Recipe: Easy Garlic Knots

These garlic knots are the absolute best for two reasons: First of all, they're so garlicky and yummy, and secondly, they're SUPER easy to make. I usually try and stay away from making garlic knots because it takes SO long and they never taste like the ones at the restaurant, but these were absolutely delicious. Definitely try these out if you get the chance: they make the perfect addition to any meal. 

Easy Garlic Knots: 

Ingredients: 

-1 tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

-5 tbsp butter or olive oil (I used a combination of the two)

-2 tsp freshly minced garlic

-1 tsp garlic powder

-1 1/2 tsp oregano

-1/2 tsp sea salt

-2 tbsp shredded Parmesan

1.) Separate the biscuits from one another and then slice each biscuit in half.

2.) Roll out each piece into a rope easy to knot (approximately 5-6 inches).

3.) Knot each of the ropes loosely; you don't have to make a full on knot, just tuck the ends in.

4.) In a bowl, melt 5 tbsp of butter (or olive oil) and then add the remaining ingredients. Whisk together mixture until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

5.) Dunk your biscuit knot into the garlic-herb-butter mixture or brush the mixture on to the knot.

6.) Once all the knots have been thoroughly coated, spread them out on a baking pan, and stick them in a 400 degrees Fahrenheit preheated oven for 10-12 minutes (until golden brown).

7.) Once the knots are a beautiful golden brown, take them out and let them cool for a few minutes.

8.) Once they have cooled down, coat them lightly in the olive oil mixture again or brush the mixture all over the knots, and serve immediately. 

Yum Yum Yum

SoCal Girl Visits The California Science Center

Last weekend was full of adventures. A, other A, and I visited Exposition Park Rose Gardens, the Endeavor Exhibit at The California Science Center and took LA public transportation for the first time ever (sad I know)!

Instead of driving and trying to find parking in downtown LA, we decided to take the train there. It would be faster, and we would avoid traffic and the difficulties of parking in dtLA. We quickly got Tap cards and loaded them with $3.50/each, and made our way upstairs, and within minutes we were boarding our train. 

We had apparently chosen the wrong day to go to this side of LA...USC was playing at The Colosseum and so scores of USC fans piled into the train and once we got to Exposition Park, it was just a sea of red and gold tents. A and I had both gone to UCLA, and he was wearing a UCLA shirt so he got a bunch of comments from the hundreds upon hundreds of alumni, students, and fans pouring in.





We made it to Exposition Park in about 15 minutes, and walked through the beautiful Rose Gardens that surrounded the waterfall at the entrance.

Next, we decided to go explore the California Science Center and check out the Endeavor space shuttle. After much confusion and much wandering around, we finally found the entrance to the Endeavor Exhibit, bought our tickets and went inside.

The Endeavor exhibit was really cool, with lots of neat information about what life was like in the space shuttle, including how they ate, how they went to the bathroom, what they brought aboard with them, etc.

Space Toilet

Space Oven

Operations Support Center

Rocket Simulator

Once we were done with the Endeavor Exhibit, we went and explored the rest of the open exhibits. We'd all been dying to go to the Pompeii Exhibit, but unfortunately it was sold out for the day. Instead we explored the Kelp Gardens, the Sea Animal Food Chains, and a bunch of other interactive and/or simulator exhibits. 

Ocean Simulator

Wind and Mountains Simulator

The Kelp Exhibit

The California Science Center was quite the interesting and informative adventure. I'll definitely have to go back soon to check out the Pompeii Exhibit!!

SoCal Girl Visits the Venice Canals

This weekend, I finally ventured into Venice to go check out the Venice Canals. One of my Facebook friends had posted a bunch of gorgeous pictures he had taken of the canals, and every since, I've been dying to go see them. 

Abbott Kinney first created this canals in 1905 as part of his overall plan for "Venice in America". Despite their early popularity, the canals were soon seen as "outdated" and were left in varying states of disrepair due to lack of funding. Much of the canals were filled in to create roads and the other parts remained in poor condition. Finally, in 1992, the canals were renovated and made to look like their current state, and since then, the surrounding residential areas have exponentially increased in value. 

The canals were stunningly gorgeous, and we walked through them, snapping pictures and enjoying the lovely scenery. All the canals had a number of bridges, and so we sat around for a while, enjoying the wonderful weather and watching all the little kids out in the water on paddleboards and mini-boats. 

Definitely take the time and visit LA's Venice Canals if you're ever in the area. Although it may not hold up to Italy's standards, it's definitely a sight to be seen in its own right.