Starting to plan the Casablanca party. Passports up to date?
For all of you who live near a Trader Joe’s, check out this chatty, easy-to-use cookbook from our friend and local cooking school maven, Cherie Twohy. It couldn’t be easier - or more delicious! All the recipes can be made with ingredients from TJ’s. One stop shopping! I’m thinking about making the Brie & Pear Galette for our upcoming family gathering. Sounds hard, but only 35 minutes from start to finish!
Many of my friends live in small spaces: New York walk-ups, bay area apartments, student dorm rooms, Parisian studios, pup tents - you know - really small. They’d like to offer a Table to share with fellow MeetLoafers, but they’re not sure how to manage. I empathize - I used to share a tiny cabin on a boat. But - size isn’t essential for good times.
Yep - this is the whole apartment - but it’s Paris…
“When we eat together, when we set out to do so deliberately, life is better, no matter what your circumstances.” Thomas Keller
Found this hot spiked cider recipe for a perfect cold weather holiday drink on the Hip Hostess blogspot. http://hiphostess.blogspot.com/2009/10/spiked-apple-cider-day.html (I like to put sliced oranges & lemons right into the cider for a tangy taste) Check it out.
Hot Spiked Cider
1 gallon apple cider
8 cinnamon sticks
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon whole allspice
lemon peel (about 1/4 to 1/2 a lemon)
whiskey or dark rum
Put all ingredients into a large pot. Bring almost to a boil, then turn heat down to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain. Serve in a mug with one ounce of rum or whiskey
If you’re interested in hosting a Meetloaf meal, post a topic on the discussion board with a brief description of the event. The Meetloaf founders will make you an administrator. This will allow you to create Meetloaf related events and to send messages to all members of Meetloaf.
“There is nothing like a home cooked meal to soak your feet in.” — Rob Lindstrom
The 80 Dishes Blog on Epicurious.com: France: Bouillabaisse -
This is a fantastic bouillabaisse. Go to Whole Foods Market for the fish stock!
While wandering the charming streets of South Pasadena, right by the Gold Line’s Mission Station, we stumbled upon Nicole’s Gourmet Foods. Nicole’s serves lunch and Sunday brunch, but of most interest, it’s a gourmet cook’s dream. Fantastic vinegars, beautiful cheeses, great chocolates, real french macarons, a small wine and beer selection, spices, teas, oils and lots of things I’d never heard of but definitely looked good enough to eat.
Want to put together a great cheese plate or find a unique hostess gift? Try Nicole’s.
I’m a decaf after-dinner drinker. I don’t want to stay up all night, but I still want that deep earthy taste. Here’s the best I’ve found in L.A.
Intelligentisia: Librarian’s Blend. A flavorful blend of Indonesian, African, and Central American beans, the Librarian’s Blend is named for that person who always told you to keep quiet when you were studying. This blend is representative of the soul of the librarian: steady, reassuring, and always there with that slight edge of eccentricity. It has a bold base with a bit of sparkle. 