Hot Skillet Cornbread

Food has always been a love language in my family. From my earliest memories, I recall the rallying call it represented to gather, nourish, strengthen bonds and demonstrate affection.  

My grandmother, in particular, would often call us and read off her dinner menu, ending with the invitation to come over and share in the bounty. It was code for, “I want to see you and spend time with you and share my love for you.”  And no few times, whether the menu was on the grander scale, or relatively modest, skillet cornbread was on the menu.  

I can still see her pulling a hot cast iron skillet from the oven with the same common touch that one might give to grabbing a pre-made dish from the fridge.  It was such a common occurrence that it’s forever etched in my memories—and heritage.  Similar scenes were recreated by my mom in our home, albeit on a less frequent rotation due to working mom life.)

There were other variations of cornbread that my grandmother served, like cracklin cornbread, prepared stovetop with cracklins mixed into the cornmeal batter that was fried in hot oil, yielding a savory pancake-esque bite, only crispier and more satiating.  Still, my favorite was the hot skillet cornbread that often stood, very well I might add, on its own as the bread course—making everything from collard greens and pot likker, to fried chicken, chili and more, that much better.  Hot, buttery, tender crumbs, with crispy a top and edges, have a way of doing that.

And then there was the reincarnation into phenomenal cornbread dressing, another family staple, served mostly during the holidays.  As traditions go, I've kept this one alive with my slightly adapted iteration of this forever family (and cultural) staple in my kitchen.  From stuffed cornbread, to cornbread dressing, to herbed cornbread madeleines, or on its savory, delicious lonesome, cornbread will always have a place in my heart and home.

I’m sharing this recipe with all the sentiments of love and togetherness that it represents for me, and I hope you take it, enjoy it, and create your own fond memories filled with…

Happy Eating!

Hot Skillet Cornbread

Ingredients:
1 stick (8 ounces) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups milk
2 large eggs 
Heavy drizzle of honey (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Add butter to the skillet and place in the preheated oven for approx. 8 minutes, until butter is melted and golden.  

While the butter is melting and the skillet is heating through, in a medium bowl, add the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, and stir to combine. To the large bowl, add the milk, eggs and honey (if using). Toss in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. 

Pour or spoon the batter into the skillet.  Bake for 20-22 minutes, until the cornbread is golden brown and the edges are browned (don't overbake!).  Remove from the oven, serve warm and enjoy! 

Baker's Note: Cornbread used for dressing can be made ahead and stored in the freezer for up to a month.

{Postcard From Bangkok}: A Cooking Class To Remember

This past Spring I embarked on another first in my travel chronicles: I visited the continent of Asia for the first time. (Cue confetti!)  And if there was ever a place to christen my inaugural visit, it had to be one of my bucket-list destinations, Thailand.  So believe me when I say that it was everything I hoped, and then some, leaving me wanting more of what this Southeast Asian mecca has to offer, and currently ranking as one of my favorite travel escapades to date.

My ultimate itinerary combined my penchants for both diligent pre-planning (who needs unwanted surprises thousands of miles away from home?) and spontaneity (always leaving room for real-time discovery and greater immersion).  Spanning three of Thailand's most beloved (and delicious in so many ways) destinations--Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Phuket--it's fair to say that both approaches served me well.  And although this post is dedicated to my cooking adventures in Bangkok, I will be sharing more travel postcards from my time there in future posts.

In my element

So now for Bangkok--and cooking.  This is one detail my inner gourmand would not leave to chance or last minute maneuvering.  Because you know how seriously I take my cooking--and eating--around here. :)  Seriously, I wanted to invest in a cooking class that suited my skill, taste and experience levels, so I did what any type-A personality would do: I researched!! It's my M.O. for curating memorable, glorious travel experiences that rarely ever disappoint.  And this was no different.

After narrowing down my options to two top contenders, I ultimately opted for a half-day, six-course session, inclusive of a market tour that presented a range of staples (Thai chilies and curry pastes, among others) and novel ingredients (pink duck eggs, anyone?), alike.  The cherry on top? After a morning of instruction and hands-on cooking, our delicacies were served on a beautifully dressed dining table in the accompanying, acclaimed restaurant--the epitome of enjoying the fruits of our labor.  There was nooo way we could eat it all (I mean we're talking six sizeable courses per capita), but it sure was fun trying!

The fruits of my labor

The school of which I speak is the acclaimed Blue Elephant Cooking School.  And after my several hours stint, I can understand (and co-sign) on why it's heralded as one of, if not the, best cooking schools in Bangkok, as well as restaurants.  If you're trying to get your head around that, consider that two of my classmates were a couple from China who were prepping to open their own restaurant upon their return home!

I also couldn't help but wax nostalgic about my own cooking school and the beautiful memories I have been blessed to amass with my former students and host venues.  Side note: I'm resolved to kick my cooking classes and services off again, so stay close to me so you'll be among the first to know when the time comes.  In the meantime, I'll be recreating some of my Thai favorites in my home kitchen and bringing these memories back to life again.

So without further ado, enjoy this highlight reel of my cooking expedition!

Happy Eating & Travels!

Postcard from Cuba: 24 Hours in Havana

What is it like when you finally place your feet on a once forbidden, mystery shrouded, yet increasingly exposed, land?  For me, emerging from my cruise ship's portal into the wide-open, humidity-laced, sun-scorched land of Havana, Cuba was on the sorts of a traveler's dream come true.  With little more than 24 hours to explore and experience the phenomenon that has become Cuba, I hardly knew where to begin.  And yet, somehow I did. 

Before I managed to wander far, my fantasy to cruise the streets of historic Havana in classic Cubano style (read: in the backseat of a top-down, brightly-hued, old-school style convertible) was becoming a living reality.  I contained my excitement long enough to arrange a two-hour tour, replete with a driver narrative of historic sights (albeit in Spanish) and occasional stops to allow for further exploration, photo ops and in-the-moment revelry.

My initial hours in Cuba were shaping up to be exactly what I had anticipated prior to arriving--except for the intense heat, I must concede.  But sweat pours aside, being greeted by exuberant locals who often mistook me for Dominican or Brazilian before I explained I was American, to ingesting the old, preserved architecture, color-dotted buildings that lined narrow streets and winding alleys, and the very apparent living conditions that reflect a local lifestyle that is still greatly impacted by the decades of relative oppression, was reminiscent of the authentic lens that I seek in my travels.

As day gave way to night, I prepared to reemerge onto the local scene and experience a Havana night that would further punctuate my time there with yet another high note.  A lover of music, dance, theater and musicals since forever, I decided on a Cabana-Style show in the Parisien Cabaret of the famous Hotel National de Cuba.  It turned out to be over-the-top in ways both good and not so good, so pace yourself if something more subdued is typically your pleasure.  Even still, it was clear that the performers shared their hearts with us and left it all on the stage, as they sang and dance the hours away.

The next morning found me resolved to brave the Cuban sun once more to take advantage of the remaining time at port.  Time dedicated to perusing and absorbing more of the essence of Havana.

I stumbled upon and browsed an outdoor bookshop, toured a nearby museum, chatted with a local or two, and snapped final parting shots, before returning to the ship and bidding farewell to this previous enigma, turned slightly familiar place.  And for a little more than 24 hours, I relished it all.

Happy Travels!

Homemade Marinara and Meatballs with Creamy Polenta

Sundays and homemade comfort food go way back in my family.  From my youngest memories, I can recall coming together for Sunday dinner (whether with the extended village at my grandparents' home or the more intimate connection of my immediate family) and relishing the delight of a homemade feast of some sort.  And while the tradition isn't observed every Sunday (or even every other Sunday, if I'm being completely honest), I have carried the awe and ode to Sunday dinner, made up of good ole' comfort food, with me into my own adult world.

Last Sunday was one such instance.  Making my favorite homemade meatballs and marinara sauce was the highlight of my cooking foray.  And it was all things comforting--the relative ease of bringing the dish together, the anticipation of enjoying the finished product, memories of sharing this beloved dish in days gone by, and the welcomed twist I decided to add.

I broke with my tradition of serving my meatballs and marinara with pasta (linguine, to be exact) and recalled my desire to serve them over polenta one day, as inspired by Chef, Michael Chiarello.  And one day had come.  It was exactly the beautiful, finished dish that I was aiming for--and no less scrumptious.  (The Italians know their stuff!)  A big family style platter of the best comfort food you could imagine was the takeaway for happy mouths and satisfied tummies. 

I must add that this recipe doesn't require a Sunday, or a crowd, to make and enjoy.  It comes together easily enough to match a fast-paced weeknight equally as well as a lazy, indulgent weekend. 

So you choose when and where to indulge and savor....Happy Eating!

Recipe: Homemade Marinara and Meatballs with Creamy Polenta (simply substitute pasta for quick cooking polenta and enjoy!)
 

Curry Chicken Pot Pie + BHM Virtual Potluck

Food, family and memories have always gone hand-in-hand for me.  From the earliest age, I can trace the family gatherings, sleepovers, holiday celebrations, and Sundays at my grandparents' home, in particular, to special meals and favorite dishes.

Chicken pot pie was one of those dishes that typically represented a quick weeknight meal (the frozen variety, to be clear) or, even more fun, a sleepover with my cousins at my grandparents, with my grandmother superbly strategizing on how to feed the lot.  It was an easy 'go-to' to satiate our hungry little bellies, and we loved it--largely because it represented family and love and shared memories.

Those memories continue to linger all these years later and recently inspired me to make a Curry Chicken Pot Pie (equally as perfect for a weeknight or feeding a crowd) that brings back all the comfort and delight that the little frozen pies, in the mini aluminum pans, provided years before.

In a similar spirit of personal history and tradition, this post is a part of a Black History Month Virtual Potluck among 28 black food bloggers from around the world, celebrating the undeniable place that food has always held within our culture and contributions to American history at large.  As Black History Month launches on February 1st, you can anticipate a new recipe from a participating blogger for each day of the month, culminating in a one-of-a-kind (and scrumptious) food journey!  See the full list of fellow bloggers below to take in the amazing recipes.

So here's to family, childhood memories, tradition...and Happy Eating!

Curry Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients:
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup frozen green peas
1 3/4 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup coconut milk
2 teaspoons mild curry
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste as desired
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for garnish
1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
1 egg, beaten
Flaked sea salt (optional)

Method:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place chicken and carrots in a 2 quart saucepan and bring to a boil.  Cook for 12-13 minutes.  Add peas and cook for an additional 3 minutes.  Remove from heat, drain and set aside.

Melt butter in a large saucepan and saute onion over a medium-high heat until soft and translucent.  Stir in flour, kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, curry, and cook to combine.  Stir in broth and coconut milk and simmer (stirring throughout to avoid sticking) until thickened.  Taste for seasoning and adjust, as needed.

Place chicken mixture in the bottom of a 2-quart round dish and pour curry mixture over the top.

Roll out pastry sheet and layer over the top of the baking dish.  Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with flaked sea salt (if using) and more ground pepper.  Make slits in the pastry to allow the steam to escape while baking.

Place baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until pastry is golden brown.  Remove, serve hot and enjoy!

BLACK HISTORY MONTH VIRTUAL POTLUCK

Meiko and the Dish | Crispy Fried Chicken with Pepper Jelly Molasses

Whisk It Real Gud | Trinidad Oxtail Pelau

Raised on Ramen | Caramelized Plantain Tacos with Pecan-Honey Butter

Dash of Jazz | Aunt Georgia’s Peach Cobbler

Foodie In New York | Twice Baked Yams

The Seasoning Bottle | Jamaican Sorrel/Senegalese Bissap

Chef Kenneth | Smothered Okra with Shrimp

Savory Spicerack | Po’ Boys with Cajun Tempura Shrimp

Chocolate For Basil | Groundnut Stew (Peanut Stew)

Simply LaKita | Banana Pudding

My Forking Life | Callaloo and Saltfish

Gucci Belly | Swamp Water

Kaluhi’s Kitchen | Ukwaju (Tamarind) Marinated Spicy Chicken Thighs

Sweet Savant | Coffee-Rubbed Lamb Ribs

Salty Sweet Life | Southern Greens Shakshuka

Eat.Drink.Frolic. | Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I Heart Recipes | Southern Fried Cabbage

Jehan Can Cook | Mango Turmeric Smoothie

Margarita’s On The Rocks | Lemon Pepper Fish Tacos with Collard Green Slaw

A Soulful Twist | Slow-Cooker Gumbo (Gluten Free)

The Kitchenista Diaries | Coconut Milk Braised Collard Greens

My Life Runs On Food | Orange Chocolate Smoothie

Butter Be Ready | Skillet Cornbread

Domestic Dee | Shrimp Creole

D.M.R. Fine Foods | Curry Chicken Pot Pie

The Inner Gourmet | Lamb Fried Rice

Marisa Moore Nutrition | Hoppin’ John Patties with Warm Tomato Salsa

The Hungry Hutch | Blood Orange Cornmeal Cake

 
  

{Taste of Paris}: Warm Goat Cheese Salad

Recently back from my winter getaway, the memories are still quite vibrant.  So much so, it feels like I can reach out and touch them.  And my travels are as much a food diary, as they are cultural and recreational indulgences.

It's no secret that Paris is one of my most favorite places (if not the) in the world.  And spending time there again this month only cemented this sentiment further.  It was the last leg of an amazing mini European tour of sorts, beginning in Rome, followed by Florence, and finally culminating in the City of Lights.  The holiday spirit was still very much alive in each city making for an extra special bonus aura.

My last full day in Paris found me in the well-regarded Saint-Germain-des-Pres of the 6th arrondissement (how Paris classifies its neighborhoods).  Emerging from the Metro, I walked the short block to settle in at the famous Cafe de Flore for some lunch vittles.  Sips of warm cappuccino, friendly banter, a few obligatory photo opps, and a scrumptious warm goat cheese salad later, I was satiated and ready to take on a quick stroll along the cobblestone streets.

The salad was a simple, yet elegant, bite that makes for French food at its best.  Almost immediately upon my return home, I took to my kitchen to recreate it with my own twist.

I was introduced to warm goat cheese salad many years ago by Ina Garten, and it instantly became a favorite of mine. I've even served it at dinner parties to wow friends and guests.  That preparation is slightly different, so perhaps I'll share it in a future post.  Either way, this salad will forever remain a staple in my cooking and entertaining repertoires--and a cherished taste of Paris.

Happy Eating!

Warm Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients:
4 oz. herbed goat cheese
4-6 slices of sourdough bread
Mixed salad greens
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Vinaigrette
Kosher salt
Extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
Honey, for drizzling
Fresh thyme, for garnish

Method:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Slice the goat cheese log into individual rounds.  Place the bread on a baking sheet and season lightly with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt. Place a slice of goat cheese on each piece of bread and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is warm, soft and gooey to the touch.

To serve, toss the salad greens with some of the vinaigrette to moisten.  Divide the greens among lunch plates and place the goat cheese toasts on each.  Finish with freshly ground black pepper, a drizzle of honey, and sprig of thyme.  Enjoy!

Adapted from Ina Garten
   

{In Case You Missed It}: 2016 Highlights

Happy New Year!  I hope that your new year is indeed off to a great start and already shaping up to be your best one yet.

Before we go much further, however, in keeping with my recent tradition, I want to pause and share on some of the most special highlights from 2016.  If you follow me on social media, then you're likely aware that I was fortunate to end last year and begin the new year indulging in my passion for travel with a vacation in a few of my favorite European countries and cities--hence the recent quietness on the blog and much appreciated break and rest from my usual routine. (More highlights from that to come in the days and months ahead...!)

Now that I'm back in the saddle, so to speak, my first order of business here on the blog is to share a brief capture of some of the moments--in food, travel, fashion and style, lifestyle, inspiration, and more, that made last year exceptional on its own terms.  Six plus years and counting, and I am more thankful than ever for this outlet and the opportunities you afford me to share my passions with you.



From dining at the James Beard House, to being featured in Vinings Lifestyle Magazine, to recurring media coverage and collaboration for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Taste of Atlanta Festival, as well as local restaurants, working with amazing brands like Groupon and Warby Parker, sharing my recipes in Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, increased collaboration with PopSugar, a fabulous Holiday Pop Up Shop, wonderful travels from New York to Miami to Mexico to Italy, and more, 2016 was once again super sweet and special for D.M.R. Fine Foods.  I feel truly blessed by it all.
 
As always, I hope DMRFF continues to inspire you to live and embrace "the good life" in all its facets. 

Here's to the happiest new year yet....

xo, Dawn

Merry Christmas & Happy Eating!

Where has the time gone? Sitting here this Christmas Eve morning it seems almost surreal that we are basically a week away from the start of a brand new year.  Since childhood, the Christmas season has always been my favorite.  Then it was more about the anticipation of what I was expecting to receive.  In my adult years, I am equally, if not more, thrilled by the joy that comes with what I give.  There are few things that compare to the jubilance of bringing a smile, acknowledgement, and blessing to the lives of others.

That being said, I also happen to relish the delicious fare and festive cheer that abounds more during the holiday season.  I wish you your own load of merry making in the ways that are most meaningful to you. 

And in case you're in need of last minute inspiration, we're always here to serve it up whether you're talking food, entertaining, travel or tradition.  There's no need to stress, when we've done the heavy lifting (well, maybe not heavy :)) for you.

Merry Christmas....and Happy Eating!

{A Night to Remember}: Dinner at the James Beard House

Since I began indulging my passion for all things culinary, I have been blessed to experience many delicious, inspiring--and downright amazing--moments.  And this past weekend, yet another was added to the list.  In fact, it constituted one of the most special food moments I've relished to date.

The euphoria of which I speak was a dreamy and unforgettable evening spent dining and mingling at the James Beard House in New York City.  The evening represented the culmination of the thrill of having the James Beard Foundation acknowledge my food and subsequently award me the honor of dinner for two at the Beard House.  I had been sitting on my gift for the many months since and finally elected my birthday weekend as the ideal opportunity to indulge.  And so I did.

All Smiles with Chef Petroni

Arriving at the outwardly unassuming venue where so much culinary greatness has transpired was a moment.  A few snaps later, my guest and I headed inside to join the other diners for what began as a standing reception with the most decadently scrumptious and gorgeous food and sips (think caviar, bone marrow, and then some).  Following bite after seemingly unending bite, while being cautious to reserve room for the feast to follow, dashes to and from the kitchen to observe the artistry in motion and capture some takeaway shots--including one with the featured chef, himself--, mingling with and meeting other equally exuberant guests, and doing a quick stroll of the upstairs, the formal dinner began.

What ensued was a six-course feast, aptly named the St. Joseph's Feast, interpreted by Chef Christian Petroni of Fortina restaurant in Armonk, NY; Rye Brook, NY; and Stamford, CT.  Course after course presented one delight after the next and carried the evening along so tastefully and beautifully that all sense of time was lost over the hours that passed.  A warm greeting by Chef Petroni and his team of talented chefs and staff ended the evening on the intimate, inspiring note that I could only have imagined prior.  It was, and will always be, a night to remember.

Thank you, James Beard Foundation, for the honor.  It was Happy Eating indeed!

See more photos from the evening here.

{In Case You Missed It}: 2014 Highlights

When 2014 began, I couldn't have dreamed of all the great things in store for me and D.M.R. Fine Foods. And now that we're at the very end, I can honestly say that it was a year filled with some of my best moments in food, travel, culture and lifestyle inspiration!  

The highlights included having my dream of launching my very own cooking school become a reality, to more wonderful travel, to continued sharing of my love of food through favorite recipes, writing and collaborations, to a very festive, fun and delicious holiday pop-up shop, to working and connecting with some of Atlanta's premier restaurants, festivals and design brands.  And lastly, but never least, it was another great year of having the opportunity to share with the readers and supporters of D.M.R. Fine Foods! 

Thank you for your continued support and feedback.  Here's to an even greater year ahead and to sharing it all with you!  Check out some of my favorite 2014 moments in this short video, and I'll see you in 2015!

Here's to the Happiest of New Years!

xx, Dawn

{Homemade}: Summer Pickling

Last weekend I finally got around to doing something that I had been wanting to do for what seems like forever: make my own homemade pickles.  With it came the nostalgia of remembering my truly amazing grandmother whom I used to watch as a little girl.  Upon reflection, it dawned on me that she could do it all, literally.  From preserving to canning to pickling to baking to cooking, her culinary prowess was as broad and as effortless as they come--and her pantry was always stocked with the abundant fruits of her labor for the taking and relishing.

So back to me and my kitchen, here I was, finally about to embark on my first pickling expedition.  Inspired by the abundant pickling ideas floating around, I decided to start with a simple method that didn't require the heavier lifting and technicalities of sterilizing jars, etc., etc., but only required the coming together of my homemade pickling brine (scrumptious) and my vegetable of choice, crisp carrots.  Within a matter of minutes, I was pouring my brine over the carrots and garlic cloves in my jar and salivating with the anticipation of what the next 24 hours would bring. 

Waiting period over, I couldn't wait to retrieve the treasure from my refrigerator and finally have a taste.  I loved the slightly sweet under note and briny goodness from the apple cider vinegar, along with the bright, sharp flavors that carried through from the mustard seed, fennel seed, red chili flakes, and more.  Light, healthy and refreshing, my pickled carrots are my new favorite snack for Summer.  

 
Not one to let a good thing go to waste, I plan on increasing my pickling repertoire in the days ahead.  In fact, I'm already eyeing fresh jalapenos for what's next.  Give it a try in your kitchen and let me know how you like it and what combinations you come up with.  From the brine variations to the ingredient profiles, there's a world of briny deliciousness just waiting to be discovered and savored!

Happy Eating!

Carrot Fridge Pickles
 Adapted from FOOD52

Ingredients:

1 lb. carrots
2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
1 teaspoon whole coriander
2 teaspoons fennel seed
2 teaspoons mustard seed
½ teaspoon chili flakes
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 ¼ cup water
2 ½ cups apple cider vinegar
¼ cup sugar

Method:
Cut the carrots into spears that fit the height of the jars you are using.  Set carrots aside. In a saucepan combine the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a simmer, and then turn off heat.  

Place the cut carrots in a clean jar(s).  Carefully pour the hot brine over until they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least one day. Well sealed refrigerator pickles will keep for 1 month. Enjoy!