Street Fried Quesadilla

Quesadilla all done up

I left this art show in Echo Park last night. I was starving and my favorite blue corn quesadilla lady wasn't around. But I saw a woman kitty corner at the intersection with a small cart and steam rising above her. I couldn't wait for the lit red hand to change to the walk signal and I crossed toward her.


I heard her saying, "quesadillas" as I approached. When I go there I saw what seemed to be more of giant empanadas. But they were more of a deep fried quesadilla. She made a tortilla like shape out of dough and stuffed them with cheese and potatoes (she also had cheese and chorizo or just cheese). She folded it in half and dropped it in the hot oil. She then served it to me, what i call, pupusa style - topped with cabbage, sour cream and crumbled cheese. Then she had all these delicious salsas to choose from... Avocado, Tomatillo, Salsa Roja and Habanero, which was pretty spicy. Overall it was delicious but a little messy. I could have used a knife.

WHERE:
Quesadilla Street Cart
Sunset Blvd & Echo Park Blvd.
Echo Park, Los Angeles

Quesadillas on the streets of Echo Park

Salsa bar street cart style

before salsa

after salsa

Kombucha in the Kitchen

I was with a friend today at his friend's place and he had this giant glass jar filled with what appeared to be dirty liquid and layers of cream colored buttery tissue. I had no idea what it was. Then my friend asked for his "mushroom". I thought he was going to get some shrooms to trip. But it turns out that those buttery layers in that jar were actually mushrooms. They were fermenting with a mix of tea to make Kombucha.

The mushroom layers were oldest from bottom to top. He also had two old vases to ferment wine with the Kombucha growing. It was incredible.

Kombucha is a fermented beverage that smells like apple cider and has an effervescent zing to it. It's supposed to be extremely healthy for you. I tried some and it was one of the most potent drinks I've ever had. He said you need to cut it with some water...

Recipe: Garlic & Cherry Tomato Sauce

This is an easy recipe. It makes enough sauce for two or enough for one plus next day.

Cherry tomatoes simmering with garlic

After simmered, everything is blended into a sauce

Grilled Summer Squash with Garlic & Cherry-Tomato Sauce,
topped with Basil from the garden.

Recipe:

1 Basket of Cherry Tomatoes
3 Cloves of Garlic (more or less if you like)
1 Tsp Dried Oregano
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt to Taste
Chili Flakes to taste (Optional)

Cut tomatoes in half (or I just like to squash them when i add them to skillet, be warned of getting juiced!) Add tomatoes to large skillet with garlic sliced thinly with the olive oil. Sautee on medium heat for about 3-5 minutes until tomatoes soften. Add Balsamic Vinegar and Sautee a few more minutes until vinegar starts to absorb into tomatoes. Add 1 cup of water, oregano, salt, chili flakes. Let reduce by half. Add one more cup water, let reduce by half again. Remove from heat and let cool. Put in blender. Puree into a sauce. Pour back into sauce pan. Put over pasta or veggies.

Recipe by Larimie Garcia for GrowlerEats.com

Rambutan in Silver Lake

Rambutan in Silver Lake is an average Thai restaurant with a great atmosphere of bright orange and acidic green The tables are sparse with white plates and accents of colorful chopsticks. Everything is pretty good but nothing was a total standout for me.

The Summer Rolls were refreshing and the peanut dipping sauce made me want more. The Pad Kee Mow aka Drunken Noodles was very good. I've normally had it with a light coat of gravy, but at Rambutan they do it two ways. You can get it "dry" with a light coat of gravy like I normally get. But the best option here is to get it in a bowl with gravy to the brim. It does make the noodles extra slippery and you may need to master your chopstick skills. I got some gravy in my eye when the noodles slipped away from me. The Crying Tiger beef neither made me cry nor feel like a tiger. It was a simple flank steak grilled almost perfectly, but by itself had little flavor. It's all about the sauce. It's sweet and tangy and a little onion-y. It kept reminding me of flavors in Mexican Salsas.

RAMBUTAN THAI
2835 West Sunset Blvd
Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA
213-273-8424

Thai Iced Tea

Summer Rolls

Summer Roll

Pad Kee Mow

Crying Tiger Beef

Jasmine Rice

My Favorite Scent

Oh the sweet scent of the Champaca Alba aka Michelia Tree. It smells incredible. I'm so fortunate to have one in my neighborhood that I try to pass everyday on my  way to Sunset Junction. I can smell it a block away. These are the fragrant flowers of the Champaca Alba.

Watermelon Kicks

Watermelon Shoes for Kids by Vans

If I had a little kid, I would so let them rock these watermelon shoes. These awesome shoes for kids are made by Vans and available at Undefeated shoe store in Silver Lake (Los Angeles).

Lykke Li & Danger Dogs

Lykke Li broke my heart and put it back together last night. She brought down the Wiltern with a black and white stage show with one exception. "Rich Kid Blues" had the stage washed in red lights. After the show, I grabbed a Danger Dog and this incredible train of hot dog carts waiting outside.