The Sweet Life with Chris Xaver

I'm a cover girl!

2011-10-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Well, not Christie Brinkley (am I dating myself??)...but a covergirl none the less. Guess we need to define girl. Just turned 45 last week. My BFF says I just got old last week should be the cover of my book. Maybe. Lots of options vying for that title!

Meantime, I hope you check out the article. It's at: http://www.issuu.com/scotsmanonline/docs/tcnyw_1111

Hallucinating with smell?

2011-10-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

So last night...I was in bed. All alone. No one else in the house. The dogs were at the neighbors. The cats (I don't know...) when I started smelling grilled cheese. Seriously. I really smelled grilled cheese.

The smell was so strong, I got up and walked into the kitchen to check. Nothing. I live out in the country with no neighbors nearby. AND....I was all alone. Or was I?

Cooking School

2011-10-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

My son should go to cooking school. He's amazing in the kitchen and loves it. A real artist. Says it would be ruined if he did it for a living.

I want to go to cooking school. Desperately. Looking at going to the CIA this summer. Locally, we have the NY Wine & Culinary Center http://nywcc.com/classes that offers VERY affordable classes. In fact, I'm going to one in a few days. Can't wait...

It's so amazing to take classes. When I travel, I reach out for tutoring. Lucky to have trained in Thailand. But don't let a formal class get in your way. When I was in Greece, I just asked if I could tour the kitchen and the chef's LOVE to share what they are doing. Even a a fly on the wall can be a great way to learn.

I remember watching the movie Hitch, when Wil Smilth takes a cooking class, eats the seafood and reacts. :) It was so funny. He's a great actor. But I was do distracted by watching the cooking classes. How were they set up? Would I like them? Is anything like that offered in my area. It's funny what you see in a movie. The people I was with...didn't pay any attention to that scene, only to laugh at and with Wil. It's funny to me how we can have the exact same experience and pull away very different bits and pieces.

Sliders

2011-09-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

What a name for food. That's what we had for dinner tonight. Mine were organic beef. Free range. From a local farm. But ruined when served on GF bread. I find I feel better when I limit my gluten. But I'm a whole less happier. :(

http://www.countryfolks.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&id=489106B2284A4798BD8CCFA87390C503&tier=4

I always kinda poo pood those who were hung up on organic...thinking they had more money than me and were just looking for something trendy to get behind. And then...I tried organic beef. What a difference. It doesn't even taste the same. Not in the least.

Sliders. Grew up in Illinois and sliders were a staple. White Castle. To me...the best slider in the world.

Ahhh... if you head south...there are Krystals.

Honestly. If you put them in front of me with a blindfold on...I probably couldn't tell the difference. But I'm loyal to WC, since we started together. Yes, when I'm in the south, I step out on my first love...for a very close second. Yum....

The original sliders used to come in sacks of 10 and when I was a kid...I would eat 10. They have 140 calories EACH. YEOW. I had no idea. Of course, I was 12. At 44...you think of these things. Now, I limit myself to two of them. It's about nostalgia. Not stuffing myself until I can't walk. It's amazing how a few bites can take you to another place. And if you give yourself a bit of time...satisfy you. Completely.

So tonight, organic, free-range sliders. With low fat cheese. But...topped with my homemade roasted garlic mustard. Oh, that's a product I'm hoping to have in stores and on my website too. Looking into production as we speak! Can't wait for you to try it too...on your version of sliders.

Baby feeding schedule

2011-09-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

That's the way I eat. About every three hours. I used to think it was a bad thing. You know...something to hide. I've come to realize, it's the way I control my weight. Eat when I'm hungry...instead of depriving myself and then overeating because I'm so amazingly hungry.

I spent some time with a few babies in the last few weeks. MANY of my friends are having babies. Lots of them. Owen, Edmund, Liam, Katrina, etc. Babies. Babies. Babies. Makes me think it was a real cold winter in Upstate NY last year. LOL!

I adore babies. Don't want/need any more. But I love them. When they are in my presence, I feel so young. So alive. I love to watch them. They don't "need" anything. The simplest things make them laugh and smile. The way the curtain moves, captivates them. It's so amazing. So simple. So pure. Makes me long for the same satisfaction in life.

So, I'll keep my baby feeding schedule. Simple. If it works for the babies...I hope it will work for me.

It's Apple Pickin Time!

2011-09-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

Went to the Navarino apple stand today. An unbelievable fall day of 84 degrees!

The orchard has been in the same family for 3 generations and you're greeted by Rocko and Bella. Two fantastic Golden Retrievers. Picked up a 1/2 pecks of Galas and shared an order of fritters with Scott. I got inspired by some garlic pickled eggs in the country store. Think I need to make a sweet life version! :)
Hope fall is awesome where you are!

When did I move to the big kids table?

2011-09-21T21:28:00.000-07:00

I've always been the kid. You know...at Thanksgiving...I sat at the kids table. Youngest at work. Young one in my peer group. Suddenly. I'm not the kid anymore. When did that happen? When did those lines creep in? The grey hair?

I don't mind the wisdom that comes with age. Lord knows I needed it. I also don't mind the aches and pains. I've earned each and every one of them. But when did I become the adult? The authority figure? The one people ask questions to expecting me to have the answer? The problem with age is that people expect you to know more. I still want to ask the questions. I still want to sit at the kids table.

But I have to admit, I like the food at the grown ups table much better! I mean...MUCH better. Thanksgiving when I was a kid meant sweet potatoes with mini marshmallows. Couldn't imagine choking that down today. In fact, if you wanted to punish me..make me eat that. Two ways to torture me. Give me "kids" food. And lock me in a small room. Either one...you win. I will fold like a cheap lawnchair. Uncle. I give.

Bad Chinese

2011-09-18T19:27:00.000-07:00

Sounds like the bad plot of a movie. Not only did it taste bad. Overloaded with syrupy Tso sauce... Sickly sweet. And my body wouldn't allow it to stay either. Probably a good thing. Except. We were on the road. Went to Lake George this weekend. Then to Albany and were returning from seeing the kids. Late night. Stopped for a quick bite. Which turned out NOT to be so quick. For both of us. Ha!

The sad part is...I love Chinese when it's good. It's funny. You think you know a cuisine until you travel to the country. When I went to Thailand, I realized I NEVER knew Thai food in the U.S. Same with Korean. Vietnamese, etc. We "Americanize" everything. And smart business owners do the same. U.S. food is rarely even close to the original versions. Americans have their own tastes. Just as the English do. Heck, the north is different from the South, the West, etc. Geez. You only have to go to Hawaii and have poi to know that.

Yet...dim sum. Duck. Lu. Min. Su. Yum. Yum. Yum. I have friends heading out for China in two weeks. Can't wait to see how well they like the food. I know they will.

So I have an idea for a fast food restaurant

2011-09-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

My family swears I never slow down. They may be right. The way I see it...you can rest when you're gone. While I'm here, I want to fill my days. But that "on the go" lifestyle doesn't lend itself to great eating without a whole lot of preplanning.

So I have an idea. A local sub chain says you can "eat fresh"....but it's not that fast. You must go in...wait until it's made...toasted...etc. I often have minutes. And I mean minutes to gather food while going from place A to place B an hour + drive away.

My idea....Salads to go. Not the "sprayed" salads we find now. But fresh. Delicious salads. Tossed together the moment you place your order. Toppings. Fresh olive oil dressings. Healthy. Freshly made. Freshly tossed. Fresh. Not packaged hours ago. No carbs. Just veggies/fruits/nuts/proteins/etc. Fresh ingredients. Freshly grilled.

Kinda like the "have it your way" burger concept...but for salads. The salads put in some sort of container that you can eat from that won't get it all over your clothes.

Hmmmm....now I have more to think about. More to fill my days with. More reason I need my own fast food restaurant. :)

Punchy

2011-09-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

Ever been so tired you're punchy? Not wanting to punch someone. Not that fruity, overly sweet drink. But punchy. Tonight...I'm punchy. I want to sleep. But can't. I struggle with sleep nearly every night. Why? I can't let my mind rest. But...about an hour before I need to get up...I am sleeping. And it's the best sleep of my night (or morning). Why is that?

I love to ask why? Why do we have so many questions and so few answers?

I had pizza for lunch today. I don't do that often, but it was nearby and easy. It was late....and the non-profit cafe I tried to stop into for lunch was closed for the afternoon. So...pizza. I was good. One thin slice. No toppings. That was depressing. I would have liked it filled with vegetables. But...it wasn't really lunch at that point. Kinda a snack? Cause dinner would be soon and I didn't want to spoil my appetite.

When did that happen? When did I suddenly care about schedules? I've never been one who likes routine. Yet, when I ordered my pizza...I worried I would spoil my appetite.

Tomorrow...I am throwing caution to the wind...and not paying any attention to the clock. If I spoil my appetite....that sounds to me like a good diet trick. Of course, I should have a salad and not the pizza.

hungry...

2011-09-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

My "Syracuse" Mom died this past week. She's my friend's mom...who's been like a mom to me for many, many years. It drove home the fact that I am an emotional eater. I ate the night she died. I couldn't sleep. She hadn't eaten for nearly 15 days...but the night she died...I couldn't settle down. I didn't know she had passed. I just knew I was worried about her ...and was hungry. Really hungry. I had popcorn (my standby to ease hunger). Nothing. Then I had a granola bar. Nothing.

At 2am, I wandered to the fridge. Opened the door. And stood there. Nothing appealing. Yet there was a hole in my heart. I was trying to fill it with food. Luckily, I don't keep much junk in the house. In fact, when my neighbor, Cheryl, got stranded at my house one afternoon while coming over to check on the pets, she lamented the fact that I didn't have "any food that you didn't have to cook!" LOL. Well...thank goodness I didn't have any Tuesday night. I would have eaten it. And it wouldn't have brought my Syracuse Mom back. So...I padded back to bed. To deal with the feeling that I was losing a part of my life that was important to me.

Now, just about a week later I realize that pain is part of the healing process. Experiencing the pain, and not trying to numb it with food or anything else, allows us to be thankful for the days we don't have pain. And to push us to remember the great things about our loved ones. Those memories are incredible. And in the case of Ann, always centered around a nice pot of tea. So, instead of filling myself with food to fill the void. I'm going to brew a pot of Austrian tea, and sip...while thinking back and smiling with all the wonderful hours I had with my Syracuse mom.

Hope you'll take some time to sip some tea and think about how lucky you are too! And let's save the cookies for a time when we are paying attention to what we are eating...and not just trying to fill a void.

Birthdays....

2011-09-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

We had a birthday in our family yesterday. And that means cake. Scott likes German chocolate with coconut caramel icing. I can't blame him. It's so darn good.

It's funny. He's not one to obsess over birthdays or age, but yesterday he seemed obsessed with age. Saw Kathie Lee on Today and said how good she looked. She does look good. Checked. She's 58. He's 56. She does look good. Gotta admit.

I wonder what kind of cake Kathie Lee likes? I hope to be on the Today show soon cooking with her and Hoda. I would love to make them a birthday cake. My favorite is carrot. Wonder what Hoda likes? Perhaps soon I'll find out! ;)

It's time for the Great NY State Fair

2011-08-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

So, a couple of years ago, the TV station I was working for wanted me to do a piece at fried food at the fair. At first, it was fun. You know, fried pickles. Fried brownies. The fried pizza was gross. But the alligator was good. And surprisingly, the cheesecake too. But I drew the line when it came to the fried mac & cheese. I think cause it was boxed mac & cheese and not homemade. And because...it was just yucky. :(

But this year, they may have just topped it all. A bacon wrapped Snicker's bar is debuting at the fair. Ahhhh. Do I even need to say anything? I mean really?

The funny thing about doing the story for TV was that the vendors were standing right there in front of me when I tried the food. And they were SO excited to have this TV personality showcasing their "delights". So...what to say when you take a bite and just really hate it? I don't want to be rude. But I won't lie either.

So I bit into the mac & cheese and wanted to spit it out. They gave me hot sauce and ranch dressing to "dip" it in. Didn't help. Then, I glance over and see a mom walking her toddler in a stroller. So I say, well...the good thing is...it's portable. Meaning, you can give it to the kids (and get hauled off for child abuse) and wander around the fair. From that day forward "portable" is code for yuk with my crew. If I take a bite of something and say it's "portable" they all know...don't try it. :)

missed opportunity

2011-08-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

Ever had a bad meal? Isn't it disappointing?
Today, I had two. The first was at an 'event' so I don't expect much. Bland veggies. An OVERBREADED chicken cutlet that had been pounded past recognition. Have to wonder what that chicken ever did to deserve such an unappealing end.

But then, I went out with the dining divas and had another disappointing meal. Oh, the divas made it worth while. Spending time with friends is always amazing. But the promise of what could be is such an allure. You order. And hope. When it's good...I'll write about it. I've called folks to tell them about an amazing meal. I've taken cell phone pix and sent them through the ether, trying to allure another to come and share in the pleasure. Hell, I've dragged food across the country on a plane just to share in the pure joy of the meal.

But not today. Disappointed twice. Man, somehow, two disappoints in the same day isn't double the disappointment, it's like ten times the disappointment. So very very disappointing. :(

So how to recover. I certainly don't want any more food tonight. Emotionally, I can't handle it. So...I'll head to bed and dream of that perfect morsel. They say you dream in black and white. I don't. I dream in color. I taste in my dreams. Salty. Sweet. Umami.

The great thing about my dreams...they rarely disappoint!

Playing with Food!

2011-08-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

Food is funny! Funny looking. Sometimes funny tasting. Fun to play with. And we had some moments on the second set that just can't be broadcast on TV. Have you seen Chinese eggplants?

I chose them for a reason. I was making an aubergine dish with a bruschetta like topping. It was a meze I had in Greece. The Chinese eggplants fit in the dish easier...and look more like baguettes. So I chose them. I was trying to explain to the audience why I chose them. Length. Thin skin that doesn't need to be peeled...and my main cameraman lost it. Fell out laughing. It was funny. It's funny how you don't even realize what you're saying. I'm talking about food...but it sure didn't sound like it.

Then yesterday I was with 19 month old twins. Watching them feed themselves. Oh man, is that funny. Grandma even took off their shirts so there wouldn't be tomato sauce all over. I sat there enjoying them feeding themselves. The pure joy in the taste. The feel. All of the sensations of the food. They didn't care who was watching them. They were EATING and loving it. A lesson all of us could learn from. Enjoy the taste. The feel. And the fun in food!

The shooting is done...and BOY have we eaten!

2011-08-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

Six days of two shows a day. That means 60 folks in for dinner. And 12 dinners. We have had Cretan potatoes. Chicken and olives. No longer forbidden figs and pistachio tartlets.

We've also had Lonnie Park's lightened lasagna (stay tuned folks, I'm giving you the recipe on my website!)...with "junk" salad....

We had Sweeter Schnitzel. Apple horseradish relish and apple strudel.

Cornell barbecue was showcased, along with Spiedies. It's Spedie Festival Weekend in http://www.spiediefest.com/ ! Check them out where ever you are....and I'll have the recipe in my new cookbook.

We have had a heck of a time.....can't wait to show you all. Check out our facebook for some behind the scenes photos and fun. www.facebook/TheSweetLifeWithChrisXaver

Now we're cookin!

2011-07-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

The crew began arriving 9am. "Some" left at 1am,,,the rest at 4. Yes, a 19 hour day. Thought about staying up to make it 24 hours...but ran out of steam.

Boy did we have a great 2nd day on the new season. WOW. The food was fantastic. To tease you a bit, we had a Greek seared tuna salad. And Peruvian potatoes. Not on the same show. I'm working on our cookbook...and want it to be about my travels. Peru, Greece, Spain, Thailand, and the list goes on. Monday we're making a Sweeter Schnitzel...oh did I love my time in Vienna.

Vienna was about food. The fresh markets. But more importantly, my dear friend Ann Nagle. Her daughter Alex lives there and Ann set us up. It was wonderful to see Vienna from a "local". I've found every trip I've ever made whether to Peru or Colombia is made better when you're with a family. It's all about getting away from the "tourist" things...

But it's fun being a tourist isn't it? I like to just hop on a city bus and ride. No idea where I'm going. Most of the time, can't communicate with a soul. It's wonderful to be lost sometimes. Just along for the ride. I do it when I ride the motorcycle. I'll pick a path before I head out. A series of lefts/rights/etc. And then get out there and go. No real idea where I'll end up. Have found some amazing sights that way. Here's hoping you get lost this summer! :)

so many recipes swimmin in my head

2011-07-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

We're less than 36 hours away from the beginning of season two. I have so many recipes swimming in my head. Can't wait to share them with our viewers. Gonna give folks a taste of Central NY. Cornell BBQ chicken. Boy, the first time I had that...I was in love.

Realizing I fall in love quickly. With food. With people. With animals. With ideas. I'm so in love with giving right now. I'm lucky enough to be on several non-profit boards, and the time I get to spend helping them is such an inspiration.

Inspiration is what we need for the show this season. From you. We're asking folks on our FaceBook page to write in "their" tip of the day. I'll pick one each day and put it on the show. What tips do you want to share?

Sharing is funny isn't it? I have a granddaughter that LOVES to share with me. Her goldfish crackers. But she doesn't give them to me when they are fresh and yummy. She gives them to me after she's slimed them. She's just one. And precious. But sometimes...one can share too much...don't you think? :)

Phases

2011-07-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

Do you go through phases? Can't get enough of something for a bit? For me right now, fresh cut pineapple. Had some last night. It was so amazingly sweet. Reminded me of when I was in Hawaii. Ate so darn much, I got "burn" marks on my tongue. That'll teach you to overdo it, huh. You'd think.

Apparently, I'm the kind that learns the hard way. Pineapple. Popcorn. Had that in Thailand. Sounds good in theory (or at least, I thought so...) but what I hadn't counted on...was pineapple popcorn was really "sugared" popcorn. Made me so sick. It was so sweet. I didn't even like it. And yet, I ate the whole container. Why? Cause I'd paid for it. It's one of those things...we were taught...there's someone starving in some part of the world, therefore...you must eat everything on your plate...even if you don't like it...or your full.

Man, we learned some crazy stuff in our youth. Seems I'm spending my adulthood trying to undo my childhood. Isn't that crazy. Meantime....

It's blueberry time!

2011-07-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

We live down the road from a "you pick em" blueberry farm. These folks are so sweet. They put ice water out for those who wander over. Then they provide containers to put the berries in. They also remind you to weigh your container first so you don't pay for that! All for about a dollar and a half a pound. (http://www.hallshillblueberryfarm.com/directions.php)

That's why I love living in the country. Folks don't get much sweeter.

In the new season of the show, I'll be making a blueberry hamburger! Sounds weird. It isn't! Makes it more flavorful. Adds antioxidants in a "sneaky" way. We begin shooting the new season July 29th. Let me know if there is a dish you think we should add! Happy to hear from you!

Iced Tea

2011-07-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

It's the elixir of life. At least my life. I love it. Unsweetened. I like a bit of Splenda in mine. Crisp. Cool. Delish. I can't imagine a hot summer day without it. Watching the news. Seeing the heat in Texas and thinking...dang....they need some Iced Tea. Course I know they drink sweet tea. I get it. I don't drink it...but I understand it.

Tea is so amazing. I use my used tea bags to help with under eye puffiness. Pop them in the fridge. Place them on your eyes when needed. Works. Heck, did you know soaking your stinky feet in iced tea helps to cook them down and remove odor? Apparently tea contains tannic acid which kills the bacteria that lives in the sweat of the feet, as the article on "How to Treat Sweaty Feet With Tea" explains. The tannic acid will also help to prevent blisters.

So...drink it. Reduce with it. Or squelch the stench. Tea rocks!

Summer means Ice Cream Truck!

2011-06-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

Nothing tastes better than ice cream from the "ding ding" truck. That's what we called it when we were kids. Cause the one in our neighborhood in Boulder Heights (near Aurora, Il) drove down the subdivision pulling a bell cord that rang out "ding" "ding".

Here's the problem--we were RELENTLESS in asking for money for the sweet treats. How we didn't get run over chasing down the truck after we finally wrangled 50 cents out of someone is a mystery to me!

So when my son was little, I never let on that the ding ding truck had ice cream. The one in our neighborhood in Warners, NY didn't go "ding" "ding". Instead, it played music. And my son thought all summer long that there was a music truck that came out to play for us.

That is until RYAN ruined it. My son was visiting with his friend one evening with the truck came through. Ryan's parent's hadn't been hiding the truck's true maniacal mission from their son. Ryan not only got a dollar for himself, he was able to wrangle a dollar for my son too. And the happy, carefree existence we had with the ice cream truck was over. In the blink of an eye...it ended. Ryan......................

Thai food

2011-06-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

My daughter in law Wan is from Thailand. And she's been cooking for us. YUM. I mean YUM. Not just that she's doing the cooking (hey, we all need a break now and again) but she cooks WELL.

On top of that, it's got some kick. I mean, not for a true Thai. They think our food is bland, and we think their food is ON FIRE. But it's enough to get the metabolism going. And lord knows, I need all the help in that area that I can get.

Ever watch someone who can't handle heat eat hot food? First there are little beads of sweat on their brows. Then, their forehead is damp. Then the top of their heads. Their ears, necks. It's kinda fun to watch. You can SEE the effects.

I like seeing effects. I like seeing the scale drop when I've been eating right. HATE seeing it climb if I haven't. I don't love climbing. I like hiking...but not climbing. Nervous with heights. Once when I was in High School, I was in NJROTC. We went to a mini-boot camp. We had to do a "challenge" course. I climbed to the top of the wall...and stayed there. I couldn't (not wouldn't) couldn't come down. I was frozen. Not like a Popsicle frozen. Like a statute frozen! Night was falling and my colleagues were leaving me...and there I sat on the top of that wall. Probably just 15 feet in the air...but it could have been at the top of the Sears Tower for all I knew. I was FROZEN.

Boy that boot camp was cool. We hiked. We followed orders. We made our bunks up so they could bounce a quarter off of them. The food stunk! Chow hall food. Even then...at age 15...I knew the food stunk. We'd sneak to the commissary and buy snacks. Man I love snacks. I'm a snacker. Healthy snacker...but a snacker. Pretty sure I’m on a newborn feeding schedule. Every 2 or 3 hours works for me!

Hmmm. It's been about 3 hours since I had Thai food. Better pop in the kitchen and see what I can snack on! :)

It's all GREEK to me!

2011-06-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

So I've spent the last week in Crete and Greece and I so desperately wanted to post to tell you all about the incredible olive oil. The fabulous feta cheese. And the yogurt that is thicker than any pudding I've ever eaten. But...every time I tried to log on...the site was in Greek! I couldn't find a language button (cause it was in Greek) to switch to English! :)

So...in hindsight...I'm in love with Mediterranean cuisine. I mean in love!!! Olives. Olive oil. Ripe tomatoes. Dates and figs. YUM! I typically fall in love all over again when I revisit an area. Every time I'm in Thailand, I fall in love again with tiny eggplants and purple Thai basil. When in Texas it’s catfish and hushpuppies. But today...it's cukes with vinegar. And yogurt with mint.

And I am in mourning. Trapped in airline hell (delayed, delayed, delay) the food can't compare. What should have been a 14 hour flight home has turned into 3 days. And the food... :( Nothing to write about. However...I've had LOTS of time in airports to dream. Working on the next cookbook and I guarantee. There will be PLENTY of Greek recipes included!

oatmeal

2011-06-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

I should pitch oatmeal for a living. I eat it everyday. I mean several times a day some days. I love it. Filling. Warm. Add fruit...or nuts...I am a nut sometimes. And a fruit. Even a flake. Not really flaky, but I can flake sometimes. I struggle with doing one thing. In fact, I'm often doing so many things I lose track of what it was I had set out to do.

It was really bad when I was writing the PhD. Would distract myself by cooking. Cleaning. Never had such a clean house. Organized even my spices. Alphabetical. I like things organized. I like labels too. My labeler is one of my prized possessions. I know folks like gems, or beachfront property. I like labels. Labels and Post it notes. I can lose my self in a Staples store. I walk in for a simple file folder and walk out with pens, post its...notebook dividers! They make them so cute now. Florals. Geometrics.

Do you know they sell food at Staples? I was there the other day when the power went out. They herded us to the front, right next to the snack foods. Tubs of chocolate covered peanuts. Slim Jims. I wasn't in any hurry to leave. Lights dimmed. Plenty to eat. Surrounded by my favorite things. All that was missing was a large glass of iced tea. Oh, what was I talking about? Oatmeal. Didn't find any of that at Staples....

fish n chips

2011-05-31T15:57:00.000-07:00

When I was in London, I gained 15 pounds! I don't know if it was the fish n chips, or the daily scones...but either way...I gained 15 pounds. Literally, couldn't zip my trousers on the flight home....

Still...the food was amazing. Scones with clotted cream and jam. And the fish wrapped in newspaper to absorb all the grease. I have tinkered and tinkered to replicate those recipes. Finally, I have created a scone that is healthy and delicious....and a baked fish and chips doused in malt vinegar. They're what we are shot yesterday for our first episode of our second season.

So today, we are finishing episode 201. And Chrissy had me out on the lake "fishing" for the whitefish. Ahhhh....what a hoot. In my dress...floppy hat (in honor of those worn by the ladies attending the Royal Wedding) and sunglasses. What a riot! Quite concerned I was going to end up in the lake...(and there were LOTS of fishes)...

Pictures posted to FaceBook tonight! :)

dreamin

2011-05-28T17:24:00.001-07:00

Of a daytrip. Different from a day dream. These, I go out and realize. The day dream fulfilled. For me, it’s lunch. Lunch in another country…with the most magical amazing ride to get there.

We start at the gateway to the Fingerlakes and stop first at the neatest cookie company you will ever encounter. This little gem rivals Keebler’s, right down to the elf shoes outside the tree house door. http://www.5min.com/Video/The-Fly-By-Night-Cookie-Company-in-Fairhaven-New-York-259884371

After a little mid morning snack, we snake our way along the seaway trial to Cape Vincent and Horne’s ferry http://hornesferry.com/. There, we wait our turn and climb aboard the little ferry that could. Then, off to the magical mini isle of Wolfe where we make the 11 mile jaunt across to the BIG ferry. And then…to Kingston http://www.cityofkingston.ca/index.asp

Ahhhh…the brick streets. The harbor. The boats. The shops…and my grail, the Chez Piggy! An old livery with libations! http://www.chezpiggy.com/. Ummmm. Outdoor seating. Quaint. Rivals anything I’ve eaten at. Be it San Sebastian, Vienna, Lima, Athens. It’s worth the ride. Owned by Rose Richardson and Zal Yanovsky (The Loving Spoonful) the Piggy isn’t about gluttony, it’s about glorious taste combinations that you may not have thought of on your own.

The first time I ate there, I was invited into the kitchen to meet the chef and see what was cooking! They say the things we value most aren’t tangible, but memories. I would add…my memories are filled with flavors!

potluck

2011-05-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

They're all about luck aren't they? Sometimes, at a potluck, you get lucky. Pick that dish that's amazing. The one you then want to make at home. And sometimes, you hit a dud. Frozen meatballs with jarred sauce. :( Tonight...I found the gem at a HUGE potluck. Amidst the pizza, mac & cheese and pans of ziti with sauce...there they were. Little, perfect, deviled eggs. Creamy and delicious! Full of protein.

Why is it that I don't make them anymore? There was a time they were my go to food for a party or a picnic. But for years now, I've forgotten about one of my favorite foods. I'm sorry little egg. You are in my head! Like the boyfriend you try to forget...but just can't. I want you back. But I want a better version of you. So this weekend, I'm going to head out to Sheffler's Farm, pick up some free range eggs, and experiment. I want to recreate the magic we had for all those years....except this time....we're going to do it better...so we can stay together forever!

ostrich

2011-05-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had ostrich? I hadn't until recently. My friend Laura took me to the Benn Conger Inn for ostrich. Have to say, it reminded me a lot of a beef steak but it was fun. Fun to try something new. Fun to get over my fear. Not a big fan of birds. Especially big birds. Not BIG BIRD, I think he's cool. But big birds. Ostrichs. Turkeys (I live in the country, where the wild turkeys roam and scare the living breath out of you when you're walking in the woods). Even geese. Ever been chased by a goose? Those things can be mean. Darn right ornery.

But the ostrich was good. Lean. Did a little research. Ostrich meat is red meat. Typically poultry is white. And it's lean. Full of protein. Low in fat. Even high in calcium and iron. I don't like milk, so I like the calcium part. I read the ostrich can run nearly 60 miles an hour. Have to wonder how they get caught! :)

So I add ostrich to my list of more exotic meats. I've had snake, squirrel, rabbit, etc. Haven't had wild boar. Understand they run in my neck of the woods. I can't even imagine walking in the woods and coming across a wild boar...Guess if I did...we'd see how fast I could really run. Maybe that's how the ostrichs get caught...a frantic woman running from a wild boar?

popcorn & chocolate

2011-05-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

It's my life. I am in love with food. Love....LOVE....love great food. Love food that fuels me without fattening me.

What I can't live without? Popcorn and chocolate. Not together. Wonderful, homemade popcorn. Popped without oil. Then drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with freshly ground mixed peppercorns and sea salt. I eat it every single night. Can't imagine life without it. Haven't tried it? Do. You too will be addicted. But what an addiction! Popcorn is a whole grain. Olive oil-a good fat. If you're going to have an addition, this isn't one you'll need to break.

You know what's weird? I'm left handed. But I eat my popcorn with my right hand! I don't know why. I believe it's one of the only things I do with my right hand. Odd. Very odd.

Chocolate? Ummm. Dark. But not too dark. After about 72%, it gets too dark for me. The wonderful thing about dark chocolate is that it packs a flavor punch but doesn't need to be full of calories. I like my chocolate dark. Like my rooms dark (mood lighting!). I have a black ceiling in my kitchen and a couple of black walls in my house. I like dark nights. You know the ones where it's so dark the moon lights up your room? I'll wake up and stare at the moon. Love moonlight.

I live in the country (Fingerlakes region of Upstate NY)...where you can sit on the deck and entertain yourself just by looking at the sky...darkness lit up with a sea of stars and a looming moon. Ummm...chocolate stars....(they're typically milk chocolate). Guess I need to make some dark chocolate stars. Healthier....tastier....I guess I now have a goal....