Zoe and the Mixing Bowl

Happy New Year!

Neighborhood Treasures

Seven Stars on Hope

One of the things I love the most about my apartment, is its close proximity to Hope Village located on the East Side of Providence, RI. Everything I need is walking distance! The bank, library, pharmacy, restaurants, independent shops,  farmer’s market and more. It really has that charming “small town” feel. Of course when I have company for the weekend, visiting Hope Village is a must on our list of Little Rhody Sightseeing.

I usually start and end a visit with a trip to Seven Stars Bakery. I’d have to say, despite the toaster and coffee maker in perfect working condition sitting on my counter….I still find myself at the Bakery 2-3 times a week! I suppose I could call myself a regular. I cannot help it…with a staple of fabulous breads and baked goods (Chocolate almond croissants,  country loaves and cinnamon sticks are among my faves) who could resist?

A friend of mine from New York was visiting for the weekend. He had to catch a very early bus back to the city, so we ended his visit at the bakery. We decided to try a few different itemsand a seasonal ( summer) specialty, Blueberry Turnovers with local blueberries.

and start our Sunday off right with some Lattes.  Great Latte art!

Seven Stars Anniversary Day!! On January 2, 2011 

The owners of Seven Stars Bakeries, Lynn and Jim Williams, are celebrating their eleventh anniversary of serving the finest “handmade from scratch” breads and pastries in Rhode Island. In honor of this milestone, the three bakery locations (Hope Street, Broadway and Newman Avenue) will donate their entire day’s sales on January 2 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Cost: Just the price of the goodies you buy!

The three locations are: 820 Hope Street and 320 Broadway in Providence, as well as a store in East Providence at 20 Newman Avenue in Rumford Center (in the old Rumford Baking Powder Building). You could head over to each one for Breakfast, Lunch and an Afternoon snack!

Happy Anniversary Lynn and Jim!! I am so happy to be your Hope St. neighbor and a very frequent customer. Here’s to many more scrumptious years to come.

For more information: www.sevenstarsbakery.com  or lynn@sevenstarsbakery.com

Last Minute Entertaining?

Curried Crab on Water Crackers

Last Minute Entertaining? Let’s face it, we can’t always do it all. I would love the Holidays to be about relaxing by the tree with friends and family while sipping egg nog or mulled cider. Alas, it is usually about running from place to place after work , scrambling to find that perfect gift . Trying to find the energy to bake some cookies, so that Santa will not go hungry! Fear not, there is help out there. I recently attended a Holiday open house at my local Whole Foods. An array of goodies was laid out before us. My teenage daughter whispered in my ear “Mom, why did we eat dinner before we left?” Goodness what a selection!

As Bonnie Frechette, the Marketing Director stated, this evening’s focus was on affordable Holiday entertaining. Items you can pick up at the shop, already prepared, or creative things to make and do yourself.

Each department had a delectable offering or two.

Seafood had some delicious blinis topped with Whitefish and Salmon Caviar, another great thought for New Year’s.

My favorite of the night was the amazing “Cheesecake” made from Humboldt Fog, Truffle Tremor & Bonhomme Brie cheeses. GORGEOUS! Andrew cut it open and shared with all. Heaven on a cracker. Having a large shindig? You can order one or even “Build your own Brie”! A simpler idea is ordering a Party Pack Cheese Platter for $29.00, all set and ready to go.

Shauna, the Prepared Foods Team Leader made some awesome chutneys that are now available for purchase at  the University Heights store in small mason jars. Perfect for a last-minute hostess gift or a great topping for your Holiday roast. She made, Ginger Pear Chutney, Balsamic Fig Chutney and Mango Apple Chutney. I am dreaming of a Roast Turkey sandwich topped with a little Dijon, stuffing, balsamic fig chutney and cheddar cheese. YUMM.

The Meat Dept. has scrumptious stuffed mushrooms already prepared and ready to go. Just heat and serve! My fave was the Goat Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Shrooms. BACON!

As the violinist played, we floated over to Kate in Bakery and spied a scrumptious Holiday Black & White Cake, festive cupcakes, mini pastry platters(13 items for $15!) and a luscious vanilla cheesecake with a caramel whip cream!

Relax, don’t worry, all will be well.  Head over to your local Whole Foods if you need a little help. There are some great recipe ideas in their Real Deal flyer, their Holiday Magazine(available in the North Atlantic area only) and direct in the stores! Their Party packs are a great deal. Call your local store for hours leading up to Christmas and New Year’s.

Blinis topped with Caviar

 

Produce had some lovely Stuffed dates w/Roquefort & Dark Chocolate

Finding Inspiration Pt. 2

Sometimes all it takes to inpsire me is a great cup of coffee, or tea or hot chocolate! Of course it helps tremendously if I drink it from this fabulous mug.

My friend Kristin, a potter and talented poet, came to visit last year. We had a great time catching up and meeting each other’s children. She then gave me three mugs of various sizes(depending on what I am drinking) in my favorite color – blue. The best part? When I take my last sip, I see a bright red heart at the bottom of the mug. Go to www.outermostpottery.com to pick out your own mug and other perfect Holiday gifts!

My kitchen is the warmest, sunniest room in my apartment, so for added rejuvination, I will sip my coffee, look at my cake paintings & read the Sunday NYTimes. 

It has not been the easiest year for me, but one day my 7 year old put it all in perspective. I was at the kitchen table crying a bit over my broken heart and she said, “Oh Mommy, don’t be sad. You know….there are worse things to cry about” Wow, out of the mouths of babes! I knew I needed to snap out of it and get back to doing some of the things I love to do. Like sharing my passion for all aspects of food with you!!

Recipe to mend a broken heart:

• Do not, I repeat, do NOT watch this video and that video over and over again while crying your eyes out. Two gut-wrenchingly beautiful songs by Adele. Instead:
• Watch this video
• and this video
• Pick out your favorite cookbook, find a new dish you have never tried before and cook it up!

 As we go along on our journey together, I will introduce you to cookbooks and authors, chefs, farmers and specialty food producers. We will look at new-fangled gadgets and old tried and true ones. We will go on foodie field trips, and see what kind of goodies I brought home from work.

Let’s get cooking. Chop, Chop!!

Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving!

Finding Inspiration Pt. 1

I recently reread my last blog post and good heavens…it has been about a year since I have written last!! Recently, a good friend asked me why. Good question. I suppose I just have not been very inspired as of late. Many reasons for lack of inspiration: mid-life crisis, separation, shared-parenthood adjustment, love found and love lost. 

For the past couple of months I have been determined to turn it around, to pop up out of the doldrums, to seek out inspiration and put my thoughts down on paper and share with you!   

Where have I found inspiration?

Keeping warm by the fire

FRIENDS: Whether it is sitting by the pot belly stove at the general store, chatting up the day; having friends over for dinner & drinks, running into old friends at Chipotle or grabbing a pastry and coffee at my favorite bakery. I have been soaking up the laughter, wisdom and advice my friends have been so willing to give.

 

Standing in line at the Tastee Freeze

FAMILY

Whether it is looking at my Grandfather’s photographs, having dinner at my Mom’s cool apt, eating sushi with my girls or visiting my Dad’s studio….I always take away nibbles I can use for future posts.

 

Laurel Hill Kettle Chips and Onion Dip!

FOOD

Enjoying cooking, baking and eating food has been a challenge this past year or so.  When I am stressed and anxious, instead of eating a whole bag of these fabulous chips, or a small portion; I eat nothing. Not good I know, I am working on it! I have recently been sent a handful of cookbooks to review. They will come in handy as I scored a fabulous never been used Kitchen Aid mixer at a yard sale over the summer. Cookies, cakes and Pies oh my!

 Inspiration Pt. 2 coming soon…..

 

Where do you find YOUR inspiration?

 

 

It’s almost here!

The third Thursday in November is almost upon us, and you know what that means: the release of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau!

Let your imagination unfold!!

This year Georges Duboeuf celebrates all across the the United States with Nouveau Cirque parties in a contemporary circus spirit to capture the excitement of Nouveau and the endless possibilities for its enjoyment. The parties will feature, jugglers, acrobats and other artistic performances. I’ll be heading to the Boston party, which will feature food from Sel De La Terre and chocolates from Taza Chocolates.  If you cannot make it to a party, follow the arrival events on Twitter: @GeorgesDubeouf

“Beaujolais Nouveau is a youthful wine with a fresh vibe. It is an explosion of flavor on the palate with bright red fruits and rich, floral aromas. it is sure to be a crowd pleaser!” says Franck Duboeuf, co-proprietor of Les Vins Georges Duboeuf.

Baby Carrots are cool?!

Earlier this evening my youngest daughter Zoe called screaming with excitement. “Mama, our class is going on a field trip next week!!! Guess where??” “Where?” I said. “A FARM!!!!!” she screamed. “We are going to a pumpkin and carrot farm!” ” She said they were going to see how carrots are grown and then “turned into” baby carrots. Before they leave the farm, they will get to pick out a pumpkin and carrots to take home. Thinking that was pretty funny (and awesome of course), I then came across this piece on NPR. Seems the carrot farmers across the country have a marketing campaign. Carrots are COOL!! They are the new “junk food”. The commercial is a little goofy, but hey if it works, and gets kids to choose carrots instead of chips as their snack of choice, then I am all for this campaign! Check out the video and see for yourself.

I won! I Won!!

I won! I won!!

I never win anything. Well, let me clarify: I don’t enter contests much and I don’t play the lottery or gamble. Hence: I don’t win much! Recently my luck has changed! I twitter quite a bit, and follow a wonderful restaurant located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont called Claire’s. They recently held a twitter contest. Twitter what you love about Claire’s and win a T-shirt! Full disclosure: I have never eaten at Claire’s. Heck, I have never even been to Hardwick, Vermont! But, I admire what they, as a restaurant, stand for and I could use a sporty new addition to my wardrobe!!

Cannot remember what I wrote, but it worked I was a winner!!!

Claire’s is a farm to table restaurant emphasizing local and sustainable produce, meats, dairy and artisanal products. Since opening in October 2008, they have garnered much praise and many reviews from the likes of The New York Times and Yankee Magazine! Chef Steven Obranovich is always looking to see what will inspire his weekly menu. This season you will notice Vermont Cranberries in heavy use. Yes, indeed I said Vermont Cranberries!!! Who would have thunk it?! Had no idea there were cranberry bogs in Northern Vermont, but low and behold, Vermont Cranberry Company is growing, harvesting, processing and selling cranberries and cranberry juice all over Vermont and beyond! Chef Steven and his staff use the cranberries in their tart Cranberry Apple Chutney and the juice in their Cranberry Margaritas.

For weekly specials, reviews and event listings check out Claire’s blog: New Vermont Cooking.

For more information and reservations (highly recommended) call: 1-802-472-7053 or e-mail: newvermontcooking@yahoo.com

 

Thank You Claire’s, I love my shirt!! I know where my next road trip will take me.

“Local Ingredients, Open To The World”

A busy Saturday

Waiting in line

This past Saturday started out like all of the other Fall ones: Jim, Zoe & Emma heading over to the Eastside for Soccer practice and me cleaning the house with the music blaring. Around 11:30am, Jim called to say, “The Lincoln School is having a Festival of Children’s Books & their Authors, why don’t you head over here and join us?” “Sure”, I said. “Let me just finish up here and I’ll head right over.” Of course it took me almost 2 hrs to finish up, but I made it in time to see this line in front of the Lincoln School!  Wow, I thought, is that line for an author?! Oh heavens no (those long lines were inside!), the line was for the Chez Pascal Mobile Food Truck (sausages, sandwiches, soups, oh my)!!

I skipped that line and headed indoors to meet up with the family. Jim was about through with the crowds, so he and Zoe took off for the playground. I ventured into the gymnasium to wait in line with Emma for well-known authors:

Chris Van Allsburg and Brian Selznick.

Waiting to meet Chris Van Allsburg!

Seeing Emma waiting in line for her favorite authors reminded me of myself when I meet a favorite Chef.

Emma meeting Brian Selznick

We finally headed outside towards the Mobile Food Truck, only to have Chef/Owner Matt Gennuso tell me they were all sold out of everything!! He did have some scrumptious squash soup left, so he ladled some into a cup for me. Thank you Chef!!

Deciding what to have.

On the way home, I stopped at Venda Ravioli on Federal Hill and stocked up on cold cuts and meat for the week. I couldn’t resist: Hot & Sweet Capicola, Tuscan Salami, Sharp Provolone, Spinach & Herb Pork Sausage, Short Ribs and more.

Constantino's Venda Ravioli

After we arrived home we discovered that the Buckeyes had lost the game. Jim and I decided to go to the movies to cheer ourselves up! We went to see: “Paris” at The Avon Cinema on Thayer St. An enjoyable flick, reminding us to head back to Paris as soon as possible! Despite the fact that we had popcorn while watching the movie, we were still hungry. How can you not be, while walking down Thayer St.? Wonderful aromas emanating from all sorts of restaurants and cafes. The choices can be mind-boggling, but we settled on our favorite: Nice Slice Pizzeria.

Nice Slice at night.

A tiny pizzeria,

Interior of Nice Slice

Nice Slice table

Nice Slice has a wide array of toppings and choices. Everything from a simple meat pie to more Vegetarian- friendly selections. We settled on two slices:

cranberry-almond-spinach & feta on whole wheat

tomato-mozzarella (fabulous and traditional) & cranberry-almond-spinach-feta on whole wheat crust(amazing!).

a Shepard Fairey original

Jim & I made a decision then and there: when we decide to take a Friday night off from making our own pizza, we WILL happily drive across town for pizza from Nice Slice!!

We ended a fun-filled day with a couple beers (Brooklyn Lager) at E & O Tap. A cool, dimly lit bar full of west-side hipsters playing pool and listening to great music on the jukebox.

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty beat now.

I wonder what activities next Saturday will hold? (hint: a good friend’s Bar Mitzvah!)