Can chefs create recipes simple enough for home cooks? 23 food pros met our summer challenge
That's not necessarily easy for chefs with regular access to specialty ingredients, a team of prep cooks and dishwashers to do the chopping and cleanup, plus years of training that enable them to handle complex kitchen tasks with ease. But with a little persistence we were able to get some of L.A.'s best chefs plus a few others to answer the call. You can watch the results in our ongoing 'Chef That!' video series — as in chef that grilled cheese sandwich or date night pasta or ice cream sundae.
Collected here are some of the best summertime recipes from our 'Chef That!' series along with tips we learned when the chefs cooked for us in The Times Test Kitchen. Sang Yoon of Helms Bakery and Father's Office, for instance, shows us the best way to peel a jammy egg. Andrew and Michelle Muñoz of Moo's Craft Barbecue show us how to make ribs with outdoor smoker flavor in a home oven. Vespertine and Meteora chef Jordan Kahn gives us advice on brining meat. Dave Beran, chef of Seline and Pasjoli, shows us the best way to caramelize onions. And Anajak Thai's Justin Pichetrungsi shares the secret ingredient that makes his fried food so good.
We also gain insights into how chefs bring restaurant touches to classic recipes. Kismet chefs Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson use pickles to add a pop of acidity to a cheesy dip. For macaroni and cheese pie, Bridgetown Roti's Rashida Holmes changes up the noodles, cheeses and spices. 88 Club's Mei Lin uses not only cilantro leaves but the blossoms and stems in her cold mung bean noodles. And chefs Brian Bornemann of Crudo e Nudo and Brian Dunsmoor make the case that shrimp stock should be a home cook staple.
These recipes — for ceviche, sandwiches, noodles, ribs and luscious desserts — will not only make your summer entertaining easier, they show off the best of restaurant and home cooking.
—Laurie Ochoa
Watch this space for more chef and cookbook author video demos this summer from Andrew and Michelle Muñoz of Moo's Craft Barbecue, Sang Yoon from Father's Office and Helm's Bakery, 88 Club's Mei Lin and more.
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Eater
15 hours ago
- Eater
4 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in Los Angeles: August 1
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Thankfully Lin's restaurant, a partnership with restaurateur Francis Miranda, is easy to access right from Little Santa Monica in Beverly Hills. The service is polite and helpful without being too much. In fact, 'not too much' could be the theme here. All the dishes are balanced and refined to a near razor's edge, meant to delight without pizzazz. Lin herself said the menu was 'no thrills' and 'what you see is what you get,' and I'm perfectly fine with that in an age when we've moved beyond rainbow bagels and Instagram bullshit. Starters are modest and refreshing, like a dressed chrysanthemum salad or mung bean jelly noodles. Singaporean fried noodles don't carry the heady spices of something in a hawker center, but doused with Lin's chile oil they're hard to stop eating. The shrimp toast, gorgeous and hefty in the hand, is a must-order. I pined for more of the tangy sweet and sauce sour beneath the fried sea bream, fresh herbs balancing the fish. Across the board, portions and flavors are modest but reveal layers of pleasant complexity, like the blackened edges of char siu iberico pork. I'll even swoon over the desserts, like the mango sago topped with sweet dollops that resemeble Dippin' Dots ice cream. The pro-tip here is to go with four people to reduce the costs and maximize dishes to order; we paid about $100 before drinks, tax, and tip, but the price could easily balloon to $200 a person with lots of cocktails. I'm excited to return to 88 Club and try the rest of the dishes, like the kung pao scallop, but for now, I'll happily marinate in my first visit knowing that Mei Lin, arguably one of the most talented chefs in Los Angeles right now, is back with a full service restaurant. 9737 S. Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest For a choice selection of wines and grooves played on LA's best sound system: Zizou in Lincoln Heights For a choice selection of wines and grooves played on LA's best sound system: Zizou in Lincoln Heights. Peter Quinn Since Zizou owners Maati Zoutina and Boris Macquin opened their Lincoln Heights wine bar and restaurant in 2024, it's become an LA hotspot. Head there on a random weekday to hear Chaka Khan, Afrobeat, French hip hop, or Bob Marley. It's fairly common for notable DJs to show up and show out on the restaurant's killer sound system, customized by Macquin, who was formerly a sound engineer. Though plenty hang out on lush patio, others might just create their own personal dance floor while enjoying Zizou's sights, sounds, and French or North African family recipes like the chicken tagine or Moroccan salad. Any member of the staff can make a wine recommendation, but if unsure, just ask for a glass of Champagne. Zoutina or Macquin will smile, depart, and return with something effervescent, celebratory, and delicious. Always check Zizou's Instagram to see what kind of programming is on the calendar. 2425 Daly Street, Lincoln Heights, CA, 90031. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Related The 38 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Must-watch TV this week: Rob Brydon's European road trip and Davina McCall's ITV return
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I Am Raquel Welch Saturday, Sky Documentaries Raquel Welch was more than just a pin-up; she redefined what it meant to be a leading lady. This intimate portrait traces her journey from bombshell to feminist icon, highlighting the strength behind her beauty. Through archival footage and poignant interviews, Raquel unveils herself as a single mother of two, a shrewd businesswoman, and a quiet pioneer who held her ground in a male-dominated world. It's a celebration of glamour, grit, and a legacy that helped reshape Hollywood from within. Fergie, Andrew & the Scandal of South York Saturday, 8pm, Channel 5 Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, who tied the knot in 1986, made Sunninghill Park, also known as SouthYork, their marital home. This property witnessed significant moments of their married life, from the birth and upbringing of their daughters to high-profile parties and, eventually, their separation. Once a symbol of Royal family life, the home has since been tainted with controversy. 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Long Lost Family Born Without a Trace: What happened next Wednesday, ITV This emotional catch-up special revisits the heart-wrenching stories of foundlings featured in previous episodes. Hosts Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell explore what happened after the cameras stopped rolling, whether it's sisters reunited after years apart or a nurse grappling with her beginnings as a severely ill baby left in a basket. These deeply human stories about connection, identity and closure are both poignant and profound, celebrating family, fate and second chances. Destination X Wednesday, BBC1 Mystery meets strategy in Destination X - the BBC's latest high-concept reality game show hosted by Rob Brydon. Thirteen contestants travel through Europe on a bus with blacked-out windows, relying solely on clues, instincts and deductive skills to figure out their location. 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But loyalty is put to the test and betrayal cuts deep, as survival comes with a chilling price. Dark, emotional and tightly woven, Marked delves into the lengths a mother will go for love - and what it truly means to lose oneself in the process. Kirstie and Phil's Love It Or List It: Brilliant Builds Friday, C4 The dynamic property pair return with the sixth series of their Brilliant Builds, delving into some of the most remarkable transformations and inherited homes from Love It or List It across five captivating episodes. Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer are back on our screens, revisiting some of the most memorable episodes from their hit show. They'll be checking in on the couples they've helped over the years, seeing if they decided to stay put or move on. Expect ingenious design tips, real-life drama, and plenty of emotional moments. My Oxford Year Friday, Netflix Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest star in this heartwarming drama that gives romance a scholarly twist. 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Eater
3 days ago
- Eater
Highly Opinionated: An Eater Editor's Favorite Barbecue in Los Angeles
When it comes to barbecue, there are as many opinions as there are styles. Los Angeles might not be the hotbed of barbecue like Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, or the Carolinas, but there is still plenty of top-quality smoked meats to be found. Southern California pitmasters have to deal with stringent air quality standards and often difficult permitting processes, but once set up, there's no reason why the barbecue can't be as good as the best in Austin or Dallas. Those places certainly have a deep, decades-long tradition of barbecue with hundreds of practitioners, but I would submit any of my favorite places in Los Angeles as top-tier. Don't just take my word for it, even famed Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn has praised these restaurants. Here are my favorite barbecue places to try around town. Waiting for barbecue at Snow's in Lexington, Texas in 2015. Matthew Kang The counter at Snow's BBQ in Texas in 2015. Matthew Kang The overall favorite: Moo's Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights Meats and more from Moo's Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. Matthew Kang In 2021, Andrew and Michelle Muñoz's longtime pop-up Moo's Craft Barbecue established a permanent home in Lincoln Heights, capturing a casual blend of walk-up-style Texas barbecue sprinkled with a good dose of California and Mexican flavor. Their brisket is irreproachable, balanced with juiciness and heavy oak smoke flavor without being overwhelming. Ribs, turkey breast, and jalapeño cheddar sausages are also fantastic, everything smoked to a high-level of detail in large pit smokers in the back. What I especially enjoy about Moo's is the sides, like esquites, tangy and crunchy coleslaw, and saucy brisket beans. Andrew takes on LA-style flavors with the Korean barbecue pork belly burnt ends, which tug at my Korean heart with a balance of sweetness and rich smokiness. Sitting out on the patio with a dozen friends, diving into the Muñozs' barbecue with my hands, and experiencing all of it together, I feel an incredible amount of comfort and joy. Michelle especially brings a welcome level of service to the barbecue experience that's rare in the mostly male arena. A meal here is the exact kind of seasoning, smoke, and creativity that Moo's brings to every tray, and what makes this place a world-class barbecue destination. Worth a journey and a wait: Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano Smoked meats, brisket, chicken, sides, and beef rib at Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano. Stan Lee It was very difficult to make a choice between Moo's Craft Barbecue and Heritage Barbecue, Daniel Castillo's immense smoked meat destination down in San Juan Capistrano. The drive down takes about an hour for most Angelenos, and probably even half that for those living in the more densely populated parts of Orange County. Once there, Heritage captures the feeling of Austin, its mostly outdoor seating sprawled across a skinny plot of land, the big steel smokers billowing out wood aromas throughout the morning. Folks line up for hours just like in Texas, marinating in the smoke while they work up an appetite. Yet instead of cattle auctions or warehouses (like at Snow's in Lexington), there's a historic California mission across the street, its church bells ringing right when Heritage opens at 11 a.m. Castillo and his team's prowess with the smoker is evident with the entire array of the dishes at Heritage of which there are something like 19 depending on how you count. The smoked meats are much more diverse than what one would find in Texas, including whole smoked chicken, maple-glazed pork ribs, and even tri-tip, something more associated with Central California/Santa Maria-style barbecue. Depending on the day, char siu pork belly, whole beef ribs, and a burger will show up as specials. Across the board, Heritage's meats are amazing, deeply smoky, highly peppered, and well-seasoned. Close your eyes, and the brisket is as luscious and evocative as the best in Texas. The beef rib doesn't reach the heights of say, Black's Barbecue in Lockhart, but it is also terrific. Instead of turkey breast, it's nice to see chicken here for non-red-meat eaters, and the heavy herb seasoning balances nicely with the smoke. The sides are also highly complementary, like Korean-style chile pickles that would please a grandmother (kimchi and American food usually spooks me out but it really works here). The spiral macaroni and cheese is dense and salty and hearty beans almost look like Texas chili until you look at the actual cheese-topped chili, rich enough to feed a trucker for an entire day. Queso comes with crisp tortilla chips, while a peach and cherry tomato salad brings a welcome summery freshness. Castillo and the kitchen go absolutely beyond the call to create a meal brimming with excellence, so it's not hard to imagine why he was a 2025 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: California. Will Heritage eventually join the four Michelin-starred barbecue spots in Texas (LeRoy & Lewis, Interstellar, La Barbecue, and Corkscrew)? I definitely think it should. Another excellent spot for Texas-style barbecue: Ray's Barbecue in Huntington Park Smoked meats and sides from Ray's Barbecue. Matthew Kang Ray Ramirez was one of the most consummate hospitality professionals I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Prior to his untimely death in 2022, he served my wife and me an ample tray of Texas-style brisket, ribs, sausage, and pulled pork. His sides of macaroni and cheese, vinegary cole slaw, and potato salad were great but I most loved the Salvadoran-inflected rice and beans studded with bits of meat. Ramirez left behind an amazing legacy of working-class barbecue in the heart of Huntington Park, a neighborhood just south of Vernon set in the middle of an industrial zone. His two sons Raul and Sebastian along with his wife Anabell, continue his work serving barbecue worthy of Texas Monthly's Vaughn. A recent visit confirmed my first experience. The brisket here is juicy and well-smoked while the ribs are competition-level. The well-browned jalapeño cheddar sausage is also delightful. The damp coleslaw still conjures pupusa-style curtido, while the seasoned rice remains difficult to stop eating. Ramirez taught his sons well, and Ray's continues to be one of the best barbecue places in Los Angeles. Pro tip: out of the top three barbecue spots I selected, Ray's is the only one open on Tuesdays. Other excellent barbecue spots around town: Domestic BBQ in La Puente. Matthew Kang Domestic BBQ La Puente (and Covina) barbecue destination Domestic straddles that happy medium between Texas and California, serving well-smoked meats and very good sides like bacon-topped macaroni and cheese. The tri-tip here hews closer to Santa Maria-style, slightly dried out (dip it into the side of jus to re-moisten) but smoky enough, while the brisket will certainly be tender. The ribs were a standalone, as was the extra-long smoked sausage. In all, its very handy barbecue hangout with an impressive craft beer selection for those located in east San Gabriel Valley. Bludso's BBQ I've always enjoyed Bludso's, a place very conducive to hanging out with friends and catching a ballgame on the screens. Founder Kevin Bludso's Texas-style barbecue is very consistent, with moderate smoke and high-quality meats. The beef ribs are probably the best overall meat (as they are at most barbecue joints) but the turkey is a nice respite from beef. Smoked wings are another specialty worth trying as an appetizer. Maple Block Meat Co. Finding good barbecue in central parts of Los Angeles isn't always easy. Maple Block Meat Co. has been a reliable place for smoked meats since it opened in Culver City in 2015. Recently, the menu, under the direction of talented pitmaster Rudy Suazo, has taken a turn to Mexican flavors, like brisket tacos, smoked carnitas tortas, esquites, and smoked carne en su jugo, but the main part of the smoked meats leans Texas-style. Smoke Queen Barbecue Winnie Yee's distinct Asian-style barbecue comes out of three massive 1,000-gallon smokers and a welcoming cottage in the city of Garden Grove, where fans line up to try the pitmadam's smoked char siu, crispy siu yuk pork belly, and beef brisket. Yee's approach aims for balance, with sweetness and smoke interplaying with spice and texture. Her mapo chili will bring on a flavor likely unseen in places like Texas, while spicy cucumber pickles wouldn't look out of place at a Sichuan restaurant. Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
