That Girl Guide

Almost any Italian chef will tell you that one of their secrets is the cheese they use.  Only authentic Parmesano-Reggiano will do.  It has a wonderful salty and nutty flavor that enriches pasta dishes, omelets, salads, meatballs, and vegetables.  It is a bit more expensive than the cheese you shake out of the plastic container that may or may not actually even be cheese.  But it is worth every penny.  You can grate it or shred it.  I like to grate a larger quantity and store it in a glasslock storage container.  It will keep for quite some time and that way I know when it was grated.  Some cheeses sit for quite some time after they are grated and they do not have the same freshness and flavor than if you do it yourself every couple weeks.  I also freeze it sometimes when I have a lot on hand.  You should save the rind and freeze it and drop it in your next soup or stew for an added layer of flavor and richness.  Check out the link below to shop for this cheese. 

http://eclecticgrocer.com/parequwh-10l.html

Almost everyone knows someone with a gluten allergy which can present a bit of a challenge when entertaining.  It is always a good idea to be prepared with a couple gluten free mixes on hand so there is no need to panic if you find out about such and allergy after a guest has arrived for the weekend or the day of a dinner party.  The Eclectic Grocer has a number of products that are gluten free and made in a dedicated kitchen.  They have chocolate chip cookie mix, lemon poppyseed bread mix, pancake and waffle mix, and a brownie mix.   Click the link below to check out the selection of fabulous gluten free products. 

http://eclecticgrocer.com/gluten-free-mixes.html

The secret to arranging flowers at home is simple, use the right vase.  You can keep it simple and stay with only one type of flower.  I didn’t use any floral tape for this, the roses are just stacked on one another.  Another common mistake is that people don’t cut the flowers to match the vase and the flowers don’t end up bunched together neatly.  Flower arranging is easy…  with the right tools.  Make sure you have a sharp pair of scissors and cut the flowers at an angle so they absorb more water.  Always add flower food and change the water daily to extend their life.  Store them in the fridge for a day or two before the party so you can get this done ahead of time. 

I have used this vase for a number of occasions, both casual and formal.  I typically use this for a dozen roses which is great because there is no guesswork when I am buying the flowers.  The main thing is that I know that this vase is perfect for a dozen roses so I always know that I have a classic centerpiece option if nothing else at the floral shop speaks to me. 

Everyone has heard about the dangers of reheating foods in plastic and the possible links to cancer.  Whether that is true or not, there are other reasons that glasslock or snapware storage are better than plastic.  Glasslock storage will not be stained by your tomato sauce and you can put it anywhere in your dishwasher without worrying about melting it like with plastic storage.  You can put glasslock storage containers in the oven, freezer, and microwave and we know that glass is safe.  If you added up the cost of all the plastic storage containers you buy in a year, you could have purchased a whole cupboard full of them in a year.  And the best part is you won’t have to replace them next year.  Click the link below for some great prices on glasslock containers aka snapware.

Visit the Eclectic Grocer —  Free shipping on orders over $99.99.

BPA Free Glass Food Storage Containers

I almost had a coronary when I took my china out of the dishwasher this morning.  I served a dish with parmesan cheese last night (both shredded and grated) and all the dishes had a dark grey plastic like stains on them which was obviously the hardened cheese.  I ran them through the dishwasher again to soften the cheese and then use a sponge and some baking soda to scrub it off.  They are as good as new – thank goodness.  Another soft abrasive to use on your china is Bon Ami. 

We had a little party with some dear friends recently.  I decided to make an eggplant dish that would also showcase the glorious San Marzano tomatoes that are just beginning to ripen.  I’ll list the menu below. 

Appetizer:  Olive Tapanade and/or Bruschetta

First Course:  Stuffed Eggplant – Tomatoes and Eggplant sauted with garlic and olive oil and then mixed with parmesan cheese and placed back in the eggplants to bake. 

Second Course:  Gnocchi with Pancetta Tomato Sauce

The Gnocchi recipe is from The New Basics Cookbook.  The tomato sauce is simple.  Saute the one package of pancetta and one yellow onion for about 8 minutes.  Add two cans of crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup red wine (chianti or cabernet), and a couple tablespoons of basil.  Simmer for about 30 minutes and serve. 

Dessert: 

Chocolate Mousse is also from The New Basics Cookbook.  It is always a hit.  And most people remember what you served for dessert.

It is sad to say that it is almost time to think about planning a Labor Day – or unofficial end of summer celebration.  But don’t despair because summer isn’t over just yet!

Planning is paramount so take a look at the menu and tips below (in no particular order). 

1. Serve Kobe beef burgers or steaks for a grill experience your friends and family are sure to remember for some time.  Just sprinkle them with pepper and sea salt and sear them to seal in the juices.  Turn down the heat to be sure you don’t melt away the marbeling or you will basically watch all the flavor run into your grill.  Cook them until they are medium rare and tent them under aluminum foil for 10-15 minutes (to let the juices redistribute throughout the meat) and then serve. 
2. Suggested Side Dishes:  Roasted yukon gold potatoes with olive oil and fresh rosemary.  Arugala salad with balsamic vinaigrette (shave some parmesan cheese on top). 
3. Suggested Dessert:  Key Lime Cheesecake
4. Centerpiece:  Use tomatoes and yellow or orange bell peppers in a basket or a ceramic bowl. 
5. Appetizer:  Olive tapenade with Parmesan peppercorn baguette.
6. Set the table with white plates and let the food be the focal point. 

Check out the link below for Kobe Beef and Key Lime Cheesecake below. 

Kobe Beef http://www.eclecticgrocer.com/american-kobe-beef.html

Key Lime Cheesecake  http://www.eclecticgrocer.com/keylichw-sh.html

I find myself wishing away the summer so the stupid Japanese Beetles will leave.  They are coming in less numbers but I am still picking about 25-50 off my roses every couple of days.  I am pruning off the older blooms because they seem to be most attracted to those.  I am also cutting off the more fragrant blooms and bringing them in prior to them becoming beetle infested.  I often find 7-10 beetles ruining one fragrant rose!  Bringing them inside attracts fewer beetles and I get to enjoy the rose rather than cut it off the bush and put it in my beetle juice (aka soapy water).  The soapy water makes it impossible for them to fly and it kills them while not harming the environment or beneficial insects.  It is easier to get a large bucket of soapy water and cut off the entire bloom or cluster of blooms and drop it in the soapy water because I find that I miss beetles when I try to pick them off when there are several huddled on one part of the plant. 

It can be overwhelming to entertain during the week, but not if you have a plan and excellent gourmet products to help you cheat a little.  Instead of having friends for dinner, have them over for coffee and dessert during the week or on a weekend afternoon.  Order a gourmet cheesecake online a few days ahead of time and the day of you will have to make some coffee, cappuccino, and/or tea.  Your friends will appreciate the gesture and no one will care that you didn’t make the cheesecake yourself. 

Click below to visit an online store with my favorite mail order cheesecake. 

http://eclecticgrocer.com/cheesecakes.html

Last time I was in Alexandria, I stopped in the Principle Art Gallery.  They had a lovely collection of mainly paintings, although there were some sculptures as well.  We spent quite a bit of time in there because they had a varied collection.  The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable.   Check out the link to their website below. 

http://www.principlegallery.com/published/