I like think to this of this recipe as the West Coast answer to the East Coast lobster roll. This month is actually California avocado month - a celebration of avocados at their peak! For a celebration such as this I just had to write a recipe that was as luxurious as creamy ripe avocados.

Sliced pieces of crunchy bok choy are tossed in the spicy and savory Thai dressing and topped with sweet candied peanuts for a refreshing salad.

In this recipe I grill the avocado until grill marks develop so the avocado has a smoky, charred flavor. It pairs well with the bright, acidic notes of the citrus and crisp, slightly sweet licorice flavor of the fennel.

A proper New England clam chowder should consist of a delicate and creamy, slightly thickened broth (but not sludgy) that contains a hint of smokiness from bacon and an abundance of clams. 

I took a cocktail class with a friend a few years ago and one thing I learned from it is how good kumquats are!

I spend most of my time in Santa Monica, where I live, and in nearby Venice; both of which are on the Westside of LA. I wanted to share some of my favorite things to do on this side of town.

In this recipe flakey and buttery biscuits are served with macerated strawberries and topped with homemade whipped cream. I add a hint of balsamic to the strawberries and chopped basil for a twist on this classic dessert.