How Much Chocolate is Enough?
In my world, there is no such thing as too much chocolate. This is a chocolate biscotti studded with pistachios and chocolate chips. Its good, real good. I found this recipe in an old issue of Food and Wine Magazine, December of 2005. Its makes for a lovely display with the extremely dark color and bright green pistachios. The best part is when you dip it in coffee, the chocolate chips melt ever so slightly… its choco-fabulous!
The Eagle Has Landed
Stephan’s parents just arrived here yesterday for their annual visit from Germany. They came here a few years ago and experienced my Thanksgiving cooking for the first time, and are looking forward to the day of gluttony I have planned. Obviously they don’t usually celebrate Thanksgiving, but have learned to appreciate it!
Although we told them not to bring too much stuff, they brought a large piece of luggage filled to the brim with cookies, candy and fabulous German chocolates. I don’t even know where to start. We seriously have enough sweets to last for months… good stuff! They even brought a piece of uber-stinky French cheese they picked up in France last weekend and two loaves of pumpkin seed bread that are so heavy you could do arm curls with them. I’m.in.heaven. Chocolates, candy, stinky cheese and German Bread…. sigh…
I’m also working diligently on my Thanksgiving Menu… Some old traditional items, and a few new things thrown in. I’m so excited, as its my favorite holiday and I love to cook for it! Come back tomorrow for a Thanksgiving post!!!
So I Did Something Crazy…
I auditioned for The Next Food Network Star. The Food Network had an open casting here in Miami, and I received an email from a casting person via my blog. That in itself was quite exciting… wonder how they found me??? Anyway, the casting was last week, the inital interview went very well and I was asked to come back the following day for an on-camera demo and interview.
I was beside myself. I so much wanted to run out of the casting office, screaming “I GOT A GOLDEN TICKET,” but I refrained. You gotta have a little class, right? So I waited until I was in the car with Stephan to make a total and complete fool of myself. When I came out of the casting office I was immediately interviewed by a reporter at The Miami Herald. I probably sounded like an idiot because I was so excited… meh… what are you gonna do? Stephan and I both got mentioned in the article… cool stuff!
For the on-camera demo, I made my beloved Apple Strip. It was a strange feeling, with the camera, the lights, the microphone clipped to my shirt. But it was cool, very cool! I feel like I did well, but I was so incredibly nervous. I had never been in front of a camera before. I had a baked and garnished apple strip ready, along with all the ingredients to put it together on camera. I think I even said voila! when I pulled the finished product out of hiding. I suppose I could be a tiny bit of a drama queen when I want! :P
Anyway, just thought I would share my excitement with my fellow bloggers/friends! I have my fingers crossed that I will get another call from the Food Network to tell me I made the next round. However… even if I didn’t, its OK, as this was a fantastic experience for me!
Also, I absolutely must thank my hubby, Stephan, for being there with me every step of the way. He said he just wanted to be there to occasionally yell out “YOU CAN DO IT.” And he really did that… and then surprised me with an uber-fancy dinner at Prime 112 to celebrate! Thank you honey, you’re the best!
Hot Off the Press!
I’m so excited to share this… I was recently interviewed by Colleen Dougher at Citylink Magazine, a local South Florida publication. She found my blog online as she was writing a piece on South Florida Food Blogs. It was my first interview regarding the blog, and, a pretty big deal for me.
If you would like to read the article, go here to Colleen’s Blog.
Also, don’t worry… I will be back to posting food related things tomorrow!
Ben Harper, Musician
I know this is totally and completely unrelated to food, but I absolutely must share. Stephan and I went to the Ben Harper Concert last night in downtown Miami. I’ve been familiar with Ben Harper’s music, but never really listed to him much. After seeing him live in concert, I am now a huge fan. This was honestly the best concert I’ve ever been to. We saw Coldplay a few years ago, and it was amazing, but I think this one was better. Also the venue, the Gusman Theater was the perfect place for a show like this. He and his band, The Innocent Criminals, played every instrument you could imagine. One guy even played an accordian.
If you have not heard of Ben Harper, definitely check him out on his website or myspace page. He is a true musician, and an absolute joy to experience in concert. For more amazing pictures of the concert, go to Stephan’s blog.
Making Strides for Breast Cancer
I’m posting this again, as today is the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please join our team or donate towards the cause.
My husband, Stephan, and I have created a team to walk in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Ft Lauderdale. Anyone who is interested in joining our team, please go here and sign up. We are really looking forward to raising some money and supporting this very important cause. If you can’t walk with us and would like to donate, you may do so here.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is more than just the name of a walk, it describes the amazing progress we’re making in the fight against breast cancer, and it describes our commitment to defeat this disease together! Nothing can describe the hope that is inspired by walking with those who share a passion for defeating breast cancer. Because nearly everyone has been touched by this disease in some way, we’ve decided to walk together as a team in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
Bigfatknot Studio will match the donations, up to $1000!!!! So the more generous you are, the more we are! We will also give a one hour photo shoot for the highest donation. Come on people… its for a great cause!
The walk will take place on Saturday, October 13 at 9am. Once you have joined our team we will contact you with the 411 to let you know where and when. If you join by 10/5 we will make you a cool t-shirt to wear at the walk ;)
Check out my Fannie
My Fannie Farmer cookbook, that is! :p
My older bro, Ken bought this cookbook for me as a birthday gift during my first year of culinary school. Although it was sweet, I scoffed a bit… Fannie Farmer??? I’m like a professional, dude! I suppose this wasn’t as bad as my mom buying the Florence Henderson’s Shortcut Cooking… Yeah, that’s Mrs Brady from the Brady Bunch, if you don’t know who Florence Henderson is… What was my mom thinking… buying that awful cookbook for a culinary student??? I still tease her for that… :p
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Held Captive in Captiva Island
We’re spending this weekend in secluded Captiva Island, on the west coast of Florida. It’s mid-day, and way too hot to be outside right now. So I’m currently sitting on the balcony, looking over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. My hubby is sitting next to me, surfing the web on his iPhone… I suppose we’re both slaves to technology and clearly meant to be together! LOL!
We’ve been here several times for weddings, but this time is only for pleasure and relaxation! If you ever make it to Captiva, I highly recommend the South Seas Resort, which is just amazing. It has everything you need, and trolleys to take you everywhere. This weekend it seems like a deserted island, as its very low season. We feel like we have the island to ourselves!
Name Meme… Last week I was tagged by Maki from In My Element, who was the first to comment on my new blog! Thanks Maki for your comments and for tagging me!
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Grilled Greek Pizza
Yesterday I attempted grilled pizza again. I ‘winged’ it a few months ago, and it was… well, not so good. I rushed it, didn’t allow the dough to rest properly and did not roll it thin enough. The crust really puffed up and was quite thick and doughy.
However… I got smart this time, stretched it very thin and docked the dough before it went on the grill. It was… in one word… fantabulous!
I generally never make pizza dough. I buy it at a local pizza joint… it’s a whole whopping dollar for enough dough to make pizza for 4 people. You can also purchase it from many grocery stores. Ask the bakery department if they sell prepared pizza dough. My local Publix sells it, but someone from the bakery dept has to get it for you.
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A Peek in my Pantry
Since I’m actually organized for the first time in my life, I thought my first blog post should be about my pantry. I’m darn proud of my pantry and my fabulous rack… spice rack… that is. I’m a huge fan of using a lazy susan for spices, oils, vinegars, etc… so you can actually see what you have, without tearing your pantry apart. My previous pantry was so unorganized I would constantly buy things I already had. Never again!
I’ve purchased plastic containers for all my dry goods. Not only does it keep moisture and those lovely South Florida bugs out of your food, it’s much more organized than having boxes and bags of stuff everywhere. I even borrowed the label maker from my office and labeled everything… yeah, I’m a full-fledged kitchen geek.
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