February 2007 Entries
As I was reading today’s edition of the food section on the Los Angeles Times, I was seduced by the verrines. I was familiar with verrines but I did not know the name of that technique until this morning.
First of all, let me explain what a verrine is. This is simply a dessert or an appetizer that is made of layers in a small and long clear glass. When you want to host a sumptuous, in style cocktail party, ordering lots of verrines is a sure move to impress your guests.
This is a recipe as well as a method to serving it. You must be able to distinguish with your eyes and on your mouth every layer. Verrine is more complex technique that it appears.
Verrine has all the flair of the French culture; it is stylish, structured and full of flavor.
As a French speaking person, I easily grab where the name comes from. The French word for glass is verre. Verrines are hot in the restaurants and with the amateur cooks all over France.
While waiting for your next trip to France, you can take a look at these masterpieces available on the LA times. Or you can visit Restaurant Guy Savoy in Las Vegas to have a taste. Guy Savoy is a Michelin three-star chef.
Link: Layered luxury in a glass as published on LA Times
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
DISHING tips
posted @ Wednesday, February 28, 2007 10:04 PM | Feedback (2)
One month has past since the launch of the new food venture from NotCot.org called Tastespotting. I visited it a few times already and it is worthy of my recommendations.
Tastespotting is a community for cooks and food lover. It is a place to discover new blogs and where people can become stars. You can give a star to the post that you like. There are already regulars that share their best readings.
Tastespotting is some kinds of aggregator of what is happening on food related blogs circle. Instead of having a computer or a team of editors that aggregate the information, Tastespotting asks people for submissions. Having on hand a great looking 250 x 250 pixel snapshot is vital to your popularity since Tastespotting puts a lot of emphasis on the visual element.
Because they want to highlight the right stuff, submissions are subject to approval by their voluntary editorial team. So do not be surprised if it takes few hours for your posts to show up on the home page.
If you do not know what to cook tonight, Tastespotting is a good place to start looking for inspiration.
I just submitted one of my recipes written in French, I keep you post if they accept (re: the language barrier).
Link: Tastespotting Web site
Via: Tastespotting 1 month- 02.24.07 on Notcot blog
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
posted @ Tuesday, February 27, 2007 10:58 PM | Feedback (1)
That girl never stops to impress me with her recipes. Her blog is a must read about cooking.
In today's post, Béa shares a wonderful recipe for your next cocktail. You will stand out from the crowd if you serve her Beet Mousse and Radish Mise-en-Bouche at your next party dinner.
The fuchsia pink color adds a festive touch. And it matches my MOTORAZR V3 phone. But the recipe is not girly at all. It is made with Watermelon Radish, which she described to have a mild to sweet peppery flavor.
For your information, mise-en-bouche refers to the idea of preparing your mouth for what is coming; it is a starter that introduces the rest the meal.
Béa is also good on presentation. I agree with her that serving her recipe in long shooter glasses creates a striking effect. Happy entertaining!
Link: The answer to What is a Mise-en-bouche? on La Tartine Gourmande
Via: Pink in a Watermelon Radish– Du rose dans un radis pastèque
Categories:
EVERYDAY
DISHING tips
posted @ Tuesday, February 27, 2007 1:17 PM | Feedback (0)
This week end I spoke to one of my girlfriends that organize fundraising events for a foundation. We discussed Elle Decor's Dining by Design episode of Behind the Bash that I saw a few weeks ago. A rerun was playing later that day. I told her she has to watch it to see what we could do with a bigger budget.
Coincidently, the 10th edition of Elle Decor's Dining by Design was last week-end. This amazing party occurs each year in New York to raise money for the fight against AIDS.
Dining by Design is not only about the dreams for a cure to AIDS but it is also the dream of the average people to see in person these masterpieces. With a $25 admission ticket, the public can preview the dining masterpieces.
To fully understand the magnitude of Dinner by Design, read this excerpt from the Web site of the foundation that gets the money, DIFFA:
A unique event to showcase the personal passions of some of the world's leading design talents, each participant creates a unique dining environment. As long as their creation can accommodate ten for dinner, the sky's the limit.
Holly of decor8 blog was there last week end. Dedicated, she wrote a dozen wonderful reviews on the best of the best tabletops that she posted today (Feb. 26). I invite you to read all of them.
If you missed it, the Behind the Bash Elle Decor's Dining by Design episode will play again March 11th at 5:30 PM on FoodTV.ca. Thanks to the magic of specialty TV.
Link: The DIFFA Dinner by Design Web site
Via: Dining By Design: Viking by Barry Rice and Ted Allen on decor8 blog - with more reviews on the site
Categories:
PARTY ideas
BIG events
posted @ Monday, February 26, 2007 11:23 PM | Feedback (0)
Having attention-grabbing tableware make amazing table setting with no pains. As I said before, I believe in the casual luxury movement which promote the use the same dinnerware for everyday and when entertaining. All you need to do is to get better quality, modern looking dinnerware.
If you plan to visit Boston in the near future, I suggest to stop for a while at this fabulous store from an Amsterdam native. Lekker, which means alluring, enticing, great, attractive and tempting in Dutch, is located in Boston's historic and trendy South End neighbourhood. I am sorry that I did not have the time to visit them the last time I was in Cambridge.
While lacking the pleasures to touch the pieces, the next best thing is to order online; call them for to set up a delivery in Canada. When you see their catalog, you will share my desires. Their products are not commonly sold in Canada.
Lekker sells amazing dinnerware, tabletop and service ware from Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy and more. For an entertaining, interior design like me, this is pure heaven. And the prices are affordable at Lekker. We are very far for the high end prices that usually goes with European, modern design.
Since Lekker is a store to furnish one home, you can get furniture, lightning, textiles, bathroom accessories and outdoor décor.
The Elizyr and the Cumulus by Kahla are two fabulous German-made dinnerware collection. Cumulus looks even more striking when you mix and match the white and aqua dishes. Cumulus Aerius, is a little more graphic. Both Cumulus collections combine elements of haute-cuisine done as a modern interpretation of everyday articles such as bowls and plates.
The handle-like element present in all platters, bowls and plates of Elizyr collection by Kahla makes it easy to carry around the dishes. Just imagine the reactions of your guests when hosting a buffet dinner with Elizyr. With a clean organic flair, Elizyr creates a floating feeling that set a distinctive look at your table.
There is so much to choose for on the Lekker’s catalog that I share my top 5 links for easy entertaining in style:
I recalled about Lekker this morning while reading Decor8 blog. Holly Elisabeth Becker, the author of Decor8, often makes exhaustive posts. Trends 2007: Beachy Keen is the perfect example of her dedication. She shares a lot of great sourcing. Do not for a moment think that Holly will present you some kind of Disneyland theme by reading the title Beachy Keen. We are talking here of sophisticated, grown up design. If you planning to redecorate your space, bookmark her Decor8 blog as she will post more trend reports in the coming weeks.
Via: Trends 2007: Beachy Keen – see Accessorize! – on Decor8 blog
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
posted @ Saturday, February 24, 2007 12:32 AM | Feedback (0)
I love traveling, enjoying the best in life like wines and dining. When I am cooking, I prepare tasty meal that are not complicated to do. I prefer going to a restaurant if I want to eat fancy recipes since there are plenty of excellent chefs in Montreal.
I go for cooking TV shows that inspire me to cook at home. Offer me a show hosted by a very good looking guy that is charming on camera, with a storyline in each episode developed around the sweet life of Italians on top of sharing delicious but simple recipes. Wow! You got all the ingredients to make me a fan. That’s why I follow David Rocco’s Dolce Vita since the beginning of the series on Food TV Canada. It’s a breed of fresh air.
David Rocco is not a chef, he is just a Canadian-Italian guy that likes to cook and taking the best out of life. Living the Dolce Vita, the sweet life (La douceur de vivre). You follow him around with his wife Nina and friends as they live in Florence and travel in Italy. The scenery are so beautiful, that you wish your were there.
On a more personal basis, David Rocco is a 36 years old Canadian, the youngest of three children born from Neapolitan parents. He now divides his time between Florence and Toronto. David Rocco’s Dolce Vita is the brainchild of him and his wife Nina. They are the executive producers and producers of the show. Being in business with my husband, I am biased towards couples that do business together.
David gave an idea of what they want the show to be in an interview with the City Life Magazine for their winter 2005 edition
We had a very strong vision of combining simple recipes, beautiful scenery with photography, great music, friends and family. … a good one (i.e. cooking show) inspires you to live well.
By watching the show, I can tell you that they succeed. The advantages of being on specialty television is there are a lot of reruns. Check the schedule on Food TV Canada, the episodes of Season 3 (debut October 2006) are still on.
Link: Schedule of the David Rocco’s Dolce Vita series on FoodTV.ca
Link: David Rocco’s Dolce Vita Web site
Link: the City Life Magazine interview : Living La Dolce Vita with David Rocco
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
posted @ Thursday, February 22, 2007 11:24 PM | Feedback (1)
Invitations set the tone of an event. Sending impressive invitations are a sure bet to ensure a high turnover at your event. Any host should pay attention to them. Invitations are where in style entertaining begins.
For a wedding, couples usually set aside a more than decent budget for invitations. Refined printing methods and craftsmanship are generally used. Letterpress printing has undergone a revival in the last years. I am glad because letterpress cards are most appealing for me lately.
This excerpt from the wikipedia encyclopedia explains why letterpress looks so good
fine letterpress work is crisper than offset litho because of its impression into the paper, giving greater visual definition to the type and artwork.
More and more couples infuse their personality and their own style by going with custom designed wedding invitations. Key design elements of the wedding celebrations can show off in a custom wedding invitation kit. Out of the ordinary designs look special and make a lasting impression on your guests.
Yesterday’s daily blog fix brought me to the impressive work of Kansas-based Hammerpress via Josh Spear blog. I love the use of coasters for the directions. Hammerpress’ designs are imaginative, tasteful and well-executed. Bravo! With such invitations, guests will rush in to your wedding.
Link: Letterpress printing explained on wikipedia
Link: Out of the ordinary wedding invitations on Hammerpress’s Web site
Via: Hammerpress – 2007.02.20 on Josh Spear blog
Categories:
PAPER goods
posted @ Thursday, February 22, 2007 2:08 PM | Feedback (0)
Maybe it is the winter blues but something we can decide on a menu. I found a great site, Leite's Culinaria, where you can get menus with recipes for your next bridal shower, intimate dinner or cocktail party and so on.
If you like Portuguese cooking, you are in luck because there is a whole section full of Portuguese recipes. I went to Portugal for my honeymoon. That is a great country where you eat well but a lot. It was in September and almost every place we ate have their version of a vegetable soup as a first course. What was interesting is that although we stayed 19 days, none taste or look the same. Each restaurant made it with the fresh legumes that got that day. Fishes were very good too.
I do not know any of the featured cooks but the pictures of the recipes inspired me. And you can comment the recipes online. Most of the recipes are extracted from books with a link to buy each one from Amazon. So it is also a nice way for you to fill up your library with new titles that you tested and tried.
Talking of testing, Leite's Culinaria has a tester program. You will be asked to test at least one dish per month and fill out an evaluation form. If you love cooking and have a little bit of time on your hand, this can lead to a enjoyable leisure experience for you.
Link: Leite's Culinaria recipes and menus section
Link: Recipe Testing at Leite's Culinaria
Via: Cooking site list on La Tartine Gourmande
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
posted @ Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:11 PM | Feedback (1)
As I was reading the latest post from a fantastic cooking blog, La Tartine Gourmande, it makes me feel good that I am not the only one that cannot live without salads. Her post talks about the food of her childhood in France. With my week-end ski accident, I need to feel good today. And her Buckwheat Herb Galettes reminded me of the galettes de sarrasin (the French translation for buckwheat galettes) that my mother loves so much. Comfort food for the Quebekers as well.
We all need to eat more raw vegetables. I remembered when I travel in Germany in 1991 how unnatural a meal without veggies can be. In fact, three days is the absolute maximum time that my body can endure. Since we were near the French border, every two or three days, we will go back to France for more greenery food.
The latest crave in food courts is indeed the fresh salad restaurants, with make your own recipes. One has opened a few months ago in the food court under the Simon’s store in downtown Montreal. And I think that the Eaton Centre (if not, Place Ville-Marie) has an opening due for next month.
La Tartine Gourmande is a bilingual blog by a French woman that is discovered last week. Béatrice Peltre shares with us great recipes and nice food stories. Her stories are only in English but her recipes are published in French and English.
I gave this title to my post because a large salad full of vegetables with a little of ham and cheese is what I ate for lunch. Go get her recipes of Buckwheat Herb Galettes with its Mixed Salad, it looks delicious as a lunch meal or as an entrée for your next dinner event.
Link: Lunching on a Salad, Almost — Déjeuner avec une salade, ou Presque on La Tartine Gourmande blog
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
posted @ Monday, February 19, 2007 7:18 PM | Feedback (1)
I hurt myself while skiing last Saturday. As I cannot walk without crutches for the next two weeks, I will be putting more time in front on my computer. Instead of cooking, I will share with you my favourite recipes, some of my own creations and some from other chefs (professionals and amateurs). Stay tune!
Categories:
IN the press
posted @ Monday, February 19, 2007 11:25 AM | Feedback (0)
Absolut has built his noteworthy brand with inspiring advertising. Although they are not the best vodka, they sell it at a slightly higher price than the vodkas in their category. What Absolut vodka lacks in taste is substituted with cleverly done marketing.
Absolut has positionned their vodka as an icon drink set in the sought-after lifestyle of the moment. A lot of companies try to do it but only a few succeed. And Absolut has done it. In fruit cocktails, most people do not taste the difference anyway.
What I want to talk about is what they do best. They just launched a new campaign called Absolut Temptation to unveil the latest addition to their fruit flavored vodka line, Absolut Pears. You can take a look at their latest concept on absolut.com/pears. You get drink recipes and a series of short films where you blow up things. Reminiscence to one of my favorite segments in David Letterman’s late night show.
If you are still mad about your ex-lover, you can blow up his watch, the not so great flower bouquet he sent you or her stiletto sandal. On the food side, you can blow up a green apple, a donut or an espresso cup. You feel more relaxed after it. Otherwise, the films are just fun to watch.
Just for fun, I put together (on the on Absolut web site) the bouquet blow-up with the apple and save it as my short film:
Link: the Absolut Pears Web site
via: Absolut Temptation- 02.12.07 on Notcot.com blog
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
posted @ Thursday, February 15, 2007 11:33 AM | Feedback (0)
While I was reading my daily dose of modern design bloggers, I can across this article about the Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers on Modern Self blog. Stylish, smart design and affordable at the same time, my kind of thing. Set on your table, it says to your roommates and guests that you appreciate them.
As an avid design fan, I knew about the HUG S/P for a while. But do not be fool but the whimsical character of the piece; this is truly a well-designed product. HUG is made from a collective of three guys based in New York called MINT. Alberto Mantilla, Anthony Baxter and Scott Henderson, the founders of MINT, are truly brilliant designers that value form and function. As the name MINT implies, they bring a refreshing style to everyday products.
I recommend the Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers to people that like to entertain with the casual luxury attitude. This is definitely a conversation piece. Everything from the MINT collection shares this feeling. You can look at it as a revival of the 60’s and 70’s cheerfulness but done in a more polished way.
The Salad Song Oil & Vinegar Cruets is another great piece from MINT. The MINT'S Vin-Eau Carafe may not please the purist wine lover but I like it. As I still prefer traditions when drinking wine, I will use the Vin-Eau Carafe to serve mineral water on my table. When I am preparing the event signature cocktail before my guests arrive, the Vin-Eau Carafe can be nice way to serve this welcome cocktail from a bar console.
The online store Follow Function published their interview with the designers of MINT. It tells the story about the birth of Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers, the first project of MINT, and how it is difficult for designers to find manufacturers in North America to produce and market their products.
Happy Valentine!
Room6
4389 Gallant Avenue
Deep Cove, North Vancouver BC
V7G 1L1
604.628.8484
Link: to order MINT's Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers from Room 6, a Canadian online store
Link: to order Salad Song Oil & Vinegar Cruets from Room 6
Link: learn more the story behind MINT and the making of the Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers
Via: Salt and Pepper Foverer Together on Modern Self blog
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
HOLIDAY
posted @ Wednesday, February 14, 2007 11:51 AM | Feedback (0)
In my daily review of the favorite design blogs, I find this post on Apartment therapy about this new line of roller blinds from a duo of British (?) designers called Love is blind. This duo creates a fabulous graphic collection of roller blinds that is sure to brightening up your home.
Birds On A Wire, shown on this picture, is part of their current motifs. Upcoming patterns can be preorder online for a delivery in mid-April. My favorites ones are Blue Tree and Bottles.
I love these roller blinds because they are cheerful while being tasteful. Some styles of windows just called for blinds. When we look at design projects on TV and magazines, we see the same blind model over and over. May look good, but it is too predictive.
The only problem with these great roller blinds is that you need to order them from UK. Karine is the co-founder of Bodie and Fou, the UK online store that sells Love is blind. She posted a comment on apartmenttherapy.com about the pricing for the USA - it must be in the same range for Canada. Karine says its costs 120 USD or so for a blind including the shipping fees.
Patterned blinds are a great way to create a party theme by using them to separate the spaces or as wall decoration. For a party, I will suggest that you find a printer that can print on large canvas. The best printers can digitally print your design on paper or vinyl sheet up to 48 and even 60 inches wide.
Link: Portrait of Love is blind on Bodie and Fou Web site
Via: From Bodie and Fou: Roller Blinds on Apartment Therapy : Chicago blog
Categories:
HOME decor
posted @ Saturday, February 10, 2007 10:29 PM | Feedback (0)
We love to ski at Mont Sutton. My husband’s parents have a comfortable Swiss style cottage near the ski station. It used to be that we had little choice in Sutton when it came to shopping. But things have come a long way. A couple of nice boutiques, specialty shops and cafes have popped up.
The cooking lover in me likes to go to Atelier Bouffe. My hubby is not as happy since he thought Sutton exempts him from my shopping expeditions. Now, I succeed from time to time to take a look at what’s new at this store for cooks.
Design is a big part of Atelier Bouffe. The front part of the store displays cool stuff for your kitchen from dishes, serving ware, nifty cooking tools, knives, gadgets, bakeware and natural fabric kitchen linens. The back section of the store is dedicated to gourmet oils and vinegars from around the world, pepper collection boxes and fine spices.
Tea lovers will feel at home with several brands of high end teas, teapots in all shapes and many tea accessories to choose from. This is where my husband hangs out while I am checking everything else. Sometimes, he ventured further back of Atelier Bouffe that leads in a small, fine catering shop called Chez Matis. I will talk to you about Chez Matis another time.
It is worth mentioning that all prices included the taxes. No need for small changes either. Atelier Bouffe makes it easy for you to calculate exactly how much it will cost. Have a visit next time you come to ski at Sutton.
Atelier Bouffe
Boutique for gourmets. Open daily 9 to 6.
14 Principale Sud, Sutton QC
450.538.2766
FYI: Suttonites is the names of the residents of Sutton
Link: Direction map for Sutton in the Eastern Townships
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
posted @ Friday, February 09, 2007 7:29 PM | Feedback (0)
As I watched last night the first episode of Designer Superstar Challenge that I recorded on my Media Center, I found the next topic for my blog. By viewing the results of Anna Simone’s challenge, I knew right away that I got to talk about space and proportion.
These two principles are at the basis of any design whether it is interior design, flower arrangement, photography or party décor. If we want to simplify things, space is about overall size. Here we are thinking about volume. The overall size is the perceived size. Say that you got a big piece in a translucent material; its overall size will be smaller than if it is a bold pattern material.
Proportion looks at things in relative terms. Proportions are how the size of one element relates to the size of other elements and to the size of the whole. Think about ratio, like when you do a cocktail, you pour 1 once of alcohol per 2 ounces of juices. But you can also look at the proportion of the entire flower centerpiece in relation to the table size.
I know it sounds complicated. That is why I got you some online materials from good teachers. They explain space and proportion in the context of flower arrangements. As you will learn, a flower arrangement is not a bunch of flowers loosely put in a vase. By reading the Vermont University Horticulture department course texts, everybody can learn how to make simple arrangement. These texts explain everything in simple terms. If you understand these principles, the decors you will design will be so much better. Take a look.
Do not let discourage by the primitive look of Vermont University Horticulture department Web site, just use the navigation at the bottom of the page to move from section to section, if you wish to explore more on the arts of flower arrangements.
Link: Scale and Proportion by the Vermont University Horticulture department
Link: Designer Superstar Challenge information on HGTV.ca
Categories:
HOME decor
posted @ Wednesday, February 07, 2007 11:38 PM | Feedback (0)
The space always dictates what you can do in a room. Circulation flows, layouts and lights are the basic elements, the bones of home comfort. I can try to explain these concepts but the quickest way is to show you a real life example.
I selected a kitchen renovation project done in an old-style country cottage in Toronto. We are taking here of a small house. I want to show you that with a clever design, a good numbers of people can come to your parties, have fun and be comfortable. That small can hold ten people easily.
As avid shopper and environmentalist, I think we can live in luxury in smaller spaces. If more people learn to live in smaller places, the impacts on the environment will be large. But we will continue this discussion another time.
What I want to show you in this week project from The Designer Guys TV show, season 3. Called Modern Country Kitchen, this is the perfect example of good circulations in and between spaces. They pay a lot of attentions on how, where and what you do.
If you are not familiar with the new Designer Guys, this excerpt from their Web site tells it all:
The Guys have expertise in many fields, from architecture to engineering to digital art and design all of which come together in the amazing transformations every week on the Designer Guys.
I will not go in details about why the Modern Country Kitchen creates a perfect place to live and to entertain. The Guys do it for me in the episode. The show will rerun at Saturday, February 3rd at 16:30 on HGTV Canada. Program your PVR or stay tune!
The Designer Guys Web site provides the best information. Do not miss the before and after shots.
Link: The Designer Guys Web site - Click on the Episodes swatch for the Modern Country Kitchen synopsis
Link: TV schedule of Designer Guys on HGTV.ca
Categories:
HOME decor
posted @ Thursday, February 01, 2007 10:57 AM | Feedback (0)