Create a Cool Cocktail for Your Party- My Best Sangria
This tasty Sangria is an addictive cool drink for the summer heat
read moreStarting off with an Early Morning Tour of the Desert Botanical Garden
An early morning visit to Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden
read moreDinner at The Phoenician and Jean-Georges Tuna Tartare Recipe
A progressive dinner at The Phoenician in Phoenix, Arizona and and the recipe for Jean Georges Vongerichten’s mouth watering Tuna Tartare served at the J & G Steakhouse there.
read moreTapas and Paella for a Milestone Birthday Party
Tapas with Paella – great menu for a special occasion party.
read moreWelcome to Phoenix
Everyone needs a little getaway every once in a while. A change of scenery, even for a few days, does wonders to rejuvenate the spirits, so off I went to Phoenix (only an hour and 15 minute plane ride away) last week for a little R &R. In discussing the trip afterwards with my Uncle, he said Phoenix feels like the Los Angeles of 40 years ago, and that describes it perfectly. While it’s spread over a very large area, there’s a slower, more relaxed pace- no traffic jammed streets, or parking lots masquerading as freeways. “Is this typical for rush hour? ” I incredulously asked our tour guide as she took through the downtown area at around 4:45 or so in the afternoon. Her response-the citizens there have readily adopted public transit with the launching of the Metro light rail system unveiled only a year and a half ago. The response by locals greatly exceeded expectations- the Metro carried as many riders in their first month, as they were projected to carry in their first year, our tour guide told us. Are you listening L.A.? Anglo American, Native American (there are over 21 federally recognized tribes) and Mexican cultures coexist peacefully mostly (that’s despite some controversial political issues you may have heard about recently), and it’s reflected in the life of the city. I stayed at a couple of Phoenix’s best resorts. When I told my cousin Adele I’d be staying at The Phoenician, she asked excitedly “You’re staying at the Phoenician?” Yep (didn’t I just say that…)- and yes, Adele would be all excited about the Phoenician. She’s the type who loves being in the water and lying around the pool, and The Phoenician has quite a spectacular network of pools. I’m not that type, so I fell in love with the other great resort -The Arizona Biltmore. When I walked into my room at Ocatilla at The Arizona Biltmore (the little resort within the resort), I just felt like crying with joy. The Frank Lloyd Wright inspired decor, the Mission style furnishings upholstered in rust colored leather, that little vignette of a truffle filled chocolate box (complete with the imprint of the blocks used to build the Biltmore), fresh fruit on a rectangular glass platter, and a folded linen napkin on the glass topped, iron legged round coffee table- well, I was ready to exhale, if you know what I mean. I haven’t seen a chocolate box since the days right after my graduation from pastry school when I was ambitious, and made a few of them. BTW, the truffles were yummy, too, although there was so much great food on the trip, I didn’t even get to them until I returned home. Check back over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be sharing more about the Biltmore, and some of the great restaurants I dined at (sort of a eating tour of Phoenix- isn’t that a great way to get to know a city?), along with a couple other great places worth a mention. Okay-this is my not so good shot of the chocolate and fruit vignette in my room at Ocatilla, but trust me, it was a beautiful thing. There'll be more about the Biltmore in later posts. The beautiful little desk area in...
read more1-2-3-4 Cake
The basic recipe for 1-2-3-4 cake is 1 cup of butter, 2 cups of sugar, 3 cups of flour and 4 eggs, with enough milk to make the batter pourable. Repeat this basic formula like a mantra, committing it to your memory, and you will never be at a loss for a cake recipe at the spur of the moment.
read moreA different perspective on the Gulf disaster-an interview with Poppy Tooker
I was very fortunate today, to be able to have a conversation with Poppy Tooker, head of Slow Food New Orleans, host of the PBS television show Eat it to Save It and the newly launched Louisiana Eats radio show on WWNO, the National Public Radio station in New Orleans, and avid fisherwoman whose own fishing camp on the Gulf coast is now, sadly, surrounded by oil. It was an especially timely interview, as just a couple of days ago P&J Oysters, a 134 year old family owned business announced that they would be shutting down their oyster shucking division, as there are not enough Gulf oysters to shuck. An aside here, as a child I remember my parents shopping for jars of P&J Oysters along Jefferson Avenue, the shopping outpost of expatriate New Orleanians in Los Angeles. Oysters always made an appearance in our turkey dressing at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and my family’s ground beef and oyster dressing remains my favorite to this day. One year, my mother for some reason, was unable to get P&J Oysters, and used California oysters instead. Upon tasting she promptly declared these California oysters “nasty”, and said they “ruined her dressing.” Poppy said she could not say definitively at this time, what the future of P&J would be. “They are ruminating about importing oysters, wondering if there will be an immediate future as a boutique oyster supplier.” What do you mean by that, I asked. “Importing oysters from the East and West Coasts”, she responded. Poppy offered perspectives that may differ from those of many of us in other parts of the country who join her in the outrage we feel over the BP Gulf oil spill. Her energy level rose as she talked of “overzealous people who say this is the last time we should be eating animals from the Gulf, or that we should be eating a vegan diet," referring to comments on a story posted at www.Grist.org. “All of our shrimpers use the bycatch (including crabs, squid)-things that we eat, and they use very sophisticated technology and bycatch reduction devices.” “In most cases, these businesses are multi-generational family businesses. Some of the oyster beds have been maintained for over 100 years.” She told me the story of an oyster man named Wilbert Collins. “This man went to work as a deck hand when he was very young. His father took over the business from his grandfather, and he took it over from his father, and now his sons…” her voice trailed off. “He has a sixth grade education. What will he do? And like he says, ‘this will be tied up in the courts ‘til I’m dead.’" When I asked her what she had to say to people across the country, she passionately urged people to buy and eat wild Gulf seafood, if it’s available. “You’re helping a family put a meal on their table. You’re helping them make a payment on boats they had to retool after Katrina. She also had a different perspective to offer when I asked about the controversy brewing regarding the moratorium President Obama has enacted on deep water drilling. “It’ll be the final blow if it goes on for 6 months. It would be one thing if we knew they were phasing...
read moreThe Passing of Albert Vera- and an Institution
Albert Vera, the owner of Sorrento’s Italian Market, in Culver City, and former Mayor of Culver City, died last week. I learned of his death last weekend, when I walked into the funky, overcrowded deli he’s operated for close to 50 years now, according to the story I found online when I got back home. There was a notice posted in the window informing his many loyal customers of his memorial service. I‘ve shopped at Sorrento’s, off and on, for almost 25 years now. I’ve watched his son who was always very friendly to me- maybe even a bit flirty as a teenager, grow into an adult with his own set of demons to battle. I was surprised at the depth of emotion I felt as I spoke to the women working there, even the sometimes grumpy woman who slices the meats, and who I often judge inwardly. I bowed my head so she wouldn’t see the tears begin to well in my eyes as we spoke of him. Why I felt his, I don’t know. Maybe it’s that Mr. Vera has been a constant presence, a kindly figure, always willing to give me (and others, I’m sure) a little discount, or some free items if we were cooking for a worthy cause, or tell me with a wave of his hand “just pay me next time,” if I wasn’t buying enough to meet his credit card minimum. Maybe I felt the sadness because of the personal touch with which he operated in this big impersonal sprawl of a city, or maybe because his little, old world store with its narrow crowded aisles and slightly dusty shelves, is such an anachronism, and I wondered if it will survive. I thought back on the day I went into the store shortly after my father died. I mentioned my father’s death to Mr. Vera. He had always donated food to the Autocrat West’s (my father’s expatriate New Orleans social club) for their St. Joseph’s Day celebration, as the feast was something Italian immigrants shared with the New Orleans expatriates. He didn’t really remember my father by name, but he commiserated with just the right touch of empathy nevertheless. Although I was unable to attend the funeral, I passed by the church on Tuesday morning. There was a procession of fire trucks and police cars, and a color guard of the Knights of Columbus, the old world Catholic men’s society, lining the walkway leading to the church’s entrance. I’m happy to say that Albert Vera, Jr. was at the store on Wednesday morning, continuing to greet customers who came by to pick up a bit of pancetta, and offer their condolences to him. Rest in peace, Mr....
read moreBirthday Celebrations
Whether it's your 5th, your 15th, 50th or beyond, birthdays are a great reason to celebrate! In fact, Wilton Enterprises (the people who bring us all those wonderful ways to decorate cakes), in their latest Celebration Report – I just love that they have a "celebration report"- states that birthdays, over the years, have remained the most attended celebration across the country. Milestone birthdays are special markers in our life- a time to honor ourselves and our journey, and they truly deserve special festivities. If it's your 50th, it can be a time to take stock, along with your loved ones, of how far you've come. If it's your 20th, it's a time to look excitedly at all that lies ahead. And is there anything better than witnessing the wide eyes of a 5 year old, as he views his very own beautifully decorated cake? A birthday is the perfect occasion for putting your own personal stamp on your party. Do you like Margaritas and Mariachis, paella and cava, elegant small bites and champagne? It's your day- so be creative. Let your caterer know the things that you love- your style, your likes and dislikes- and work with them to design your dream party. They can help you to carry the theme throughout, from the invites, to the food and cake, the décor, the music, and party favors. I can safely say that the more input of this sort you share with your caterer, the more engaging the process will be for them. We love a creative challenge. And most of all, make sure you enjoy your special day! Ciao, Gisele P.S. Please visit my other blog: painperdu...
read moreFrench Dressing- Revisiting a Retro Recipe
a recipe for French dressing, a classic vinaigrette with a hint of tomato- not the orangey, sweet glop of bottled French dressings of our youth
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