Shannon Ables's Blog, page 293

Best Take-Out Spots in Bend: Part Une

After one year of living in Bend, my tastebuds have never been more satisfied. The food culture in this bustling ski and paddle boarding time continues to amaze me as the options are endless. For being a town of just over 80,000 and growing, I have been impressed with the wide array of flavors, talent in the kitchen and extremely congenial staff.

While my list is by no means complete, I wanted to share what I have discovered so far, and pinpoint my favorites. The criteria I considered when making my decision was the restaurants ability to offer dinner and lunch, a brick and mortar building (no food carts – that is an entirely new venture of discovery), and the helpfulness, promptness and friendliness of the staff even when busy, which all four of these places are during peak hours.

1. Spork

Spork began as a food cart (before I arrived), opened its doors in the building you see below and then just this past November, expanded into the establishment next door to provide much more (needed) seating as it is always bustling and busy (for good reason).

If you’re looking for global cuisine, this is a must-stop. Sourcing local ingredients, humanely raised livestock and a curiosity for flavors from Asia, Latin America and Africa, you may not know exactly what you’re ordering, but you will be quite satisfied when you dive in. I have stopped by three different times this spring and summer, tried a different item each time and was blown away by the immense flavor. When you call in to place your order, they are friendly and extremely polite, and the best part is, you can skip the line when you walk in the door (it usually is quite long during peak hours) and go straight to the counter on the left to pick up your order.

Below you will see their Lomo Saltado, a Peruvian stir-fry with wok seared Bavette steak.  I have also tried their Shakshuka, a North African pepper and sweet pepper ragout, and their Carnitas Sando, a toasted sandwich with slow-roasted pork, salsa, chili mayo and fried egg. Find Spork at 937 NW Newport Avenue and call your order in at 541-390-0946. Take a look at the menu here.

2.Parrilla

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I finally stopped at yet again, another always bustling restaurant. This particularly restaurant had been recommended to me by my students throughout the entire year. In fact, some of them would come to class (the period after lunch) with these scrumptious looking tacos, teasing all of us in the room. Needless to say, I now know why they frequent this small house on the corner that produces amazing burritos and tacos.

Parrilla is known for their fish tacos (see below Hefe’s Fish Tacos – you receive three with your purchase) and uses fresh, local ingredients. While the order is casual if you stop in, you can call in your order, although they ask that you not call during peek hours. In my experience, just call, and if they say no, give them thirty minutes.  The service is swift and the assembly line of workers apply their magic. They do ask that you keep your cell phones in your pocket while you stand in line. Needless to say, their choices are creative, delicious and I cannot wait to go back and try something new. Although it is going to be very hard not to order the fish tacos (they are scrumptious). Check out their menu here, you can find Parrilla on the corner of NW Galveston and 14th and you can call in your order at 541-617-9600.

3. Kebaba

During the two quarters that I took my evening French class at the local college, there were some nights I was exhausted and didn’t have the energy to make dinner. However, the take-out options on the route from the college to my house were vast, and it was Kebaba that caught my attention. Serving middle eastern cuisine, Kebaba sits across the street from Spork on Newport Avenue. The restaurant is always full during dinner, regardless of the day of the week, but they are never too busy to make up your take-out order. You can usually have it ready to pick up within 15 minutes at the most. With hummous, falafels, babaganoush, gyros, schwarmasfalafels, gyros, and of course kebabs, the meat and all other ingredients are superb.

My go-to choice is what you will see below: the lamb gyro with feta and a side Israeli couscous side salad. Find the restaurant at 1004 NW Newport Avenue, and call in your order at 541-318-6224. Check out their menu here.

4. Barrio

Last, but not least is a restaurant I also enjoy dining at as well, and have done so a couple of times. Barrio also began as a food cart, then moved to a small building space on Minnesota Ave., and just this past winter, relocated to a larger and very inviting space (indoor and outdoor seating) on NW Wall St. And yes, they have take-out. Their burger, which you see below, is paired with their delicious side of green beens and fries. I am still trying to figure out how they make them as the topping always pleases my tastebuds. A Latin-inspired restaurant, the food truck is still busy for catering and special events, try their paella (absolutely delicious), and their sonoran hot dog for lunch. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. The flavors are tremendous, and your taste buds will thank you. Check out their menu here, find Barrio at 915 NW Wall St., and call in your order at 541.389.2025.

 

Stay tuned, as my foodie tour of Bend continues, as there are so many other destinations I am curious about.

~Sparrow Bakery NWX – view my tour of one of my favorite bakeries in Bend here

~View other City Guide Recommendations for Bend and other cities and destinations visited by TSLL here. 

 

All images sourced by TSLL

The post Best Take-Out Spots in Bend: Part Une appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Why Not . . . Host a Dinner Party Al Fresco?

“Food is one part of the experience. And it has to be somewhere between 50 to 60 percent of the dining experience. But the rest counts as well: The mood, the atmosphere, the music, the feeling, the design, the harmony between what you have on the plate and what surrounds the plate.” —Alain Ducasse

Warmer temperatures and longer days filled with sun means all the more reason to dine outside. And while enjoying breakfast or lunch is a most definite must, so too is setting the table outside for your next dinner party.

Upon moving to Bend, I have been able, for the first time, dine outside as I finally have a back patio. Pleased to no end, I have been eager to welcome my friends over for my first dinner party at my home, and Midsummer’s Eve offered just the opportunity (as was suggested by one of my guests – thank you Nate!). And while I have shared a few tips and tricks for organizing a successful intimate dinner party in previous posts, I wanted to focus specifically on entertaining al fresco.

While there are many ways to entertain outdoors: potlucks, BBQs and block parties, my style is a near mirror image to dining indoors – intimate, 3-5 course meals, losing all track of time, and a semi-formal affair. Part of the reason I am drawn to this style is that I truly believe people enjoy a reason to dress-up, to converse, to relax with friends and potentially meet new, interesting people. Also, it doesn’t hurt to give the gift to your friends of not having to worry about cooking for an evening.

As someone who sincerely loves to cook and finds cooking to be a way of communicating my appreciation and affection for others, I revel in the opportunity to bring friends over and share a meal with them.

So now to the occasion. The elements and details to consider are shared below based on what I have found to be successful.

1. Bring the indoors out.

If you don’t have a full set of soft, cushy outdoor furniture (as was my predicament), don’t go out and buy anything. Simply take a second glance at your indoor furniture and determine what can temporarily be used for your dinner party. If you look closely at the image below, the table is my wooden antique table that serves as my reading table in my living room. It was the perfect height, offered additional table area and was easy to bring outside for one evening.

I also, as you can see, brought out my armless tufted slipper set of chairs as I only had four metal outdoor chairs (similar style available here). They offered an elegant touch and provided very comfortable seating.

 

2. Add outdoor globe lighting

The child in me has always wanted to hang outdoor lighting during the summer. I’ve always adored the intimate setting that it creates without being too bright. And the good news is that you can purchase 50″ of lights for $50 (this is the string of lights I purchased and are seen below in the image). You can also purchase customized clay disc string lights from places such as Pigeon Toe Ceramics and chose the color of shade you want. Depending upon how long-term you want your lights to be up (mine will just be up for the summer), I do know people who line their back patio or pergola with them and keep them up year-round. A beautiful aesthetic is created, and it makes the outdoor areas all the more inviting. Click here and here to learn how to string them up successfully for any occasion.

Needless to say, even during the long summer days, by the time the dessert was served, we were savoring the sweets under the globe lights and the soft, warm lighting was exactly as I had hoped.

 

3. Add a yard sale tablecloth

Adding a tablecloth has an immediate effect of simple luxury, and since you will be dining outside, I pull out my yard sale find tablecloths, just in case something gets spilled, the weather misbehaves, you name it. Both of these tablecloths were less than $5 and have been washed repeatedly, but they still look great.

 

4. Create a cohesive look with outdoor pillows

Whether or not your chairs match, tie the decor together with the details: the pillows, the tableware, the linens, the flowers, anything that speaks to what you have available and what you love. I happened to already have two of the outdoor pillows you see in the pictures, but I needed four more. After all, sitting in metal chairs tends to get uncomfortable after about 30 minutes. But if you add a pillow, the seating becomes much more enjoyable. So I looked at the tags of my original pillows and was able to find the exact same ones online at Amazon. Thankfully, they still have four left, and I scooped them up to tie the seating all together.

 

5. Serve your meal in courses

Living simply luxuriously is to savor the food, get lost in the conversation and forget about time. The best way to do this is to not rush. And the best way to not rush is to eat in courses. While this takes some planning ahead of time regarding having enough tableware and when to cook what, it also enables the cook/hostess to enjoy the meal with her guests. With four courses served during last weekend’s dinner party, I did not once look at the clock and was surprised upon looking at the time after the last guest had departed to discover we had savored each other’s company for more than four hours.

The main reason I typically invite four to six people to a dinner party is to keep it intimate, yet lively, but on a basic functionality level, 6-8 table settings is all I have in my cupboards. If you need to find more plates or silverware, stop by your local yard sales or second-hand shops. You will be amazed and delighted at what you will find that will look wonderful and perhaps even be a lovely conversation starter.

6. Add matching, simple bouquets to the tabletop

Inspired by Barefoot Contessa, a tabletop certainly needs a floral touch, but it need only be simple and short so that guests can see each other, but also to add a touch of symmetry to bring everything together.

For the two arrangements above, I stopped into the local Safeway, saw what they had available and was tickled with the yellow Gerber daisy options. After trimming the stems, finding two matching vases that I had on hand, I was set. So simple and a nice finishing touch.

7. Add some music

While I don’t have a picture, what I ended up doing was bringing my record-player outside and placing it on a rolling side table that I had originally purchased for my pied a terre in Portland a couple of years ago. After plugging my cell phone into it, I had my MP3 files of choice at my fingertips, and the mood was set.

8. End with a memorable final course

Whether you bake it yourself or buy it, the last thing that will be remembered is the dessert, so end on a high-note. I have taken both routes (baking and buying), but having more time on my hands last week, I was excited to make Julia Child’s scrumptious and fail-safe Reine de Saba chocolate cake. It truly is a delicious cake. Paired with Talenti vanilla bean gelato, even as the host, I was lost in a sweet moment of pleasure as well as joy when I took the first bite. The trick is to undercook the cake ever so slightly, as you do want it a bit gooey in the middle (it will taste like fudge); however, I have cooked it until done as well, and it still remains moist and delicious. (Click here for more TSLL Dessert recipes.)

9. Serve dishes you trust

At the end of the post you will find the links to all of the recipes I served, as well as the one new recipe I tried (I made a mini batch the day before to do a test run on the flavor which I highly recommend). I suggest serving dishes you know and trust will be delicious. If you throw in one new one, you should be fine, but as I mentioned, why not do a test run a few days prior? If nothing else, you’ll have a delicious meal or treat, and if not, you will spare yourself the angst of waiting to see if your guests like it when they take the first bite.

10. Do as much prep for each dish ahead of time.

While a warm risotto would have paired magnificently with the salmon as the evening had a slight chill to it, it would have kept me in the kitchen for far too long. I instead chose the warm corn, feta and tomato salad as it was done in eight minutes and I was back at the table enjoying my guests. The good news with the menu below is that everything can be done ahead of time, even prepping the salmon and chopping the ingredients for the salad. The only course I had to prepare during the evening was the entrée.

11. Write out a schedule the morning of the dinner party.

Before the day begins, and after all of the necessary decor items have been located and purchased (the linen napkins in this case as well as the lights), sit down and plan the day. When will you go grocery shopping, set the table, clean the house, make the dessert, prep each course, take a shower, etc. ?Having a schedule lined out by the hour will help eliminate forgetting the important details that make a big difference, and most importantly, allow you to enjoy the evening as much as your guests.

I cannot properly express how lovely the dinner party al fresco was last weekend. I encourage you to set the table outside, invite old, new, family and friends over for an intimate gathering and enjoy the lovely weather that is all too fleeting. No matter how outstanding the food, as the quote at the top of the post reminds, it truly serves as only 50-60% of the overall experience. The atmosphere, the music, the conversation, and therefore, the people you spend the evening with, determine the remainder, and with this simple list you will be more than ready to have a very memorable, and delicious evening, checking off all of the boxes and experiencing 100% success. Enjoy!

TSLL Midsummer Menu

Appetizers: Caprese Bruschetta & Tangy Cucumber Bites
Salad: Mushroom Salad with Caper Vinaigrette 
Entrée: Panko Salmon with Warm Corn, Feta & Tomato Salad (see recipe below)
Dessert: Julia Child’s Reine de Saba chocolate cake

Warm Corn, Feta & Tomato Salad

Yield: 6-8 people

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons top quality extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon juice from 1 lemon
4 ears sweet corn, husks removed for grilling (or cut off kernels in a bowl for indoor cooking)
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into bite-size chunks
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
8 ounces feta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch chunks (choose top quality – I used Belfiore)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

For grilling corn (which I have not done), grill the corn until nearly charred and blackened. If you are cooking on the stovetop, place into a large skillet, cover it and cook approximately 8 minutes until nearly blackened or well-browned. You will need to stir from time to time.
While the corn is cooking, mix the lemon and olive oil for the dressing. Set aside.
Chop up the tomatoes, feta and herbs in a large salad or mixing bowl.
When the corn is done, place into the bowl with the other ingredients (tomatoes, feta, herbs). Gently toss with the vinaigrette and add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately.

~To shop any of the dishes and glassware, click here to visit TSLL Shop. 

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Alpine Meadows Food & Wine Pairing Event  (catered by TSLL)

~A Small Summer Dinner Party Menu

~Why Not . . . Create a Cheese Platter?

Images: All from TSLL, except Corn, Feta & Tomato Salad pic – from SeriousEats~

The post Why Not . . . Host a Dinner Party Al Fresco? appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Why Not . . . Have a Dinner Party Al Fresco?

“Food is one part of the experience. And it has to be somewhere between 50 to 60 percent of the dining experience. But the rest counts as well: The mood, the atmosphere, the music, the feeling, the design, the harmony between what you have on the plate and what surrounds the plate.” —Alain Ducasse

Warmer temperatures and longer days filled with sun means all the more reason to dine outside. And while enjoying breakfast or lunch is a most definite must, so too is setting the table outside for your next dinner party.

Upon moving to Bend, I have been able, for the first time, dine outside as I finally have a back patio. Pleased to no end, I have been eager to welcome my friends over for my first dinner party at my home, and Midsummer’s Eve offered just the opportunity. And while I have shared a few tips and tricks for organizing a successful intimate dinner party in previous posts, I wanted to focus specifically on entertaining al fresco.

While there are many ways to entertain outdoors: potlucks, BBQs and block parties, my style is a near mirror image to dining indoors – intimate, 3-5 course meals, losing all track of time, and a semi-formal affair. Part of the reason I am drawn to this style is that I truly believe people enjoy a reason to dress-up, to converse, to relax with friends and potentially meet new, interesting people. Also, it doesn’t hurt to give the gift to your friends of not having to worry about cooking for an evening.

As someone who sincerely loves to cook and finds cooking to be a way of communicating my appreciation and affection for others, I revel in the opportunity to bring friends over and share a meal with them.

So now to the occasion. The elements and details to consider are shared below based on what I have found to be successful.

1. Bring the indoors out.

If you don’t have a full set of soft, cushy outdoor furniture (as was my predicament), don’t go out and buy anything. Simply take a second glance at your indoor furniture and determine what can temporarily be used for your dinner party. If you look closely at the image below, the table is my wooden antique table that serves as my reading table in my living room. It was the perfect height, offered additional table area and was easy to bring outside for one evening.

I also, as you can see, brought out my armless tufted slipper set of chairs as I only had four metal outdoor chairs (similar style available here). They offered an elegant touch and provided very comfortable seating.

 

2. Add outdoor globe lighting

The child in me has always wanted to hang outdoor lighting during the summer. I’ve always adored the intimate setting that it creates without being too bright. And the good news is that you can purchase 50″ of lights for $50 (this is the string of lights I purchased and are seen below in the image). You can also purchase customized clay disc string lights from places such as Pigeon Toe Ceramics and chose the color of shade you want. Depending upon how long-term you want your lights to be up (mine will just be up for the summer), I do know people who line their back patio or pergola with them and keep them up year-round. A beautiful aesthetic is created, and it makes the outdoor areas all the more inviting. Click here and here to learn how to string them up successfully for any occasion.

Needless to say, even during the long summer days, by the time the dessert was served, we were savoring the sweets under the globe lights and the soft, warm lighting was exactly as I had hoped.

 

3. Add a yard sale tablecloth

Adding a tablecloth has an immediate effect of simple luxury, and since you will be dining outside, I pull out my yard sale find tablecloths, just in case something gets spilled, the weather misbehaves, you name it. Both of these tablecloths were less than $5 and have been washed repeatedly, but they still look great.

 

4. Create a cohesive look with outdoor pillows

Whether or not your chairs match, tie the decor together with the details: the pillows, the tableware, the linens, the flowers, anything that speaks to what you have available and what you love. I happened to already have two of the outdoor pillows you see in the pictures, but I needed four more. After all, sitting in metal chairs tends to get uncomfortable after about 30 minutes. But if you add a pillow, the seating becomes much more enjoyable. So I looked at the tags of my original pillows and was able to find the exact same ones online at Amazon. Thankfully, they still have four left, and I scooped them up to tie the seating all together.

 

5. Serve your meal in courses

Living simply luxuriously is to savor the food, get lost in the conversation and forget about time. The best way to do this is to not rush. And the best way to not rush is to eat in courses. While this takes some planning ahead of time regarding having enough tableware and when to cook what, it also enables the cook/hostess to enjoy the meal with her guests. With four courses served during last weekend’s dinner party, I did not once look at the clock and was surprised upon looking at the time after the last guest had departed to discover we had savored each other’s company for more than four hours.

The main reason I typically invite four to six people to a dinner party is to keep it intimate, yet lively, but on a basic functionality level, 6-8 table settings is all I have in my cupboards. If you need to find more plates or silverware, stop by your local yard sales or second-hand shops. You will be amazed and delighted at what you will find that will look wonderful and perhaps even be a lovely conversation starter.

6. Add matching, simple bouquets to the tabletop

Inspired by Barefoot Contessa, a tabletop certainly needs a floral touch, but it need only be simple and short so that guests can see each other, but also to add a touch of symmetry to bring everything together.

For the two arrangements above, I stopped into the local Safeway, saw what they had available and was tickled with the yellow Gerber daisy options. After trimming the stems, finding two matching vases that I had on hand, I was set. So simple and a nice finishing touch.

7. Add some music

While I don’t have a picture, what I ended up doing was bringing my record-player outside and placing it on a rolling side table that I had originally purchased for my pied a terre in Portland a couple of years ago. After plugging my cell phone into it, I had my MP3 files of choice at my fingertips, and the mood was set.

8. End with a memorable final course

Whether you bake it yourself or buy it, the last thing that will be remembered is the dessert, so end on a high-note. I have taken both routes (baking and buying), but having more time on my hands last week, I was excited to make Julia Child’s scrumptious and fail-safe Reine de Saba chocolate cake. It truly is a delicious cake. Paired with Talenti vanilla bean gelato, even as the host, I was lost in a sweet moment of pleasure as well as joy when I took the first bite. The trick is to undercook the cake ever so slightly, as you do want it a bit gooey in the middle (it will taste like fudge); however, I have cooked it until done as well, and it still remains moist and delicious. (Click here for more TSLL Dessert recipes.)

9. Serve dishes you trust

At the end of the post you will find the links to all of the recipes I served, as well as the one new recipe I tried (I made a mini batch the day before to do a test run on the flavor which I highly recommend). I suggest serving dishes you know and trust will be delicious. If you throw in one new one, you should be fine, but as I mentioned, why not do a test run a few days prior? If nothing else, you’ll have a delicious meal or treat, and if not, you will spare yourself the angst of waiting to see if your guests like it when they take the first bite.

10. Do as much prep for each dish ahead of time.

While a warm risotto would have paired magnificently with the salmon as the evening had a slight chill to it, it would have kept me in the kitchen for far too long. I instead chose the warm corn, feta and tomato salad as it was done in eight minutes and I was back at the table enjoying my guests. The good news with the menu below is that everything can be done ahead of time, even prepping the salmon and chopping the ingredients for the salad. The only course I had to prepare during the evening was the entrée.

11. Write out a schedule the morning of the dinner party.

Before the day begins, and after all of the necessary decor items have been located and purchased (the linen napkins in this case as well as the lights), sit down and plan the day. When will you go grocery shopping, set the table, clean the house, make the dessert, prep each course, take a shower, etc. ?Having a schedule lined out by the hour will help eliminate forgetting the important details that make a big difference, and most importantly, allow you to enjoy the evening as much as your guests.

I cannot properly express how lovely the dinner party al fresco was last weekend. I encourage you to set the table outside, invite old, new, family and friends over for an intimate gathering and enjoy the lovely weather that is all too fleeting. No matter how outstanding the food, as the quote at the top of the post reminds, it truly serves as only 50-60% of the overall experience. The atmosphere, the music, the conversation, and therefore, the people you spend the evening with, determine the remainder, and with this simple list you will be more than ready to have a very memorable, and delicious evening, checking off all of the boxes and experiencing 100% success. Enjoy!

TSLL Midsummer Menu

Appetizers: Caprese Bruschetta & Tangy Cucumber Bites
Salad: Mushroom Salad with Caper Vinaigrette 
Entrée: Panko Salmon with Warm Corn, Feta & Tomato Salad (see recipe below)
Dessert: Julia Child’s Reine de Saba chocolate cake

Warm Corn, Feta & Tomato Salad

Yield: 6-8 people

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons top quality extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon juice from 1 lemon
4 ears sweet corn, husks removed for grilling (or cut off kernels in a bowl for indoor cooking)
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into bite-size chunks
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
8 ounces feta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch chunks (choose top quality – I used Belfiore)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

For grilling corn (which I have not done), grill the corn until nearly charred and blackened. If you are cooking on the stovetop, place into a large skillet, cover it and cook approximately 8 minutes until nearly blackened or well-browned. You will need to stir from time to time.
While the corn is cooking, mix the lemon and olive oil for the dressing. Set aside.
Chop up the tomatoes, feta and herbs in a large salad or mixing bowl.
When the corn is done, place into the bowl with the other ingredients (tomatoes, feta, herbs). Gently toss with the vinaigrette and add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately.

~To shop any of the dishes and glassware, click here to visit TSLL Shop. 

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Alpine Meadows Food & Wine Pairing Event  (catered by TSLL)

~A Small Summer Dinner Party Menu

~Why Not . . . Create a Cheese Platter?

Images: All from TSLL, except Corn, Feta & Tomato Salad pic – from SeriousEats~

The post Why Not . . . Have a Dinner Party Al Fresco? appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Style Inspiration: A Hint of Skin

The more mature I become, the more I appreciate the hint, the mystery, rather than the entire reveal or exposure. Whether it is the tailored silhouette, a tanned shoulder or a charming clavicle, it is the balance of just a hint and then no more to create the perfect chic style. For example in the outfit above, the clothes are tailored, but the woman is quite covered (don’t you just love those pants? A similar stripe pant here from Theory.) The entire look communicates a knowledge of one’s beautiful body without having to try and reveal all. Confidence is revealed, as well as self-assuredness. No approval is being sought and a beautiful, stylish day is to be had. Below are a few more looks as well as shopping items similar to those found in each of the images. Remember, simply click on the image to be taken to its original source. 

 

~SHOP SIMILAR ITEMS BELOW:

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~STYLE INSPIRATION posts from the Archives:

~Summer Time

~NYFW Street Style ’16

~Back to Simple

The post Style Inspiration: A Hint of Skin appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

Wimbledon Begins

The white attire, the grass courts, the potential rain showers and Henman Hill.

Yes indeed, all signs point to the commencement of Wimbledon. Having begun yesterday with the return of Roger Federer winning his first Grand Slam match after skipping the French Open due to a knee surgery and Serena Williams playing in the first round today against Amra Sadikovic of Switzerland as she begins to defend her 2015 title, I relish each of the grand slam tennis championships, but Wimbledon is truly unique.

Let alone the unique surface, the pomp and circumstance, the Queen’s box, to be virtually taken to England for two weeks is a treat (perhaps I am more of an Anglophile than I have admitted). And while I still think the women should play the best of five so that the matches aren’t over in the blink of an eye, whether it’s a sweep in two or a battle in three, Serena and each of the talented women’s tennis players amaze me with their finesse, fitness and dedication. As the profile interview recently seen in The Wall Street Journal’s Magazine featuring Serena Williams discussed, living and sleeping tennis is all but mandatory for the top athletes, which gives all the more reason for us to appreciate what they do. Take a moment to get to know Serene a bit more intimately in the interview here as well as see all of the photos captured by Maciej Kobielski. And for the entire Wimbledon schedule, click here.

 

images from WSJ Magazine July 2016

The post Wimbledon Begins appeared first on The Simply Luxurious Life®.

34 Must-Have Items for Your Home Épicerie

“In Paris in the 1950s, I had the supreme good fortune to study with a remarkably able group of chefs. From them I learned why good French food is an art, and why it makes such sublime eating: nothing is too much trouble if it turns out the way it should. Good results require that one take time and care. If one doesn’t use the freshest ingredients or read the whole recipe before starting, and if one rushes through the cooking, the result will be an inferior taste and texture–a gummy beef Wellington, say. But a careful approach will result in a magnificent burst of flavor, a thoroughly satisfying meal, perhaps even a life-changing experience.

Such was the case with the sole meunière I ate at La Couronne on my first day in France, in November 1948. It was an epiphany.

In all the years since the succulent meal, I have yet to lose the feelings of wonder and excitement that it inspired in me. I can still almost taste it. And thinking back on it now reminds me that the pleasures of table, and of life, are infinite–toujours bon appétit!” ― Julia Child, My Life in France

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #109

Time spent in the kitchen can be a truly magical experience. I must admit the only time I look at the clock is if I am timing food on the stovetop or in the oven, and even then I am not really looking at the time but rather how much time has passed.

Cooking enables us to be present, to immerse ourselves in making food that serves as a form of expression towards those we are serving. And the more time we spend in the kitchen, the more learned we become in the techniques, the more magnificent the outcomes can be. Now, don’t get me wrong, just as in life, so long as we are choosing to grow, learn and attempt new things, we will have those cringe-worthy moments, but as someone who has been tinkering and exploring in the kitchen since I was a young girl, the outcomes become more and more successful, and along with them, more and more enjoyable.

I chose Julia Child’s quote above because while yes, it is this scene in the movie that introduces viewers to Meryl Streep as Julia Child in Nora Ephron’s lovely film Julie & Julia, she makes some very powerful observations that often are forgotten along the attempts for success in the kitchen: fresh ingredients, read the entire recipe before beginning and enjoy the process. Do not rush. As my aunt who is a caterer reminds, if you cook with love, your food will be filled with love, in other words exquisite flavor. Now granted, one must know what they are doing, but enjoy the process, don’t rush the chopping of the vegetables, sautéing of the garlic and shallots and resting of the protein. Such as in life, so too is it in the kitchen, gather the necessary tools, come with as much knowledge as you can always being willing to learn more and dive into the present.

Today, I’d like to help you gather the bare essentials when it comes to the necessary ingredients to be successful in the kitchen no matter how often you step into this magical space in the home. As far as the tools are concerned, I have broken down the necessary tools for bakers here and cooks here. And after reading a handful of cookbooks and compiled lists by trusted cooks such as Susan Hermann Loomis, Patricia Wells and Holly Peterson and perused their suggestions and then compared it to what I use on a regular basis without a second-thought, I made my list below. All of the food items below are those for the pantry, on the counter, in the freezer and the refrigerator to always have on hand. I am not including those weekly shopping items you pick up or daily items you pick up at the market. I’ve also included a few additional tools that are used whether you’re a baker or cook. In other words the absolute essentials that I cannot live without.

1. Fresh herbs

Grown in your garden during the warmer months or in pots placed near a window, there are a myriad of herbs to plant, so have fun choosing which ones you want. The few that I use repeated are basil, Italian parsley, rosemary, oregano and chives. The rest are from time to time, but oh, how lovely they look in the garden.

2. Cutting board (or two)

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, it was brought to my attention that having more than one cutting board is a good idea. One for nearly everything, and the other (perhaps smaller) for the items that bring a strong scent (garlic, onions, etc.) I found a Boos 24 x 18 maple cutting board at a yard sale years ago and snatched it up for $10, but these boards are worth having in your kitchen no matter what the price.

3. Two types of salt

Kosher salt and finishing salt such as fleur de sel. Kosher salt is for cooking and the finishing salts are just that for sprinkling on top of your dishes after they are done cooking to add an extra pop of flavor. There are many types of salts, so have fun selecting what works best with your dishes.

4. Pepper mill

One tool I did not have for quite some time was a pepper mill. But the freshly ground pepper allows the flavor and oils of the pepper to be readily present as soon as you grind the peppercorns. It’s well worth the purchase and can be a beautiful piece to have on your countertop. I am using and loving Peugeot’s.

5. Olive oil dispenser

There is never a day I do not use extra virgin olive oil, so having it next to my stove in a beautiful dispenser is a must. I absolutely love these dispensers from Chef’s Planet.

6. Balsamic vinegar

Never a salad dressing was made without some type of vinegar, and my favorite is balsamic. Always choosing a quality balsamic that has more viscosity than most vinegars (although you can always reduce it down over low heat), you can also use balsamic for finishing a favorite appetizer (a caprese bruschetta perhaps) or vegetable dish (this is one of my favorite dishes).

7. Ceramic utensil holder

Having all of your cooking tools with in arm’s reach is a must for a seamless experience in the kitchen. Here are a few of the basics that I use regularly: spatula (metal & rubber), wooden spoons, zester, metal tongs, spider strainer, fish spatula, French rolling pin.

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8. A tea kettle

Le Creuset is my go-to to begin the day, to end the day and everything in between. From boiling water for my morning steel oats breakfast to unwinding at the end of the day with a dark chocolate peanut butter truffle, a tea kettle is a must.

9. Garlic

10. Shallots

11. Lemon

12. Butter (unsalted and salted).

I have recently started to use Plugra European Style Butter, but here is a list of 30 Great Butters as recommended by Saveur. Again, quality is key, but you really don’t have to pay a pretty penny for worthwhile butter.

13. Cheese, good cheese

Have on hand Parmigiano-Reggiano, as well as a soft cheese, a hard cheese, and if you like, a blue cheese.

14. Heavy cream

15. Steel oats

16. Mustard

Maille is my go-to for mustard. Whether it is the classic Dijon or Whole-Grain or Honey-Dijon, there mustards are magnificent! In fact, they will be showcased in today’s Petit Plaisir recipe below.

17. Potatoes

18. Tea/Coffee

19. Lentils

20. For Baking: flour, sugar (brown & white), yeast

21. Honey

22. Eggs

23. Semisweet or Dark Chocolate (minimum 70% cacao)

24. Pasta

25. Canned tomato sauce

26. Chutney

I recently have been enjoying a mango chutney and using with my shrimp. Oh my goodness, delightful. I have only touched the surface of appreciating what can be done with chutney, but I compare it to a savory jam. Yum, yum, yum.

27. Mayonnaise (top quality)

28. Freezer food: seafood (shrimp is my favorite), meat (chicken, sausage, beef, etc.), extra unsalted butter, ice cream or gelato (vanilla and chocolate at a minimum)

29. Additional oils & vinegars for your favorite vinaigrettes

30. Spices

31. Sliced & toasted almonds

32. Raisins

33. Jam

For croissants on the weekends bien sur!

34. Wine

A white and a red I love because it you like to drink it, it will taste delicious in the food you prepare, as well as anything else I have discovered and enjoyed.

While the list may seem long, once you have all of these items stocked, it will take some time for many of them to run out and only a handful will you be restocking weekly or bi-weekly (for me that would be lemons, eggs, and sometimes butter). Knowing you have everything on hand for the basics of everyday cooking and baking will make it all the more enjoyable to step into your kitchen and get lost in the moment.

Recently, Giada de Laurentiis shared in an interview that we must “create a space in your kitchen that you enjoy being in”, and I couldn’t agree more. As mentioned in this podcast, allow your kitchen to be your sous chef. Organize it in such a way that it is easy to navigate, the necessary supplies are readily available, clutter is kept to a minimum in your cupboards and the counters are as clear as possible. When your space is inviting, when you have beautiful and highly functional tools to use, you will want to step into the space and work your magic.

~A HUGE Thank You to Erin Dahl of Hip Paris blog for including The Simple Sophisticate in their post, Paris Podcasts: The Best French Fixes

~Shop all TSLL Kitchen tools, dishes and appliance recommendations here in TSLL Shop.

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Why Not . . . Create a Mini Garden?

~Why Not . . . Use Simple Changes to Transform Your Kitchen?

~Why Not . . . Cook with Olive Oil?

Petit Plaisir
~Three Mustard Chicken – click here for the entire recipe.

 

 

 

Image: source

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A Flavorful Chicken Entrée – Three Mustard Chicken

Chicken is one of my everyday proteins of choice, so mixing it up with varying flavors is appreciated, and the good news, very simple to do. As well, it was after reading Susan Hermann Loomis’ book In a French Kitchen that I learned of Maille mustards (she highly recommends). Has this company been around a long time? Yes . . . since 1747. Again, late to the party, but now fully and unabashedly on board.

As someone who loves her spinach salad with a classic vinaigrette dressing (olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard and pepper), when I made the change from the generic brands to Maille the recognizable difference in flavor was immediate. With a great depth of flavor without the tart or bitter, a silk-smooth finishing touch, Maille’s mustards are the quality ingredient that completes the dish and prompts guests to ask, what is in this? From their classic Dijon, to their whole mustard and honey Dijon, each version is a delight to cook with, and now my kitchen is fully stocked.

So after Loomis’  introduction and a purely coincidental mention of three mustard chicken on the Bon Appétit podcast, I figured the universe was trying to subtly nudge me to try something. And I am sure glad that it did.

As is the case for many recipes, there are a variety of different ways to approach a three-mustard recipe, but why not keep it simple and limit the ingredients, but not the quality? The recipe I have pulled together is a hybrid of a handful of recipes I looked at from Barefoot Contessa, Jamie Oliver and other food bloggers I trust. While I had first tried the recipe having breaded the chicken, I realized, if you leave the skin on, you can still have the crunch without the extra ingredients or mess. So do feel free to tweak as you prefer.

Three Mustard Chicken

yield: 4 servings

Time: 45 minutes (prep and cooking time)

~I highly recommend using Maille mustard products for the entire recipe.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoon whole grain mustard + 1 tablespoon for rub
2 tablespoons honey-Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons chicken stock, or more, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 sprigs rosemary
4 chicken thighs (bone in or out, skin on – your choice)
1 tablespoon olive
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make the mustard rub in a small mixing bowl: olive oil, 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard and salt and pepper to taste. Dry the chicken thighs before covering in the rub. Leave in the bowl while you make the mustard sauce.
In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the three mustards, honey and chicken stock. Depending upon the consistency you want, add more or less chicken stock. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet to medium heat. Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, and merely sear both sides until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes on each side). Upon flipping to the second side, cover each thigh in the three mustard sauce and add sprigs of rosemary to the pan in between the thighs.
Place into the oven (uncovered) until completely cooked through (175 degrees Fahrenheit, internal temperature of the chicken). Approximately 25-30 minutes, but check at 20 minutes.
Serve immediately and enjoy the tender, luscious flavor.

 

~While Maille provided me complimentary jars of mustard for a recipe of my choosing, this post is entirely of my own experience. In fact, I had a few jars of Maille mustards in my kitchen prior to and have stocked up with more since. 

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This & That: No. 215

Blog 
— Little Yellow Couch

Zandra Zuraw and Karen June Grant make up the pair behind the lifestyle and decor blog, business and podcast Little Yellow Couch. I happened upon them as I follow Sharon Santoni’s blog, My French Country Home, and love their approach to living. It’s not about perfection but rather about cultivating a life that helps moments to blossom in the everyday that make it a treat to experience. Be sure to stop by and check out their retreat offerings, their DIY posts and listen to their conversation with fellow decor bloggers and business women and men who inspire them.

Everyday
—Lola 100% Natural Cotton Tampons

As we become more and more aware of how products are made and what we put into our body for all sorts of everyday activities, when I discovered Lola’s Natural tampons I wanted to share. After all, our health and how we take care of our bodies is paramount to living a full, contented life. Available to be delivered to your door when you want, with how many and what size you want, check them out. I think you will be impressed.

Film
—Dark Horse

Based on a true story, one that reminds me of Secretariat in some ways, Dark Horse caught my eye recently as I was in the theater for another film. Currently in theaters across the country, Dream Alliance is the wonder horse that is raised by barmaid in Wales who gathers together some locals with the goal of raising their own race horse. An unexpected success on the race track, along the journey a near fatal injury threatens Dream Alliance, but he is cared for by his many owners and returns to the track for an emotional showing. Having won Sundance’s Audience’s Award for World Cinema Documentary in 2014, take a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Find
—The French House

If you love discovering a fantastic find at a flea market after hours of searching and are drawn to the brocante aesthetic and cozy French decor,  you will want to bookmark The French House website and showroom. Located in London and York (since 1995), you will find French antiques sourced directly from France. I don’t know about you, but I am signing up for their newsletter that alerts customers to the most recent finds.

~Louis Philippe mirror

~Stone Pillar bases to support a stone top

~Bespoke deep buttoned armchair

~French house made table

~Late 19th century walnut stool

— Join Us in France Travel Podcast

If you are a lover of France, you will enjoy this podcast. Covering all things French especially travel, but of course wine, culture, food and language too, join Annie and Elyse, both who have lived in France for going-on at least 18 years. With more than 100 episodes, you are sure to discover something new to further your passion for France.

Magazine
—The Cottage Journal

Ever since Cottage Living magazine shuttered its business due to the recession, I have been hoping a cottage-inspired magazine would reappear. Unfortunately, nothing has matched entirely what I loved about their monthly issues, but The Cottage Journal offers some similarities and offers tours inside homes that offer immense inspiration. A year subscription includes five issues, and based on this French-Inspired article, perhaps I may subscribe in the future (or stop by my local library and pick it up from time to time.)

Shopping
— Vince silk-trimmed linen-jersey top

For few than $80 add a light, breezy top to your summer wardrobe. Wear with denim, Bermuda shorts or simple white cropped pants and sandals. Simple, chic and frugal.

Television
—Vicious

A lovely British sitcom that I just discovered only as the series wraps up is Vicious. Having premiered in 2013, it stars Sir Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as Freddie and Stuart. Freddie, and actor, and Stuart, his beloved who has been with him for 48 years living in their Covent Garden flat, open their doors and share their life which is humorous and a breath of fresh air. However, at this point in their life it is primarily entertaining their memorable guests and friends who regularly stop by, Stuart speaking with his mother on the phone each morning and the men playfully chiding each other. The humor is delightful, McKellen, Jacobi and their supporting cast a treat, and if you have Amazon Prime, you can watch the first two seasons for free. Have a look below at the trailer of the series below, and you can watch the entire series finale on PBS here.

~recipe for Flourless Chocolate Fudge Cake~

The first week of entirely working on the blog has been extraordinarily ideal. Someday this will be my everyday all the time perhaps, but until then, nose to the grindstone. With the weekend’s arrival, I am excited to be hosting my first summer dinner party under the stars and moon (along with a few globe lights as well). An intimate gathering of new friends and stories, these moments are what I most look forward to when spending time with chosen companions.

How is your summer (or perhaps winter) going so far? Hopefully the weather is just as you would prefer and your have-tos are just as long as you can attend to paired with enough time to enjoy doing as you prefer and please. Thank you for stopping by the blog this week as it has been quite full with Style Inspiration, Decor Inspiration, Life Inspiration, Food Inspiration and Summer Inspiration. And as always, for your weekend reading, I have found a few articles you might enjoy below. Until Monday, bonne journée.

~Discover the power and importance of exercise for the brain and this article sings the same song.

~On Monday we talked about working with your mind and meditation was mentioned as a wonderful exercise. Here are 37 benefits of meditation that may just surprise you.

~Something I am reading more about and am inspired by, the Single Habit that Will Put You in the Top 10%

~Love pancakes? Learn how to make the perfect breakfast for you,  your guests and anyone you want to share with.

~The Benefits of Creating Art Every Single Day . . . whether you call yourself an artist or not.

~The 10 Proven Habits of the Happiest People in the World

~THIS & THAT posts from the Archives:

~No. 214 – A hilarious comedy returns, a hammock for the yard and more!

~No. 213 – Two fun summer reads, stripes, a French market basket and more!

~No. 212 – A Francophile book to devour, cutting boards, Julian Fellowes new drama and more!

Image: (2)

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Brexit Decision Day!

It is a big, decisive day today in Britain, as citizens will vote to decide whether to leave the EU (European Union) or stay. The Brexit vote as it has been coined. Unless you have purposely ignored the news of the day, you’ve no doubt heard at least the term if not arguments for both sides repeatedly since early this spring when it was announced the vote would take place.

The last time Britain voted on this very topic was in 1975 (two years after joining the EU) and the result was 67% to remain. But this go-around, speculation isn’t confident the vote will be as decisive for either side. Turn-out of the youth is expected to play a significant role, and with the tragic murder of Jo Cox, a member of Parliament last week, the engagement is clearly emotional and intense.

If you’re wondering about all of the details, who’s on which side and why and what the potential economic effects might be for Britain, the EU and the world, be sure to check out this simple article from The New York Times which breaks it all down quite nicely.

However, since I am not a British citizen and can only watch from the other side of the pond to see how it will all work out, I thought I would bring you a tour of a beautiful Cotswolds cottage that is sure to ameliorate your angst at least momentarily, should you have any about this significant decision.

The home of London designer Caroline Holdaway and her photographer partner, Fatimah Namdar,  House & Garden UK magazine took readers inside the cozy and welcoming space. From interior careful attention to adorn, but not too much to the exterior exquisiteness where their pups lounge in great content enjoy a mini tour, and for the entire tour, click here.

 

 

All images via House & Garden UK

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Why Not . . . Embrace Mini Summer Resolutions?

“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” ― Charles Bowden

The abundance of fresh food at the markets, long days full of sun and warmth, more flexible schedules for many and hope for what might possibly be expands.

As much as I truly enjoy setting resolutions when the new year begins, doing so and then digging in to make them a reality is a true test of desire. After all, the days are shorter, the weather colder and a year that may have been full of amazing memories and moments has wrapped up. I find it far easier to set resolutions when the summer season begins.

While I do have more time to play with at my disposable, more importantly, I don’t feel daunted by the task. Rather I am energized to establish new habits, learn new skills and progress positively somehow in my life. And since there is only 2- 3 months to indulge in the summer holiday, a limited time to accomplish any resolutions we set. As such, a limited time means mini resolutions, which by definition do not appear too daunting at all.

So what might you want to tweak, improve or enjoy more of this summer season? Perhaps a few of the ideas will tickle your curiosity . . .

1. Add a small addition or change to your workout routine: an additional day of strength exercises at home, a new walking route, sun salutations with the dawn each day, 

2. Try cooking from the fresh ingredients found at the market to improve your cooking skills when the contents in your refrigerator are low during the cooler months. Challenge yourself to one attempt each week. Before you know it you’ll be a true français femme!

3. Meditate each morning for 5-10 minutes before you begin your day.

4. Turn off or don’t engage with technology after a certain time each day. 

5. Read a book you’ve been wanting to read but couldn’t find the time.

6. More time outside, less time watching television, even Netflix. Just less, you don’t have to eliminate. After all, the Tour de France is nearly upon us and Orange is the New Black has returned.

7. Give yourself 1-2 hours each day to do whatever you want without apology, explanation or guilt. A gift to yourself. Become a Curious George and discover what catches your attention, interest and imagination.

8. Plant a garden, no matter how small and watch it grow! Then enjoy what it produces.

9. Host a mini soiree just because.

10. Master one go-to meal so that no recipe is needed when you want to create it.

The beauty of summer resolutions is they should be fun, a treat, or something that you now have time for that upon successfully incorporating will make the quality of your life better when the busy schedule returns in the fall.

Currently, on my list of mini resolutions is #3 as a well as a few other personal plans and blog projects. Enjoy coming up with your own!

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~15 Ways to Make the Most of the Summer Season (podcast)

~Why Not . . . Welcome the Summer Season?

~Ideas for Setting Resolutions 

 

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