Oh Joy!

the four seasons of ice cream... 30 May 2012

If ice cream had a fan club, I'd probably be the president. That's why books about ice cream make me salivate like a dog at a bone store. Seattle-based Molly Moon just launched a new drool-worthy book, Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream. And, I love how the book is organized by seasons—like Mexican Chocolate ice cream and Blood Orange sort for winter, Blueberry Frozen Yogurt for spring, and Pumpkin Clove ice cream for fall. No matter the season, the book encourages using fresh, local ingredients and experimenting with really fun flavor combinations. Don't these photos make you want to dive right in? — Joy

{photos by Kathryn Barnard}

{oh joy eats dessert with} tara o'brady... 24 May 2012

Who Tara O'Brady, freelance food writer, mother of two young lads, and the one behind Seven Spoons

Where Niagara, Ontario

Time 2:21 p.m

What's a typical dessert for you? I'll admit a particular fondness for ice cream. Strawberry Swirl with lots of vanilla bean in spring, Raspberry Ripple with lemon curd and crushed meringue in summer, Espresso Caramel studded with cookies in winter, and this chocolate one pretty much any time of the year. Give me a bowl and a spoon, and I'm happy. Our 6-year-old named these {above} Sugar Buns, so that's the name that's stuck—he believes the sugar crust is the best part, and I won't argue. But sugar is just the beginning, and then that swirl is made up of lots of good stuff including browned butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, crystallized ginger for some zing, and fresh orange zest to set it all off. The dough is flaky and a texture in-between a traditional sweet roll and a danish. And these aren't for after meals only. They're the sort of sweet to keep around to have with tea or coffee at any time of day {as a bonus, they look pretty out on the counter}. 

What's your dream dessert? A plate of galettes cancalaises or the mille-feuille from Olivier Roellinger's Grain de Vanille in Cancale, France. Either would embody the very definition of dreamy.

How often do you treat yourself to dessert? As often as possible.

Thanks Tara!
— Joanna

{photo of dessert by Tara, photo of Tara by her husband Sean}

currently snacking on... 24 May 2012

Mint and chocolate is one of my favorite dessert combos ever. I always loved Andes Mints and Peppermint Patties as a kid, so it's no wonder I devoured these melt-in-your-mouth minty chocolates called "Pigmints" by Los Angeles-based chocolatiers Petite Pig in a matter of seconds. They're like like bite-sized minty truffle squares...so, so good... — Joy

{photo by Oh Joy}

{oh joy eats} bäco mercat in downtown la... 23 May 2012

I'm a big fan of Lazy Ox Canteen and was excited to try Josef Centeno's newest endeavor, Bäco Mercat in the Old Bank district of Downtown LA. The dishes were inspired by off-menu late night snacks he'd create for family and friends.

Because I love grown-up sodas so much {especially because I craved them so much during pregnancy}, I was delighted to see that they make their very own version. Bäco Pop is an orange ginger juniper soda, and it's so good! Paired with their house made corn nuts, it was a perfect snack to start off with while waiting for our meal to arrive.

The signature dish at Bäco Mercat is the "Bäco"—a signature flatbread sandwich that was developed by the chef. Here, the bäco bread takes center stage and works as a vessel to hold pork, beef, poultry, seafood and vegetables. We had the Oxtail Hash with pickles, cheddar, and a crispy perfect tator tot smashed in the middle along with some super pretty roasted green tomatoes.

For a light interlude, I loved the Hamachi Crudo with bits of bacon and topped on a pile of avocado. We finished off our lunch with the Coco Flatbread pizza. This one, The Salty Jowel, included guanciale, tomato, ricotta, and a fried egg right on top. There's something about the addition of a slightly runny egg on things that always makes it even better to me.

Afterwards, the light rain had finally passed, and it was nice to sit outside and people watch after a delicious and filling meal. — Joy

Bäco Mercat / 408 S. Main St. / Los Angeles, CA 90013 / 213.687.8808

{Photos by Bonnie Tsang for Oh Joy. My outfit: Heart sweater by ASOS, dress from past season of Roxy (similar), polka dot sandals c/o Loeffler Randall, bag is vintage, nail polish by Essie.}

{flavor stories} strawberry & cream popovers... 21 May 2012

Perfect for a summer afternoon, these strawberry & cream popovers might just be my new favorite thing! They're a non-traditional take on the classic strawberry shortcake—think cream puff meets popover meets first of the season strawberries...yum!

Plus, they're super simple {and quick!} to make. Not only do they have a delightfully moist center and a perfectly crisp exterior, the mixture of vanilla pudding and fresh whipped cream is pretty darn delicious!

You'll need:
1 recipe for vanilla pudding, chilled
1 recipe for popovers, baked + cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sweetened whipped cream
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced {smaller berries will work best}
confectioners sugar to garnish

Here's how:
1. Make a batch of vanilla pudding and refrigerate. 
2. Make one recipe of popovers, but omit the thyme leaves and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and an additional teaspoon of sugar. Plus, replace the regular muffin tin {optional} with one meant for mini muffins {you'll have to bake three times which will yield between 32-36 popovers}. Let popovers cool on a wire rack.
3. Wash and slice a pint of fresh strawberries and set aside.
4. Whip about a cup of whipping cream with a touch of confectioner's sugar until it forms soft peaks.
5. Fold together equal parts whipped cream and vanilla pudding {you'll probably have leftover pudding}. 
6. Lay a couple sliced berries on each popover, add a spoonful of the cream mixture, then place a few more sliced strawberries on top and dust with confectioner's sugar.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy!

While I think they'd be great with just about any fruit, I'd love to try them with fresh raspberries and toasted sliced almonds! 

—Nikole

{photos by Michael Graydon, styling by Nikole Herriott for Oh Joy}

chin, chin... 21 May 2012

I have to admit, I'm not a huge drinker. Drinking was probably the only thing during pregnancy that I did not miss at all. But, that doesn't mean I won't entertain a cocktail or two every so often over dinner or at the end of a long day. So when I do take a sip of a little something, it's got to be full of flavor. Known for her colorful and glamorous blog full of the best rhymes, Mrs. Lilien has her very first book coming out later this month—Mrs. Lilien's Cocktail Swatchbook. It's full of the tastiest recipes that make even this cheap date want to throw back one or two.

Not only is the swatchbook format pretty genius, but the design of the book is full of color, pattern, and very visual directions for her one-of-a-kind cocktail concoctions. And, you'll find little tips threaded throughout for a seriously fun, must-have addition to your bar cart. You can pre-order the book right here, and stay tuned for her book tour this summer! — Joy

{photos by Oh Joy}

bites to go... 17 May 2012

{1. food cozy from Branch, 2. to go containers from Crate & Barrel, 3. striped steel flask from Ikea, 4. Black + Blum's lunch pot from A+R, 5. lead the pack lunch bag from ModCloth, 6. heart utensils from Poketo. — Joanna}

currently snacking on... 14 May 2012

You know I'm a big fan of pie. So what's better than a candy bar that tastes like a pie? Liddabit has these two new pie bars—Lemon Moe-ringue and Janberrry Shortcake. While both are delightful, the lemon meringue has a mix of flavors and textures that just dance on my palate with the mix of tart lemon, layers of pie crust, lemon zest marshmallow—all coated in white chocolate...yum! — Joy

{photo by Oh Joy. Bars from Liddabit*}

{oh joy eats lunch with} james ransom... 10 May 2012

Who James Ransom—still life, food, and interiors photographer and contributor to Food52

Where Inwood/Washington Heights, New York City

Time 1:45 pm

What's a typical lunch for you? I usually go for something light and easy, like a ham and cheese sandwich or a yogurt with fruit. If I'm lucky to be on a shoot that's catered, I always end up eating way too much of whatever they bring, but I'm trying to be more careful about that this year! Today I'm working from home, and I happen to have the ingredients and the time to cook {which is rare} so I made my favorite dish—linguini with alfredo sauce and steamed asparagus.

What's your dream/ideal lunch? A nice cut of Argentine steak cooked over a wood fire at a grill in Buenos Aires, a side of Ensalada Rusa {potato salad with carrots, peas, and hard boiled egg in mayonnaise}, and homemade flan.

Dessert with lunch? Most definitely. I could really go for a perfect piece of coconut cream pie, but I'll probably have to settle for a cup of mint tea with sugar.

Thanks James!
— Joanna

{photo of lunch by James, photo of James by Allison Sullivan}

table toppers... 9 May 2012

I kind of have an addiction to table linens. It's as if I think I'm going to have twenty people over at once for a dinner party one day and everyone needs their very own set. Needless to say, I'm always lusting after fun and graphic napkins like these ones by Anna Joyce. I love that they can be mixed-and-matched and look just right when they aren't match perfectly! — Joy

{photos by Lisa Warninger, styling by Chelsea Fuss}