Restaurants on a Roll

I've written alot about how restaurants are hurting during the economic recession, but I read an article recently that led me to realize that some restaurants are profiting during these hard times and in a big way.

The eateries that customers are flocking to are those with large portions, comfort food, skyscraping burgers and all you eat fries. The National Restaurant Association's performance index shows that the industry has been shrinking for 23 months in a row. High end bistros have fared the worst, with sales at fancy restaurants like Ruth's Chris and Morton's Steakhouse off by 20% or more. Casusal and family dining places have suffered too, as people eat out less, order more takeout or cook at home.

Still, a few survivors stand to benefit from the widespread pain. Here are a few of the winners. BJ's Restaurants, with many of it's restaurants in deep recession states like California, Arizona, and Florida, has somehow managed to flourish. Homemade ales, Chicago style pizza, and deep dish cookies seem to offer some comfort from the gloom, and nine new restaurant openings in 2009 (one just opened in Carlsbad, and it's gorgeous) have helped drive net income up 41%.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has also expanding like crazy and profits are up 55% this year. They have increased prices during the recession, something that is rarely done.

The Olive Garden offers more food for less money, and that hits the sweet spot in this economy. The family style portions at this casual Italian chain are a hit with diners. Overall earnings are up 15% this year, with about 35 new outlets being opened in the past year.

Panera Bread Company, Peet's Coffee and Tea and P.F. Chang's, are other chains showing double digit profits this year. In Carlsbad, the new P.F. Chang's recently opened, and the line is out the door.

It's great to see that someone is making a profit in these tough economic times. Value is what gets people in the restaurant, and large portions keep them coming back. We have two new restaurants in the Carlsbad area to try, BJ's and P.F. Chang's. I'll let you know when I try them. I know one thing for sure. They are both beautiful to look at.

The Counter-A New Twist on an Old Favorite

Ron and I went to the new burger joint in the Forum last week to see what the line out the door was all about. It's a new twist on everyone's favorite, the hamburger.

As you can see from the pictures, it's got a very casual, contemporary style, and is very crowded. Tables are so close that some heavier customers have trouble getting into their seats. Pretty embarassing. You'll find lots of families, young 20's and 30's singles, and many older folks too. I would call this a trendy restaurant. It made me feel like I was was back in L.A. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the well dressed young girls or the very demanding customers. I didn't like that feeling.

The food is very good. The twist is that everything, and I mean everything is a la carte. You decide on a 1/3 or 2/3 pound burger, then you have options, and every add on is another 50 cents. Lettuce, 50 cents, tomato, 50 cents, russian dressing, 50 cents, you get the picture. By the time you're done your burger could be $11-12 depending on what you add. Actually, I just went to their web site, and although they don't have prices, they say that you get a few toppings for 50cents. I think it may differ at various locations, but in any event, toppings are extra. And then come the fries. A combo of onion strings and french fries is $4.95 for a large portion. Ron and I spent $34 for the two of us, before the tip. Pretty pricey burger, if you ask me.

The burger was good, so were the fries. One criticism, other than that everything is extra, is that the tomato slices were so thin and the lettuce was not a nice big piece of crispy iceberg, but a lettuce blend all cut up, that kept falling off the burger. Additionally, they serve chicken burgers, shakes, fried dill pickles (delicious- we had them) and a turkey burger.

It's certainly a restaurant you will want to try once, just to see what everyone's talking about. The Counter www.thecounterburger.com) has 22 stores in the Western U.S. They have crayons for the kids to keep them busy and a children's menu. One other negative for me, is the noise level. It's noisy with music playing in the background to make it even louder. I guess they think that's what people want. So give The Counter a try and let me know what you think. Good food, pricey but different enough that people may like it. You be the judge.

More Money Saving Ideas

One of the most expensive monthly items women have is their hair. A cut and color can cost upwards of $130 depending on where, and whether you have special processess, like highlights. Add to that an occasional facial, a manicure now and then and you could be over $200 a month. Well, thank you Lynda, for reminding me about cosmetology schools.

I should have thought of it myself, as my neice is just finishing up cosmetology school in Los Angeles. I have had her do my hair several times and I let her color it too. I know I'm brave to do that, but I figure hair grows quickly, and if the color was not good I could always have it redone. Well, she actually did a very nice job on both the cut and color. When you go to a cosmetology school to have hair or nails done you will get someone who is just finishing their training. Obviously these are the girls or guys to get to work on you. The only thing you will notice is that they work much slower than a seasoned hairdresser. In any event, it's a good idea to try if you want to save big bucks. Below are the prices and services for the Palomar Institute of Cosmetology in San Marcos. There are many beauty schools around, so try one near you. I had forgotten about this until Lynda reminded me, but I plan to go get a facial in December. How about a day at the cosmetology school, facial, manicure and pedicure for $42 plus tip? I'm going, so let me know if you want to go too.

Palomar institute of cosmetology, 355 Via Vera Cruz, San Marcos
Open 6 days a week
Day and night appointments available
Deposits required for parties
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, ATM Debit cards
CUTS & STYLING
Women's Cuts $10, $15, $20--cut only is $5.00
Men's Cuts $5, $10
Kid's Cuts $5
CHEMICAL SERVICES
All Over Color $25 & up
Touch Up's $15 & up
Highlights $25 & up
SKIN & SPECIALTY SERVICES
Facials $25
Waxing $10 & up
Microdermabrasions $35
Back & Body Treatments $30 & up
SERIES SERVICES (Call for pricing)
Hair Club
Facial
Microdermabrasion
NAIL CARE
Manicures $5
Pedicures $12
Gel Nails $17
Spa Treatments $12, $18

No More McDonald's in Iceland

I wrote a while back about tourist destinations where your dollar went a long way. One of those countries is Iceland, which has had one of the worst collapses of any country in the world. Iceland's three biggest banks collapsed at the height of the global credit crisis, slamming the nation's economy, sending its currency tumbling and forcing it to rely on a $10 billion aid package led by the International Monetary Fund.

One by product of their terrible situation has been the closing of their three McDonald's Restaurants on October 31. Vertu blessadur to any future cravings for a Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets. McDonald's would have to raise their prices by 20% to get the margin needed on their products. That would price a Big Mac at $6.36.

Of the 120 countries that produce the McDonald's Big Mac sandwich, Switzerland and Norwary currently sell the most expensive ones, at about $5.75, while South Africa and China sell the cheapest, at $1.68 and $1.83.

The managing director of McDonalds, Magnus Ogmundsson plans to reopen the stores under a new brand name, Metro, which will use local materials and produce. This will definitely keep the cost lower and provide Icelanders with their fast food fix.

Iceland is in bad shape. The IMF estimates that Iceland's economy will shrink 8.5% this year, with consumer prices rising 11.7%, both of which would be the worst performances among the world's 33 advanced economies. Very bad news for Iceland, but good news for those foreigners who travel there. If you go, just don't expect to find McDonald's any time soon.

Junk in Your Trunk

If you're like me, your trunk is full of unnecessary junk. Well, it's not really junk, but it's stuff you don't need in there all the time. My trunk is a perfect example. I have the following items in my trunk at all times: golf clubs, golf cart, boogie board, wet suit, 2 yoga mats, several canvaas bags, a sweatshirt and lots of assorted stuff I have no need for. This is weighing down my car and reducing the good mileage I should be getting. According to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/, for every extra 100 pounds you carry in your care, you effectively reducing its gas mileage by 2%. While this doesn't sound like much, over time the cost certainly will add up.

There are numerous other steps you can take to improve gas mileage and by following just a few of these you can improve your gas mileage by 10%. That will certainly make a difference. Here are a few more tips to increase your mileage.

1. Keep your tires properly inflated. As simple as this sounds, most of us don't check inflation regularly. Underinflated tires require more energy to roll. Properly inflated tires will add about 3.3% to your fuel economy.

2. Don't drive aggressively. Braking hard and accelerating fast will reduce your mileage. Keep your acceleration even and your braking steady. Keep your speed even.

3. Take extra weight off the car. Besides cleaning the trunk, take off the roof rack and remove miscellaneous item from the interior of the car. Heavy books, boxes of cd's, and toys all add up and add weight.

Asside from getting all of the excess items out of your car, there's one more thing you can get rid of to help increase your car's gas mileage-removing the spare tire..around your waste. Considering it doesn't matter how you get rid of the extra weight your car is carrying around, if you can drop a couple of pounds yourself, it'll be good for both your car's fuel economy and your health. My first job this weekend is to clean out my trunk, then I'll go to work on my spare tire.

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

I used to dislike Martha Stewart. I thought to myself "Nobody can know how to do so much." Well, I think I was wrong. She really can do all the things she says she does, and for that I have to admire her. Anyone that can throw a gourmet party for 200, grow and can their own fruits and vegetables, measure and make drapes for the house, make crafts with the kids, and decorate elaborate cakes can't be all bad. Although I don't read her magazine or watch her show, I occasionally catch snippets of her show while waiting for something else, and am always amazed at the breadth of her knowledge. Recently I ran across her recipe for soft and chewy chocoalate chip cookies, and since that's the way I like them, I kept it and tried them. They are delicious. Add them to your cookie recipe collection.

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies from Martha Stewart

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups semisweet or milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a asmall bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda, set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter with both sugars, beat on medium until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low, add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute. Add flour mixutre, mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop heaping tablesppon size balls of dough about 2 inces apart on baking sheets line with parchment paper.

Bake until cookies are golden aroud the edges, but still soft in the center, 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to wire rack, and let cool completely. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

So What's Everyone Blogging About?

As a blogger myself, I thought it might be interesting to find out who's blogging and what they're blogging about, so I did a little research. There are over 184 million internet users who blog. That sounds like alot, but when you consider that this is worldwide, well, it's still alot. China is an emerging leader with more than 42 million bloggers. And they're just getting started.

It's a myth that technology is the item people blog about the most. 30% of all blogs are diaries, which are personal entries on people's own life, environment and interests. My blog definitely falls into that category. Entertainment (movies and tv) are number two, with only 5%, sports and politics closely follow.

Why do people blog? It's another way of staying connected and sharing your life or a major interest with others. It's also very rewarding to know that some people are really enjoying your writing. It is also very cathartic, especially if you are writing a personal blog. It's a great stress reliever, and it's also a good learning experience. I love it when I think about a new topic, research it, then write about it. It's very fulfilling. Finally, there are those who blog for profit, and sell products,etc on their blog.

So what kinds of blogs are out there in cyberspace? There's the usual things you'd expect: personal experiences, travel, food, recipes, restaurants, organic products, your new baby, your family tree, books, environmental issues, knitting, you get the idea. One of my favorites is one for new moms http://www.lamomsblog.com/
They also have http://www.rockymountainmomsblog.com/
This the go to site for new moms for every question from real people that you could ever think of. One of my young friends told me about it, and I have passed it on to my kids.

Other blogs I found interesting are the self happiness blog, blogs about world hunger, poverty and homelessness, and so many blogs about religion and non religion. Blogs about traditional religion, cults, sects, friendly atheist blog, Christian right blogs. And would you belive the U.S. Supreme Court has a blog? Can you picture anyone on that court blogging? Of course every news outlet, journalist, and political reporter has a blog. The list is endless. One thing to remember is that bloggers are not journalists, and that many bloggers do not check their facts, so you must take all blogs with a grain of salt.

One of the reasons that readership of magazines and newspapers has declined so much is that people are reading their news online, either on blogs or online editions of magazines and newspapers. It makes you wonder what's in store for us next.

More Tips to Save You Money

Did you know that more than half of grocery purchases are unplanned? Making a list and sticking to it is one of the most important things to remember when shopping. A few other grocery store shopping tips will help you save money and time.

Check the entire shelf when selecting your purchases. Often the higher priced items are placed at eye level. Look above and below for more moderately priced items, or sale items. They want you to buy the most expensive item, so they make it most accessible.

Don't shop on an empty stomach. This leads to impulse buying and junk food buying. If you stick to your list this won't happen.

Buy generic whenever possible. In most cases you are getting the same product at a reduced price. In many cases the generic product is exactly the same as the name brand. It may even be made and packed by the same company.

Buy what is local and on sale. This is especially true in the produce department. Don't buy peaches from Chile in December unless you just have to have them. They will be cheaper and better if you buy them local and in season. I paid 49cents a pound for the most delicious peaches I've had in years. (this was about a month ago)

Remember that a lot of foods can be frozen. Blueberries, for example, can be washed, dried, put on a cookie sheet in the freezer and then stored in plastic baggies. I used to have a persimmon tree and could never eat them fast enough, so I started halving them and freezing them in baggies. I had them all winter long and they were delicious. I've never done it, but they say you can grate cheese and freeze it.

Don't forget your coupons. This is a huge savings. I went shopping with my son David recently, and he bought $120 worth of food for $40. This often means buying brands you weren't considering, but can mean big savings in the end.

Finally, plan your weekly menus around foods that are on sale. I usually make enough for at least two meals. Eat one, freeze the other. It saves you time and money.

I hope some of these tips will come in handy and help you reduce your weekly grocery spending. I've got many more tips to share with you, but this is enough for today.

Mushroom Ragout You're Gonna Love

I'm usually getting recipes from my son, Phil, as he's the real food maven in the family. But this time I gave him a recipe he's going to try and love. You will too. I asked Ron what he wanted for dinner last night, and he said, "Why don't you try something new?" I wasn't in the mood for a big day in the kitchen. I had some frozen raviolis from Costco (filled with ricotta cheese) that are excellent, so I thought I might enhance them in some way. What I came up with was absolutely delicious. It's a mushroom ragout that I poured over the top of the cooked ravioli. (three to four ravioli per serving).

Mushroom Ragout

1 handful of shitake mushrooms

1 handful of crimini mushrooms

1 handful of oyster mushrooms

or any combination of mushrooms you like, but use several varieties

3/4 c cream

2 cloves garlic

1 handful of flat leaf parsley

salt and pepper to taste

Heat skillet with about 2T. olive oil. Chop garlic and parsley either by hand, or as I did, use a little blender, and add to oil. Add all the mushrooms, and cook for about 10 minutes, until liquid releases and the mushrooms are cooked down. You may have to add a little more oil. Then add approximately 3/4 c. cream, reduce heat to simmer, and cook until cream reduces and you have a thick sauce. I added half the cream initially, then more as it started to reduce. Finally, season with salt and pepper.

This mixture is fantastic. I served it over ravioli, but it would be great as a vegetarian meal over polenta or rice, or you could serve it over toast, like bruschetta. I hope you enjoy it.

Casa de Bandini...Now in Carlsbad

You've probably been to Casa de Bandini if you've ever been to Old Town. It's the Mexican restaurant with the huge margaritas and large dinner portions. Well, North County can now enjoy this eatery, if you're willing to wait.

In the Forum in Carlsbad, Casa de Bandini opened a few months ago, on the site of the old restaurant, the Yellow Coyote. I recently went there for lunch with my group called "The Chicks." We used to go to lunch to celebrate each of our birthdays, but since this group can never get together because of travel, grandchildren and such, we now celebrate only a few times a year. We celebrated Fran, Susan and Kathy's birthday with a wonderful lunch.

The new restaurant is beautiful, very Mexican inside, with a nice bar, and lots of big tables for big parties. Outside is where we ate, and I would highly recommend it. It is decorated with beautiful plants everywhere, little lights above that are on at night, great heaters so you're never cold, and a lovely fountain. The best part about the patio area is that the noise level is tolerable. Inside it is extremely noisy. One drawback is that they don't take reservations, and we waited on a Thursday afternoon, so I can only imagine how you would wait at night.

I had a delicious chicken tortilla soup, loaded with chicken, taco strips, avocado and sour cream. It was excellent. Fran had the chile rellenos, which were perfectly cooked and served with rice and beans. Everyone else had salads, and they all looked exquisite. They are huge and definitely can be split. Other dishes that looked good were all served on gigantic oval plates, and the plates were completely filled. The tacos, enchilladas, burritos and fajitas all looked great. The servings are so large you may want to split them. They have several ladies making homemade tortillas, which are served piping hot in a little basket. Of course the margaritas and other specialty drinks are a big draw, and happy hour is jam packed.

We had a wonderful lunch together, sharing stories about recent travels, grandchildren and golf. I had to let everyone know that I shot my best round of golf ever at Lomas Santa Fe Executive course, a 67. I was quite proud of that. All in all, a nice edition to the neighborhood, great for large parties, and kids of all ages.

Kitchen Tips to Save you Time

I love watching those infomercials that demonstrate new products to help you in the kitchen. I've even bought a few in my lifetime. Who can forget the food dehydrator or the sandwich maker or the pasta maker from Ron Popeil? I bought them all. I don't do that anymore. I've learned that I use them once, then watch as they gather dust, until I finally throw them out. Well I got an e-mail from Regina the other day with a cooking tip that I just couldn't believe. It will save you lots of time and aggravation, and it costs absolutely nothing. It's a potato peeler that's not a potato peeler. You have to see it to believe it.

I have tried to get the video on this blog, but I simply can't figure it out. I will keep working on it, but here's what you would see on youtube if I could get it working. Take the potato, take a knife and score it around the middle, just about 1/8inch deep, around the center of the potato. Then pop it in water and cook 15-20 minutes. Take it out, put in ice water for a minute until it cools down. Then, just pull off the skin. It comes off in two pieces. Just fantastic. Sorry I couldn't show you the video, but check out youtube+peeling a potato and you'll probably find it.

Here are a few other kitchen tips that may be of help. When you cook pasta, take the water that the pasta was cooked in, cool it, and use it to water your houseplants. The water contains nutrients that your plants will love.

Finally, to banish ants from the kitchen, find out where the ants are coming from and cover the hole with petroleum jelly. If they're coming across a door, draw a line with chalk. They won't cross the chalk line. This really does work.

Three Gingerbread Recipes

It's the season for decorated cookies, sugar cookies, and gingerbread houses and cookies. Several years ago my mystery book club read a book which included lots of cookie recipes. I made the ginersnaps, which everyone just loved. This recipe is a little bit different, but I think you'll like it. I like my cookies a little underdone (soft), so if you're like me, check them at 7 minutes. I hope you like them. By the way, the McCormick website (www.mccormick.com) is just great. It has recipes, spice information and much more. Please check it out. It's another one I discovered by accident that has become a favorite.


These Gingerbread Men Cookies are as cute as can be. If desired, decorate with raisins, currants or cinnamon red hot candies for eyes and buttons. Or, pipe untinted or Colorful Royal Icing onto cookies.
Makes 2 dozen or 24 (1 cookie) servings.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Refrigerate Time: 4 hours
Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes per batch
INGREDIENTS
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons McCormick® Ginger, Ground
1 teaspoon McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
DIRECTIONS
1. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. 2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. 3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.
Tips
Gingerbread Cookie Variations:
White Chocolate Kissed Gingerbread Cookies: Prepare and refrigerate dough as directed. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Immediately press a white and milk chocolate swirled kiss-shaped candy into center of each cookie. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Makes 5 dozen.

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Creme: Prepare and refrigerate dough as directed. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. For the Lemon Creme, mix 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream, 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened, 4 ounces cream cheese, softened, and 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Lemon Extract in medium bowl until well blended. To assemble whoopie pies, place about 1 tablespoon filling on the flat side of 1 cookie. Top with a second cookie, pressing gently to spread the filling. Roll edge of whoopie pie in 1 cup crushed peppermint candy. Repeat with remaining cookies, filling and candy. Store whoopie pies between layers of wax paper in airtight container in refrigerator up to 5 days. Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

Caramel Pecan Gingerbread Thumbprints: Prepare and refrigerate dough as directed. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Immediately press a pecan half into center of each cookie. Top each with 1/4 teaspoon of caramel topping. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Drizzle cookies with 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted. Let stand until chocolate is set. Makes 5 dozen.

Almond Gingerbread Cookies: Prepare and refrigerate dough as directed. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in 1 1/3 cups sliced almonds, pressing almonds into dough. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Makes 5 dozen.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
per serving
Calories: 158
Fat: 6 g
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Cholesterol: 24 mg
Sodium: 128 mg
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 2 g
PRINT RECIPE
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Best Cookbooks of 2009

By now you know I love to eat and you should also know I love to cook. So I was driving around San Diego the other day listening to NPR, and a segment about cookbooks came on. I immediately perked up. The guest on the show was going to tell me about the 10 best cookbooks of 2009. Now the last thing in the world I need is another cookbook, but somehow it seems I keep buying them. I love to read cookbooks. I enjoy looking at the pictures. Funny thing is, I actually don't make many of the recipes. Most of my recipes come from friends. Maybe I should write a cookbook of recipes from my friends!

Anyway, it's holiday time and a cookbook is always a great gift. I listened to Susan Chang, cookbook reviewer for the Boston Globe, talk about her favorites from this year. If you want the entire list, go to http://www.npr.org/.

Some experts predicted that cooking would become a spectator sport, what with the likes of the Food Network, The Next Top Chef, and other shows, where we watch and vicariously enjoy the food they're preparing. But that's not what has happened. Yes, lots of people watch the food shows, but more people than ever are cooking at home, especially in a poor economy. Here are some of the books Susan liked. I'm hoping that one or two of them will end up in my kitchen soon.

1. The Pleasures of Cooking for One, by Judith Jones. The title alone is intriguing. Judith has been a widow for 13 years, so she's had lots of practice cooking for herself. Cutting down large recipes is difficult, so this book really fills a niche. She includes Linguine with Smoked Salmon Sauce (yum) and many recipes for leftovers.

2. Gourmet Today, edited by Ruth Reichl. This magazine was my favorite food magazine for over 40 years, so obviously this is a book I would love to have. Susan Jones raved about the Sesame Spinach and Israeli Coucous. Many of the recipes will help give weeknight dishes an international flair.

3. Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking, by Eileen Yin Fei Lo. This book will help you create authentic and ambitious dishes like a master. Lots of pictures to help you through. The barbeque pork bao got rave reviews, something even a beginner cook can handle.

4. Clean Food: A Seasonal Guide for Eating Close to the Source, by Terry Walters. Susan Jones calls this book "A graduate course in meatlessness." The book celebrates the once obscure, now popular heirlooms, like Roasted Kabocha Squash and Creminis with Fresh Herbes. There are also minimalist luxuries, like Winter Green Salad with Sugared Walnuts, Crispy Pears and Pomegrantes. Clean Food is a gateway book for the vegan lifestyle. It's not for everyone.

5. Rose's Heavenly Cakes, by Rose Levy Beranbaum. This is the follow up to her earlier book, The Cake Bible. This is for the palate that wants to take a step beyond the pound cakes and yellow sponges and chocolate roulades of yesteryear. Chocolate Tweed Angel Food Cake is the sophistacated heir of angel food cake. More exotic but just as grownup is the Sicilian Pistachio Cake, brilliant green blanched pistachios scattered over a golden buttercream. Great book for all you bakers.

So if you're stuck for a gift this year, try one of these new cookbooks from 2009. I think the recipient will thank for your thoughtfulness. She/he may even make you dinner.

The Season of Giving

I belong to a poker group that meets once a month during the year. We are the LEAST serious poker group you can imagine. We have a paper on each table to help beginners know what hands are best, and signs to remind us of the value of the chips, nickle, dime or quarter. But we go for the laughs, the stories, the comraderie. It is always great fun. It is especially fun, when our monthly hostess Fran, puts on the December party.

With help from husband Jim who makes the chili and cornbread, Fran's house is warm and fully decked out for the holidays. Everyone brings something to share. Last night we had some delicious salads, including Jan's famous coleslaw and ramen salad (recipe will be shared at another time), Marie's delicious cheesecake, and my own chocolate chip cookies, and lots of champagne. Food was delicious, everyone was stuffed.

Then came the fun. Everyone brought a $10 gift for the gift exchange. It's amazing the good stuff you can get today for $10. Gifts ranged from Crabtree and Evelyn handcream, to a Coffee Bean gift card, to fancy socks, ceramic trays, and a styrofoam snowman that lights up. Each person, in order, chooses a gift. If it's your turn you can either pick a new gift or steal one from someone else. There was lots of moaning and groaning last night, as the Coffee Bean gift card and the light up santa were both stolen several times. In the end, everyone seemed happy with their gift, we all had a lot of laughs and are already talking about next year's party. Jim was smart. This year he went to the movies rather than being subjected to all the noise. His best comment ever during poker was when he came downstairs one particularly noisy evening and said, "I hear a lot of talking, but is anyone listening?"

What's Football Without Chips and Dips?

I love Sundays in the fall. Not because I love football so much, but because we usually spend the afternoon at home watching football and munching on something wonderful. We love chips and dips and although neither one of the recipes below are particularly healthy, they sure are good. My favorite new drink (non alcoholic) to have with the chips and dips is a mix of 1/2 pomegrante juice or cranberry juice, 1/2 club soda. Add a lemon or lime, some ice, and you have the most refreshing drink ever. So here's some dips to go with that drink.

Bacon Scallion Cream Cheese Dip

8 ouces cream cheese, softened (use low fat if desired)
4 ounces cooked bacon, chopped
1/4 cup scallions finely chopped
1 tstp. Worcestershire sauce

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Chill until ready to use. Store refrigerated for up to two days. It's better if the ingredients have a few hours to meld before serving.

Old Fashioned Onion Dip

Do you remember the old fashioned onion dip from the 60's and 70's? I rediscovered it a few weeks ago when Regina brought it to our cocktail party at Warner Springs. It was a big hit, so I offer it to you here. It's something you probably haven't had in years, and it's just as good today as it was 50 years ago. Lighten it up by using low fat sour cream if you want.

1 package dry onion soup mix
1 pint cream cheese

Combine ingredients, let the flavors meld for a few hours, and serve. I think it's best with potato chips, but any dipping cracker will be delicious.

Halibut with Garlic and Salsa Verde Sauce

Here's another recipe from the few days I spent in Colorado not long ago. We used halibut, but any firm, white fish would do. It is very garlicky, and if this is a problem for you, simply sprinkle chopped garlic on top of the fish while cooking. This fish goes great with grilled vegetables and rice.

Halibut With Garlic and Salsa Verde Sauce

Sauce

1/4 cup capers
2 cloves garlic
handful of basil
handful of parsley
splash of lemon juice
1/2 cup oil
pinch of black pepper
2 anchovy fillets, smashed

Combine above ingredients for salsa verde sauce.

Coat halibut with garlic puree, very lightly, to form a crust as it cooks. Cook until done, approximately 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until fish flakes. Put salsa verde sauce around the fish. The sauce is great on rice or couscous, too. Enjoy.

Cooking With Your Kids

Yesterday a cooler pack arrived by Fed Ex for us filled with Evol Burritos from our son Phil. He manufacturers and distributes the BEST natural ingredient burritos you've ever tasted. (http://www.evolburritos.com/). How did a nice Jewish boy from the westside of Los Angeles ever get interested food manufacturing, much less burritos? Well, here's the story.

From the time Phil was tall enough to reach the kitchen sink with a stool, he was always in there creating some wonderful dish. I must say he was probably the messiest cook I've ever seen. No matter what he was making he seemed to use every pot in the kitchen. From one of his first creations, an omelette with chocolate chips, to his homemade beer brewing, we lived through it all, and of course, encouraged him to experiment. We had a live in housekeeper during these years, and she always shuddered when she heard Phil was in the kitchen. She knew that meant hours of cleanup. I don't think things have changed that much, for when I visit him in Colorado and we cook together in their small kitchen, he makes the mess and I clean it up.

Cooking with children is a great way to spend quality time. Whether you're making holiday cookies, latkes for Hanukkah, or just preparing a weeknight dinner, cooking time with the kids is priceless. Phil and I used to watch Julia Child and Jacques Pepin of PBS (before the days of the Food Network) and this was also great fun.

By the time Phil reached high school he was a pretty good cook. He would go to his friend's house for the afternoon and dinner, offer to cook for the family he was visiting, and send the mother off to the store for the ingredients he needed. He did not disappoint. They all loved his cooking. During his last year in high school Phil got interested in brewing beer, and drinking it too. He had these huge restaurant sized pots that he would cook his brews in, then bottle it, and give it away to his friends' parents. They all loved it.

So I was not surprised when Phil called during his second year at the University of Denver to tell me he wanted to quit school and go to cooking school. At the time he was working at Roy's Restaurant in Denver (long gone). We said NO, that he had to finish school, and then if he wanted to go to a one year cooking program he could. Phil agreed to that, and proceeded to finish school in 3 1/2 years. But by then he had decided NOT to go to cooking school, but rather to take what he had already learned in the field and produce his own natural burritos. He had always had an affinity for Mexican food, particularly spicy food. Living in Los Angeles, he was exposed to it early and often. His original thought was to sell his burritos to climbers and hikers in the Boulder area. His business was not going well, so he decided to try selling to small convenience stores and coffee shops. Business flourished, and today his burritos can be found everywhere from Target to Whole Foods, and other major supermarkets.

So all that cooking with my kid paid off. Not just because he has a business today doing exactly what he wants and loves, but because we got to spend such quality time together while he was growing up, cooking together. Even now, one of my favorite things about going to Boulder to visit the kids, is knowing that I will spend some of that time in the kitchen with Phil.

More Holiday Special Events

Here is my second installment of holiday programs, parades and celebrations for you to choose from. Some are free, others are not free, but pretty reasonable. I hope these ideas get you into the holiday spirit and out celebrating.

December 11-30. Garden of Lights-Encinitas. After the sun goes down, the Gardens are transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with over 90,000 sparkling lights illuminating the Gardens for a magical experience. http://www.sdbgarden.org/ for more information.

December 12. Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. More than 60,000 people are expected at San Diego's Mission Bay Park on Saturday, December 12 at 7pm for the annual parade of lights, followed by a fantastic firework display at 9pm. http://www.missionbayparadeoflights.org/ will give you all the information you need.

December 12. Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights. From 6-9pm, contact http://www.blogger.com/www.visitoceanside.org for more information.

December 13. An Irish Christmas. At 2:00pm at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Avenue @E, join the celebration with music-making, storytelling, dance and laughter. http://www.sandiegotheatres.org/.

December 13 and 20. 38th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. The dazzling boat parade of lights on San Diego Bay. 5:50-9:30pm. http://www.sdparadeoflights.org/.

December 19-January 3. Jungle Bells. This new even for the zoo will feature large light displays that represent many of the animals on the grounds. Free admission to the zoo. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/.

December 31. First Night Escondido. Join the biggest and best family-friendly New Year's Eve party in San Diego North. Events held from 6pm-midnight at the California Center for the Arts. wwwfirstnightescondido.com.

I hope these suggestions help you enjoy the holiday season to the fullest. Happy holidays and good health to all.

More Tips on Recycling

I'm always looking for ways to reduce the amount of trash that goes to the landfill. About a year ago I took a look around my neighborhood on Monday morning, trash day, and was dismayed to see how much trash we produce. I vowed to do everything I could to keep trash out of the landfill, however I could. So here are a few new ideas for recycling. Some you've probably heard of and maybe even do, others may be new to you, as they were to me.

1. Recycle old soap. When a bar of soap gets down to a certain size, don't just throw it away. Save a bunch of little soap scraps, boil them together on the stove, and make into a new bar of soap. So simple.

2. Old running shoes. If shoes are still in decent condition, they can be donated to organizations that will send them to needy people here and abroad. Your old shoes may seem brand new to an African woman that hasn't had a new pair of shoes in five years. Very old shoes can be recycled too. The rubber, leather, and fabric can be remade into building materials. Go to http://www.blogger.com/www.recycledrunners.com to find out more about this program.

3. Recycled dentures. Most people just throw old dentures away, but there is a non profit in Japan that takes out the precious metals and donates the profits to UNICEF.

4. Old mattress. How many times have you seen an old mattress sitting out with the trash, ready to go to the landfill. Take your old mattress to a recycling center. About 90% of the mattress is recyclable. It can be turned into fiber for clothing, wood chips, foam products and scrap metal. 20 million mattress are discarded in America every year.

5. Disposable diapers. This is one of the biggest problems in the last 30 years, as millions of pounds of waste and plastic are sent to the landfill, to sit there forever and produce toxic gases into the environment and ruin the surrounding land. I first started thinking about this a few months ago when my grandson was born. My son and daughter in law are very environmentally aware, and I wondered how they would deal with the problem. (they haven't come up with a perfect answer yet). There is a company from the UK, Knowaste http://www.blogger.com/www.knowaste.com, that recycles 98% of the disposable diaper. They did a six month trial test of their recycling center in Santa Clarita a while back, but there are mixed reviews on its success. At least this is something entrepreneurs are recognizing is a potentially huge market.

Finally, check out The Daily Green http://www.thedailygreen.com/ for more information on recycling and conserving. Every little bit helps. If everyone does just a little bit, in the long run it will make a big difference.

Revisiting Old Favorites-Rappongi in La Jolla

I am a grazer. I have always enjoyed a little of this, a bit of that, instead of a full dinner. I love to taste other peoples dishes, something my husband has never appreciated. Sometimes I read a menu and find so many things that sound good I don't know what to order. Well, at Rappongi (http://www.rappongiusa.com/) you will find so many things on the menu that tempt you, AND order them all. Why, because Happy Hour at Rappongi is a grazers delight.

Last week our family was in town with our new grandson, Lennon, now nine weeks old. We wanted an early dinner and one that everyone would enjoy. Rappongi was the perfect place to eat. We sat out side under warm heaters and enjoyed the night air. From 3-6 everyday, Rappongi offers their tapas menu and specialty rolls at half price. We ordered a wonderful array of tapas (Asian style) and sushi rolls. There were six adults, and we ordered about 13 dishes, several beers, a few diet cokes, and the bill came to $127. Not a bad price for the feast we had. Succulent grilled lamb chops (four per order), duck quesedillas, edemane, hummas and flat bread with spices, kefir cheese (a tart cheese like thick yogurt) with flatbread, potstickers, chicken spring rolls, several sushi rolls (each one with about 8 pieces) and a lamb curry dish. The portions are generous. We all got a taste of everything.

I had forgotten what a bargain this restaurant is. Beautiful ambience, great location, and wonderful food at affordable prices make a winning combination in my book. Go there after six pm and pay double for the very same thing. We loved eathing early. It gave us time to visit the Rocky Mountain Candy Company for a taste of something sweet, and of course a carmel apple to take home. Then it was over to Starbucks. David had to get back to LA that night, and needed a java fix to get him home. It was a wonderful afternoon and evening with the people I love most.

Fazal Sheikh: Master Storyteller with the Camera

We are lucky to have Balboa Park so nearby. It really is a treasure. I just returned from the Museum of Photographic Arts where I saw the amazing work of artist/activist Fazal Sheikh. He is a fortyish man of the world. He has an American mother and and a Kenyan father (sound familiar?) and has travelled the world telling his story mostly through photography, but also books, film and special projects. He believes passionately in improving the lot of poor people throughout the world, and women in particular. This is difficult to do, as so many religious and cultural difference must be respected. He is a master at getting his subjects to trust and respect their way of life. The exhibit that we saw was called "Beloved Daughter". He told through his pictures and quotes from the women themselves, the plight of thousands of women every year in India.

Sheikh creates portraits of different communitites around the world, addressing their beliefs and traditions, also their economic and political problems. Next to each photograph he has a short story of the person, as told in her own words. As if the photos weren't haunting enough, the stories are some you will not soon forget. I believed (until today) that the plight of women in India was much improved. What I saw today showed me that is not the case. The cases of brides being burned to death, female fetuses being drowned at birth, women being sold into prostitution at the age of 12 to help support the family, and slave markets just outside of Delhi, where women are sold into a lifetime of slavery. It is a lot to absorb.

Sheikh has also visitied Sudan, Mozambique and Somalia, where he has done similiar investigations into the life of the people that are equally compelling. He is a human rights activist, with many projects around the world with the goal of help to improve the human condition. I urge anyone who hasn't had a chance to see this exhibit to stop by before it leaves on January 31. Also, check out Fazal Sheikh's website http://www.fazalsheikh.org/, where you can view his photographs and check out his other projects. He is doing amazing work to raise our consciousness. Hopefully, his work will make an impact, and make life better for some. It certainly did wake me up.

Taking a Break from Bridge

We're about four days into the National Bridge Championships, being held right here in San Diego at the the Manchester Hyatt. So far I have played 16 hours of bridge in the past four days. Today I will play another 6 hours of bridge. Why do we do it?

It's hard for anyone who doesn't love the competitive game of bridge to understand why anyone would play hours of bridge, pay $16 to play in a three hour session, all for points!! Everyone always wants to know if you get prizes or money. "No," I say, "Just points." Points is the way we keep score. You can't imagine what some people will do to get points. Many people pay professionals to play with them in big tournaments. This is completely legal, and is a great learning experience for the student, while at the same time allowing them to get the points they so desperately want. There was a case last year of a man who had a wire in his ear and was getting information from another player as to what to bid. This man had 10,000 points, was a professional, yet he still felt the need to cheat to get more points. He has been barred for life from ever playing in another tournament or club game. (why don't they do that with other sports when people are doing illegal acts?)

So I will probably play another 30 hours of bridge this week. I am playing in several events, and hope to make life master. I'm very close, and although I never thought that meant much, as I get close to the goal, I know it's something to be proud of. After this week I will take some time off from bridge. Enough is enough. I think I'll go hit some golf balls next week and remember why we moved here in the first place, to enjoy the beautiful weather. So far, there have been no Warren Buffett or Bill Gates sightings. I know they'll be here, so I'll keep looking.