Sunday, August 23, 2015

OC Fair with Seester - An Annual Tradition and Fried Food Bonanza

Oh, geez, I meant to post this two weeks ago! Sorry! But the LA County Fair comes to town next month, so I hope you can make your way up there for some of these same amazing treats!

Oh, man, I love the fair! My sister and I go to the Orange County Fair every year to ride the Tilt-a-Whirl, play the ping pong ball and quarters tossing games (by the way are the darts gone?! Someone poke an eye out?! We now throw hacky sacks at the balloons...hmph), and eat our weight in novelty fried food items. Hoorah!!!







Australian Battered Potatoes with Cheese and Ranch - our must-have 1st stop every year!





Hello Chicken Charlie! :)  There are usually three different booths with different fried items.  Goal: find them ALL! I'm seriously so obsessed with trying whatever new food item they have fried each year!






Deep Fried Birthday Cake! Win!





Kool-ickle...A cherry Kool-Aid popsicle with a pickle inside.  I passed on this one, haha.  Also: Chicken Tenders with crushed Frosted Flakes cereal as the coating. I bet that one was actually good!
Not unlike the strange but probably good Krispy Kreme burger.




You guys.  Cheesy Bacon Bombs.  These are a must try!!  Basically a cheese stuffed biscuit with garlic and bacon.  Yup.  Ain't nothing wrong with that!






Oreo Churro! I really wanted to get this.  Too.Full.  Such a let down, haha. I bet it's good!



Then...of course we have to see the...baby goats!! Eeeeee!!!!






Another successful year with Seester at the OC Fair!! Such a fun tradition!




Thursday, August 6, 2015

Burrata & Honey Grilled Peaches over Whole Wheat Gnocchi

Oh, burrata. Nothing says summahtime like burrata cheese and grilled fruit!
And you guys, I finally found whole wheat gnocchi! I've been obses sed ever since I saw this post by Seasonally Jane. She found hers at Whole Foods, I actually didn't see it at mine, but found some in the regular dried pasta section of Ralph's. Makes something indulgent feel healthy.


So, get your packaged gnocchi in some boiling water, and let's get to the peaches.
Now, if you have an outdoor grill, by all means, please brush the peach halves with butter, and grill, flesh side down, for a few minutes until tender.
If you are using an indoor grill pan...well, do the same thing!
Alternatively, you can slice the peaches, and saute them over medium-high heat on the stove in a pan with a bit of butter. All options will yield the same yummy results. When the peaches are warm and softened just a bit, drizzle with honey.



Drain the gnocchi, toss in a bit of olive oil or butter, and plate.
Top with the sliced peaches.
I had some olive tapenade that I tossed with the pasta, but you can slice some green and kalamata olives, or omit. It adds a good flavor.



Ready for the cheese?? OK, so burrata is cream-filled, fresh mozzarella cheese. I know, cream-filled sounds like a Twinkie or something, haha, but it is true.
You want to drain the burrata ball from its packaging, and gently pat dry.
Don't cut it apart until it is plated, as it will fall apart. The inside isn't liquid, it is almost like a soft ricotta cheese. Creamy, pairs great with honey and peaches, and creates a light sauce for the pasta.





Garnish with freshly torn mint leaves, salt and pepper to taste, and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Light, indulgent, summery dinner.
Yum!