Judging the Donut Summit 2 - VIDEO

Calling all donut lovers! Imagine my feelings when I was called up on to be an "expert donut judge" at the second annual Donut Summit of  Los Angeles. My mouth watered, my stomach rumbled, and I though, do I have the chops? And do I know enough about glazed or cream-filled treats to fill those shoes? It seemed like an overwhelming responsibility. But I did create a Krispy Kreme Doughnut Recipe video (click here - it's my most popular post), and I've sampled my share of crullers and dunkers, so I concluded that I do know something about the art of dough punching.

I set off accompanied by my neighbor and frequent collaborator, comedian Pete (to see some of his on-camera hijinx, click on Hitting Veggies or Pedro Pe's Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe). With camera batteries charged and a bottle of chewable antacids, we hit the freeway for a sugar-coated adventure.

Arriving at Elysian Park, near Dodger Stadium, we were greeted with the smells of cinnamon, coconut flake, chocolate glazes and vanilla cream filling.  All manner of donuts brought from every corner of our metropolis, and loads of people -- from hungry tykes to diet-breaking adults -- were hunched over picnic tables to sample them all.
 

I was presented with my judge's crown -- a white hat with half a dozen donuts threaded and hot-glued onto the brim. Then a clipboard was placed in my hands, presenting a bakers' dozen of "Best" categories, including: Raised (yeast), Frosting, Fritter, Chocolate, Donut Filling, Cake, Visually Appealing, Roundest, Unconventional, Overall, Worst, Judges Choice Award, and Best Vegan.

I dove in and got to work - quickly discovering some donut highlights, such as the Peach Donut from The Donut Man, the Chocolate Chip Bar from California Donuts, and the Peanut Butter Donut topped with chocolate from Stan's Donuts. The coffee house Intelligentsia supplied iced coffee -- a perfect accompaniment on this warm summer afternoon.

This being a park, the Blogging LA crew took full advantage, setting up games of Donut Croquet, a "fill the hole" Donut Hole Toss, and a Donut Poetry Slam, all caught on my video. Check out the winning limerick, called "The Babysitter" -- it's hilarious.

Best of all were the prizes for the winners - 'Golden Donut' medallions topped with pink frosting that the beaming winners wore draped around their necks! Click here to see Blogging LA's list of donut champs.

The crew of bloggers at Blogging LA were definitely fun and creative hosts.  Chef hats off to Frazgo and Alexandra Apolloni, who called me in to judge the fried batter bash.

So check out the Culinary Cutup's latest video - Judging the Donut Summit 2 - your sweet tooth will be satiated. After you view the footage of kaleidoscopic confections, you may need to break out a shot of Pepto-Bismol spiked with Bourbon, to comedown from the contact sugar high!

Judging the Donut Summit 2 - Video

Play it here. The video runs about 5 minutes 30 seconds.

99 thanks to Frazgo, Alexandria, and all the Donut Summit 2 creative crew from Blogging LA. And bonus thanks to all the participants who brought such delicious donuts.

Fellow Judges (click on names for links): Jenn of Just Jenn Recipes (her post here) and Shelly The Fry Girl.

Also, 99 thanks to neighbor Pete for extra camerawork and comedy contributions.
To view or embed from YouTube, click here.

The 99 Cent Chef Plays Ball - Video

This Chef of Summer has a favorite baseball season hot dog and it is a Chicago Dog -- done in the Pink's manner. I prefer  hot dogs and buns steamed like they do at Pink's hot dog stand in Hollywood - when I catch their line shorter than a dozen people he will quickly pull over and order a Chicago Spicy Polish -- a perfectly steamed sausage with a juicy snap to the skin when bit, and piled high with lettuce and tomato.


99c only Stores carry all the necessities for this summertime ballpark classic, including many varieties of hot dogs; from chicken to beef, and even on occasion kosher and "natural" -- in sizes regular and jumbo. Traditional yellow mustard, relish, buns, lettuce and tomato fill out all the ingredients needed for a Pink's Chicago dog. Other hot dog toppings carried by 99c only Stores include: sauerkraut, chili with or sans beans, cheese and sometimes bacon.

Now for all you purists out there, I knows a proper Chicago dog is constructed on a poppy seed bun with vinegary serrano "sports" chiles, day-glow green relish, sliced tomato, a wedge of pickle, and no lettuce - I drove through Chicago once, but did not have time to stop at Fluky's for the city's namesake hot dog. Go here for a classic Chicago dog recipe. To find traditional Chicago dog locations locally, read the entertaining citywide search by Jonathan Gold, L.A. Weekly's Pulitzer Prize - awarded food writer, here.


Mom used to warn the Chef behave at the dinner table, but this hard-headed cook breaks the rules and takes playing with your food to a whole new level with this freshly cooked up video (watch for the "fowl" ball.) The Chef also pulls from the bullpen a couple of 99 Cent Players: Pete and the "Ump." These talents fire up the crowd with their 9th inning antics. 99 thanks to my neighbor the "Ump."

So crack open a beer, put mustard on your hot dog while the Chef and his 99 Cent Players take the field to entertain you!

The 99 Cent Chef Plays Ball - Video

Play it here. The video runs 3 minutes 10 seconds.

Ingredients
Steamed hot dogs and buns
Chopped lettuce and tomato
Pickle relish
Yellow mustard 

Directions
Steam covered hot dogs on a steamer rack above a couple of inches of water until plump, about 10 minutes. 

Steam buns with hot dogs for about a minute; check on bun so it doesn't become soggy. 

Assemble with mustard, relish, lettuce and tomato. 

To view or embed video from youtube click here.

The 99 Cent Chef Meets Pedro Pe - Video

The 99 Cent Chef is pleased as plantains to present a new video featuring the culinary exploits of L.A.'s favorite taco truck impresario Pedro Pe. The 99 Cent Chef tracks down Pedro Pe and goes along for a ride and ends up in the kitchen, where Pedro Pe works his magic.

Pedro has more energy than chile piquin flavored popcorn in a popcorn machine. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Pedro Pe and his delicious lunch truck specialty -- Shrimp Quesadilla.

The 99 Cent Chef Meets Pedro Pe - Video

Play it here. The video runs 5 minutes 12 seconds.

Ingredients (one serving)  

• 1 flour or wheat tortilla
• 1 slice spicy cheese
• 1/2 small avocado sliced
• 2 tblsp. refried beans
• 1/2 4-6oz. package cooked salad shrimp (if raw then saute for a couple of minutes until shrimp is pink)
• 1 chopped green onion
• 2 tblsp. 99 cent salsa
• Dollop of sour cream

 Directions
While pan is heating, assemble quesadilla by smearing tortilla with refried beans -- add cheese, shrimp and chopped green onion. Fold in half and heat in pan until "queso is nice and melted and gooey and tortilla is nice and brown," to quote Pedro Pe. Garnish quesadilla with sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream and salsa on the side.

 
Pedro Pe, "Mexico's Rich Little" has been performing onstage since 1995. Actual fans include Milos Forman, Nora Dunn, Will Ferrel and Alex Borstein. Pedro appeared regularly as a company member in L.A.'s Acme Comedy Theatre, at the Austin Comedy Festival and at The Montreal Comedy Festival - where he was featured on a bill with Dave Chapelle and Will Ferrell. To see Pete's other hilarious videos, click here, and The Chef's video teaser with Pedro Pe is here.
 
To view or embed video from youtube visit here.

Pedro Pe Meets The 99 Cent Chef - Video Teaser

Catch him if you can! Pedro Pe and his LA lunch truck are always on the move -- it's like trying to catch lightning in a tequila bottle. If you do, your reward is the best Mexican food on wheels. The 99 Cent Chef cajoled Pedro Pe into a cooking demonstration in the Chef's kitchen. Whet your appetite with this video appetizer:

Pedro Pe Meets The 99 Cent Chef !

Play it here. The video runs 1 minute 7 seconds.

 Click here for my neighbor Pete's hilarious videos.

"The 99 Cent Chef Meets Pedro Pe" full length video is here.
To view or embed video from youtube visit here.