Camp Monkey Muffin for the Mini Chef(and artist)

If you have a child and are in West LA this summer, I will be teaching cooking classes at Camp Monkey Muffin. Edy Pickens, art teacher at Brentwood Elementary, leads this day camp, which is a "camp for creative children...who are stimulated by the fundamental elements of the visual and/or performing arts."

Activities will include learning creative media programs such as iMovie, Photoshop, Garage Band, and ProTools, graffiti art, landscaping, and MY class, The Art of Cooking.

There will be two one-week sessions this summer: July 14-July 18 and July 21-July 25.

Goodbye Yogurt, Hello Cream Puff!

My friend Alvin has been telling me to visit Beard Papa's for months now. I remember seeing one on Sawtelle when I was at the grocery store and thought, why are all these people in line for a cream puff?

So, I didn't take my dear friend's advice until a couple of weeks ago.  I'm so tired of seeing lines for frozen yogurt, cupcakes, and hot dogs. Especially when, after tasting these treats, I've been left disappointed. Hello! Don't believe the hype, Angelenos. Do you really think you like green tea yogurt THAT much?!?! Please.

Anyway, Marc and I were getting lunch at Mitsuwa in Little Tokyo and saw a Beard Papa's there. There was not a single person in line so I tho

ught what the heck, let's get some dessert.

Wow! What I have been missing! So yogurt is supposed to be healthy. Who cares when a cream puff is sure to hit the spot MUCH more 

than some frozen bacteria(that apparently doesn't do any good...if it's in a Pinkberry cup, anyway)?!?

Beard Papa's has the cream puff down. A crispy shell of a puff, while the inside remains light and eggy almost like a souffle. The vanilla custard was fantastic and made with real vanilla beans. 

Marc had a chocolate frosted one which I didn't care for as much. Stick with the original and you will taste something that I think is the only food I MIGHT consider standing in line for.

Maybe.

Shumai Heaven

One of my favorite weekend treats is making shumai. The following recipe says to substitute chicken for pork, but last night I used pork and still think it is the best choice!

Enjoy!