By Alyssa Morin March 29, 2013 in Easy Reader News

 

A certain kind of person doesn’t mind going through life working at a job that doesn’t inspire them, going through the everyday motions for the sake of job stability and security. Then there is Meg Hall, owner of Made by Meg in Redondo Beach, who has no tolerance for boredom and discontent.

“I just didn’t see my life unfolding and having any significance,” Hall said of her career as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. “I wasn’t happy. So I got a career coach and we talked about what made me happy and that was cooking.”

Hall started attending culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in the evening while keeping her day job. Finally, in 2007, she was able to make the break and open her catering company Made by Meg in Manhattan Beach.

Hall continues to cater events of all sizes in the South Bay and Los Angeles proper. But she now has more than just a commercial kitchen at her disposal: Last week she opened a storefront kitchen and restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach where she not only prepares dishes for her catering jobs but also serves inventive casual fare to locals.

Locals are already attracted to the diverse, fresh menu that Made by Meg posts on its Facebook page every morning at 10:30am. The menu changes daily.

A typical menu includes sandwiches with house-roasted turkey breast and roast beef, salads with farmers market seasonal vegetables, and main dishes like grilled chicken and flank steak. Every dish is prepared to order. Hall is even offering some options for those on a paleo diet, at the request of her sister, a devotee to CrossFit.

Hall’s commitment to sourcing her foods locally and sustainably is what keeps her menu ever-changing. She is at the mercy of what she finds at the local farmers markets.

Requests for Hall’s services continue to grow and her impressive list of clients include UCLA, LMU, USC, a host of music industry bigwigs and a handful of celebrities and actors. But Hall doesn’t seem particularly star-struck by her famous clients.

“It’s L.A.,” she said. “Everybody has to eat, so sooner or later you’re bound to end up feeding some celebrities.”

Sometimes on Valentine’s Day, you’ve just gotta go full-on cheeseball. And no one could possibly judge your heart’s desire (pun intended) when these recipes Chef Meg Hall created *exclusively* for REDBOOK are involved. Yum!

Mexican Chocolate Pudding With Fresh Berries

Ingredients
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cupsugar
1/2 cupcocoa powder
4 teaspoons corn starch
3 egg yolks, large
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chipotle powder
Pinch of kosher salt
1 cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
¾ cup heavy cream
6 Mason jars, medium

Directions
1. Bring 1.5 cups of the milk, the sugar and cocoa in a saucepan over medium high heat. Remove from the heat.

2. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup milk, cornstarch, salt, egg yolks and vanilla in a bowl. Slowly whisk the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture. Return mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until pudding comes to a full boil. Continue whisking at a simmer until the pudding is thick.

3. Season the pudding with chipotle powder to desired level of spiciness.

4. Pour pudding into mason jars, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or until set.

5. To serve, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form and dollop on top of puddings. Top with fresh berries and chocolate shavings, if desired.

Yields 6 servings

DIY Chocolate Truffles
Many home cooks are put off by chocolate because of the daunting prospect of tempering chocolate. This truffle recipe side steps that process and gives you a DIY love gift that can’t be beat!

Ingredients
21 oz. high-quality bittersweet chocolate chips
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt

Directions
1. Ganache: Heat cream in small saucepan until bubbles form around the edge. Remove from the heat and pour over chocolate chips that have been set in a completely dry mixing bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes, then whisk until smooth.

2. Purée the mixture with an immersion blender or whisk until very smooth. Stir in the butter and vanilla extract until smooth and season with kosher salt to taste.

3. Let the mixture set by cooling down in the fridge. The ganache will be ready once it can retain a truffle shape.

4. Shaping the truffles: Using a small scoop or two spoons, scoop small mounds of the ganache onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Roll the mounds into balls between your palms and place back on the baking sheet to be encrusted.

5. Prepare all your toppings in separate bowls. Roll truffles in your toppings and place back in the fridge to set. Bon appétit!

Topping suggestions: 
Sprinkles, toasted coconut, cocoa nibs, cocoa powder, toasted cashews, toasted pecans, dried goji berries, powdered sugar, Butterfingers, Reese’s Pieces, espresso powder

Ganache flavoring suggestions: (start with a small amount, then add to taste) Raspberry liqueur, chipotle powder, mint extract, coconut extract, orange liqueur

Heart-Shaped brown-butter Rice Krispie Treats With White Chocolate and Cashews

Ingredients
1/2 stick unsalted butter 
15 oz. marshmallows
6 cups rice cereal
1/2 cupwhite chocolate chips
1/2 cupcashews, finely chopped and toasted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch kosher salt
12 lollipop sticks
1 heart-shaped cookie cutter, medium to small size

Directions
1. Spray 9” x 13” pan with non-stick spray.

2. In a deep sauce pan, melt the butter and cook until the mixture turns a light golden brown.

3. Add the marshmallows, salt, nutmeg and vanilla. Cook until smooth.

4. Fold in cereal gently until thoroughly combined.

5. Press the cereal mixture into the pan with wet fingertips, trying to keep the top somewhat smooth.

6. Let the mixture cool completely then cut out heart shaped treats with a cookie cutter.

7. Drizzle on the white chocolate and top with the cashew pieces. Set hearts in the fridge until the chocolate is set. Insert the lollipop stick in the bottom of the heart.