The Sweet Life

These days...my life is tinted with a dream-like quality. It's as if my long-held fantasies have, serendipitously, shifted into reality. Truth be told, it's still bewildering sometimes...and I often feel the need to take a giant stride back...and pinch myself!

This week was a perfect example:

My good friend Crescent Dragonwagon was in town. Before you snicker at her name too long (one she donned during her "hippy-dippy days"), this dynamic woman has published over 40 books, hosted President Bill Clinton's inaugural brunch, ran an award-winning B&B, and was the founder of a well-known writer's colony. All accolades aside, I adore her warm and generous spirit.

Our first day out, Crescent and I tooled around Seattle. We managed to squeeze in a visit to the farmer's market....meandering from stand to stand, nibbling on foraged sea beans and indulging in fat slices of Nubian goat cheese.

Afterwards, we strolled over to Bakery Nouveau and paid my friend William Leaman a visit. In case you don't know William, he was captain of the 2006 World Champion Baking Team. Coming off the heels of his win, in December, he opened Bakery Nouveau. Tucked away in West Seattle, this tiny gem evokes the soul of Paris.

A side note for a swoon: I'm crazy about William's twice-baked almond croissants. Crisp, buttery shards of croissant dough wrap around a heart of almond paste...

No wonder Bakery Nouveau has taken off like a rocket! A feast for the senses...the shelves are brimming with an array of artisan breads, candies, and pastries. Often the line snakes out the door, but this trip, timing was on our side. After quick introductions, Crescent and I sat to enjoy a drink and contemplate our pastry choice.

Before long, William paid us a visit...and eliminated the need for a decision. One dessert after another arrived at our table...tempting us with a parade of treats. Even after he sat down, the desserts continued to arrive! Hot out of the oven, the oozing strawberry-rhubarb tart was divine! (Sorry, no photo. It was devoured before I gave my camera another thought...)

Here's a look at the first round of desserts:

Two of these desserts helped William's team snag the baking championship.




See that pistachio macaroon--the garnish on the left? William makes amazing macaroons. What's his secret? Most chefs use a buttercream filling, William uses delicate candy fillings. Mmmm.....




And then there's this beauty with a cocoa pod candy, festooned over a caramel glazed cake.



Blame it on the sugar-high hangover...if I recall correctly, we had a few of these too!

William sent us off with an assortment of chocolate candies....wrapped in his signature box, secured with a simple snow white ribbon. He called this heavenly parcel..."a little something for your journey." (Okay, that's a 15 minute trip over the West Seattle bridge, but who am I to argue???)

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Ah, and just when I think it can't get any better...Saturday night I went to a party at my friend John's. He threw a wonderful fête...celebrating the 3rd year anniversary of his business, Kwanchai Design. John specializes in interior design and event staging. Have you ever thrown a party and wished your place looked picture perfect like a magazine? It's possible. Those in the know.... call John.

Saturday night, John transformed his industrial space in South Lake Union with oversized paper lanterns and parasols hanging from the lofted ceilings. Thai-inspired dishes were kept warm over heated slabs of granite alongside a profusion of flowers. Drinks flowed well into the wee hours...

Networker that I am, I invited a few friends to come along. Thrown into the mix were the owners of Starry Nights Catering (who helped cook the Tony Bourdain dinner) and cake-baker-extraordinaire, Dan Mikosz.

Years ago, Dan and I met briefly at one of his baking classes. He barely remembered me, but his humble charm and incredibly light cakes stuck in my mind. Recently, a friend asked who had the best cakes in town...I told her, without a shadow of a doubt, if I needed a special occasion cake...Dan's the man.

One thing led to another, and now, Dan's beautiful cakes are going to be featured in Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom--a new magazine set to launch in July!

Get this: As a thank you, Dan whipped up a cake--affectionately called "The Dublin"--and had it delivered to my office! Can you believe it?! Nothing like being the new kid on the block...and dazzling my co-workers with cake!

Saturday night, Dan proved his incredible generosity once again. For John's anniversary party, he arrived with yet ANOTHER cake. This one was stunning chocolate cake soaked with a bit of Grand Marnier, and layerd with a luscious bittersweet chocolate moose.

Um, yeah.

Blissful sighs... followed positively indecent moaning...

***
All this...and the sweetest surprise was yet to come.

An e-mail landed in my box. I asked innocently, "When are you coming next?"

The Waffle Man replied, "What are you doing on Sunday?"

S-U-N-D-A-Y! Really??

He was on the east coast for business...and detoured to Seattle. That was no easy feat. The plane had trouble and ultimately, what is often a 5 hour trek...turned into a 16 hour ordeal. But finally, he was here.

Sunday, we met.

It was raining.

I leaned in...and under the protective cover of his umbrella, found my space, again.


Yes, my friends.....life is very sweet!

Orcas Island Afterglow

Last weekend I headed up to Orcas Island to meet up with two legends in the culinary world,Christina Orchid and Robin Woodward. Christina runs the lovely Christina's Restaurant on Orcas Island. She, along with Alice Waters, was a pioneer...working with seasonal, fresh ingredients. Still going strong after 28 years, her charming restaurant overlooking the smattering of San Juan Islands is the perfect place to be!

I stayed at Christina's place...in what is affectionately known as "the barn." The only creatures this place stables are guests (me!) and visiting chefs. (Annie Somerville slept in my bed!) Frogs out by the pond serenaded me to sleep every night, and the family of geese greeted me in the morning.

The barn's first level features a commercial kitchen stove, refrigerator, and all the amenities you could ever want (I counted 5 types of tart pans!) The oversized glass doors open up to a patio overlooking the pond and a view of the Sound out in the distance. This is the space booked for "Cooking in the Barn," which is held throughout the month of June. Past chefs have included Jerry Traunfeld, Nancy Oaks, Annie Somerville, and this month will include James Beard Award winner Crescent Dragonwagon, and Cornucopia’s Becky Selengut. (If you want in on this season's classes, event details are at the bottom.)

Next, I met up with Robin Woodard who owned a couple well-known restaurants in Seattle. The history is completely fascinating but if you want to get a sense of her impact...she was the first person to sell scones in Seattle! Eventually, she discovered Orcas Island and moved up there. Her son, Charlie, now owns a wonderful spot called "The Restaurant" on Orcas and he carries on her seasonal, fresh approach with incredible Asian-inspired dishes.

Saturday we paid a visit to the farmer's market. A mix of produce, flowers, meats, and crafts make up this bustling scene. Afternoon story hour is put on by the local library. And fire up the grill... those oysters were the best I've ever had! (I even brought back some of Local Good's secret sauce: a lovely horseradish & carrot mignonette. Mmm...)

As luck would have it, Saturday night I was invited to Charlie's birthday party. Held out on Maple Rock Farm, they were serving up...roasted chickens from the pizza oven, salads made with home-grown produce, and cakes provided by Robin (carrot, rosemary, and polenta). On the island, they're committed to organics...and I was assured even the keg of beer was organic!

Talking with many of the locals, I began to understand some of the challenges living on the island. Staffing is a difficult issue--not only because of the limited population, but because of a shortage in available housing. As Robin explained, you can lease a house on the island, but often times, not for the entire year. With the wave of summer tourists, landlords find it much more profitable to lease to seasonal guests. So for three months out of the year, a number of the locals have to find alternate housing. That, combined with the influx of staff needed to work the summer crops and tourist industry, housing is definitely an issue. Many people camp through the summer and I met one guy lived on a boat that was dry-docked (on land).

Sunday morning Christina and I went to breakfast at the beautifully situated, Rosario Resort. The place is legendary (both historically and due to significant promotional efforts), but the food was horrible. Truly horrible. It's a nice spot for a cocktail and a look out over the water...but for food, there's much better fare to be had in town.

Afterwards, we took a drive into Moran State Park. This is an idyllic location with old-growth forest and as you can see...from Mt. Constitution...a jaw-dropping view. I wish I had a wide angle lens to show you how the islands wrap around 180 degrees from this vantage point. It's amazing and if you get the chance, you must come see it for yourself. In all my travels, this is one of the most spectacular places I've ever seen. It's a pity the photos don't do it justice...

Christiana and I became fast friends...and so with a teary goodbye, I headed back on the ferry. The ride, snaking through the San Juan Islands, is just amazing. I loved sitting on the deck, spotting houses tucked away in the rocks and watching sailboats catch the breeze...Crossing from one side of the ferry to the other, I spotted that funky motorcycle and just had to share it with you!

Ah, and the Alpacas? Friday, on my way up to the island, I knew I'd missed my ferry and would have to take a later boat. So when I spied the Alpaca farm just off the highway, I stopped to say hello. Curious and shy, the younger alpacas had recently gotten a trim. So cute...

For me, the highlight was just having a chance to chat with Robin and Christina. Rarely at a loss for words, somehow I find myself unable to capture the experience with a string of sentences.

In sum...they talked, I listened.

And it was one of the best weekends of my life.

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If you want to get in on the 3 remaining Cooking in the Barn classes, here's the scoop:

June 12 - Crescent Dragonwagon is traveling from Putney, Vermont to the barn to share her wealth of cooking experience with us. She has written over 40 books including the James Beard Award-winning, “The Passionate Vegetarian” and "Dairy Hollow House Soup & Bread: A Country Inn Cookbook." Crescent appeared on NBC's Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America, CNN’s On the Menu. Crescent’s focus is on locally produced raw materials which she transforms into scrumptious meals. She is currently planning her menu with the guidance of John Steward from Maple Rock Farm. Crescent is an accomplished teacher whose warm and engaging personality makes every class an event to be remembered.

June 19 - Greg Atkinson is making his third appearance at Cooking-In-The-Barn. He has a new book for us to savour, “West Coast Cooking” and will be planning his menu using recipes from the book. Greg shares his vast knowledge of all things culinary through consulting, writing, teaching, and radio and television appearances. He is a Northwest treasure.

June 26 - Becky Selengut is a bold young entrepreneur who founded Cornucopia in Seattle. She is a teacher and private chef who earlier in her career worked with Jerry Traunfeld. She graduated from the Seattle Culinary Academy where she was awarded the Outstanding Culinarian of the Year. She has worked on two PBS cooking shows and did stints at La Medusa and La Spiga before starting her own business. Her most recent innovation is a website http://www.seasonalcornucopia.com/ which is a tool “..to easily identify when local foods are in season” for all Puget Sound cooks.

Proceeds benefit the Orcas Island Children's House. Classes are $125 each and include cooking demonstration, dinner, and wine--to say nothing of the sunshine and good company! Author's books will also be available for autographed copies.

To register contact: Orcas Island Children’s House (360) 376-4744 (Monday through Friday from 8am until 5pm)

What the World Eats

Time Magazine ran a fascinating excerpt from the book Hungry Planet. The premise is simple: Around the globe...what's on the family dinner table?

It's an eye opening piece...and in case you missed it, check out the full article here.

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina
Food expenditure for one week: $341.98

***

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

*Photographs by Peter Menzel

Spring at Seabreeze Farm

I'm heading out to Orcas Island tomorrow...with a lovely case of strep throat. (Hopefully with a good night's rest...the antibiotics will kick in soon!)

Until I can share a report about Orcas, I found this post in my draft folder. I'd written it earlier this spring...and for some reason, never activated it. Here's a fun look at Seabreeze Farm over on Vashon Island....just a short 20 minute ferry ride from West Seattle.




Oh how I love a field trip....

Each month, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine features a series on the chef/farmer connection. Since Chef uses a ton of duck eggs, we trekked out to Seabreeze Farm for a visit. Joining us was a writer from the magazine and an amazing photographer, Amos Morgan.

For the most part, I made myself scarce...and ended up meeting the staff. I walked in on ateam of 2...skimming cream off raw milk...and had my first taste of unpasteurized milk. Wow. It's incredible! They made cheese with the rest of the milk, and creme fraiche with the cream.

I chatted it up with Charlie, who was making leather out of a calf hide (see photo). As he explained, one of their calves broke loose and got hit by a car. With sustainability in mind, he decided to strip the hide and thanks to the internet, taught himself how to make leather. Charlie described the process and when we met, he was in the middle of a multi-day project. The hide had been stripped and soaked and that day, he was removing the hair and epidermis. Charlie was especially proud of the tool he made--fashioned from hardware store supplies for mere pennies. On the weekends, you can catch up with Charlie at the local farmer's markets, selling Seabreeze eggs and cheese.

The farm itself is filled with free range chickens, ducks, and geese. Apparently this was the season where chickens were looking for any space to lay eggs. Farmer George mentioned he'd find chickens in his office, in the car...or in this case...nesting on a sack of coffee beans.

See that chicken photo? I plucked my first egg out from under her. I used my shoe as a decoy (so it would peck that instead of my hand), then I carefully reached under...and grabbed her leg! Duh. I finally found the egg and pulled it out. It was still warm and flecked with soft pillowy feathers from the nest...amazing.

Another interesting thing...I asked George if he had issues with eagles...which are somewhat frequent sightings out on the island. Apparently not. They have problems with crows and hawks. They'll attack a chicken and eat the grain stored in its throat, the gullet, and pluck through and eat the liver...and leave the rest of the bird to decay. The eagles at least eat the whole bird. The crows and hawks actually will kill many more birds because they eat less of them.

It was a wonderful early spring day out on the island...and a pleasure to meet George, Charlie and the rest of the crew. If you get a chance to head out to Vashon Island, look up Seabreeze Farm. At the edge of their property, they run a flourishing farmstand where you can select your own farm fresh eggs and cheeses. Next to the cooler is a small table. There, you can list your purchases and put cash in the jar. Payment here...is on the honor system.

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The official Seabreeze Farm/Duck Egg article was featured in the April issue of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine.

Let's Call It...Progress

My schedule's been crazy busy lately...but the end is in sight, I hope! In the meantime, people are coming over tomorrow and I really should be cleaning my house, but I thought I'd write a post instead. (Productive stalling...don't 'cha know!)

Where to begin?


In the Press
Tavolàta is featured in this month's Bon Appétit! If you get a chance to see the June issue, check out the Seattle spotlight.

Over the past few months, the boys at Tavolàta have seen press regularly passing through. The restaurant was named Seattle's "Most Anticipated Restaurant of 2006" and the delayed opening (Jan. '07) only seems to have increased the momentum.

If you haven't had a chance to stop by, I snapped this picture--killing time during a recent photo shoot. (Notice the photographer by the window?) Before hours, the restaurant looks really peaceful, doesn't it? When they're open, it's not uncommon to wait over an hour.

Adieu, Chef
So now that the new restaurant is up and running and Union is back on track, I've decided to move on to other projects. Working with the Chef has been amazing...and I couldn't be more grateful. A big, heartfelt thank you goes out to Ethan Stowell. Who knew he could be so patient???? Thanks, Ethan. You'll always be one of my heroes.

A Nod from the James Beard Foundation
A big whopping congrats goes out to local food writer, Rebekah Denn. I noticed her name on the James Beard Award Nominee list...and sent her kudos. Turns out, I broke the news that she was even nominated (oops!). I love Rebekah's writing and she is destined for great things. The James Beard folks agree. Rebekah WON the award for "Newspaper or Magazine Restaurant Review or Critique." Kudos, woman! It's well deserved.

Party Recap
Last week I catered a party for 50...and now I know why I don't do THAT very often! Whoa, I was so tired! The party went off without a hitch--proving I've obviously learned a thing or two about timing and preparation. (I'm definitely a candidate for "most improved!") From the kitchen, I could keep an eye on the buffet table and heard a few comments..."This is amazing!" or "These are the best carrots I've ever had." One woman approached me and said, "I make moussaka all the time, and it's never this good." Since I don't cook on a regular basis, I'm glad to hear I can still crank out something people enjoy.

Here's what the final menu looked like:

* Sevillian Marinated Carrots
* Black Olive Paste
* Assorted Olives, cheese, and fruit
* Orzo Salad with Cucumber, Basil, Tomato & Feta
* Chickpea & Green Bean Salad
* Meatballs with Bulgur in Onion & Tomato Sauce
* Moussaka
* Chocolate Stout Cake
* A Cote Brownies
* Strawberries with Ganache for Dipping

Note: If anyone wants recipes, leave a comment. I'll be happy to share.

Blogger Bonding
Monday night, Shauna (Gluten-Free Girl) hosted a dinner for Clotilde of Chocolate and Zucchini fame. Clotilde was in the US on her book tour and naturally, Shauna worked a little magic while she was in town. Our local paper was even in on the action...and if you want to read the article, check it out here. (It's staggering to see...Clotilde's blog gets 4.9 million hits a month!)

While I had other commitments that evening, I did drop by after hours. Shauna & her chef, Clotilde, and I hung out while the crew got the restaurant back to normal. Clotilde was smart, engaging and very interesting. I loved the insiders chat about issues both Shauna and Clotilde experience now that their blogs have become so large. I read an article somewhere... mentioning that bloggers are the new celebrities. Indeed.

On the Horizon....Orcas Island
Next week I'm heading up to Orcas Island for a little reconnaissance. I've booked a couple chefs for an event up there later in June. My plan is to check out the venue and get a feel for their cooking space. (It's so hard cooking in a kitchen you don't know...especially when 50 people pay to see you strut your stuff...) With any luck, I can smooth out any hurdles beforehand.

Incoming Dragon!
Crescent Dragonwagon is coming in town...and I couldn't be more excited. We met at a dinner last year, and quickly became soul sisters. She'll be in Seattle later this year (on tour for her latest book) but this trip, she's doing a cooking demonstration at the Orcas event. Crescent's accolades run a mile long but I find this particularly amusing: She ran a legendary B&B and restaurant back in the Ozarks. Apparently Bill and Hillary Clinton were regulars...and when he won the Presidential election, Crescent cooked one of the inagural dinners! How cool is that? Over this past year, Crescent has become a close friend and mentor who inspires me in so many ways. I can't wait!

Fellow Travelers Arrive
Okay, it's no secret that summer in Seattle is this side of paradise--which explains the wave of friends coming to visit. I just got word that this amazing couple I met in Thailand will be arriving soon. Since we first met, I get periodic e-mails from Spain, Morocco, China, etc. Yes, when I came home in September....they kept traveling! Maggie and Jean Pierre are the sweetest couple and keep me positively entranced with their globe-trotting stories....

Waffles, Anyone?
Last but not least...I just got word from the Waffle Man. If all goes according to plan, he's going to be spending the month of July here in Seattle.

Whew! Okay, there's what's happening in my world. I can't wait to carve out a chunk of time and share a bunch of stories with you. Stay tuned...

Sweet ELIXER

Okay, heads up folks. I just got wind of an amazing dinner on Sunday (5/27). My pal, Chef Becky Selengut will be preparing a tantalizing menu, simply titled ELIXER. One look at the menu and I can honestly say, THIS is the place you want to be! (Slow roasted black cod, pinot noir-green garlic sauce, morels, fennel candy...Oh MY!)

If you haven't had a chance to check out Seattle's Underground Dining scene (featured in the Seattle Times, Wall Street Journal, and Tony Bourdain's No Reservations), this IS the night. As you know, I've been playing with some mighty talented chefs and I swear, Becky Selengut has the best palate, bar none!

Do you dare?

Yes!

Come dine...speakeasy style...and sample the Chef's sweet ELIXER.



DETAILS:

Gypsy Dinner: ELIXER
May 27 2007

* Nettle and toasted rice tonic

* Fava bean pancakes, rashers, maple syrup, house pickled onions

* Sweet pea flan with shallot cracklins, cucumber shavings and icicle radish

* Slow roasted black cod, pinot noir-green garlic sauce, morels, fennel candy

* Perilla-verjus bracer

* Grilled 5 spice quail, bamboo shoot matchsticks, rhubarb jam

* Forager's basket salad

* Ginger mochi, umeboshi syrup, red shiso cream

* Bittersweet Chocolate Terrine Lik-m-Aid With 3 powders: Sumac, Citrus, Sesame

* Cocoa nib infusion

For this exquisite night of Food, Wine, and Song, suggested dinner donation: $90, wines extra.


Are you ready to step up to the table? Flying under the radar and dining speakeasy style means...registration is required. For details...and one small step in your dining adventure, register here.

The Foods We Eat

Our local paper ran this article today. It's a fantastic read about Twinkies, deconstructed. After seeing the ingredient list from my childhood favorite, it's a wonder they passed through the Food & Drug Administration!

Grab your favorite treat & take a good look at the label.

What's in your food?

That's Vegas, Baby

By normal standards, four days in Vegas is way too long.

This trip, I went for work...and I was far too busy to worry about the city's other distractions. I saw some fabulous speakers, learned a ton and quite frankly...my head is still spinning.

Flying into town, Vegas appears like an oasis in the middle of the desert. After soaring over vast stretches of dry, barren land, slowly you begin to see signs of civilization. Tract housing with shimmering swimming pools glint in the sun. Development becomes more concentrated and then, as we circle in for a landing, a blinding light reflects off golden windows at the Mandalay Bay hotel.

The plane lands and we walk out on the tarmac alongside a slew of private planes. The airport landing strip is juxtaposed against the famed Las Vegas casino strip-- dangerously encroaching on eachother and battling for dominance over too little space.

The conference was held at Caesar's Palace. Picture opulence in marble with Roman and Greek artwork throughout every conceivable space. Resisting the decadent seduction, somehow, I managed to avoid the gaming tables and slots entirely. I parted with plenty of money on the day to day business of meals and occasional beverages. ($4 for a bottle of water!)

Overall, I've never been a big fan of Vegas.

My brother lived there in the early stages of the building frenzy. Instead of hanging out at the strip, I was happier lingering at his house. I mean, really, who wouldn't? For him, home sweet home meant 5,000 square feet of splendor with a pool and a waterfall Jacuzzi...alongside a golf course that cost $400 to play. By day, you had a fantastic view of the mountains, and at night, the city glittered in the distance. All the Vegas lux...and none of the crowds! Win-win.

This trip, I was too busy with the conference to worry about anything else. Okay, wait. That's not true. My room was....interesting. I had a lovely view of the Flamingo Hotel and giant promotion for Toni Braxton. My bathroom was floor to ceiling marble...blah, blah blah.

BUT, what threw me was...the column-encased mirror over my bed!

Seriously!


The Vegas highlight? At the conference, I stumbled on an opportunity to spend quality time with NBA basketball legend, "Magic" Johnson. (What's the saying...dumb luck favors the fools?)

Magic's portfolio includes 110 Starbucks, movie theaters, TGI Fridays, and other real estate development projects in the heart of urban America.

As we were discussing his projects, he leaned in and said, "You've got to know your customer. At my Starbucks, urban America doesn't want scones." With clear distain, he practically spat the word 'scones.'

Then, his voice favored a Southern drawl, "Honey, at my Starbucks, we're serving up peach cobbler and sweet potato pie!"

To further illustrate his point, he added, "At my TGI Fridays? We're the only ones in the country serving Dom Perignon and Crystal...because that's what my customer wants! Always, always do your research...and know your customer."

As surreal as Vegas is, they've mastered Magic's point. Clearly Vegas knows their customer.

I, on the other hand, am not the Vegas target market. I don't want mirrors over my bed and I fail to appreciate enormous replicas of Michelangelo’s David in...the middle of a shopping mall. I enjoyed my Ecuadorian cab driver far more than the wonders in my hotel. I am definitely NOT the Vegas target market.

Ah, lovely lush and green Seattle....it's good to be back!

Catching Up

I recieved a lovely e-mail the other day. Marce at Pip in the City noticed I haven't been posting as frequently and wrote to check in on me. What can I say? Things have been a little crazy lately. Although the end is in sight, over the next 6 weeks, I'll be blogging even less. Bear with me...I'm working my way through a number of commitments.

So what have I been up to?

Plenty.

Employment with Benefits

I started a new job about a month ago. I'm now working for a publishing company that produces two magazines and has a significant online presence. While it's not food-related, I am learning a lot about the inner workings of a successful magazine. I've had the pleasure of proof reading both magazines before they went to press (this takes hours, and luckily was broken up over two days). I now look at magazines in a whole new light. The amount of work that goes into a typical magazine is truly impressive. Since the magazines I'm working on are industry-specific, I've also been in a learning "bootcamp"--trying to grasp the lingo and get up to speed. I've been reading mountains of information for hours each day. Just when I get to the bottom of my list, someone clears their desk...and finds more for me to read. (I'm secretly loving it!)

Food Lover's Get Down

I still have one foot deep in the food world. So on top of the new job, I've done a little consulting for one of the local magazines...and brainstormed for an upcoming Food Lover's issue. I've been working with a couple writers...sharing ideas, contacts, and whatever else they need from me. (To give you an idea of magazine timelines...all this is for an issue due out in August.) With the direction they're going, that issue is going to be a great reference for the inside scoop on Seattle's Food Scene. More on that later.

Back at the restaurant

Bookings for the slew of summer season events have begun, so I've been working with the chef to figure out his appearance schedule.

What else?

May 14th - we'll be hosting a dinner with Marco Pierre White--the youngest chef to ever be awarded three Michelin stars. This London-based chef has stable full of fabulous restaurants...and a newly released book, "The Devil in the Kitchen: Sex, Pain, Madness and the Making of a Great Chef ". This event is held in conjunction with the Seattle-based Kim Rickett's Book Events...and you can read more about it here. The dinner is nearly sold out, but if you want in on the action, contact Union for reservations.

May 17th - Noted cheese authority, Laura Werlin, will be in town for the Cheese Festival. For the kick off, Chef's preparing a meet & greet and a fabulous dinner with Laura. Stay tuned for more details.

Fundraiser on Orcas Island

I've been booking for an event in June. Picture a cooking class with noted chefs in the pristine San Juan Islands. This is my idea of heaven! All the chefs are in place...and we've got some superstars on the horizon: The Herbfarm's legendary Jerry Traunfeld, Pacific Northwest authority Greg Atkinson, James Beard Award-winning author Crescent Dragonwagon, and Seasonal Cornucopia's esteemed Becky Selengut. I'm so excited about this line up! Watch the calendar for more information & registration information.

Early June, I'm heading up to the islands for a site visit to meet with the official event organizers. The chefs will be arriving later in the month, but on this trip, I'll be checking out the venue on their behalf. (Working off-site presents a number of potential challenges and it's best if we can get most of the hurdles figured out ahead of time.) While I'll take any excuse to head out to the islands, gilding the lilly, I've managed to squeeze in dinner at the legendary Christina's Restaurant. (Work does have its perks!)

Bookings and Beyond

That previously mentioned James Beard award-winning author, Crescent, is a good friend of mine. I'm so excited she'll be here for the event out at Orcas Island. While she's in town, we've also managed to book her for several speaking engagements, workshops, and tastings. (Events open to the public will be listed on the 30 Boxes calendar on the right.) For her visit in June, she'll also doing a bit of reconnaissance. You see, Crescent's latest book is due out in August. This fall, she'll be heading out on a nationwide book tour....with a stop here in Seattle. While she's in my corner of the world, I'm working with the publishing company and the local notables to make sure she's at some amazing venues. Crescent is one of the most compelling, dynamic women I've ever met...and I can't wait to spend some quality time with her. With any luck, we'll manage to mix a healthy dose of work AND play!

My good friend Shauna over at Gluten-free Girl is also gearing up for her book tour. I promised to work a little magic for her on the national level. It's a work in progress...and I can't spill the beans just yet. But let's just say...wherever you are in the world, it's likely you'll be able to catch the interview on TV. I'll stop right there. That's all I can say...and it's killing me!

What else? Saturday I leave for a work trip. Vegas, baby, Vegas! While I don't expect to spend much time outside of the conference facilities, with any luck, I'll be able to stick my face in the sun...at least for a little while.

As if things weren't crazy enough, I just booked two catering gigs over the next couple weeks. I'm up to my eye balls in gluten-free menu planning for my friend Lisa. She will be competing in the National Master's Swimming Event and afterwards, Lisa's hosting a party for all the athletes...catered by yours truly! I haven't hit the panic button, yet.

A Little Something for Me

I signed up for a five week class at the Henry Museum called the Ancient Cities of Asia. The class is taught by a professor at the University of Washington and we're covering Madurai, Varanasi, Angkor Wat, Beijing and Kyoto. Here's the official blurb: Visually resplendent and architecturally captivating, sacred cities of Asia are rich in political, religious, and cultural history. Their spaces, iconography, and uses open windows into ways of thinking, believing, and feeling quite distinct from everyday Western life. This course will explore the architecture and cultures of five World Heritage sites from South to East Asia.

Okay, so there's the lowdown on what I've been up to lately....and what's on the horizon. Bear with me while I work my way past the slew of events. I'll look forward to catching up with you all soon!

P.S. For those of you following the saga of The Waffle Man...I just heard from him. He'll be here in June. :) (Yes, this warrants a smiley face!)

Picasso Inspirations

I began this journey, inspired by many of my favorite bloggers. Shauna over at Gluten-Free Girl, Dana at Phat Duck in the Pastry Department (now over at Tasting Menu), Heidi with her fabulous 101 Cookbooks...I could go on and on.

My dear friend Shauna said it took more than a month to find her voice.

For me, it's taking much longer.

And since I was under the influence of some fabulous food bloggers, originally, I started to head down that path. Yes, I've got backdoor access to some fabulous professional kitchens. And I like to cook. But that's not the sum total of my parts.

When I write, the culmination of me comes along for the ride. And I am so much more than the food hobby that's recently taken over my life. So, dear reader, if you came here to read about food blogging, I'm sorry. That's just one aspect of my life, which is shrinking as we speak. (Don't fret. I'm not giving it up...just exploring other interests as well...art, literature, music, travel, etc.)

Of course people evolve.

Perhaps that explains why I'm unable to make a definitive statement about myself. Just as soon as I become comfortable with one label, I'm off exploring something completely unrelated. While others note their lives in chapters, mine is a series of vignettes. Beautiful, short, and oh-so-fleeting...

I think about Picasso.

As an artist, he evolved with such distinct styles...that his career is marked in circa form. "And here we have the blue period, then the rose period, followed by the cubist period (a pioneering art style, radical during its time, now highly distinct and identifiable)....next is the war period..."

I'm more like Picasso than Degas.

Do you know Degas? For a career that spans over 50 years, he is known as the "Painter of Dancers" and more specifically, ballet dancers. Of course he dabbled in other things, but over his lifetime, dancers figure prominently (over 1,500 completed pieces).

I'm so NOT like Degas. I have no singular focus.

Recently I was reading this manifesto on "How to Be Creative." It's a fabulous read...highly recommended. The takeaway for me was: don't follow the crowd. In fact, if you want to be creative, ignore the crowd. Develop your own style.

A Picasso always looks like a Picasso....and no other.

This is true.

No matter what style his work manifests, it always looks like a Picasso.


So here and now, I'm giving myself permission to carve out my own story.

To be sure, it's a lengthy work in progress.

I wish I liked outlines more...and could give you an insight where I'm going, but the truth is, I have no idea.

I've got one eye on those folks who live deeply entrenched with a plan and a knowing order to their lives.

That's not me.

While perception makes me think...it must be a relief...to have a plan...and live an ordered route on the roadmap of life. But I think that's a wish from my festering, restless soul. Some days, my soul just needs some quiet time. Unforgiving, my incessant thoughts roll on, without relief.

The truth is, no matter how much I admire those folks with a need for order, most of the time...I find them BORING AS HELL!

Auntie Mame and I have more in common.

In the movie, she reaches her head back and shouts, "I want to live, live, LIVE!"

I know what she means. As much as I wrestle with living an ordinary life, I must concede....I'm in step with a different drummer.



In sum, I'm on a life long journey of exploration.

That's all I can say.

The fragmented pieces of my life may never land me a book deal, but every day, I'm stretching in an attempt to live the best life I know how.

As luck would have it, in spite of a lack of labels, that life has become something truly extraordinary.

And it's getting better every day.

Those who know me well, have heard more than once: "When I'm old and grey, sitting around telling tales to anyone who will listen...I want to have the BEST stories!" It's true. That's my quest.

This chapter in my evolution will be known as: The Seattle Period. It's been hedonistically rich with experiences...and I am drunk with gratitude. No doubt.

If I were a tree, you'd see...this period has been marked by explosive growth. It is the time where my limbs stretched towards the heavens. My roots are digging deep into the ground, searching for new sources of nutrients...while simultaneously providing an anchor to weather the storms.

Perhaps one day, someone will want to climb among the branches...or even build a tree house, but for now, all of the energy is being concentrated....

...for she is about to bloom, again.

The Power of Attraction

My friend Elizabeth is a hopeless romantic. Mention two people together in the same story...and things come to a grinding halt. "Wait! How did they meet?"

I had no idea.

Then one weekend, Elizabeth and I took a road trip. We gabbed the entire way...burning up the highway miles with hours and hours of conversation. When we arrived at our destination, I spilled out of the car, my head pulsing from the constant talking. Definitely a girl's trip. And during the drive, I must have heard it a hundred times...."How did they meet????"

I laugh a little now...because I've adopted the same fascination.

Two people, walking down the street. One is late for work, the other is lost. Neither of them is supposed to be there at that moment...and suddenly...they connect.

I'm intrigued by the randomness....

Why here?

Why now?

Why you?

Why...not?

I spend my life making strategic connections. So when the people in my world meet...it's anything but random.

But every now and then...the unexpected happens.

Two people connect.

And when it happens to me?

I am deeply humbled.

****


Flashback, two years ago.


I'm standing in the kitchen.

At a hostel.

While nursing my first cup of coffee, I watch this guy make a waffle. Since I've never made a waffle before, I asked him how it works.

Bam!

That's how we met.

I'm in Tucson for a wedding; he'd been in town all week for a conference. As luck would have it, we both picked the same day to see the city. Since he knew the lay of the land and I had a rental car, we joined forces.

It started amicably.

He showed me where the old city district was, pointed out a few highlights and then we drove out to the newer side of town. Consulting my guide book, we found a place to have lunch. Detouring on the way back, we found this amazing piñata shop...with an Easter bunny piñata as tall as him!

We had Seattle in common. He lived here as a university student...and left the same year I arrived.

That evening, wedding festivities kicked in and I was expected to be at the rehearsal dinner/bbq. Since it was an informal affair, I asked if I could bring a guest. (My friend Pete still teases me about finding a date at the hostel!) We had a lovely time together but it was short lived. He was flying out the next day.

By day 2, over coffee and waffles...I could barely contain my grin.

We made plans to see an outdoor art show, and then I would take him to the airport. But I when joined him to head out for the day, he had a surprise...

"Do you want me to stay?"

My inner voice shouted from the rooftops, YES!!! But logic prevailed, "What about your conference in San Francisco?"

While I was getting ready, he'd planned an alternative. There were no other flights leaving for San Francisco that day, but if he took a late night bus, he could catch an early flight from Phoenix. This way, he could go to the wedding with me, and still make it to the conference.

I was deliriously happy.

We headed out for the art show and with crystal clear skies, he brought an umbrella. I thought it was strange, but soon forgot about it. Then, as the midday sun grew stronger, I figured out what the umbrella was for. He brought it to shield my fair Irish skin from the sun.

Until that day, I swear, I'd never met a more thoughtful man.

Pete's wedding was a costumed 1920's affair. With feathers flying from my pink boa, we danced to the full brass band. I felt a little like Cinderella when the time arrived...and I needed to take him to the bus. It was inevitable. We'd delayed his departure as long as possible.

I saw him once more just a few weeks later. On a long layover in Seattle, we met at the airport.

In quick succession...there were too many good byes....


Eventually, life returned to normal. His hectic work in Switzerland, mixed with an erratic international travel schedule. And for me? An equally crazy schedule and a new career. Not exactly an ideal match.

Before long, our time together in Arizona slipped into a fond memory....


Then, a couple weeks ago, I received an e-mail. He was coming to Seattle...and would I join him for dinner? It had been two years since I last saw him. This was probably just a friendly dinner. Maybe he was seeing someone....A thousand thoughts raced through my head.

The day arrived and I drove to our agreed upon location. He stepped out of his car, wearing a smile that was positively electric! Without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed me.

We went to dinner and it was that delirious kind of evening where...we didn't care what we ate...or where we went. Easy conversation quickly fell into place and we talked well into the night.

As we walked the city streets, a light rain began to fall. He pulled out an umbrella and we huddled underneath it. I had to smile. There he was....shielding me, again.

What does the rest of the story hold?

I don't know.


But Elizabeth, if you're reading this...your hopeless romantic heart is well-placed. And this one, I can answer:

We met. Over waffles. At a hostel. In Tucson, Arizona.

(To be continued....)

Sumo-style

Today I ended up in the most random place--a teriyaki joint north of Seattle...all decked out in Sumo icons. Sitting at the counter, looking out on newspaper boxes and wayward shopping carts, I giggled a little when I took this shot. Sumo wrestlers in my rice bowl...oh my!

Adorning the walls are framed months from a calendar...and the images center on...post-sumo employment. Seriously!

Pardon the glare...but I just HAD to share this with you. This was one of my favorite career options:

Sumo stripper anyone?

The Secret

"You were my secret hero."

I stood in the grocery store, reading a magazine article in the check out line. Tears threatened to roll down my face. Had I not closed the page, the article surely would have turned me into a blubbering mess.

I've hit that stage in my life.

I'm acutely aware of the people in my world...and exactly how much they mean to me. Each one, in their own special way...has left an indelible footprint.

And I am forever grateful.

Perhaps it's because I never expected to live this long.

For reasons I can't quite explain...I never expected to live past 25. As the days mounted and the birthdays followed suit, you can imagine my surprise when I hit 30!

Somewhere between 25 and 30, with my self-fulfilling prophecy failing...I realized that if I was going to be on this planet, I better get my $%#& together. And since I never expected to live even this long...today, I live like I'm on borrowed time (just in case the prophecy had a margin of error).

Like weeding through your closets before moving day, I laid out the elements of my life before me...and started cleaning house. That longtime relationship that was broken beyond repair? It quickly went in the junk pile. Dysfunctional job? Gone. The friend who languished in the corner with the occasional coffee dates...the one who thought I was fabulous and gave me the biggest hugs? I finally realized its value. That got elevated status...and was enrobed with my best bubble wrap.

While I divvied up my past into heaping piles of treasure and trash...I was overcome by what laid before me. I hate to acknowledge it, but the trash pile was HUGE!

Echoing in the distance, I could hear, "Yes, Traca. This, this is YOUR LIFE."

I know.

After cleaning house, it's not uncommon to think, "How did I accumulate so much junk?" The question was especially difficult when I had to admit...yes, this IS my life.

Frankly, I needed a garage sale...ASAP!

Without dwelling too much on why my life was in that state, instead, I focused repairing things. And I was determined to build up the treasure pile.

Over the past few years, I'm happy to say that the treasure pile has grown significantly. Luckily, I now find myself surrounded by a slew of people I respect and admire. In fact, these days...my treasure pile makes Mount Everest look like a speed bump!

And the trash pile? After all the time and effort it took to remove that pile of junk, I keep a vigilant watch. Life is short, and I simply don't have time for junk anymore.

"You were my secret hero."

Standing in the grocery store, I was moved beyond belief...reading a story about a girl who had died. Post-mortem, her friends finally acknowledged how much she meant to them.

Reading that article, I realized:

1) I've built myself a fantastic life (disregard any opinions held by financial planners)

2) More importantly....I never want to say that about my friends.

My thought is this: I want the people in my life to know how much I love them...without a shaddow of a doubt. Cards, letters, voicemails, care packages, and plain ole' face-to-face, I make a habit of saying, "I love you." It's a small gesture, but in the end, hopefully it will make a difference.

Folks, there are secrets you keep...and others you don't. If you love someone, let them know.

Moments of regret come all too easily...

Spotlight: NuNomad

Like any new venture, it pays to do your research.

This weekend I've been looking into round the world options and work abroad. While I've worked as a waitress and bartender, I'd rather not got back to it...even if I was on a beach in some tropical isle. I'm looking for something more substantial...and well...different.

One of my favorite sayings is, "While you're thinking about it...someone else is doing it."

The trick is to find out...who?

Today, I stumbled on NuNomad. The site is run by executives and consultants who travel around the world...working from a laptop and an international phone. What's the difference between my office in Seattle and a beach in Indonesia? With the advancing technology...not much.

NuNomad covers vital topics like passport assistance, finding the right global phone, and a laptop that will work anywhere. I've got much more research to do, but this is an excellent start.

Living the dream life? These NuNomads are making it happen.

Asuka in Bloom

Spring is here!

The first hint of spring has me daydreaming about Skagit Valley. It's a short 6o miles north of Seattle...but it feels worlds away. Picture lush fields carpeted in spring bulbs. Here you can bring your bicycle and enjoy miles of flat terrain...with a riot of colors following you all along the way.

The Tulip Festival officially begins April 1st, but the daffodils are in bloom now.

Last year, my friend Asuka and I went whale watching. It was a lovely day out on the water and we spotted the local Orca pod frolicking just off the coast. On the way back, we detoured through the Skagit Valley.

Just before the camera died, I snapped this picture of Asuka. This photo perfectly captures her essence...and I adore it!

You see, Asuka had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball. It went undetected until one morning, while eating breakfast, she collapsed on the floor. At the time, she was living in a small fishing village in Japan. She was medically evacuated to a larger city far from her family, creating a hardship both on her and the family finances.

At the hospital, they operated immediately and thankfully, spared her life. But at 19 years old, she had to learn how to walk and talk all over again.

Once she recovered, the tumor served a constant reminder that life is short...and precious. This was the catalyst that fueled her desire to embrace every opportunity.

Although she finished later than her peers, Asuka did graduate from college. She also took short trips whenever possible...Australia, New Zealand, England, Thailand, China, etc. Contrary to Japanese tradition, she'd travel alone or met up with friends in other countries. On one of her legendary trips, she even took a tour, traveling from LA to New York City in 30 days. That's when she fell in love with the United States.

Next Asuka decided to study English.

Against her family's wishes, she left a coveted teaching position and moved to Seattle. Asuka rented a small room near the university and advanced her English skills.

As our friendship grew, we'd meet and discuss everything from what it means to be a woman in Japanese society (and America) to family values, religion, WWII sentiments against the US, and a wide range of other things.

Asuka had a love for life and was game for anything. I was at my creative best and shared all I possibly could.

She has since married her longtime boyfriend, Martin. When they met, he was a British anthropologist studying the impact of nuclear energy in her village. Together, they've built a beautiful life around a love for learning and challenging eachother. She's now living in London while he completes field research in Japan. Martin is finishing up his PHD...and they will be reunited soon.

The times I shared with Asuka are some of my most treasured memories. And it makes me smile to remember the day we tiptoed through the tulips...enjoying the patchwork of rainbow colors.

Ah...life is good!

If you happen to be visiting the Skagit Valley with your sweetie...for the ultimate in romance? Try hot air ballooning over the tulip fields.

Cocktails with The Gatekeepers

The Rainier Club

Miss M has the most powerful contact list in Seattle.

No doubt.

And when you're invited for cocktails with the ladies...you go.


It had been a particularly sloppy, rain-sodden day when I pulled up to my destination. Hoping no one would notice I didn't use the valet parking (street parking will do just fine, thank you), I dodged umbrellas and puddles, mercifully seeking cover under the awning. It was the kind of night where I would have preferred soup and TIVO over social obligations...but then again, when Miss M comes calling...you go.

The private club reeked of understated V.I.P. and I regretted not polishing my shoes.

We made quick introductions in the lobby and then headed upstairs for "Nibbles n' Cocktails." Club chairs and a cozy fireplace set the stage for our inaugural book club gathering.

Did I mention that?

All this was for a book club.

I quickly learned that when Miss M flips through her Rolodex, slouches need not apply. Gathered were the women behind Seattle's most powerful men....high profile politicians, international think tanks and trade centers.

You want the man in charge?

First, you have to go through The Gatekeepers.

(Good luck)

But all pretense dropped by the wayside when we delved deep into Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love." This fabulous book is so artfully written...I want to give a copy to all my girlfriends. It was an excellent choice for our first night getting acquainted. While we discussed specific events in the book, our own stories became woven throughout.

The ladies were in tears...laughing endlessly...as I described meeting with a Shaman in Mexico. It looses something in the re-telling, but let's just say, I wanted to see the light!

I really did want to identify with the Shaman healing experience...but it was difficult to focus as he pressed himself against me. I wasn't quite clear about the process, but I'm pretty sure... groping was NOT part of the "traditional healing."

The plot thickens because...my boyfriend was actually there!

That boyfriend and I have since parted ways, but while all this was going on with the Shaman, my boyfriend stood close by with his eyes shut, claiming to see a kaleidoscope of colors! He was totally oblivious to what was going on with me.

When our "session" with the Shaman ended, I was irritated and confused. Meanwhile, I looked longingly at my boyfriend...who wore the look of perfect calm and utter peace.

Whining, I thought to myself, "Just my luck...I go looking for internal peace...and instead, I get hit on by the Shaman. Lovely."

Okay, back to the present.

I must say...drinks with The Gatekeepers was an eye opening experience. In a way, I felt like we broke down some barriers that night. The stodgy private club masks an unspoken "old boy's world." Yet, for at least one night, it was dominated by riotous women who filled the rooms with laughter.

Over cocktails and discussions of a great book...we found our place: real women, sharing real experiences...despite the surreal environment.

The Reality Check

Lest you think all is calm and smiling faces in my world, let me inject a bit of humility....I'm FREAKING OUT! (Notice I've been doing a lot of baking? That's my latest work titled "Productive stalling.")

Oh sure...like a duck, things may seem placid, and maybe even a little serine above water.

Below the surface, I'm swimming like mad!

What's up?

Well, I'm a firm believer in assessing the current situation before launching a new plan. Sounds reasonable enough, right?

Then I said it out loud.

This round the world dream I've been harboring for a while now...the words escaped my mouth, I've launched it into cyberspace, and now I need a plan.

But when I put pen to paper and started to asses my current state...things started to get a little shaky.

Quite laughable, really.

I can hear the financial planners of the world collectively frowning and with a loss for words...simply utter, "Tsk, tsk, tsk."

The ghost of my mother...who, I might add, is still alive...in that gentle, yet disapproving voice nudges me, "Oh honey, be reasonable."

Good ole' Mom.

She's the first person to say it's impossible.

It can't be done.

And consequently, now she's the last one to hear about my plans.

In fact, she makes a mean cocktail that'll bring you to your knees (Careful here, it sneaks up on you):

Mom's Advice

One part legacy of fear (aged 60 years)

Mixed with a dash of morbid curiocity

Shake well

Garnish with a twist of my father's reproach

Suddenly, Mom's nagging voice is in my head again, "And how do you really think you're going to make that happen?"

Good question.

Short answer? I have no idea.

You see....here's the deal. For the past year, I've been living the dream life. Truly. If I told you everything, you'd never believe me.

For the experience of a lifetime? I happily paid my admission.

But to put it mildly, let's just say....it wasn't exactly a lucrative year. (Insert laughter here)

I was okay with that...until I decided to get greedy and ask for an even better year...sometime in the not-too-distant future.

So call me greedy.

I figure you've got one shot in this world, and I'm going for it. Besides, I've already reconciled with the fact that I'll never be rich.

But when the reality check set in and I looked at the damage from the past year...the mounting credit card debt, student loans, and a few other miscellaneous details beginning with dollar signs...it all looks quite daunting.

Said reality check was further enlightened when a friend of mine asked innocently, "So, how much do you think you'll spend on your trip?"

Um. I don't know.

Never mind that the person asking...was someone I've dined lavishly with over the past year. And that's the same friend who spends more on his discretionary lifestyle than I earned the two previous years combined.

Yes, I've been playing with the high rollers.

And moderation is in order here.

But when I finally embark on this journey, do I really want to live so lean...that I never eat at a fabulous restaurant? Not really.

So, you see, the reality check hit home.

At this moment, I really want to be like Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind.

She's a fallen from grace Southern Belle...out standing in a barren field under the hot sun. Fully aware that she has no real prospects...other than certain and daunting challenges ahead. In the depth of her family's despair, everyone turns to her for an answer, "But Scarlett...what are we going to do?"

Exhausted, she replies, "I'll think about that tomorrow."

And that's exactly what I'm going to do.

I'll think about it tomorrow.

Macrina's Nuts

Sweet & Spicy Nuts

This recipe comes from Leslie Mackie, owner of Seattle's fabulous Macrina Bakery.

Yes,this is the same Leslie Mackie….currently nominated by the James Beard Foundation as America's "Outstanding Pastry Chef."

Leslie is a true dynamo and I can offer no valid reason why her cookbook has languished on my shelf for so long. But this weekend, I pulled it out and quickly earmarked dozens of recipes I want to try: Olivia's Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sour Cherry Shortbread, Chocolate Cherry Pound Cake and the list goes on....

Since the bakery also serves lunch, she offers recipes for some of my favorite savory dishes too….Butternut Squash & Apple Gallette, Tuscan Tomato & Fennel Soup with White Beans, and her wonderful Bacon, Leek & Gruyere Quiche.

For my first foray, I started out with something simple...Sweet & Spicy Nuts.

Let me tell you....these nuts are fantastic!

I have a small burn on my finger because I absolutely could not wait. The wound is a small price to pay for a taste straight out of the oven. YUM!

With a touch of sweetness and just enough spicy kick...be warned...these nuts are positively addictive!

Sweet & Spicy Nuts
From Macrina Bakery & Cafe Cookbook

(Makes 4 cups of nuts)

1 cup whole almonds
1 cup whole peanuts
1 cup whole pecans
1 cup walnut halves

1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup light corn syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then brush top of the parchment paper with canola oil. (This method is better than using a Silpat. As the nuts coos, the coating gets quite syrupy and ran underneath my Silpat. Lesson learned. Make it easy on yourself...go with the parchment.)

Combine nuts in a medium bowl.

Combine spices in a small bowl. Mix well with a spoon, then pour the spice mixture over the nuts and toss together thoroughly.

Combine honey and corn syrup in a medium saucepan and place over low heat. Stirring frequently, heat just until mixture is warm. Pour the warm mixture over the nuts and toss together (it's best to use your hands) until nuts are evenly coated.

Pour the nuts onto the prepared baking sheet and spread them into a single layer (mine was not quite a single layer and I spent a lot of time breaking nuts apart. Do your best to get them in a single layer.) Bake on center rack of oven for 15-20 minutes, or until nuts take on a rich mahogany color.

Let nuts cool completely. At this point, they will have formed a single, crispy layer in the baking sheet. Break the nuts apart with your hands and store in an airtight container. Note: heat will melt the syrup on the nuts and make them sticky again. Store in a cool place.

The One

Butterscotch Crème Brulee

Like a lover who easily settles into your life...one day you wake up, and you just know it. He's here to stay...and no other will do. Sure, a passing fancy may catch your attention here and there, but when you have the total package, really...why bother?

This crème brulee is so good, I stopped looking.


When the razzle-dazzle desserts become too high maintenance...or fail to deliver when you need them the most...call on this crème brulee.

Yes, looks are deceiving.

At first glance, it may appear a wee bit too humble. But rest assured....what lies beneath the surface...is a creamy heart of heaven.

And when you gather a few notable food bloggers...THIS is the one that makes the ladies swoon!


Butterscotch Crème Brulee
From the Herbfarm Restaurant

6 Servings

1 ½ Cups Heavy Cream

6 Tbsp dark Muscovado sugar *

2 Tbsp Turbinado sugar (aka Sugar in the Raw)

¼ tsp salt

6 Tbsp water

4 large egg yolks

½ tsp vanilla

6 (4-8 oz) ramekins or custard dishes

* Dark Muscovado sugar is available at Whole Foods and some upscale grocery stores. Online, you can order it at ChefShop.com or Amazon.com.

Directions:

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 300 degrees Farenheit.

Bring cream, Muscovado sugar and salt to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

Bring water and Turbinado sugar to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and slowly add the cream mixture, whisking until combined.

Mix the yolks and vanilla in a large bowl, then whisk in the hot cream mixture in a stream. Pour custard through a fine-mesh strainer and into a 1-quart measure. Remove any foam with a spoon.

Portion the custard into the ramekins. Arrange ramekins in a small baking pan and pour in enough water to reach halfway up the side of the ramekin. Bake uncovered, until custards are set around edges but still tremble slightly in centers, about 40 minutes. (Traca's note: When in doubt, pull them.)

Immediately transfer ramekins to a rack with tongs and cool in the refrigerator. The custards will become firm as they cool.

When they are cool and you are ready to serve, spoon a generous amount of Turbinado sugar over the top of the custard ensuring the entire surface is covered. Tip upside down and shake off excess. Be careful not to allow the sugar layer to get too thick lest it burn away when you try to brown it. If you have a blowtorch, light it and hold the flame about 4 inches from the surface of the custard. Slowly move the flame back and forth across the sugar until it is caramel brown.

If you do not have a blowtorch, place the custards on a cookie sheet and place them under the broiler in your oven. They will brown quickly so watch closely.

Note: if you like crème brulee, it pays to buy a blowtorch. Forget the $60 kitchen torches. I bought mine at the hardware store. For a mere $20, get yourself a plumber's blowtorch--and be sure to buy the model that self-ignites. Trust me, you'll use it more than you think.

Spotlight: Eating With Strangers

Scenes from "Desperately Seeking Susan" keep passing through my mind... She's Madonna. I'm Rosanna Arquette. She's impossibly cool and confident. I'm in awe and lusting for another life.

Road tripping across the country...headed for the American Cheese Festival in Portland. With a few days to spare, Nathalie Bouffe detoured 4 hours north to Seattle.

She almost snuck into town.

Lucky for me...Nathalie wanted to EAT.


By way of introduction, a friend forwarded Nathalie's e-mail. It basically said: Will trade fabulous lecture on cheeses for equally fabulous meal.

Intrigued, I answered.

Nathalie's pedigree includes a stint at the famed Neils Yard Dairy in London...and a clear obsession with all things cheese-related.

Catching up with her...en route...somewhere in the Rockies, the plan unfolded, "Gather the cooks and I'll give a lecture with samples. If it's good, I'll come back later that night and eat on the house."

What can I say?

Nathalie was astonishing! And at dinner...Chef spoiled her rotten.

Then she was gone....


Nathalie has been traveling around this great world of ours on a non-stop journey since 2004. Along the way, she's had a stunning array of experiences and people crossing her path. Now, as best as a traveler can, she's put roots in New York City.

Take a peak into Nathalie's world with her new blog, Eating With Strangers. She spins one hell of a tale...and proves a philosophy I've held for a long time. The everyday encounter...can be truly extraordinary.

The Pursuit of...Organic Labels

Food Processors Are Hot on Organic*

Check out this diagram (double click for a bigger view).

As of November 2006, these organic brands have been acquired by the big boys in the food industry (General Mills, ConAgra, Heinz, Kraft, Hershey's, Coca-Cola, etc.)

This opens a startling array of questions...and answers a few too. No wonder my local grocery store is touting their own private label organics.

Is it time to go beyond organic?

*Diagram by Dr. Phillip Howard.

XO Marks the Spot

Espresso Walnut Toffee with Cocoa Nibs

Bridging the miles between friends...nothing says love like a care package!

I'm sending confectionary hugs with this delicious toffee...all dressed up in a beautiful box from Nashville Wraps.

xoxo

**********

This simple recipe is gets rave reviews every time. It also stores easily...making it a great candidate for traveling care packages.

Inspired by a toffee recipe on Epicurious.com, my version coats the entire top with semisweet chocolate, walnuts, cocoa nibs, and a final dusting of Kosher salt. Salty, sweet, and bitter are in perfect balance here.

Tip: Once your toffee is ready, things move very quickly. Mise en place is key, so get yourself properly set up before you begin.


Espresso-Walnut Toffee with Cocoa Nibs

2 cups walnuts
1/2 cup cocoa nibs
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed golden brown sugar
2 tsp instant espresso powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
1/3 cup water
1 Tbs dark unsulfured molasses
9 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely choppped (Valrhona 56%)
1 ¼ cups (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter

Kosher salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Spread walnuts and nibs on a cookie sheet and toast in the oven until the walnuts are fragrant, about 5-10 minutes, making sure they don’t burn. Allow to cool for ten minutes; then coarsely chop. Remove 1 ½ cups to a bowl. Finely chop remaining ½ cup; then place in a separate bowl.

Prepare your mise en place: in a medium bowl, combine sugars, espresso powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine water and molasses. Place chopped chocolate in a separate bowl. Butter a sheet pan or line with a Silpat.

Melt butter in a heavy 2 ½-quart saucepan over low heat. Add sugars, espresso powder, cinnamon, salt, water, and molasses; stir until sugar dissolves. Attach a clip-on candy thermometer to side of pan. Increase heat to medium; cook until thermometer registers 290 degrees (and no less!), stirring slowly but constantly and scraping bottom of pan with a silicone spatula, about 20 minutes.

Remove pan from heat, and quickly stir in 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped nuts. Immediately pour mixture onto prepared pan; do not scrape saucepan. Spread toffee to ¼-inch thickness.

Sprinkle chocolate over hot toffee. Let stand one minute. Using the back of a spoon or an off-set spatula, spread chocolate evenly. Before chocolate cools, sprinkle with reserved ½ cup finely chopped walnuts (and cocoa nibs, if using). Press lightly across the top to ensure nuts and nibs adhere to the warm chocolate. If you prefer toffee salty-sweet, dust the top lightly with kosher salt.

Refrigerate until toffee is firm, about one hour. Break toffee into pieces then store in an airtight container.

For those days when you need a taste of something sweet...I keep a bag of toffee in my freezer. It's delicious chilled or at room temperature.

Tavolàta

Tavolàta's house-made extruded pasta

Fearing a backlash from conflict of interest, I've been pretty hush hush about Chef's work up until now. But the premise behind blogging is personal, and this is my experience. I'm incredibly proud to be in Chef's camp...so all PR allegiances aside...here goes....

About a month ago, Chef opened his second restaurant...an Italian joint called Tavolàta. My job was easy. No official statements, no hype. When they were finally ready, he simply opened the doors. Within days Tavolàta was experiencing 2 hour waits and cranking out pasta for over 100 covers a night.

So what's the story?

After working late nights in the restaurant biz, and having few places to go after work, two longtime friends came together and created their kind of restaurant. Young, hip, and urban...the goal was to create a place their friends would enjoy.

The basic criteria would not be compromised...it had to be a casual environment, open late (so cooks could drop by after work), and the food had to be great. No question.

So, over late night drinks, the concept for Tavolàta was born.

The food

Chef is known for working with the finest ingredients available and Tavolàta is no exception. All the pasta is made fresh in house. A grinder is being custom built and eventually, they plan to even grind their own wheat!

For extruded (shaped) pasta, the machines were delivered earlier this summer. While the guys worked on dough recipes, friends of the house were sent home with copious bags of fresh pasta.

Meanwhile, I tried to get up to speed on Italian cuisine. Chef has 20 different dies (shapes) he can use for extruded pasta, and depending on how long pieces are, warrants yet another name in Italian. Mama mia!

How far does Chef go for fresh ingredients? Buffalo milk is imported from Italy to make the house-made mozzarella. They're currently sampling a variety of wheat crops to find the perfect source. And I was deliriously happy to learn some of the salumi comes from the master, Paul Bertolli of Fra Mani in San Francisco.

Testing recipes for pasta dough

The space

Tavolàta means "table" and it refers to the 30' long communal table running through the center of the restaurant. (Chat it up with your neighbor...or not.) The table is made out of a single piece of fallen tree, hewn by Tavolàta's co-owner, Patric Gabre-Kidan. It's huge! And it was amazing to see him work on this piece from the beginning.

Speaking of the beginning....the restaurant space has served many businesses in its lifetime, but most recently, it was a furniture store. My first look at the space...I could hardly envision the place it is today. We went after work and with no power...used illumination from cell phones to take a tour!

Work horses, saw dust and cold beers.

It was a night I'll never forget.

Back where the bathrooms are now...that was live-in quarters for the former owner...and included a shower! Where the kitchen is? A washer and drier were in the corner. Stairs leading up to the loft were uneven and rotted...and came from an entirely different direction. Downstairs, the glow from cell phones spotlighted critter remains...and another washer and drier. It's now a top of the line prep kitchen. Portions of the floors are original and the rest is a mix of reclaimed wood that Patric sourced. And an office used to be above the bar...now gutted to highlight the lofted ceilings.

Media comes calling.

We were contacted by the Food Network in Canada for a feature on the show "Opening Soon." (In America, the show runs on the Fine Living channel.) The application process was long and required a video interview with both Ethan and Patric.

Opening Soon jumped on the project...but in the wonderful world of media, it was nixed when the restaurant project was delayed. They have their deadlines...and ours fell short. Unfortunately, that's the way it works sometimes.

Opening a restaurant is not easy.

Permit delays, change of contractors, cement strikes, shortages of this or that...and the frustration of dealing with things entirely out of your control....

For the accomplishments you see on the surface, and the grief overcome behind the scenes, I'm proud of these two guys. At long last...they have built exactly the kind of restaurant where I want to be.

(On a side note...I'm quite excited to see the first reviews out this week.)