Baked eggs are a lot easier to eat though and pretty simple and quick to make. All you have to do is butter a ramekin generously, crack an egg in it, and add a table spoon of cream or half n' half and pepper and salt. You can add anything else you might like with your egg as well (spinach, bacon, cheese...); sometimes I add a lil more butter or some truffle oil to up the taste factor. Bake the ramekin for 12 min in a preheated oven at 375 degrees (Keep and eye on it because everyone's oven is different.), and TaaaDaaa!
Eat with a spoon and some good toast and you'll be in heaven! I enjoyed mine watching Doris Day movies as it stormed outside :) There's nothing like rain against your window, yummy food from the oven, and a good movie! You can't beat it!
Speaking of rain I am reminded of an amazing meal I had awhile ago. On a random night after work I headed to the downtown Culver City Farmer's Market to forget about my crazy week. I had been left in charge of recruitment at work and recently broken up with my boyfriend of 3 years and I was needing a distraction. It began to pour and I ducked into the first restaurant I could and found myself in Fraiche.
According to their website this bistro under the direction of Benjamin Bailly presents its diners with "Rustic French & Italian cuisine , reminiscent of tasting one’s way through the European countryside, emphasizing market-fresh, seasonal ingredients." Fraiche has always been on my list of places to eat and so I though, 'why not?' I'll just treat myself to some good food on this amazing night. Fraiche has a great atmosphere. I was actually able to sit outside even though it was raining, which is great because Culver City is lit up with twinkle lights and there's nothing like the smell of rain in LA its just very pleasant :)
Lot's of people had recommended Fraiche to me so I was excited to look at their menu and make my picks. I settled on their ST. TROPEZ cocktail which was a mix of gin, lime, lavender oil, and a cucumber ice cube. Soo good! I have to say I am very impressed with their mixologists and the variety of drinks they have.
If I didn't have to drive I would have totally had another.One of the main highlights of the evening was my waiter Gustavo, besides being amazing at answering all my questions and extremely good looking; he was just charming and a great host. I appreciate that he noticed how I was planning what I wanted and that he made some awesome suggestions to help me pick an amazing meal.
I started off the meal with a selection from their charcuterie menu. Lardo is a type of salume that is specifically cut from the fat back of the pork (fatty part of bacon) and then cured with herbs and spices. Usually you don't see it much if you are outside Europe but its is definitely amazing when done well. It would definitely be included in most chef's food porn especially for those who love pork.
Next on the stage was the HEIRLOOM TOMATOES Salad with buratta / arugula / pistou (cold sauce made of garlic, fresh basil, and olive). For those of you who have had burratta before you know How good it is. Burratta is mozzarella's curvy creamy cousin. It has the same wonderful full taste but is then matched with a delicate creaminess that works well with strong flavors and olive oil. I LOVED this salad it was amazing from start to finish, if you were going to eat at Fraiche and wanted something light but satisfying this would be what you should order.
So far act 1 & 2 were awesome so I really didn't think it could get any better but then came THE HOUSE MADE AGNOLOTTI made with spare ribs/wild mushrooms / mascarpone / truffle butter. Agnolotti pasta is basically little pasta pouches, in this case full of slow cooked spare rib meat.
The whole dish was truly inspired! Everything on the plate was part of the symphony and held up it's part of the taste cord. The melody was definitely the consistent quality and texture of the pasta; which was perfectly cooked and don't even get me started one the spare rib, I kid you not when I say that it literally melted in my mouth with each bite.
The mascarpone and truffle butter sauce was a perfect match that basically filled in the harmony of the dish. It made the whole thing warm and fulfilling which is really how pasta should be. Each bite was like a little present and I was sad I had ordered the small size (LOL). The wild mushrooms were a nice lil texture contrast that added a lil rhythm to the consistent cadence of the plate! This dish was definitely one of those MUST HAVE dishes.
By the time I was done with my pasta and drink I was in a perfect food moment. Gustavo came over periodically during the meal to check on me and make sure that everything was going well. When I took my first bite of pasta he came over and said "its awesome isn't it?" (LOL) I was very content with the whole meal and beyond impressed with everything I was privileged to have. I had intended to get dessert but I was so satisfied and figured I'd just save money and pass, though their dessert menu looked amazing.
I asked Gustavo for the check and he brought it to me along with a surprise on the house! Their cookie & treats plate. It was so sweet and it truly made a perfect night unforgettable. The plate included mocha french macaroon cookies, homemade salted caramels, snicker doodles, homemade turkish delight, and these crazy espresso chocolate chip cookies!!!!
If you get the chance definitely go to Fraiche. The food is amazing and you really can't beat the ambiance or staff. You will be spending more than if you went to Olive Garden but it is more than worth it! And I have to say that when it rains I crave that pasta!!!
Anyway moral of the story: In life we should surround ourselves with things that help us to feel the way we want, help us achieve our goals and fulfill us as people. We surround ourselves with good friends, beautiful things that inspire us and make decisions based off of what we want in life... So why shouldn't we do the same with our food. You control what you let affect you so make sure you surround yourself with things that are positive. Know what you like and what you will and won't consume in your life whether its food for anything else... If you follow your heart and choose wisely you just might find a plate of cookies in front of you you ;)
<3<3 NOM NOM
