Obviously calling any recipe "picture perfect" is an invitation for arguments and counter-challenges. This true story is a quintessential example. A controversial secret technique for a picture perfect recipe for authentic Spanish paella was passed on to me by a formidable family cook at a magnificent estate near Segovia, a few hours' drive from bustling … [Read more...]
LOBSTER PAELLA
1 1/2 lb. lobster 1 lb. mussels 1/2 large fennel bulb 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into slender strips olive oil 1 large shallot, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 c. Paella rice 1 c. wine 5 c. lobster stock 4 c. chicken broth 1/8 t. saffron 1/4 t. chopped tarragon 1 t. paprika 1 bay leaf s&p butter, carrot flowers , and sprigs of watercress or tarragon for … [Read more...]
Best Way to Peel Asparagus: The Elusive Two-Bladed Peeling Tongs
The very best asparagus peeler of all time is, alas, not readily available here in the United States of America. And we call this the greatest country on earth. Ha! The beauty of this German-made number is the opposing peeling blades facing each other on the inside of a pair of tongs. Hold the asparagus stem near to top end, gently clamp down on the stalk with the tongs and … [Read more...]
LIBERACE RECIPE FOR CHICKEN DIVAN
"I don't care about the money -- I just want Lee back!" cried this rueful Scott Thorson (the late, great Peter Croce) on a balmy Greenwich Village Halloween long ago, as seen in this New York Native's full-page photo headlined Night of Beasts and Fairies. No doubt jilted lover Thorson also missed Liberace's (or Lee, as he was known to family and intimates) scrumptious … [Read more...]
MEET THE CHEFS AT KIPS BAY SHOW HOUSE WITH KITCHENAID AND HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
Haute cuisine meets high design at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, where House Beautiful is teaming up with KitchenAid to host a series of innovative culinary events with renowned chefs throughout the month of May in the stunning Christopher Peacock-designed kitchen at the famed show house. KitchenAid is the exclusive kitchen appliance sponsor of this year’s show house. … [Read more...]
RAZOR CLAMS
East-coast razor clams are less know than their hardier Pacific counterparts. Shaped like old-timey straight razors, the shells of these 5" are soft, much like steamer clams, brittle even. And the elongated shape makes them even more fragile. They can't travel far once they've been liberated from their beds. Which is a little ironic since they are pretty mobile in the wild. … [Read more...]
CARROT FLOWERS DELUXE
The new How to Make Carrot Flowers (part 2) video is the sequel to our first How To Make Carrot Flowers. This Youtube video has received nearly a half million views. Lots of people like it. This idea for these groovy blossoms was served up on a plate in Paris. Literally -- at a small bistro the rim of the dinner plates were decorated with a halo of happy carrot disks, as … [Read more...]
CROQUEMBOUCHE
Croquembouche: The dessert that "combines elegant traditionalism with an imaginative modern approach to the elaborate form of styling."* It's not quite fair to say that Croquembouche is simple, but the effort-to-reward ratio is off the charts, thus making the endeavor well worth the undertaking. Croquembouche's translation, basically "crunch in the mouth," is spot on. … [Read more...]
RECIPE: CROQUEMBOUCHE
CROQUEMBOUCHE: Cream Puffs, Sour Lemon Cream filling and Caramel recipes Not required but nice to have: Copper caramel saucepan Pastry bag decorating Set Croquembouche form NOTE: Make three batches of this cream puff recipe to provide an ample supply to build an impressive croquembouche. Freeze extra cream puffs for profiteroles with ice cream and chocolate … [Read more...]
KUGELHOPF DELUXE
The lordly Kugelhopf Deluxe is a magnificent and airy yeast cake. Studded with brandy-soaked golden raisins and shingled with sliced almonds, this traditional Alsatian pastry is cousin to the brioches of France, the dense stollens of Germany and Italy's chewy panettones. But why "Deluxe?" In the NYT's recent profile on the cheesecake baking Nuns of New Skete, a Sister … [Read more...]