Photo Journey

Today I was in the mood to add some favorite pictures from Argentina and Brazil. My anticipation for Ecuador is building...the day is finally almost here!


























Life was made to be explored. ♥

Tortas Ahogadas - Las Originales

For bomb tacos, you need to check out Tortas Ahogadas in Old Town Newhall. It's a hole in a wall near my area that has not been remodeled..thank goodness! The owners originated from Guadalajara, Mexico and they know what they are doing in their kitchen. I love the vibe the place gives off. Makes you feel like you are in Mexico. The background music is Spanish, the menu is all in Spanish, and Spanish is spoken more than English. All this in Newhall. It can't get better than that. I would just recommend that you come here anytime before nighttime, when it is safe, or in a group if you choose to go at night. My triathlete bud Diana told me she has been eating here every week now since her man took her there, told me it was blog worthy, and that I must try it out. My question to this: Why haven't I known about this place? I only drive by it when I choose to take the short cut when heading towards the freeway..which is quite often. Anyway, these tacos were amazing, blog-worthy, and craving-satisfying until the real thing is consumed in Mexico.

There were so many dishes I wanted to indulge in but we ended up getting the Tacos con carne fresca de su preferencia acompañados de arroz y frijioles. Our meat of choice: Carne Asada. I included Nopal Asado (grilled cactus) with my meal.





The result: Just perfectly made tacos. Two corn tortillas topped with carne asado, onion, cilantro, and their own spicy red sauce. Just simple ingredients used with the spicy kick from the red sauce. Simply put--You don't need to add excessive ingredients to magnify a dish. Sometimes, and most always, simple is best. In this case, the tacos were simply damn good just the way they are!

Wasn't in the dessert mood, but you know what flan does to me, so I decided to order the Jericalla.


This is a first that I've seen. I thought it would have been a burned sugar shell, but it was not sweet and right away I figured it was a cinnamon shell. I wasn't really too fond of it but it wasn't bad. Just an acquired taste of burned cinnamon. Below is how the flan is once you crack into the cinnamon shell.


Jericalla is a specialty flan that originates from Guadalajara. The only difference between this flan and regular flan---cinnamon. What I also noticed was that they chose to make it an egg white flan--no hint of egg yolk. I think that's what brought this dessert to a slightly higher intensity for me. I know that sounds like it would be the opposite for anyone but I find I really like the all egg white versions of flan just as equally, if not a little bit better than the original. ***I would like to add that I find this at the top as one of the best I've ever had besides the one I had in Buenos Aires, Argentina and at Ford's Filling Station in Culver City. And for $2, it should be illegal because I'm afraid I might head over there more often now while I'm still near the area. Uh oh, I'm in big trouble...

I give Tortas Ahogadas 5 hearts: ♥♥♥♥♥. Well worth the drive to get your taco fix on. Wallet friendly as well. A definite plus. Next time, I think I'll try the Tortas Ahogadas, which is one of the typical dishes in Guadalajara. Hasta que Mexico viaja a pasar, ir a Guadalajara en Newhall, por ahora.

Scallion Blini With Chicken in Tandoori BBQ Sauce By Aarti Sequeira

So I am now finally able to post this recipe. I cannot really get into what I saw at the Food Network taping of "The Next Food Network Star" back in January, but it just aired last weekend so you are now able to see it online..

Small recap of the show: Santa Monica Pier Party

I think you can probably tell who I am rooting for. You know it... Aarti!

How she is on TV is exactly how she is in person. So friendly, warm, genuine, real, and a darn great cook! Her dish was BY FAR my fav dish that day. I remember some of my conversation I had with her too. I went up to her station. She said hello and asked me if I had anything good so far. I told her I hadn't tried anything that sparked my interest yet and she responded by saying she hoped I enjoyed this and explained what it was. I tried it--I loved it! All I said was "Oh my goodness, this is so good!" She then said "Really!" and seriously walked around her station and gave me a hug! Too bad that didn't show up on camera! So yes, this recipe here definitely sparked my interest. Nothing compared to it. And I am SO GLAD the judges felt the same way. In fact, I even told Bobby Flay that he had to try it!

Right after the show aired last Sunday, I immediately wrote to Aarti asking her to please post the recipe! She sent me the link and now I can't wait to make it on my own! Here it is...

Scallion Blini With Chicken In Tandoori BBQ Sauce

Here's her blog if interested in checking it out. She gave me the link after our conversation. It is also located on the right side of my blog under Good Reads:

Aarti Paarti

Not even kidding, it was absolutely magnificent and you should really try it out. Now, all I've got to say is this: Food Network, PLEASE DON'T LET ME DOWN THIS YEAR! Last year was bad but please do the right thing this time around!

Chiba-licious!

Just went to Chiba restaurant in N. Hollywood over the weekend. Sushi there--absolutely fantastic! Very fresh and fast. The only setback is the location. Not in a very safe looking location but as someone put it on Yelp, "If you're intimidated by the neighborhood just go somewhere else, so I can have more elbow room at one of the two packed sushi bars!" or I say go so there are more parking spaces! I'm holding this restaurant high up there with the best I've had so far in my young life because I left with a very happy stomach, it better be because the prices there are ridiculous, and because the highlight of that evening was: Sea Urchin! Yes, I believe I wrote something in one of my first blog entries about not liking sea urchin, but as I encourage everyone to try things more than once, I did the same and I am so glad I did because I absolutely loved it! My thoughts have changed and it's actually quite funny because all I've been dreaming about the past couple days (besides Ecuador!) is Sea Urchin! Anyway, here are the highlights of the evening:

















*Sushi in order: Full plate of sushi, Blue Fin Tuna, Salmon, Spanish Mackerel, Baked Scallop Hand Roll, Sweet Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Sea Bream, Yellowtail, Unagi, Sunset Strip Roll, Sea Urchin, a second order of Sea Bream and Sea Urchin, and the Highlight of the Evening!*

I give Chiba 4 1/2 hearts: ♥♥♥♥1/2. Nice atmosphere, friendly and fast service, fresh sushi, and left not feeling like I had a heavy stomach; very light. The only reason why it wasn't a 5 was the price! Very expensive. Almost didn't want to order anything! Bill came out to $100. I have never gone that close to spending that kind of money at a sushi place by myself or with friends. Little over triple the amount I usually spend and the places I go to are quite good. For the amount of money spent and sushi ordered, it doesn't really add up equally but I guess this comes with fresh sushi so I really have no complaints at all. This is a WOW, that's how much everything totaled out too! Would I go back with the friends? Yes I would. Wouldn't make it a habit of course but once in a while is fine with the group!

Seafood City and 99 Ranch

After eating at Buenos Aires Grill a few weeks back, I spotted this market on the way home:



It is right on Nordhoff St, a few blocks away from the 405 fwy. The next day, I went there with my friend Eunice after our workout at Hanson Dam since I was in the area, her Jade needed dog food, and the pet store happened to be in the same shopping center.

Long story short, they have all the supplies needed to make sushi! May not have to drive all the way to LA to get all of my supplies now!


Sushi Vinegar. Essential for the Sushi (Vinegar Rice).

Fish. Although I probably wouldn't get my fish here, but nevertheless, it is made available.

Rice and seaweed are here as well, of course.

So if you are looking for a good place for all of your sushi needs, Seafood City is a go-to place. Prices are low here, which is a plus! I also would like to say 99 Ranch is another place in Reseda that has been recommended to me as well. I will definitely be stocking up on sushi supplies as soon as I come back from my Ecuador travels!

Pho Nga

So a couple months ago, I was driving around my area after I had good Thai food, and I literally stopped in the middle of the street when I saw this restaurant (it was dark so it looked really cool with the light decorations hanging outside).



Yes, it is a Vietnamese restaurant in the SCV. I believe it is the ONLY Vietnamese restaurant here in this area. That's what got me interested. I've been trying to search for good eats out of the valley, but after seeing this, I just had to come here and check it out. So that's what I did last week.



First item indulged in is of course Pho. I got Ta, Nam, Gau, Gan, Sach. Rare Steak, Well-done Flank, Brisket, Tendon, and Tripe. It was fabulous of course! No complaints here.


Alexis loved it as well. My zoom unfortunately didn't come in clear but don't worry, I just bought a new camera and looking forward to using it!


Next up is Com Bo Nuong. By far my favorite dish that I consumed!


Grilled Lemongrass Beef served alongside Dish Steam Rice (Dia Com), Fresh Veggies, and Fish Sauce. The beef was so tender it literally melted in my mouth. And YOU KNOW I love lemongrass! Dish was flawless.

Fried Egg.



Thit Nuong Cuon. Grilled Beef Rolls. Alexis and I split the rolls. We loved em! So light and crisp.

Alexis ordered the Bun Cha Gio Tom Nuong. Rice Vermicelli with Egg Rolls and Grilled Shrimp.


She enjoyed it. Full of fresh and light flavor. Actually, she loved the food and interior so much, she wants to return back soon or hold her next birthday celebration here at Pho Nga.

Something to enjoy at the end of our meal.



All in all, I give this restaurant 5 hearts: ♥♥♥♥♥. Fantastic dishes, great flavor, great prices, and I LOVED our waitress. So friendly and warm. Would I come back? Um, yes I would! There you have it. The only Vietnamese restaurant in the SCV and it was delish! Check it out like yesterday!