POP CULTURE

there are many incarnations of cakes pops, cake balls, cake towers, cupcakes, shake and bake and then some. The question for me becomes how to differentiate POPARAZZIPOP from the pack, as well as, not become intimidated by the competition.

No matter how great the marketing spin, how many friends will be guilted into buying them, or some other veil of flattery that sugar coats my ego, the product needs to speak for itself.

We can easily make these glistening, eye candy pops laden with sparkling sugars, swirls, candy colored coatings, look great and compromise some very subtle flavor flaws, but I know that it's "whats in the inside that counts" (OK, that was a little hokey, but I teach my daughter this lesson about most things these days - people or products, especially in the land of oz of Los Angeles).

It only takes "one bad pop" (again a tacky analogy - sorry - this is my AM decaffeinated brain), to get your twitter twitch posting negative criticism.

I have been stuck on certain flavor combinations, that no matter how many times I try to infuse them, just don't seem to work and yet i wont let go. I know that I will have that Eureka moment if I am patient and keep working these recipes, but for now, the focus is on the pops that will put POPARAZZI in a league of their own.

Name Dropping

I live in Los Angeles - "the city of angels" and more realistically, the city that idolizes fame and glamour like no other. I have always worked in the film industry - encouraging, supporting, funding - a celebrity culture which oozes images of beauty, confidence, compassion and hard work. We have teams of people that are paid to get you addicted to needing to know what they are wearing, eating, thinking; who they are dating, divorcing and where they are going and when. This is like processed foods, loaded with saturated fats, salt, preservatives -- YUM!

There is a hierarchy in the media that churns this machine - the "A" press ( the morning shows, Oprah, news "journalists, etc ) and then the lowest common denominator in this food chain - Paparazzi. Over the years, I have screamed at them, cursed them, encouraged them, enabled them and loathed them, but the hunger and addiction to this information, now available in real time, has made paparazzi, a indispensable resource.

Historically, Paparazzi was about glamour, secrets, allure and beauty. celebrity, flashing lights, glimmering jewels, admiration, decadence and aspiration. The idea for POPARAZZI POP, speaks to that - rich flavors, layered with decadent fillings and coatings. Stepping into the fantasy for a bite or two; treating yourself to your 15 minutes of fame.

HARVEY

This was going to be about the rose waters, syrups and persimmons, but we got detoured with HARVEY...a rescue dog that was living with a dog hoarder. They recovered 120 dogs (insane!) and were placed in various shelters/rescues.

We had been "shopping" for a dog - the perfect pup for my daughter and obedient, house trained, loving " companion" for me. (My husband has stayed non partisan in this with the hopes of trying to make everyone happy.)

So we had been visiting a few pet adoptions and I had no intent on making any immediate decisions. Well - as I said earlier - you have to recognize opportunity when it stares at you in the face. We met him head on.

Not necessarily the pick of the liter at first site, as there were some amazing, beautiful, rambunctious pups - but "no name" at the time, is a soulful, unique and adorable Corgi mix that steals your heart. 2 1/2 years old, facial features of a corgi & Shepard, body of of a bulldog/ corgi, this guy is a heart breaker.

There is NO history on this dog and as I mentioned no name. We decide, even before we even contemplated caring for this dog, that Harvey seemed to be a good fit.

Turns out the Harvey needed someplace to rest his head for the weekend as the rescue group had no room at the inn; we agree to foster the dog for the weekend.

This does not seem to be a dog who was abused. Seems very comfortable around other dogs and people, but does not fully engage. I assume, he was cared for in this crazy house on some level, but did not interact outside this enviornment with new people or situations.

Harvey gets cleaned up, and comes home with us. A bit shell shocked of course, but amazingly caring, loving and gentle. Harvey gets center stage for the weekend. The pops are waiting to be dipped, but can wait a day or two.

He needs to get to the vet as he has some stomach issues and has not been checked out yet, so we are moving through this in real time, without making any longer term decisions. However, he is starting to become a little more feisty and playful and I hope that as this dog finds himself, and we find ourselves in relation to the dog, Harvey will join the POP family.

the mother of invention

Skipping ahead to present day. (However, I will still bore you eventually with the family album of who and how we got here) and all the pops that were inhaled, junked, crushed and mutated along the way.

The past two days have been a re-entry in the kitchen after 2 glorious weeks at the beach living someone else's life. While we were away catching waves and spectacular sunsets, Joey was in the "test kitchen" perfecting some of the more textured, complex and seductive flavor profiles. The vanillas, Oreo, chocoholic chocolate, red velvet, etc. are all covered, but doesn’t that get to be a bore after a while? POPARAZZI is bling for your mouth - Don’t you deserve that too?

One of the more traditional flavors that I have been working on is Chai. For all you Chai lovers, this is a sensory flavor that’s intoxicating from the first sniff, and is one of my favorites. I have the luxury (at least to me) to live in a diverse neighborhood in Los Angeles – upscale eateries next to automotive shops; Pilate studios next to barbershops, which still serve as social clubs; Little Ethiopia is a short walk and no passport required. Also, within walking distance are an Indian spice shop and a small Indian grocer (complete with Bollywood rental section).

I stop in at the grocer for inspiration before undertaking the chai pops. I can’t understand some of the packaging on many of stocked items, as the writing is in Indian, but my nose can interpret everything that I need or want. Cinnamon, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, and some mystery ingredients - a flavor mecca that we hope comes through when you get your first bite.

Stay tuned for my trip to the Persian market….