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Posts Tagged ‘clients’

A Gin Cocktail from Xavier Herit of Wallflower: Sour and Sweet with Hints of Fresh Lavender

Posted on: August 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

HOBNOB reviews Wallflower, where we sampled some spectacular libations—including a gin cocktail with lavender accent— while listening to an innovative playlist. The West Village has another charmer in the ‘hood.

On a charming street in the West Village is the even more charming Wallflower, where Xavier Herit (former head bartender at Daniel) is delighting guests with his exemplary cocktail creations. His seasonal cocktail menu offers something for everyone. Want something bold? Try the Mamasita, with reposado tequila, smoked grapefruit cordial and a tasty cinnamon rim. Rum lovers will dig the Caught Inside, named after the surfing term for being caught inside a wave. This drink looks like a milk-shake with its mountain of crushed ice, and is a combination of Hamilton Jamaican Black Rum, Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Orgeat syrup, and Angostura bitters.

HOBNOBMAG Wallflower Restaurant NYC review

Everything about this place makes guests feel at ease, the cozy space and the attention of the staff give it a true village feel. Even the music here is spectacular, again courtesy of Herit, who is also a DJ in his spare time. As for the menu, go for the generous prix fixe dinner, perfect for sharing. For the table, three dishes arrive in each category: Raw Bar, Charcuterie, and Cheese, followed by a choice of entree, and dessert—all for $68.

The Arlay Sour, our featured cocktail, has the right amount of sour and sweet—and the subtle scent of lavender with evey sip is a heavenly detail. The inspiration for this cocktail comes from Wallflower’s dessert wine from the town of Arlais (Chateau d’Arlais in Jura, France)—whose flavors work beautifully with honey, gin, and chamomile. Wow your guests with this cocktail at the gin tasting. wallflowernyc.com

HOBNOBMAG Gin Cocktail Lavender Recipe Arlay Sour

Vegan Mini Dessert: Nutty Coconut Cream & Berries

Posted on: July 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

No need for baking here. These cups are assembled using only the best, healthy ingredients. Heads up: the coconut milk must go into the fridge for at least 6 hours, so plan ahead. For the cocoa lovers in your life, mix 2 TB cocoa powder or 1 CUP vegan chocolate chips to the coconut cream before inserting into the cups. Anyone who’s into super foods might like to check out the other recipes from our healing foods party menu.

MAKES 4 – 5 CUPS OF CREAM

PREPARE THE COCONUT MILK

2 cans full-fat coconut milk
metal bowl
—
Leave cans in refrigerator overnight. Place metal bowl in fridge for whipping.

MAKE THE NUTTY CUPS

1 CUP almonds
1 CUP rolled oats
10 dates
1 tsp vanilla
2 TB maple syrup
1/2 CUP coconut flakes
1 TB nutritional yeast (optional)
—
Pulse in food processor until combined. Mold mixture into a mini muffin tin to create the cups. Place in freezer for at least 10 minutes.

MAKE THE COCONUT CREAM

chilled coconut milk
—
1 TB vanilla extract
1/4 CUP superfine sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
—
Remove cans from the fridge carefully, do not shake. Open the cans. Remove the solids from the top, leaving the liquid behind (save for use in a smoothie). Transfer to the chilled metal bowl. With a hand mixer, beat the coconut cream until thick and fluffy. Add the rest of the ingredients, combine. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

ASSEMBLE THE DESSERT

nutty cups
coconut cream
blueberries, for garnish
mint leaf, for garnish
—
Spoon in the coconut cream into the cups. Top with blueberry and small mint leaf.

vegan mini dessert with blueberries

Hip Refresher: A Low Alcohol Cocktail

Posted on: July 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

When wanting to serve a drink on the healthier end of the spectrum, try this low alcohol cocktail made with rose hips—and top with either prosecco or a sparkling water, depending on guest’s preferences.

The organic mode starts at the bar with the only finest ingredients. Rose hip liqueur mixes with sparkling additions—choose between Hip Refresher 1 or 2, depending on the percentage of alcohol you desire. One tops with sparkling wine, the other with sparkling water. This cocktail is part of the party menu featuring Super Foods in every bite.

DETAILS ON THE INGREDIENTS:

[1] Koval Organic Rose Hip Liqueur Rose hips, that little bulb that comes after roses lose their bloom, are amazingly beneficial. They are loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, beta carotene, and lycopene. Koval uses a white whiskey base and organic rose hips to create this special small batch liqueur. The first distillery in Chicago since the mid 1800s, founders Robert and Sonat Birnecker honored their Austrian ancestors’ methods for production, and the results really shine. Around $30. koval-distillery.com

HOBNOBMAG low alcohol cocktail

[2] Mionetto’s Organic Prosecco Stick with organic. Founded in 1887, Minonetto grows certified organic glera grapes in the heart of the Prosecco region in the small town of Vazzola. No synthetic chemicals or fertilizers are used. It adds delicate bubbles, a vibrant yellow color and the subtle fragrance of elderflower and green apple to your cocktail. About $14 a bottle. mionettoproseccousa.com

[3] Garnish: Thyme is packed with health benefiting phyto-nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Fresh thyme has one of the highest antioxidant levels among herbs. It has a botanical presence floating in a glass or frozen in ice cubes. Lemon thyme has beautiful variegated leaves.

[4] Ice Cubes with Herbs Your drinks will not only be healthy, they will look healthy when you freeze herbs into your ice cubes. Herbs are packed with vitamins, so you should make a point to add them anywhere you can. The method: In a ice cube tray, fill each section about 1/3 full of water, and place one herb. Put in freezer. After an hour or so, it should be frozen. Add water to almost the top, and allow to freeze again. This process centers the herbs in the cube.

Sardine Canape with Lemon-Herb Crumbs

Posted on: July 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

Here’s a dish that can be made with items from your pantry. Sardines are the star of this canape, and we found a brand with exceptional taste. Matiz Gallego’s sardines are the perfect way to give sardines a chance, as they have a very subtle and uncommon flavor. Plus, the addition of the breadcrumbs enhanced with lemon zest and parsley balances with the fish, and gives the dish a cool, dotted effect. Sprinkle away!

I included this sardine canape as part of a complete party theme with recipes focused on Super Foods. These little fish can do wonders for your body as they promote heart and bone health. They contain one of the highest concentrations of omega-3s, as well as high quantities of vitamin b12, vitamin D, and calcium. It’s a win-win situation!

MAKES 6 TOASTS

MAKE THE ZESTY CRUMBS

zest and juice 1 lemon
1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 CUP breadcrumbs
3 TB olive oil
—
Mix together in a bowl. Crumbs should be kind of sticky.

MAKE THE TOASTS

pumpernickel bread, toast and cut each piece into 3 long strips
orange or cherry tomatoes, sliced thinly (horizontal slices)
3 sardines, split in half lengthwise, remove bones
Zesty Crumbs
2 TB capers
1 small onion, cut into very thin rings
1 lemon, cut into wedges
—
On each strip, place slices of tomato, top with half of one sardine. Sprinkle zesty crumb mixture over the sardines, add a couple of capers, a ring or two of the onion, and a squeeze of lemon. (The strips of sardines match up perfectly with the pumpernickel bread when cut into three sections.)

Wood Plank Grilling: How to Infuse Food with Flavor Using Wood Planks

Posted on: June 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

The art of wood plank grilling is nothing new. The technique has roots in Native American culture and has managed to hold onto plenty of cache in the present day. See our featured recipe from the book, Plank Grilling: 75 Recipes for Infusing Food with Flavor Using Wood Planks, and witness a beet hummus that would make a gorgeous, tasty treat at your next gathering.

When warm temperatures hit, the barbecue becomes a main cooking arena. Here’s an opportunity for you to get really creative. I came across this wonderful book which shows you how to cook on a wooden plank, on your grill. I wanted to include this recipe as part of my 4th of July party menu, to showcase the fab colors of the dish. Dina Guillen really shines in this category.

Her book is a follow up to her first plank-grilling tome. In 75 Recipes for Infusing Food with Flavor Using Wood Planks, author Dina Guillen shares four-score-and-some-odd dishes that incorporate cedar, maple, hickory and alder planks in their preparation. You will be schooled in the art of plank grilling. Beyond meats, Guillen doles out the secrets of everything from wood-fired pizza to beet hummus, along with tips on where to find the planks themselves. Get ready to go crazy with your grill.  Here’s a recipe from the book for a hummus that will shock and rock your buffet.

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featured recipe

BEET HUMMUS

Makes 2 cups

Start with wood plank basics.

Soaking the Plank

Start by using a clean, untreated piece of wood. Most of the wood planks sold in stores are 3/8 to 1 inch thick. Be sure to choose a plank that allows at least a 1-inch border around the food you are preparing. No matter the size, plan on soaking your plank for at least one hour, and up to twenty-four hours. This important step adds moisture that helps the wood to resist burning, which prolongs the use of your plank.

Place the plank in a kitchen sink, cooler, glass or ceramic baking dish, or any container large enough to fit it for soaking. Soak the plank in water, or if you feel like being creative, try adding some white wine, beer, salt, or apple, berry, or citrus juice to the water. Keep the plank submerged with something heavy, like a brick, so it stays weighted down during soaking. Soak the plank for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.

Preheating the Plank

Preheating the plank before grilling is an important step. With woods like maple, oak, cherry, and alder, the plank will often begin to warp when placed over heat (cedar does not usually warp). Preheating the plank will control the warping, kill any bacteria on the cooking surface, and impart a more intense flavor to the food. Before preheating the plank, have a spray bottle with water handy to smolder any flames if flare-ups occur. For a gas grill, preheat your grill to medium-high, or about 400ºF.

For a charcoal grill, prepare your grill for indirect cooking: Fill a chimney starter (charcoal chimney) to the top with charcoal. Light the charcoal and let it burn until half of the coals are glowing. Spread the coals onto half of the bottom of the grill, leaving the other side without coals (this is called the “indirect method”). Place the grill lid on top and fully open the top and bottom vents. If your grill does not have a thermometer, place a grill thermometer through one of the vent openings and let it sit for 5 minutes to get an accurate reading. If the grill gets too hot, close the vents partially and let the temperature adjust. Continue making adjustments to the vent openings until the grill reaches a consistent temperature of 400º F.

For optimum smoke and wood flavor, place the plank 8 to 12 inches above the flame and close the grill lid. I prefer to place a plank on the warming rack of my gas grill for preheating and grilling. It takes a little longer to get it lightly toasted and get some smoke going (8 to 10 minutes), but it reduces the number of flare-ups so that you will get more uses out of the plank. If the plank is placed closer to the flame, you should see some light smoke after 3 to 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on the grill if the plank is closer to the flame.

Once you see some light wisps of gray smoke emanating from the grill, open the grill lid and flip the plank over. If the plank has not bowed, you are ready to begin grilling. If warping occurs, close the lid again and continue preheating another minute or two until the plank flattens out. Continue flipping and heating the plank one or two more times until warping is controlled.

make the hummus

3 small beets (about 1 LB), trimmed and peeled
1 TB extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt, divided
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
—
1 (15.5-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 TB tahini
Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 TB)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 TB chopped fresh flat leaf parsley, or 1 TB toasted pine nuts, for garnish (optional)
—
Cut the beets in half and toss with the oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper.

Prepare the plank for grilling. (See above.)

Place the beets, cut side down, on the toasted side of the plank. Close the lid and grill for 20 to 25 min, or until tender. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Once the beets are cool enough to handle, roughly chop them and place them in the bowl of a food processor.

Add the garbanzo beans, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the food processor. Blend until smooth, 20 to 30 seconds. Garnish with the parsley or pine nuts.

©2014 By Dina Guillen. All rights reserved. Excerpted from Plank Grilling: 75 Recipes for Infusing Food with Flavor Using Wood Planks by permission of Sasquatch Books. Photos by Rina Jordan.

Party Batch Cocktail by St. John Frizell of Fort Defiance Cafe & Bar

Posted on: June 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

With entertaining in mind, I’ve colluded with St. John Frizell to honor his party batch cocktail made with various lemon and tea notes highlighting a vodka- Benedictine base. See this party-pleasing recipe from a Brooklyn Red Hook enclave.

St. John Frizell was in the business of covering food and drink as a writer long before serving it. He’s since picked up the cocktail shaker himself, and become a restauranteur.  Fort Defiance (named for a Revolutionary-era stronghold), is a bastion of coziness and class in Red Hook, Brooklyn. I can really tell that he knows his stuff. Frizell’s cocktail menu is liquid, changing with the seasons and their ingredients. Hobnob interviewed him to see what lies behind his restaurant’s cocktail strategy.

How would you describe the style behind Fort Defiance’s cocktail menu?

Our menu always includes some original drinks, but it’s very important to us to include drinks on the menu that everyone recognizes, like a Tom Collins or an Irish Coffee. Those are not only great drinks, they’re also lifelines to any guest who might still be a little bewildered by the whole fancy-cocktail thing.

Do you have a personal favorite ingredient or liquor when it comes to cocktails?

So difficult to answer, but I’ll say apple brandy. It’s so misunderstood—when I put it on a menu, people automatically think green apple Pucker. But it’s a locally made spirit with a long, distinguished tradition in America, especially in the Northeast, and it works great in both stirred and shaken cocktails.

Tell us more about the King Bee cocktail.

We make this drink with Comb Vodka, made in Port Chester, NY, from pure honey—hence the name. Benedictine is expensive—look for a liquor store that sells smaller bottles (unless you really like to drink Benedictine). You can make this recipe without it, but it’s the ingredient that really makes this drink great. fortdefiancebrooklyn.com

Photos by JP Bonin

A Savory Souffle from A Lighter Way to Bake by Lorraine Pascale

Posted on: April 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

Some people like to pull out all the stops when entertaining. If that’s your attitude, this recipe is for you: a savory soufflé with gruyère and thyme to serve as a first course. Drumroll, please.

I am always on the lookout for “better” recipes, ones that can be thoroughly enjoyed without excess calories and guilt. This UK cooking show star has come up with the perfect baking formulas for creating desirable baked goods with less sugar and fat.

Each recipe in the book, which is beautifully photographed, ends with a chart that compares her version to a traditional version. Most impressive—she did not resort to “fake” sugars to accomplish this. A wonderful dinner party idea that I chose to include in my all-white Chill Party plan.

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featured recipe

Gruyère & Thyme Soufflé

“To make them healthier, I have done things like omitted the bread crumbs on the side of the dish, as I find the soufflés rise without them, and replaced some of the butter with olive oil to lower the saturated fat. These are as light as air and collapse so, so quickly, so get them to the table as soon as you can!”

MAKES 6 SOUFFLÉS

Spray oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/3 cup all-purpose flour, + extra for dusting
1 tsp English mustard powder
1 cup plus 2 tbsp low-fat milk
3 oz Gruyère cheese, roughly grated
4 eggs, separated
2 tsp finely chopped fresh chives
Leaves from 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
—
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Put a baking sheet into the oven to get nice and hot. This will ensure that the soufflés have some bottom heat, which will help them shoot up (and also, putting all the ramekins on a sheet makes it much easier to take them in and out of the oven). Spray the insides of six 2⁄3-cup ramekins with oil, dust lightly with flour and set aside.

Put the butter and olive oil into a medium pan on medium heat and allow the butter to melt. Then add the flour and mustard powder and mix well to form a thick paste before removing from the heat. Add the milk gradually, stirring all the time until well blended. If you add it slowly while stirring, then you will avoid any lumps forming in the mixture. Once all of the milk is added, return the pan to the heat and bring it to a boil, stirring continuously. Reduce the heat to simmer for 5–6 minutes, continuing to stir all the time now until it begins to get nice and thick. Add the cheese, mixing well until fully melted, and then remove from the heat. Beat in the egg yolks, chives, thyme and seasoning until it is all combined and uniform. Scoop it out into a mixing bowl and set aside.

Next, put the egg whites into a bowl and whisk them up until they are nice and frothy, almost meringuelike. Be careful not to overwhisk them or they will go like bubble bath and not mix into the sauce well at all (and I have been there many times! The soufflé still tastes good and will rise, but the texture is a bit different and not quite as good). Stir a third of the egg whites into the reserved sauce. Don’t worry about folding it in this time, just mix it in really quickly and well so that it loosens the sauce. Then add the remaining egg whites to the sauce in two batches, folding them in more gently this time to keep the air in. Everything should now be well combined.

Next, divide the mixture equally among the six ramekins. Bang the ramekins on the work surface to make sure the mixture has fallen into all the “corners.” Then run your thumb down into the edge of the soufflé and along the inside of the ramekin, going all the way around. This will help to prevent the soufflé from sticking to the sides and therefore rise more easily.

Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and place the ramekins on it. Bake the soufflés in the oven for 12–15 minutes or until golden on the top and well risen. Don’t open the oven before the soufflés are cooked as they will collapse. Having said that, if you do open the oven, once the soufflés are back in they will still rise up somewhat, but not to the heights of their pre– oven opening former glory!

Once ready, remove the baking sheet from the oven, take it straight to the table and serve asap.

Reprinted with permission from A Lighter Way to Bake by Lorraine Pascale

Healthy Crab Salad Canapes on Yuca Chips

Posted on: April 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

This could be the ultimate summer offering. For a super-refreshing small-bite, start with peekytoe crab, then uplift it. I mixed this stellar ingredient with freshly grated Daikon radish, gypsy pepper, and cucumber to add a special freshness. Topping with lemon peel curls makes these extra festive, party-ready crab salad canapes.

Instead of crackers, I chose to serve the crab salad on baked yuca chips, which lend a chewy texture and much more to offer in the realm of nutrition. If you’ve never had yuca, this is your place to start. It’s similar to potatoes, but has a much lighter feel to it. Frying the yuca slices would create more of a chip—choose whichever method suits your crowd and time frame.

Ingredient source: Peekytoe Crab, a crustacean delight, is available pre-cooked, and ready for dolling-up at The Lobster Place in Chelsea Market, NYC. This is one of my go-to spots in NYC whenever I’m looking for seafood for serving to guests. Their selection and quality is a-one.

I’ve created a bunch of recipes to host a stunning White Party, featuring a menu of, you guessed it, all white foods. I like doing this around the holidays instead of a typical red-and-green theme. This crab salad canape looks even more spectacular when it’s part of this minimalist tablescape.

makes topping for about 30-40 slices of yuca

GET OUT THE FOOD PROCESSOR…GRATE THE VEGGIES

1/2 english cucumber, peeled
2 to 3-inch piece of daikon
1 small gypsy pepper
—
Cut cucumber, radish, and pepper into large chunks that can fit in a food processor chute. Grate, transfer to bowl.

MAKE THE CRAB SALAD

1/2 CUP sour cream
1 1/4 CUPS peekytoe crab salad (about 1/2 LB)
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 1/2 tsp salt
pinch of cayenne
1-inch slice from 8 oz brick of cream cheese
lemon salt (optional)
—
To the grated stuff, add sour cream, crab, lemon, salt and cayenne and mix well. Drain excess liquid, pushing down on it to get most of it out. Mix in the cream cheese with a fork, so mixture is stiff and will not ooze. Add a pinch of lemon salt, if you wish.

MAKE THE CHIPS

1 yuca, peeled with a sharp knife, cut into 1/8-inch slices
2 sprigs of thyme, chopped finely
1 tsp salt
—
Place yuca on parchment in single layer, sprinkle on thyme and salt. Bake for 20 min, middle shelf of oven. Let cool on the pan.

ASSEMBLE THE BITES

crab salad
yuca chips
lemon curls, for garnish
—
With a fork, pile the crab salad onto each yuca chip, place on working plate. Pinch the tops of each pile of crab salad to form a pyramid shape. Garnish with one lemon curl apiece. Arrange on serving dish.

Chilean Sea Bass in Sesame Seed Crust

Posted on: April 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

If Chilean sea bass is on the menu of any NYC’s fine dining establishments I’m at, my eyes light up.  It is my go-to fish order. Almost no other fish compares in its meatiness and extra sweet flavor. This recipe is designed with entertaining in mind, and adds a super tasty crust to the fish. Keep in mind, serve this only to your favorite foodie friends that will appreciate your time, effort and taste—and generosity.

Tips: Make the marinade and crust mixture ahead of time. To serve, when you are roughly a half hour from serving, preheat oven, and assemble the recipe. Soon your guests will be enjoying something extraordinary.

We suggest serving with a white bean salad on the side. A suggestion for bigger parties: If you prefer to do smaller bites, cut it into say 20-25 instead of the 10. Serve atop a bib lettuce leaf with a spoon of the white bean salad on top.

Chilean sea bass is a beautiful, perfectly white fish, which is why it was included in our All-White Party theme. (See more recipes here.) If you are planning a shindig, we’ve got your back.

Makes 10 mini servings or 20 to 25 bites

MARINATE FISH 15 MIN

juice from 1 lemon
5 TB extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 3/4 LB Chilean sea bass, cut into 10 portions
—
Mix ingredients together in small bowl. Pour over fish, flip over to coat. Marinate in the fridge.

PREPARE THE SESAME SEED CRUST

4 TB sesame seeds
1/2 CUP panko breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp salt
—
1/2 tsp cumin
pinch of cayenne
—
Toast sesame seeds and breadcrumbs with salt in a heated skillet over medium-low heat, shaking frequently, until slightly golden, 3 to 5 min. Transfer to a flat bowl to cool. Mix in cumin, cayenne.

PREHEAT OVEN 450°F … COOK THE FISH

sesame seed crust mixture
—
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Remove fish from the fridge, dip into the sesame seed mixture, coat all sides. Roast 10 min exactly for 1-inch thick pieces, if less thick adjust accordingly.

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recipe: side dish

WHITE BEAN SALAD WITH FENNEL & CELERY

Party pointers: This works nicely as a side dish with our Chilean Sea Bass in Sesame Seed Crust, or can be served all by itself in individual glasses. Also great combined with orecchiette for a wholesome pasta salad. The flavors are fresh and lively, with a bit of crunch (due to the chopped bits of fennel and celery)—and a dash of lively honey-apple vinaigrette.

makes about 4 cups

PREPARE THE SALAD

2 cans white beans, drained, rinsed
1/2 fennel bulb, diced
1 shallot, minced
1/2 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
s + p
—
Combine ingredients in large bowl.

steps to create a party friendly white bean salad

MAKE THE DRESSING

3 TB lemon EV olive oil
1 TB honey apple vinegar
1 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper
small clove garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh oregano, minced
—
Whisk together ingredients, toss into salad.

TO SERVE

mini basil sprigs, for garnish
—
Sprinkle herbs onto salad. Serve in small paper cups or glasses with spoon inserted.

The Strudel Queen’s Hungarian Apple Strudel Filling

Posted on: April 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

Vera Eisenberg, a.k.a. The Strudel Queen, shares her recipe for her famous apple strudel filling, one of her many renditions on this classic, sophisticated pastry, which include sweet and savory versions. Thanks Vera!

Vera generously shared her recipe to be featured in our White Party theme, one of this website’s total party plans. As you can imagine, this menu features only food that is white, making for a stunning presentation. Choose all white, rather than red-and-green for a holiday hit.

Makes enough for 3 strudels or 15 servings

PREHEAT OVEN 400ºF… MAKE THE APPLE MIX

4 LB cored and thinly sliced Belle de Boscop or other cooking apples
1/2 CUP granulated sugar
1 CUP golden raisins, soaked in 4 TB dark rum or apple cider
2 fresh lemons, juiced
1/2 CUP Cookie Dust (see recipe)
—
Combine the ingredients.

MAKE THE STRUDEL DOUGH

1 hand-pulled strudel dough (see recipe)
1/2 CUP Cookie Dust (see recipe bottom of page)
—
Prepare, and stretch strudel dough according to direction. (see directions on Vera’s blog) Sprinkle the Cookie Dust on the rolled out dough. Spoon apple mixture in a long even shape along the topside of dough leaving 2 inches on top and on each end. Using tablecloth, roll the dough over like a jellyroll, finishing with seam side down. Tuck ends under, cut strudel into 3 to fit baking pan.

BAKE THE STRUDEL

1/2 CUP melted unsalted butter
—
Confectioner sugar
Optional, vanilla ice cream or soft whipped cream
—
Carefully place strudels onto parchment-lined baking sheet with seam side down. Brush tops with melted butter, then make slits with a sharp knife 2 inches apart (to let stream escape while baking).

Lower oven to 375º. Bake strudel in middle of oven until golden brown and crisp, 35 to 40 min. Rotate for even baking.

Transfer to a rack and cool 30 min. Dust with confectioner sugar. Serve as is or with soft whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

We just give you the filling recipe here. To see the recipes for a traditional, tried-and-tested strudel dough and Vera’s special addition of cookie dust head to her website.

Meaghan Dorman of Raines Law Room’s Simple Champagne Cocktail

Posted on: April 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

Fresh fruit and pisco flavors dance in this lovely champagne cocktail—in my opinion the most elegant of cocktails. Learn the secrets to balancing flavors from an expert.

For the CHILL party plan that features an all-white menu, Meaghan shared her champagne cocktail, Andean Dusk. Her inspiration: make a cocktail that highlights the elegant floral notes in the pisco. This is part of our bar suggestions for the party.

Meaghan brought upscale, speakeasy cocktail-ing to NYC with the opening of Raines Law Room, the perfect spot for a rendezvous with a group, or that special someone. She shares her ideas for creating perfectly balanced cocktails.

Describe your cocktailing style
My style in based on a classic “Golden Era” approach to bartending, which means balancing 3-5 ingredients to make a cocktail that is greater than the sum of its parts. I love to create cocktails that others can replicate, so I don’t go overboard with infusions, foams, etc.

What’s the best way to balance a cocktail?
Make sure citrus is fresh, you have a touch of sweet, and a high-quality spirit to work with.

What’s the most popular drink at Raines?
Currently, it’s a scotch cocktail called the Wildest Redhead, which is perfect for the season. Along with blended scotch, it has lemon, honey, Allspice Dram and cherry Heering.

Tell me about your latest concoction at Grace
My inspiration for the The Gallow Glass at Grace (gracebarnyc.com) came from her time traveling through Scotland, so I created a strong and smoky cocktail that would fortify one trooping through the country. It’s a Negroni meets Rob Roy.

What’s your latest ingredient discovery?
I love pisco, which is a grape spirit from Peru & Chile. Its grape-based, so has lovely floral and citrus notes like we find in wine.

raineslawroom.com

Baked Puddings Drenched in Caramel Whiskey Sauce from Try This at Home by Richard Blais

Posted on: March 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

Richard Blais always does a fresh take on the ordinary. This dessert recipe for sticky pudding comes drenched in a caramel whiskey sauce for extra indulgence.

I fell in love with this book as soon as I laid eyes on it—it’s got all the things that I adore: a great design, super interesting recipes, and a down-to-earth attitude. There are lots of recipes for gadget-lovers in this book, sous vide reigns supreme, as well as other molecular diversions. Blais puts the joy into experimentation and provides familiar recipes and tastes with his signature twists. Enjoy this smoky dessert from the book.

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featured recipe

Sticky Pudding with Scotch Sauce

SERVES 6

FOR THE PUDDING

1 CUP chopped pitted Medjool dates
1 1/4 CUPS water
1/4 CUP brewed espresso
1 tsp baking soda
—
4 TB (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing the pan
3/4 CUP packed dark brown sugar
3 TB sorghum syrup or molasses
3 large eggs, beaten
1 CUP all-purpose flour
—
To make the pudding: Put the dates, water, and espresso in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat, stir in the baking soda, and let stand for 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 6-cup nonstick jumbo muffin tin with butter. Set it into a large deep baking dish.

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 min. Add the sorghum syrup and mix well. Drain the soaked dates and add them to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Add the eggs and mix until incorporated. Remove the bowl from the mixer stand and, with a large rubber spatula, fold the flour into the date mixture until just combined. Divide the batter among muffin cups.

Pour enough hot water into the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the muffin tin. Bake until the puddings are set and spring back when touched in the center, about 30 min. Remove from the oven and let stand until the water in the baking dish is cool, but the puddings remain warm.

FOR THE SAUCE

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup Scotch whiskey
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, warmed
8 TB (1 stick) unsalted butter, diced
—
Meanwhile, to make the sauce: Put the sugar and Scotch into a medium saucepan and stir to moisten the sugar. Set the pan over medium heat and cook, without stirring, until the caramel turns dark amber. Very carefully pour in the cream (it will bubble up) and cook, whisking gently, until very smooth and any bits of caramel have dissolved. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter a little at a time, whisking until melted and combined each time before adding more.

TO SERVE

Run a knife around each pudding. Place a large cutting board or platter over the pan and invert the pan and board; lift off the pan.

Arrange the puddings on dessert plates. Serve the puddings warm, with the Scotch sauce drizzled over the top.

—Reprinted with permission from “Try This at Home” by Richard Blais

Creamy Mushroom Soup with Smoky Bacon Crumble

Posted on: March 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

This creamy mushroom soup adds smoky touches via a choice of two toppings, to appeal to bacon-lovers and those who do not eat meat. You can opt for either a spoonful of Smoky Crumble, which has bacon and smoked almonds in the mix, or a Smoked Paprika Oil that almost tasted like bacon, for the vegans in your crowd. For large gatherings, serve this soup in tea cups, so a little goes a long way. The smoky tones will add to the look of your buffet.

Have you ever foraged for mushrooms? My family has a house in upstate New York in a Slovak community which my father established in the ’70s. Picking mushrooms is practically a sport with this group, and competition is fierce. Trespassing, secret locales, and showing off the latest finds all happen during the month of September. After the hunt, my father would preserve his mushroom bounty in two ways. He would slice the mushrooms and leave them out in the sun to dry, or he would freeze them to have on hand to add to stews, soups—or his specialty, a brisket—throughout the winter. Learn about the mushrooms in your area, you’ll find that foraging is a blast.

If you like the taste of smoke in your foods, see more recipes in our Smoky Party theme.

MAKES 6 FULL SERVINGS OR 12 TEA CUP SERVINGS

COOK THE MUSHROOMS

3 TB butter
1 onion, diced
—
2 LB mushrooms, roughly chopped
2 sprigs thyme, minced
1 TB smoked salt
bay leaf
—
1 CUP white wine
—
In a nice big skillet, cook over medium heat 10 min. Add mushrooms and spices, cook 5 min. Add wine, cook another 5 min.

steps for making creamy mushroom soup

MAKE IT SOUP

4 CUPS chicken stock
—
In a large pot, add the cooked mixture to chicken stock. Cook at low temp covered 30 min.

MAKE IT CREAMY

1 CUP half + half
s + p
—
Remove bay leaf. In batches, blend until smooth. Stir in half and half, adjust s + p.

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SMOKY CRUMBLE topping recipe on top of figs and dried dragon fruit party recipe

recipe

smoky crumble

A super versatile topping for adding a smoky slant to many dishes. In addition to using it as a topping for the creamy mushroom soup, try it on cheese board, spread some goat cheese onto figs or dried dragon fruit, then dip or sprinkle on the crumble. Other uses: throw into salads, especially spinach or arugula, and for those who love savory in their desserts, add a spoon to vanilla ice cream.

MAKES ROUGHLY 3/4 cup

COOK THE BACON

4 strips of bacon
—
Quick way: In microwave, cook bacon between paper towels till very crisp (ovens vary, so start with about 20 sec per slice, then add time till crisp). The paper towels soak up all the oil, leaving perfectly straight strips. If cooking in a pan, be sure to cook thoroughly and blot on paper towels to remove moisture.

GET OUT THE FOOD PROCESSOR

cooked bacon
1/2 CUP smoked almonds
2 sprigs oregano, strip leaves from stem
1 tsp smoked salt
—
Process ingredients in pulses till you get uniform tiny bits. Don’t over process, the nuts will start to turn into nut butter.

Smoky Lasagna: Butternut Squash, Spinach & Smoked Mozzarella

Posted on: March 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

Lasagna is always welcome on the party menu. We shook up tradition in this smoky lasagna which substitutes butternut squash sauce for tomato sauce, and has the addition of spinach and goat cheese, putting it into the super-comfort-food category.

I began this recipe as lasagna cupcakes, thinking that might be perfect for serving at a party, but the results were not as satisfying as a full, old-school lasagna. The cupcakes were tedious to layer, and kept popping out of the muffin pan. The verdict: stick with the classic, but upgrade with fantastic veggie selections and flavors of fall, and a smoky twist. The smoky mozzarella cheese in this dish does just that. If adding a bit of smoke appeals to you, see more of our recipes featuring a smoky flavor at this link. You’ll see some great party serving ideas and more.

SERVES 12 MINI PORTIONS OR 6 AS AN ENTREE

PREPARE THE SQUASH SAUCE

butternut squash
—
2 TB butter
10 sage leaves, torn
1 CUP half + half
s + p
—
Peel butternut squash, cut into 1-inch chunks. Boil squash till soft, about 15 min. Drain. Add back to pot. In a pan, melt butter, add sage, cook 3 min. Remove sage. Stir in half + half, cook another 5 min. Pour mixture into the pot with butternut squash and mash together. Add s + p to taste.

steps for making a smoky lasagna

BOIL WATER FOR LASAGNA… PREHEAT OVEN 350ºF

lasagna, 9 pieces
—
Boil pasta. Drain. Set noodles out on parchment.

MAKE THE SPINACH-GOAT CHEESE MIX

1 TB olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 CUPS fresh spinach, cut into ribbons
1 small log goat cheese, room temp
2 TB half + half
—
Heat oil, add garlic, wilt spinach. In bowl, mix spinach with goat cheese and half + half.

START LAYERING

butternut squash sauce
cooked lasagna
spinach goat cheese mix
1 CUP Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
1 LB smoked mozzarella, shredded
—
In a baking pan,add a little of the butternut squash sauce on the bottom. Lay 3 noodles across. Top with more sauce, spinach mix, both cheeses. Repeat X2. For the top, make sure you have a nice layer of the butternut squash sauce covering the noodles entirely, and sprinkle cheeses liberally.

PUT IT IN THE OVEN

Bake covered with foil, 40 min. Uncover, bake additional 15 min. Let cool about 10 min. Cut into 12 pieces.

Quick Canape: Tortellini Bites with Smoky Paprika Oil

Posted on: March 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

An almost instant party bite—think of thIs quick canape as an adorable addition to your party display. It’s a combination of tortellini with the addition of a smoked kielbasa, and just a hint of smoky paprika oil. If you like things on the spicy side, consider adding a little cayenne pepper to the oil to give it a fiery kick. If you are making these around the holidays, the green from the arugula gives it Christmas flair.

Other uses for the Smoky Paprika Oil: We included in our  recipe for Creamy Mushroom Soup.adding it as a spiral accent. Think about also drizzling over grilled fish or chicken tenders, or mixed into salsa.

Ingredient tip: The very best place in NYC to get kielbasa is the East Village Meat Market & Deli, on 139 Second Avenue near 9th St. It’s a holdout from the times when the neighborhood was strictly Eastern European, and has that old-school charm. In case you don’t live in New York, they also ship during the colder months of the year. In this recipe, we chose the double-smoked ring. Speaking of smoky things—you can see more recipes in the Smoky Party theme on this site, and get more party ideas to make you look like a rock-star host.

MAKES ONE BITE FOR EVERY TORTELLINI & ABOUT 1/4 CUP OF THE SMOKY PAPRIKA OIL

BOIL THE TORTELLINI

1 bag tortellini
—
Cook according to directions. Drain.

FRY THE KIELBASA

kielbasa
—
While tortellini is boiling, cut kielbasa into 1-inch rounds. Slice the round into 4 triangles. Cook in hot skillet till edges are brown.

MAKE THE SMOKY PAPRIKA OIL

1/4 CUP olive oil
1 tsp Hungarian smoked paprika
1 garlic clove, minced
cayenne pepper, to taste, if desired
—
Whisk ingredients in a small bowl. (To keep: Store in small jar or squirt bottle, use up to 2 weeks.)

ASSEMBLE THE BITES

arugula
cooked tortellini
fried kielbasa triangles
smoky paprika oil
—
With a toothpick, spear one arugula leaf, one tortellini into kielbasa triangle. Using a squirt bottle, or teaspoon, dot paprika oil around dish and onto tortellini.

how to create a quick canape with frozen tortellini

For Peat’s Sake: A Smoky Cocktail with Scotch, Citrus & Honey

Posted on: March 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

This smoky cocktail tempers a scotch with the sweet accompaniment of orange and honey, plus some citrus bitters.

You can choose to offer this as a kickoff to the gathering, or as a nightcap. It’s pretty potent, so one per customer is recommended. Most beautiful served over crushed ice in a smoky glass. For the garnish, cut a rough strip of orange rind and tear fresh mint leaves. This cocktail works into my party theme focused on smoky flavors, see more recipes at this link.

DETAILS ON THE INGREDIENTS:

[1] The Peat Monster The smokiness of this scotch from Compass Box comes from a blend of extremely smoky malt whisky from Islay and three medium-peated Highland whiskies. Created especially for those who crave a lot of smoke in their glass. Compass Box is known for creating elegant, and beautifully packaged whiskies in every category. Check regularly for limited editions. About $60. compassboxwhisky.com

HOBNOBMAG Smoky Cocktail

[2] Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao The crème de la crème of triple secs has the bitter-sweet taste of candied orange zest, a lovely woodiness, and a hint of nuts. Combines beautifully with the smokiness of the scotch whiskey. About $27. pierreferrandcuracao.com

[3] Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur With a recipe dating back to the 15th century, Bärenjäger takes honey to a higher level. It is quite sweet, so can also substitute for simple syrup in cocktails, or for honey in other recipes (think about adding it to a cup of hot tea). Make it a staple on your bar all winter. It smooths out the edges on this cocktail nicely. About $25. barenjagerhoney.com

[4] Urban Moonshine Organic Citrus Bitters Have these bitters around to keep your digestion in check—and add complexity to your cocktails. These bitters are made with certified organic roots from Vermont, like dandelion, angelica, burdock, ginger, plus orange peel, fennel seed, and dandelion leaves. About $12. urbanmoonshine.com

A Refreshing Cucumber Martini from Miguel Aranda of Casa Mezcal

Posted on: March 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

This cucumber martini looks as good as it tastes, beautifully garnished with a fresh sage leaf. See the mixology thinking behind this blend, and you’ll be able to serve this stellar cocktail at your next gathering with confidence.

When I started making a party plan based on smoky flavors, I thought a mezcal cocktail would work nicely into the mix. This one adds a particular freshness and beauty and was created by Miguel Aranda, who is a big mezcal fan. You may have seen Miguel behind a bar or two in NYC (Daniel, Wallse, Patroon, Yerba Buena Perry, THOR, Toloache, Apotheke, Monkey Bar, for starters).

For the Smoky party, Miguel offers the Cantaro, a combination of mezcal, lime juice, cucumber water, agave sage reduction, and egg white. Smoky, yet still wonderfully light and refreshing.

Miguel’s latest project takes place in the downstairs room at Casa Mezcal, in the Botanic Lab, where a bounty of spices and fresh local herbs, salt varietals, homemade bitters and teas from all over the globe get incorporated into the cocktails. Botanic Lab will also feature impromtu performances in music, art, burlesque in an intimate setting. [Botanic Lab has since closed]

Brian Alberg of the Red Lion Inn Introduces Candied Bacon into a Less-Sweet Dessert

Posted on: March 1st, 2014 by Ellen Swandiak

Now here’s a unique twist on sweets. Brian Alberg provides a 6-part less-sweet dessert for the finale of his James Beard House dinner using local Berkshire ingredients.

Before farm-to-table was even a phrase, Brian Alberg was living it. He and fellow chefs in the surrounding Berkshires have a bounty of produce and livestock to choose from.

At his ninth visit to the James Beard house, he created the most interesting non-dessert dessert I have ever experienced, featuring candied bacon from his own heritage breed pigs, a vanilla sweet-corn panna cotta, grape must, and blue cheese popcorn with salad and sliced apples. I chose to include this recipe to be a part of an entire plan for hosting a party with a menu focused on smoky tastes—that’s where the bacon comes in.

Brian is executive chef at The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, a piece of history, and a perfect spot for a weekend getaway from NYC. redlioninn.com

hobnobmag less-sweet desserts recipe candied bacon

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recipe

CANDIED BACON DESSERT

Serves 6

Candied Bacon

1/4 CUP white sugar
1/4 CUP brown sugar
6 slices thick cut bacon
—
Preheat oven to 350º. Mix sugars in small bowl. Coat bacon slices liberally with sugar, place on sheet pan and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake until golden brown, approximately 20-30 min. Remove from pan and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Bacon will crisp up as it cools.

hobnobmag less-sweet desserts recipe candied bacon

Sweet Corn Panna Cotta

1 qt half & half
2 ears of corn, kernels and cobs separated
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
4 sheets gelatin, bloomed in cold water
—
In a medium sauce pan, add half and half, corn kernels and cobs, and vanilla bean. Bring to a simmer and turn heat down to medium-low. Cook for approximately 35-40 min until reduced by half. Remove corn cobs, discard. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh colander. With the bottom of a spoon, press the liquid out of the corn. Discard corn kernels; you should be left with the corn cream. Squeeze out any excess water from the gelatin sheets and add to the half and half mixture. Stir thoroughly until all the gelatin is dissolved and incorporated. Divide evenly among 4 oz. portion cups. (Plastic works great for this as it is less work to invert panna cotta once set). Chill until set, approx. 2 hrs.

Whipped Cream

1 pint heavy cream
1/4 CUP sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
—
Place all ingredients in mixing bowl and blend with electric mixer until soft peaks form, cover and place in the refrigerator for later use.

Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

1/4 CUP apple cider vinegar
1/4 CUP maple syrup
1 tsp celery seeds
1 tsp dry mustard
2 TB dijon mustard
2 tsp minced shallot
3/4 CUP corn oil
3/4 CUP olive oil
—
Use this dressing in place of the grape must: In a blender, blend all ingredients except the oils. With blender on low speed, slowly add the oils until incorporated.

Smoked Berkshire Blue Popcorn

1 tsp vegetable oil
1/4 CUP popcorn kernels
1 tsp butter
1/4 CUP smoked blue cheese, finely shredded
—
In a medium heavy-bottom pot, on medium heat add oil and 3 to 4 popcorn kernels, cover with lid. Allow oil to heat up and kernels to pop. Once this happens, add butter and remaining popcorn. Continue cooking in covered pot, on medium heat, shaking frequently as to not burn the bottom kernels. Once the kernels start popping, shake more frequently until the time between popping kernels becomes 6-8 seconds apart. Remove from heat, and let stand 1 minute. Remove lid and stir in blue cheese.

Hot Buttered Rum Sauce

1 qt apple cider
—
1/2 CUP Berkshire Mountain Distillers rum
1 CUP butter, cubed
—
In a large sauce pan, reduce cider until you are left with approximately 1 cup. Remove from heat, add rum. Whisk in butter a couple cubes at a time until incorporated and slightly thickened.

Construction of the dessert

Place panna cotta in small shallow-sided bowl, as to be able to pour hot buttered rum around it. Top with whipped cream and candied bacon. Place the bowl on one side of a medium rectangular plate. On the other half of the plate, place the salad of frisee, arugula and tart apple, combined and tossed with enough of the maple-dijon vinaigrette to just coat the greens. Top with 5-6 pieces of the blue cheese popcorn. Finally, pour the hot buttered rum sauce on the outside of the panna cotta, approximately 1 oz per serving and serve immediately. Enjoy!

We’ve got more recipes with smoky ingredients to wow guests with, check it out in THE SMOKY PARTY.

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