Though I can’t claim to be a home-brewing moonshiner, I’ve secretly always wanted to be. I’m starting an experiment in homemade liquor. Before I start dumping cornmeal and sugar in my bathtub, I thought I would start slowly and just stick a pear in a jar with some vodka. Wimpy? Maybe. But I think it will be good, and a lot less messy than bona fide moonshining.
I’m starting The Poire Project and making my own Poire William- the French classic eau de vie after-dinner drink distilled from Bartlett (or William, as they say in Frenchie parts) pears.
Sounds easy enough. It’s a pretty simple distilling process. Let’s see how this shakes out.
What You Need:
1. 10 oz. high quality vodka
2. 1 Bartlett Pear
3. 1 Mason Jar
What You Do:
1. Wash your pear.
2. Put it in the jar.
3. Fill the rest of the jar with your vodka.
4. Seal and store in a cool and dark place for a month.
5. Voilá! William Poire.
By Thanksgiving, I should have a great little after dinner drink with a home-brewed story to boot. We’ll either be drinking it after pumpkin pie or I’ll be donning it as a hostess gift. How cute would that mason jar be with a seasonal bow wrapped around it!
I’ll keep you posted to see if this is as easy as it looks.
Have you ever taken a crack at moonshining? Do tell.
Ok I know Halloween isn’t even here yet and I don’t like to jump the holiday gun (although my husband would beg to differ as he thinks I start the Christmas music a wee too early… he’s right), but I can’t help thinking about my Thanksgiving table. We’ll be hosting dinner this year with my in-laws at their Harlem brownstone. I’m bring the table stylings and cook the crunchy squash & sage, Texas-style cornbread stuffing, roasted sprouts and pecan pie. We’ll all have a hand in the turkey I imagine but for now, I’m dreaming of the table. A gorgeous Mexican vintage farm table that bears an old door as its tabletop, the table itself is a little work of art so we don’t need much in the way of styling.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
I like to keep it simple because let’s be honest, the food’s the thing. A few little simple and thoughtful touches make for a gracious table. I was perusing through Paper Source the other day with the bebes and I picked up a few things.
Menu/Tasting Card:
I’m thinking about using this harvest corn rubber stamp with a pretty silvery metallic ink on the menu/tasting cards. I’ll do a wine pairing with dinner (but of course!) so I like to do a tasting card, listing out the wine with each course and leaving room for notes. I find it engages conversation about the vino and that always makes for happy talk.
A Touch of Thankfulness:
I picked up these sweet placecards that say “I am thankful for” and thought that we could each write down something that we are particularly grateful for on that day. Since childhood, we have had a tradition of going around the table before the feast commences, voicing what we are each grateful for that day. I love it. The little placecards will crystalize that moment in writing.
Placecards & Napkins:
I’ll use the back of the card as a proper placecard and handwrite the guests’ names. I love pinning placecards to fruit and vegetables, so I think I’ll use tiny pumpkins on each plate flanked by these polka-dotted Pehr napkins. Cute right?
Flatware:
I’ll bust out the gold flatware I bought on sale at One Kings Lane- score!- (here’s a similar set at West Elm) and throw some spray mums from Trader Joe’s in a few different vases (mason jars and these zinc buckets that I use for everything) and… done.
How will you style your Thanksgiving table? Tell me about some of your Thanksgiving traditions.
What can I say folks, I’m caught up in a self-inflicted Central Coast Pinot frenzy. I just can’t get enough. And this from a pre-Sideways devotee (big fan since my days as an Angeleno in the late 90s, folks). Seriously the juice from this part of the world just gets better and better. These California winemakers are not messing around. And this one for $13, is right on.
So what do you get for 13 bucks? It can’t be much right? We are talking about Pinot Noir, one of the most tricky and tough grapes to grow. This grape can be a real heartbreaker. And let’s be honest, it’s thirteen dollars. We’re not talking about a mind-blowing bottle here, this one’s not going to change your life. But what you do get is quite a lot for the price.
You get spice, you get crushed berries and most of all you get a well-rounded food friendly wine. I must admit I was a little dubious when I saw the label. Jack Hammer? Really? Does this have a chance in hell of being good with a cutesy name like that? I don’t usually go in for this type of thing, but it delivers. Its bright fruit pairs great with roasted or grilled meats and veggies. If your food is a touch sweet like these figs, it’s a match made in heaven. If your food is a bit savory, the ripeness of the fruit will balance it out. Win win.
What to do with those juicy fall figs? Get ‘em while they’re hot because they’re about to say sayonara for the season.
This is the most ridiculously easy and delicious dish. Get your hands on some figs, fresh ricotta, local honey and Ta-to-the-Da… the most amazing little appetizer or side dish. Your guests will be psyched, as will you.
What You Need:
1. A Handful of Figs
2. Fresh Ricotta Cheese
3. Honey
4. Freshly Ground Black Pepper
What You Do:
1. Preheat your broiler.
2. Half your figs.
3. Arrange on a piece of parchment paper on a cooking tray.
4. Dollop a teaspoon of fresh ricotta on top of each fig.
5. Drizzle a bit of honey over each fig.
6. Broil in the middle of your oven for 2 minutes or until lightly goldened.
7. Crack some black pepper over those puppies.
8. Serve!
Inspired by this recipe, I found that a bit less honey and a bit of black pepper makes for a more savory dish. Fresh figs are plenty sweet and just a touch of honey highlights the fruit.
What I’m Drinking With This Dish:
Jack Hammer Pinot Noir. An inexpensive Central Coast Pinot. Juicy enough to match the sweetness of this dish and spicy enough to add complexity to your palate.
Oh Julia, ’tis true. Happy Weekend dear readers. I hope this finds you all cozy and warm. We are having a big cold spurt here, the first of the season. My mom is in town so we’re going to hit up Mount Vernon for its annual fall festival and a local Halloween parade on Sunday. What are you all up to?
What I’m Drinking This Weekend:
You guessed it, it’s another Central Coast Pinot. I’m still loving on these Pinots (always will but having a particular taste for them at the moment), good stuff and great for fall. I’ll be chewing and swirling this one around with some honey-drizzled and ricotta-topped figs. Recipe to come.
Clever. The answer to all of my closet-less woes. An Ode to the Pax by the genius DIY’er Jenny Komenda. This customed wardrobe is no big box closet. It is swank-a-roo. Less than half the cost of a custom built closer, I am filing this one away for the dream house. Fo Sho.
Brilliant. Sam Wasson brings his Jazz Hands A game to this short teaser for his new Fosse bio. Nathan Lane, Andrea Martin and the almighty Liza make cameo appearances. Hilarious. If you know anything about the brilliant dance maker Bob Fosse, you’ll love this. All That Jazz is required viewing for maximum appreciation. Plus, if you haven’t seen it then… well, why not? I’m talking to you Lauren, it’s only one of the greatest movies ever made in my humble and Fosse-fanatic opinion.
Creative. The Yellow Table’s Anna Watson Carl realizes a dream. She’s writing a cookbook and has given herself 5 months to create 100 recipes. Follow along with The Cookbook Diaries.
Repulsive. On all levels. In light of our recent government meltdown, we’ve taken to watching the West Wing and longing for a better era. That show just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy unlike the current state of American politics. Ugh.
Cool! A stick figure baby for Halloween. I might have to do this next year.
Kind. Tell a friend (or a stranger) that she’s a good momma. A little goes a long way.
Creepy? Justice Scalia believes in the devil. This piece is Halloween apropos.
Spooky. According to a recent study, the country of Japan will have its last Japanese baby in the year 3000. Say what? The Last Japanese Baby- it sounds like a new Sci-Fi film starring Will and Jaden Smith. Can they save the last Japanese baby? What do you think? There have been lots of books released lately on the issue, an interesting topic.
And lastly:
What will you be this Halloween? I mean you, grown ups. We are invited to a kids birthday party for Halloween and the adults are required to dress up. I’m not usually one for a lack of interest in dreaming up these kinds of things but time is of the essence here. I’ve got two days to pull something together with no budget. What are some funny and easy costumes that you have all thought up over the years? I was once the Night Sky and just wore all black and stuck glow in the dark stars all over myself, but this party’s during the day so that won’t work. I’ve been a Black-Eyed Pea, that one’s easy. C and I went one year as 2 Peas and iPod (get it- yuck yuck). Let me know if you have any easy quick costume ideas.
I’m happy to report that my weekend wine was quite delicious. A Cab Franc from California’s Santa Ynez region- that beloved and be-darlinged Central Coast- this one was rounder than a Loire Cab Franc and a bit less lean, but made in the Loire style it is delicate with hints of earth and fruit. Bright and vibrant, while it doesn’t express the lead pencil and green bell pepper notes that I love in a Loire, it does have plenty of minerality and lively fruit- a great food wine.
I am so drawn to Loire’s Cab Francs that I find it nearly impossible not to compare my Cab Francs, but the whole point of wine drinking is to appreciate the bottle you are imbibing. In other words, “Love the one you’re with”, right? I have to constantly remind myself of this when it comes to wine. My academic study of vino makes me a bit more analytical and a bit less zenful than I would like to be in that moment with my glass of wine.
Am I getting a little too aerie faerie here? Maybe. My point is that this is a Cab Franc from the Central Coast so that is what it should taste like. I think this bottle does a great job representing its turf. Under the careful command of Justin Willette of Tyler Winery and former RN 74 Somm Eric Railsback, this is not your typical California wine. Inspired by the Loire style of winemaking, these dudes know what they’re doing and stay out of the way enough to let the turf speak for itself, shepherding their juice toward goodness. And that label… divine.
Here’s What I Got:
Drink: Now thru 2017
Pair with: Lamb, Duck, Salmon. A great food wine, just don’t go too heavy with your menu.
Happy Weekend dear readers! What adventures are afoot for you all this autumn weekend? I wish I could say we’re hosting one of our infamous backyard movie nights but we don’t have a backyard. The minute I get my hands on one, this is going down every Friday night that weather permits. Come on over, I’ll let you know when we’re outdoor cinema ready.
No-backyard aside, we have an action packed agenda (just the way I like ‘em). C and I are off to see Gravity tonight and then bar hop a bit through Old Town for an upcoming post I’m working on- gotta love when work involves sipping around town. Tomorrow my brother Matt and my sister-in-law Wendy are hosting their very first Hobbit Hole party. You read that right folks. They have built- strike that- constructed an entire facade that looks just like Bilbo’s Shire abode, right in the comfort of their own backyard. They enjoy their afternoon tea on the front porch of what they call their Bag ‘End. I love it, it is wacky and so them. I have yet to see the finished product, so we are looking forward to it indeed. Next up, an outing to the Kennedy Center to catch Hubbard Street while they’re in town. This is the one company in America that makes me wish I had pursued concert dance. I’m thrilled with my career and Broadway was the dream but Hubbard Street makes me swoon. Have you seen them?
My Weekend Wine:
I’m hooked on Lompoc these days, so I’m sticking with the Central Coast. I tend to do that- drink a certain region until I’m ready to dive into another. It makes me feel more connected to the region and gives me a greater appreciation for the wines.
I’m trying a Cab Franc from the Santa Ynez Valley, Lieu Dit. I’m a little dubious as the Loire and the Central Coast aren’t really anywhere near the same climate and we all know that the world’s most gush-worthy Cab Franc hails from that heavenly French valley, right? Please pipe up if you disagree.
The Loire is quite a bit cooler giving those delicious Cab Francs those classic lead pencil and green pepper notes. I’m thinking the Lompoc Cab Franc has got to be rounder, riper and less lean, not qualities I love in a Cab Franc. But I’m curious. This one has great pedigree, a joint venture between Somm Eric Railsback (of RN74 and Les Marchands) and Justin Willett of Tyler Winery, which turns out some great juice. These guys know what they’re doing so I’m excited to try it out. I’m pairing it with The Kinfolk Table‘s “Perfect Roast Chicken” from their beautiful new cookbook.
3. Speaking of moms, Kid & Coe is a genius new company devoted to family vacation rentals. LOVE IT.
4. This print is entitled Can I Get A Witness? I would buy it just for that title (well not really, but maybe). That and that bright pink splotch. 30% off now at Furbish studio with the code FALLWALL.
6. I can’t wait to dig in to this month’s Vanity Fair. I have to agree with the editors of VF, Jay-Z kind of is our the modern Frank Sinatra, the chairman if you will. I’m a fan. What do you think of Mr. Carter?
And Another Thing(s):
This essay by Amy Poehler in The New Yorker. A snapshot in the life of her teenage self , she reveals how a summer job scooping ice cream and playing the kazoo her career choice- thank you Chadwick’s Ice Cream Shop for giving us Amy Poehler.
Two Words: Gold Flatware. I’ve been wanting to spring for the West Elm set but found this today at One Kings Lane for half the price. A little less bold than the West Elm design, I like its classic and modern detail. A simple and elegant setting with a little bit of luxe thrown in to bump up your dinner party. I went for it. A deal at $14 a place-setting.
Sometimes you just want to stare at a big black inky splotch on your wall. Or at least I do. Is that weird?
Eva Black is an LA-based designer whose work I have oft admired. She sells her prints via Society 6 and they are unbelievably affordable.
I love her style. Check out her exquisite site as well. She brands, she letters (that watercolor script is so fabulous), she designs, she’s a little bit famous amongst the blogosphere (she designed Bri Emery’s Blogshop site) and she is one cool lady.
Reading the names of her prints aloud sounds like the beginnings of a great Dr. Seuss book:
Former showgirl, forever travel junkie, sometime sommelier, and mom to twin bebes. This little blog is a mixed bag of tasting notes, travels, tales of motherhood, and current musings. Thank you for stopping by. Cin Cin! (photo by Amy Dickerson for Anthology Magazine)
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