"They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for." Thomas Edward Bodett

We hope you continue to enjoy your visits to great hotels, restaurants, and travel destinations. Hope you are enjoying the many stories that appear in our web magazine. Our hotel/chef preview this month is on a hot new entertainment property The Aster Hotel & Club in Hollywood/Lemon Grove Restaurant.

Best wishes to President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on fighting the good fight for the American people. We appreciate your hard work to keep our country safe and for surviving this most challenging year for the U.S. and for continuing to work for our safety, success and growth. God Bless you.

Please enjoy special updates on the 39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival in Tinseltown Tidbits. The 39th Festival is tentatively scheduled for Feb 7-17, 2023. Visit www.sbiff.org for updated information on upcoming SBIFF.

BookBites has news on current releases, new food related books, art and writers event news, and more. Tips on royal readings, writers conferences for 2024. Latest tips on hot new books to enjoy at home or while traveling.

Use your library in your local area and enjoy the tapes. I love listening to language tapes and am always eager to learn new languages. Support your "Friends of the Library" groups as well.

Culinary Coup covers delicious morsels to be savored at the recent Assistance League Santa Barbara Friendship luncheon, news on breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara and 16th Annual Kirk Douglas Award.

Health Minded includes story coverage on healthy new products found at Critics Choice and Emmy gifting suites. Also, look for GBK Brand Bar and Wow! Creations celebrity gifting suites. Tinsel Town Tidbits has all the winner info on the Oscars and were to see these awards.

Kids section is filled with news on art projects for kids, and online crafting places to visit for interesting ways to be creative at home.

Celebrating my birthday at Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara was an amazing morning to view their ocean side cliffs and savor a fabulous fritatta with a refreshing health cocktail. Also enjoyed dinner with a candle in the cake at Ca Dario Ristorante in Santa Barbara. Busy birthday week! Will travel up the 101 soon to visit two of my favorite coastal hotels below.

LBN recommends two of my favorite Central Coast family owned destinations for romance, Madonna Inn Hotel and Hofsas House Hotel, where Valentine's Day is always special, and I will look forward to visiting when its safe. Hope you enjoy some sweet desserts and treats featured in SIPs section this month.

Give her or him a special spa session with Burke

Williams Spa products for Valentines Day. They have countless LA locations and offer some amazing and sensual products for couples to enjoy during a romantic weekend together. Visit: wwwburkwilliams.com.

Another super romantic destination is The Landsby Hotel in Solvang where a bevy of divine Danish delights are available, not to mention outstanding wines. Visit: www.thelandsby.com and sister property Santa Ynez Inn featuring the newly opened Victor Restaurant that is getting raves! What ever you do for Valentine's Day -- savor each moment and be happy!

Please join me each day in praying for our President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, for our troops fighting in foreign lands, and for all men and women who serve to keep our great country safe. PRAY FOR THE UKRAIN, FOR PEACE BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD - PRAYER WORKS and God Bless America!

Philly Cheesesteak Chili
Serves 6-8
Time: 2 days

Ingredients

(6) 6” round loaves of sourdough bread

5 lbs well-trimmed boneless beef chuck or short rib

2 Medium Onions

1 head of garlic (about 16 cloves) peeled, chopped

1/3 c anocho chilies, ground

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground allspice

2 T. ground cumin

¼ tsp ground clove

1 T. coco

1 (12oz) bottle of dark beer (stout or brown ale)

2c beef stock

1 (28oz) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes

2 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp kosher salt

2 T tomato paste

3 T masa (corn meal)

Chili Toppings

2 Lg Onions, thinly sliced

1 Green Pepper julienned

1 Yellow Pepper Julienned

1 tsp chopped garlic

½ tsp salt

2T olive oil (pure)

2 c grated sharp cheddar cheese

½ c green onions (scallions) thinly chopped

1 c sour cream

1 ripe avocado sliced

1 lime- cut into wedges

Instructions

Chili: begin day before serving

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1/3 of beef sprinkle with salt. Cook until browned, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer beef to large bowl. Repeat 2 more times adding 2 more tablespoons of oil and the beef.

Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon oil and chopped onions.
Saute until soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
Add garlic; stir for 1 minute.
Add ground anchos, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and coco; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add beer; stir 1 minute, scraping up brown bits. Return beef and juices to pot.
Add tomatoes with juice, 2 cups of beef stock, oregano and 2 tsp of kosher salt.
Bring chili to boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover with lid slightly ajar and simmer gently until beef is just tender 2-2 ½ hours.
Cool 1 hour, then chill uncovered until cold.
Cover; chill overnight.
Spoon fat from chili. Bring chili to simmer over medium heat.
Stir in tomato paste
Sprinkle masa over; stir to blend
Simmer uncovered until thickend and beef is very tender, stirring often and adding water by ¼ cupful if too thick, about 30-45 minutes
Now it is ready to serve.

Philly Cheesesteak Fried Onions + Peppers

(make these within the last 15 minutes of finishing the chili)

Over medium-high heat; heat 2 T olive oil
Add onions and sauté until they begin to brown
Add peppers
Sauté until onions are brown and caramelized and peppers are slightly charred.
Add garlic and sauté for 1 -2 minutes.
Remove from heat and place in bowl. Cover with foil until ready to use.

Bread Bowl:

(prep these while finishing the chili)

Set round loaves of bread (boules) onto a cutting board. Using a bread knife, carefully cut off the top of the bread about 2/3 from the bottom of the bread. Then using a small bread knife or serated knife, cut the inside of the bread out. Use your hands to pull out the middle to create a bowl. Save the top of the bread. Set aside. While you re-heat the chili.

To Finish the Chili:

Ladle chili into bread bowl
Top with fried onions + peppers and cheddar cheese.

If you would prefer a simpler bowl of chili; ladle into bowl, top with desired condiments and serve with cornbread or pretzel.

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Philly Cheesesteak ChiliServes 6-8Time: 2 days

Philly Cheesesteak Chili
Serves 6-8
Time: 2 days