Not Just For Breakfast Anymore: Waffle Cookies

When I came across this recipe, I thought, "Wow. So simple, yet so creative." These breakfast cookies aren't too sweet and will go great with your morning cup of joe!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Waffle Cookies

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats

3/4 cup chocolate chips

1. Heat waffle iron. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugars until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla.

2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet ingredients.

3. Add oats and chocolate chips.

4. Using a scoop, portion out batter into waffle iron greased with non-stick cooking spray. Cook 2-4 minutes, depending on the heat of the iron. Carefully remove with spatula and tongs and let cool.

Zucchini Banana Bread

When it comes to bananas, I'm pretty picky and really only enjoy eating them when they're a little under ripe. Whenever I have a few that start to develop spots, the first thing that comes to mind is: BANANA BREAD :D Here's a funky twist on a classic:

Zucchini Banana Bread

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup canola oil

3 eggs

3 ripe bananas

1 medium zucchini

3 Tbsp. milk

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

1 cup chopped walnuts

Peel and mash bananas. Grate zucchini and add to bananas. Combine sugars in a bowl and gradually add oil. Add eggs, one at a time. Add banana-zucchini mixture and milk. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet ingredients. Add nuts last. Grease loaf pans or prepare muffin tins. Bake at 325* for one hour (adjust time for muffins) or until toothpick comes out clean.

Trendy Now: Food Trucks

Food is such a fascinating concept because of what can be done with it creatively, visually, and conceptually. Having said that, food can also be trendy. In recent years, Sprinkles sparked the cupcake craze. Shortly after, Pinkberry and its many counterparts helped put frozen yogurt on the popularity scale. Now, the biggest trend in food service are the ever-growing population of food trucks - or less favorably known as the "roach coach."

Never in a million years would I expect to see myself looking forward to dining off of a mobile truck. Just a few years ago, most people knew food trucks as the run-down, slightly unsanitary vehicles that served unhealthy American and Mexican fare to blue-collar workers. But in the recent year, food trucks have cleaned up their acts, taken on international themes, and become the latest buzz on Twitter feeds. You can find practically anything to eat on these trucks - from Indian curry (India Jones) to ice cream sandwiches (Cool Haus) to Korean fusion tacos from Kogi, the ones who started it all.

This past Friday, a friend and I headed down to Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice for their monthly First Fridays event. At least a dozen food trucks occupied the area and you could easily tell which ones were the most popular by the size of their lines. One of the longest lines was The Grilled Cheese Truck, but let me tell you, their food is definitely worth the wait!

By all means, whatever you do, you MUST get the Cheesy Mac & Rib. No questions asked. Yes it is rich and yes I was only able to eat half of it (along with my dessert melt - also a winner!) but it is one of the most delicious grilled sandwiches my lucky little taste buds have ever come in contact with!!

Cheesy Mac & Rib

Macaroni & Cheese, BBQ Pulled Pork, & Caramelized Onions

Dessert Melt

Banana Puree, Nutella, & Melted Marshmallow

Tater Tots

Garlic Aioli & Chipotle Mayo Dipping Sauces


For a complete list of food trucks in the Los Angeles area, please click here.