This was a real hit at my home- even for my grandmother who prefers her food simple, old fashioned and straight-up "None of that fancy new stuff'!
take as many bakers potatos as you have guests for- yes Baker work best- the skin is nice and thick!
Then simply roll them around in some good ol' "EVOO', (extra virgin olive oil- but regular olive oil is fine as these get baked) then roll them again in coarse salt- bake for one hour.
Let the potatos cool slightly- cut a little hole from the top -being careful to keep the piece intact for later.
Scoop out the baked potato -being careful not to rough up the shell of the potato, then in a large bowl combine- cream- not milk, some Marscapone cheese, butter and truffles.
(I use "Salsa Tartufata) a white truffle based sauce- (I like the white as it does leave the potatos looking grey)Adjust to taste, then add some cooked chopped shrimp (shell removed)... carefully restuff the potatos and place the 'hat' back on a slight angle-- and either place in the fridge for later or place back in oven -on a cookie sheet or the BBQ to reheat (about 30 minutes)
Serve with a simple meat dish like steak, roast and enjoy the many compliments on your fabulous cooking......
Easy-peasy- as one of my great international food goddess'es says
Friday, May 23, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A lady in public, a cook in the kitchen and a ‘shhhh’
A lady in public, a cook in the kitchen and a ‘shhhh’
(and how not to get it backwards!)
You know her - she is one of THOSE girls - dresses impeccably, complete with a host of adoring men swarming over her at all times. She is married or maybe she isn't - she is the woman you hate, the woman you are jealous of, she is the woman YOU wish you were.
Please let me explain. I have watched women very closely for the last 4 years. I have conducted surveys with men, had the privilege of in-depth conversations with men - married, single, divorced, rich and poor, young and old - and they all tell me the same things.
I have learned from them what they are truly looking for in a woman.
Many women have not had the time resources or the opportunity to learn some of the fine arts of being a woman. In our society the game of making money –and more then your nieghbour- has become priority and the you miss out on the true luxury of being a fabulous woman and the ‘goodies that go with that.
To sum it up ladies, I have seen many women behaving like self- indulgent ‘princess brats’ — in a word, rude. This "Princess" " Diva" thing has simply gone too far. Please read the definition of a Diva—not nice! (Hint Webster’s Dictionary defines a ‘diva’ as a prima donna. Prima donna = "an extremely sensitive, vain or undisciplined person".) I doubt that is the label these women are coveting!. If you would rather learn how to be a modern day lady - with a flirty side - adored by your husband, lover(s), boyfriend, co-workers and family, read on!
Who am I to tell you? I am the granddaughter of an elegant Grande Dame - married and divorced by 23, excommunicated from the Catholic Church (after being raised in a convent) then a mistress for 23 years!
"Be a lady in public – a cook in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom
and don’t get it backwards
………………….like most women do!"
(Lesson number one from my grandmother ---- who truly believes that is the mistake most women make)
Being a rebellious teenager, my mother married at 18 was divorced by 25, with two children. Mom became the muse of the Harper Valley PTA; her skirts were so short she needed matching underwear, not to mention the go-go boots. Her first ‘after children career’ was as a coat-check girl at the first strip club in town!
I was packed off to the suburbs with my father. My stepmother? School bake sales – I toted trays of perfect one-inch by one-inch little pink and white petite-fours. China dessert sets do exist and they are used at my stepmother's. She has never uttered a rude word, which I know of. She gets up first thing in the morning and does her make-up, works out daily, has an adoring younger husband (not my father, though he was younger too) and a long-term happy marriage. She is a true lady. She does not even gossip!
That is the quick story of my strange and marvelous life. The privilege of growing up with these three remarkable and utterly completely different women has given me a unique outlook on women, men, and women and men. Oy- what you can learn from them!
I will share with you what I have learned - how to flirt correctly, without looking like a tramp. Men love ladies who flirt, yet this is becoming a lost art. Simple social graces - how many women do you know have them any more? Etiquette - I know you think that is old fashioned, but you need to know it the basic rules before you can choose what to use and what to discard
We will also delve into details of fashion, flirting and please ladies clean the toilets before male guests arrive! Then we will explore some to the secrets of the secrets from famous courtesans for a touch of spice!
If you want a blog that tells you how wonderful you are, pick another one. If you want a private secret hideaway to share your hints and faux-pas sometimes frank, sometimes humorous, sometimes "salty" Mae West style. Grab a glass of champagne, (or from time to time a scotch and cigar—not really ladylike however it does add some spice to an otherwise perfect lady) or tea in a china cup. Settle down and get ready to learn how to be a ‘Lady in public, a cook in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom’
(and how not to get it backwards!)
You know her - she is one of THOSE girls - dresses impeccably, complete with a host of adoring men swarming over her at all times. She is married or maybe she isn't - she is the woman you hate, the woman you are jealous of, she is the woman YOU wish you were.
Please let me explain. I have watched women very closely for the last 4 years. I have conducted surveys with men, had the privilege of in-depth conversations with men - married, single, divorced, rich and poor, young and old - and they all tell me the same things.
I have learned from them what they are truly looking for in a woman.
Many women have not had the time resources or the opportunity to learn some of the fine arts of being a woman. In our society the game of making money –and more then your nieghbour- has become priority and the you miss out on the true luxury of being a fabulous woman and the ‘goodies that go with that.
To sum it up ladies, I have seen many women behaving like self- indulgent ‘princess brats’ — in a word, rude. This "Princess" " Diva" thing has simply gone too far. Please read the definition of a Diva—not nice! (Hint Webster’s Dictionary defines a ‘diva’ as a prima donna. Prima donna = "an extremely sensitive, vain or undisciplined person".) I doubt that is the label these women are coveting!. If you would rather learn how to be a modern day lady - with a flirty side - adored by your husband, lover(s), boyfriend, co-workers and family, read on!
Who am I to tell you? I am the granddaughter of an elegant Grande Dame - married and divorced by 23, excommunicated from the Catholic Church (after being raised in a convent) then a mistress for 23 years!
"Be a lady in public – a cook in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom
and don’t get it backwards
………………….like most women do!"
(Lesson number one from my grandmother ---- who truly believes that is the mistake most women make)
Being a rebellious teenager, my mother married at 18 was divorced by 25, with two children. Mom became the muse of the Harper Valley PTA; her skirts were so short she needed matching underwear, not to mention the go-go boots. Her first ‘after children career’ was as a coat-check girl at the first strip club in town!
I was packed off to the suburbs with my father. My stepmother? School bake sales – I toted trays of perfect one-inch by one-inch little pink and white petite-fours. China dessert sets do exist and they are used at my stepmother's. She has never uttered a rude word, which I know of. She gets up first thing in the morning and does her make-up, works out daily, has an adoring younger husband (not my father, though he was younger too) and a long-term happy marriage. She is a true lady. She does not even gossip!
That is the quick story of my strange and marvelous life. The privilege of growing up with these three remarkable and utterly completely different women has given me a unique outlook on women, men, and women and men. Oy- what you can learn from them!
I will share with you what I have learned - how to flirt correctly, without looking like a tramp. Men love ladies who flirt, yet this is becoming a lost art. Simple social graces - how many women do you know have them any more? Etiquette - I know you think that is old fashioned, but you need to know it the basic rules before you can choose what to use and what to discard
We will also delve into details of fashion, flirting and please ladies clean the toilets before male guests arrive! Then we will explore some to the secrets of the secrets from famous courtesans for a touch of spice!
If you want a blog that tells you how wonderful you are, pick another one. If you want a private secret hideaway to share your hints and faux-pas sometimes frank, sometimes humorous, sometimes "salty" Mae West style. Grab a glass of champagne, (or from time to time a scotch and cigar—not really ladylike however it does add some spice to an otherwise perfect lady) or tea in a china cup. Settle down and get ready to learn how to be a ‘Lady in public, a cook in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom’
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Sexy Desert at the Praha
When Harry met Sally at the Praha
OMG—desert at Bistro Praha!
I have been visiting this landmark restaurant for over 30 years and never had the desert! What a waste –in my younger years I remember the ‘older set’ coming in for coffee and desert after the theatre- while we younger ones were nibbling on open faced sandwiches, deep fried cheese, divine potato salad and of course the steak tartar!
Recently my dinner partner ordered the Crepe Nadia--- OMG! Not one for dessert I tentatively reached in to be polite and take a nibble of this luscious looking whipped cream and chocolate covered treat. The apricot stuffed crepe was a light as anything I have ever tasted- none of those common scorch marks we find on many crepes, simple light -cooked beyond perfection.
My eyes rolled I am sure into the back of my head- and through a daze I reached for just one more little nibble--- pure ecstasy! This is what those ‘middle-aged’ women from my youth had been enjoying! Glancing to my left as a waiter deposited another mound of whipped cream covered crepe the lady at the table me gave me a knowing glance. Her lips turned up and her eyes glistened as one who already knew what I had just discovered…… she was a repeat!
Dipping back into the crepe and grabbing a touch of the sauce surrounding this creation I had another attack of pure abandon. Slowly looking, up a bit frightened of my obvious enjoyment of this simple treat, I caught the eye of another women across the restaurant watching me. Shaking my head and my fork I mouthed the words, ‘You have to try this’, and rolled my eyes upwards to the gods.
She grinned back at me
Before I had had enough the crepe was gone- oh I was sharing this! I asked my dinner partner to get me a spoon as I was not about to let the gorgeous Grande Marnier chocolate soaked puddle on the plate go to waste. Once finished with the spoon- careful not look around afraid of the glances I would get—I simply stuck my right index finger down on the plate and began the age old skill of licking the plate clean with my finger.
Yes! I did this in a restaurant and it was well worth it. During that time I snuck a peak up to see the woman on the other side of the restaurant exhaling with her eyes rolled to the heavens holding an empty fork with a whipped cream pilled high crepe in front of her. Her male partner looked around the room awkwardly I am sure hoping no one was noticing at the look of unbridled bliss and pure joy on her face.
Her and I locked eyes – she nodded her head and dove back in for some more! This was a first timer for sure! Sneaking a peak over my shoulder the lady beside me grinned understanding new converts when she saw them. She was much more subtle then us with her enjoyment- quiet- reserved- and not saying one word to her large group of dinner companions- she was lost in her own world of whipped cream and a perfect crepe.
Such a waste-I had seen a lovely much too skinny girl in the restaurant earlier I know she has never locked lips with one these crepes--- ah the misery of youth and ‘uber’ thin thighs! The grace and joy of a few more years have given us ‘new middle-aged women’ the right to enjoy the pure delights of these treats.
Note to men- old and young- take your dinner dates to the Praha for a crepe—it will be the most enjoyable vision you can have in public—or take the crepes home! For the rest of us single girls- well once you have a crepe at the Praha you will feel any stress you did not even know you have just melt away!
Had our lovely Marie Antoinette had the delightful pleasure of one of these crepes she would be famous for saying, “ Let them eat crepes!
OMG—desert at Bistro Praha!
I have been visiting this landmark restaurant for over 30 years and never had the desert! What a waste –in my younger years I remember the ‘older set’ coming in for coffee and desert after the theatre- while we younger ones were nibbling on open faced sandwiches, deep fried cheese, divine potato salad and of course the steak tartar!
Recently my dinner partner ordered the Crepe Nadia--- OMG! Not one for dessert I tentatively reached in to be polite and take a nibble of this luscious looking whipped cream and chocolate covered treat. The apricot stuffed crepe was a light as anything I have ever tasted- none of those common scorch marks we find on many crepes, simple light -cooked beyond perfection.
My eyes rolled I am sure into the back of my head- and through a daze I reached for just one more little nibble--- pure ecstasy! This is what those ‘middle-aged’ women from my youth had been enjoying! Glancing to my left as a waiter deposited another mound of whipped cream covered crepe the lady at the table me gave me a knowing glance. Her lips turned up and her eyes glistened as one who already knew what I had just discovered…… she was a repeat!
Dipping back into the crepe and grabbing a touch of the sauce surrounding this creation I had another attack of pure abandon. Slowly looking, up a bit frightened of my obvious enjoyment of this simple treat, I caught the eye of another women across the restaurant watching me. Shaking my head and my fork I mouthed the words, ‘You have to try this’, and rolled my eyes upwards to the gods.
She grinned back at me
Before I had had enough the crepe was gone- oh I was sharing this! I asked my dinner partner to get me a spoon as I was not about to let the gorgeous Grande Marnier chocolate soaked puddle on the plate go to waste. Once finished with the spoon- careful not look around afraid of the glances I would get—I simply stuck my right index finger down on the plate and began the age old skill of licking the plate clean with my finger.
Yes! I did this in a restaurant and it was well worth it. During that time I snuck a peak up to see the woman on the other side of the restaurant exhaling with her eyes rolled to the heavens holding an empty fork with a whipped cream pilled high crepe in front of her. Her male partner looked around the room awkwardly I am sure hoping no one was noticing at the look of unbridled bliss and pure joy on her face.
Her and I locked eyes – she nodded her head and dove back in for some more! This was a first timer for sure! Sneaking a peak over my shoulder the lady beside me grinned understanding new converts when she saw them. She was much more subtle then us with her enjoyment- quiet- reserved- and not saying one word to her large group of dinner companions- she was lost in her own world of whipped cream and a perfect crepe.
Such a waste-I had seen a lovely much too skinny girl in the restaurant earlier I know she has never locked lips with one these crepes--- ah the misery of youth and ‘uber’ thin thighs! The grace and joy of a few more years have given us ‘new middle-aged women’ the right to enjoy the pure delights of these treats.
Note to men- old and young- take your dinner dates to the Praha for a crepe—it will be the most enjoyable vision you can have in public—or take the crepes home! For the rest of us single girls- well once you have a crepe at the Praha you will feel any stress you did not even know you have just melt away!
Had our lovely Marie Antoinette had the delightful pleasure of one of these crepes she would be famous for saying, “ Let them eat crepes!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Beet Stains
Wow- I was able to get a beet stain out of a white t-shirt by using a wonderful product (I have to describe this a tad weird due to the trademark restrictions on this site) the product is dual power and you 'spray' then you 'wash'---. It is just like the commercials though- the stain disappeared right in front of my eyes..... and you know how hard beet stains can be.
Stay tuned for more home and hearth ideas---
Stay tuned for more home and hearth ideas---
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