Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill- and how LA Helps LA
Every disaster we face brings with it hard won life lessons, and even silver linings.
Here are a couple of lessons I have learned, and which I have observed that the people of coastal Louisiana have learned in the past 5 years.
read moreCamp Blogaway Recap Pt. 2-Photo SOS for Challenged Food Bloggers, Etc.
The second day of Camp Blogaway was largely about photos, with a bit of food styling and recipe writing, for good measure.
read moreCamp Blogaway Recap-Part 1
I was privileged last weekend to attend Camp Blogaway in the beautiful San Bernadino Mountains, where food bloggers from all over the country came together for a weekend of practical and interactive techniques for improving our food blogging. Here’s a quick recap.
read moreAll Cuisine is Fusion Cuisine- and Asian Spiced Duck Tamales
A New Mexico Chef shares his Asian/Latin duck tamale recipe.
read moreThe Caterer’s Garden- The End Product
Well, the L.A. Garden Show went off extremely well. I hope some of you were able to catch it. Paul’s exhibit was so successful, he sold one of his installations right on the spot. No wonder, as they were the perfect compact garden, even for those with only a small (10′ by 5′) patio or balcony space for a garden. Paul recycled wooden pallets, and as he writes it’s a “garden space that is completely moveable, even the bins allow for replanting when the plant has been exhausted of its bounty”. And there are some great ingredients to create some really wonderful meals, right outside your kitchen door. Hey- why not? Even the Obamas have planted their own kitchen garden. That’s Paul in his funky gardener’s cap. And notice the wild peacocks wandering around. They enjoyed a bit of the garden, too, unfortunately. Paul says they nibbled on the back sections overnight. He covered the front section with netting. Hopefully something you won’t have to be concerned about in your home garden. Ciao Bella,...
read moreUpdate on the Caterer’s Garden
Well, the big day is approaching. For those of you in L.A. this weekend, I hope that you will visit the completed Caterer’s Garden at the L.A. Garden Show. I, unfortunately, will not be there, as I am in NOLA exploring the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. I will be reporting back at my Pain Perdu blog, which is newly located right here at Typepad, so please check in with me. In the meantime, here are some updated pics of Pauls’ garden project. Laissez Le Bontemps Roulez !...
read moreThe Caterer’s Garden – an Update
Here are a couple of Cal- Med style menus highlighting the produce of the garden. Also some pics of the freshly planted little seedlings. Ciao, Gisele www.smallpleasurescatering.com Menu #1 Mesclun Mix of Field Greens and Herbs with Roasted Red and Yellow Beets, Walnuts and Goat Cheese Garnished with Pansies and Served with Balsamic Vinaigrette*** Fresh Pea Soup Puree Garnished with Mint Cream *** Pan Roasted Salmon Served with Swiss Chard, Brown Butter, Mixed Medley of Cherry Tomatoes and Fingerling Potatoes *** Pear Frangipane Tarts Menu #2 Salad of French Green Beans, Fingerling Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes Garnished with Nasturtium Petals and Herbs served with Tarragon Mustard Vinaigrette *** Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms Served with Tomato Butter Sauce *** Lamb Loin with Eggplant, Roasted Pepper and Tomato Gratin Garnished with Roasted Cippoline Onions ans Marjoram Pesto *** Mixed Berry Lavender Shortcakes with Lemon Curd and...
read moreThe Caterer’s Garden- A Special Project
My good friend Paul called me a few weeks back. Paul and I have known each other for more years than I like to think about. We met in acting class in New York City, and were neighbors- first on Manhattan’s Upper Westside, then in the Hell’s Kitchen section of midtown Manhattan. Somehow we both ended up in Los Angeles, and have moved on to pursue other creative and career pursuits. Of course, you know I am a caterer, and Paul is jump starting his old/new career as a landscape designer. He called to tell me he had been selected to participate in the L.A. Garden Show-A Festival of Flavors at the Los Angeles Arboretum. The objective of the show is to explore and celebrate the varied edible plants that can be easily grown in city gardens. Paul, great friend that he is, wrote in his description that he was inspired by me, and a favorite quote of mine from the inimitable Julia Child: “Dining with one’s friends and beloved family is certainly one of life’s primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul satisfying and eternal.” He asked me to design a couple of “kitchen garden” menus using produce which could be harvested only moments or hours before from a terrace garden. Well, the project is on its way now. Paul just sent pictures (which you can see below) of the planters he and a friend built to house the various fruit, vegetable and herb plants. Stay tuned for progress updates. Bon...
read more
