Contests

NaBloPoMo-Lunch with Dorie Greenspan Hosted by Driscoll’s Berries and KitchenAid at The Daily Meal

November 7, 2013 by Renee

Today I attended a lunch at The Daily Meal. It was sponsored by Driscoll’s Berries and Kitchen Aid and the guest of honor was Dorie Greenspan, who in real life, is just as charming and kind as you would imagine! It was such an honor and a pleasure to meet her. As you know, I used to (I still consider myself to) be a part of French Fridays with Dorie cooking group. Unfortunately my travels this year got the best of me and it was soon put on indefinite hold. But, I pop in every now and again and I still follow many of the wonderful blogs I discovered there.

Anyway, the theme for today’s lunch was #MadeWithLove and it was all about raspberries and using raspberries in different ways. Lunch was a variety of h’or d’oeuvres. Each bite we tried had a raspberry inspired component. There was one bite in particular that was incredible and I could seriously eat just that all day- a butternut squash latke topped with duck confit and a raspberry preserve. The warm crunch of lakte and the silky confit paired beautifully with the sweet, tartness of the raspberry. It was a perfect bite. And it would make a great addition to our Thanksgiving meal.

The highlight was listening to Dorie discuss her upcoming baking book and learning about the products she uses and loves. I especially enjoyed learning about the items she brings back from Paris- fleur de sel and butter, in particular, from a small producer in Brittany. It was a lively and fun conversation.

Once the appetizers were passed, those of us who prepared a dish made with raspberries for the contest, got to explain what we had made and how it was done. My recipe was for a chocolate ganache torte (tart?) on a pecan crust topped with raspberries. It’s truly one of the simplest desserts I make- even though it looks so beautiful and like I slaved for hours over it. It’s a staple at dinner parties or if I have to bring a dessert to someone’s house (as long as they are okay with nuts). But just because it’s simple doesn’t mean that it isn’t decadent. It’s pure delight for the chocolate lover. Incredibly rich, only a sliver is all you really need.

There is only 7 ingredients (sometimes a few more depending on the version I am making- orange and cardamon, coconut and almond, chili and burnt chocolate, salted, mocha, etc.) and it’s incredibly quick to make without dirtying up your entire kitchen. My kind of recipe!

Well, I am thrilled to report that I actually won! Me!!! Well, my tart anyway. But still! Yay!!!! And both Dorie Greenspan and Arthur Bovino of The Daily Meal gave it rave reviews! I was so excited and shocked! (I really never win anything- and yet, in the past two weeks, I’ve won two contests!) I am in shock still because it’s really so simple that it’s honestly almost embarrassing to be given such an honor! My reward? Well, sometime in 2014 there will be a feature on the Driscoll’s website. Yay!

Because it is so easy, I decided to write a detailed step by step photo tutorial so you too can make it! It’ll go up in the next few days. In the meantime, I want to thank The Daily Meal, Driscoll’s , KitchenAid and the lovely and charming Dorie Greenspan. I had a terrific time and I am so grateful!

NaBloPoMo- EWR14 Launch Party and Max Brenners Philly

November 3, 2013 by Renee

Day 3 of NaBloPoMo- Today I woke up at the crack of dawn to head down to Philadelphia to attend a launch party for next year’s Eat, Write, Retreat conference. EWR is one of the best food blogging conferences I’ve attended. It’s small(ish) and much more intimate than the larger ones. The panels are very informative and the speakers are all top notch. Because it’s on the smaller side you have an opportunity to meet so many more people that you share a common bond with and you really get to spend quality time getting to know them. Not only is this a great way to build your community, it’s also an excellent way to mingle with the sponsor brands, as they are also “taking the conference” and are participating as guests the entire time as well. This gives you the chance to meet with brands you wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to develop a relationship with. Building your community and improving your relationships is a large part of what blogging is all about.

So, as much as I wanted to sleep in today, I wanted to head to Philly to see some of the friends I made last year, even more!

Thankfully, even with today being Marathon Sunday in NYC and leaving an hour late (I did not want to get up!), I made it there in just two hours and I didn’t miss a thing! I was sure I was going to miss half of it! So glad I didn’t!

The event was held at Williams Sonoma, a very dangerous place for me- I could always find several items that I need, have to have want to buy. It was good we had the event to distract me- even though I did pick up a catalog devoted to Thanksgiving…my favorite food holiday! (My menu is already planned and I’ve earmarked pages of products!) And I did discover an OXO hand mandoline that I would like to own.

The store itself is one of many right inside the lovely Bellevue Hotel on South Broad Street in the heart of what I’d call Midtown. (Can you tell I am from NY?). It’s really an interesting neighborhood- a mix of historical and modern eclectic buildings just South of City Hall. I’d love to have some more time to explore there and hope to go back when the weather gets warmer again.

Once we were registered we watched a cooking demo given by Linda from Giggles, Gobbles and Gulps for some tasty toppings for Pretzel Crisps. We also got a sneak peek at two new flavors- Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper and Honey Mustard & Onion.

The owners of Philly’s grilled cheese truck, Say Cheese, served up some gooey, delicious Jarlsberg grilled cheese sandwiches. There was also a flatbread pizza demo and choices of Nespresso with a dessert table from South Avenue Sweets. Needless to say, we ate pretty well!

Sadly it was a quick two hours and was over before I knew it! It was really a lot of fun and great to catch up in person with everyone- and meet some new faces. I am already looking forward to the conference next year.

While I was at the event, Ari and the kids went to Independence Hall and took in some history. They had a good time, but were cold and hungry by the time we met back up. I had been given some really interesting ideas for lunch spots, but no sooner did we drive half a block when Max Brenner’s was spotted. So, putting those recommendations aside for another time, we stopped in for chocolate filled lunch extravaganza.

What a place! I know there is one here in NY, but we have never been. The only taste of Max Brenner we have ever had was at their ice cream store in Jerusalem, Israel. It was so good there we knew this would be too.

Little did we know! This was so much better! If you are a chocolate lover, this place would be like walking into heaven. So many chocolate themed dishes and desserts! The strong scent of chocolate permeates the air and all around you are examples of the sweetness. It was a purely decadent experience!

See for yourself-

Hot Chocolate in a Hug Mug! Love this hand warming, dark chocolate drink!

Black & Tan Beer-Battered Vidalia Onion Rings with dark chocolate ranch dressing- so unique and good!

Plus a serving of Spicy White Corn Coquettes.

A Philly Cheesesteak on a Savory Waffle- Might be better than the real thing!

“Melting Marshmallow Crepe with gummy bears from the Sweet Forest, milk chocolate canyon chunks,a mountain of vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate falls” Wow, colorful and fun!

“The Melting Chocolate Truﬄe Heart Cake & Shake-milk & white chocolate heart cake served with creamy vanilla ice cream, red berries and an iced milk chocolate shot”

And the best-

“The First Chocolate Burger in the whole universe with strawberry ketchup and vanilla cream mustard”

This was such a brilliant idea!

And a chocolate chunk cookie… a cookie presentation. Amazing!

All in all it was a really fun day. The best part? Everyone is snoring away at 9pm. Except me of course. I may just creep down to the fridge to have a fork full of leftovers.

Day #3

November and NaBloPoMo or What the H Was I Thinking?

November 1, 2013 by Renee

It’s November which means it’s National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo), a commitment by participating bloggers to publish one post on their personal website or blog every day for the month (read more about it here). I chose to participate in this challenge which is sponsored by BlogHer. Yes, there are prizes involved, but I was more motivated by the challenge to cook, write and photograph much more than I have for the past year. I spent much of this year (and last) away from home. There were many reasons for this, but I am here, now, for this month and for the foreseeable future. (I tend to hibernate in the cold months.) It is time to rest, regroup, and focus on all the new and different directions I want to take. I am hoping this challenge will also help me focus on the right path to take. Just being in the kitchen, my safe place, doing what I love to do- cooking, taking pictures and editing them (yes, editing-I’m geeky like that), writing and being creative- always helps take my mind off the other parts of my life that I am not too fond to deal with. And being in that space lets me cope with those things in the best way I know how. It provides a comfortable place for me to work through the things floating through my head while showing my love to those around me.

Of course, for me, November is also my busiest month. Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday and whether I have just my small family or 12 others, I always go all out. I make everything- bread, soups, mains, sides and desserts all with multiple versions-read three kinds of stuffing and four types of pie. There is no cutting back on the menu either. That would be akin to blasphemy! Plus, this year we have the honor of Hanukah coming early and coinciding with my favorite day- which means latkes will make an appearance as will the nightly gift ritual for the kids.

There are also science fair projects due and many, many invites for everyone to different events. I will definitely be going in all different directions this month. And despite the thought of “What the H@($ was I thinking by adding another thing to my list?”, I am looking forward to spending time each night sharing what went on that day. I have to warn you though, I truly suck at these things. It’s true. I tried with great intentions to post each Friday for French Fridays with Dorie, but I ended up traveling early in the year and it got away from me. I also tried #photo365… I have the photos (simply because I do snap pics every day) but do you think I posted each day? Nope. My Instagram and Flickr are barren. That part got away from me too. But I am seriously going to make a valiant effort here. It’s only one month (it will go by fast!). If I can walk across Spain in a month, I CAN do this, too. (Oh wait! It took me 35 days!) Maybe there’s no hope for this- but at least I am going to try. Wish me luck!