Garden Fresh Greek Tomatoes

Fresh local produce, especially in the summer time, is something to be savored. Growing up in California, I was unknowingly spoiled by the abundance of local offerings and year-round farmers markets–things my out-of-state friends like to remind me are not universally common. Though my affection for fresh produce of the tomato-kind has been a more recent development, I thought I'd take this chance to celebrate the savory, red fruit as we end it's glorious season. Garden Fresh Greek Tomatoes are another family favorite, and the perfect side dish, salad, appetizer, and meal in-and-of-itself.

...and they all lived hoppy ever after.

The 13th Annual IPA Festival at the Bistro in Hayward, Ca

LA Street Food Fest

By Laurel


LA Street Food Festival 2010, July 24, 2010 from Tyler James Kemp on Vimeo.

LA's inaugural Street Food Fest back in February saw hoards of people choking the byways of downtown LA in search of the very best that our beloved food trucks had to offer. Though some complained about the lines, others still couldn't even get into the festival - owing to poor planning, no doubt. Those who stormed the gates early and divided & conquered saw their reward in the form of grilled cheese fusions, sliders, tacos of all sorts, free beer, pizza, fried chicken and any number of gastronomical hybrids conjured up by the wizards behind the counters of the mobile eateries. 


Rather than wait another year to correct the overcrowding problem, the events' organizers moved the cavalcade to Pasadena's spacious Rose Bowl and reordered the methods used to prepare the food. No trucks this time; instead, a state fair's worth of tents flanked the pristine lawns inside the stadium, with two beer gardens and a stage aft. The Deadly Syndrome and Warpaint entertained the crowds and soon the lawn became a patchwork of picnic blankets as the summer sun dipped behind the west wall of the stadium. 


EAT. Your Best Friend's own Tyler James Kemp and Mike Posey were there to catch all the sticky fingers and full bellies. And guys, I might suggest that next time you hire out the filming duties because that food was just too good to pass up. 

Halibut Fillet in Parchment with Asparagus

   

One of the best things about having a fisherman for a grandfather is growing up on fresh-from-the-ocean fish at your constant disposal. One of the worst things, is never being able to order fish from a restaurant; it'll inevitably disappoint. Luckily, my grandfather also supplied me with an education on properly preparing seafood of many kinds, including the delicious halibut I had been saving from his most recent trip to Alaska. 

Your Gal Friday: Last Minute, Sure, But It's Tried And True

By Laurel


Well friends, straightaway I should divulge that there's no brilliant picture here, no set up, no well-thought-out photography. What I have is proof (100 proof, if you will) that this is a drink suitable for summer meanderings, and in the meantime, a video to whet your appetite for all things artistic and inspiring. 


(Click through for more)

Herbed Goat Cheese Frittata

I love a good potluck. Nothing bad can be said about tables crammed full of creamy hot dishes, pies, and all of the delightfully comforting home-baked goodness...except maybe that you might leave said potluck on the verge of cardiac arrest, or in my case, with a colossal allergic reaction to all of the wheat you just ingested about to rear it's ugly head. In an effort to attend one of such potlucks, I decided to experiment with a few recipes that might allow my to bring a dish to contribute that I could actually eat. Given my love for all things breakfast, naturally, I began my experimentation with just that.

Your Gal Friday: Better Late Than Never

By Laurel


From eatyourbestfriends on Vimeo.

Video by Tyler James Kemp


In honor of the long-awaited Summer (which, for some of us, is taking her sweeeet time getting here), here's a video tutorial I made with Tyler on how to make the perfect mint julep. 


Click through for the recipe!