What the L.A. Times Test Kitchen cooked up in 2011
- 1
Braised sea bass with black olive vinaigrette Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Black olive vinaigrette Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 2
Flaky scones are great for breakfast or a snack.
- 3
Strawberry shortcake Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 16 skewers Note: Adapted from “On a Stick!”
- 4
Pinchos de gambas Total time: 20 minutes, plus marinating and soaking time Servings: 8 skewers Note: Adapted from “On a Stick!”
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Panzanella with sherry vinaigrette Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 12 skewers Note: Adapted from “On a Stick!”
- 6
Cocktail cubes Total time: 10 minutes, plus freezing time Servings: 20 skewers Note: Adapted from “On a Stick!”
- 7
“Cemitas, a popular treat from Puebla, are my favorite sandwich and this burger takes them to a whole new level.
- 8
“When I was growing up, my father was a true grill man, [and he] would probably not been caught making wimpy sliders.
- 9
“I love burgers but have tried to eat less beef so I’ve been working to perfect a healthier turkey burger that packs a lot of flavor.
- 10
“My German Cuban Pork Burger is THE BIGGEST BADDEST burger out there because it’s not your regular lame everyday burger.
- 11
“To me, this is one of the best burgers ever because it showcases the essence of American food and culture.
- 12
Dear SOS: I just got home from our neighborhood restaurant, Cayenne Cafe, on Beverly Boulevard.
- 13
White lotus dumplings Total time: 1½ hours, plus chilling time Servings: Makes about 3 dozen dumplings Note: Snow pea leaves can be found at select Asian markets.
- 14
Vegan ‘clam’ chowder Total time: 1 hour, 35 minutes, plus overnight soaking time for the cashews Servings: 12 Note: This recipe calls for a commercial stove-top smoker; a heavy-duty roasting pan with a rack and lid can be substituted.
- 15
Carrot cake Total time: 2 hours, plus cooling and chilling times Servings: 9 to 12 Note: Adapted from a recipe by pastry chef Kimberly Valdez of SW Steakhouse at Wynn in Las Vegas.
- 16
Aunt Mary’s yalanchi (stuffed grape leaves) Total time: 2 hours, plus cooling time Servings: About 5 dozen yalanchi Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 17
Carne asada Total time: 20 minutes, plus marinating time Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 18
Aunt Mary’s pilaf with topping Total time: 35 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 19
Recipe: Jocoque dip Total time: 10 minutes Servings: 8 to 10 Note: Jocoque is a dairy product similar to sour cream and is available at select Mexican markets; call ahead to ensure availability.
- 20
Dear SOS: Have you tried the roasted veggie burger at Upper West in Santa Monica?
- 21
Dear SOS: Had an amazing goat milk flan at Border Grill downtown.
- 22
Crisp-skinned salmon with lentils, bacon and dandelion greens Total time: 1 hour, 35 minutes Servings: 6 to 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 23
Oven-steamed salmon with dill mayonnaise Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 6 to 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 24
Carrots with honey, lemon zest and thyme Total time: 35 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from “A Year in My Kitchen” by Skye Gyngell Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 25
Spicy Moroccan carrot salad Total time: 45 minutes, plus cooling time Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from “Plenty” by Yotam Ottolenghi.
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Spinach soup with nutmeg and crème fraîche Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from “A Year in My Kitchen” by Skye Gyngell Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 27
Green pancakes with lime butter Total time: 45 minutes, plus chilling time for the butter Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from “Plenty” by Yotam Ottolenghi.
- 28
Perfect for chocolate lovers.
- 29
Goat cheese and basil-stuffed filo parcels Total time: 40 minutes Servings: About 1½ dozen Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 30
Semolina-filled puff pastry purses Total time: 1 hour Servings: About 2 to 2½ dozen purses Note: Puff pastry sheet sizes vary by brand.
- 31
Herb-marinated feta cheese with za’tar-toasted pita triangles Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 as an appetizer Note: Za’tar is a Middle Eastern spice blend commonly consisting of thyme, toasted sesame seeds, marjoram and sumac.
- 32
Spinach- and ricotta-stuffed challah Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes, plus rising time for the dough Servings: Makes 2 loaves, 8 to 10 slices each Spinach and ricotta filling Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 33
Nancy’s basic focaccia dough Total time: 3½ hours, plus 12 to 24 hours resting time for the sponge Servings: Makes 2 (10-inch) focaccia dough rounds Note: This recipe requires the use of a stand mixer, 2 (10- by 2-inch) round cake pans and a digital kitchen scale.
- 34
Roasted pepper and chile focaccia Total time: 2 hours, 10 minutes, plus cooling time Serves: Makes 1 focaccia; each focaccia yields 8 slices.
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Olive and rosemary focaccia Total time: 1½ hours, plus cooling time Serves: Makes 1 focaccia; each focaccia yields 8 slices.
- 36
Onion and sage focaccia Total time: 1½ hours, plus cooling time Serves: Makes 1 focaccia; each focaccia yields 8 slices Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of chef Nancy Silverton’s recipes for the L.A.
- 37
Dip some bread into this cheesy delight from the Coatesville, Pa., restaurant.
- 38
Recipe: Spicy stir-fried squid (Ohjing-uh bokkeum)
- 39
Tofu with kimchi (Dubu kimchi) Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 40
Recipe: Korean fried chicken (Yangnyeom dak)
- 41
Crème brûlée Total time: 2 hours, plus cooling and chilling times Servings: 6 Note: This recipe requires 6 (7-ounce) ramekins.
- 42
Soufflé-like rise makes sticks crisp on the outside and soft in the middle.
- 43
Grilled romaine with radishes, hard-boiled eggs and toasted bread crumbs Total time: 45 minutes Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 44
Swiss chard with golden raisins and lemon bread crumbs Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 4 as main course, 6 as side dish Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 45
Spaghetti with arugula and garlic bread crumbs Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 46
S’more cupcakes Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes Servings: Makes 20 cupcakes Note: Graham flour, the coarsely ground whole-wheat flour traditionally used in graham crackers, is available at Whole Foods.
- 47
Brûléed strawberries and cream Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Note: This recipe was inspired by one from Scottish chef Jeremy Lee.
- 48
Skirt steak carpaccio with raw asparagus and fava salad Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from Travis Lett of Gjelina.
- 49
Grilled Russian kale with yogurt dressing and toasted hazelnuts Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from Travis Lett of Gjelina.
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Total time: 40 minutes (plus 1 month if making homemade preserved lemons) Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from Travis Lett of Gjelina.
- 51
Butterscotch pot de crème Total time: 1 hour, plus cooling time Servings: 10 Note: Adapted from Travis Lett of Gjelina.
- 52
Dear SOS: An all-time favorite of my entire family is Massaman curry (with chicken) from Cholada Thai in Thousand Oaks.
- 53
Fresh asparagus with hazelnuts and seasoned currants Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 6 to 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 54
Chocolate pecan brownie fudge cake Total time: 50 minutes, plus cooling time Servings: 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 55
The recipe is adapted from a dish served at Nani’s Cucina Italiana in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
- 56
Walnut- and herb-stuffed eggplant rolls Total time: 1 hour Servings: Makes 18 rolls Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 57
Roasted chicken thighs with spinach, basil, pistachio and avocado oil pesto Total time: 1 hour, plus marinating time Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 58
Danish rye bread Total time: 2 hours, plus overnight rising and cooling times Servings: 2 loaves (about 3 dozen slices) Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 59
Norwegian orange cake Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes plus cooling time Servings: 10 to 16 Note: Candied orange peel is generally available at gourmet and cooking supply stores, as well as at select well-stocked markets.
- 60
Egg salad Total time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 61
Caraway crosses Total time: 50 minutes, plus rising times Servings: About 2 dozen rolls Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 62
Total time: 1½ hours plus cooling time for the cake Servings: 12 to 16 Note: This recipe calls for a 10-inch angel food cake pan (preferably a pan with a removable insert).
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Total time: 1½ hours plus cooling time for the cake Servings: 12 to 16 Note: This recipe calls for a 10-inch angel food cake pan (preferably a pan with a removable insert).
- 64
Chocolate chiffon cake with chocolate glaze Total time: 1 hour, 45 minutes plus cooling time for the cake Servings: 12 to 16 Note: This recipe calls for a 10-inch angel food cake pan (preferably a pan with a removable insert).
- 65
Pandan chiffon cake with coconut glaze Total time: 1½ hours plus cooling time for the cake Servings: 12 to 16 Note: Pandan leaves and essence can generally be found at Thai and select Southeast Asian markets.
- 66
Dear SOS: At the recently opened Brendan’s Irish Pub here in Camarillo, along with the bread plate they serve a tasty condiment that the waitress described as an apricot, whiskey, onion jam.
- 67
This fresh salad served at Little Dom’s restaurant in Los Angeles has crisp, assertive notes.
- 68
Leg of lamb stuffed with greens, feta and pine nuts Total time: 3 hours, plus resting time Servings: Serves 6 to 8 Note: The lamb can be prepared through step 4 (stuffed and tied) the day before; refrigerate it in a tightly sealed plastic bag; remove the lamb from the refrigerator so it can come to room temperature before roasting.
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NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.
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NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.
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NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.
- 72
NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.
- 73
NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.
- 74
Huitlacoche quesadillas Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Huitlacoche can be found at select Latin markets; call ahead to make sure.
- 75
Mexican lasagna Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes Servings: 8 to 12 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 76
These brown-sugary squares are a perfect treat any time of the day or night. Now, who’s got the milk?
- 77
Zetas with garlic and Pasilla chiles Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Note: Pasilla chiles are available in Latin markets as well as the Latin section of many well-stocked grocery stores.
- 78
Dear SOS: We love to order the “Famous White Sangria” at the LGO Café in Pasadena at La Grande Orange Café.
- 79
Broiled eggplant salad with sautéed onions, garlic and tomatoes Total time: 1 1/4 hours Servings: 4 Note: This delicious appetizer might be called a salad, spread or dip.
- 80
Creamy scrambled eggs with fines herbes Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 2 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 81
Asparagus with bread crumb-fried eggs Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 2 Note: This is based on a recipe from Judy Rodgers’ “The Zuni Café Cookbook.”
- 82
Fresh berry tart Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 83
Savory mushroom turnovers Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 84
Vol-au-vents with pea shoots and herbed goat cheese Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 85
This recipe for steamed mussels is from a Napa Valley restaurant.
- 86
Dear Culinary SOS: My son and I enjoyed a delightful take on lasagna at the Westwood Palomino in early December.
- 87
Quick puff pastry Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 88
Whole-wheat pancakes Total time: 25 minutes Servings: Makes 6 pancakes Note: Hard red wheat berries can be found at select well-stocked markets and health food stores.
- 89
Hamantaschen with poppyseed filling Total time: 6 1/2 hours; much of it is chilling time Servings: This makes about 3 dozen hamantaschen Note: You can buy poppyseeds in bulk at kosher, Eastern European and Middle Eastern markets.
- 90
Chickpea and noodle soup with Persian herbs Total time: 3 1/2 hours Servings: 4 Note: Kashk, a flavorful Persian yogurt-like dairy product, is widely available at Middle Eastern markets and can be substituted with labneh (strained yogurt).
- 91
Creamy rice pudding with cardamom and almonds Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes Servings: 4 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 92
Roasted buckwheat polenta with sage cream sauce recipe
- 93
Wheat-free muffins Total time: 45 minutes Servings: Makes 10 muffins Note: Adapted from “Sunlight Café” by Mollie Katzen.
- 94
Ragout of spring vegetables Total time: 45 minutes Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 95
Spring vegetables baked in parchment Total time: 1 hour, 25 minutes Servings: 4 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 96
Meal-in-a-pot (Puchero) Total time: 1 hour, 50 minutes Servings: 4, plus additional broth Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 97
Andalusian stew (Berza Andaluza) Total time: 2 hours Servings: 6 Note: Morcilla (Spanish blood sausage), particularly onion morcilla, adds a spicy flavor to this stew.
- 98
Chickpea puree with crisp croutons (Crema de garbanzos con pan frito) Total time: 1 hour Servings: 6 Note: Use 1 cup dry chickpeas to make 2¾ cups cooked.
- 99
Chickpea salad with chorizo (Garbanzos aliñados con chorizo) Total time: 10 minutes, plus marinating time Servings: 6 tapas or 4 salad servings Note: Start this recipe a day or two before serving, as you’ll need to allow time to soak the chickpeas before cooking, then to marinate them in the oil and lemon dressing.
- 100
Homemade pop tarts Total time: 2 hours Servings: 8 pop tarts Note: The pie dough also makes enough dough for 1 double-crust or 2 single-crust pies.
- 101
Fragipane filling for pop tarts Total time: 5 minutes Servings: Makes about 1 cup, or enough for 8 pop tarts Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 102
Baby artichoke gratin Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 8 to 10 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 103
Fresh fruit gratin Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Amaretti are Italian almond macaroon-like cookies and can be found in well-stocked markets and specialty cooking stores.
- 104
Italian sausage and kale gratin Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes Servings: 6 to 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 105
Cioppino Total time: 2 hours Servings: 8 to 10 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 106
Spiced mushroom borscht Total time: 2 hours Servings: 12 Note: This recipe requires cheesecloth and butchers twine to make a sachet.
- 107
Roasted cranberry borscht Total time: 2 hours Servings: 8 to 12 Note: Garnish the soup with sour cream stirred with a little prepared horseradish (adjust the amount of horseradish to taste).
- 108
Polish white borscht Total time: 2 hours Servings: 12 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.
- 109
Ukrainian borscht with caraway dumplings Total time: 3 hours Servings: 12 Note: Garnish each serving of the soup with a little sour cream and a sprinkling of dill.
- 110
Greek walnut cake Total time: About 1 hour Servings: 12 to 16 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 111
Perfect pecan pie Total time: About 1 hour Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 112
Dear Noelle: My husband and I love the mushroom barley soup at Junior’s Deli in West L.A.
- 113
Focaccia is used for croutons in this recipe from PizzaVino in Sebastopol, Calif.
- 114
Hello, Noelle. I live in the Inland Empire, and I love this restaurant in Loma Linda called Napoli.
- 115
Dear Culinary SOS: On our trip to the Russian River earlier this month, we had a lot of amazing food.
- 116
Dear SOS: We recently had the most delicious Mac and Cheese at the Bistro in the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Bakersfield.
- 117
Dear SOS: Help! The apple butter cake at Huckleberry is the most delicious thing I have ever eaten.
- 118
The curried slaw at Napa’s Mustards Grill restaurant is a simple recipe that pops with bold flavors.
- 119
A rich, hearty chili comes from Coast at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica.
- 120
Black Russian rye bread Total time: 1 1/2 hours, plus rising and cooling times Servings: Makes 2 loaves (about 16 servings) Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 121
German-style many-seed bread Total time: 1 1/2 hours, plus rising and cooling times Servings: Makes 1 loaf (about 12 servings) Note: Adapted from “Peter Reinhart’s Whole Grain Breads: New Techniques, Extraordinary Flavor” by Peter Reinhart.
- 122
Five-grain bread Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes plus rising times Servings: Makes 3 medium loaves Note: Adapted from “Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes” by Jeffrey Hamelman.
- 123
Real Jewish rye bread Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes, plus rising and cooling times Servings: Makes 1 round loaf (8 to 12 servings) Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 124
The hearty vegetarian soup is from a cafe in Dublin, Ireland.
- 125
Mexican hot chocolate Total time: 15 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Note: Mexican chocolate can be found in the Latin section of most grocery stores.
- 126
Rosca de reyes (Kings’ cake) Total time: 1 1/2 hours, plus rising times Servings: 24 (Makes 2 cakes) Note: Orange flower (or orange blossom) water can be found at select well-stocked markets, as well as at cooking and baking supply stores and select Latin and Middle Eastern markets.
- 127
Green enchiladas in the oven Total time: About 1 hour Servings: 6 Note: Enchiladas are always better if made individually and served immediately.
- 128
Dear SOS: I love the chicken salad from Lunch in Culver City.
- 129
Focaccia from Genoa Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes, plus rising times Servings: Makes 1 loaf, 10 to 12 servings Note: Adapted from “Focaccia” by Carol Field.
- 130
Baked French toast Total time: 11/2 hours, plus overnight soaking Servings: 10 to 12 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 131
Classic French toast Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 132
Savory stuffed French toast Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 2 to 4 Note: The sandwiches are great served alongside a light, tart salad or bowl of soup.
- 133
Recipe for Koreatown Cuban restaurant El Colmao’s special chicken dish.
- 134
Gorgonzola focaccia Total time: 1 hour, plus overnight rising and proofing times Servings: Makes 1 loaf, 10 to 12 servings Note: Adapted from “American Pie” by Peter Reinhart.
- 135
Tu Bishvat challah kugel with dried cherries and almonds Total time: 2 hours Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 136
Chocolate apricot balls Total time: 45 minutes, plus steeping and chilling times Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
- 137
Fruity butter cake with dried figs, raisins and walnuts Total time: 2 hours Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.
