zucchini lasagna

Before zucchini season was over, I just had to share a dish I’ve been making that’s both comforting and healthy. Zucchini lasagna has been pretty popular lately, and the idea is that you use thin slices of zucchini as opposed to pasta noodles. We have nothing against good ol’ pasta in this house- it’s very likely my husband’s favorite thing to cook- but I also love sneaking in extra veggies to our diets whenever I get the chance ;) This lasagna is still packed with homemade or store bought tomato sauce, lots of tasty cheeses, and fresh basil, so it’s super flavorful and delish! One important tip- make sure to salt your zucchini strips and let them set about 15 minutes to draw out moisture. Blot them dry before layering them into your dish as this will ensure you don’t end up with a soggy lasagna mess, but rather nicely cooked zucchini “noodles”! Enjoy!

Zucchini Lasagna:

  • 4 large zucchini, sliced thin lengthwise

  • 1 pound ground beef or pork (omit for vegetarian option)

  • 1 yellow onion, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 28 oz cans San Marzano tomatoes (alternatively use store-bought pasta sauce)

  • 1 6oz can tomato paste

  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • 1/2 cup red wine, optional

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese, whole milk or part skim

  • 1 large egg

  • 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

  • 1-2 bunches fresh basil, chopped (leave some whole leaves for garnish)

Make your tomato/meat sauce- this can be done ahead of time, to allow it to simmer and develop flavor). Add the ground beef to a large pan over medium high heat, and season with salt & pepper. Brown the meat until no longer pink, and then remove it from the pan. Add a bit of olive oil to the pan if needed, and saute the onion for a few minutes. Then add garlic and cook for a few more minutes, making sure to season with salt & pepper at each step along the way. Add the stewed tomatoes, breaking them up a bit, along with the tomato paste, dried oregano and red wine (if using), and bring your sauce to a simmer. Return the ground beef to the sauce, and reduce the heat to low, allowing it to cook for a couple of hours if possible. Be sure to not let it reduce too much!

Preheat oven to 400 F. Slice your zucchini into thin slices lengthwise using a knife or mandolin, and lay them out on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and allow to sit for approximately 15 minutes to draw out the moisture. Blot them dry to absorb any excess moisture. Mix the ricotta cheese with an egg in a bowl. Start assembling your lasagna: ladle sauce in the bottom of the pan, add zucchini slices to cover it, spread ricotta & egg mixture evenly on top, sprinkle with fresh basil, and then top with shredded mozzarella. Repeat this process with all remaining ingredients (you may have extra meat sauce to freeze or use elsewhere!), reserving some fresh basil for garnish. Place the lasagna in the oven and cook for 40-45 minutes, broiling for a couple of minutes at the end to get a nice golden, bubbly top. Garnish with whole basil leave, pour yourself a glass of wine, and serve!

all time

For a tasty neighborhood joint with excellent coffee and a beautiful patio, it’s hard to beat All Time. This all day café in Los Feliz serves consistently fresh and tasty food, which keeps me coming back for more and more. The outdoor dining situation and cute handwritten menus don’t hurt either! Menus change with the seasons, and I love that they source from local farms- many of which are named on the menu. You’ll always find a version of the “Good Ass Salad” at All Time, a huge bowl of greens and seasonal produce that’s sure to please any veg-head. They also churn out some nice, al dente pasta for those in the mood. Plus their meat and fish dishes, like a 40 day dry-aged rib eye or a whole branzino, are flavorful and cooked to perfection. Be sure to scroll through the slideshow above to get more details on each dish from my recent trip to All Time. Those Japanese smashed sweet potatoes with romesco were just heaven! I’m definitely looking forward to returning for breakfast- the farmer’s market hash with poached eggs and the housemade seedy adventure bread are calling my name! The team recently just opened a takeout dinner spot, Part Time (love the name!), which I can totally see us hitting up in the near future as well. All Time-like eats in the comfort of my own home? Yes please! Not to mention, now’s the perfect time to support your fave local restaurants to ensure they’ll still be around in post-pandemic times.

tartine bianco

I was so excited when I heard that the Tartine Bakery group was opening here in Los Angeles. I have a huge soft spot for this San Francisco-based restaurant and bakery, so to have one open so close to me was wonderful news. The Manufactory, as its known, is also conveniently located at The Row DTLA, which is a cute open-air facility with plenty of fun shops and restaurants to pop into. Whether you’re in the mood for a more formal sit-down meal, or looking to grab a quick coffee or soft serve to-go, The Manufactory’s got you covered. There’s The Market for tasty flatbreads and specialty food items, The Ice Cream & Coffee Window for drinks, baked goods and ice cream, Tartine Bianco serving seasonal Cali-Italian cuisine, and finally Alameda Supper Club for a more elevated private dining experience. All of that housed under one roof! The space itself is beautiful too- huge windows that allow light to flood in at all hours of the day- with a super modern, industrial feel, and a large, shared open kitchen.

On a couple recent visits, we’ve dined at Tartine Bianco, the all-day restaurant whipping up all kinds of delights with fresh ingredients from the farmers market. It’s very comparable to its San Fran counterpart, Tartine Manufactory, a place I’ve dined at and absolutely loved. One main focus of the menu is the famous Tartine Bread (duh!), and food good reason. Choose from toasts, smørrebrøds, and flatbreads, or just get the bread basket with a couple of dips and go to town. Oh my glory, it’s honestly some of the best bread I have ever tasted. Baked to perfection, doughy and chewy on the inside, with the perfectly crisp, crunchy crust. Do yourself a favor and order a loaf to-go as well so you can keep the enjoyment going for a couple more days! The rest of the meal did not disappoint either, from the grilled beets with chermoula to the lamb shank with sunchokes to the malted brownie sundae, you really cannot go wrong. And how pretty is that chicken liver toast?! It’s practically a work of art. Click through the slideshow below to check out the rest of our fantastic meal, and get ready to drool! I look forward to picking up some bread and pastries, and perhaps (read: definitely) making a pit stop at the Ice Cream Window for some delicious soft serve very soon!

sunday in brooklyn

sunday, bloody sunday- mezcal, house bloody mix, sambal, high life nip // juanny appleseed- reposado tequila, hot apple cider, cinnamon, brown butter

pecan sticky bun

grain bowl // toasted barley, boiled egg. spicy cauliflower, mustard greens, kale, charred avocado

long island patty melt // caramelized onion, yellow mustard, swiss, sour pickles

I'm all about a neighborhood spot that offers both a feel-good, casual atmosphere as well as fresh and delicious food. Sunday in Brooklyn strives to do just that with a welcoming restaurant, market and coffee counter in South Williamsburg. The owners have taken their favorite day- Sunday!- a day of comfort, adventures, and family, and made it the mission of the restaurant. I was a big fan of Isa, the previous restaurant in this location, so SIB had big shoes to fill in my book. My husband and I stopped in for brunch recently, and are already looking forward to a return trip soon. We started with cappuccinos and a warm, freshly baked pecan sticky bun, which pulled apart in perfect ooey, gooey layers. Since it was Sunday, after all, we indulged in a bloody Mary and spiked hot cider, which were perfectly spicy and sweet. It was hard to decide on entrées as we were tempted by several dishes- the malted pancakes, biscuits & gravy, plus a variety of sweet and savory sandwiches all sounded delicious. We decided on the grain bowl and patty melt, which did not disappoint. And how pretty are the marbled ceramic plates!? Scroll through the photos to see more descriptions of each item. Even better, at SIB it's Sunday every day, so brunch is served seven days a week! Pop into the cute market shop for some ready-made pastries and pantry items, or grab a coffee to-go.

I've also had the opportunity to enjoy dinner at Sunday in Brooklyn, and the meal was fantastic (see below!). I love that they've utilized the upstairs dining area- a space that Isa reserved for private events- because it has such a lush and cozy feel to it that makes it seem like home. Plus the rooftop garden and sidewalk café are open in the warmer months, which is clutch for any NYC restaurant! The spring menu was so fresh, vibrant, and über colorful- the chef knows how to put the season's bounty to good use in the tastiest ways imaginable. Some dishes, like the radishes with koji butter and the beets with nuts & seeds, were truly works of art and just begging to have their photo taken (I was more than happy to oblige, of course). The roasted cabbage with fermented black trumpet mushrooms had such a unique and interesting flavor profile that kept us coming back for more. I'm not even a fried chicken person (I know- who am I?), but the housemade togarashi blend coating the drumsticks really took these babies to the next level- totally addicting! If you can believe it, I didn't get a good photo of our desserts. I'm actually surprised this doesn't happen more often considering how little discipline I have around sweets. But I can assure you that both the goat ice cream with date molasses & bitter chocolate AND the warm devil's food cake with peanut butter ice cream & cocoa nib praline are to die for!  I'm already looking forward to returning soon for an afternoon cocktail in the rooftop garden! 

jack's wife freda

 

If you are out in Soho or the West Village and need a satisfying meal at any time of day, Jack's Wife Freda is a good place to try. This place has a big following, and it's because they aren't trying to do anything crazy- just simple food, done well. I love the Mediterranean influenced menu at this all-day bistro, as well as the warm & welcoming atmosphere. Stop by for a quick lunch between appointments, or meet friends for a lively brunch on the weekend!