Café Habana Goes West

Café Habana in NYC 's Nolita neighborhood is one of the most popular Cuban-Mexican restaurants around, with a perpetual thirty minute wait for a table. The corn alone is worth a visit (to make your own, roll an ear in chili powder, cotija cheese, and lime and throw it on the grill), but so far it has only been available to people in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Now, though, the restaurant is making a leap across the country to two new locations in Venice and Malibu - which will instantly double their number of restaurants. Café Habana has a sustainable way of running the current restaurants, especially evident in the Brooklyn Outpost (read more about their enviromentally friendly practices here: http://www.cafehabana.com/planet.htm), so I was not surprised to see them opening a restaurant in Malibu's Lumberyard, a 'green' shopping center that, incidentally, includes many of the same shops found in Nolita and Soho back East. Looks like Habana will fit right in...

Easy Pizza

Trader Joe's makes a great pizza dough, which they sell refrigerated and is an easy weeknight dinner staple. I prefer the whole wheat dough, and roll it very thin like a flatbread. There are many wonderful combinations that can be tried, but one I really loved was a combination of asparagus, burrata, shrimp, and parmesan, all baked for five minutes at 350 degrees. It's best when the asparagus are grilled a bit first, but everything can be piled on raw.

Recipe - Caramel Croissant Bread Pudding

This is an amazing dish that is basically dinner - there is no need to eat a full meal ahead of it, even though it is really a dessert. It's very simple to make and unbelievably good. Adapted very slightly from Nigella Lawson's Nigella Express.

INGREDIENTS 2 stale croissants (can be plain, but also excellent to use almond, chocolate or jam filled) 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons water 1/2 cup cream 1/2 cup skim milk 2 tablespoons dark rum 2 eggs, beaten Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit Tear the croissants into pieces and put in a small gratin dish that holds about 2 cups Put the sugar and water into a saucepan, and swirl around to help dissolve the sugar before putting the saucepan on the stove over a medium to high heat. Caramelize the sugar and water mixture by letting it bubble away, without stirring, until it all turns a deep amber color, about 5 minutes. Keep looking but don’t be too timid. Turn heat down to low and add the cream – ignoring all spluttering – and, whisking away, the milk and rum. Any solid toffee that forms in the pan will dissolve easily if you keep whisking over low heat. Take off the heat and, still whisking, add the beaten eggs. Pour the caramel custard over the croissants and leave to steep for 10 minutes. Bake for 20 minutes, allow to cool slightly and serve hot. Serves 1 as a meal, 2 after a light dinner, or 3-4 after a larger meal.

Posh Hits The Gym

Victoria Beckham, who for years famously refused to wear flats or break a sweat, has been hitting the gym since moving to LA and becoming a spokesmodel for Emporio Armani lingerie, alongside her husband, David. It makes sense that the image conscious mother of three would be exercising regularly, but it's surprising that she might allow herself to be photographed post work out, as she was recently in LA - until you see how great she looks. Victoria looks healthy and her skin is clear and radiant. Her fellow gym goers also speak well of her:

"Posh is always low-key when she comes here. She wears normal gym gear and is always happy to hang out and have a juice and a chat afterwards. She’s remarkably normal and doesn’t seem to care if people see her sweaty with no make-up on. She’s confident in her looks and actually looks way better without all the war paint slapped on."

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1179907/Victoria-Beckham-uncovered-Posh-reveals-REALLY-looks-like-sweaty-workout.html?ITO=1490%22

Heidi & Seal Make Their Fourth A Redneck Wedding

Heidi Klum, pregnant with her fourth child, and her husband Seal renew their wedding vows every year. Normally they celebrate in Mexico, but this year, due to the risk of swine flu, the family chose to stay in LA and have a redneck themed ceremony in Malibu. Heidi had her hair done in cornrows (looks more Bo Derek than white trash...), Seal wore a mullet wig, and an Elvis impersonator officiated.

The cigarette is, reportedly, merely a prop...

Source: http://chattahbox.com/entertainment/2009/05/10/heidi-klum-and-seal-in-love-renew-vows-on-beach/

The First Lady Attends The Time 100 Party In NYC

There are many events in NYC this week, with the Met's Costume Institute Gala having been the most anticipated, but it could not claim to have the most A-list guests - that honor went to The Time 100 Party, which was graced by the presence of not only the First Lady (who, despite being most discussed for her sartorial choices recently, or perhaps because of that, skipped the fashion event) but Oprah Winfrey as well. The annual issue and corresponding event celebrate the world's most influential people, according to the magazine. Mrs. Obama was featured on the list with a lovely article written by Oprah:

Michelle Obama doesn't just inspire us. She affirms us with her intelligence, authenticity, depth and compassion. We see the best of ourselves in her and marvel that no matter what she's doing, she brings 100% of herself to the experience.

I first met Michelle almost five years ago, shortly after Senator Barack Obama's riveting 2004 DNC speech. Long before there was serious talk of a campaign for the presidency, I remember going to the Obamas' house for dinner. I figured there would be takeout since I knew that, like me, Michelle had worked all day. But no, there she was in the kitchen, calm and organized, preparing linguine with shrimp and vegetables.

The woman I witnessed five years ago, with her graciousness, care and attention to detail, is the same woman I visited in the White House in February. Her very presence makes you feel welcome. Her political power is secondary to her heart power, and I salute her for that. I trust her. I know that whatever she gives her attention to, the truth will always be present. She doesn't make false moves.

The joy Michelle, 45, brings to her roles as First Mother and First Lady is what makes her so intoxicating. We want that joy in the roles we inhabit as mothers, wives, workers, daughters and friends. And while we admire those arms and applaud her fashion choices (from J. Crew to top designers), her greatest influence is that she makes us want to be our own best selves — and maybe lift a few weights too.

Watching her on the global stage greeting the Queen and chatting with dignitaries and representing us the way we imagine presenting ourselves on our best day, I was reminded of lines from Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Woman": "It's the fire in my eyes,/ And the flash of my teeth,/ The swing in my waist,/ And the joy in my feet./ I'm a woman/ Phenomenally."

How sweet it is that America has a First Lady who embodies the vibrancy and confidence of a seriously prepared 21st century woman. A phenomenal woman indeed.

Audrey Tautou Chic At The Rome Coco Avant Chanel Premiere

Despite having the entire Chanel line at her disposal as the new face of Chanel Number 5, as well as the role of Gabrielle, herself, in the upcoming Coco Avant Chanel, Audrey Tautou has been showing off her own unique style on the the film's press tour. She looked fresh for spring in a neat white, navy and black cocktail dress at a recent photo call in Rome. With nothing but a pair of black peep toes to accessorize, Audrey shines with her pixie cut and French je ne sais quoi...

Other looks for the promotional tour include the less successful plaid shirt ensemble at an event alongside director Anne Fontaine, as well as an adorable flowered dress given an edge with a leather jacket.

Recipe - Pear and Chocolate Cake Tart

This is a really beautiful and impressive tart, and it is also very delicious. The dessert is both decadent, with the dark chocolate and dense pastry crust, and light, with the poached pears. The chocolate has the consistency of a cake, hence the name. This recipe is adapted from Clotilde Dusoulier's book Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris.

For the pastry shell:

1 large yolk, saving the white for later
3 tbsp and 1 tsp ice water
2 tbsp sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 stick (8 tbsp) + 1 tbsp of salted butter (softened to room temperature)

For the pears:

2 tbsp sugar
1 cup water
3 tbsp dark rum
2 ripe pears (a sweeter, fragrant variety will add to the tart best - try to find juicy pears)

For the chocolate filling:

3 tbsp all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
5 ounces of quality, bitter chocolate (should be about 70% cocoa)
7 tbsp salted butter, diced
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 egg white

Crust:

-Beat the egg yolk, water and sugar in a small bowl
-Using a food processor, or by hand, combine the flour and butter until they are combined into crumbs
-Add the yolk mixture and further combine, adding more ice water a teaspoon at a time, if needed
-Place dough on a floured surface, push into a ball without rolling
-Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours
-Remove dough, letting sit for 10 minutes if it has been in fridge over an hour
-Grease a 9" tart pan with butter
-Roll out the dough on a floured surface into an 11" circle
-Line the tart pan with the dough, crimping and trimming edges
-Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Remove dough, prick in several places on the bottom with a fork and bake for 10 minutes

Pears:

-Peel the pears and cut them in sixths, being sure to discard the cores
-Combine the other ingredients in a saucepan and let simmer on medium heat
-Add the pears and keep simmering until the pears have softened, about 10 minutes
-Remove the pears and set them aside to cool

Chocolate filling:

-Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside
-In a double broiler, melt the butter and chocolate over medium heat
-Remove from heat and add sugar, stirring constantly, then the eggs, and finally the dry ingredients, stirring until everything is combined
-Pour the chocolate mixture into the baked tart shell, making sure it's level
-Add the pears on top of the chocolate in a circular pattern, with the narrower tips toward the middle
-Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, until the center is just firm
-Let cool before serving, with a dollop of creme fraiche or whipped cream, or on its own

Rihanna Back On The Red Carpet

Rihanna made an appearance at the Costume Institute Gala tonight, her first major appearance since her alleged assault by ex Chris Brown. She wore a very high fashion take on menswear - perhaps to show her own strength and that she doesn't need a man? It's a very bold look and it's good to have her looking so well and back out there.

The Soup's Joel McHale Coming To Network TV

Joel McHale, star of the hilarious, pop culture mocking, The Soup on E! is about to make a move to NBC. Joel is set to star in a pilot alongside Chevy Chase about a couple of guys who have made a mess of their lives and are forced to go back to community college. Could be funny, and hopefully the shooting schedule won't interfere with The Soup's weekly taping! Now Joel says that he'll stay with it, but sitcoms do have some long shoot days... Fellow E! employee Ryan Seacrest does seem able to manage duties on Fox, E! and his radio show, so hopefully that will inspire McHale to keep pulling double duty.

Here is a clip to a favorite moment on The Soup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-GnfEiTe4E&feature=channel

Kate Moss Goes Gold For the Met's Annual Costume Institute Ball

Kate Moss showed up at the Costume Institute Gala at NYC's Metropolitan Museum this year on the arm of designer Marc Jacobs, swathed in gold lamé. She looks a touch like she got ready at Grey Gardens, though even Little Edie might have been jealous of her ability to pull off a turban. She gave us a bit of a preview of her glowing theme in a promotional picture with her fellow judges, Jacobs and Justin Timberlake, but it isn't surprising that style setter Kate wanted to take gold to another level...

Chelsea Handler One of People's 100 Hundred Most Beautiful

One of the funniest women on TV, Chelsea Handler of Chelsea Lately, was included in People Magazine's annual 100 Most Beautiful People issue and not only looks great, but also wrote a short essay for the magazine. She is hilariously self-deprecating, as always, but obviously those work outs are paying off - she also recently posed nude for Allure..

Click photos to enlarge and read article.

Guide To The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Bravo's Real Housewives series keeps getting more and more over the top as they add city after city, but New Jersey looks to be the most dramatic of all so far. Many of the husbands work in "construction" and there are also proven mob ties to a couple of the featured families which have been coming out. The promo constantly running on Bravo has one of the wives declaring that her family are "thick as thieves", and in the preview special one of the husbands uses the word 'fuhgettaboutit" - further reinforcing the Sopranos feel of the coming season. The new wives include:

Teresa:

Married to Joe, who owns a construction business and is an "ass man" whom she finds "delicious and juicy." She is considering getting some "bubbies" to fill out her flat chest and enjoys dressing her three daughters alike.

Dina:

A single mother who married well the second time and has an event planning business, she is the younger sister of fellow wife Caroline. Her daughter, Lexi, is glad that she doesn't have a "fat and old" mom and asks if her nanny can refer to her as "Your Majesty."

Caroline:

She and her sister Dina are married to brothers. Of her three kids, two work for her husband, who owns an event venue in New Jersey (though one hopes to own car washes and strips clubs in the future), and the third is in law school. Her husband loves to "spoil the shit" out of her.

Jacqueline:

A New Jersey transplant from Las Vegas, she is married to Caroline and Dina's brother, Chris. Jacqueline and Chris are now expecting their second child together after a struggle conceiving, and Jacqueline also has a teenage daughter from her previous marriage. She seems to be the sweetest of the wives, although she does refer to New Jersey as the "armpit of the country."

Danielle:

Looks to be the most entertaining wife, single mother Danielle claims that her ex-husband was the twentieth man to propose to her and that she got her black American Express card "before Madonna did", although she is now broke until she gets her expected settlement. If that doesn't come soon, she is determined to find a man to provide for her and her two daughters, looking online and finding such gems as a man who goes by "Gucci Model" and is great at phone sex.

Sources: http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/04/14/new-jersey-housewives-jacqueline-laurita-is-pregnant/
http://www.bravotv.com

Recipe - Vanilla Soufflé with Salted Butter Caramel Sauce

Le Violon d'Ingres in Paris has many delicious dishes, but one of their most standout is their incredible dessert soufflé, a hot vanilla infused cloud that is smothered in salted butter caramel sauce. It is perfection in their seventh arrondisement location, but it can also be made at home now that the restaurant has posted the recipe on their site:

Soufflé chaud à la vanille, sauce caramel au beurre salé
Hot vanilla soufflé and caramel sauce with salted butter

Ingredients for 4 servings:
For the caramel sauce:
100 g (3 ½ oz) cream
80 g (2 ¾ oz) salted butter
125 g (3 3/8 oz) granulated sugar
20 g (3/4 oz) fine sea salt, preferably Guérande

For the soufflé:
25 cl (1 cup) whole milk
20 g (¾ oz) butter
1 vanilla bean
60 g (2 1/8 oz) flour
15 g (1/2 oz) flan powder or cornstarch
4 egg yolks
6 egg whites
60 g (2 1/8 oz) granulated sugar
Pinch salt

For the soufflé molds:
20 g (3/4 oz) softened butter
30 g (1 oz) granulated sugar

Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes

For the caramel sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with 2 tablespoons water, and cook over medium heat until a light caramel forms; (do not stir during this process to avoid re-crystallization of the sugar.) Meanwhile, warm the cream over low heat. Remove the caramel from the heat and gradually stir in the warm cream. Return the saucepan to the heat and bring to a boil, stirring. Add the butter and fine sea salt, stirring.

Prepare the soufflé: Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds with the tip of a paring knife and add seeds and pod to a saucepan with the milk and butter. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, cover and let infuse for 5 minutes. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour with 40 g (1 ½ oz) of the sugar and the flan powder. Remove the vanilla bean from the milk and gradually add the milk to the flour mixture, whisking constantly. When thoroughly combined and smooth, pour the mixture back into the saucepan, and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Pour into a clean mixing bowl and let cool. Incorporate the egg yolks, whisking rapidly.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (355°F).
Butter the bottom and sides of 4 individual soufflé molds, and sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they begin to thicken. When they have doubled in volume, add the remaining sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Using a whisk, stir about a third of the whites into the soufflé batter. Using a spatula, gently fold the remaining whites into the batter. Divide the batter equally among the buttered soufflé molds, place in the oven and cook for 10 minutes. Serve the soufflés immediately, accompanied by the caramel sauce, passed separately in a small pitcher.

Bear Attends Montana Wedding As Guest

Actress/musician Missi Pyle married Naturalist Casey Anderson recently in Montana, which isn't of much interest - just another psuedo-celebrity wedding - EXCEPT that at their wedding the best man was actually the best bear. Anderson, an animal wrangler in the entertainment world, has an 800 pound Grizzly, Brutus, whom he rescued and raised from bear infancy. Unfortunately there are no pictures of this available, but I'm sure they'll show up closer to the premiere of Anderson's new, bear-themed, National Geographic Channel show... This is one way to drum up a little publicity...

Sources:
http://dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/98549/Actress-Pyle-s-best-man-is-a-bear
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missi_Pyle
http://www.new-magazine.co.uk/latestnews/view/9341/Actress-Pyle-s-best-man-is-a-bear/