Orange Grove Cocktail

By: The Food Hunter

The Orange Grove Cocktail is a delicious tequila creation crafted by Tyler Strasser, mixologist at the Mix-Up Bar, inside the iconic T. Cooks restaurant.  This unique tequila cocktail uses the combination of cinnamon, orange and spice to make you thirsty for another sip.

Orange Grove

1.5 oz. jalapeno infused tequila
.5 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. orange juice
.5 oz. (2:1) demerara
2 dashes angostura
2 dashes Arizona Bitters Lab mi casa bitters

Shake and strain over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with two jalapeno slices and an orange twist

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

By: The Food Hunter

Just because the holidays are over doesn't mean my craving for chocolate and cookies disappeared. If anything the need for rich chocolatey sweets in my life has intensified. And we all know nothing is more satisfying than a treat baked from scratch using only the finest ingredients.

That's where these dark chocolate peppermint cookies come in. They are loaded with dark chocolate chips and infused with Nielsen-Massey pure peppermint extract. You can't go wrong when using extracts from Nielsen-Massey.

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
1 stick unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp Nielsen Massey pure peppermint extract
1 1/4 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together for 1-2 minutes. Add egg and beat until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides as you go to ensure even mixing. Add peppermint extract and beat again.

Sift together all of the dry ingredients and add to the creamed butter mixture. Beat until well blended.

Stir in chocolate chips with a spoon and chill the dough for about 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Form the dough into small balls and place 1.5 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack.

Los Angeles Culinary & Cocktail Tour

By: The Food Hunter

Imagine you are heading to Los Angeles for a quick trip and you want to experience some of what the city has to offer in the way of both food and drink. Would you know where to go? While there are plenty of restaurants and bars worth exploring, below are a few I find noteworthy.

sixth+mill
A newcomer to the LA dining scene (and soon to be in Las Vegas) is sixth+mill.

A causal dining spot, in the arts district, known for their delicious Southern Italian food. sixth+mill offers unique hand craft pizzas, like this mortadella, buratta and pistachio thin crust pie.

Also on the menu are several hand-made pastas that should not be missed. We tried the orecchiette with rapini, anchovy and Italian chili.

Appetizers are plentiful and delicious! Simple items like mushrooms and provolone on toasted bread will blow your mind.

Two personal favorites under the "main plates" category were the wild boar sausage and the fava bean and escarole spread. 

I only wish sixth+mill were closer to home; so I could eat my way through the rest of the menu.

The Know Where Bar 
Following dinner with a classic cocktail at The Know Where Bar on Hollywood Blvd. is a must! Inspired by the clean, classy look of the 1930s, The Know Where pairs sophisticated cocktails with hand-picked classic music on vinyl.

Perch
After exploring the architecture in downtown LA, gems like the Bradbury Building, which is open to the public for viewing,

Union Station, the city's major transportation hub,

and the infamous Biltmore Hotel, which at one time hosted the Academy Awards, 

make reservations for dinner at Perch. Located on the 15th floor of an nondescript office building in DTLA. Perch offers delicious French inspired fare, live music, and unobstructed views of the city at night.

There are a lot of mouthwatering options on the menu, but if you are not opposed I would recommend the rabbit ravioli.

The Rendition Room
Step back to the 30's at this exclusive speak-easy in LA's Studio City neighborhood. Private booths, high-back chairs, classic cocktails and a cozy fireplace make this hard-to-find, dimly-lit back-room worth a visit.

Hillstone
No, trip to Los Angeles would be complete without a visit to the beach and Santa Monica Beach is as good as any to tool around. If your timing is right you can enjoy an early dinner/late lunch burger at Hillstone.

before heading down to catch amazing views of the sun setting over the ocean.

Porto's Bakery & Cafe 
As you are heading out of LA arrange to fly through Burbank airport. Not only is this a smaller, and much easier to navigate airport than LAX, it is also only a hop, skip and a jump to the famous Porto's Bakery & Cafe. Savory a Cuban sandwich before your flight home and take various authentic pastries to go.

This experience was provided complimentary, all opinions are my own.

Amaretti Cookies

By: The Food Hunter

Amaretti are a classic Italian cookie from the Lombardy region of Italy. These almond forward treats are shaped into balls and rolled in sugar before baking: giving them a sweet, slightly crunchy exterior while the inside remains soft. Ameretti cookies are easy to make and utterly delicious.

Amaretti Cookies
Makes 3 dozen

2 1/2 cups Almond Flour
3/4 cups sugar (extra for rolling)
1 Tablespoon Almond Extract
2 egg whites

Preheat the oven to 325 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Beat egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Fold in the rest of the ingredients by hand.

Wet your hands to keep the dough from sticking and roll the dough into small balls. You can re-wet your hands as needed. Roll the balls into the extra sugar. Place on the baking sheet and gently press down the top. Cook for 20-25 mins.

Rich Balsamic Sauce for Steak

By: The Food Hunter

Chances are you'll be cooking a steak in the near future and will want to dress it with something tasty. When the occasion arises give this rich balsamic sauce a try.

Rich Balsamic Sauce for Steak
(adapted from All recipes)

2 (4 ounce) steaks
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
salt to taste
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup dry red wine
roasted peppers, sliced thin

Sprinkle freshly ground pepper over both sides of each steak, and sprinkle with salt to taste.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place steaks in hot pan, and cook for 1 minute on each side, or until browned.

Reduce heat to medium-low, and add balsamic vinegar and red wine. Cover, and cook for 4 minutes on each side, basting with sauce when you turn the meat over.

Serve steaks over roasted peppers drizzled with Rich Balsamic Sauce.