April 2007 Entries
The Pain Maison from Eric Girard has many holes on it as you can see on the picture. You cannot compare this bread to the texture of a baguette; that is two different things. The recipe produces a rustic bread loaf with a crispy crust.
Rustic bread is often better toasted, which makes this recipe perfect for breakfast or to prepare yummy French toasts. I serve my French toast with a couple of spoons of homemade jams on top. I cook my jam fresh on the spot, so I use it while it is still warm. You can pour a little bit of genuine maple syrup to finish it up.
After digging more this morning, I read some comments on the Web about the lack of taste of breads made with the no knead technique. It may be true with the NY Times recipe. But knowing the well-deserved reputations of the two chefs that I talked about, I feel confident that the recipes of Eric Girard and Michael Smith taste good.
One thing is clear: delicious recipes begin with best of the crop products. For success, it is crucial to start with a top of the line flour, preferably an organic one.
Michael Smith’s Real Bread seems to have fewer holes than Eric white bread. I took the photo from Michael Smith’s Web site, so I assume this is the actual product. In fact, it is gorgeous whole wheat bread.
With more than 100 loaves under its belt with its No-knead artisan bread recipe, it is fair to say that Michael Smith took a look at many aspects. I suggest you sign in to its quarterly newsletters; this is how I got its Real Bread recipe.
I want to finish this follow-up by giving you another great recipe from that same A la di Stasio episode, Dyan Saloman, the cook at Olive & Gourmando, used the no-knead bread of its partner Eric Girard to make a crostini recipe. It will be a hit as an appetizer or for quick snacks. This recipe comes handy for the nights where you prefer eating a light supper made of a nice soup.
Apple and Cheddar crostini recipe (Croûte aux Pommes et au Cheddar)
A recipe by Dyan Saloman of Olive & Gourmando
Ingredients:
Thinly sliced green apples, use a mandoline for perfect slices
A few drizzles of hazelnut oil, nut oil or simply olive oil
Slices of bread, fresh or toasted
Chopped roasted hazelnuts
Slices of Aged Cheddar, Manchego or another kind of cheese that you like
In a bowl, mix together the apple slices and a little bit of oil. Layer the hazelnuts, the oiled apple slices and top it with cheese. Grill it until the cheese is soft.
Link: Croûte aux Pommes et au Cheddar by Dyan Solomon and Eric Girard of Olive et Gourmando as seen on TV at A la di Stasio
Link: To subscribe to Michael Smith’s newsletters
Link: Web site of Olive & Gourmando, a bakery-cafe located in Old Montreal
RELATED POST:
+ No Knead Bread 101
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
posted @ Saturday, April 28, 2007 1:30 PM | Feedback (2)
Bread machine and kneading are obsolete with the latest crave for no-knead bread recipe. Since the New York Times published an innovative No knead bread recipe last November adapted from Jim Lahey’s recipe at Sullivan Street Bakery, everyone made its own version.
I discovered the technique a couple months ago while watching a TV series called A la di Stasio. This show is very popular in Quebec. The recipe was given by Eric Girard, the baker of the hip and popular Olive & Gourmando bakery-café located in Old-Montreal. I was hooked.
Last week, one of my favorite chefs Micheal Smith published its No-knead bread recipe in its newsletter. Michael Smith made a normal size loaf recipe plus a larger loaf recipe, which is handy when you are entertaining. His recipe is for the more nutritious multi-grain bread. The whole wheat no-bread recipe is something different than the rest.
Basically, the three recipes are quite similar. The no-knead bread technique works on the principle that the dough has to rest for 12 to 18 hours instead of kneading it. Yeast needs time to create its magic.
While I was watching A la di Stasio, Eric Girard talked about small details that make a difference. So I want to share them with you. Moisture is crucial to activate the yeasting process. Since summer is a more humid period, the dough can rest only 12 hours. If you live in Canada and anywhere other than the south, plan for an 18-hour resting period the rest of the year.
If you use organic bread flour, you need to adjust the water quantity as the organic bread flour is more or less absorbent (I do not recall which) than an all-purpose flour.
Bread flour has more gluten, more protein and minerals than all purpose flour. Bread flour will expand more which is what you are looking for in breads. Apparently, white all-purpose flours in Canada have a higher gluten content than the United Stated. So it is something to take into account.
Whole-wheat bread flour raises less. I think this fact explains why Michael Smith recipe calls for a second round of yeast raising for about 2 to 3 hours. Most whole wheat bread recipes suggest using some part of white flour. That is what Michael Smith’s recipe does in its recipe.
To give you an idea of Micheal Smith’s Real bread recipe, here is the list of the ingredients for a normal loaf:
- 2 cups of all-purpose or bread flour
- 1 cup of whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup of any multi-grain mix
- 1/4 teaspoon of dry yeast
- 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt
- 1 5/8 cups of warm water
I just bought a bag of organic whole wheat bread flour. I like to hear from you if you give Micheal Smith's Real Bread recipe a try. A link to the complete recipe is at the end of my post.
Eric Girard’s no knead bread recipe (Pain Maison)
I translated Eric Girard’s homemade bread recipe. This is the no knead bread recipe he does at home. This is not the bread he bakes at Olive & Gourmando.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups organic bread flour or organic all purpose bread
- 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 - 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup of bran flour for dusting
- A very hot preheated round Dutch oven – cast iron or enamel
In a bowl, mix the flour, the yeast and the salt. Add water and slowly mix with your hand until you form a ball with the dough. Gently deposit the dough in a large bowl and put a plastic wrap to cover the bowl. Leave it to rest 12 hours in summer, 18 hours in winter.
Preheat the oven at 500 °F (250 °C). Heat the Dutch oven for 30 minutes in the oven with the lid on.
Lightly flour a work surface with the bran flour and place dough on it. Fold the dough towards the center in four folds to form a navel.
Be careful and remove the Dutch pot from the oven. Deposit the bread with the navel below. Put the lid on and cook at 500 °F (250 °C) for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and cook for another 10 minutes. This will create a nice colored crust. Let the bread cool on a grill. Enjoy your masterpiece!
The links to the two other recipes are below. I will like to know which one of the three recipes you prefer?
Link: No-Knead Bread recipe in the New York Times
Link: Real bread recipe by Michael Smith
Link: Pain maison by Eric Girard shown at A la di Stasio TV show
RELATED POST:
+ Follow-up to No Knead Bread 101
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
posted @ Friday, April 27, 2007 9:58 PM | Feedback (3)
I was looking for little things that will add amusements to a cocktail party setting. I went to The Spoon Sisters online store since they carry unusual stuff.
I found three inexpensive party accessories. If you want to throw a cocktail and you do not take it too seriously, these are perfect frills.
First, I found some cocktail paper napkins. Depending on the type of party you do, you can choose Hello My Name Is Paper Napkins or the Dear Cab Driver Paper Napkins. For $3.95, you get a set of 12 white paper napkins measuring 5 by 5 inches.
The olive candles come in a box of 16. The candles mimic green and black olives. They are about 1 inch high. A box costs $ 6.95.
The design lover in me has to add something more stylish. I scour my sources for cool stuff. Eureka! The headstand stool from German studio qed design will add a modern twist. Apparently, the seat is weighted at the base and moves with the user.
A few Headstand stools will be a hit in a cocktail party. It can be a way to know if you need to fill in the Dear Cab Driver Paper Napkins.
Link: Party Accessories at The Spoon Sisters online store
Link: Web site of qed design
Via: MoCo Submissions - Furniture: Apr 25, 2007 on MoCo Loco
Categories:
PARTY ideas
PARTY supplies
posted @ Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:12 PM | Feedback (1)
Today I want to show you wonderful setting for summer grown up parties. The outdoor furniture pieces are sublime and pricey. But you can plan for such luxurious parties for less if you are clever and you like to shop around.
My suggestion is to take the ambiance, to try to recreate the mood and to hire some service staff to fully enjoy the party on the beach or at the cottage.
These photos are all products from the fabulous Spanish outdoor life manufacturer Gandia Blasco. Since its debut in 1941, Gandia Blasco’s activities have changed through the era. Now Gandia Blasco mainly produces outdoor furniture, accessories, pergolas and lighting.
Their collection turns around modern, fresh products with personality. Four stores in Canada sell their products and many more in the United States.
The pergola setting is called Modula. It is an inclining pergola system leaning against the wall made of anodized aluminum and movable canroses of plastic material. Modula only have cloth in the upper part. You can build a similar structure and drape around the structure outdoor fabrics to recreate this setting.
Furnish the pergolas with lounge furniture or deep homemade benches with lots of comfy cushions. Decorate with large candles and fruit bowls. Day beds are a must. Plan to have a few if you want to host the next hip party under the sun. Put some day beds under the sun or the stars.
You can set up a bar area under the pergolas, ideally with a mixologist. If you do not know that it how we call bartender that create its cocktail recipes instead of just mixing drinks behind a bar.
Everything does not have to be monochromatic but limit yourself to two complementary shapes to create a sleek look. You can add some greenery or flower arrangements. The key is to use a single variety that you stage in a row pattern. Repetition gets you the trendy look. Look at the lamp poles in the background of the first picture to understand what I mean.
The tents are called tipi. Each one comes with a bed. For less, you can use standard tents if you make sure they look good and are all of the same colors. Set up a large barbecue area and a big fire for later.
Merendero is a dinner for four space. The whole creates the impression of being in a room. Very innovative, Merendero has a drape roof and two privacy walls. I think Merendero is better suited for corporate events or in the hotel business. But I show it to you because it is fun and new.
Canadian retail stores that sell Gandia Blasco’s outdoor living collections are:
- Bonaldo in Montreal - 407 Saint-Laurent
- Kiosk in Toronto - 99 Jarvis
- Inform in Vancouver - 97 Water Street
- Living Space Interiors in Vancouver - 188 Kingsway
Link: Web site of Gandia Blasco
Categories:
PARTY ideas
OUTDOOR
posted @ Wednesday, April 25, 2007 10:53 PM | Feedback (0)
I like to present you fun and practical items. This tablecloth surely qualifies.
You find questions and answers to riddles mixed on the cloth. The ingenious thing is that the Q&A can be read from both ends of the table. So you can have a friendly competition. To make it easier to read, each side is written in its own color (grey or black).
Called Take your Time, this tablecloth should be entertaining for people that live alone. It can eliminate awkward moments if you and your household mate do not know what to say to each other. If you are hooked to the TV too often while eating, this may be a fun way to get rid of this habit. Anyway, it is cute!
A brand new product by SEM design, Take your Time tablecloth was presented this week at Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2007 in Milan.
SEM is a product and interior design studio located in Utrecht, Netherlands. Leave it the Dutch designers to create beautiful, open-minded and humorous everyday life products. They excel in doing just that.
Link: Take your Time tablecloth by SEM design
Via: Notcot.org *4001 on Notcot.org blog
Categories:
KITCHEN tools
posted @ Tuesday, April 24, 2007 2:05 PM | Feedback (0)
I got inspired by the creativity of a gorgeous baby shower invitation this afternoon. So I decide to talk about invitation choices and how invitation cards can make or break your party.
I said it before; printed invitations grab more attention than an email or a phone invitation to a party. Except for wedding and milestone wedding anniversary where printed invitations are customary, sending a printed invitation tells right away that your event will be something extraordinary. You create hype which usually increases the attendance.
Letterpress and calligraphy create stunning design cards with a personal touch. Lots of small card companies have emerged in the last couples of years to suit a wide range of tastes. The printing techniques make their charms.
Custom letterpress cards and calligraphy are expensive because it is a labor intensive job. Egg Press offers custom letterpress baby book at retail locations around the USA. The Kangaroo card is from Egg Press.
You save even more by going with a card in a collection instead of exclusive design. With personalized printed cards, you select a model from a collection for which you add your personalized text.
Digital printed cards and notes are a popular option because of the price. A high-end look can be achieved when you match it with a better-quality colorful envelop.
Girl Metro, a Chicago-based design studio, sells their cute models in 3 printing options: digital, offset and letterpress. You can get letterpress baby notes with return address printed envelops for as low as $2.10 USD a set, while digital costs $1.25 a set if you buy at least 200 cards.
Vancouver-based social stationary brand Haute-Note lets you buy its signature 3.25x8.25 inches personalized cards in set of 8 cards (9 envelops) for $24 CAD. The whole personalization process can be done online and Haute-Note will ship you the cards.
Stationary stores also sell numerous fill in invitation cards. These are good alternative if your budget is more limited or if you are in a hurry.
But what do you do if you want something more special?
One way to impress is to send the invitations attached to an object or in a box. I will give you two examples.
If you host a party with an Asian theme, you can write the invite on a rice paper, roll it up and attach it to a set of wooden chopsticks with a raffia ribbon. You can wrap everything with paper or clear cellophane. Or you can put everything in the box that came with the chopsticks, if any. Specialty stationery stores are your best bet to find nice envelops. Bring your chopsticks with you to see if they fit in.
Going back to this great baby shower invitation that inspired me to write this post. Jordan, an event planner from San Francisco made it. She posted it on her blog Oh Happy Day. This Baby shower invitation is so cute and it makes a statement.
Set like a present in a box, the printed card lay on bright yellow Lemonheads. A personalized sticker with the name of the invitee on top and a poem on the back close the box with style. Personally, I would have added a piece of light cellophane between the lemonheads and the card. This is not a cheap project but I think it worth every penny. Good work Jordan!
The final budget question is the delivery cost. To save on shipping costs, you can hand deliver the invitations. You can ask the help of a friend or two that live nearby the delivery zone. Otherwise, plan ahead how much it will cost to ship everything.
Look at the mail service requirements since both Canada Post and USPS have their own rules regarding the maximum depth for envelop. If it is too deep, it will be considered as a package. The bad news is that a package multiplies by 6 or more the shipping fees versus a letter.
There are many rules concerning minimum and maximum lengths, widths and weights. The best thing is to bring a completed sample whenever possible. One of my friends discovered last year for her wedding that her response envelops was too small. She had to pay $1.05 instead of the regular 51 cents for the stamps.
None standing all these, having an atypical invite create a Wow factor that make a lasting impression. If you can squeeze extra money on your party budget, go for it. Otherwise, rest assured that they are lots of affordable options on the market. But be certain to use your imagination to make it a little bit more fascinating.
Link: Custom letterpress printing at Egg Press – the Kangaroo card
Link: Girl Metro Baby announcement card collection
Link: Haute Note Baby New Addition collection – the Bear card
Via: Baby Shower Invitations on Oh Happy Day blog – the last picture is her design
Categories:
PAPER goods
BABY showers
posted @ Monday, April 23, 2007 6:08 PM | Feedback (0)
A Finnish designer Tanja Sipilä decided to simplify how we serve sugar and milk for our coffee. She used the principle of gravity to design the Newton Milk & Sugar set for Tonfish Design.
Newton feels like one container. In fact, Newton Milk & Sugar set is made of two containers. The milk jar is the main container. A removable sugar bowl securely rests over the milk jar. You remove the sugar bowl to fill up the milk jar.
The fun part is that you can pour the milk without removing the attached sugar bowl. The gravity keeps the sugar bowl level. This conversation piece is a good gift idea for the upcoming Mother’s Day.
Hand-made in Finland, Newton is made of a dishwasher safe, food safe, durable glazed ceramic. A gold insert sugar bowl is also available (hand-wash only). I prefer the all white sugar bowl.
Founded in 1999 in Helsinki, Tonfish Design produces handmade tableware and home accessories with the goal to find superior solutions.
Newton Milk & Sugar is sold in several specialty stores over Canada; the complete list is published on Tonfish Web sites. In Montreal, you can find them at Spice Safar, an innovative café-boutique concept that is worthy of a visit. For people living in Toronto, go to Fluid Living since I saw on their Web site that the Newton Cream & Sugar set is currently on sale at $48, instead of the regular price of $65.
North Americans named them Cream and Sugar Set. But I am milk instead of cream girl. I will never dare to put cream in my coffee because it totally changes the coffee taste. In my book, take your coffee with milk or take it black. Moreover, I stay true to the Finnish producer who called Newton a Milk and Sugar Set.
Spice Safar Jean-Talon
77 Shamrock
Spice Safar Vieux-Montréal – only open during week days for now
407 McGill
Fluid Living
55 Mill Street Building 8, Toronto, Canada, M5A 3C4
T 416.850.4266 | 1.866.894.6965
Link: Newton Milk and Sugar Set by Tonfisk Design
Link: Store locator on Tonfish Design Web site
Link: Fluid Living Coffee and Tea Accessories
Via: Cream or sugar with that? on popgadget blog
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
posted @ Saturday, April 21, 2007 1:00 PM | Feedback (0)
I love DEDON products, so I am always thrilled when they launch a new collection. This young and dynamic German company creates fabulous outdoor furniture. If I become rich one day, I will furnish my whole backyard with their furniture. For now, I enjoy talking about them.
If you read any lifestyle magazines or went to a boutique hotel, you have seen their furniture many times before. Their outdoor furniture symbolizes modern chic architecture for the young and hip market niches. DEDON lines are always stylish and peaceful to look at.
The international jury presented the red dot: Best of the best award for superior design quality to the YIN YANG Signature Collection. The designer of the Yin Yang chairs is the Swiss Nicolas Thomkins. The 2007 red dot award competition reviews 2,548 entries from 43 countries.
It is not the first time that DEDON won a red dot award. Last year, the fabulous LEAF Collection was in winner. I taught about the Leaf Collection in a previous post titled Getting ready for summer with stylish pool and patio party zones.
The Signature Collection is a real challenge for the weaving artists of the DEDON manufactory to produce each one. Four kilometers of woven DEDON fiber cover each lounging chair. Designed each for one person with a round sitting cushion, the Yin chair and the Yang chair are sold separately. Select the one that matches your personality.
To complete the look of your patio, buy several DEDON planters. There are four sizes to choose from. We are taking large size planters here like you see in high fashion magazines. If you are looking for stunning extra high plant pots, you definitely have to look at the DEDON planter collection.
If you are planning to host a big party this summer on a large budget, incorporate the DEDON outdoor furniture, any one of their collections will do. Mix it with signature dish food, cool drinks, gorgeous staff, superb (but not over the top) flower arrangements and an amazing DJ. I just gave you the recipe to create the Wow factor atmosphere that you are looking for.
Then, invite lots of fascinating guests. Make sure to include all the people that you care for. Mingle, laugh and dance. I guarantee that you will host the party of your life.
June 12th, 2007 Update: Price of the DEDON Yin Yang loveseats
Last week, I meet a few people that ask me this question. How much cost the DEDON Yin Yang set? I look around and I found out that the Yin Yang set by DEDON is sold for 8500 euros in Europe. In the United States it goes for $12,700 US.
Studio B Home, Plan B Office in Toronto sells each chair for $7,333 CAD (14,666 CAD).
Link: YIN YANG – Shaped by elements at DEDON Web site
Link: red dot design awards Web site – look at the news section
Via: Yin and Yang by Dedon scoops Red Dot's 2007 'Best of the Best' lounger award on My urban garden deco guide blog
Categories:
OUTDOOR
posted @ Friday, April 20, 2007 11:43 AM | Feedback (1)
While I was flipping over the pages of a previous edition of Living etc magazine, my eyes cut a fascinating ad sponsored by the Flowers & Plants Association.
Intrigued, I went right away to TryFlowers.org.uk, the “So simple. So try it.” campaign Web site. My expectations were high. I am not disappointed by what I seen. The navigation of the site is a little bit archaic but the content is fresh and practical. It is a must see online destination for DIY people that like to host parties.
You will learn how to keep cut flowers longer and more. The most exciting feature is definitely the flower bouquet guide. You select a style. Then you see 9 gorgeous flower arrangements with the proper instructions on how to make yourself these stylish creations. Anyone with a little bit of artistic flair and dexterity can do it.
Before you get ready for your next party, take a look at their creations for inspirations. Then go to the flower shop or the farmer market to pick up the flowers you need. Like they say on their Web site, you might surprise yourself and your mates.
The Flowers & Plants Association was formed in 1984 to promote all commercially grown cut flowers and indoor plants in United Kingdom. I think they do a good marketing job with the So simple. So try it.” campaign.
Link: "So simple. So try it." campaign Web site sponsored by the UK Flowers & Plants Association
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
PARTY ideas
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 11:45 PM | Feedback (3)
I look at color trends as inspiration pieces. Paint manufacturers make up fresher color combinations that you may want to explore. But unless you like to repaint often, I say to use trends wisely so that the average people cannot put a year on your house decor.
I say to people to select colors they always like for walls and big items. A tip is to look at your closet and see which color stands out except black and white. Make sure that your house reflects your personality. Living in a space that looks like everybody else can be boring. I like that my home décor shows my individuality.
I never use white walls because white walls are too cold for my taste. Painting white walls show that you did not know what colors to put on in my views. You typically find colors you can live with for a long time by looking at your clothe collection.
I like toned down hues on a slightly darker shade for the walls. It creates a warm ambiance perfect for entertaining at night. I prefer brighter colors for my private rooms (bedroom, dressing room) to fill me up with energy in the morning.
Lightning is important when selecting paint colors. Most people set their light fixtures too bright. I rarely put bulbs of the maximum watts in a light fixture. Unless you are doing tasks, lower light levels are more relaxing. Lights affect your perception.
Since I have a day job, I am mostly at home during the night. Therefore, I select my paint colors to look the best at night time. Try the paint colors you like at home with your lights on to see what they will look like; do not forget play with the dimmer to see the difference. Try the colors with the natural day light. Validate again at night time. Then make your final selections.
If you have a small room with high ceiling, like a powder room or a hallway, I suggest putting the same color on the ceiling. It creates a more unified look. My powder room is a paler version of dry out Dijon mustard and I love it.
I learn through years of decorating that white ceiling can be a mistake. I have white ceiling and trims in most of my home. I regretted them because the ceiling stands out too much against the color walls. A good solution is to a lighter tone or a harmonizing color of your main wall color.
If you do not have children, I suggest a mat finish on the walls, especially if you live in an older house. Otherwise, use the matter finish that cleans well enough for your needs.
Many contemporary houses have weird angled ceiling. A common question is what color should you paint the angled surfaces? Paint them like the ceiling if you do not want to bring attention to them. I am not talking about boxed ceiling here. The last two pictures show different color effects for boxed ceiling. Look at the visual effects produced by a lighter hue and a darker color. The rule of thumb is that any surface with a true vertical portion is painted the same color as the wall.
My final advice is to keep trendy colors for accessories and accent pieces. You can update the look of a room in a flash with new accessories. Naturally, if you have a love connection with the trendy colors, go for it on your walls.
I went to see color trends by Sico Paint and Benjamin Moore. Wow! Rich, vegetal, mature hues dominate this season, influenced by our natural environment. My heart is filled with browns, neutrals, greens and blues from Sico. The color palettes seem more muted at Benjamin Moore. We go back to square one.
I got inspired to write about my tips on colors by reading a post from a Boston-based interior designer after Abbey Koplovitz visited my blog. If you are thinking about renovating your home, have a look at On Interior Design blog for great tips by Abbey.
Link: 2007 Color Trends by Sico Paint
Link: 2007 Colours for your Home by Benjamin Moore
Link: Stylish Entertaining Tips on Benjamin Moore Web site
Via: What's New? Does it Always Matter? by On Interior design blog
Categories:
HOME decor
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 12:14 PM | Feedback (0)
As a Canadian blogger, I like to point out great Web sites from my country. This morning I discovered Brides in the City, a fascinating blog published by two Torontians. I lived in TO for five years a decade ago. Gal pals Diana and Holly both works on the bridal industry.
Diana Stepanovic is the owner and pastry chef of Pavillon Cakes. Diana makes traditional, contemporary and super chic cakes. Holly Hatam operates an invitation and greeting card company called TearDrop Weddings. So if you are getting married soon and live near Toronto, their blog provides good sourcing information.
Recently, these gals started doing something out of the ordinary for weddings. They use the same design for the cake and the invite. Great idea! As an event designer, I usually try not repeating the same exact pattern too many times. I approve of this application because it is a nice way to link together your design elements. Invitations should introduce the key design elements of your event. It fits the bill here.
I like the color combination on the cake I am showing you. This cake and invite combination is for brides and grooms that are looking for a modern take on a traditional pattern. It is fun to see other colors than pastels for weddings. You can play around all these ideas the next time you organize a birthday or an anniversary party.
Link: Cake and invite design on Brides in the City blog
RELATED POSTS:
+ Exquisite Sugar Cake Decorations
+ Two talented Canadian Cake Makers
+ I Dream of Cake
Tags: cake shops, cake decorations, cakes, design, stylish, birthday, anniversary, wedding
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
PAPER goods
BIG events
CAKES
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1:13 AM | Feedback (1)
I am a huge fan of the Canadian fashion brand m0851. I live close by their flagship store in Montreal. My husband can testify that I always stop to look at their store window. I love the simplicity of their streamlined clothes and leather accessories.
I am thrilled about their way in the hospitality industry. You can enjoy the same design philosophy when you travel to Belgium. m0851 just opened three guestrooms on top of the new Antwerp’s store in a popular fashion street.
The balanced modern aestheticism and functionality of the rooms are typical of the m0851’s look and feel. The interior design is urban chic and has pure lines. The rooms seem very comfortable for the guests. An itty mini boutique hotel that is located near museums, trendy cafes and restaurants.
I am showing you the m0851 rooms because they are inspirational for when you having guest spending the night at your house. m0851 guestrooms are my pretext to talk about the ultimate guest room. When you design a guest room in your home, try to think of everything your guests may need.
The first rule of entertaining is to make your guests feel welcome. They need a place to rest, a place to read, a place to write down stuff or use their computer and a place to relax. It is a good idea when you have friends that sleep over to prepare in advance a basket for each guest.
Put some freshly washed towels, a mild soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, a few water bottles, some fruits, a chocolate bar, several magazines and a scented candle into a pretty basket or a neat box. I say freshly washed towels because they smell so nice. If your guests brought their computer, ask them if they want to borrow a DVD of a movie or a TV series.
Leaving in the room what they need to prepare a hot drink is a good idea. Your guests may wake up earlier or going to bed later than you. This nice gesture will be appreciated. Think about providing stuff that they can get at their convenience. You can leave some herbal teas and a few cups in the room with a thermos of hot water. Even better, buy a two-cup coffee machine; it costs less than 20 dollars these days.
Tell your friends when the breakfast will be served so they can plan ahead when to wake up. If you do not mind that they prepare their own breakfast, you can leave non perishable food on the counter and tell them when you store your dishes.
All these are common sense rules but something we forget to do things because we are cut in our busy lifestyle. If you prepare in advance, things run more smoothly. The key is to think about your most comfy and enjoyable hotel experience. Then, try to mimic the essentials in your own guest room at home.
If you plan a trip to Belgium, you can stay at m0851 guestroom for 140 Euros a night including breakfast.
About m0851
m0851 designs urban-style leather bags, jackets and lifestyle accessories. Humble in appearance, the collection includes basics like dresses, pants, skirts, shirts and raincoats composed of the finest quality leathers, wools, cashmeres and cotton blends. m0851 products possess a distinct look and feel, balancing old-world elegance with new-school articulation. m0851 has stores in several countries.
Link: m0851 guestrooms
Via: rayonnement 17.04.07 - MO851 a Paris et a Anvers from Creativite Montreal Web site
Categories:
EVERYDAY
TRAVEL
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 12:21 AM | Feedback (0)
I discovered the pleasure of slow cooking recipes in the last year. Braising and other slow cooking techniques are great to host stress-free dinner parties.
Dishes that are equally delicious whether they cook longer or not are so practical for at home entertaining. Since the recipe does not require your presence at the stove, you can really enjoy a cocktail or two with your guests. Guests can be late without ruining your meal. Perfect!
I bought a large clay tagine at an annual art & craft show two Christmas ago. I bought a book or two on tagine recipes. And then it hit me, many tagine recipes called for cooking on a stovetop. But I cannot put mine on a stovetop, especially not on a gas stove. Still, I prepared wonderful recipes on the oven with my clay tagine, enough to want more.
My husband asked me a few weeks ago to cook more braises. So, I am looking to replace my clay tagine for one that can go directly on a gas flame. I do not want to be disappointed this time so I start looking for the best one.
After scouring the Net, my short list consists of Le Creuset Moroccan Tagine and Emile Henry Flame Top Tagine. I want a red tagine pot to match my collection of red small appliances. Both looks fit my taste. So the features will determine which one wins my heart.
I was almost sold on Emile Henry because they made two sizes. I taught Le Creuset (1.5 qt.) was too small to entertain larger groups. I read comments on the Web, some people complain about some spilling problems with Le Creuset. Everybody seems delighted with Emile Henry tagines. That settled my dilemma; I will go for the 2.6 qt (32 cm) Emile Henry Flame Top Tagine.
Emile Henry tagine is safe for microwave, broiler and dishwasher. Supporting up to 450 degrees, Emile Henry gives you 50 more degrees to play with than Le Creuset. On top of it, the large Emile Henry tagine costs the same as the smaller Le Creuset. I just need to go shopping now.
If you want to make you own mind, I recommend one post on Simply Recipes blog that has good comments on tagine. This is where I learn about heat diffuser. One top of it, you get a delicious recipe. Amazon.com product reviews were also helpful to me since they sell both brands.
Cooking.com sells several brands of tagine plus you get customer ratings and reviews. Emile Henry and All Clad are their best sellers. I love shopping at Cooking.com; this online store is an excellent source for cookware and nifty kitchen utensils. I did not pick All Clad because their tagine is more expansive and I find that it lacks the authentic tagine feeling.
If you have other views, do not hesitate to share with us your thoughts on tagines. What is the best one for you and why?
August 6th, 2007 Update:
You can read the results so far of my quest for the best Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and olives recipes.
Link: Moroccan Chicken with Lemon and Olives Recipe on Simply Recipes blog
Link: Tagine department at Cooking.com
Categories:
KITCHEN tools
posted @ Thursday, April 12, 2007 3:12 PM | Feedback (6)
A reader asked me for help because she was unable to create the Bunny Ear Fold Napkins that I taught about earlier in March. I did not try it because honestly I am not good at folding napkins.
My repertoire relays on simpler techniques. I tried it quickly with a piece of paper while at work. Fair to say, Martha's instructions were incomplete. I need step by step graphical instructions if I want to do this.
So I went looking for help, others must get trouble making it as well. I found the message boards on Martha Stewart’s Web site. One message board has people that made the fold napkin telling you tips on how to succeed.
From that message board on Martha’s board, you will see links to other Web site with step by step pictures. Although the results are no near as nice as Martha’s Bunny Ear Fold napkin on recipetips.com, it still provides useful tips that can help some of you. Milliken Table Linen gives you graphical instructions on how to create a fold similar to Martha’s look.
I have to stress one key element: you must use starched napkins to get spectacular results. Have fun with it.
Link: Bunny Fold Napkinss on Martha Stewart’s Message Boards
Link: Bunny Rabbit Fold Napkin at Milliken Table Linen Web site
Categories:
PARTY ideas
HOLIDAY
posted @ Friday, April 06, 2007 2:37 PM | Feedback (0)
In his Room to Improve chronicle Tim McKeough of The New York Times tries to answer the question How high over my dining table should I hang the light fixture?
The usual answer in North America is that the end of the pendant should be 30 inches higher than the table top. But I find that that the suspended fixture is too low, especially if you host a lot of dinner parties.
Europeans seems to agree with my taste. At lunch, I was reading one of my favorite French home decor magazines. I share with you these fabulous dining rooms. These pictures, taken from Residences decoration magazine, tell the whole story. So I cannot resist sharing with you my interior design sensibility.
My chandelier proudly sits at 40 inches. I count in the final tiny decorative end piece. In fact, anything up to 42 inches is fine. I am lucky to have 11 foot ceiling. But the height of my ceiling does not explain why I hung my chandelier higher that the norm? The entire space and the desired ambiance were the key factors that let me determine the best height for the light fixture.
Putting the chandelier higher than the standardized 30 inches gives you more freedom when you dress up your table for a dinner party. When you sit at the table, the space feels more airy. Finally, your table looks its best when you have a gap of 12 to 15 inches between the higher element on your centerpieces and the light fixture.
A dimmer switch makes it simple to play with the light intensity and to create the right mood instantly. But reject any impulse to go higher than 42 inches because you will not be able to create a nice glow on your table, even with a dimmer.
Finally, I show you a modern, more casual dining room where the light fixture is installed at the 30 inches mark. You can see that you feel more enclosed when you sit at the table. For that apartment, the standard works wonderfully. Like I said before, it depends on the mood you wish to create. Form and function dictate how high to install your light fixture.
Link: Room to Improve : How high over my dining table should I hang the light fixture? on The New York Times
Via: House & Home Roundup: 04.05.07 on Apartment Therapy NYC blog
Categories:
HOME decor
posted @ Thursday, April 05, 2007 11:57 PM | Feedback (2)
I love salads. If I got to choose one main meal to eat for the rest of my life it would be salads. I am always looking for new ideas. My husband loves salads but more as a side dish. I make Niçoise salads for dinner several times a year, especially in the summer.
I always want to make my own classic Thai beef salad. I got a few delicious recipes for Asian cookbooks. But for some strange reasons, I never got to prepare one. I always ate them at the restaurants.
I love playing with textures when I am cooking. Here the hot and the cold create ce je ne sais quoi that makes you say yummy. The key is to use lettuces that can withstand the heat.
Today, I read a fascinating post about the making of a beef salad recipe on a blog that I discovered while browsing. I can not wait to try this beef, radicchio and green beans salad with chili-lime dressing recipe, with organic cilantro of course.
Brys, one of the co-founder of cookthink, created last week end a vinaigrette recipe with a little bit of sweet, sour, salty and bitter to complement the rich beef. The salad has radicchio in it, a winner for me. Have a taste of this recipe instead of a T-bone served with a side salad.
Link: Beef, radicchio and green beans salad with chili-lime dressing recipe on cookthink blog
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
posted @ Thursday, April 05, 2007 12:32 AM | Feedback (1)
You see more and more bold patterns all over the home decor magazines these days. Bold patterns are tricky creatures that need to be tamed. No fool proof rules can tell you how to do it. It is an art.
Even the best magazines messed up their arrangement sometimes. The perfect example is this ugly garden party scenery published on the latest edition of my beloved British magazine Living etc. But it gives me to occasion to explain to you why this design fails.
The picture is a great example of what not to do. It is sad because with small adjustment the whole thing could look good. The first mistake was done by the tent maker, Cath Kidston. It is important to create depth when you setting a room, especially when you dealing with an outdoor space. The tent designer should have use a different pattern for the roof than the walls. You could have a band or something that break down the two sections visually. For me, Cath Kidston's Rose Maroc Gazebo lacks this attention to details. To be fair, rose print is not my style.
Assuming that the strong rose print looks best on the roof, I would prefer a light lined pattern (like the square tabletop) for the walls. The reason I do not recommend strong patterned walls is that it limits what you can do for your tabletop. As a party designer, I want to keep all my options open to create a fabulous table design. Because the walls have a strong pattern, the table is lost on the picture.
Also, if you buy a pattern fabric tent, try to get prints on both sides; otherwise the gazebo does not look at its best when you are celebrating under it.
The second mistake was done by the stylist who should have put the light line-print tablecloth on the table under the tent. Even if the tablecloth is a lighter rose-print version, I do not like the effect when they put so close of each other.
If the idea was to promote the rose-print tablecloth, the rose-print table linen will look better laid down on the buffet table (the square table on the picture). In real life, it will look even better because the buffet table will be further apart from the tents.
If I was planning a garden party event with these rose-print gazebos, I probably use a textured single color tablecloth or a contrasting pattern tablecloth. Like I said before, you must create some depth in your space. Plan to have a thing or two that really pop up.
The best way to use bold patterns on different items of a space is to mix and match patterns. So each pattern stands on its own. The end result is a space that has definitions, several weights and depths. This interior, also published on the same edition of Living etc, is a great example of what I am trying to express. The patterns do not look alike but share a nature inspired theme and they are in contrasting enough hues.
When done right, patterns are fun to live with. So try to mix and match patterns from different lines and brands. The worst thing that you can do is to limit yourself to the patterns from a single collection.
I invite you to share your thoughts on mixing and matching bold patterns. Do you like the garden scenery or do you prefer something more subtle like this interior?
Link: Outdoor collection of Cath Kidston
Categories:
HOME decor
posted @ Wednesday, April 04, 2007 8:06 PM | Feedback (0)
A couple weeks ago, I bought a wonderful Black olive flavored Fleur de sel (which translates to "Flower of salt", also known as "flor de sal” in Portugal and Spain).
I bought Flor De Sal De's Trenc, an absolutely delicious brand from Spain that is available in Canada and the Unites States.
I did not have time to use it. Feeling guilty, I created a recipe that captures the essence of that ingredient. Fleur de sel are highly valued salt crystals. I started by asking myself what can taste good with a Black olive flavored Fleur de sel?
What I learn through my years of cooking is that your best bet is to use flavors that complement each other. I began with some Kalamata olives that my husband just bought. But I cannot add fleur de sel to olives, it will too salty. So I look for a food that needs salt. Here come the tomatoes.
I want the olives to be the main flavor of the dish. I opt for the mild taste of chicken breasts. I was looking for something easy to find fresh at the supermarket on a Sunday night. If you love to eat fish, I suggest a cod with this recipe. That is how this new type of tapenade came to my mind.
Wikipedia defines a tapenade like this
Tapenade is Provencal dish consisting of pureed or finely chopped black olives, capers, anchovies, and olive oil. It may also contain garlic, herbs, tuna, lemon juice, or brandy. Its name comes from the Provencal word for capers, tapéno.
Since I want to add salt, capers and anchovies were out of the question. Instead of the lemon juice, I decided to use the zest which adds a lot more flavors. I reserve the lemon juice for my vinaigrette.
I love to mix textures because it stimulates your mouth. The condiments and accompanying food have to be fresh vegetables. Their crispness will nicely play against the texture of the chicken topped with the tapenade. That is how I come up with this healthy meal.
Recipe: Chicken breasts with Kalamata and tomato tapenade, version Kiki
Ingredients for 2 persons
To feed more people, just multiply the quantities per pair of guests.
- 2 chicken breasts
- 10 Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1 tomato, cup in large pieces
- 1 handful of fresh parsley, the kind you got on hand
- Fine zest of a lemon
- Freshly ground pepper
Preheat the oven at 390° F (420° F if you got a gas oven – that is what I use)
Put the pitted olives, tomato, zest and freshly ground pepper in a food processor and puree it. Reserve. The mixture can be more and less liquid depending on the tomato.
Put the chicken breasts in a square or rectangular oven dish. Sprinkle some Black olive flavored Fleur de sel over the chicken. Spread the tapenade to cover the top of the chicken breasts. Pour the liquid part, if any, of the tapenade in the dish. I like to think that it creates a juicer chicken.
Cook in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cook through.
Serve the Kalamata and tomato tapenade chicken breasts, version Kiki with a watercress and baby curly endive salad. To do the presentation, place 4 tomato slices two by two on the middle of a dinner plate and insert fresh basil leafs between the tomatoes. Sprinkle some black olive fleur de sel or ordinary sea salt on the tomatoes. Prepare the salad (see below) and lay down a one inch thick layer of salad with a little touch of vinaigrette. A chicken breast topped with tapenade goes on top.
Vinaigrette
- 1 teaspoon of old-fashioned mustard
- 1 teaspoon of white vinegar
- 1 pinch of black olive fleur de sel
- 4 tablespoon of olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of sugar
I prefer in this recipe the old-fashioned mustard to the Dijon mustard because it has less vinegar. To prepare the vinaigrette, put the mustard, white vinegar and the salt in a small mixing bowl. Mix it together with a whisk. I usually use a spiral whisk. Slowly add 1 spoon at a table the olive oil and mix well. Repeat three times for the remaining olive oil. Put the freshly pressed lemon juice and mix again. Put the pepper and the sugar. Mix a last time. The vinaigrette is ready. It seems a lot of step for simple vinaigrette recipe but you can do it very quickly.
Pour the vinaigrette over half a watercress bunch and half a baby curly endive head. Watercress is a peppery green that is great in salads. I prefer the baby curly endive because each leaf is a mix of light green and white. The overall taste is less butter than regular sized curly endive.
Serve the rest of the salad in salad bowl. Enjoy with an Australian white wine – we drank Wyndham Estate’s Bin 222. Make it and tell me what you think.
Link: Web site of the producer of Flor De Sal De's Trenc
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
posted @ Wednesday, April 04, 2007 12:30 PM | Feedback (0)
This time I put together an Easter brunch scheme for grown ups. This design is based on classical garden elements. It is chic without being stuffy. What I want to do with my inspiration board is to tell you how I select every piece, so you can try to make your themed tabletop. The key is always to subtly play out your theme.
When you set up a table, adding an unexpected touch makes it one of a kind. Here I use the Petite Fleur green pails as the uninvited guests. These gardening vases are clearly more casual than the rest of the elements. The reason it works within this elegant scheme is that the pails hold the shape and the style that we found in classical French garden working spaces. Used in my scenery, the pails carry more elegance than within its usual rustic Mediterranean setting.
My starting point was the Faberge look-alike egg napkins. I fell in love at first sight with the colors and the drawings of the jeweled egg napkins by Caspari Paper Products. Although linen napkins should be used in formal setting, you can use exceptional paper napkins for a brunch or a get together dinner with closed friends or family members.
The jeweled egg napkins called for more traditional crystal glasses. I went looking for pastel toned crystal stemware to play out the Easter spirit. The Renaissance stemware collection captures the royal grandeur of times past. Eureka, this classical crystal glassware line fit my theme.
The dinnerware set was the missing part of the puzzle at this point. I could have continued with a very formal model; that will be the easy way to go. But my idea is to host a chic but not stuffy party, so I need something with a fresher look.
The elegant Boxwood Topiary Dinnerware designed by Barbara Barry is my answer. With just enough color to lend a note of nature's hues to the table, each component of the Boxwood Topiary collection features its own watercolor topiary icon. This garden pattern bona china set nicely complements the rest of my elements color wise and style wise.
Boxwood Topiary Dinnerware is also dishwasher safe, something of value for people who loves to entertain. I prefer having more fun time with my guests than doing the dishes.
The topiary theme leads me to the Petite Fleur green pails. I suggest using sophisticated yellow roses or green and white orchids for the centerpieces. Keep the centerpieces to bunches of a single type of flowers with some simple leafs as a backdrop. Just like the little black dress, the centerpieces must be simple but classy.
Use the Petite Fleur pails to make your take home gift baskets. Insert a sheet of colorful tissue paper and lay down premium dark chocolate eggs plus a bulb of flower or a few bags of cooking herb seeds to thank your guests for celebrating Easter with you. Clear cellophane with a nice ribbon will hold everything together. To finish your gift wrapping, add a small personalized card that you attach by making a hole in the card. The whole thing can act as a place setting system.
The green pails can also be used as baskets to hold the breads, croissants and pains au chocolate (chocolatine in French). This will add some French flair to your Easter brunch. If you do so, think about serving coffee the European style.
I hope that I give you some ideas to set up your Easter brunch table. See what you have at table and visit your favorite tableware stores. Find one piece that inspires you and build a theme around it. Use my inspiration boards as guidelines for forms, colors and shapes.
I like to hear what your Easter tabletop will look like. What is your theme this year?
Sourcing:
Renaissance crystal stemware collection (clear $130, color $165 each) and Boxwood Topiary Dinnerware (Five-Piece Place Setting for $125) available at Gracious Style
Jeweled egg - cocktail napkin (20 triple-ply napkins for $4.50) and Petite fleur yellow (or green) pails (set of 4 for $24) available at Plum Party
Link: Web site of Gracious Style
Link: Web site of Plum Party
Categories:
PARTY ideas
HOLIDAY
posted @ Sunday, April 01, 2007 8:27 PM | Feedback (1)