Welcome to N'awlins...

During my two week break from school, I ventured down to the "big easy" to see a best friend of mine. I hadn't been to New Orleans, so I wasn't too sure of what to expect. Some people said it was great, they love the city, the food is amazing, ANYTHING goes, others have said it's dirty, it smells, and sometimes even scary.

The first meal I ate, was of course, a fried shrimp Po'boy from Mahony's located on Magazine St. I have to admit, for the price of $14.95 (market price) for a 6 inch with no sides (not even cole slaw or chips), the sandwich was good, but not THAT good. We were a little disappointed, but you can't put a price on sitting at a patio table drinking an Abita (fall fest) and eating dinner on a beautiful night with a childhood friend.

The next day we made our way down to Canal St and walked up Bourbon St. It was much cleaner and less crazy than I was expecting, but it was daylight! We perused the shops and bars, while enjoying the local Abita once more. We decided on Landry's for dinner, where we enjoyed fresh oysters on the half shell and fettucine with blackened chicken. Although it was not a traditional "N'awlins" cuisine, it was delicious. We headed to Frenchmen street to enjoy some live Jazz at the Three Muses (whose menu looked incredible) and the Blue Nile. Excellent venues for live music and dancing - if you're in the area, you must check it out!

After a fun night out on the town, the only hangover cure other than sleep is food, and thanks to Surrey's, we were on the mend. This place is a must, even without a hangover.

Erin and Carmel's Hangover Cure: Surrey's Uptown:

Beverage of choice - Kettle and Grapefruit
Food -

Eggs over easy with bacon, cajun hash browns, and toast 

"Orgasmic" Turtle French Toast with cream cheese, chocolate chips, pecans, and caramel

Balsamic roasted veggie omelet with buttermilk biscuit and roasted veggie gazpacho

Talk about a turn-on!! Ammmazzzzingggg, especially the french toast. Just what we needed BEFORE we went to play at the pool!

The UK game was of course a bust, but we did meet a rowdy fun bunch celebrating a soon to be groom... the only appropriate drink was bourbon at the little bar called Fat Harry's filled with Kentucky fans. We got red beans and rice with sausage for dinner. I was told by a New Orlean's native that they were good, but not the best. I have nothing to compare it to, but thought it was pretty delicious. And to Bourbon Street we went...CRAZY! FUN!

After another late night, we ordered a pizza and layed low watching the Saints beat the Bears. That night we went to a little, and rather hidden dive bar called J'anita's at the Rendon Inn on Eve St.

Starters:

Buddha's Temptation - Bleu cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped, deep fried apricots with balsalmic

Truffle Tots

Followed by....

Adult Grilled Cheese - cheddar, pepper jack, feta cheese, and bacon with tomato basil soup

Swamp Rueben - BBQ pulled pork and beef brisket on sourdough with swiss cheese and cole slaw

St. Chuck Duck - grilled sourdough with currant tapenade, cheddar and bleu cheese and Cabernet sauteed duck with macque choux 

We definitely did not finish our baskets, but we were very glad to try everything! All of their "Sammiches" sounded very tasty, and I will be back given the chance! With our bellies full, we spent the rest of the night watching movies and eating cookie dough :)

My last meal in N'awlins was from Surrey's. I just had to go back there one more time, but this time I decided to try one of the sandwiches...and I was not disappointed!

Cajun turkey with avacado and cole slaw

Carmel's potato, bacon, and cheese omelette - delicious!

All in all my trip was fantastic! I definitely suggest hitting up Surrey's if you are in the New Orleans area, as well as the Three Muses and Blue Nile! Can't wait to go back for another visit, perhaps Mardi Gras?!?

Check out these places:
Mahony's Po'Boys
The Three Muses
The Blue Nile
Surrey's Uptown
Fat Harry's

Summer's End

Although Summer seems to have come to an abrupt end with this cool weather, I cannot help, but enjoy the  Summer's bounty...

Here is a quick and easy recipe, with all it's colors and flavors as a salute to Summer!

Quinoa salad with a Dijon Vinaigrette

1 yellow pepper, diced
1 orange pepper, diced
2 small red heirloom tomatoes, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
5-6 basil leaves, chopped
2 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper

Mix together and put into refrigerator until ready to use. Prepare quinoa as directed ( 1 1/4 cup boiling water to 1 cup quinoa, simmer 12-15 minutes, let stand 5). Fluff with fork and drizzle with olive oil. Put into refrigerator.

Dijon Vinaigrette

4 tbsp white wine vinegar
4 tbsp sherry
1 large garlic clove
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and pepper

Put first four ingredients into a food processor and mix. Stream in olive oil until thickened. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Combine quinoa with vegetable salad and top with dressing.

Enjoy!

*If you have not tried the grain-like crop, Quinoa, it is a must. Not only can it be eaten hot or cold, but you can put just about anything with it! Quinoa is not only diversitile, but very healthy containing a balanced set of essential amino acids making it a complete protein source, as well as a good source of dietary fiber and high in iron.

Baciati dal fuoco (Kissed by the Flame)

This time last year (13 Sept 2010) I was returning from my trip to Italy. After traveling from Anguillara Sabazia with private driver to Il Poggio, located in San Casciano dei Bagni in Siena, I spent two and half days riding in the mornings and spending the afternoons either at the spa or cooking with the Chef.  

the beautiful Il Poggio

The driver was so kind to stop periodically to let me snap a few shots, making the hour and a half drive a bit longer (like two and half), but worth every minute.

the road North

ah, Tuscany.

I arrived to a delicious platter of meats, cheese, and bread - just in time to get settled before a huge thunderstorm swept through the hillsides. I had a big window in my room that stayed open the entire time I was there (yes even at night, I made a friend - a little bat). It was just beautiful. It was really amazing to see how brown and dry the land was, and after one good night of rain, green began to flourish immediately.

yum!

view from my window

After taking a nap, I got dressed and walked over to the main building where the ristorante was located. Dinner was at 8 pm, and it was a buffet style. A glass of prosecco was served as a starter, accompanied with natural spring water Acqua Panna, and finally a glass of homegrown red wine. I grabbed some prosciutto/cheese triangles, spinach/prosciutto triangles, bruschetta, mixed vegetable soup, and lastly pork medallions. Dessert was a banana tart and pear tart.


The morning ride was down the countryside - very different from the Roman countryside. We rode down steep trails, branches grabbing at our clothes, and continuing to battle the horseflies. My horse, Luna di Monetlovesco, realized early on that I was trying to help kill the flies with every swat. Unfortunately for every one killed, three would take it's place. The scenery was incredible. Off in the distance, Castello di Radicofani, stood since the Middle Ages atop a hill, we road along the Via Francigena which leads south to Rome and North to Florence. 

Castello di Radicofani

LUNCH! AMAZING... 
     Antipasto - carpaccio over Bibb lettuce with Parmesan slivers and olive oil
     

First course - traditional spaghetti (with olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes)   

Main course - pork cutlet with fresh tomatoes and focaccia bread

I opted out of dessert having successfully stuffed myself BEFORE my spa visit.. The Italians definitely know how to relax - Il bel far niente (the beauty of doing nothing)! My visit to the Fonde Verde was much needed - warm swimming pools with massage jets overlooking the hills, a Turkish bath, sauna, and of course a body massage. 


DINNER (I didn't feel it was appropriate to take pictures)
     Antipasto - four crostini's; liver pate, traditional bruschetta, mushrooms/cheese, and sausage/cheese (all excellent minus the liver...just couldn't get a taste for it!)
    first course - spaghetti carbonara with a slightly cooked egg yolk, delicious!
    main course - thin piece of beef friend with mushrooms.
    dessert - caramel cheesecake


I ventured to the next hilltop town (where the spa was) with Chef Massimo to enjoy an Italian beer. I had been drinking wine the entire trip, so a light Italian beer was a nice change. He then introduced me to Grappa, a very strong brandy-like alcohol from fermented grapes. 


The next day we galloped along the valleys of the hills, criss-crossing through a water way. Lunch consisted of:

Delicious homemade oil and Balsalmic

Antipasto - melon and prosciutto

First course - Ragu

Main course - grilled thin steak with spinach

Dessert - vanilla gelato with raspberry dollop

That afternoon's activity I got to make several pastas with Massimo, as well as orange zest cookies and was showed how a traditional Italian pizza was made with the crust "baciati dal fuoco" (kissed by the flame). After my cooking lesson, I ventured down to the store where they sell that delicious olive oil and balsamic vinegar, as well as meats, cheeses, and pastas made at the farm. I did some tastings and got ready for dinner! I was opting out of the menu for a specially prepared pizza, my first in Italy. If you haven't noticed the trend, Italians eat...a lot...of delicious, fresh food!

After finishing my dinner, I spent about an hour talking with the Chef and my waiter, as well as a little family which had been there the last two nights. Everyone spoke English very well, and the conversation was very much welcomed. 

Il Poggio

Saturday morning I was up and off to the train station - onward to Firenze (Florence). I would spend the next day and half wondering the streets of Florence with nutella gelato in hand - admiring the beautiful HUGE buildings and breathtaking Boboli garden. I feel in love with Italy - the food, the people, and the language. I will most definitely visit again, but until then, the photos will just have to do...

Last meal in Italy - spaghetti carbonara

Please check out Il Poggio!

Paesi che vai, usanze che trovi! (The countries you visit, the customs you find)

With finals finally over and done with today, I decided to go to one of my favorite places to eat lunch by myself - Smashing Tomato. I ordered my pizza margherita and found myself thinking...


Exactly one year ago today I was in the midst of embarking on a rather empowering solo journey to Italy and beginning an amazing love affair...with Italian cuisine. Smashing Tomato is as close as I can get, the wood fire pizza and the slide show of Italian cities and landscapes one only dreams of visiting. Oh how the time has gone...what I wouldn't give to be back there right now.


My journey began in Rome, from where I travelled North by taxi to the “agritourismo” farm of I Due Laghi in Anguillara Sabazia. I would spend two and half days there, horseback riding 2-3 hours in the mornings with British trainer, Maria, and then venturing round the Roman countryside for a couple hours in the afternoons with Paola, a Swiss riding student, studying to be a trainer. 

Jumping with Dominic in the Morning

Viewing Lake Bracciano with Orsetta

An old Roman tower

Such funny animals..

Jumping  with Enigma

I Due Laghi

It was hot, dry, and the horse flies came in unbelievable forces (I was told it had not rained at all in several months), BUT the scenery was amazing, and just knowing that I was riding on horseback as the Romans had thousands of years ago was really something. Lake Bracciano was to my North and the city of Rome was to my South...
Having studied Latin through high school and a bit in college, the Romans have always sparked an interest. Perhaps it would have been wise to learn some Italian before I went, considering Latin is a dead language :)


The love affair began with dinner my first night (5 Sept 2010):
     white wine: 2009 Poggio Dei Gelsi Est! Est! Est! Di Montefiascone
     first course: potato and ricotta dumpling with chives served with a pepper puree
     main course: fried pike with tempura zucchini and eggplant
     dessert: fresh fruit (pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, and peaches) with vanilla gelato
*mind you, there is nothing small about any of the "portions" in Italy


Breakfast the next morning (6 Sept 2010)consisted of the most amazing croissant with powdered sugar and fresh squeezed orange juice. Just enough energy for my morning ride. 


Lunch: raw tuna with cucumber and pasta with shrimp. The sweet waiter (I didn't speak Italian, he didn't speak English) brought me a surprise dessert: chocolate cake and vanilla gelato :)


The afternoon ride consisted of riding the countryside, viewing an old Roman tower and the goat farm, where the goat cheese was processed for the restaurant.


Dinner began with a bottle of red wine - Zilath Casale Cento Corvi.

     antipasto - ricotta and carrot wrapped in zucchini with a basil mousse.

     first course - ricotta dumplings again (they were so good!)

     main course - against my better ethical judgement, veal fillet over a vinegar zucchini cake

     dessert - pistachio pudding with strawberry sauce

The next day (7 Sept 2010) began with the same delicious croissant (I added some nutella) and orange juice. That morning's lesson kicked by butt, literally. I think my ass was bruised... on both cheeks! Riding 2-3 hours twice a day will do that, but I was not complaining, it was all well worth it.

I spent the afternoon down at the pool, perfect weather, and I have to say I got a little laugh at the boys playing Bob Marley, but it was very enjoyable. I feel asleep and sadly missed lunch :( The afternoon ride was great. I decided not to take my Nikon, and was glad I didn't. We were galloping through the woods trying to escape the deer flies to no prevail! It was exhilarating! 

My last night I decided to sit on the patio. A man at the next table was enjoying his solitude as well. He was from Luxembourg. It was nice to have someone to talk to, especially in English. I had the same red wine as the night before. 

    antipasto - vegetable soup

    main course - bone-in sirloin

    dessert - ricotta ice cream with chocolate sauce

A great way to end my last night in Anguillara - great food, wine, and conversation... AND it finally rained :)

Now I was on to my next stop...Tuscany.

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