Tea and Travel: Global Tea Etiquette

Before you set off on your next travel adventure, brush up on your global tea etiquette with this fun guide that I discovered on Pinterest and prepare to sip away!

Happy Sipping!

Source: Uploaded by user via Dawn on Pinterest

On the Table: Chicken with Herb-Roasted Tomatoes and Pan Sauce

While the days of Summer are starting to dwindle, the tastes of Summer are still very much alive.  And that especially holds true for fresh, vibrant tomatoes.  Enjoying this fruit in-season makes for delicious noshing, whether they're the star of a soup, salad, main course or served on their own, luscious lonesome--the way I most enjoyed eating the tomatoes from my grandparent's garden as a little girl.

And with this recipe for Chicken with Herb-Roasted Tomatoes and Pan Sauce from Bon Appetit, they become the star ingredient in a simple, but satisfying, dish that's perfect for both a quick weeknight meal and a leisurely weekend dinner.

The tastes of Summer were meant to be savored and this fresh and healthy dish gives you lots to love.

Happy Eating!

 



P.S. What tastes of Summer do you enjoy most?

Chicken with Herb-Roasted Tomatoes and Pan Sauce

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes or other small tomatoes on the vine

6 tablespoons olive oil, divided  

2 tablespoons herbes de Provence  

1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more  

Freshly ground black pepper  

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce  

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 small shallot, minced  

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar  

3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley leaves

Method: 

Preheat oven to 450° F. Combine tomatoes, 2 Tbsp. oil, and herbes de Provence in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large heavy ovenproof skillet until oil shimmers. Carefully add tomatoes to pan (oil may spatter). Transfer skillet to oven and roast, turning once, until tomatoes burst and give up some of their juices, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and drizzle with Worcestershire sauce.  

Meanwhile, season chicken all over with 1 tsp. salt and pepper. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Transfer pan to oven and roast chicken until cooked through, 8–10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for at least 5 minutes. 

Add remaining 1 Tbsp. oil to same skillet; heat over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Deglaze pan with vinegar, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan; add tomatoes and their juices and simmer until sauce is just beginning to thicken, about 1 minute. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. 

Slice chicken; divide among plates. Spoon tomatoes and sauce over; garnish with herbs.  Enjoy!

Recipe Courtesy of Bon Appetit

 

Happy Birthday, Julia Child!

You may have heard by now that today marks (what would have been) the 100th birthday of the incomparable food icon, Julia Child.  Incidentally, today is also a special day for D.M.R. Fine Foods, as we celebrate our 2nd blogiversary!  And we're honored to share such a special date with a woman who taught Americans how to cook and embrace food in new and exciting ways.

Like countless others, I possess the treasure, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking, The 40th Anniversary Edition" in my cookbook collection.  Of it she says, "it's for both seasoned cooks and beginners who love good food..." And in recent years, I've loved watching the repeats of her original cooking shows where I soak up the wit, humor, personality and, of course, the cooking prowess, of this remarkable food pioneer. 

 

Julia gave us the delightful gift of food--not only French food--but the world of food.  And it's a gift that keeps on giving, generation after generation.

PBS has long brought the 'world of Julia' to the American public, and in honor of her 100th birthday, they've amassed a wealth of recipes, video footage, tributes and more!  So join in on the fun, make a yummy recipe and celebrate an unforgettable woman--who happened to love food!

Happy Eating and Happy Birthday, Julia Child!

Link Love: Weekending

Photo Credit: Bon Appetit

It's the weekend!  There are few phrases that get as much acclaim and evoke more genuine excitement than this one does.  And beyond the obvious reasons of more time for ourselves, our families--our worlds (and things we love)--it's also the perfect excuse opportunity for food, fun and a bit 'o entertaining.  

This weekend will be an especially prime opportunity for said pleasures as we prepare to bid farewell to the Summer Olympics for another four years.  I'm sharing a few links from around the web to make your weekend something special whether you opt to go it alone or enjoy with others.

So here's to the weekend...and, as always, to Happy Eating!

Have fun with dessert and throw a BYOP (Bring Your Own Pie) Social! (bonappetit.com) 

Wind down (or up!) with some great tunes.  Create your own mix or sample Tory Burch's Summer Getaway Playlist for variety. (ToryBurch.com)

Sleep in--and afterwards enjoy a decadent brunch. (MarthaStewart.com)

Make a date for afternoon tea at a local hotel or tea parlor!

Postcard from London: Fish and Chips + A Few Favorites

All eyes are on London these days with the 2012 Summer Olympic games in full gear.  And although I won't be making a trek "across the pond" to take in all the sporting action, I can still travel there via delicious British fare.  When I think of classic London eats, the quintessential fish and chips immediately come to mind and top my list of favorites.

In fact, when I visited London for the first (but certainly not the last) time a few years ago, fish and chips was the first meal I downed upon arrival.  I knew I wanted the best fish and chips I could find, so I consulted the concierge at my hotel, the lovely Baglioni Hotel, and without hesitation he sent me off to discover the best fish and chips at Seashell.  A short cab ride later, I was excitedly placing my order, and an even shorter while later, I was sitting at a sidewalk table with my newspaper wrapped fish and chips, malt vinegar, and other goodies, satisfying my craving.  It was a delicious experience that I'll never forget.

To get in on the London spirit once again (and recreate a fond memory), I'm sharing a recipe for fish and chips from Jaime Oliver, one of the UK's top chefs, that promises to be scrumptious. 

Beyond my food quests, London served up exciting history and architecture, fabulous shopping (Harrods was especially beyond and not to be missed!), great sights and spots including Big Ben, the River Thames, Piccadilly Circus, the London Eye, Hyde Park and more.  London was everything I love in a city: cool, chic, historic, beautiful, diverse--and yes, delicious.  Below are a few photo highlights from my special trip.

On the shopping circuit

 

Sightseeing atop a double decker

Hyde Park (We caught it during a rally)

Big Ben

The London Eye

 

So here's to the tastes and sights of London!

Happy Eating!

Fish and Chips

Ingredients:

For the chips:  

3 3/4 pints (2 liters) vegetable oil

2 pounds (950 grams) floury potatoes, like russets, peeled and cut into large chips

For the batter: 

1 cup plain flour

1 cup beer

2 egg whites, whipped to soft peaks

Salt

4 (9 ounce/250 gram) fillets haddock or cod, skin on, and pin boned

Method:

Pour all the vegetable oil into a deep pan or deep fat fryer, and heat to 300 degrees F (160 degrees C.)  Blanch the cut potatoes in the oil until soft, but not colored, about 4 minutes. Remove and drain.

Mix together the flour and the beer, then fold in the egg whites. Turn up the heat of the oil to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Dip the fish in the batter and fry for a few minutes with the chips until golden brown.

Drain on kitchen paper, serve and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Jaime Oliver