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Double Chocolate Cookies Spiced with Rocoto by Jesse Bluma



Double Chocolate Cookies Spiced with Rocoto





These cookies are baked with deep, intense chocolate, walnuts, and are warmly spiced with rocoto chili powder.  Enjoy these Peruvian inspired cookies with a tall glass of milk, a Manhattan cocktail, or lighter eggnog for a holiday party.  Order several dozen cookies to make a sophisticated tablescape for your next event. 






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Flank Steaks and Creamed Kale with Sunchokes Two Ways



Flank Steaks and Creamed Kale
with Sunchokes Two Ways





Flank steak has an excellent flavor and texture to serve as the main component of a meal, turned into fajitas, or sandwiches.  Sunchokes are also a favorite of mine, providing earthy and crisp flavor to salads when fresh or great depth of flavor when roasted.  





Ingredients


Steaks
Flank steaks
Salt
Pepper
Olive oil

Creamed Kale
Water
Salt
Pepper
Heavy cream
Butter
Parmesan cheese

Salad
Roasted sunchokes
Sunchoke matchsticks
Sunflower seeds, toasted





This delicious meal recipe comes from Blue Apron.
"Blue Apron is a fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service that helps chefs of all levels cook incredible meals at home."




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Credit:  bluearpon.com

Thai Chicken Meatballs with Red Coconut Curry, Bok Choy, and Rice Noodles



Thai Chicken Meatballs
with Red Coconut Curry, Bok Choy, and Rice Noodles




This recipe can be prepared to your spice level preference.  A little or a lot of red curry paste adds heat and interest to the flavor profile of this dish.  I recommend using a cookie scoop to make each meatball uniform in size.  Wide rice noodles may be substituted with shirataki noodles, shredded cabbage, or whole grain wide noodles.





Ingredients


Meatballs
Ground chicken
Breadcrumbs
Olive oil, scallions, lemon grass, cilantro stems, garlic, and fresh ginger cooked.

Coconut Curry
Curry paste
Coconut milk
Bok choy
Lime, juiced

Wide Rice Noodles
Water
Cilantro and scallions to garnish




This recipe comes from Blue Apron.
"Blue Apron is a fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service that helps chefs of all levels cook incredible meals at home."




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Credit:  bluearpon.com

Crispy Salmon and Barley-Fennel "Risotto" with Fresh Herb and Walnut Salad



Crispy Salmon & Barley-Fennel "Risotto"
with Fresh Herb and Walnut Salad





This recipe is aromatic and composed with bright flavors and crunchy textures.  Barley risotto is an excellent dish to learn to make, as it can be made in a variety of ways for many cuisines.  




Ingredients


Salad
Fennel fronds
Fennel pollen
Walnuts, toasted
Tarragon
Lemon, juiced
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Risotto
Pearled barley
Fennel stems and bulb cooked with red onion
Water

Salmon
Salmon fillets
Salt and pepper





This recipe comes from Blue Apron.  "Blue Apron delivers original, step-by-step recipes and fresh ingredients to customers nationwide."  I discovered the company through as friend and thought I would give it a week long trial.  The deliveries are enjoyable, although not something everyone may be able to keep up with on a daily or weekly basis.  There is the option to choose the frequency of deliveries, making the service more manageable to fit your own lifestyle.





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Credit:  bluearpon.com

What to do in Community Unrest



What to do in Community Unrest


Great leadership is proactive, not destructive.   Violence, theft, looting, is not appropriate in response to the outcomes of trials, elections, or sporting events within free and open societies.  The rule of law is essential to keeping our communities strong and healthy.  We may have social disagreements, yet we must uphold the rights, freedoms, and safety of all.

 "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." (Evelyn Beatrice Hall)

For example, the criminal activity following the decision of a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri to not indict a police officer after the fatal shooting of an 18 year old male does not help the case of those that disagree with the outcome, nor honor the lives of the officer and the 18 year old.   All involved must now face the consequences of injuries, lost property, lost businesses, and diminished property values, while the direct families involved must grieve.

We take away a few lessons from this case.  1.  Immediately report and call for police security if you live in a town or work in a city where tensions are instigated to the point of violence.  2.  Before joining in such criminal activity think about your purpose, what are you protesting?  Why are you thinking about committing criminal acts?  3.  Are you being manipulated or used in a political and/or social manner by community organizers that do not value your life?  Rather, they seek to instigate unrest for their own political goals and gains.  4.  Most importantly, seek personal health and wellness in your own mind, body, and soul.  Create the best family for yourself and be a model citizen for your children and others.

Prior to unrest it is essential to ask local, state, and federal candidates, incumbents, and officials questions related to community unrest.  

According to the Divided Community Project, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, it is essential to ensure your representatives and civil servants know...

1.  to take initiative and plan
2.  to take assessment of community relations
3.  to assemble a proactive group of leaders and stakeholders
4.  develop an early warning system
5.  to problem solve small issues that can grow into larger issues
6.  to encourage civic engagement
7. to develop specific plans
8.  how to implement protocols 






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Credits: HLN, hhttps://moritzlaw.osu.edu/program-on-dispute-resolution/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2015/12/Planning-in-Advance-December-2015.pdf

Mo-chica Restaurant Review



Mo-chica Restaurant Review





It is always excellent to stumble upon a new restaurant, especially when the menu offers items that are thoughtfully constructed with good flavor and creativity.  I came across Mo-chica with a friend while looking for a place to eat before an event.  The name, Mo-chica, refers to the pre-Incan time of Peru, which roots the menu in a rich culture.   

Solterito: salad (photo above)

“Mo-chica is a vibrant, urban restaurant serving Chef Ricardo Zarate’s modern interpretations on traditional Peruvian comfort food.  Zarate’s cooking philosophy blends his upbringing with experience from his professional résumé. As one of 13 siblings, he first found his calling at the stove in his family’s kitchen in Lima, Peru, next to his mother and grandmother, from whom he learned many of his cooking techniques. He went on to attend his hometown’s top culinary school, Instituto de las Américas, after which he headed to London to practice his craft. Zarate worked in the city for 12 years with various positions at top restaurants and hotels, including One Aldwych, Gordon Ramsey Pengelly’s, and noted Japanese restaurant Zuma. It was at the latter that Zarate perfected his style of integrating French and Japanese techniques and products with the flavors from his native country.”  


Grilled artichoke

Alfajores: cookies


My Recommendations

1.  The restaurant is located at 514 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, California.  Public parking is located within a few minute walk of the restaurant at Pershing Square Garage (530 S Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013).  Valet is also available.  On busy nights consider taking a taxi or car service.  

2.  Peak times occur during weekdays and nights, especially weekend nights.  You may wish to visit for lunch as soon as they open on a weekend.  Make sure to make reservations.

3.  The menu consists of moderately expensive small plates.  The small plates make it possible to taste various items and share with others.  Four plates could be shared between two people.  

4.  I enjoyed the following dishes.  

GRILLED ARTICHOKE:  Braised artichoke, huacatay (herb) butter, rocoto (red pepper) aioli

CEVICHE CARRETILLERO: Seabass, rocoto, red onion, leche de tigre, choclo, cancha.  Terms to know:  Rocoto is a species of red pepper found in Central America and South America.  Leche de tigre is a lime juice sauce.  Choclo is Peruvian corn.  Cancha is an Andean version of corn nuts.    

ARROZ CON POLLO: Chicken, cilantro rice, salsa criolla (an onion relish)

QUINOTTO: Quinoa risotto, wild mushrooms, parmesan, parsley infused oil

5.  Afterwards you may wish to visit some of the other establishments, stores, sites, and activities in the area.  

Note: a 20% gratuity is added to parties of six or more.

11/24/2014


Update: Mo-Chica closed on 12/20/2014.
Visit ricardomzarate.com for more information on Chef Zarate.





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Credits:  facebook.com/MoChicaLA, mo-chica.com, chefzarate.com, twitter.com/MoChicaLA

The Spotlight Campaign: Taste



The Spotlight Campaign: Taste





ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

Our ideas, our creations, our spirit, and our great actions have always been key.  I know what it’s like to create something, the hard work it takes to accomplish goals, and to stand with others.  I know with my readers we share an elevated approach to food, information, and inspiration.  Liberating food and taste is the mission.  It is a holistic approach to living well and freeing our taste in food and much more.  Pointe Viven reflects my spirit and its clients.  It is a dynamic community of liberating food and taste.

 Over the years it has been terrific to meet, spotlight, and feature creators, doers, and inspirational figures.  I know no matter where I am, where I visit, and with whom I meet I will learn something and be re-energized by their endeavors.  Each month join me in spotlighting the famous, the not so famous, the local celebrities, and those you believe have earned a thank you, a congratulations, and the recognition.




Each month a new theme will be chosen, so be thinking of those people you know exhibit the traits.  Often the trait is something not so measurable, rather it is shown through the mundane, certain instances, and moments that surprise you.  This is your opportunity to join me and take part in the campaign.

In October we celebrated honor.  Those that exhibit fine character, intuition for the truth, and great reputations.  Individuals making great strides in liberating their lives and the lives of others through powerful and kind acts.

November: This month we are spotlighting great taste.  We are looking for those that demonstrate mindful choices and actions from business to community, relationships to cooking, self-treatment to art, fashion to humor.  We look to spotlight those void of snobbery, rather look to those doing excellent things, making their life and the life of others more enjoyable, more beautiful, and of higher quality.  

Taste is something that can be cultivated through good habits and learned through observation, asking questions, practicing, effort, and exploration.  A sense of taste in good wine, friends, clothing, presentations, and more requires “discerning and appreciating what is excellent”.  It is an active approach to living life.  Some relativists may argue taste varies person-to-person.  Taste instead is normative, it’s whatever is pleasurable, makes someone feel good, or what they think looks good or is right for them.  Taste though is more than preference.  Debating taste often is a disguise and deflection from poor judgement or insecure feelings.  Especially when talking about taste in the realms of politics, society, music, relationships, or clothing.  Taste, as with goodness, rightness, equality, as matters of living, do not rely on popular opinion.  Nor whose voice is louder.  Taste is rather a means of healthy well-being.  




Ownership is key to good taste.  If you mess up a recipe for double chocolate cake and ignore the sour expressions of those eating it, then good taste requires acknowledging you messed up.  Before producing a movie, it is best to think through the message, the theme, and the quality of the work before creating a cinematic injustice.  Acceptance of the truth is another key to good taste, rather than disguising your flaws and errors behind the philosophy of relativism.  Learning, observing, and avoiding bad decisions to begin with is essential to living life with good taste.

As we look for individuals that are hallmarks of good taste we look to those that role model good reasoning and positive features.  Rather than stereotypes by social class or status.  Individuals with good taste are mindful in their living, asking good questions all the time:  “Why am I buying this item?”, “Why am I creating this presentation?”, “Why am I dating this person?”  This inquisitive nature and sensibility is rooted in quality.  No cheap thrills, nothing simply for a quick, fleeting moment of gratification. 

We eat the foods we think we deserve.  This same concept is true in our relationships, finances, and friendships.  Eating poorly made foods, fast foods, foods with little nutrients, foods that don’t have great flavor is not liberating, is not an expression of freedom, it is not living.  The metaphor carries over into other life choices we make as well, drugs, certain relationships, overspending, etc.  Each of these has several opportunity costs.  That brings us to the big question.  Why do we do it?  Why do we do the things that we know don’t elevate our lives and the lives of others.  When we think we are not worthy, when we don’t respect ourselves, when we are fearful it opens doors to bad eating, bad relationships, bad spending, and much more.  

Avoiding traps, avoiding the metaphorical alligators, snakes, and bears in life is key.  Bad taste or bad decisions can be avoided.  Don’t paint your whole bedroom bright red or neon orange.  Especially if you want to sleep.  Don’t fool yourself into thinking you have created avant-garde art, when you actually created something of poor craftsmanship, offensive to someone’s sacred beliefs, or use profanity as a means to get attention.  Don’t fool yourself into thinking shorts and a t-shirt is appropriate attire for any occasion.  As patrons of the arts, music, food, and more we must beware falling into “The Emperor’s New Clothes” syndrome, jumping on the bandwagon, and letting others such as celebrities fill our minds with what to do or think.  Bias and dishonesty are not hallmarks of good taste.  

This month is for those individuals that masterfully personify taste and those that encourage us to do well and be well through great taste as well.  Tell us the person you wish to spotlight for good taste and why.





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Credits: etymonline.com, Pexels.com

Chocolate Chip and Ginger Oatmeal Cookies by Jesse Bluma



Chocolate Chip and Ginger Oatmeal Cookies





These cookies are a sweet indulgence with the warm flavors of ginger and cinnamon.  A flavorful combination of chocolate chips, organic crystallized ginger, and spices.   Order several dozen of these elegant treats to make a sophisticated tablescape for your next party or event. 






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Chewy Chocolate Chip, Pistachio, and Apricot Cookies by Jesse Bluma



Chewy Chocolate Chip, Pistachio, and Apricot Cookies




Meet the gourmet soft cookie made with quality ingredients -- chocolate chips, pistachios, dried apricot, and oatmeal.  Sometimes you have to relax and have a cookie by yourself.  Or better yet, share some with family and friends.  These are the cookies for that occasion.






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Chocolate Chip, Toasted Pecan, Pistachio, and Chopped Date Cookies by Jesse Bluma



Chocolate Chip, Toasted Pecan, Pistachio, and Chopped Date Cookies





These cookies harness the wonderful flavors and textures of chocolate, toasted pecans,  pistachios, and chewy chopped dates.  A treat that surely honors the heritage of its roots with quality ingredients.  Sandwich two cookies with a scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream for a fantastic dessert.






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Chewy Chocolate Chip and Date Cookies: Uros by Jesse Bluma



Chewy Chocolate Chip and Date Cookies: Uros





A soft cookie made with quality ingredients, including chocolate chips, chopped dates, and oatmeal.  Gift these chewy cookies to yourself or your best friend.  

A rich culture exists between Peru and Bolivia dating back before the Inca.  The islands, rivers, and climate provide a bounty of foods, including dates, oranges, cherries, plantains, and cacao.  These cookies celebrate the culture and traditions of the Uro.






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Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies by Jesse Bluma



Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies





These cookies embrace the spirit of coastal living from Laguna to Lima, Madrid to Santiago, San José to Bogotá.  Made with high quality chocolate and slightly salty pistachios, these cookies attract all kinds of attention with their sweet, buttery flavor.  Order several dozen of these elegant treats to make a sophisticated tablescape for your next party or event. 






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Crackers with Pea and Cotija Spread Topped with Andouille by Jesse Bluma



Triscuit with Pea and Cotija Spread Topped with Andouille





This recipe will satisfy your appetite for a salty, sweet, and savory snack.  Makes enough for two boxes of crackers.

Ingredients for walnut layer

2 cups light brown sugar
4 cups chopped walnuts
10 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large pan on low heat toast the walnuts.
Place the sugar and butter in the pan, then stir until the butter is melted.
Add in the vanilla.





Ingredients for the pea layer

2 cups frozen peas, and an additional pea to garnish each cracker
8 ounces cotija cheese
zest of two organic lemons (washed)
6 Tablespoons lemon juice
6 Tablespoons dill
8 Tablespoons olive oil

Defrost the peas.  
Blend the ingredients for the spread in a food processor or mixer.  

2 boxes Triscuits (whole wheat wafer crackers)

For the andouille

2 organic andouille sausages, diced, and prepared in a skillet on medium heat.

Assemble

Apply a thin layer of walnuts on each cracker.
Top with a layer of the pea spread.
Then garnish with andouille.








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Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition



Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition





Recently I attended the Los Angeles Fashion Week Design Competition.  "LAFWDC annual design competition is a platform for creative minds. It was created to give exposure, visibility, support and a voice to emerging talent from around the world."  The fashion show was held at Penthouse 1050 in downtown L.A., with official sponsors Runway Rhythm, TFB Magazine, NickiiJean Magazine, and MW Productions.  Penthouse 1050 is a 5,000 square foot studio in the center of downtown.

Attendees responded well to Julieta Kleven's designs (photo above).  As with any fashion show some looks were wearable and others were for pure show, art, and creativity.  Designers included Michelle Uberreste from Project Runway: Under the Gun, Delaya Briscoe, Tooie Zimmerman, Joshua Ugarte, and Madeline K. Smith.



Winning design by Veejay Floresca.  

Cupcake bar


Video of the show.





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Credits
http://www.lafwdc.com/
http://instagram.com/lafwdc
http://www.eventbrite.com/

The Spotlight Campaign: Honor by Jesse Bluma



The Spotlight Campaign: Honor




ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

Our ideas, our creations, our spirit, and our great actions have always been key.  I know what it’s like to create something, the hard work it takes to accomplish goals, and to stand with others.  I know with my readers we share an elevated approach to food, information, and inspiration.  Liberating food and taste is the mission.  It is a holistic approach to living well and freeing our taste in food and much more.  Pointe Viven reflects my spirit and its clients.  It is a dynamic community of liberating food and taste.

 Over the years it has been terrific to meet, spotlight, and feature creators, doers, and inspirational figures.  I know no matter where I am, where I visit, and with whom I meet I will learn something and be re-energized by their endeavors.  Each month join me in spotlighting the famous, the not so famous, the local celebrities, and those you believe have earned a thank you, a congratulations, and the recognition.




Each month a new theme will be chosen, so be thinking of those people you know exhibit the traits.  Often the trait is something not so measurable, rather it is shown through the mundane, certain instances, and moments that surprise you.  This is your opportunity to join me and take part in the campaign.

In September we celebrated great creativity.  Those that exhibit a good sense of vision, those that inspire others, and give us something meaningful to consider.  Individuals making great strides in liberating their lives and the lives of others through the creative spirit.



Pegasus at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, representing immortality, inspiration, and power in Greek mythology.


October: This month we are spotlighting honor.  We are looking for those that exhibit just actions, fine character in relationships, and intuition for the truth.  An honorable temperament is vastly powerful, although it can be unseen.  Honor is often the reputation one builds through dignified and kind acts, gestures, and placing others before oneself.  An honorable attitude and approach to life requires thinking how others will feel about your actions or words.  It requires the courage to face your failings, often to apologize, and work to make amends.  

Honor can at times be bold, garner tremendous attention, and predicate further opportunity to make life better for oneself and others socially, politically, in business, families, and friendships.  Additionally, honor conjures up thoughts of gentlemen, chivalry, and proper ladies.  This is where intuition for the truth is the mark of honorable individuals.  Those that are conscious of posterity, conscious of the social capital they are building, conscious of their power and strength to make their own day or another person’s day a bit brighter.  These qualities are admired and attract others with a similar approach to life.  

The opposite is true as well.  Dishonorable behavior, lack of respect for oneself or others, and disregard for others ultimately pushes the honorable away while attracting the unjust, the unkind, and shallow.  As we look for the honorable we look for great strides in small instances and epic tales, while understanding the honorable are not always perfect.  They are not pushovers or passive.  The honorable are rather assertive, rich in gifts, and adventurous souls. 






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Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net, https://www.pexels.com/photo/architecture-buildings-gallery-gothic-37079/ 

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taste in cookery, culture, and
community, provides gourmet goods
made with organic ingredients, inspired
by the culinary worlds of California,
Central, and South America, and
engages in a community of customers
and readers with lifestyle content,
reviews, and expertise. © Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven

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Jesse Bluma at Point Viven liberates taste in cookery, culture, and community, provides gourmet goods made with organic ingredients, inspired by the culinary worlds of California, Central, and South America, and engages in a community of customers and readers with lifestyle content, reviews, and expertise. Use and redistribution of original content allowed only with explicit permission of site owner and author.