THE SWEETEST THINGS

A note from RoseRoseLeBoeuf.jpg 

February 9, 2010 

Hi Everyone! It’s February and we all know that Valentine’s Day is upon us.  I’ve always had really ambivalent feelings for this “holiday”.  It’s difficult for me to wrap myself around such a manufactured event. On the other hand, who doesn’t like to have one more day to celebrate, especially those in our lives we love the most. 

PuppiesAt the risk of sounding like a crazy cat (or dog) lady, I have a new love in my life and his name is Buster. He was rescued from a pound in Santa Monica and a friend helped me adopt him. He looks like he's part wire-haired Jack Russell Terrier and maybe some poodle.  He is a wonderful addition to our family and has brought lots of spring and bounce to the hearts of everyone who meets him. He’s the white one on the right and Pumpkin is the sweetie on the left. They are so cute together. My kids and I are very lucky! 

This Valentine’s Day weekend, I also get to do one of the things I love the most – I get to cook. LAFW is hosting it’s second annual Valentine Date Night Dinner. Last year it was a wonderful success and we are looking forward to another great group!  We still have a couple of seats left, so sign up soon if you want to come!  You can also come out and make sushi with us or enjoy a Foodie Friday.  Have a look below for all our upcoming classes. 

This month, I also want to share with you two other loves of my life…my butcher, Harvey Gussman and another fabulous dessert. 

Have a wonderful February filled with lots of love and sweet bites!

Rose 


 I Harvey's Guss Meat Co!

Harvey 2If you’ve ever been to an LAFW event and had some juicy steak, a moist piece of chicken, some tender turkey breast or a succulent pork chop, then you have had meat from my favorite butcher Harvey Gussman of Harvey’s Guss Meat Co. Established in 1939 by Harvey’s father, Abe, it is one of the oldest family run businesses in Los Angeles. He supplies meat to Campanile, Angelini Osteria, Mozza, Picnic, Da Pasquale, Larchmont Larder, as well as many caterers and private chefs, just to name a few of his fabulous clientele. He’s also been voted Best Butcher by Los Angeles Magazine as well as featured in the LA Times Food Section, Edible Los Angeles, California Magazine and Top Chef.  He recently opened his doors to the public, so we all can enjoy his wonderful products in our own kitchens. 

When you go to make a purchase from Harvey, it feels like you’re entering a private club. His front door is actually located off a back alley. You walk right into the cutting room of an authentic butcher shop and it’s as if you are thrown back in time.  Harvey does everything old school and it's amazing to see!  You can have a look at meat aging on hooks suspended from the ceiling in giant refrigerated rooms with any cut you could possibly need for tonight’s dinner. His prices are amazing too! All you have to do is just call in your order, then go pick it up before 12 noon the next day but bring a check or cash. He doesn’t take credit cards! Then, be prepared to meet one of the sweetest and most knowledgeable men in the meat business. He’ll make you feel like a long-time family friend, treat you to some great stories and answer almost any question you might have about preparation and handling. It is always such a treat to see him and you will be buying the best meat you’ve ever prepared. 

Harvey’s Guss Meat Co. is located at 949 S. Ogden Drive in Los Angeles near the intersection of Olympic and Fairfax.  His phone number is 323-937-4622.  He's open Tuesday - Friday from 5am to 12noon.


Puff Pastry Heart with Mascarpone Cream 

When working in the food business, it’s easy to grow tired some foods, but I never get tired of dessert! No matter how many times I make a sweet recipe, I always seem to be able to eat it. We have been making this dessert at LA Food Works since our first February in business. It’s always been a hit, it’s really fun to make and I love it every single time we make it! So simple, so sweet, and so delicious! We do it in heart shapes for Valentine’s Day, but you could choose almost any shape or any fruit sauce. I like to put extra chocolate sauce on my plate and the mascarpone cream will go with almost anything you can imagine.

package of puff pastry - thawed
  flour for dusting 
 3/4 cup sugar - plus extra
3 ounces fresh raspberries
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
chocolate syrup for garnish
powdered sugar for dusting pastry
Preheat oven to 350F. On a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry dough to 1/4 -inch thickness. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter or a pairing knife, cut the dough into 12 heart shapes. Cut out the center of 6 of the hearts, and discard them, leaving 6 heart-shaped rings and six full sized hearts.
Marscarpone Heart

Place the hearts and heart-shaped puff pastry rings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, brush with water, sprinkle with granulated sugar, and place in the oven for 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, puree the raspberries in a blender with 1/2 cup sugar, and set aside. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, whipped cream, mascarpone, 1/4 cup of sugar and mix until creamy.

Distribute the raspberry puree among 6 plates. Arrange a whole heart on each plate, and cover with a thin layer of mascarpone cream. Place a heart-shaped puff pastry ring on top of the solid hearts. Fill the cut-out center with more mascarpone cream.

To serve, drizzle with the chocolate syrup, garnish with raspberries, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Makes 6 servings. Per Serving: 250 Calories; 14g Fat (50.8% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 28g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 51mg Cholesterol; 31mg Sodium. Source: "La Cucina Italiana" February 2005


Upcoming Cooking Classes 

Sushi for Beginners, Thursday, February 11 at 7pm  In our sushi-making class for first-timers, Chef Rachael will cover the basics of how to make sushi rice, maki rolls and more!  We’ll discuss the traditional ingredients and teach you the skills you’ll need to prepare classic sushi at a relaxed pace. You will start by making Perfect Sushi Rice; Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumber and Ginger; Sashimi Salad with Miso Dressing.  You will focus on Maki-Zushi (regular rolls using bamboo mats) and Temaki-Zushi (hand rolls), as you make California Roll; Spicy Tuna Roll; and Hand Rolls using authentic ingredients.

Valentine Date Night Cooking Class, Saturday, February 13 at 7pm  On Valentine’s Eve, we invite you and your sweetheart to come cook up a luscious, lovers meal. We will be preparing Spinach Salad with Pomegranate, Orange & Goat Cheese; Roasted Salmon with Meyer Lemon & Fennel; Peppered Fettuccine with Caviar; Haricot Vert with Honey-Mustard Glaze; Chocolate Dulce de Leche Tart and surprise cocktail upon arrival.

Foodie Friday, February 19 at 7pm Come join fellow foodies and culinary enthusiasts to create a wonderful dinner in the LAFW kitchen. Kind of like a cooking class, kind of like a dinner party, and lots of fun. Come with a friend, come with a group, or come on your own and meet new friends with similar cooking interest. On the menu for the evening will be a sampling of comfort food to fill our stomachs and warm our souls. We’ll be preparing Mixed Wild Mushroom Soup; Beef Bourguignon, Herb and Pepper Popovers, Smokey Carrot Puree; and for dessert, Dried-Apple Tart with Crisp Crumble Topping. 


WANT TO USE THESE TIPS AND RECIPES IN YOUR E-ZINE. BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you do not alter the information in any way and include a credit that reads "by Rose LeBoeuf, www.lafoodworks.com, Interactive Cooking Classes, Parties, and Corporate Team Building Events for Groups Looking for a Fun and Unique Dinning Experience." 


 LA Food Works Events

 Ideal for Team Building, Holiday Celebrations, Client Entertaining, Birthday Parties, Showers and Private Gatherings.  Let LA Food Works make your party one which your guests will not soon forget!

 No previous cooking experience required!
Just willingness to put on an apron,
get your hands a little messy,
indulge in some great food
and have lots of fun playing in the kitchen!

We also happily design Custom Cooking Parties. If you have a group of 8 or more foodies who love great food and playing together in the kitchen, contact us and we will design a custom menu or theme class for you and your group.

 Our interactive cooking parties both unify and entertain...perfect for any occasion that requires great food, interesting activities and lots of fun!

310-288-0100
www.lafoodworks.com

For information or to book your event, contact Rose LeBoeuf at 310-288-0100 for an event planning kit, pricing and date availability.