Hillary Eaton

Originally appeared on MUNCHIES

Explore / May 18, 2015

José Andrés Wants the World to Cook with Sunlight and Biofuel

When planning their menus, designing their kitchens, and choosing their vendors, ethical chefs have to ask themselves: Is it OK to serve bluefin tuna? Do I want to support the local economy by only buying from small, local suppliers? What about using my restaurant concept torehabilitate juvenile delinquents?

But while most of us are familiar with people examining the ethics of controversial foods like foie gras, your stove can be just as problematic. Alternative energy sources in the kitchen are one of the latest and most exciting intersections of technology and food, helping people to combat the use of unclean cooking methods, to go green and conserve gas and electricity, and to provide a much-needed resource to communities in need.

To get a better look at these new technologies and their ability to change the way cook, we caught up with José Andrés, one of the chefs at the forefront of the alternative energy, clean-cooking source movement.

Originally appeared on The Zoe Report

Make / May 2, 2015

14 Delicious Tequila Drinks to Make Tonight

When it comes to the spirit of the moment, L.A.’s hottest bartenders are all about agave. Whether it’s tequila blanco, reposado, or even a smoky mezcal these innovative agave cocktails are all about moving past the margarita and taking things up a notch to create a sophisticated, modern, and delicious tequila creation. So get your shaker and get ready to enjoy all the boozy goodness that L.A.’s best bartenders have to offer from the comfort of your home.

Originally appeared on The Zoe Report

Travel / May 2, 2015

These 5 Hotels Are A Foodie’s Paradise

If you base your whole trip around what you’re going to be eating, then these hotels are the perfect place to stay to satisfy your foodie wanderlust. For the food obsessed these hotels are destinations worth traveling to in themselves. From delicious and rustic to isolated and quaint and even fine dining, get ready to pack your bags and your appetite!

Originally appeared on Refinery29

Eat / April 27, 2015

Fast Food & Wine Pairings That Will Blow Your Mind

When it comes to food and wine pairings, there’s no shortage of classic combos that always work: oysters and Champagne, Cabernet and steak, Zinfandel and BBQ. But, what about the nights when you’re craving a glass of vino with something that you can pick up and devour at home? Perhaps even something you can score from, dare we say, a drive-thru?!

As you’ve probably already guessed, we’re talking about the ultimate in high/low food pairings: the perfect glass of wine to punctuate your favorite takeout. (Admit it: Doesn’t an In-N-Out burger and a glass of light red sound simply divine for dinner tonight?)

Of course, Southern California’s original fast food haunts all seem to be lacking a skilled sommelier for a reco, so we called upon Matthew Kaner for help. Kaner is the wine director and co-owner of some of L.A.’s coolest wine bars, like Bar Covell and the just-opened Augustine Wine Bar — i.e. the perfect person to help us pair some delicious eats with a perfectly-selected libation. 

From SoCal favorites like Winchell’s Donuts and In-N-Out Burger to Taco Bell and Panda Express, we’ve got all the best new wine pairings that you could possibly need. Cheers!

Originally appeared on MUNCHIES

Travel / April 14, 2015

How It Feels to Cook at Coachella and Serve a Bunch of Wasted Kids

When you think of the Coachella music festival, the first thing that comes to mind is a bunch of fair-weather bohemians wearing flower crowns and getting fucked up in a dustbowl, while somewhere Drake is making out with Madonna. But the festival’s newest push is to expand its culinary offerings by bringing in top chefs and restaurants. We decided to see what really happens when you take people that care about food and people that care about glow-stick dancing to Pete Tong and put them together in the same place. To get a firsthand look, we hit up our man Alvin Cailin, chef and owner of LA’s Eggslut and Ramen Champ, to talk about what it’s like to serve a bunch of drunk kids.

Originally appeared on Refinery29

Travel / April 9, 2015

Everything You HAVE To Eat At Coachella (Including Some Top-Secret Menu Items!)

It’s that time of year again: Whether you’recatching up on the featured acts, finalizing your festival wardrobe, or learning how to make yourself a flower crown, Coachella is finally here, folks. And, while all of this prep is important, figuring out where you’re going to eat should be high on your list, too — especially considering the sheer number of top chefs and trendy restaurants making appearances at this year’s festival.

So, how are you to navigate through a sea of food trucks, pop-ups, and stands while making sure you don’t miss out on the best bites? That’s where we come in. Because you have so much to eat and so little time, we’ve gone through the best dishes for every meal of the day — as well as some off-menu items that our favorite chefs are whipping up exclusively for you. Click through to peek them all, and be sure to pack your appetite on the road to Indio.

Originally appeared on Refinery29

Eat / March 31, 2015

Where To Find The Country’s Best Eats — Without Ever Leaving L.A.

L.A. is a city of transplants. Of course, there are a few fabled born-and-bred Angelenos out there, but most of us come from somewhere else — be it another state or even another country. Whether you’ve lived here for a decade (and consider yourself an honorary L.A. native), or you’re just settling in to your first month in the city, there’s always a little part of you that will belong to your hometown.

We know it firsthand: that nostalgic pang that affects even the most well-adjusted of L.A. transplants when we catch a scent of our native grub. Fortunately, since many of the city’s culinary purveyors hail from all over, we don’t have to leave town to get a taste of home. We’ve put together a list of the best dining spots that will immediately transport you to a different state (and state of mind) — all within city limits.

From authentic Tex-Mex and Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, to New England-style seafood and authentic Hawaiian bites, these restaurants will take you back to your roots — or somewhere new altogether. So, say hello to your new home away from home! (And, for all you international transplants, stay tuned: We’re cooking up a list for you, too!)

Originally appeared on Refinery29

Make / March 26, 2015

4 Perfectly Delicious Ways To Make Eggs For Every Meal

Never underestimate the humble egg. Sure, it may be tried-and-true, but it’s far from boring. In fact, when it comes to the realm of food trends, the egg’s been making the scene lately, topping everything from wood-fired pizzas to gourmet burgers. But, this cooking staple still has way more to offer. The fact is, eggs are easy to make, affordable, and can take center stage during all three meals.

For advice on the subject, we consulted Teri Lyn Fisher and Jenny Park, the talented ladies behind the celebrated food blog Spoon Fork Bacon. The two Los Angeles-based foodies have taken it upon themselves to put together dozens of delicious recipes devoted to exploring the versatility of eggs in their newly released cookbook, The Perfect Egg.

In The Perfect Egg you can expect a detailed breakdown of different types of eggs (from chicken to duck), a section on tips and tricks, and recipes for every meal of the day. It also includes a guide to choices like cage-free, free-range, pasture-raised, organic, and those high in Omega-3. (Fisher recommends buying pasture-raised eggs, like those from Vital Farms. The hens have more outdoor space and better living conditions than at many farms, and a happy hen means a healthy egg.)

“We hope people will take these recipes and get inspired to make their own, because it’s so easy to mix ingredients and create variations,” Park says. And, to help you do just that, Fisher and Park have shared some delicious egg recipes for you to try at home. They’re all super-easy to make, and you may even have all the ingredients in your fridge already. Now, let’s get crackin’.

Originally appeared on Refinery29

Eat / February 3, 2015

The Best Tacos In All Of L.A.

One of the perks of living in L.A. is that you’re always within a five-block radius of a taco. Of course, everyone has their favorite spot — the place they always hit up when in need of a serious taco fix. But, where do the true taco fans go? Now, that’s the real question.

Don’t fret: We’ve got your back. We’ve narrowed it down to the absolute best bites that the city has to offer. From unassuming food carts that gather lines of hungry taco fanatics to small storefronts to long-established classics, we’ve rounded up the spots that every aficionado knows and loves. Taco crawl, anyone?