Picnic Idea

Recently, I traveled to Charlottesville, Va, by train, to meet with six friends from my high-school days in Washington, D.C.  I was traveling alone and traveling light, but I wanted to bring something along as a thank-you/hostess gift.  My perfect solution was a bit of the Parmesan cheese and the soppressata, available at Cook.  Since they are shelf stable, I just tucked them into my suitcase.

At dinner, the first night, I opened the soppressata and made a little anti-pasta plate.  It was already sliced, so it was so easy.....and most importantly, delicious.  Try it at the beach, on a road trip, or just at home.  Great Stuff!!!

8 Min. to the Perfect Cup of Coffee

 

Once I limited myself to one cup of coffee a day, I became increasingly dissatisfied with my morning coffee.  After many customers raved about the French Press, I decided to give it a try.  First cup-Perfect!  It was smooth, without a trace of acid, and even had a beautiful crema.  So in the spirit of sharing, here are the steps to:  

A perfect cup of Coffee in 8 minutes

Items Needed:

French Press

Coarse ground coffee ( I grind mine at the supermarket on the coarsest setting)

Bonjour Milk Frother

1.  Place water on stove to boil (5 min.)

2.  Add milk to frother carafe

3.  Preheat french press with hot tap water.

4.  Just before water boils, empty french press.

5.  Add coffee to french press carafe ( I use 1/2 ounce of coffee)

6.  Add boiling water to french press and put on lid.  Set the timer for 3 min.

7.  Pump the milk frother 20 times.  Remove lid and place frother carafe in the microwave for 40 sec.

8.  When timer goes off, depress the plunger in the french press.  Pour coffee into mug and add milk

      and foam.  Enjoy!

Mother's Day

 

Hurry in to enter in our Mother's Day Drawing.  You could win the 2 quart LeCrueset round oven, retail value of $125, for yourself or a special person in your life.  The drawing will take place on May 9th.

New Items

Spring is finally here and I'm ready for a delicious Pasta Primavera.  Come in to see our beautiful, imported, semolina pasta.   We also have a new selection of olive oils and balsamic vinegars courtesy of our newest vendor, DiBruno Brothers.  We will be adding new items often.  If your're not familiar with their name, check out their website.  We think they're the best!!!

Farm Chicks Giveaway

Check out the giveaway at the Farm Chicks Blog . I hope it's a copy of their new cookbook. 

 Le Crueset has introduced a new color for 2009, black onyx.  It would be perfect in my black and white kitchen.  I know the girls at Cook can order any color and style that is currently available, so there's no need for me to go hunting for this pot.

  

Now in these times of economic hardship, how do I justify the purchase of a French Oven?  Well for starters, Saveur has listed a Le Crueset French Oven as #9 on their list of 100 items for the home cook. They mention that you can use the oven for so many things, including baking bread!  Wow, off to Google.  My results:  No knead bread...no kidding!  Quickly, I borrow a pot from Jackie, and I'm off to make bread.

After mixing together the basic ingredients, you let it sit for 18 hours.  I can certainly work that into my schedule.  Once risen, you plop it in the cast iron pot and let it bake.  The result is the crispiest crust imaginable with a chewy interior full of big holes.

Do I need any more convincing?  Just in time, my new issue of Bon Appetit arrives.  On the cover is a yummy looking shepherd's pie.  I swear that's a french oven holding the stew.  Enough for me!!!

Br...ring, Hello Cook.