Doug's Banana Pudding Pizza

By Jessica Klausing

Doug’s Banana Pudding Pizza. Photo by Jessica Klausing

Nickelodeon was the golden channel for 90’s cartoons. Ask a millennial, and they will name at least ONE favorite show from the classic Nick lineup. One popular Nicktoon, in particular, was, “Doug,” a coming-of-age series about 12-year-old Doug Funnie adjusting to his new life in Bluffington. The show included a colorful cast of unforgettable characters, with each episode focusing on a moral.

They don’t quite make them like they used to, folks. 

The show stood out for its unique soundtrack, which consisted of scats and mouth noises by voice actor Fred Newman. Creator Jim Jinkins says that he wanted it to “sound like children were making music,” which was vital to the storytelling. Jinkins and Newman didn’t just create memorable musical scene transitions, they also wrote catchy high-energy songs, such as “Killer Tofu” and “Shout Your Lungs Out” for the fictitious rock group on the show, The Beets.

Doug was a show that dared to be different artistically, musically, and even culinary too.

In the episode, “Doug’s Cookin,” Doug is paired off with his crush, Patti Mayonnaise, for a class cooking project. All is well at first, with Doug and Patti pulling a freshly baked pizza out of the oven, only for the school bully, Roger Klotz, to accidentally spill banana pudding all over it. But, just like the famed painter Bob Ross once said, “there are no mistakes, just happy accidents,” the new banana pudding pizza is a hit with the whole school!

So, this episode got me thinking, is this dish any good?

I tried Feast Of Fiction’s recipe for Doug's Banana Pudding Pizza to see if this cartoon had inspired a culinary masterpiece or disaster.

My review - I loved the banana pudding and the cheese pizza, but NOT together. The sweetness overpowered the savory carbs, making it an unappetizing dish. While sweet and savory can be a delicious combination, this Frankenstein-like concoction of dinner and dessert falls short. If you want to try a slice, check out Feast Of Fiction’s video below for the full recipe. 

Snoop Dogg's Orange Chicken Recipe

By Rebecca Bromley

Snoop Dogg’s Orange Chicken photo by Rebecca Bromley.

I’ve never considered myself a cook, I’m a baker by heart, but every once in a while I get the strong desire to go out of my comfort zone and try a new recipe. I own quite a few cookbooks already thanks to my mother, but at the recommendation of my best friend and owner of this blog, I decided to purchase Snoop Dogg's "From Crook to Cook: Platinum recipes from tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen.”

Purchase Snoop Dogg’s cookbook HERE.

I personally am not a fan of rap music, but it’s hard not to acknowledge Snoop’s impact on the industry or admire his down to earth personality and charisma. Plus he’s probably the last celebrity I’d think of to release a cookbook so I just had to see what was inside!

There were quite a few recipes in this book that caught my eye with their unique titles and beautiful, large photos, but as a fan of chinese food I naturally gravitated to the orange chicken, AKA “Orange (but really kinda burgundy) Chicken”. Since owning Snoop’s book I have made this dish several times and it has quickly become a family favourite in my house. 

As an amateur in the art of cooking, my first attempt at making the orange chicken was a little slow but it has definitely gotten easier over time and I’m sure for anyone who cooks regularly it will come together in a snap. 

A preference of mine is to add a little more orange juice than the recipe calls for for some extra zest, and to cook the chicken longer for extra crispiness. It always comes out juicy and tender, and the soy sauce adds the perfect amount of sweetness and saltiness. I personally don’t believe the scallions are a necessity, but I like to add some for garnish and a mild taste of onion. The ingredients are readily available and over a bed of rice, it is flavourful and satisfying and I recommend this recipe to anyone who has a love for Asian cuisine.

ILÉ-LA

By Jessica Klausing

ILÉ-LA. Photo credit by ILÉ.

ILÉ is a multi-course dining experience showcasing West African cuisine with curated music and storytelling by Chef Tolu Eros. 

The word, ILÉ means “home” in the West African language of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, and it’s the overall theme of this unique chef’s tasting experience. Chef Eros and his incredible staff will make you feel right at home inside a luxurious Hollywood loft apartment surrounded by modern African art décor. The entire ILÉ team greeted us with warm hospitality and were very eager to answer questions and provide helpful accommodations.

There are two types of communal experiences to choose from when you book your reservation: The West African Pri-Fixed Dinner (5 courses) or the West African Chef’s Table Experience (9 courses). We HIGHLY recommend the West African Chef’s Table Experience (just make sure to come hungry!). The reservation seats parties of 1-18 split into two tables, with an optional BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer, Liquor or Wine). ILÉ will provide the corkscrew openers and ice buckets if needed.

Book your ILÉ-LA reservations HERE

Upon arrival we were treated to a refreshing hibiscus lemongrass juice. Before each of the 9 courses Chef Eros shares fascinating stories about his childhood in Nigeria and a little history about the food prepared for the evening. Funky Afrobeat music played in the background as we feasted on aromatic dishes such as the jollof rice (Nigeria’s signature dish), an exquisite pepper soup that will wake up the senses, and a very sweet and tangy salaad (Yes, you read that correctly, it’s a salad with two A’s). The seasonal menu is well balanced between spicy and sweet. This is a must pop-up experience for all foodies in the LA area.

Recommended Listening: Afrobeats is a popular musical genre in Nigeria. Below is a playlist to enjoy!

Kulick's Pancakes - Scallion Pancake

By Jessica Klausing

Scallion Pancake with a side of Kinoko Itame. Photo by Jessica Klausing.

Bruce Kulick (former KISS guitarist and current Grand Funk Railroad guitarist) and his wife, Lisa Lane Kulick have launched a pancake recipe website – kulickspancakerecipes.com

Check them out! The Kulicks have an assortment of homemade pancake recipes available on their site. The first one I chose to make was the Scallion Pancake. As a huge fan of Asian foods, I was very excited to try my hand at making one of these golden beauties, and they did not disappoint!

Get the recipe here - Kulick’s Scallion Pancake Recipe.

I do recommend reading through the recipe first before getting started. Making dough from scratch is time consuming but it’s worth it! It’s healthier for you and once you taste the freshness, you’ll never want to buy the processed dough ever again.

A common concern with scallion pancakes is they tend to be overly greasy from the oil. Oil is an essential ingredient used for the pancake’s texture and flavor. The good news is making scallion pancakes at home will be less greasy than the ones at restaurants. I’m happy to report that these were not greasy at all! I loved that this recipe requires sesame oil. The sesame oil gave the pancakes a unique nutty taste to the flaky layers of the dough.

The dipping sauce is an absolute must! It’s the Yin to the pancake’s Yang. The sauce exudes a bold sweet flavor that compliments the savory pancake perfectly.

Overall, I highly recommend this recipe! You can easily serve these as appetizers or as the main course. I made mine with a side of Kinoko Itame. You can easily pair this with stir fried veggies or any type of dim sum dish too.

Recommended Listening: “I Walk Alone” - KISS.

Brunch in LA - WKNDR

Written by Jessica Klausing

 Photo credit by Wendy D.

WKNDR (an abbreviation of the word, 'Weekender') is Los Feliz's newest brunch spot. The cafe is a tiny hole in the wall on North Vermont Avenue, smack dab in between the vintage Los Feliz movie theater and Skylight Books.

How tiny is this place? We highly recommend going solo or as a couple. A party of three or more will have a difficult time finding seating here. The inside dons a few barstools and tables, while the outside has slightly more tables and chairs. 

The founder, Joshua Pourgol, happens to be the man behind Tacos Tu Madre, just a few blocks away from WKNDR. Pourgol and his team may not serve breakfast burritos at WKNDR, but they do focus mostly on vegan, glutton free pastries, healthy breakfast alternatives, and a delightful assortment of milk teas and coffee.

Japanese Air Pancakes photo by Jessica Klausing

Food - Japanese Air Pancakes

Cost - $12

The Japanese Air Pancakes are WKNDR's signature dish. The cafe serves up three thick pancakes adorned with strawberries, raspberries, dragon fruit, coconut shavings, and pistachios. You're given a small cup of real maple syrup to pour onto the pancakes. 

I found the pancakes to be a bit too crunchy and grainy for me. I think cornmeal may have been used as an ingredient. I don't have anything against cornmeal, but I generally prefer my pancakes to be light and fluffy. However, the fruit composite and syrup complimented the pancakes well. It was not too overly sweet. 

Honey Lavender Latte photo by Jessica Klausing

Drink - Honey Lavender Latte

Cost - $6

The drink menu has many wild assortments of milk teas, tonics, and coffees (Salty Oreo Milk Tea, anyone?). The Matcha Rose Latte and the Honey Lavender Latte are the most popular choices. I found the Honey Lavender to be comfort in a cup. The latte was served at a divine temperature with the lavender blend brewed to perfection. It has a gentle floral flair without tasting like bath soap (a common disappointment with many floral teas and coffees).

Final thoughts - I found the atmosphere to be quite relaxing. The streets nearby do not get a lot of traffic so it's a nice little outdoor area to sit and chat with a friend. The service was quick and friendly. No complaints there. I will definitely return for the drinks not so much for the food. The food is a bit overpriced for a lackluster taste.

Ratings  - 3 out of 5 stars.

Recommended Listening - "Banana Pancakes" - Jack Johnson.

Yes, I'm fully aware that banana pancakes are not served at this location. :( The song itself is a laid back tune that would make a great addition to any brunch playlist.

National Wine Day 2018

Written by Jessica Klausing

Photo by Jessica Klausing

Happy National Wine Day!

I picked up a bottle of the Red Decadence Chocolate Wine just for the holiday. The thought of chocolate flavored alcohol never really appealed to me. This wine, in particular, had very high ratings so I decided to give it a try. It turned out to be my new favorite dessert wine.

The Red Decadence Chocolate Wine swirls the flavors of black cherry, blueberry, and plum into the dark chocolate. The wine boasts a rich chocolate and cherry aroma that is sure to lift any chocolate lovers spirits! The beauty of this wine is that the combination of red cabernet and chocolate is not too overly sweet. The dry red blend balances out the sweetness perfectly. It's a soft dessert wine with a smooth finish. 

Red Decadence Chocolate Wine

Listening Pleasure - I put on Jordan Reyne's The Annihilation Sequence while sipping a glass of my wine. Her music is a steampunk evolution into a much darker folk genre. Reyne exhibits a sexy and menacing vocal dexterity that's brilliantly layered over with industrial loops. It's not all a pleasant mechanical soundscape though. Reyne proves there is more that meets the eye or ear, rather. Listeners are pulled into a dystopia ruled by paranoia and a sense of hopelessness.

Drink Of The Day: "Wretched Blue Milk" @ Scum and Villainy Cantina

Written by Jessica Klausing

Wretched Blue Milk photo by Jessica Klausing

Type: Star Wars inspired cocktail

Cost: $9

Ingredients: Rum, Coco Lopez, Blue Curaco, and Pineapple Juice.

Fellow Star Wars nerds! Warp speed over to Hollywood’s Scum and Villainy Cantina for Sci-Fi themed drinks and fun galore. The Scum and Villainy Cantina is modeled after the infamous Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.

The “Wretched Blue Milk” or Bantha Milk is a Star Wars staple. We first meet our hero, Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, enjoy a glass of blue milk with his aunt and uncle on Tatooine. The Blue Milk has since made recent appearances in Star Wars Rebels and Rogue One.

The drink itself tastes exactly like a Pina colada. The rum overpowers the senses with a hint of coconut. It’s the perfect tropical drink to beat the heat after a long day.

Recommended Listening: "Binary Sunset" (Star Wars: A New Hope OST) - John Williams

Stormtrooper masks and neon colored chemistry flasks furnish the bar’s geeky apparel. The décor is cool but it’s the sense of community the people have created here that makes it truly special. Keep an eye out for some awesome costumes! Cosplay is encouraged but not required. Whether you’re a part of the Rebel Alliance or drawn more towards the Dark Side there’s a specialized drink just for you! 

Scum and Villainy Cantina's social media:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

Drink Of The Day: "Get Out" @ Ever Bar

Written by Jessica Klausing

Get out cocktail drink photo by Jessica Klausing

Type: 2018 Oscars inspired cocktail

Cost: $15

Ingredients: Capurro Moscatel Pisco, Appleton Estate Rum, Velvet Falmum, Lemongrass, Heavy Cream, Egg White, Soda Water. Served with a bowl of Froot Loops.

For a limited time - Ever Bar is serving up 2018 Oscars movie inspired drinks. Whether you wash down a bathtub of vodka for “Shape of Water,” toast “The Post” with a coaster of The Washington Post or give a shout out to “Get Out” with a drink and Froot Loops, fun will be had with friends at this delightful bar.

“Get Out” is a frothy lemon refresher. Chase it down with a handful of Foot Loops and the taste resembles a much less sour version of Starbuck’s Unicorn Frappucino. “Get Out” is a satirical horror film about an African American man’s infamous weekend with his white girlfriend and her family. Let’s sit back and raise a glass to Jordan Peele’s Original Screenplay winner of 2018!

Recommended Listening - "Sikiliza Kwa Wahenga" - Michael Abels

According to an interview with POPSUGAR, Jordan Peele says that the song is "Swahili, actually. I was into this idea of distinctly black voices and black musical references, so it's got some African influences, and some bluesy things going on, but in a scary way, which you never really hear. African-American music tends to have, at the very least, a glimmer of hope to it — sometimes full-fledged hope. I wanted Michael Abels, who did the score, to create something that felt like it lived in this absence of hope but still had [black roots]." 

Nestled inside The Kimpton Everly Hotel is Hollywood’s newest contemporary bar. Don’t be fooled by the Hollywood hipster décor! Ever Bar boasts a cozy, laidback living room vibe with ample personal space. The eclectic cocktail menu features a playful spin on the classics such as “Bone, Thighs, and Harmony” Millionaire and “Bananas in Pajamas” Scorpion.

Ever Bar social media:

Website

Instagram

Drink Of The Day: "Come On You Wanna Lei Me" @ Harvard and Stone

Written by Jessica Klausing

Featured on Jeenalavie.com

"Come On You Wanna Lei Me" tiki drink photo by Jessica Klausing.

Type: Tiki cocktail

Cost: $14

Ingredients: Tapatio 110 Tequila, Aperol, Strawberry Coconut Milk, Rosewater, Coconut Lacroix, Pink Peppercorn.

The “C’mon You Wanna Lei Me” is a smooth and sweet coconut concoction. The peppercorn adds a slight spicy kick to the tequila in the cocktail. It’s a refreshing tropical drink best paired with a day at the beach or pool.

Recommend Listening:  The Beach Boys - "Beaches In Mind."

Harvard and Stone is a steampunk inspired bar in the Thai Town district of Hollywood. The bar hosts live music, DJs, and burlesque shows. Seasonal drinks and occasionally food are served randomly on the back patio. The cocktail menu changes constantly. The current tiki themed menu offers refreshing fruity blends that’ll put you in a summertime mood!

Harvard and Stone social media:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook