The Day I spotted Curtis Stone “Take Home Chef”
January 5, 2010 at 9:07 pm | Posted in cooking, Food, friends, my life, photography | 5 CommentsTags: celebrity, celebrity chefs, cooking, Curtis stone, Edmonds, Food, foodies, Puget Sound, Seattle, televsion, The Take Home Chef, washington
Hi everybody! This post is a re-post from my old Live Journal blog. This happened in November of 2006. I thought I’d share my adventure with you. I have severeal food blogs to get up and posted. The holidays and my son’s wedding kept me pretty busy in December. Hope you are all well. On with the story:
Yesterday I drove into downtown Edmonds for my dreaded monthly eyebrow waxing. I also had my brows tinted–which is something I’ve never done before. I left feeling very self conscious about my too dark brows, but life goes on so I persevered.
Afterward, I met my friend, “E” for lunch. We had a wonderful meal at Provinces–yummy Chinese food.
After lunch we drove to the ferry park on the waterfront. E and I are taking a beginner’s knitting course together and she had missed a class, so I was going to show her what I had learned. We decided to walk to the little coffee shop next door and grab a mocha to drink while we knitted. I was teasing E about drinking coffee–I don’t think I’ve ever seen her order coffee in the 14 years I’ve known her. I was joking that she was going to be too wired to cast on the yarn. I reminded her we were going to have a pasta making day at my house, when I looked out the window and saw what appeared to be a man and woman in heavy makeup–followed by a crew of camera men and giant microphones.
“Hey, what’s with the camera crew following those people? They must be actors or models….HOLY SHIT it’s the Take Home Chef guy!”
Yes, my friends, I may be the only person in my town who recognized the famous chef, well, me, E, and the barista! We all immediately ran out of the shop and stood there staring across the street. E realized they were heading toward the ferry park, but I was so star struck, I was standing there with my mouth hanging open, and repeating “Oh my God, Oh my God!”
An elderly couple was sitting in front of the shop on a bench. The woman asked me who he was, and I told her he is a famous chef. Her husband said, “He looks too young to be a chef, looks more like a race car driver”
I always thought star struck groupies were beneath me. I was one of the people who asked why people scream and get excited over another human being.
I was still staring, when I heard a voice asking,
“Where’s your camera?” “Anita, where’s your camera?”
At this point I realized it wasn’t a voice in my head, it was my girlfriend E’s voice and she was shaking my arm trying to jar be out of my stupor. E was telling me to run to the car and get the camera! As a last ditch effort she grabbed my mocha and yelled,
“Run, Anita, Run!”
Immediately I started to run, but soon I realized I was running alongside the crew and the chef. My short little legs could only move so fast and I couldn’t make headway. I was also in a long dress, so I was running like a penguin due to the lack of leg room to make long strides. So there I was running like a penguin with my drastically too dark eyebrows, trying to get ahead of them to reach my damn camera before they left the park. The crew was staring at me and a policeman on a bike was trying to peddle slow enough to keep up with me. “What is this crazy middle aged spiked hair lady with the too black eyebrows doing?”, he seemed to be asking himself.
Finally, the crew stopped right in front of my parked van, and I could hear the chef asking the woman if she lived on the other side (pointing to the island). It was then I realized they were in the middle of filming an episode. I slid open my mini-van door and fumbled for my camera, lifted it from the case, and then immediately started snapping photos. They all looked at me–I’m sure out of concern and for the protection of the poor chef and his guest. It was as though I lost all sense of humility and kept snapping away, I followed them all the way out of the park, snap snap snap! And up the hill and beyond the coffee shop. Snap snap snap!
I entered the paparazzi zone.
I finally returned to the coffee shop , it was then I noticed the pain. I hadn’t ran very far, but I had been so tense with excitement that I pulled muscles in my back and neck. I hobbled into the coffee shop and shared the photos with E who was very proud of herself for shaking me into consciousness and helping me score the photos. As we strolled back to the van with our mochas in hand we had big grins on our faces–we had spotted a celebrity in our very own little town.
“They can never call our town “Dead-monds” again. Oh no, we live in an exciting little town.”
“Yeah, and we have photos to prove it.”
“Right, we aren’t all old and boring people here.”
We climbed into my white mini- van and pulled out our pink and purple wool yarns to begin knitting, I took some Advil for my muscle pain, and we watched the ferry pull away with the handsome chef –who “looks more like a race car driver”.
Middle age happens.
Pressing Apples into Cider with Friends
November 10, 2009 at 12:10 pm | Posted in Food, friends, photography, Uncategorized | 4 CommentsTags: apple cider, apple juice, apple press, apples, Food, friends
A few weeks ago I was hunting for a pumpkin or two to give to my son and his fiancee. I ended up at a roadside produce stand, found the pumpkins I wanted, bought them, and loaded them into the trunk (don’t tell my chiropractor!). Just as I was loading the pumpkins a gentleman approached me and said something along the lines of, “Hi there, I think I know you.”
As a woman, my first thought was, “Are you kidding me? Do you have to hit on me while I’m loading huge pumpkins into my trunk, and what is up with the “I think I know you” line!”
I looked up and realized he was serious–especially when he asked, “Do you write a food blog?” Followed by, “Angelnina?”
“Well, pleased to meet ya!” I nearly shouted it–I was both relieved that he wasn’t hitting on me or asking for money–you never know in the Seattle area.
As it turns out, Wally is a very nice man, and he should have his own food blog! I can learn a lot from this guy. After introducing me to his wife–via Facebook– they both invited Mark and I to press apples into cider at their home the following weekend. We hit it off immediately. His wife, Lucinda, and I have quite a lot in common. I felt like I’d known her for years. It is always nice to meet good people.
On our visit, we were greeted with hot bowls of Wally’s homemade Borscht, homemade yogurt, parsley from the garden, toasted homemade bread, AND beer–yes, you guessed it–Wally makes the beer too! Normally I don’t drink beer, but I really wanted to sample his home brewed beer, and I have to admit, this was not the high school beer I had remembered–this beer had a hint of herbal, floral, taste–great stuff!
Lucinda served us and amongst many wonderful talents, she is also a very friendly hostess
ABOVE: Wally’s Beer
Wally wasn’t wasting any time with pleasantries, and before my last bite of borscht was down, he announced “These apples will not peel themselves.” ,and with that he set 4 cutting boards, knives, and a huge box of apples. We had a great time visiting and chopping.
Next, we went out to the cider press Wally built–yes, he made it. He and Lucinda also raise chickens and mason bees.
When the apples were pressed we drank coffee, apple juice, and ate some pignolis I had packed up as a hostess gift.
Nothing is better than meeting new friends and enjoying great food and drink.
Italian Cookies ~ Pignoli Amaretti (Pine Nut Cookies)
September 22, 2009 at 9:23 pm | Posted in baking, Cookies, Desserts, Food, friends, Italian food, Recipes | 7 CommentsTags: baking, cookies, dessert, Food, Italian cookies, pignoli amaretti, pignoli cookies, pignolis, recipe
As much as I enjoy cooking and baking, you can only imagine how excited I was to find out that the son of one of my good friends was going to school to become a pastry chef!
Over the years, I had noticed Ket’s interest in baking and cooking when he and his family would join us for dinner at my house. I noticed he might be looking over my shoulder asking questions and talking food. He liked to peek in at my cookbook collection too. I have also had the pleasure of eating a few slices of his famous cheesecakes!
Not long ago I gave him an open invitation to come to my kitchen and bake with me. Well, Ket has now graduated and I was more than happy when he asked if I’d like to bake some Italian cookies together. He chose Pignolis–a cookie neither of us had ever baked before. Perfect.
Allow me to start by saying, almond paste and pine nuts are expensive. Shop around for a good deal. We opted to split the cost of a 7 pound can of almond paste from Cash and Carry. We have enough almond paste leftover to make plenty more desserts. Pine nuts were purchased at Costco.
It wasn’t easy removing the almond paste–at first. We discovered that using an ice cream scoop made it a lot easier.
The recipe says to use almond paste broken into pebble sized pieces. Good thing Ket was helping because my great idea was to use my KitchenAid mixer, but he suggested using the food processor and adding the sugars to it. It worked like a charm.
Pignoli Amaretti Cookies (Pine Nut Cookies)
Adapted from Sweet Maria’s Italian Cookie Tray
1 1/2 lbs almond paste (broken into pebble sized pieces)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
4 egg whites
2 cups pine nuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine almond paste with sugars in food processor and pulse till size of pebbles.
Add mixture to mixer and add egg whites, mix on low till blended, then medium speed for a few minutes. This will make a sticky dough.
Roll dough into 1″ balls. Roll in pine nuts, or roll tops and sides in pine nuts. Place on lined (parchment or silicon) cookie sheet 2″ apart. Using your fingers, slightly flatten tops of cookies.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or till golden brown. Remove cookie sheets from oven. Allow cookies to cool on parchment for easier removal. When cookies are cool use a metal spatula to loosen from parchment.
Store in an airtight container.
Approx 50 cookies
We shaped some into balls and some into crescents–I happen to be addicted to the crescent shape.
I highly suggest using the silicon mats or parchment–these are sticky little buggers!
Wet your hands with water while forming the cookies–it really helps!
We made two batches– close to 100 cookies!
Pignolis have a moist center and a wonderful almond flavor. Perfect with coffee and tea or a glass of milk.
After baking, Ket helped me dig potatoes from the garden. We had a lovely dinner of roasted chicken, chicken with vinegar and onions, and swiss chard from the gardens, and mashed pototoes–albeit the mashed taters were farmed out to my husband who lost track of the timer–no worries, we had enough to feed a small army.
Thanks Ket!
UPDATED w/ RECIPES~Molded Chocolate Candy Making~
December 5, 2008 at 2:29 pm | Posted in cooking, Family Fun, Food, friends, my life, photography, Recipes | 13 CommentsTags: affordable Christmas gifts, chocolate, Christmas cooking, Christmas gifts, cream filled chocolates, Food, homemade candy, homemade chocolates, molded chocolates
ABOVE: Olivia left with a box of goodies. The cookies in the cupcake papers are made from Ritz crackers dipped in peppermint oil flavored chocolate. These taste very similar to Mint Girl Scout Cookies–the salt makes them even better. The peppermint patties are wrapped in the green tin foil. The little hollies are made from colored white chocolates.
My sister, Karla, was always the craft queen in my family. She knew where all of the best classes were offered. As a young mother, I was always looking for ways to save money on Christmas gifts. Baking cookies was usually the answer. When my sister asked if I’d like to take a chocolate candy making class, I couldn’t throw my coat on and run out the door fast enough. I mean, who says no to chocolate? I knew cookies with chocolates would make a more special gift.
I was amazed at how easy, yet admittedly time consuming, it is to make these little filled chocolates.
I started packing up cookies and molded filled chocolates to send to all of Mark’s siblings and his parents. No small feat, considering Mark comes from a family of nine.
It was always fun to experiment with various molds for different holidays. My all time favorites are chocolate liqueur cups filled with Peppermint Schnapps. I’m hoping to make those for Christmas Eve.
When Olivia asked if I’d teach her how to make these chocolates, it reignited the fond memories of spending hours at the table melting, mixing, and molding chocolates.
Olivia and I decided to make cherry cordials, peanut butter cups, Almond Joys, coconut filled bars (Mounds), peppermint patties, raspberry creams, butter nut cream, dipped pretzels, and chocolate mint cookies.
Our list of supplies included:
4 lbs Guittard chocolate (for melting)–3 milk chocolate and 1 dark
3 lb Guittard white chocolate–white, red, and green
2 lbs fondant to make peanut butter filling and peppermint patty filling.
coconut, almonds, pecans, maraschino cherries, powdered sugar, karo syrup, mini pretzels, Ritz crackers (make an excellent salty cookie base),peanut butter, butter
candy molds- we bought two. I already had an assortment
foil wrappers, candy holders, wax paper, paint brushes, plastic squeeze bottles
We shopped for the supplies and started our chocolates on Saturday, and then we made a second batch on Sunday.
Olivia making cherry cordials.
Placing peanut butter cups in their tin papers.
ABOVE: Almond Joys–my favorite.
I like to make little wreaths out of the white chocolate dipped pretzels. As soon as I can find some red string licorice, I’ll post a few photos.
These candies, placed in lovely tins or candy boxes, make a beautiful and affordable gift for family, co-workers, and friends.
I really enjoyed doing this project with Olivia. It was a wonderful gal bonding time. For many years, I did projects like this alone. It was fun to have another female in the kitchen!
NOTE TO OLIVIA: Are you ready for Valentine’s Day chocolates?
UPDATED:
Peppermint patties
Mix approx. 1/3 c fondant (sifted powdered sugar might work) with 1 1/2 tsp water to form a thick paste. ADd 3-4 drops of peppermint oil (I add more). Spoon into coated patty mold and seal with chocolate. Makes about 8 patties.
Coconut Filling (Almond Joy)
3/4 cup light cornsyrup
2 1/2 cups coconut
Heat corn syrup in small pan until quite hot, but not boiling. Pour into a bowl containing coconut and stir thoroughly with a spoon. Cover with wax paper and set aside for about an hour so the coconut will become well saturated with the syrup.
Apple Pie in a Bag
September 25, 2008 at 8:54 am | Posted in baking, Food, friends, my life, photography, Recipes, Uncategorized | 6 CommentsTags: apple pie, apple pie in a bag, baking, fall cooking, Food, fruit pie, pie, recipe
For those who may have missed this on my LJ blog, I’m posting the video of my Apple Pie in a Bag. Perfect for fall!
I made a few changes in the recipe. I used 6 large Golden Delicious apples. I also brushed butter and a mixture of cinnamon and sugar to the top crust. I also added 1/4 cup brown sugar to the 1/2 cup white sugar.
The pie tasted amazing! I would love to make this again in the fall with fresh Washington State apples.
Yes! It really is baked in a bag.
I made this a playful challenge with a blogger buddy– Freddy. I made the following video for the challenge:
After ripping open the bag, it looks like this….
Barefoot in Seattle “Plum Raspberry Crumble” (Ina Garten’s)
July 22, 2008 at 11:15 am | Posted in baking, cooking, Food, friends, my life, photography, Recipes, Uncategorized | 2 CommentsTags: baking, Barefoot Contessa, Barefoot in Paris, cooking, Food, french baking, french food, Ina Garten, Ket's Birthday, plum raspberry crumble, plums, raspberries, recipe
Plum Rasperry Crumble
I have most of Ina Garten’s cookbooks. One of my favorites is “Barefoot in Paris”. I made this recipe for a cooking group I belonged to a few years back. The tasters raved and I have to admit, there is something about the combination of flavors in this recipe that just screams summer in Seattle! So, at home I call it my Barefoot in Seattle Crumble.
Our good friend, Ket, had his 21st birthday last week. He is a pastry chef, so he made his own cake. It was beyound amazing! I brought a salad made from lettuce and herbs in my garden, and then I threw this crumble together to bring along too. It was a lovely summer day in our friend’s backyard in Seattle. They grilled burgers and veggies for Ket’s party. Good friends make everything more special.
PLUM RASPBERRY CRUMBLE RECIPE HERE
ANGELNINA’S NOTES: I like mine sweet, so I choose ripe red and purple plums. If you prefer more of a sour flavor choose less ripe plums.
Ket’s Cake!
Black Forest
If I’m lucky, maybe he’ll share the recipe. It is TO DIE FOR!
Mmmmmm
If you’d like to see the steps in prepping the Crumble CLICK HERE Continue Reading Barefoot in Seattle “Plum Raspberry Crumble” (Ina Garten’s)…
Life is a Beach
June 24, 2008 at 4:55 pm | Posted in friends, my life | Leave a commentTags: beach, edmonds beach, edmonds marina beach park, ferry, kay, Puget Sound
ABOVE: Edmonds Marina Beach Park– Puget Sound
My friend, Kay, came for a visit yesterday, and I was so happy to see her. Our visit was long overdue.
I served peanut butter and orange marmalade sandwiches, leftover panzanella salad, and pineapple for lunch.
Kay helped me herd the chickens into the coop so that we could go on a long beach walk. It was beautiful. We walked for a few miles or more along the beach. By the time we turned back it had warmed up, so we grabbed a few ice cold teas.
Kay has a new haircut. I love how it frames her face. It really shows off her beautiful eyes and jawline.
I’ve known Kay since she was fourteen years old. She was shy and I’m very extroverted, so I think I may have scared her a little bit—she would probably say it was more than a little bit. We have many similar interests: camping, chickens, cooking, hiking, crocheting, eating chocolate, drinking wine, etc. I’m so happy she is my friend.
“You’ve come a long way baby!”
Let’s walk the beach again…soon!
ABOVE: Me in Kay’s sunglasses 
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