girlgastronome

I am literally about to pee my pants I'm so excited about the imminent crawfish boil in NOLA post-JazzFest.

Fortunately, I have this picture to remind me of what's right around the corner.

And look at this cute illustration of the many forms bread can take created by none other than my talented step-mother, Betsy. Creative and delicious!

Labels: crawfish boil

Unfortunately, I will be in New Orleans when this luncheon takes place or I would be there with bells on...especially considering how rare it is for Blue Hill to serve steak.

1st Annual Steak and Eggs Lunch

April 19, 2009 - 12:00pm - Blue Hill at Stone Barns
reservations 914.366.9600

April 26, 2009 - 12:00pm - Blue Hill in New York
reservations 212.539.1776

You've heard of green eggs and ham. How about green eggs and steak? Join us for this reinterpreted American classic at Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns with pastured eggs from Stone Barns, grass-fed Herondale and Fleisher's beef, and an array of Bloody Marys (Green, Bull's Blood Beet, Unbloody - to name a few). Blue Hill farmer Sean Stanton, Jerry Peele of Herondale Farm, and Joshua and Jessica Applestone of Fleisher's Grass-fed and Organic Meats will be on-site to teach us just how delicious going green (and grass-fed) can be.

The cost for the 4-course luncheon menu and Bloody Mary pairing is $75 per guest (exclusive of tax and gratuity).

Click here to visit bluehillfarm.com

Blue Hill at Stone Barns
630 Bedford Road map
Pocantico Hills, NY, NY 10591
www.bluehillfarm.com

Labels: blue hill, steak

The husband and I have a trip to New Orleans planned for the first weekend of Jazz Fest. It's been many (many) years since either of us have been to New Orleans which means we are long overdue for a visit. It's also been many years since we lived in Atlanta so we're also long overdue for an outdoor, southern music festival. I can think of no better recipe for fun than blue skies, great food and equally great music.

I'm well aware of the impact that Katrina has had on that fair city since I last visited but I do hope to find it thriving rather than merely surviving. The promoters of Jazz Fest have certainly gone all out to make this year's festival a good one.

I'm a little worried about finding time to get to all of the great restaurants I've been reading about.

A few of the places I've got lined up to try for dinner are:

August
Cochon
Patois
Stella!

We'd be fools to miss these places for lunch:

Willie Mae's Scotch House - aka home of the best fried chicken in the world
Domilise's - home of the best po-boy in the city
Parkway Bakery - also home of the best po-boy in the city
Port of Call - home of the best burger in the city

And, of course, we'll be eating beignets every morning at Cafe du Monde.













And perhaps the thing I'm looking the most forward to is a gen-u-ine, bon-a-fide local crawfish boil that family friends hold at their house every year post-Jazz Fest. There's nothing quite like actually getting the opportunity to experience local flavor first hand during ones travels. I couldn't be more excited if I tried.

It's a good thing we're flying first class. At least I won't have to worry about my behind fitting into the seat on the flight back.

Labels: Jazz Fest, New Orleans

I love eBay. This faucet (minus the side spray) was featured in my future Joe Serrins kitchen in the May '08 issue of Domino and had a list price of $625. I found Blanco's Purus I (with side spray) on eBay and also had a coupon so I ended up paying about 50% less than the list price. Score!

Labels: Blanco, eBay, kitchen renovation

Labels: gifts under $20

Do yourself a favor and make this recipe instead: Cranberry Sauce with Pears and Cardamom It's so easy it's almost foolproof. Plus it makes the house smell like Christmas.

Cranberry Sauce with Pears and Cardamom
1 cup frozen cranberry juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups chopped peeled firm but ripe Bartlett pears (1/3-inch pieces)
1 12-ounce package cranberries
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

Combine cranberry juice concentrate and sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and bring to boil. Mix in remaining ingredients. Simmer until pears are tender and cranberries burst, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool completely. Chill thoroughly. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)

Makes about 4 cups.

Tags: Cranberry Sauce, Thanksgiving

Labels: cranberry, recipes, thanksgiving

I love how well Mrs. Meyers kitchen spray cleans my counter tops and stove but I'm not in love with any of their fragrances. The Maison Belle kitchen spray cleans just as well as Mrs. Meyers but leaves such a pleasing fragrance behind that I'm almost sad when I'm done cleaning the kitchen. Almost.

You can purchase it online at Spring for $12.99 a bottle.

Labels: green cleaning products, Maison Belle

Il Buco is offering some of their products at a decently discounted price for the holidays. Olive oils and vinegars always make a nice gift for fellow gourmands. I, of course, have my eye on the Trapanese Sea Salt Trilogy. I think the recycled gift box is the way to go - simply tie a pretty ribbon on it and you're good to go. Your friends will think you have great taste and recognize your green efforts to boot!

Happy Holidays!

In celebration of the holidays we are offering 25% off select products
and gift boxes from our artisan product line.

Viridens Umbrian extra virgin olive oil from 2007 harvest, 500 ml (16.9 oz)
$42 - sale price $31.50

Vinegar Trilogy Balsamico 6-year aged, Aceto di Vino and Balsamico Bianco
250 ml (8.3 oz) of each
in wooden gift box $90 - sale price $67.50
in recycled corrugated gift box $80 - sale price $60

Trapanese Sea Salt Trilogy
Fiore di Sale, 250 g (8.8 oz); Sale Fino 300 g (10.5 oz); Sale Grosso 200 g (7 oz)
in wooden gift box $70 - sale price $52.50
in recycled corrugated gift box $60 - sale price $45

Aromatico Salt Trilogy
Fiore di Sale, Fiore blended with Orange, Lavender and Basil
and Fiore blended with Rosemary, Lemon and Mint, 225 g (8 oz)
in wooden gift box $75 - sale price $56.25
in recycled corrugated gift box $65 - sale price $48.75

Fiore di Sale blended with Orange, Lavender and Basil 250 g (8.8 oz)
$22 - sale price $16.50

La Bandiera Trilogy
An “Italian flag” trilogy of spices: Finocchio Selvatico (wild fennel pollen) 100 g (3.5 oz)
Fiore di Sale 250 g (8.8 oz); Peperoncino (sweet-hot ground peppers) 135 g (4.8 oz)
in wooden gift box $125 - sale price $93.75
in recycled corrugated gift box $115 - sale price $86.25

Il Buco
47 Bond Street
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212.533.1932
Fax: 212.533.3502
www.ilbuco.com

Labels: Il Buco, olive oil, sea salt, vinegar

I always wondered who bought the ostrich eggs at Whole Foods on Houston...

Labels: ostrich eggs, Top Chef Losers, Whole Foods

What a brilliant idea. Pretty much every time I cook I wish I had bowls on a smaller scale in which to deposit my chopped goodies. This set of four silicone prep bowls includes 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup & 1/4 cup bowls.

Le Creuset also makes a "pinch" bowl set which would be excellent for measuring out spices ahead of time.

Labels: kitchen gadgets, Le Creuset

The husband and I took a trip to Atlanta over the summer which was mostly business plus catching up with friends we miss dearly.

One of said friends works at Shaun's and had been telling us for some time to go there for dinner. We weren't able to make it to dinner but we did manage to swing by for brunch.

It's a good thing for my waistline that I can't get a breakfast like this here in NYC:


















Chilled Corn Soup with Jumbo Lump Crab, Chives













White Shrimp & Grits, Crispy Bacon, Poached Egg













Chicken & Waffles














'nuff said (not to mention eaten).

Labels: Atlanta, Shaun's, Southern Goodness