Wicker Sleigh High/Low & Autumn Recipe

Rattan Sleigh

 

This darling wicker sleigh could be filled with ornaments, small wrapped gifts, Christmas greens, Christmas cards, or left as is. Speaking of Christmas cards, I received my first Christmas party invitation in the mail yesterday.

French Night Recipe

 

Tonight I am hosting a French wine tasting and dinner. The centerpiece on the buffet table will be a wicker basket filled with French baguettes. At dinner, a baguette will be distributed to each table.

Happy August

CCC

I can't believe August is already here - this summer is flying by! My Spanish Wine Tasting and Tapas event is tonight and as I posted about this week, I decided to use miniature sunflowers as a centerpiece since they are very Spanish.

Sunflowers & Blue & White Chinoiserie

1st dibs

 

On Friday I am hosting a Spanish Wine Tasting and Tapas event. I love Spanish wines and tapas, so this will be fun. I have been debating what to do for a centerpiece. I was looking at the floral department at Publix and they have miniature sunflowers. 

Chinoiserie Mayonnaise & A Favorite Recipe

Standard Mayonnaise Ingredients

Are there other mayonnaise aficionados out there? I love chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad, shrimp salad, crab salad, and a lobster roll, of course. A great mayonnaise makes all the difference in the world. And of course mayo on sandwiches as well.

Smoked Salmon Bagel Dip

The BakerMama

 

For my Wines and Foods of the Pacific Northwest wine and food pairing on Friday night, I was interested in making something that combined salmon and cream cheese, two favorites in that region. I found this recipe from The BakerMama and it was a winner. This has a cream cheese and ricotta base topped with smoked salmon, lemon zest, capers, red onion, fresh dill and everything bagel seasoning.

Crazy Easy Gourmet Pasta Dish

Boursin - Garlic & Fine Herbs

I made this last night for dinner and it is amazingly good and so easy. Cook a half pound of pasta of your choice al dente. I used penne but linguine or any pasta works great. Drain the pasta reserving a bit of the pasta water and put the pasta back in the pot (off the stove).

Ricotta with Olives, Almonds & Lemon

Ricotta with Crushed Olives, Almonds, and Lemon

 

Tomorrow night I am hosting a Mediterranean Wine Tasting & Pairing featuring the wines and food of the Mediterranean - France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Sicily. 

I am making this dish - it takes 10 minutes to make with store bought items and guests always love it.

Figs

de Gournay

This gorgeous wallcovering by de Gournay features a fig tree in a blue and white cachepot. I love figs and have a favorite recipe with figs to share that is great for entertaining. It is wonderful with Champagne. 

Aubergine

Eggplant

 

You may already know that eggplant is a very healthy vegetable - all eggplant varieties are rich in chlorogenic acid, which is thought to be anti-cancer, as well as antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-LDL (the “bad” cholesterol).

Besides the antioxidants, eggplant is also a great source of fiber, and it’s packed with vitamin B1 and copper. It’s also a good source of magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, niacin, folate, and vitamin K. Eggplants also have lots of bioflavonoids, which help control high blood pressure and relieve stress, plus, the bioflavonoids and vitamin K can help prevent blood clots.

A Summer Recipe - Gazpacho

Gazpacho - Eat Smarter

Tomorrow night I am attending a Napa Valley Wine Dinner. Each of us is bringing a Cabarnet Sauvignon from Rutherford AVA in Napa - an appellation whose dusty terroir produces some of the world's greatest Cabarnet Sauvignons.

A New Favorite Recipe & Pink Lightbulbs

Fresh Herbs - Saveur

I am involved with some activities here in Venice that I love including gourmet wine dinners and wine tastings with pairings where everyone brings a dish. Over the weekend I made Crostini with Herbed Goat Cheese and Lemon and it could not have been easier or more delicious.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Azulejos Anejo Talavera Tequila

Happy Cinco de Mayo! 

Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5, which commemorates the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. The victory over the French army was a morale boost for the Mexicans. (Wikipedia)

After a long week, I am taking the day and evening off. I am looking forward to margaritas and guacamole at CCC followed by dinner at a brand new Mexican restaurant.

I keep this tequila on my bar because it is an excellent tequila and the bottle is so pretty and blue and white!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The Chicago River Dyed Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! On St. Patrick's Day, I always think about growing up in the Chicago area and the tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green. For six decades, Chicago has transformed the waterway into a shade of bright emerald green by dumping 100 pounds of environmentally friendly dye right into the Chicago River. 

Tonight's Soiree & Recipe

CCC

 

Yesterday I whipped up this cork fascinator to wear at tonight's French wine dinner featuring Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley. I love hats. I have been asked to judge a big Kentucky Derby hat contest in May and am designing a special hat to wear for it.

Butternut Squash & Bacon Crostini

Butternut Squash & Bacon Crostini

These Butternut Squash and Bacon Crostini are a delicious sweet and savory fall appetizer. Toasty bread, creamy ricotta cheese, sweet butternut squash, crispy bacon, and earthy sage - all make for a tasty treat that's perfect for the chilly season.

It also makes for a great Thanksgiving or holiday appetizer!

Happy Easter

Hunt Slonem

 

I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful day today however you will be celebrating.

If anyone is looking for a little Easter related diversion, here you go. 

Favorite Recipe and New Cookware

Scallops with Basil & Cream

 

I made my favorite scallop dish last night (actually one of my favorite recipes for entertaining it is so easy and so delicious) using my gorgeous new induction range and new cookware. This recipe serves four and takes 5 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes cooking.

In the Pink

Old Crow Painting

I came across this dramatic coral pink house with Chinese Chippendale railing and black and white trim and had to share it. It is painted in Sherwin Williams Begonia.

New Year's Day Tradition

NY Times Cooking

 

I always serve cold smoked salmon with bagels, fresh dill, capers, cream cheese, sliced red onion, and sliced tomato for New Year's Day brunch. I found this recipe and thought it would be fun to add this egg and smoked salmon dish as well. I will even have the créme fraiche left over from New Year's Eve from caviar and blinis.