November 2013

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Life Bites News Readers,

Happy Thanksgiving! This issue includes stories on The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, and The BLVD Restaurant, where Executive Chef Giles Arzur reigns. Pastry Chef delights at BW from Chef Stephen Sullivan will delight you, as will the Sidebar lounge signature delights at the Beverly Hills. News and reviews on delicious foodie hangouts in LA. Our Book Bites section has some new reads for November that would be wonderful holiday gifts for family and friends. This month you will find close to home features on family and pet friendly vacationing spots in San Diego, as well as features on new international destinations. Sips has some exciting holiday drink ideas, as well as wine festival news. The Fungi Festival is coming to Carmel; see news,  and we also have news on the "Afternoon with Buster Keaton" SBTOS celebration at the Arlington theatre. Santa Barbara Symphony Gala Opening details, AFI Fest news, SBIFF announcement. If you are planning Italian inspired holiday dishes you need to visit: www.nudo-italia.com for beautiful gift packages that include easy to follow recipes and authentic products to please your Italian food loving friends. 

Entertainment news and fun film tips are seen in TTT - AFI film festival news, opening of Santa Barbara Opera Season and upcoming fundraising events. We are running travel news on holiday trips being offered throughout the world, and assisting our tourism and travel freinds with their promotions during this challenging economic period. Use the tourism board offices for helpful information. We have them listed on our links and archive page. They all have special offers for fall and winter travel, which is the place to be if you love the turning leaves and the falling snow. Holiday luggage gift ideas in our travel section are worth a peek. Culinary Coup covers SB Harbor Seafood Festival. and Sips gives you info on the 3rd Annual Chowder Fest and wine tasting at Montecito Country Club.

We also have some great new spice/recipes from McCormick Gourmet that are quick and easy for working mothers, and have included some recipes for Thanksgiving. See our recommendations for where to eat out if you're not cooking. Health minded offers latest organization news and unique products being released with helpful health advice. We have a bevy of chef news for you; lots of changes and exciting new menus. Below is a great quick turkey gravy from Mc Cormick, and a fantastic Texas style chili for hungry football fans. The Apple Pancakes will be a sweet breakfast for visiting family members. Bon Appetit!  Note: Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites News radio reports on food/travel/lifestyle will now be heard on "Breakfast with Nancy" KVOT1340 "Voice of Taos" Thursday mornings at 7:15. Grab a coffee cup and join us for travel, food and lifestyle tips. See Culinary Coup section for perfect turkey recipe by Paula Dean.

Wishing Elizabeth O'Connell Larson a very Happy November 2nd Birthday!

Thanks for joining us this month.

Cordially,

APPLE PANCAKES Recipe from Book ROSE PETAL JAM

Makes 8 pancakes
These are small sweet pancakes served for breakfast or afternoon tea. My grandmother placed whole apple slices on the batter while it was sizzling in the pan.
Ingredients:
2 eggs, 12 fl. oz milk, 2 tablespoons superfine sugar, 11 oz self rising flour, 4 small eating apples, 2 oz unsalted butter for frying, and powdered sugar for decoration.
Whisk the eggs, milk, and sugar together, then fold in the flour. (These pancakes are like pikelets and need to be thick and fluffy so it is best not to use an electric mixer). Add a pinch of salt, cover and put aside for 30 minutes. Peel the apples, cut into halves, de-core and slice thinly. Melt a knob of butter in a hot frying pan and add a dollop of the batter mix to form a pancake. Lay one or two slices of apple on top of the batter then fry for a couple of minutes. Turn over and cook the other side. Sprinkle with icing (powdered) sugar and serve hot.

Campbell's Green Bean Thanksgiving Casserole

2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular, 98% Fat Free or Healthy Request®)

Five Tasty Twists on Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

1. For added crunch, add ½ cup sliced almonds to the onion topping.
2. For bacon lovers, add 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, to the bean mixture.
3. For a festive touch, stir in chopped red pepper with soup.
4. For cheese lovers, stir in 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese with soup. Omit soy sauce. Sprinkle with an additional 1/2 cup additional Cheddar cheese when adding the remaining onions.
5. For Golden Green Bean Casserole, substitute Campbell's Condensed Golden Mushroom soup for Cream of Mushroom soup. Omit soy sauce. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped red pepper with the green beans.