KETO FRIENDLY LEMON BLUEBERRY CAKE

DESSERT, HOMEMADE, ORANGE COUNTY, SWEETS

Summer has finally arrived! With that, the hot weather definitely got me motivated to make something refreshing (and guilt free) that the whole family can enjoy.

LET’S GET STARTED!

Cake Ingredients:

  • Almond Flour: 2 1/2 Cups
  • Swerve Confectioner Sweetening: 1 1/3 Cup
  • Baking Powder: 1 Tsp
  • Baking Soda: 1/2 Tsp
  • Lemon Zest: From 1 Large Lemon
  • Eggs: 2
  • Milk: 9/16 Cup
  • Olive Oil: 1/4 Cup
  • Lemon Juice: 3 1/2 Tbsp
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 Tbsp
  • Vanilla Extract: 2 Tsp
  • Blueberries: 3 1/2 Cup
  • Lemon: 1 Large

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

  • Butter: 1 Tbsp
  • Cream Cheese: 8 Oz.
  • Salt: 1/3 Tsp

Here’s What To Do:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Mix together the following ingredients in a large bowl –

  • Almond Flour: 2 1/2 Cups
  • Swerve Confectioner Sweetener: 2/3 Cup
  • Baking Powder: 1 Tsp
  • Baking Soda: 1/2 Tsp
  • Lemon Zest: From 1 Large Lemon

Step 3: Once the above ingredients are evenly mixed in together, add in and whisk the following items –

  • Eggs: 2
  • Milk: 9/16 Cup
  • Olive Oil: 1/4 Cup
  • Lemon Juice: 3 1/2 Tbsp
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 Tbsp
  • Vanilla Extract: 2 Tsp

Step 4: Gently fold in the following item into the cake batter –

  • Blueberries: 3 1/2 Cup

Step 5: Spray baking oil onto your 9″ glass baking dish and pour complete batter into the glass baking dish. My preference is to use a glass dish for a consistent bake throughout.

Step 6: Cook time will be 45 minutes (set timer). Place baking dish in the oven.

  • 20 minutes in and after the cake has risen a bit, carefully cover and wrap the baking dish with aluminum foil.
  • Allow cake to cook for another 15 minutes. Then, take off aluminum foil.
  • Continue to allow cake to cook in the oven for another 10 – 15 minutes or until there is no wet cake batter stuck on the toothpick when conducting the toothpick test.

Step 7: Take out cake from oven and allow it to cool.

Step 8: To make the cream cheese frosting, combine the following ingredients to a large bowl and blend with a hand mixer-

  • Butter: 1 Tbsp
  • Cream Cheese: 8 Oz.
  • Swerve Confectioner Sweetener: 2/3 Cup
  • Salt: 1/3 Tsp
  • Lemon Juice: 2 Tbsp
  • Lemon Zest

Step 9: Once cake has cooled, spread cream cheese frosting over cake. Lemon zest can be further sprinkled on top of the cake.

Step 10: If you want to serve the cake cold, place cake in the refridgerator to chill. Otherwise – Cut, serve, and enjoy!

Hope you guys enjoy this summer dessert as much as I do!

MAMA’S KNOWS BEST

ICE CREAM, LOS ALAMITOS

MAMA’S ON 39
11122 Los Alamitos Blvd.
Los Alamitos, CA 90720

“Ooo…this sounds good.  Oh…THAT sounds good.  Wait, no, THIS sounds good.”

Have you ever looked at a menu and just kept “ooo’ing” and “ahhh’ing” your way through it?  I was sitting at Mama’s and had the hardest time choosing just what to get.  Finally, I decided on the Breakfast Pizza Pie because let’s be real – pizza is ALWAYS a good idea.

The Breakfast Pizza was huge!  The crust was hearty, hand-rolled, and had just the right amount of thickness.  Sprinkled on top were bacon, breakfast potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and I topped it off with some scrambled eggs to make my breakfast pizza complete.  The pizza came out hot.  I loved the crunchy/chewiness of the dough mixed with the melted cheese and salty/savoriness of the bacon.

There are multiple reasons why Mama’s is such a gem.

First, their menu really has something for everyone.  I wanted to order about 10 dishes at once, but had to calm myself.

Second, I love the fact that Mama’s serves breakfast ALL DAY.  So, pancakes, chilaquiles, chicken & waffles, omelets – you get that all day!

Third, they have days where they offer GREAT deals on drinks.  For example, Wednesdays, you can order a flight of wines for $7 and they are generous with their pours!

Fourth, they have endless fries.  Get those parmesan fries!

Fifth, they have THRIFTY ICE CREAM!  Do you guys remember Thrifty Ice Cream?  As soon as I took my first bite of the mint chip ice cream, memories of my childhood immediately flooded back to me and you just found me just sitting quietly for a good 10 minutes just enjoying each bite.

Mama’s is refreshingly inviting.  As soon as you walk into the eatery, you have the various flavors of Thrifty ice cream as your eye candy.  The diner has warm lighting, so it feels like the perfect place where you can leisurely catch up with friends or have a laid back dinner.  There are TVs throughout the place, a bar in the middle, and a nice fireplace in the patio which seems to encourage the “Stay…relax…and unwind” vibe.

With Mama’s unique menu, it can probably cater to just about any craving you may have.  I’m going to be back again soon because I have more dishes I’ve got to try!

THE GODFATHER OF SANDWICHES

Huntington Beach, ORANGE COUNTY, Sandwiches

SUBCULTURE EXTRAORDINARY SANDWICHES
7862 Warner AveSte E
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

There are days where you just have to say “SCREW THE DIET!”

Subculture is everything my carb loving soul needs.  The store itself is not very large and there is usually a line.  But, calm your heart, because with a little bit of patience, you’ll soon be able to sink your teeth into these hearty sandwiches.

What is my go-to sandwich at Subculture you ask?  It’s got to be The Godfather shown above.

The Dutch crunch bread is a Subculture highlight.  The top exterior of the bread is buttery and toasty, which gives each bite a satisfying crunch.  The rest of the bread is chewy and holds together all of the wonderful sauces and medley of flavors.  The Godfather comes with a healthy serving of hot salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone cheese, red pesto, cherry peppers, and Italian dressing (Regular: $9.95, Large: $12.95).

Each layer of the sandwich is meticulously placed so as you bite down, you get the sensation of crunchy, gooey, chewy, crispy, saucy and fluffiness all in one mouthful.  The spice in the meats brings heat to the sandwich, while the gooeyness of the cheese cools it all down at the same time, making it a great sandwich eating experience.

These sandwiches are not to be messed with.  They require and deserve your taste buds’ full attention – so order your sandwich, get some napkins, roll up your sleeves, use two hands to eat, and enjoy each bite.

With such a wide selection of sandwiches and customizations you can make, I’ll be sure to be back again!

 

My Favorite Donuts in Orange County

DONUTS, ORANGE COUNTY, SWEETS

 

If I close my eyes, I can still imagine those freshly made warm sugary donuts melting in my mouth.

THE MOOD:
When you pull up to the parking lot for Sidecar, you will usually find a line out the door and rightfully so!  Even though the lines are usually out the door, the staff keeps the line moving efficiently that the wait is not bad at all.  The interior of Sidecar is quaint and cozy.  When you walk in, you are greeted with a wide display of donuts.  You can see donuts being made in the back and there is a menu with a list of items you can choose, which also includes coffee!

 

THE FOOD:
My dilemma every time I come here is “what do I get?!”  There’s so much variety and each donut looks even more delectable than the next.  I usually walk out of there with at least a half dozen donuts – AT LEAST.  Do I eat them all?  Hell yes I do.  My favorite was a Bavarian Cream donut that Sidecar offered during restaurant week.  The chocolate was thinly spread on top and then a dollop of cream in the middle.  The cream was so fluffy and light.  The thin spread of chocolate and donut was pure sugary heaven.  The moment the donut hit my mouth, it felt like they melted.  Honestly, if you can, get one of each and take a bite out of every one.  The flavor, love, and texture of the donuts make the cost of these donuts worth it!

 

 

THE ‘TUDE:
The service from beginning to end was excellent.  We were greeted promptly and everything was done with a smile.

OVERALL:
Live a little and visit Sidecar.  It is definitely a great place to satisfy your sweet tooth!

DID SOMEONE SAY FRIED CHICKEN?

FRIED CHICKEN, LONG BEACH

There’s very few things in life that get me quite as excited as fried chicken.

I got the opportunity to FINALLY visit Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles after years of having it bookmarked as a place to try.

THE MOOD:

There is nothing super fancy about this eatery – just be prepared to come here and eat!  I’ve eaten at both the Long Beach location and the newer location in Anaheim.  Long Beach location, prepare to park in the lot across from Roscoe’s or on the side of the road.  The Anaheim location, there is a lot where a traffic director will point you to a spot.  At either place, you will be greeted warmly by the host.

THE FOOD:

THE CAROL B. SPECIAL:  This comes with one waffle, a fluffy dollop of butter, fried chicken breast, and maple syrup.  So, I’ve thought all this time that the fried chicken was what made Roscoe’s amazing.  No my friends, surprisingly, it’s the waffles that absolutely steal the show!  How do you eat this succulent, tasty hunk of waffle you ask?  Spread that fluffy butter all over the top of the waffle, cut out a slice, dip it into that maple syrup, and you have yourself a mouthful of heaven.  There is so much depth and satisfying flavor to the waffles.  First, the maple syrup isn’t super thick, so you have a nice subtle sweetness that coats the waffles.  Then, the saltiness of the butter really brings out those wonderful flavorful notes that are packed into the waffles.  I could probably eat these waffles every morning for breakfast.  The waffle also is not crispy like toast, which is just perfect for this combo of flavors because you really feel like the flavors melt into your mouth and taste buds.

CORNBREAD AND MAC AND CHEESE:  The cornbread and Mac and cheese are sides that you can order with your dish.  Perhaps I really should have tried these side items first before taking a bite of the waffle.  After the first bite of the waffles, nothing else seemed to matter.

THE OBAMA SPECIAL:  The Obama Special was the dish I ordered at the Anaheim location.  This comes with one waffle and three fried chicken wings.

WHICH LOCATION REIGNS SUPREME?:  You will leave feeling happy and full when eating at either Long Beach or Anaheim, but if I had to choose which location reigned supreme, I’d have to say that it would be the one in Long Beach.  There is just more punch in flavor that goes into the waffles there and I can appreciate the love I feel that is being put into the food.

The Carol B. Special

Cornbread and Mac & Cheese

Cornbread and Mac & Cheese

Waffle details

Obama Special

THE ‘TUDE:

Like I said, you get a warm greeting at either location and the waiters and host makes you feel appreciated.

OVERALL:

I’d definitely come back for those waffles.  Whatever you do, do not leave Roscoe’s without trying their waffles!

Burger Cravings – Satisfied!

BURGERS, GLENDALE

I have been WAITING to sink my teeth into Shake Shack burgers and fries.  I finally got the opportunity to while perusing through The Americana in Glendale today.

THE MOOD

The Americana is very reminiscent of The Grove.  It is very beautiful walking through the place since Christmas lights are up and everything just feels so vibrant and festive.  There are plenty of shops, people watching, and eateries as you walk through the area.  I mean, there is a ginormous Christmas tree in the middle of The Americana that you can’t help but stop and snap a picture!

It was a beautifully lit Christmas tree!

As we walked to the corner of Brand Blvd. and Colorado St., the iconic green Shake Shack logo was summoning me to it!  There was a large menu of items as you walk in on your left and the cashiers keep the line moving, so you can quickly place your order and find your way towards indoor/patio seating.

THE FOOD

Single Stack SmokeShack Burger:  I instantly fell in love with the Shake Shack burger after my first bite of the SmokeShack burger.  I ordered a single-stacked cheeseburger which comes with all-natural smoked Niman Ranch bacon, chopped cherry pepper, and ShackSauce.  The burger buns were fluffy and perfectly encapsulated the juicy burger meat, crispy bacon, cheese, and cherry pepper.  The burger was so simple, but what really made the burger was the the sour/tangy-ness of the chopped cherry peppers with the savoriness of the crispy bacon.  It was literally heaven with every bite.

Strawberry Mint:  The Strawberry Mint drink tasted more just like super sweet strawberry juice.  I didn’t really taste the mint, but it probably would be a refreshing drink in the summer – just be prepared for the sweetness.

Cheese Fries (Crinkle-Cut Fries):   I’m not usually a fan of crinkle-cut fries because I feel like they’re usually cut too think and you end up getting a mushy texture.  But, thickness of the crinkle cut fries still kept the crispiness of the fries intact and the light sprinkle of salt and delicious drizzle of the cheese really made these fries a complement to the SmokeShack burger.

Invictus Concrete:  This was SUPER sweet right off the bat.  Concretes are made up of frozen custard with pieces of waffle cone, caramel drizzle, and chocolate.  Again, be prepared for the sweetness!

SmokeShack Burger

Invictus Concrete – Frozen custard with waffles, caramel drizzle, and chocolate

Strawberry Mint, Root Beer, Invictus Concrete, Cheese Fries, Single Stack SmokeShack

OVERALL

Now that I’ve had Shake Shack burgers, I can’t help but have happy thoughts thinking about them.  Each bite was more savory than the last and satisfied my carb/carnivore cravings.  I enjoyed it so much, I immediately started googling to see where the nearest Shake Shack was near my house.  Why are they all in LA?!  Can we bring a Shake Shack to Orange County please?? 🙂  Anyways, I’ll be sleeping well tonight and will most likely be dreaming of the SmokeShack burger.

I SCREAM YOU SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!

DESSERT, ICE CREAM, LOS ANGELES, SWEETS

Did someone say ice cream??

Matter of fact – did someone say a whole museum dedicated to ice cream?!

I HAD to come visit The Museum of Ice Cream (“MOIC”) in L.A. to explore.  The moment you arrive at the MOIC, you are immersed into a bubbly and bright experience. As you are waiting in line, you are being hyped up by who I will call the hype girls.  They will lead a group of people and explain the do’s and don’ts of good museum etiquette before leading you on your way.

The doors leading to your happy experience!

As you make your way through the museum, there are different themes with each room.  Each one just as Instagram worthy as the last.

DETAILS! Mint chocolate chip mochi ice cream

That is actually cacao shavings where the mint is growing.

As you make your way through, you also get samples of different types of sweets or ice cream.  Here is some mint chocolate chip mochi from My Mo.

My favorite room was the gummy bear room.  Not only do you get to snack on gummy bears, but you are in a disco room with with giant gummy bears.

They’re also very adamant that guests do not mess with the bananas – you will have to take a banana promise before you walk in.

Ice cream by law

Be prepared to find sprinkles on you even after you leave!

The infamous sprinkles pool! Dive in!

And the main star of the show as the sprinkles room.  You will literally be able to dive into a pool of sprinkles.  Prepare for these sprinkles to get EVERYWHERE.  Thankfully, these are made out of plastic, so you won’t be sticky after your sprinkles pool session.

If you are able to make it out to the MOIC, make sure you take your camera and your appetite.  I had so much fun in my 2+ hour experience through the museum.  Each room was vibrant, the staff were all enthusiastic, and the fact that you could eat little snacks throughout the whole experience made it that much better!