April 2007 Entries
The Pain Maison from Eric Girard has many holes on it as you can see on the picture. You cannot compare this bread to the texture of a baguette; that is two different things. The recipe produces a rustic bread loaf with a crispy crust.
Rustic bread is often better toasted, which makes this recipe perfect for breakfast or to prepare yummy French toasts. I serve my French toast with a couple of spoons of homemade jams on top. I cook my jam fresh on the spot, so I use it while it is still warm. You can pour a little bit of genuine maple syrup to finish it up.
After digging more this morning, I read some comments on the Web about the lack of taste of breads made with the no knead technique. It may be true with the NY Times recipe. But knowing the well-deserved reputations of the two chefs that I talked about, I feel confident that the recipes of Eric Girard and Michael Smith taste good.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
DINING
posted @ Saturday, April 28, 2007 1:30 PM | Feedback (2)
Bread machine and kneading are obsolete with the latest crave for no-knead bread recipe. Since the New York Times published an innovative No knead bread recipe last November adapted from Jim Lahey’s recipe at Sullivan Street Bakery, everyone made its own version.
I discovered the technique a couple months ago while watching a TV series called A la di Stasio. This show is very popular in Quebec. The recipe was given by Eric Girard, the baker of the hip and popular Olive & Gourmando bakery-café located in Old-Montreal. I was hooked.
Last week, one of my favorite chefs Micheal Smith published its No-knead bread recipe in its newsletter. Michael Smith made a normal size loaf recipe plus a larger loaf recipe, which is handy when you are entertaining. His recipe is for the more nutritious multi-grain bread. The whole wheat no-bread recipe is something different than the rest.
Basically, the three recipes are quite similar. The no-knead bread technique works on the principle that the dough has to rest for 12 to 18 hours instead of kneading it. Yeast needs time to create its magic.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
DINING
posted @ Friday, April 27, 2007 9:58 PM | Feedback (3)
I was looking for little things that will add amusements to a cocktail party setting. I went to The Spoon Sisters online store since they carry unusual stuff.
I found three inexpensive party accessories. If you want to throw a cocktail and you do not take it too seriously, these are perfect frills.
First, I found some cocktail paper napkins. Depending on the type of party you do, you can choose Hello My Name Is Paper Napkins or the Dear Cab Driver Paper Napkins. For $3.95, you get a set of 12 white paper napkins measuring 5 by 5 inches.
The olive candles come in a box of 16. The candles mimic green and black olives. They are about 1 inch high. A box costs $ 6.95.
The design lover in me has to add something more stylish. I scour my sources for cool stuff. Eureka! The headstand stool from German studio qed design will add a modern twist. Apparently, the seat is weighted at the base and moves with the user.
A few Headstand stools will be a hit in a cocktail party. It can be a way to know if you need to fill in the Dear Cab Driver Paper Napkins.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
PARTY supplies
ENTERTAINING
posted @ Thursday, April 26, 2007 7:12 PM | Feedback (1)
Today I want to show you wonderful setting for summer grown up parties. The outdoor furniture pieces are sublime and pricey. But you can plan for such luxurious parties for less if you are clever and you like to shop around.
My suggestion is to take the ambiance, to try to recreate the mood and to hire some service staff to fully enjoy the party on the beach or at the cottage.
These photos are all products from the fabulous Spanish outdoor life manufacturer Gandia Blasco. Since its debut in 1941, Gandia Blasco’s activities have changed through the era. Now Gandia Blasco mainly produces outdoor furniture, accessories, pergolas and lighting.
Their collection turns around modern, fresh products with personality. Four stores in Canada sell their products and many more in the United States.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
OUTDOOR
ENTERTAINING
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Wednesday, April 25, 2007 10:53 PM | Feedback (0)
I like to present you fun and practical items. This tablecloth surely qualifies.
You find questions and answers to riddles mixed on the cloth. The ingenious thing is that the Q&A can be read from both ends of the table. So you can have a friendly competition. To make it easier to read, each side is written in its own color (grey or black).
Called Take your Time, this tablecloth should be entertaining for people that live alone. It can eliminate awkward moments if you and your household mate do not know what to say to each other. If you are hooked to the TV too often while eating, this may be a fun way to get rid of this habit. Anyway, it is cute!
A brand new product by SEM design, Take your Time tablecloth was presented this week at Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2007 in Milan.
SEM is a product and interior design studio located in Utrecht, Netherlands. Leave it the Dutch designers to create beautiful, open-minded and humorous everyday life products. They excel in doing just that.
Link: Take your Time tablecloth by SEM design
Via: Notcot.org *4001 on Notcot.org blog
Categories:
KITCHEN tools
DINING
posted @ Tuesday, April 24, 2007 2:05 PM | Feedback (0)
I got inspired by the creativity of a gorgeous baby shower invitation this afternoon. So I decide to talk about invitation choices and how invitation cards can make or break your party.
I said it before; printed invitations grab more attention than an email or a phone invitation to a party. Except for wedding and milestone wedding anniversary where printed invitations are customary, sending a printed invitation tells right away that your event will be something extraordinary. You create hype which usually increases the attendance.
Letterpress and calligraphy create stunning design cards with a personal touch. Lots of small card companies have emerged in the last couples of years to suit a wide range of tastes. The printing techniques make their charms.
Custom letterpress cards and calligraphy are expensive because it is a labor intensive job. Egg Press offers custom letterpress baby book at retail locations around the USA. The Kangaroo card is from Egg Press.
You save even more by going with a card in a collection instead of exclusive design. With personalized printed cards, you select a model from a collection for which you add your personalized text.
Categories:
PAPER goods
BABY showers
ENTERTAINING
KIDS + BABY
posted @ Monday, April 23, 2007 6:08 PM | Feedback (0)
A Finnish designer Tanja Sipilä decided to simplify how we serve sugar and milk for our coffee. She used the principle of gravity to design the Newton Milk & Sugar set for Tonfish Design.
Newton feels like one container. In fact, Newton Milk & Sugar set is made of two containers. The milk jar is the main container. A removable sugar bowl securely rests over the milk jar. You remove the sugar bowl to fill up the milk jar.
The fun part is that you can pour the milk without removing the attached sugar bowl. The gravity keeps the sugar bowl level. This conversation piece is a good gift idea for the upcoming Mother’s Day.
Hand-made in Finland, Newton is made of a dishwasher safe, food safe, durable glazed ceramic. A gold insert sugar bowl is also available (hand-wash only). I prefer the all white sugar bowl.
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
ENTERTAINING
posted @ Saturday, April 21, 2007 1:00 PM | Feedback (0)
I love DEDON products, so I am always thrilled when they launch a new collection. This young and dynamic German company creates fabulous outdoor furniture. If I become rich one day, I will furnish my whole backyard with their furniture. For now, I enjoy talking about them.
If you read any lifestyle magazines or went to a boutique hotel, you have seen their furniture many times before. Their outdoor furniture symbolizes modern chic architecture for the young and hip market niches. DEDON lines are always stylish and peaceful to look at.
The international jury presented the red dot: Best of the best award for superior design quality to the YIN YANG Signature Collection. The designer of the Yin Yang chairs is the Swiss Nicolas Thomkins. The 2007 red dot award competition reviews 2,548 entries from 43 countries.
It is not the first time that DEDON won a red dot award. Last year, the fabulous LEAF Collection was in winner. I taught about the Leaf Collection in a previous post titled Getting ready for summer with stylish pool and patio party zones.
Categories:
OUTDOOR
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Friday, April 20, 2007 11:43 AM | Feedback (0)
While I was flipping over the pages of a previous edition of Living etc magazine, my eyes cut a fascinating ad sponsored by the Flowers & Plants Association.
Intrigued, I went right away to TryFlowers.org.uk, the “So simple. So try it.” campaign Web site. My expectations were high. I am not disappointed by what I seen. The navigation of the site is a little bit archaic but the content is fresh and practical. It is a must see online destination for DIY people that like to host parties.
You will learn how to keep cut flowers longer and more. The most exciting feature is definitely the flower bouquet guide. You select a style. Then you see 9 gorgeous flower arrangements with the proper instructions on how to make yourself these stylish creations. Anyone with a little bit of artistic flair and dexterity can do it.
Before you get ready for your next party, take a look at their creations for inspirations. Then go to the flower shop or the farmer market to pick up the flowers you need. Like they say on their Web site, you might surprise yourself and your mates.
Categories:
TABLESCAPE
PARTY ideas
ENTERTAINING
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 11:45 PM | Feedback (3)
I look at color trends as inspiration pieces. Paint manufacturers make up fresher color combinations that you may want to explore. But unless you like to repaint often, I say to use trends wisely so that the average people cannot put a year on your house decor.
I say to people to select colors they always like for walls and big items. A tip is to look at your closet and see which color stands out except black and white. Make sure that your house reflects your personality. Living in a space that looks like everybody else can be boring. I like that my home décor shows my individuality.
I never use white walls because white walls are too cold for my taste. Painting white walls show that you did not know what colors to put on in my views. You typically find colors you can live with for a long time by looking at your clothe collection.
I like toned down hues on a slightly darker shade for the walls. It creates a warm ambiance perfect for entertaining at night. I prefer brighter colors for my private rooms (bedroom, dressing room) to fill me up with energy in the morning.
Categories:
HOME decor
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 12:14 PM | Feedback (0)
As a Canadian blogger, I like to point out great Web sites from my country. This morning I discovered Brides in the City, a fascinating blog published by two Torontians. I lived in TO for five years a decade ago. Gal pals Diana and Holly both works on the bridal industry.
Diana Stepanovic is the owner and pastry chef of Pavillon Cakes. Diana makes traditional, contemporary and super chic cakes. Holly Hatam operates an invitation and greeting card company called TearDrop Weddings. So if you are getting married soon and live near Toronto, their blog provides good sourcing information.
Recently, these gals started doing something out of the ordinary for weddings. They use the same design for the cake and the invite. Great idea! As an event designer, I usually try not repeating the same exact pattern too many times. I approve of this application because it is a nice way to link together your design elements. Invitations should introduce the key design elements of your event. It fits the bill here.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
PAPER goods
BIG events
CAKES
ENTERTAINING
DINING
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1:13 AM | Feedback (3)
I am a huge fan of the Canadian fashion brand m0851. I live close by their flagship store in Montreal. My husband can testify that I always stop to look at their store window. I love the simplicity of their streamlined clothes and leather accessories.
I am thrilled about their way in the hospitality industry. You can enjoy the same design philosophy when you travel to Belgium. m0851 just opened three guestrooms on top of the new Antwerp’s store in a popular fashion street.
The balanced modern aestheticism and functionality of the rooms are typical of the m0851’s look and feel. The interior design is urban chic and has pure lines. The rooms seem very comfortable for the guests. An itty mini boutique hotel that is located near museums, trendy cafes and restaurants.
I am showing you the m0851 rooms because they are inspirational for when you having guest spending the night at your house. m0851 guestrooms are my pretext to talk about the ultimate guest room. When you design a guest room in your home, try to think of everything your guests may need.
Categories:
EVERYDAY
TRAVEL
ENTERTAINING
posted @ Wednesday, April 18, 2007 12:21 AM | Feedback (0)
I discovered the pleasure of slow cooking recipes in the last year. Braising and other slow cooking techniques are great to host stress-free dinner parties.
Dishes that are equally delicious whether they cook longer or not are so practical for at home entertaining. Since the recipe does not require your presence at the stove, you can really enjoy a cocktail or two with your guests. Guests can be late without ruining your meal. Perfect!
I bought a large clay tagine at an annual art & craft show two Christmas ago. I bought a book or two on tagine recipes. And then it hit me, many tagine recipes called for cooking on a stovetop. But I cannot put mine on a stovetop, especially not on a gas stove. Still, I prepared wonderful recipes on the oven with my clay tagine, enough to want more.
My husband asked me a few weeks ago to cook more braises. So, I am looking to replace my clay tagine for one that can go directly on a gas flame. I do not want to be disappointed this time so I start looking for the best one.
After scouring the Net, my short list consists of Le Creuset. I was almost sold on Emile Henry because they made two sizes. I taught Le Creuset tagine (1.5 qt.) was too small to entertain larger groups. I read comments on the Web, some people complain about some spilling problems with Le Creuset. Everybody seems delighted with Emile Henry tagines. That settled my dilemma; I will go for the 2.6 qt (32 cm) Emile Henry Flame Top Tagine.
Categories:
KITCHEN tools
DINING
posted @ Thursday, April 12, 2007 3:12 PM | Feedback (7)
A reader asked me for help because she was unable to create the Bunny Ear Fold Napkins that I taught about earlier in March. I did not try it because honestly I am not good at folding napkins.
My repertoire relays on simpler techniques. I tried it quickly with a piece of paper while at work. Fair to say, Martha's instructions were incomplete. I need step by step graphical instructions if I want to do this.
So I went looking for help, others must get trouble making it as well. I found the message boards on Martha Stewart’s Web site. One message board has people that made the fold napkin telling you tips on how to succeed.
From that message board on Martha’s board, you will see links to other Web site with step by step pictures. Although the results are no near as nice as Martha’s Bunny Ear Fold napkin on recipetips.com, it still provides useful tips that can help some of you. Milliken Table Linen gives you graphical instructions on how to create a fold similar to Martha’s look.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
HOLIDAY
ENTERTAINING
posted @ Friday, April 06, 2007 2:37 PM | Feedback (0)
In his Room to Improve chronicle Tim McKeough of The New York Times tries to answer the question How high over my dining table should I hang the light fixture?
The usual answer in North America is that the end of the pendant should be 30 inches higher than the table top. But I find that that the suspended fixture is too low, especially if you host a lot of dinner parties.
Europeans seems to agree with my taste. At lunch, I was reading one of my favorite French home decor magazines. I share with you these fabulous dining rooms. These pictures, taken from Residences decoration magazine, tell the whole story. So I cannot resist sharing with you my interior design sensibility.
My chandelier proudly sits at 40 inches. I count in the final tiny decorative end piece. In fact, anything up to 42 inches is fine. I am lucky to have 11 foot ceiling. But the height of my ceiling does not explain why I hung my chandelier higher that the norm? The entire space and the desired ambiance were the key factors that let me determine the best height for the light fixture.
Categories:
HOME decor
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Thursday, April 05, 2007 11:57 PM | Feedback (3)
I love salads. If I got to choose one main meal to eat for the rest of my life it would be salads. I am always looking for new ideas. My husband loves salads but more as a side dish. I make Niçoise salads for dinner several times a year, especially in the summer.
I always want to make my own classic Thai beef salad. I got a few delicious recipes for Asian cookbooks. But for some strange reasons, I never got to prepare one. I always ate them at the restaurants.
I love playing with textures when I am cooking. Here the hot and the cold create ce je ne sais quoi that makes you say yummy. The key is to use lettuces that can withstand the heat.
Today, I read a fascinating post about the making of a beef salad recipe on a blog that I discovered while browsing. I can not wait to try this beef, radicchio and green beans salad with chili-lime dressing recipe, with organic cilantro of course.
Brys, one of the co-founder of cookthink, created last week end a vinaigrette recipe with a little bit of sweet, sour, salty and bitter to complement the rich beef. The salad has radicchio in it, a winner for me. Have a taste of this recipe instead of a T-bone served with a side salad.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
DINING
posted @ Thursday, April 05, 2007 12:32 AM | Feedback (1)
You see more and more bold patterns all over the home decor magazines these days. Bold patterns are tricky creatures that need to be tamed. No fool proof rules can tell you how to do it. It is an art.
Even the best magazines messed up their arrangement sometimes. The perfect example is this ugly garden party scenery published on the latest edition of my beloved British magazine Living etc. But it gives me to occasion to explain to you why this design fails.
The picture is a great example of what not to do. It is sad because with small adjustment the whole thing could look good. The first mistake was done by the tent maker, Cath Kidston. It is important to create depth when you setting a room, especially when you dealing with an outdoor space. The tent designer should have use a different pattern for the roof than the walls. You could have a band or something that break down the two sections visually. For me, Cath Kidston's Rose Maroc Gazebo lacks this attention to details. To be fair, rose print is not my style.
Categories:
HOME decor
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Wednesday, April 04, 2007 8:06 PM | Feedback (0)
A couple weeks ago, I bought a wonderful Black olive flavored Fleur de sel (which translates to "Flower of salt", also known as "flor de sal” in Portugal and Spain).
I bought Flor De Sal De's Trenc, an absolutely delicious brand from Spain that is available in Canada and the Unites States.
I did not have time to use it. Feeling guilty, I created a recipe that captures the essence of that ingredient. Fleur de sel are highly valued salt crystals. I started by asking myself what can taste good with a Black olive flavored Fleur de sel?
What I learn through my years of cooking is that your best bet is to use flavors that complement each other. I began with some Kalamata olives that my husband just bought. But I cannot add fleur de sel to olives, it will too salty. So I look for a food that needs salt. Here come the tomatoes.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
DINING
posted @ Wednesday, April 04, 2007 12:30 PM | Feedback (0)
This time I put together an Easter brunch scheme for grown ups. This design is based on classical garden elements. It is chic without being stuffy. What I want to do with my inspiration board is to tell you how I select every piece, so you can try to make your themed tabletop. The key is always to subtly play out your theme.
When you set up a table, adding an unexpected touch makes it one of a kind. Here I use the Petite Fleur green pails as the uninvited guests. These gardening vases are clearly more casual than the rest of the elements. The reason it works within this elegant scheme is that the pails hold the shape and the style that we found in classical French garden working spaces. Used in my scenery, the pails carry more elegance than within its usual rustic Mediterranean setting.
My starting point was the Faberge look-alike egg napkins. I fell in love at first sight with the colors and the drawings of the jeweled egg napkins by Caspari Paper Products. Although linen napkins should be used in formal setting, you can use exceptional paper napkins for a brunch or a get together dinner with closed friends or family members.
Categories:
PARTY ideas
HOLIDAY
ENTERTAINING
posted @ Sunday, April 01, 2007 8:27 PM | Feedback (1)