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| QUEENSBORO BRIDGE New York, NY © Dolcetto Confections | Allison M. Veinote, 2011 |
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Chocolate Marquise with Toasted Meringue
It is almost summertime. We enjoyed one week of perfectly gorgeous weather, sandwiched between two months of solid rain, and now the city is humid and sticky, a strong indicator of no reprieve before sweltering summer days are upon us.
Summertime used to be synonymous with an easy, relaxing lifestyle. School vacation, day trips, and beach days – the days moved a bit slower, the nights lasted a little longer, and I felt that I could finally inhale deeply and enjoy life. While such summer days are a bit of a distant memory, I find myself craving even just a few days of such rest, relaxation, and simplicity.
The May 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Emma of CookCraftGrow and Jenny of Purple House Dirt. They chose to challenge everyone to make a Chocolate Marquise. The inspiration for this recipe comes from a dessert they prepared at a restaurant in Seattle.
With this challenge, my mind could not help but drift towards my absolute favorite summertime dessert – s’mores. You may already be aware of my love for graham crackers and when combined with melting chocolate and a burnt, oozing marshmallow, that first bite instantly transports me to simple, summer days.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Maker's Mark: Slam Dunk Bottle
Those of you who know me or have spent any amount of time exploring this blog are likely aware of my fondness of a beverage known as bourbon. I like it in chocolate desserts and ice cream but prefer it poured neat. In the winter, I love bourbon in my apple cider; in the summer, I like mixing it with fancy mint leaves. And while I rarely express brand preferances, I usually leave little question as to my hands-down favorite: Maker's Mark.
Mike took the tour of the Maker's Mark distillery a few years ago and, since that moment, has been on the hunt for a "slam dunk" bottle - a bottle encased in a much deeper layer of the signature red wax than normal. These bottles are harder to find than just any bottle of Maker's - only one in 824 bottles showcases the extra long layer of wax.
It had been a long, fruitless hunt for almost two and a half years. Then, by chance, one Saturday morning a few weeks ago, I asked if Mike wanted to walk with me to buy wine for a party that evening. After a very rainy April, the sun was finally peeking through the clouds and I was happy to walk the extra few blocks to explore a new wine store. Mike reluctantly accompanied me, lagging along as he checked his phone for updates on the Kentucky Derby. Once at the store, I scoured the aisles for the bottle I required, when I heard a loud gasp to my right. Mike came running over, demanded, "LOOK!" and proudly showcased his discovery - the much awaited, much sought after slam dunk bottle of Maker's Mark.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
JBF LTD
Prior to this year's James Beard Awards, I had the opportunity to stop by JBF LTD, a new type of pop-up established for only the 27 days leading up to the awards. While the idea of a 'pop-up' restaurant is hardly a new concept to us New Yorkers, the James Beard version combined many elements - bringing together not only chefs to create special dinners, but also cookbook authors, food celebrities, and other people influencing the ceremony.
JBF LTD found its temporary home in Chelsea Market, where it served up small bites and sweets for lunch to enjoy as the daytime programming took place. In the evening, the space was transformed into a restaurant, where diners enjoyed the work of many influential, talented chefs.
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