Yogananda as a place to honor the five major religions of the world and to celebrate peace, as well as to provide a place of tranquility. It is a temple of the Self-Realization Fellowship, but please do not be frightened off by that. This is not Scientology or anything like it. No one will give you a personality test, hook you up to a machine, or make you a slave to Tom Cruise. I have had relatives with varying involvement in the Self-Realization Fellowship and no harm seems to have been done, and no alien overlords invoked. The grounds of the shrine include a walking path, that wanders through tranquil gardens celebrating Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, and Hindus. The winds around a lake where you can see a houseboat where Yogi himself hung out while the shrine was being constructed, and where today you can go to the houseboat landing and meditate like the Yogi, or feed ...

Today's Hidden Los Angeles post features the picks of the fabulous Tannaz of All Kinds of Yum . Tannaz is bursting with suggestions, some new to me and some old favorites. Here they are: REDCAT : Tannaz lauds the REDCAT as a cozy, artsy place to see a film that is not at all a scene. She says it's basically just a stark, black room with fold up chairs, contrasted by the warm cafe in the lobby and a crazy art installation wherein two very lifelike animatronic dudes "tag" the wall. Upcoming events that look immensely interesting: - All Power to the People: The History and Legacy of the Black Panthers (a film series) (1/10-1/12) - Listen Again: Music You Should Change Your Mind About Right Now (a panel of writers, musicians, and academics each get five minutes to to persuade the audience to reconsider a series of pop tracks - this sounds way cool.) (1/22) -The Wooster Group: Hamlet (Because everyone loves angsty Danes!) (Starts 1/30) REDCAT In Disney Hall 631 W. 2nd St....

Recently for an assignment, I had to write a feature article that used several sources and was to be written on a pretty tight deadline. So naturally I turned to my friends, and naturally I chose a topic that I thought could be put worked into an article in a short amount of time: Hidden Los Angeles. The problem was, I got way too many interesting suggestions for my little old article. So while I only ended up using a portion of them in the article (I got an A, by the way. Yay, me!) I wanted to feature all of them. So the next several posts will be a series featuring the secret joys of the city of my favorite people. You know they will be cool, because you know that anyone I think is cool - is THE COOLEST. First, I begin with my husband, who is both handsome and hip. I can vouch for all of his selections as I have been to all of them. Some are more hidden than others, but all of them are neat. Museum of Jurassic Technology : This is perhaps the craziest place you will ever go in your l...

The other night, we decided that pouring rain plus Visa gift card = fancy french onion soup and cocktails. Read about my dinner at Comme Ca on la.foodblogging .