Champagne Sighs

I just returned from France and a trip to Champagne country and the Burgundy region.
Stay tuned for highlights. Meanwhile, feast on this great quote of M.F.K. Fisher's in "How to Cook a Wolf":
I consider myself more fortunate than most women in that I know several good drinking companions of my own sex. They are for the most part well past seventy, a significant fact in the study of Alcohol in Modern Society, I imagine...the best of them, eighty-two last Christmas, has taught me much of both self-control and sensual pleasure from her enjoyment of a glass of dry champagne."

Sweet Thought

 

Halloween Treat: Candy corn and peanuts

Autumn brings many exciting sweets to the table. It is, of course, the season of candy corn. And as any good Minnesota mom knows, it is also the time to make up a mixture of candy corn and peanuts. When a handful of this sweet and salty mixture goes into the mouth and is chewed together, it tastes  like the Salted Nut Roll candy bar. (The recipe is basically: mix one jar of dry roasted salted peanuts with one bag of candy corn. If you like more peanuts or more candy corn, adjust accordingly.) I thought everyone knew about this sweet October delicacy. But when I discovered that there are some folks (mostly of the East Coast persuasion) who said they had not heard of the treat, much less the Salted Nut Roll, it gave me pause. Could it really be? So to those who already know, you can skip this part. And to those who do need explanation: the Salted Nut Roll is a sweet nougat center covered in caramel, then in peanuts, and made by Pearson's, a small candy company in St. Paul. They also make the famous Nut Goodie candy bar (I guess they're into nuts). And yes, this is the candy bar that Garrison Keillor has promoted and made famous. Years ago, I had the fun opportunity to tour Pearson's candy factory when I was on an assignment. (The factory is not open to the public.) This is one of the tiny candy companies we need to support--and I am happy to promote their sweet goods.

Cold Comfort: Re-living cool memories

As the days are sweltering here in Minnesota now with high temps and humidity, I've been cooling off by re-living cool days and nights from a recent road trip on the west coast. My sister and I met in Sacramento, proceeded thro the California redwoods and up the Oregon coast to Olympia, Washington. One of our first stops was the above roadside stand selling produce, flowers and yes, fresh blackberry popsicles which we loved.
In Trinidad, we stopped for lunch at the Seascape which overlooked the ocean and fishermen bringing in their fresh catches. I had quite possibly the best fish and chips ever. (We also had to wear our hoodie sweatshirts because it was so wonderfully cold.)

On our third night, we stayed in Pacific City, Oregon across from the ocean AND the Pelican Pub and Restaurant, very convenient. Great cold beer brewed on the premises. Great spicy mahi mahi quesadillas. And the people were all so super friendly, I told my sis I felt like we were in an ad promoting the Oregon coast.
The next day we stopped at Tillamook Cheese Factory which was a total zoo. Who knew a cheese factory could be such a tourist and family destination--almost like an amusement park. "Is it always this busy?" we asked the check-out clerk at the gift store. The answer: "Usually, busier. We have 3,000 to 5,000 visitors a day from Memorial Day to Labor Day." We think there must have been at least 10,000 people the day we were there. In fact, we had to have a double scoop of ice cream to de-stress after our shopping experience there. Out of many ice cream flavor choices, I narrowed it down to the marionberry pie and chocolate peanut butter. I couldn't decide and the people behind me were getting impatient, so I ordered both.

Paris for cooks: E. Dehillerin

One of the best parts about getting home after a trip to France is unpacking. I'm not talking about the dirty clothes part; I'm referring to the "buys" you have made! This time my treasures included some great purchases from one of my favorite stores whenever I'm in Paris: E. Dehillerin. This time I scored four mini souffle dishes, a gorgeous rolling pin, and a small carbon paring knife which kind of looks like a mini chef knife. I was planning on buying the small souffle dishes and rolling pin, but while I was at the check out (they have an interesting way of checking out--details on that later)there was a small knife laying on the counter (part of someone's stash of things to buy). Anyway, I picked it up to look at it because it suddenly occurred to me that I might need such a slick little knife like that. As I was inspecting it, a rather good looking and friendly French guy (it was his stash; I swear I didn't know)came over and I tried to explain I wasn't planning on taking it, I just was looking for one like it. When we understood each other, he went to find me the exact same knife, then showed me how it was printed with the word "carbone" on it, and told me with sign language, some English, never never to wash the knife in the dishwasher, and to dry it very thoroughly because it gets spots and can rust quickly. "But it eez the best knife, this kind!" he informed me. After I bought one (along with my other goodies), they wrapped everything up, and I never opened the package until I got home. That's when I discovered the sales person put the tip of the knife into a wine cork to keep it from poking through the wrapping I guess. Is that so French? They add style to everything!!PS My other "buys" included bags of seasalt (I was in Brittany), jars of caramel sauce, boxes of caramels, a cute pair of red shoes, some fresh rose and violet garlic (honest, officer, I forgot I had put it in there), a new grey jacket, and... mais oui... a beautiful scarf.

Sweet Shop: Billy's Bakery in Chelsea

How can you not love a place called "Billy's Bakery"? After seeing the Martha Stewart show in the heart of Chelsea, my friends and I happened on Billy's while walking to Pastis where we planned to have lunch. But how could you walk by? There was a guy in the window frosting cupcakes! The entire shop was not much bigger than a cream puff. And it was filled with delights--layer cakes on pedestals and under glass, lemon bars, peanut butter chocolate bars. Cookies. I bought a white cupcake with turquoise buttercream frosting that had little sprinkles on top and had it placed in a cute colorful square box with a handle (like a cupcake purse!)that cost extra (but was worth it). Many cupcakes are disappointments--they look so sweet and delectable but turn out dry and flavorless.
This little number was not one of those. It was delicious. Very delicious. Definitely worth a stop. PS Down the street (Ninth Avenue) was another little shop called Three Tarts. Another winner and worth another stop.

Sweet Thoughts: Reading a good book

There is nothing more lovely than having a good book to read! I have a stack by my bedside. Right now, I am in the middle of Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz. Winner of a 1988 Nobel Prize for literature, it was originally published in Arabic in l956. It's the first in the author's Cairo Trilogy--about life in post WWI Egypt. (Palace of Desire and Sugar Street are the other two.) I also have the book A Year in the World: Journeys of a Passionate Traveller by Frances Mayes nearby. I have already finished it, but still like picking it up and finding various lines that I love. Nice to read right before falling asleep.

"Travel pushes my boundaries. Seemingly self-indulgent, travel paradoxically obliterates me-me-me, because very quickly--prestissimo--the own-little-self is unlocked from the present and released to move through layers of time. It is not 2006 all over the world. So who are you in a place where 1950 or 1920 is about to arrive?"

Of course, I have a few bedside cookbooks as well. Viana La Place's unplugged kitchen is a personal favorite pre-summer cookbook read. Chapters have titles like: 'a late morning breakfast on a small Italian Island.' The menu lists: " blood orange juice, tender egg island style, ripe figs, caffe latte".

Instead of armchair travelling, I call it bedside cooking.

Art Credit: Quint Buchholz "Lesende Frau"
Aus Dem "Buchbilderbuch", Sanssouci Verlag

Sweet Shop: Golden Crown Panaderia

Pratt Morales and son Chris, Albuquerque, NM

I just had a story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about New Mexico. If you'd like to read it, click on the below. (Sorry, I haven't figured out how to include a link here yet.)

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/89769762.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsZ

In that piece, I included a couple paragraphs about the Golden Crown Panaderia in Albuquerque. Pratt Morales and son Chris run this Southwest bakery famous for its green chile bread (featured on the Food Network) and its anise-flavored biscochitos. I loved the bread but it was those flaky cookies that really got to my sweet tooth.

When you walk in here, the typical bakery scents of bread baking, cinnamon and sugar greet you --along with a friendly person behind the counter offering a free cookie--a biscochito. This is New Mexico's "official State Cookie". As I wrote in my article, you've got to love a state that elevates a cookie to such status. Personally, I'd love to have been at the meeting where it was discussed. "I move that we adopt the biscochito as our state cookie". "I second it." "All in flavor, I mean favor, say aye". And don't ya wonder--how it all started to begin with? Like, was some state worker sitting on break having a cup of coffee and a biscochito when it hit him or her (probably her)--dang, this cookie is GOOD. After another bite... this cookie is REALLY good. Then another worker comes in to the break room and she says to whoever just came in, "hey Joe, this cookie is flipping delicious. It's so good, it could be.... official!" and Joe (but probably it's a Mary) says, "give me some of that cookie and I'll tell you if it's any good," and then she tastes it and says, "Damn, I think you are right!Give me another one to make sure." Then after six or so more cookies, the two think... You know, we should make this REALLY official. Wouldn't it be cool to have an official... state cookie?" I suppose if I were really curious, I could easily find out how the whole thing came to be. But I kind of like my imagined scenario. At any rate, I loved the cookie so much I made them for the annual Christmas cookie exchange last year. (Recipe follows at end of post.)

But enough already about the cookie. The truth is, while visiting this bakery, I found Pratt and Chris(the father-son team who run this operation) to be as sweet as the cookies they bake. They invited me into their kitchen and let me watch them at work, shared memories and dreams, philosophy and baking tips, and of course, tastes. And it's easy to see that everything coming out of the ovens here gets a dose of TLC. These guys love what they're doing. I like the way Pratt explained it: "Passion is when you're supposed to be somewhere at 4, and you get there at 2."

Whether you get here at 2, 4, or 7 a.m., you're in for a real treat --and a free biscochito--when you stop in here. Don't miss it.

Chris on the patio of the Golden Crown Panaderia with pan of biscochitos. (You can also get a great cappuccino at the bakery--see below)

Biscochitos (recipe from the Santa Fe School of Cooking)

Makes 4-5 dozen

2 cups lard or vegetable shortening (I used Crisco)
1 ½ cups sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. toasted anise seeds

6 cups flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

½ cup brandy

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the lard or shortening (I used Crisco). Add sugar, eggs and anise seeds and cream again. Mix dry ingredients separately and combine with the shortening mixture. Add the brandy and mix thoroughly.

Roll the dough out on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes. Sprinkle the cookie shapes with sugar-cinnamon mixture. (1 cup sugar to 1 tsp. or more cinnamon) . Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Sweet dreaming

Spanish hot chocolate....

Sweet Treat: Mother's Famous Father's Favorite Graham Cracker Pie

Last week I had a craving for my mom's graham cracker pie. The filling is basically very similar to a French creme anglaise. The story in our family about this pie was that when my mom used to cook for the hired farmhands on their North Dakota farm, one of the hired men loved this particular pie so much he told my mom he'd pay her some exorbitant sum to make a whole pie just for him. My dad (this was his favorite pie) would have gladly taken the money, but my mother made the pie and didn't charge the man anything. She said after she made it and gave it to the hired hand, he carried the pie on horseback to wherever he was rooming. She said she had no idea how the pie must have looked upon arrival. It's a fragile type custard filling and truthfully, it'd be good simply spooned out of the pie pan. I am sure the guy didn't care. (This is a comforting pie for a rainy dreary day. My dad and I liked eating it warm from the oven, but if you want it less runny, you should let it cool awhile until it sets. I liked making it and thinking about my mom.)

Graham Cracker Crust:
about 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tbsp. sugar

Mix together and press in pie pan (I used a 9 inch pie pan). Bake 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Filling:
Mix 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup cornstarch in a bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup milk.

Put 2 1/2 cups milk in a kettle and bring to a boil. Whisk in the sugar and cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly, as it sticks easily.

Separate 3 eggs. Whisk egg yokes together and add a little hot mixture to them, then pour all back into the kettle. Then add 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tsp. vanilla. Cook, until thick, stirring constantly (I use a whisk). Pour on graham cracker crust.

Meringue: Whip 3 egg whites with 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar until foamy, then add 1/4 cup sugar and whip whites until stiff peaks form. Spread on pie up to edges and bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees or until meringue is brown.

Sweet Thought of the Day

Sweet Stay: Hotel Santo Domingo in Madrid, Spain

Not to be confused with the Hotel Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, this pretty hotel is not "surrounded by 14 acres of lush tropical gardens". It is, however, smack dab in the historic center of Madrid--within walking distance of the Puerta del Sol and all the other famous Madrid attractions you'll want to see when you're in Madrid. You should also not be put off by the fact it is part of the Best Western chain--chain hotels and restaurants often being something I try to avoid when I'm traveling. This little gem is a darling (forgive me) but it really is, boutique hotel in the best sense of the word. Every room is different, so perhaps I was just lucky, but I loved my pale pink girlie room. I walked in and my first thought was that this would be a perfect place for sisters (or best girlfriends)to stay if they were spending time in Madrid. The bathroom was lovely: Check out the tile.

And yes, that tub is a mini personal jacuzzi-like tub. Here is a shot of the framed print over the bed. I liked how they framed the poster between panes of glass so that the pale pink of the wall shows through. I thought that was a cool decorating idea.

Here is a shot of the view from my window. One of the things I love about staying in Spain (or anywhere in Europe) is how you can crank open the windows wide (no screens! no bugs!). Why is that? I looked out over tile roofs and onto another pink sided building. I never saw anyone over there, but I wondered what it would be like to live in a place like that.

The hotel is also a "little museum" with beautifully framed paintings throughout. I wish I would have had more time to look at them. Here are two that were in the restaurant where I ate breakfast.




The lobby was filled with overstuffed striped sofas and more paintings, the staff friendly and helpful (several spoke English). It was an entirely sweet stay here. Best of all, I slept like a princess.

INFO:
Best Western Premier Hotel Santo Domingo
Plaza de Santo Domingo, 13-28013 Madrid Spain
www.bestwestern.es