SWIRL GIRL

I am privileged to be a Swirl Girl: A mixed, multicultural, multi-ethnic girl.
My friends over at Swirl Girl Army approached me and asked if I'd like to be a Swirl Girl Icon and I jumped at the opportunity.
Check out the interview I did with them and find out more about me, my blog and what I've been up to!

http://swirlgirlarmy.com/post/60852705671/swirl-girl-icon-amber-stevens

Doughnuts

Hello Friends!!!
It's been months since I've written on here but it's been a crazy year and I've just neglected to make blogging a priority...but I'M BACK! (We'll see how long this lasts)
I've been to plenty of new spots in LA since I last posted and now I'll attempt to play catch up. 
The most recent spot I want to share is a donut shop in Hollywood called Kettle Glazed.

If you don't already know, cronuts are all the rage and this is the first spot I've heard of in LA selling them. If you haven't heard, read this HILARIOUS article about the lengths people are going to in Manhattan to get their hands on one.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/05/whos-buying-cronuts_n_3389694.html

I did no such thing to get my first taste. Kettle Glazed seems to be fairly under the radar right now so I had no wait at all.

And...it was puppy love at first bite. The kind of love where you feel butterflies and gitty but you know won't last forever. By the end of the cronut I was over it. I don't know that I'm a huge fan. It's absolutely delightful but not something I'd ever wait in line for. I'd much prefer a regular ol' buttery croissant or fresh glazed donut. GLAD I TRIED IT THOUGH!

I still recommend you go have a try yourself. 

I also one of the regular cake donuts. I think it was old fashioned blueberry maple. Very reminiscent of a blueberry pancake breakfast. Now THAT I liked :)

Check it out!
Kettle Glazed
6211 Franklin Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Neighborhood: Hollywood

PS - I stole some of these pics from Yelp because mine didn't turn out so great. 

A "Healthier" Banana Bread Recipe

Hi Friends!

I know I don't usually share recipes on here, but I've adapted my own version of this "healthier" banana bread today and need to write it down...so I thought I'd share it here!

The reason it's "healthier" is because it includes NO BUTTER OR OIL! I've substituted Greek yogurt and added pecans and dried cranberries for some antioxidants and a bit of fiber. 

I know, it's kind of a stretch to call this a healthy dish but it could be worse!!

Here it is!

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 large over-ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Crumble

1 tablespoon butter, softened

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon flour

Directions

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl
2. Mix brown sugar, bananas, eggs, vanilla extract and yogurt in a separate bowl
3. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
4. Stir in pecans and cranberries
5. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan
6. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until golden brown, about 50 minutes
7. Mix ingredients for crumble and spread on top of bread and continue to bake for 10 minutes. You'll know it's done when you stick a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean

Let me know how you like it!

xoxo

Coffee + Food

I cannot believe I haven't posted on here since JULY! Life has really gotten in the way, but I'M BACK! A couple months ago I discovered the best breakfast sandwich in the whole world. It's walking distance from my apartment so Andy and I have made a tradition of going every Friday and splitting a sandwich and some fruit. They also have delicious coffee. Sadly I will be moving next week and so our tradition will end but we'll definitely be back as often as possible cause this sandy is to die for!
Here's what's inside: arugula, egg, prosciutto and gruyere cheese  or the veggie version with tomato and egg
The bread is toasty and light...my mouth is watering...

Coffee + Food
5630 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038

www.coffeeplusfood.com

Red Hill

I think this is the best breakfast dish I have ever eaten. It's so creative, hearty and delicious I couldn't wait to share it with all of you. It's a spin on the classic eggs benedict. It's a homemade yam biscuit with eggs, thick cut bacon, avocado, tomato, pickled cabbage and chile mole! Paired with a side of potatoes  this dish is perfection. Go eat it and tell me how you like it!
PS- Apparently their omelette of fresh market veggies is fantastic too...but I wanna go back and have their gluten free LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES! YESSSSS PLEASE!

Red Hill Restaurant
1325 Echo Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026
www.redhillrestaurant.com

ENJOY!

I know Los Olivos is a 2 hour drive from LA but these cupcakes are TOALLY worth the drive. My friend Kate recently moved to NYC but before she left she wanted to check this place off her bucket list. We took a little girls day trip out to eat Enjoy cupcakes and boy were they outstanding! They change the menu weekly but with flavors like Chocolate Blackberry Syrah and Mango Raspberry Chardonnay you can't go wrong! You can also have them cater an event for you and they'll bring their adorable pink vintage airstream! It's all just too cute. Oh, and on our way home we stopped at a lavender farm. What a glorious day.

Enjoy Cupcakes

2971 Grand Avenue 

Los Olivos, Ca 93441   (in the Saarloos & Sons tasting "house") 

www.enjoycupcakes.com

www.enjoycupcakes.com