Diva-liscious

Pizzelle’s come from Italy. They are also known as Italian wafer cookies and there are various ways which to spell pizzelle such as “piazelle,” “piazella,” “pizzele” and “pizelle.” The name comes from the Italian word “pizze” for round and flat. Many different cultures have adapted this cookie and re-named it accordingly. In Scandinavia they are also known as “Lukken” and the Krumcake is baked using a similar iron as the pizzelle. In some parts of Italy, the irons would be made with family crests on them which would be passed down to each generation. Learn more about the interesting History of Pizzelles. Pizzelles are eaten flat or folded into cone shapes that are filled with ice cream and other sweets.   Italian Pizzelles  Italian Wafer Cookies Recipe: Recipe Type: Cookies, Christmas Cookie Cuisine: Italian Yields: 30 Pizzelles Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 1 min Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 3 eggs, beaten 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup butter, melted 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon anise seeds Powdered (confectioners) sugar Preparation: In a bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat together the eggs and sugar, Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, and anise seeds. Add the flour mixture and beat until smooth. Preheat your ...

There's a new Chef in town... If you've been living under a rock these past few weeks, you may not have noticed a stylish new eatery below Universal City in the historic Cahuenga Pass where the old Oak-Crest Market used to be.  Where tchotchkes, old books, and overpriced wine-gone-terribly-bad once lined dusty shelves, has now been resurrected as slick new boulangerie GC Marketplace, where you can find everything from a wine bar to a French style boulangerie, house-made pizza, artisanal coffee,  and a cheese and charcuterie counter.   GC Marketplace is Gary Arabia's swanky new place, and in partnership with Executive Chef James Dame and Executive Pastry Chef Kelly Dame, they've created an amazing global menu that include some of my all-time favorites: GC's Thai Chicken Noodles with rice noodles and roasted thai spices is my latest obsession.  The Greek Turkey Burger is one of the juiciest I've ever had and you want to have it with any of the delicious side dishes, including fluffy mashed potatoes, butternut squash, or my new favorite; parsnips. Who knew those things were so yummy! Their gourmet coffees and mouth watering pastries are all the rage... They have a truly amazing almond croissant that melts slowly in ...

August 20th is National Lemonade Day.  How are you celebrating?  At Traveling Diva we celebrate all happy holidays and this one is no less important.  Let's savor it all! Don’t make plain old lemonade. Whether you prefer yours super sugary or squirm-worthy sour, this summer the Los Angeles’ culinary community is squeezing more than just lemons in the summertime staple. If you crave yours with booze or even without, for National Lemonade Day on Wednesday, August 20th for a summertime indulgence here are some great spots to go and celebrate:   Restaurant: Playa Provisions Beverage: Cucumber Mint Lemonade Restaurant: Eveleigh Beverage: Eveleigh Lemonade – Chamomile-infused tequila, liquor d’orange, Cocchi Americano, lemon juice, honey Head Barman: Dave Kupchinsky Restaurant: Brick + Mortar Beverage: Station 26 Iced Tea – Fire Fly Sweet Tea Vodka, fresh lemonade, soda water   Restaurant: Open Air Kitchen + Bar Beverage: Blueberry Lemonade – Stoli Raz Vodka, blueberries, lemon, sugar rim Restaurant: Saint Rocke Beverage: Lemon Yellow Sun – Ketel Citroen, lemonade, soda, fresh strawberries & lemon  

  Best Chai Tea Latte Recipe by ArtandLemons.com Yield 4 servings 2 1/4 cups water 2 1/4 cups organic milk (whole cow, almond, or soy) 1/4 cup organic dark brown sugar (or more to taste) 2 cinnamon sticks 16 cardamom pods (crushed; place them in a small bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin) 1 star anise clove 1 teaspoon whole cloves 2-inch piece fresh ginger (sliced thin) 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns 2 tablespoons black or green tea leaves (I like to use 2 parts Darjeeling to 1 part Assam; or try Japanese Sencha Tea) Combine the first 9 ingredients (everything except the tea) in a 6-quart pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let mixture steep for 30 minutes. Return to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the black or green tea leaves. Cover and let stand for 2 minutes. Place a sieve over a pitcher or jar. Pour hot tea into the sieve to strain. Serve tea immediately, or let cool and serve iced. (This recipe is inspired by“Chai” found in The Joy of Cooking )and borrowed with permission from http://www.artandlemons.com.  

HOW TO MAKE TURKISH COFFEE You will need to have a Turkish coffee pot, a spoon, sugar and coffee that has been ground to a fine powder. Although most people use the Arabica beans, it really doesn't matter what kind of coffee you use. However, it should be a medium roast, because you will actually roast it again while making it. You can get the Turkish coffee in several different ways: A. Purchase a special Turkish Grinder (regular electric grinders with blades spinning at a high speed will NOT do the job) and grind the coffee yourself. We do have these available at our store if you are interested. B. Grind it at your local grocery store! Yes, that's right. You may not have noticed, but most grinders (99.9%) at your local grocery store in the U.S. have a Turkish coffee setting! Just select the "Turkish Coffee" setting and grind your beans. C. Buy it ready made from Turkish Coffee World. We sell it in our store but you can also find it at most Mediterranean stores if you live in a big city. Preparation Measure the amount of cold water you will need. Place your pot of water on the stove and turn the heat to ...

While visiting the marvelous and glittering Los Angeles, there are also places where all the hustle and buzz of the city can almost be damped by the soothing waves of the Pacific Ocean. One of the best areas to settle down and enjoy the charm of Los Angeles is Santa Monica, a beachfront area in the western part of the city. To truly experience Santa Monica, one of the best accommodation options presents itself under the name of Le Meridien Delfina Hotel, a trademark of luxury and elegance in Santa Monica, California. Located close to the ocean and near some of the most exciting attractions in the area, including the Santa Monica Pier, Getty Museum and Venice Beach, this hotel is a perfect choice for people who are looking for excellent services and a charming atmosphere.  Mark and I were happy to find this boutique gem over a weekend of lazy getaway from ourselves. Among the wonderful amenities and services available in this exclusive Santa Monica hotel, the spacious and pleasantly furnished rooms, the famous restaurants, the heated swimming pool, the valet parking options, the fitness room and the business facilities are just some of the exquisite features of Le Meridien Delfina… ...

The latest craze in Vegas is Honey Butter Toast....  a thick slice buttered toast with honey and vanilla ice cream. The crunchy crust is as delicious as the soft inside. Honey butter toast is sometimes served as a dessert.  Ingredients: 3 inch-thick white bread with crust edge 4 Tbsp butter 3 Tbsp honey 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream Preparation: Preheat the oven to 360 degree F. Place bread, crust edge down, on a cutting board. Cut the inner bread along the crust and cut it into cubes. Spread butter on top of the bread. Put it in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve it on a plate with honey and ice cream on top. *Makes 1 piece

Traveling entices me… and being made to travel with my imagination by simply closing my eyes and listening, thrills me to the point of submission. Such was my experience this past week at Gabriele Ciampi’s minimalist style concert featuring CentOrchestra in Los Angeles. The highly anticipated event took place at the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles with its 100-seat theater filled to capacity. Some audience members were so close to the stage they could have themselves been considered part of the act. Maestro Gabriele Ciampi has a way with the baton. Musical notes danced in my head and lulled me into their melody. He masterfully moved the audience at his whim, toying with their emotions as he guided us into his realm of melodic masterpiece. It’s always gratifying when an event lives up to expectations. Words on this page can’t describe the beauty of the night’s music, so I beseech you to bring the Maestro into your homes, via his CD, and immerse yourself in his music. You will not regret it. Personally, I am looking forward to a night in with Gabriele’s Untouched Melody, In Memory of Neil Armstrong. For more info please visit http://www.gabrieleciampi.com/  

  As the countdown continues to New Orleans Jazz Fest, I can already taste those delicious creatures in my mouth.. I'm talking about crawfish...  And Bevi Seafood Co, is teasing my taste buds ever so with their latest post on how to eat those yummy critters.  Take a look: "The beads have been swept away and the French Quarter is the cleanest it has been all year. Mardi Gras is over and the city of New Orleans is in observance of Lent. Even if you are not Catholic, everyone in the city abides by one distinctly Catholic rite: seafood on Friday’s. Living next to the Gulf of Mexico, this religious sacrament is not necessarily a sacrifice for New Orleanians; instead it has morphed into a celebration of family, food, and the traditions of South Louisiana. If you don’t have a crawfish boil to go to on Friday, stop by Bevi Seafood Co. We’d be happy to have you at ours. Though, there is some crawfish etiquette we hope you’ll follow as you learn why New Orleans is the only city that celebrates the most somber time in the Catholic calendar. Crawfish boil etiquette from Bevi Seafood Co. Don’t eat on the obituaries. Most crawfish ...

Ever thought of making your own yogurt ?  Doesn't this picture look like it should be 1,000 calories?  It's not!  And it's all healthy and good for you.... as well as delicious! This mouth watering recipe is brought to you Anna at Eat To Thrive. Thanks Anna! 2 cups frozen blueberries, 1 cup fresh blues, 1 nectarine, and a bit of almond milk blended, & then mixed with chia pudding (2 tbsp chia seeds soaked for an hour in almond milk w/ cinnamon and vanilla, and a bit of coconut yogurt). Pumpkin & golden flax seeds on top. Enjoy!