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Pitch-Black Dessert Tamales Are The Treat YOU Want For Dia De Los Muertos

Posted by analiese trimber · October 29, 2018

It’s tradition on Dia De Los Muertos to place ofrendas, or offerings, on altars so that deceased ancestors will come back and visit their families. Tamales, in both sweet and savory form, are one of the most common foods used as an ofrenda, making these dessert tamales a colorful and tasty offering for both eating and placing on the family altar.

This version of a dessert tamal evokes the colors and tastes of fall, utilizing both orange and white sweet potatoes as the chief components of the filling.

For an extra hit of sweetness, OREOs are incorporated into both the masa and creamy interior. Activated coconut charcoal also gives the masa a deep black hue, making the tamales as vibrant as they are flavorful.

You can get all of the ingredients to make these dessert tamales at Northgate Market, who will be launching a holiday cookbook with this recipe and more in early December. If you want to make the tamales before then, though, the full recipe is below.

Servings: 15

Ingredients

25 corn husks

26 Oreo cookies, just the cookie

2 1/2 pounds plain masa

¾ cup granulated sugar

2 ½ Tbsp activated coconut charcoal

¼ cup evaporated milk

For the orange filling

Creamy filling of 26 Oreo cookies

1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 egg

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

For the white filling

Creamy filling of 26 oreo cookies

1 pound white sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 egg

10 tablespoons powdered sugar

For the drizzle topping

1 bottle Cacique Crema Mexicana

1 cup powdered sugar

Directions

Step 1

Combine corn husks and enough water to cover in a large bowl. Soak overnight.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add sweet potatoes and cook for 25-30 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Separate each Oreo cookie, scrape off creamy filling and place in a separate bowl. Place cookies in a food processor and process until a small crumble texture (about 1 ½ cups of crumbled cookie). Set creamy filling aside.

Step 4

Place masa in a large bowl. Add evaporated milk and mix with a hand held mixer on a slow setting. Add cookie crumbles in ½ cup increments, add charcoal in tablespoons increments, add sugar in increments as well. Continue mixing until color is evenly distributed.

Step 5

In another large bowl, combine creamy filling, egg, cream cheese, brown sugar, and sweet potatoes. Mix with a whisk or electric mixer until all ingredients are completely incorporated. Repeat this step with the white sweet potato mixture.

Step 6

Drain corn husks and pat dry. On a working surface, place husk with pointy side towards you. Scoop ½ cup masa mixture on husk and spread with a spoon or masa spreader, leaving a 1 ½ inch border on the sides, place 2 tablespoons sweet potato mixture on the center. Fold one side of corn husk over filling then fold the other side, overlapping. Fold the pointed side up and turn over to keep it from unfolding. Use a piece of corn husk to tie if necessary. Repeat with remaining corn husks.

Step 7

Arrange tamales upright in a steamer. Fill with hot water right below the rack and heat over medium heat. Cover top of tamales with a layer of remaining husks and a damp towel; cover with lid, bring to a boil and reduce to medium, adding water as needed. Steam for 90 minutes. Remove tamales from steaming. Let cool before serving.

Step 8

Optional: to make a creamy drizzle topping, add powdered sugar to crema mexicana and drizzle on tamales.

Created in partnership with Northgate Markets.

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Pho-Stuffed Pies Are Just One Of The Crazy Inventions At This Food Festival

Posted by analiese trimber · October 12, 2018

As a key part to the flourishing and Instagram-friendly food scene in Orange County, Costa Mesa is home to a plethora of unique, creative, and delicious restaurants. Nearly every one of them will be putting their best eats and drinks on display for a single weekend.

On October 19-21st, the Los Angeles Times and Travel Costa Mesa will host The Taste Costa Mesa, where the city’s top restaurants all gather together for a massive foodie experience. Hosted at The MET in Costa Mesa, there will be live cooking demos from big-name chefs, entertainment, and unlimited tastings to all of the food on offer.

Everybody from the city’s hottest and newest spots to names established in Costa Mesa’s dining scene will be present. This includes Toast Kitchen & Bakery, a new kid on the block whose innovative pot pie menu has got the streets buzzing. Be sure to look out for their Pho Pot Pie, which is stuffed to the brim with noodles.

Other featured spots include Pie Not, an Australian-style pie shop that brings both savory and sweet versions to the table. Their meaty mini pies are one of the must-try items when stopping by.

Tons of other popular restaurants from around Costa Mesa will be at this foodie-centric festival. From poi malasadas from Fill to figs and burrata from Social Kitchen & Craft Bar, you can expect everything you bite into to be innovative, Instagrammable, and delicious.

Tickets are available for each day of The Taste on the festival’s website. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all feature different restaurants, so check out the lineups to make sure you get to try the spots you want to.

Created in partnership with Travel Costa Mesa.

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What To Eat With Man's Best Friend While Dining At This Dog-Loving Restaurant Chain

Posted by analiese trimber · September 07, 2018

A lot of restaurants and chains have incorporated dog and pet-friendly policies over the years, but not everyone has had one from the start. If you go to the Lazy Dog, a dog-themed and dog-friendly restaurant chain, though, you’ll find two entire menus: one dedicated to dogs, and another expansive one for their owners.

Foodbeast’s own Marc Kharrat and Elie Ayrouth teamed up with Josh Elkin, the Undisputed Champion of Breakfast and host of the Cooking Channel’s Sugar Showdown, to try out both menus from cover to cover. On the latest episode of Foodbeast’s show Going In, they went to the Lazy Dog location at the Del Amo Fashion Center to sample the chain’s entire offering.

Based on what they tried and reviewed, here are some recommendations on what to order for both you and man’s best friend on the Lazy Dog menu.

Food Bowls for Dogs

The Lazy Dog’s dedicated dog menu is simple, but gets your pet all of the nutrients they need. It consists of plain grilled chicken or burger meat, white or brown rice, and veggies. It’s completely okay for humans to eat, too, should you want to eat dinner alongside your dog.

Three Cheese Pizza

In terms of human food, Ayrouth and Elkin were both big fans of the Three Cheese Pizza. The Lazy Dog’s take on the classic flavor combines mozzarella, Romano, and Parmesan cheese onto one pie.

Ayrouth recommends getting it with chili oil on the side. You can ask for it, drizzle it over the pizza, and get a tasty combo of spicy and cheesy that’ll leave your taste buds tingling.

Mac + Cheese

One of Elkin’s go-to favorites was the Mac + Cheese, a small plate with smoked bacon, hatch chiles, five cheese, and a green onion crumble. There’s plenty of flavor to go around on this one.

Chili Peanut Wings

The Chili Peanut Wings were also a tasty favorite for Elkin. They’re coated in a marinade featuring pineapple juice and fish sauce alongside a variety of chilies and other aromatics for a balanced, flavorsome wing.

Simms Family S’more

Kharrat especially loved this treat because of the campfire nostalgia that it evoked. He said that it “speaks to that campfire culture that the founders seem to be pulling inspiration from and that made it stand out for me.”

Bison Burger

Ayrouth was a particularly huge fan of the bison burger because he felt that it was THE menu item that best achieved the “zen the founders of the restaurant set out to display,” as he put it. “It took me to the wilderness with every bite,” he said, “all the while remembering I was just in a shopping mall.”

As for Marc…

He was just really excited about the massive slab of watermelon served on the side.

Created in partnership with Del Amo Fashion Center.

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The Wildest Eats You Can Find At This Year's LA County Fair

Posted by analiese trimber · September 07, 2018

This year, the LA County Fair is going on a bit of a nostalgia trip with a Route 66 theme. As an homage to the iconic highway, several vendors at the fair will be serving up special items that cost just $6.60.

We’ve eaten our way through the entire fair and found some of the wildest $6.60 deal options that you can find. Each of these has visual pop and loads of flavor, making them worth putting both in your mouth and your Instagram feeds.

Of course, there’s also plenty of regular items at the fair that are just as out-of-bounds, and you’ll want to check those out too. Below is a list of both $6.60 and other festival foods that are worth heading to the LA County Fair for.

$6.60 Items

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Waffle Cone | Chicken Charlie’s

SoCal fair food legend Chicken Charlie is back at it, this time with a spicy, creamy mac & cheese waffle cone. It’s a combo of spicy buffalo chicken with cheesy mac, piled inside of a hot rod-red cone that’s sure to catch some eyes.

Texas Panhandle Pastrami Fries | C&C Concessions

If you’re looking for loaded fries with a twist, these pastrami fries will satisfy that craving. Crispy spuds are loaded up with hot pastrami, a blend of shredded cheeses, and pickles.

Nitro Popcorn | Nitro Snack Dragon Breath

Nitro Snack Dragon Breath is bringing back this viral item from last year’s fair. The kaleidoscopic popcorn is served after a dip in some liquid nitrogen, so you’ll be breathing “smoke” like a dragon when you take a bite.

Deep Fried Pecan Pie | Fried-a-Fair

It’s not a fair unless something outlandish heads into the deep fryer. This time around, it’s a hefty slice of pecan pie that’s getting the treatment.

________________________________________________________________________

Other Items To Check Out

Nitro Sourbomb | Nitro Snack Dragon Breath

Sour Bombs, wafer-like candies with sour powder in the middle, are also getting the liquid nitrogen treatment. Nitro Snack dips a stick of them into liquid nitrogen so they’re served at temperatures way below freezing, creating a smoky effect.

Cowboy Sundae | Chuckwagon

If you’re looking for dessert, this is not the treat for you. But if you want BBQ, this IS what you’re looking for. Chuckwagon’s “sundae” consists of beans, slaw, mashed potatoes, meat, BBQ sauce, and topped with a “cherry” tomato.

Giant Rib | Biggy’s

Biggy’s is selling a MASSIVE beef rib that you can show off to everyone. Mad props to anyone who struts around the fair chomping on this like a carnivorous badass.

4 On The Floor Pizza | Absolutely Italian

Pasta and pizza unite in this creative mashup of Italian foods. A creamy penne pasta is loaded onto cheese-covered pizza dough before taking a trip through the oven.

PBJ & Sriracha Funnel Cake | Dutchman’s Funnel Cake

The classic combo of peanut butter and jelly gets piled onto a funnel cake, but with a spicy kick. A hit of sriracha is added to take this fair food classic to the next level.

________________________________________________________________________

The LA County Fair runs through September 23rd in Pomona, CA. You’ve got until then to check out all of these crazy eats PLUS everything else the fair has to offer.

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25 Best Brunch Locations in California

Posted by Anna Atlea · August 08, 2018

Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. That’s why it is important that we eat foods that has loads of protein and is really energy boosting. But, let’s admit the fact that not all of us are a morning person and there are some who have busy mornings. This is why Brunch meals were created. A combination of breakfast and lunch meals that will help you feel full and energized. This are meals that will make you feel that you have eaten your 7am breakfast and it will last up to your lunch.

Brunch is usually taken during the late morning or early afternoon, around 10 am – 2 pm if we may say. If you are an on-the-go person, most likely you will eat your brunch at a restaurant near your office or along the road. With that, we have listed 25 locations in California that serve the best and most mouthwatering brunch in the state!

Barrio Star

https://www.opentable.com/r/barrio-star-san-diego

This restaurant located in San Diego features California’s favorite Mexican dishes. They infused it with some Latin and Asian flavors which made their meals unique. Their meals are simple yet very tasty. If you will be visiting their place, you should try their tacos with scrambled egg, avocado and more. Also, you must not miss on their best-selling French Toast. You will surely love the mix of cinnamon and blackberry.

Huckleberry Bakery and Café

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g33052-d2256350-i148549944-Huckleberry_Bakery_Cafe-Santa_Monica_California.html

A well-known brunch spot in Santa Monica since 2009, this café serves the best quality ingredients, including organic flour and pantry staples. Their signature dishes that you must try are Fried Egg Sandwich and Dad’s Pancakes. What is good about this place is that they change their menu depending on the season so every meal can match the weather perfectly.

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations

http://bosscat-houston.blogspot.com/

Located in Newport California, this diner combined American comfort food with contemporary flavors and amazing cooking. If you are into French toast or cereal for brunch, then this is the place for you! They have mixed the toast with fruity cereals that unexpectedly taste amazing! That meal is worth and Instagram post!

The Sycamore Kitchen

Image result for sycamore kitchen

https://intheloup.la/sycamore-kitchen/

This diner is owned by culinary couple Quinn and Karen Hatfield. Here, they served delightful pastries like the signature Salted Caramel Pecan Babka with a very aromatic coffee – a real breakfast treat! Also, you grab their all-time favorite Fried Egg Tartine! These meal is good to look at, tummy feeling and really healthy.

FIG

Image result for fig santa monica california

https://www.opentable.com/fig-santa-monica

Another restaurant in Santa Monica, this place has been known for their wood-fired dishes that really brought out the flavor of the locally sourced ingredients. One of the most favorite brunch meal in this Mediterranean inspired bistro is their Egg Shakshouka with chick peas that is served hot in their skillet.

Eggslut

Image result for eggslut

https://www.urbandaddy.com/articles/37857/las-vegas/eggslut-just-look-at-these-egg-sandwiches-las-eggslut-graces-the-cosmopolitan-with-its-presence-and-breakfast-sandwiches

By its name, you can easily say that their meal’s main ingredients is egg. In whatever way you want your egg to be cooked, they can give it to you. The menu is a balance of comfort and innovation. You will surely feel full with their delectable and fully loaded burgers. A really good place to grab some on-the-o brunch.

Brooklyn Girl

https://www.opentable.com/brooklyn-girl-eatery

This eatery serves seasonal home-made food that are really affordable and delicious. Located in Mission Hills, you must not miss their Insta-worthy brunch that is a wood-oven-fired French Toast topped with bourbon syrup, cinnamon and whipped cream. They also have breakfast pizza with bacon and white cheddar that you will surely enjoy.

Herringbone

https://herringboneeats.com/menu/

This place is surely worth paying a visit. The atmosphere of the place is very relaxing and is really nature friendly. As you enjoy the vibes in the place, your heart will surely melt once your meal is served. Their brunch specials include the lobster scramble and the Crab Cake Benny, made with Maryland crab, tomato and California’s favorite- avocado.

Osteria La Buca

Image result for osteria la buca

http://pardonmycrumbs.blogspot.com/2011/12/restaurant-review-osteria-la-buca.html

This is a really great place to enjoy Italian dishes. So if you are into flat breads and breakfast pizza, this is a place that you should try. Their meals still has a taste of California due to its locally sourced ingredients. If you are here for a pizza, then you will see one with runny egg and strips on strips of bacon.

Hugo’s

http://hugosrestaurant.com/

Hugo offers a variety of meal for every diet- vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and more. This makes it a great place to dine in with your friends and colleagues. They are proud of their simple and healthy meals that are unique and still really tasty. If you want to have pasta for breakfast, then you should try their freshly made pasta with eggs, garlic, cheese, and a house special seasoning.

Sqirl

http://foodpornuncut.com/sqirl/

“Rice is life!” if you are one of those people who look at rice meals in that way, then check out this restaurant. This is a new dining place to have brunch but we can say that they have made their name in the state already. What made them a place to go back for is their rice bowls. They made sure that their meals are healthy, fun, lovely and yummy!

M Street Kitchen

Image result for m street kitchen

https://www.opentable.com/m-street-kitchen

This is a great place to enjoy your favorite comfort food. Their menu is filled with the classics that is made from variety of fresh ingredients. This restaurant offers a wide variety of both sweet and savory brunch selections as well as home-made breads and fresh-baked pastries. One of their brunch best seller is their scrambled egg sandwich made with sourdough English muffin.

Malibu Farm

Image result for malibu farm brunch

http://losangelesstory.blogspot.com/2016/05/mothers-day-at-malibu-farm.html

Great view plus delectable meals, this place is worth spending every cent! They use locally sourced ingredients so you can be sure that all of their ingredients are fresh and healthy. You will surely enjoy eating their skillet meals paired with their delicious and really energy boosting coffee.

Eat This Café

https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g33252-d3741753-i193169480-Eat_This_Cafe-West_Hollywood_California.html

If you want to enjoy a classic treat- no fuss just pure delight, then this is the café for you! Once you stepped into this place and ordered their meals, you will definitely won’t forget their weekend brunch with a fluffy pancake, breakfast burger or truffle grilled cheese with egg.

Claire’s on Cedros

Image result for claire on cedros

https://www.bringfido.com/restaurant/8670

Being in the heart of Solana Beach, expect long lines if you’re planning to have your brunch here. But, it’s worth the wait! They serve delightfully healthy multigrain pancakes with real maple syrup. They also have some treats for those who wants to eat eggs for additional protein. If you are walking your dog when you saw this place, then you may stop here for a while since their patio is dog-friendly.

Milo & Olive

https://slice.seriouseats.com/2012/01/milo-and-olive-santa-monica-ca-review.html

This diner is a sister restaurant of Huckleberry. It has made its name in Santa Monica due to its morning breads and evolving small plates. They also serve coffee for a complete breakfast meal. For those who don’t have time to dine in, you may purchase some bakery items and enjoy it as you walk.

Farmshop

http://www.sugarandstilettos.com/shop/farmshop-santa-monica

Located in Brentwood Country Mart, this is a good place to enjoy tasty pastries. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 8am-2pm and the guests can enjoy it with a selection of sparkling wine and Champagne. A must-try is their Brioche French Toast with mixed berry jam, whipped mascarpone, toasted coconut-almond streusel, bacon and crown maple syrup.

Eclipse Chocolate Bar and Bistro

https://www.eclipsechocolate.com/

For those who have a sweet tooth, this bistro will let you enjoy your favorite chocolate in almost all of their brunch meals! There are a lot of dishes to choose from but whatever it is that you want to try, we’ll tell you, its worth it! This is the reason why this place is one of the best place for brunch in San Diego.

Outerlands

http://outerlandssf.com/about/

The restaurant will give you some chills. It’s has very rustic feel due to its wooden walls, chairs and tables. You may try their sandwiches, yogurt, waffles and their all-time favorite and really Instagrammable Dutch Pancakes!

Shakewell

https://www.yelp.com/biz/shakewell-oakland

Enjoy Mediterranean inspired dishes in this restaurant. You will feel like you’re traveling into several parts of the world with just a bite of their meals. For light brunch, you may try their nutty granola with Greek yogurt and berries. They also have some heavy brunch dishes with eggs, potatoes, French toast and other brunch favorite!

The Beachcomber Café

https://www.femalefoodie.com/restaurant-reviews/orange-county-the-beachcomber-cafe/

Located in Southern California’s famous beach, this café is a favorite of both the locals and several guests. So if you want to try out their brunch meals, then try to go a bit earlier so you can find a good sit. You will not regret whatever meal you chose to eat!

Bagels & Brew

https://kirbiecravings.com/bagels-brew/

This place created the ultimate cafe with their made from scratch bagels and cream cheese spreads. But, you will not just see ordinary bagels in this place because they always innovate it to be trendy, attractive and still very delicious. They have made Unicorn bagel that is really colorful and extremely tasty!

The Sunny Side Café

https://www.thesunnysidecafe.com/

This café is located in Berkeley. Here, you will be able to enjoy the classic brunch treats that is made from locally sourced ingredients to ensure its freshness. They opened in 2003 as a breakfast & lunch joint featuring organic coffee, organic greens, Farms fresh eggs, and certified humanely-raised natural meats and fish.

Backyard Bowls

http://www.backyardbowls.com/#about

This place offers a bit different brunch meals than others on the list. They serve ground-breaking acai bowls, hot porridges, smoothies, and much more. They ensure that they use organic ingredients as much as possible and they make their meals very nutritious. The combination of berries in one bowl will surely make your feed colorful!

Fox & Goose Public House

http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2014/01/10-british-things-sacramento-ca

This restaurant has a reputation for the “Best Breakfast” in Sacramento. The varied menu includes traditional English dishes together with vegetarian dishes and American food so they can offer something for all their guests.

We know that with the number of café and restaurants in California, there’s a place that you’ve tried which you think deserves to be on top. Just leave us a message and we’ll check it out! Wherever you choose to eat, the most important thing is that you enjoy every bite of your meal! Have a great and healthy day ahead!

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