Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Late Summer Entertaining Idea 101







Why Does Tea Sandwiches Have To Be For Afternoon Teas or Showers?

When you think of tea sandwiches you think of a setting with English tea pots and trays of tea sandwiches nestled on doilies served on fine china, well that is the traditional way they are to be served at bridal showers, baby showers and afternoon teas. I like to take something that is such a classic and turn it around to fit my needs for a Summer impromptu get together with friends on a sunny afternoon. I have always said take the classics and think outside the box that works for you and your guest with all of the fresh produce in season and a loaf of great bread you have a beginning blueprint for a great impromptu menu. I think still staying the with traditional theme with hot tea I use sun tea instead served with fresh lemon, oranges and limes for the Summer evenings and who said you could not serve pitchers of Long Island tea.
When assembling my platters of tea sandwiches I use one platter for one kind of sandwich that way your guest will have a chance to sample each variety you decide to make. I like to make at least 6 to 8 different varieties on different varieties of breads that you can make or buy at your local bakery.
When planning a impromptu get together this weekend just remember a classic theme is a classic but with your own personal twist you can incorporate your ideas and personality and create your own theme. I hope you take advantage of these fabulous Summer evenings and time spent with family and friends.

Happy Summer Evenings,

Garrett


Luigi's Picture Of The Day



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Southern Cornbread Salad


Southern Cornbread Salad

If you are looking for a easy Monday night dinner, well I have the simple solution for that. Have you ever tried Southern Cornbread Salad? Its super easy to make and I think you will enjoy the easy steps it takes to complete this meal, I like to make this and serve in Chinese containers and off to the lake front for a evening picnic.


Ingredients:

1/2 cup of mayo
1/4 cup of buttermilk
Sea Salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of white vinegar
1- 8 inch round of cornbread
2 cups of Arugula salad mix
4 vine ripened tomatoes ( I like you use yellow and red) chopped
1 English cucumber or if you have cucumbers in season use two of them sliced thin and peeled.
1 stalk of celery thinly sliced
1 cup of fresh Basil torn into pieces
2 teaspoons of fresh Italian parsley diced
3 tablespoons of fresh Mint, chopped
1/2 cup of fresh corn cut of the cob

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl mix together the mayo, buttermilk and vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper, cover and chill until time to serve.
In a large bowl cut cornbread into 3/4 inch rough cubes and place on a baking sheet, uncovered for 3 hours till it dries out. You also can place in the oven at 150 degrees for 15 min. After the cornbread cubes have cooled place back in the bowl add the arugula, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, basil, parsley and mint. Add the dressing and sweet corn. Toss to combine the dressing and taste. I like to place in Chinese containers and I am off to a nice shade tree with a glass of iced tea with lemon.

Enjoy,

Garrett

Luigi's Picture Of The Day



This is a current painting I am working on for the Art Fair on the Lower East Side next month. I will post the date and times that my work will be on display.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

catmchelsea.com

ART LIVE TURNS FIVE!
Please join us September 1 as we celebrate our annual global review of the state of things.
This year's creative drive is likened to beating a dead horse, on the one hand the intensity of the
conviction is admirable, while on the other there exists an element of blindsidedness. Such
determination is valiant, but is mired by its own conflictive nature.
The question of culture and its survival in a world brought too close too quickly has come to surface.
The assimilation into a new referential culture, losing distinction in stride with the loss of physical
boundaries and borders, has the purity of differences sacrificed at the hands of technological overkill.
A modern reflective now exists and the cry to return and hold on to cultural truths is persistent. Reliance
on mythos and the retelling of olde seems to preoccupy youth. The revalidation of historical lines of
thought are sought after and the unsequestered purity of ancient simplicity desired.
Displacement, loyalty and home,all questioned by the newly exiled, are under scrutiny. The emigrant
struggle and reclamation of place in both country and society runs prevalent in a world where the
powerful still attempt to suppress artistic expression and ignore the precedence of such ill conceived
notions.
An assemblage of like minds are in unison and their voices against complacency and the habitualization
of Man can be heard. The struggle to awaken society and help it come to terms with value and purpose
in the face of perpetual distraction is a fight not easily won. Paralleled to this desire to shake society from
its copacetic sleep is the direct contradiction of a persistent escapist movement. The desire to transport
and redirect society to a more personalized introverted reality weakens the promise of intellectual
evolution. The allure of respite is strong; the reemergence of fantastic landscapes offers solace as
contemplative future ventures.
Presently the world is lacking and seeking renewal of its relationship with nature along with a renewed
sense of discovery. Reining in the intangible through analytical trial has brought the discussion of the
natural world into play. It is a misguided attempt to rationalize and tame the shrew of free will. Through
cheap mimicry, from the frivolous to the near fanatical, attempts to recreate and better natural beauty by
unnatural means are at odds. The overeducated and overintellectualized battle through the creative
process blind to its wildness. As language is changed to suit contemporary needs the discourse and
redefinition of "natural" is falsely balanced alongside urban integrity.
Expanding on escapist virtues alternative realities to suit a generation longing for past glories have been
created only to be realized as hollow relics. As the aesthetic ideal is turned inside out , as re-imaging and
re-imagining diminishes humanity's ugliness to the point of comedic gesture, history obsessed youth
question the repetitiveness of Man's foibles.

Perfect Wedneday Night Dinner Idea


Udon Pork Ragu

Are you looking for the perfect Wednesday night dinner? I have the perfect idea for you and it's what I am preparing for dinner also.

Ingredients:
2 pounds of ground pork
2 yellow onions, diced
3 tsp. roasted garlic powder
1/2 tsp. smoked course ground pepper
5 pounds heirloom tomatoes, cored, seeded and cut in one inch cubes
kosher salt
36 oz fresh udon noodles
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions:

Heat wok to high sear setting. Add the pork; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned. About 5 minutes, reduce heat to medium-high. Add the onions; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic powder and pepper; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add tomatoes; season with salt. Increase heat to High Sear for 8 minutes. Uncover; cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, 10-12 minutes. Add noodles; cook, stirring occasionally to untangle them. until warmed through 2-3 minutes. Serve in warm pasta bowls, garnish with parsley and basil and sprinkle with cheese.