February 14, 2015

FullSizeRenderGreat energy, exuberant crew joined us last night to communally celebrate Valentine's Day.  Thanks for braving the weather to everyone who came. PASSING

Chicken with Lemon and Olive, Shad Roe with Sorrel, Bresaola with Fig, Bacon and Avocado, Scallop with Cucumber and Mustard, Grits and Truffle

Bay Leaf Vodka Cocktail, 2013 Fondo Antico Grillo Parlente Sicilia

SEATED

Beef Short Rib with Celery Root Puree and Celery Relish (Buckwheat Bread)

2012 Dom. Depeyre Cotes du Roussillon Villages

Yellow Foot Chanterelle Salad with Pickled Beet and Parsnip (Spelt Foccacia)

2013 Domaine du Pas Saint Martin Anjou Blanc "La Gabillarde"

Rockfish with Purple Potato, Chard and Leeks (48 Hour Bread)

2012 Domaine Grosbot Barbara Saint Pourcain Rouge 

Tomme Crayeuse and Walnut Cracker

Vanilla Cake with Blood Orange, Pomegranate, Candied Pistachio and Frozen Vanilla

Billecart-Salmon Champagne, Brut Rose

Dessert Bites: Chocolate Shortbread and Mint Cream Sandwich, Gingersnap, Coconut Macadamia Nut Macaroon, Chocolate Fig Drop

Take Home: Flowers

Eating For Immunity Workshop, Thursday February 26th

107 Photo: Kate Headley

We Still have a few spots open for this upcoming workshop, come join us!

..............................

It's the season...so many of us are getting hit with flu bugs and other viruses. Come and learn about foods that will boost your immunity and how to prepare them. These powerful foods can help ward off sickness from the common cold to heart disease and even certain cancers:

                             Eating For Immunity

A Nutrition and Cooking Workshop

With Sidra Forman, chef and urban gardener

        And

Davina Sandground, BCHC, AADP, Health and Nutrition Counselor

Davina will share nutritional information about how the foods work in the body and Sidra will show you delicious and simple food preparations so that you can easily incorporate them into your life.

When: Thursday, February 26th from 10 am - 12.00pm

Where: 2601 36th Street NW, 20007

Cost: $90.00

To reserve your spot please email:davina.sandground@comcast.net

SPACE IS LIMITED

Winter Spreads

pumpkinLast night a friend texted asking for easy recipes for some winter spreads.  I texted back some vague direction but she asked for more detail... here it is. For dipping I suggest: good bread, roasted Brussel sprouts, sliced kohlrabi, romaine leaves... Winter Squash

winter squash (kobocha if available), olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh sage
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Cut winter squash in half and remove seeds.  I love kobocha but any type will work.
Rub squash with olive oil and place on a sheet tray cut side down.  Cook until tender.  Time will vary from 15-45 minutes depending on size and density of squash.  While squash is cooking slice onion thin, rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper and place on a separate sheet tray. Cook in squash oven until lightly browned.
Once squash is cooked remove flesh and place in a blender  or food processor with onion, a few leaves of fresh sage (careful and do not add too much) olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Puree until as fine as possible. Taste and adjust seasoning.
White Bean Truffle
2 cups cooked white beans, 2 tablespoons truffle oil, salt and pepper to taste
Cook any type of white bean until tender or open, drain and rinse a can or two of white beans.
Place beans in a high speed blender or food processor and puree with truffle oil, salt and pepper to taste.  If dip is too thick add a tablespoon or two of water.
Spinach
6 cups clean spinach, 3 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil divided,
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Break a bulb of garlic into individual cloves and rub with 1/8 teaspoon olive oil.  Cook until soft but not brown, 5-10 minutes.  Remove from oven, cool and peel of papery skin.
Take 1/4 head of cauliflower, cut into small pieces and place on a sheet tray.  Season with 1 teaspoon olive oil, salt and pepper.  Cook until soft and golden brown (this will take about 10 minutes).
Place spinach on a sheet tray.  Season with 1 teaspoon olive oil, salt (not too much since spinach is naturally salty) and pepper.  Place in oven for a couple minutes until spinach is just wilted.
Place spinach, cauliflower, 2 cloves of garlic and remaining olive oil in a food processor or high speed blender.  Process until smooth.  Add more garlic if desired, season with additional salt and pepper.

In front of the fireplace looking at photos from last May!

This time of year I spend lots of time plotting upcoming weddings and pouring through my portfolio looking at photos to share with my 2015 couples. No wedding is a replica another but the images of weddings past help refine the vision for upcoming weddings. Just shared these images by Joey Kennedy with a bride to be from late May 2014.

Stay warm!

Laura-Will-Wedding-24May14-406 Laura-Will-Wedding-24May14-413 Laura-Will-Wedding-24May14-1140 Laura-Will-Wedding-24May14-1188 Laura-Will-Wedding-24May14-1209Laura-Will-Wedding-24May14-687

Welcome 2015!

Even off duty the phone shot taken by the talented Kate Headley is outstanding! IMG_0419

We had a dreamy New Years Eve celebration at 1508 last night.  Thanks to everyone who joined us you guys made the night.

This is what we ate and drank––

PASSING: Blue Potato with Siberian Osetra Caviar and Caper, Cauliflower White Bean Puree with White Alba Truffle, Rockfish with Kohlrabi and Carrot, Long Island Duck with Cassis and Onion, Flatiron Steak and Watermelon Radish, Pork Loin with Apple and Sage

Bay Leaf Vodka Cocktail, 2013 Labbe Abymes Savoie

SEATED

Georges Bank Sea Scallop with Ginger Lemongrass Broth with Cilantro, Leeks and Red Lentils–– Buckwheat Bread

2010 Garofoli "Podium" Verdicchio Dei Castelli de Jesi

Black Rice Black Trumpet Mushroom Risotto with Celery Root Pureed/Fresh, Celery, Parsley and Chestnut–– Rosemary Olive Oil Bread

2013 St. Pauls St Magdalener Klassisch Alto Adige

Wood Grilled Chicken Thigh with Frisse, Kobocha and Shallot Dressing–– Cornmeal Cracker

2012 Cru Monplaisir Bordeaux Superieur

Appalachian Cheese with Whole Grain Cracker

Chocolate Cake with Gold Leaf, Beet Frozen Coconut and Cocoa Nibs

Tissot Cremant de Jura Rose Extra Brut NV

Bites: Soft Gingerbread with Lemon and Coconut, Salty Rosemary Walnut Biscotti, Cardamom Pistachio Drops, Chocolate Hazelnut and Pumpkin Seed Brittle

To Go: Gingersnaps with Gold

Open Home Restaurant November 1, 2014

IMG_4297 (1)So much fun to host last night! PASSING

Bacon and Shallot Thyme, Long Island Twice Cooked Duck, Cauliflower Sesame and Parsley, Flat Iron Steak with Watermelon Radish and Kohlrabi, Girasol with Brussel Sprouts Lemon and Garlic, Baked Egg with Burgundy Truffle

Thyme and Lime Vodka Cocktail, Domaine La Blaque Pierrevert Rose 2013

SEATED

Lamb Shoulder with Eggplant and Sorrel, Oatmeal Bread

Clos du Mont-Olivet Cotes du Rhone Vielles Vignes 2012 

Chanterelle, Chestnut, Beet, Arugula and Chickweed Salad, Spelt Olive Oil Rosemary Roll

La Slina/Giorgio Cichero Gavi 2013 

Rockfish, Chard, Sweet Potato and Leeks, 48 Hour Farm Bread

Ch. de Vaux Pinot Noir "Les Hautes-Bassieres" Moselle 2012

Dancing Fern Cheese with Walnut Cracker

Soft Gingerbread with Crimson Crisp Apples, Frozen Caramel and Candied Pecans

Domaine de Martinolles, Cremant de Limoux Rosé NV

Bites: Mini Chocolate Cake with Fresh Mint, Salty Rosemary Walnut Biscotti, Chocolate Coconut Pistachio Chip Drops

Take Away: Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Seeds

A favorite dahlia heavy wedding, this time last year!

53bcbe0c93c98$!900x Loved this wedding!  The design direction was–– use the best available flowers which meant all sorts of glorious dahlias, garden roses and fall foliage.  Thanks to Karson Butler Events for coordination and Amelia Johnson for documenting! Check out the post on Style Me Pretty for lots of Amelia's photos.

The spectacular dahlias were from Andrea of Lynnvale Studios and Don of Don's Dahlias.  You guys make me adore the fall!

Detox Class with Davina

IMG_6677 Today Davina Sandground and I spent the morning teaching a detoxification class.  We talked about how to avoid some common toxins, our bodies natural detox process and foods that help your body detox efficiently.  We made a bunch of recipes and tasted foods that incorporated key ingredients. Below is what we cooked and ate today.

Detox Shake (Adjust these ingredients to your taste but these are basic guidelines to start with)

1/4 Avocado, ½ Apple, 4 Brazil Nuts, ¼ cup Blueberries (fresh or frozen), ¼ cup Cilantro, small piece fresh Ginger peeled, 1 cup strong Green Tea, 2 tablespoons Hemp Seeds, 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice, ¼ cup Ice

-Combine all ingredients except for the ice in a blender and process until smooth. Add ice and blend until thoroughly combined.  If you want it sweeter add a couple dates.

Hot Ginger

Ginger Root (a piece approximately 1” long), 4 cups filtered Water

-Roughly chop the ginger (no need to peel), cover with water and bring to a simmer, and let simmer for at least 15 minutes but up to 30 minutes. I use the same pieces of ginger for 2-3 batches even though each batch is a bit weaker than the one before it is still delicious.

Basil Lemon Water

1 cup loosely packed Basil leaves, 1 Lemon ½ juiced and ½ cut into rounds, 8 cups filtered Water

-Place all ingredients in a glass container. Place in refrigerator for 2 hours to 2 days. The longer the basil and lemon is in the water the more pronounced the flavor will become.

Spicy Grapefruit Relish with Spring Onion

1 Grapefruit- sections removed, 1 Spring Onion very thinly sliced, 1 teaspoon Cider Vinegar, Cayenne or fresh Hot Pepper to taste, pinch of Salt

-Combine all ingredients and eat immediately or store in refrigerator up to one week.

Quick Preserved Lemon

1 Lemon thinly sliced, 1/8 teaspoon Salt, 1/8 teaspoon Honey, Olive Oil

-Combine lemon, salt and honey. Let sit at room temperature for 3-5 hours. Place lemon mixture in a jar and cover with olive oil. Store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

 Quick Creamy Fennel and Kohlrabi Slaw

1 cup shaved Fennel, 1 cup shaved Kohlrabi, 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric (or more to taste), 1/2 teaspoon Mustard Seeds (or more to taste), ¼ cup Greek Yogurt, 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice, 1 teaspoon Olive Oil, Salt and Black Pepper to taste

- Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve

Kimchi

1 head Cabbage cut in 4- heart removed and leaves separated and cut into approximately 1-2 inch slices, 1 cup shaved Radish, 2 tablespoons Salt dissolved in 4 cups Water (or more if necessary to cover cabbage and radish),1 Apple thinly sliced, 1 teaspoon Garlic minced (or more to taste), 2 teaspoons Ginger Root finely chopped (or more to taste), 2 sheets Nori broken into small pieces, thinly sliced Hot Pepper or cayenne or spice of your choice.

-Place cabbage and radish in a glass or ceramic bowl. Cover with salt water mixture (if necessary add a bit more water so cabbage is covered). Place a plate on top of cabbage to keep all leaves submerged and let sit at room temperature overnight.

-Drain and rinse cabbage thoroughly. Add remaining ingredients and massage leaves so flavoring is fully incorporated. Taste and make any adjustment to seasoning. Place all ingredients in a glass jar with a lid and make sure that all is submerged in liquid (top off with a bit of water if necessary). Check every day to see if there is a slight pop when you open your jar. This will show that the fermentation process has begun. Leave at room temperature for one day after fermentation begins and then place in refrigerator.

Raw Brussel Sprout Salad with Preserved Lemon and Avocado

2 cups finely chopped Brussel Sprouts, 1 teaspoon finely chopped Chives, 2 tablespoons Preserved Lemon (see recipe above), 1 cup finely chopped Parsley, 1 Avocado sliced, Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste

-Combine all ingredients thoroughly massaging with your fingers to make sure it is totally combined. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for later.

Detox Casserole

2 cups Kale finely chopped, Olive Oil, Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste, 2 cups Shallots peeled and chopped, 1 cup Basil leaves, 2 cups Artichoke Hearts from fresh, frozen or canned cut into ¼’s, 1/2 cup Hemp seeds, 1/2 cup Brazil nuts, 2 cups Cauliflower chopped

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

-Place kale in a casserole pan approximately 9” x 12” and season to taste with olive oil, salt and pepper. Season shallots with olive oil, salt and pepper and spread them evenly over the kale. Top shallots with a layer of basil leaves. Top basil with artichoke hearts.

-In a food processor combine the hemp seeds, brazil nuts, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon water, salt and pepper to taste. Process until it becomes a spreadable mixture you can add additional water if necessary. Spread nut mixture over the artichoke hearts.

-Season cauliflower with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and place on top of the nut mixture.

-Cover casserole and cook for 45 minutes. Remove top, turn oven to broil and cook for a few additional minutes until top is browned. Serve hot or room temperature.

Sugar Class today with Davina Sandground

powerbar An inspiring group joined Davina Sandground of Nutrition Groove and I today for a Sugar Workshop.  Davina talked about what sugar does to our bodies, hidden sugar in foods, sugar addiction and strategies to reduce sugar in our diets.  I cooked foods based on Davina's recommendations–– high protein low sugar breakfasts, bitter deep green leafy vegetables that actually help quell sugar cravings, low sugar snacks that fuel you between meals and a couple recipes using sweet vegetables that can also help curb sugar urges.

Below are recipes of what we cooked and ate.

QUINOA GRANOLA Serves 10

This keeps for a couple weeks if you store it in an airtight container.

quinoa, 3 cups cooked, coconut flakes unsweetened, 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds1/2 cup brown sesame seeds, 1/4 cup hemp seeds, 1/2 cup ground chia seeds, 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts, 3/4  cups sunflower seeds, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 2 tablespoons salt

Combine all ingredients on a sheet tray and place in 105 degree oven.  Stir every couple hours until dry, about 6 hours.  Serve with almond milk.

EDAMAME WITH BLACK RICE, BOK CHOY AND SESAME Serves 1

1/2 teaspoons coconut oil, 1 cup chopped bok choy, 2/3 cup edamame, 1/2 cup cooked black or brown rice, 1 tablespoon brown sesame seeds,  1 teaspoon rice vinegar (not seasoned), salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  1. Heat a heavy bottom skillet over medium heat.  Add coconut oil and bok choy and cook stirring often for 1 minute.
  2. Add the edamame, rice and sesame seeds.  Cook stirring often until thoroughly heated, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add sesame, vinegar, salt and pepper and serve immediately.

KALE AND AVOCADO SALAD

Serves 4, Prep Time: 5 minutes, Total Time: 5 minutes

4 cups finely chopped kale, ½ cup rough chopped basil, 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice, 2 teaspoons olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, 1 avocado diced

In a large bowl combine the kale, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs. Mix thoroughly using your fingers to make sure kale is completely coated. You can make it up to this point cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving add avocado and toss lightly.

PROTEIN BAR Serves 9

It is hard to find a protein bar that has more grams of protein than sugar.  This one has twice as many grams of protein than sugar.  In class I used 85% chocolate which for me is perfect but if you want more sweetness try a 70% or 75% chocolate.

1 cups oats, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1/4 cup almond butter, 2 tablespoonscoconut butter melted, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/4 cup roughly chopped cashew, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds,  1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 3 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate 70%- 85%

  1. In a food processor place the oats, cocoa powder, peanut butter, coconut butter, water, pumpkin seeds, cashews and sunflower seeds and salt.
  2. Process until thoroughly combined and it sticks together in a ball.  Add the chopped chocolate and mix until just combined.
  3. Roll into logs with a 1 1/2 inch diameter.  Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.  Slice servings off with a sharp knife as needed.  Or slice and bake in a 350 degree oven until the outside is crispy, about 15 minutes.

SEED OR NUT BUTTER DIP ON VEGETABLE

This is my go to snack.  I make it with tahini, almond butter, peanut butter…

2 tablespoons nut butter or tahini, 1 teaspoon cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoontamari, water, sliced cucumber or carrot or sweet pepper

In a small bowl combine the nut butter, vinegar and tamari.  Add enough water until mixture is smooth but still thick, about 1 tablespoon.

Serve with the vegetables.

SLAW Serves 4

1 cup shredded cabbage, 1 bulb fennel shredded, 1 beet peeled and shredded, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoon cider vinegar, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  1. In a small bowl combine oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.
  2. In a large bowl place beets, fennel and cabbage.  Toss thoroughly with vinegar mixture.
  3. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

CARROT AND CASHEW SOUP Serves 4

3 cups peeled and rough chopped carrots, 1/4 cup roughly chopped cashews, 1 large or 2 small leaves of sage, 1/4 teaspoon salt, Freshly ground black pepper to taste

  1. In a large pot place carrots, cashews and sage.  Add 4 cups water and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and cook until carrots are tender, about 7 minutes.
  2. Place carrot mixture, salt and pepper in a high speed blender and process until very smooth, about 1 minute.
  3. Serve hot or cold.  If the soup is too thick add a few tablespoons of water.

Links to two previous sugar workshops with additional recipes: http://sidrapractice.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/sugar-workshop-with-davina/

http://sidrapractice.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/sugar-class-with-davina/

Food and Garden Tour in Paris, Paris By Mouth

13464627173_cc2092961f_o Catherine, a friend of ours moved to Paris to edit Paris By Mouth, if you are not familiar–– check it out.  Part of her job is to host food and wine tours in the city.  Martin Lane and I recently went on a quick trip to Paris and we were fortunate to have Catherine take us around the Marche d'Aligre and surrounding neighborhood.  Her in-depth knowledge of food and history made us see places we had visited before with fresh eyes and introduced us to gems that we had previously walked by not even knowing they existed!

A few of the many highlights:

We met at Ble Sucre a new to me patisserie/boulangarie that a former pastry chef from a 3 star michelin restaurant opened a few year ago.  We got a memorable loaf of grainy bread with millet and flax seeds.

We walked the Promenade Plantee and elevated garden that is nearly 3 miles long and runs along abandoned raised railway tracks.  The timing was perfect with spring foliage and flowers just emerging including white wisteria.

From there we dipped into the Marche d'Aligre and visited a few of Catherine's favorite spots in the market and surrounding square two of my favorites:

La Graineterie du Marche the oldest shop in the area selling grains for humans and birds, seeds to plant spices, a few kitchen tools... we left with some candies that were a precursor to the marshmallow with a slight anise flavor, a two sided old fashioned madeline mold and some arugula seeds that are already sprouting in our garden in DC.

Le Garde Manger an Alsacian shop where we stocked up on presents of jams–– rhubarb vanilla, strawberry mint and black pepper, green tomato...

We wandered around the market feasting on a variety of strawberries, gariguette which I learned were an early spring variety.

On our way to lunch Catherine took us to a small made in France shoe store, La Botte Gardiane another not to be missed new discovery.

From there a perfect low key lunch at a nearby wine bar, A La Renaissance.

Last stop of the morning was Alain Ducasse's new bean to bar chocolate factory, La Manufacture–– perfect!

Thank you Catherine.