Archive for ‘Eating’

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October 13, 2011

Austin: Target Downtown Cook-Off

Target, which btw donated $60,000 to Texas Wildfire Relief, is hosting a cook-off and grocery giveaway downtown. In celebration of the fresh food additions to Target stores in the Austin area, celebrity food critic Gail Simmons (judge and critic on Top Chef, host on Top Chef Desserts, and Food & Wine special projects manager) will host a cooking competition between local acclaimed chefs Shawn Cirkiel (parkside and the backspace) and Paul Petersen (Vivo Lake Creek). Target will also offer giveaways and sampling throughout the day while supplies last.

Friday Oct 14 / Congress Avenue and Fourth Street / 8:30a–5p / Cook-off 12:30–1:30p / Parking lot opposite Frost Bank Tower

… sometimes I miss working downtown. Perfect lunch break!

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October 10, 2011

Austin: Painting the Four Seasons Pink

The ever-conscious Four Seasons of Austin is offering a number of ways to pamper yourself AND give to breast cancer research for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A month-long lineup of events and new product offerings benefit the Seton Shivers Cancer Center at Brackenridge—their goal is to raise $10,000 in 2011 (they raised $8,500 last year). Check out the goodies:

Yoga

Yoga on the Lawn (October 15): Strike a pose in one of Austin’s most scenic spots during Yoga on the Lawn, an hour-long session led by registered yoga instructor Angela Knight with acoustic music by Murphy’s In Laws. A $10 minimum donation to Seton is requested; all participants who donate more than $20 will receive a pool day pass valid weekdays through October 31, 2011!

Bar

Pink Ribbon Martini

 

 

Pink Ribbon Martini, $14: Made with Savvy vodka, Paula’s Texas Lemon, fresh POM and lemon juice with a pink sugar rim, this cocktail for a cure tastes great and does good with 50% donated to Seton.

Eat

Bake Sale and Raffle (October 21): sweetest fundraising event of all, the Bake Sale & Raffle offers more than 100 varieties of handmade cookies, cakes, and other treats ($1-$15), along with a raffle ($5) featuring gift certificates and items from the Hotel and Austin businesses. As with last year’s event raised more than $4,000, all proceeds benefit Seton.

Pancake Supper for Seton (October 26), $15: experience the nostalgia of breakfast for dinner at TRIO’s 3rd annual Pancake Supper. Choose from four delicious pancake options, each served with a choice of side; a limited á la carte dinner menu will also be available. 50% of total proceeds benefit Seton.

Spa

Pink Grapefruit Massage, $145-$160: Uplifting and stimulating, The Spa’s Pink Grapefruit Massage incorporates pink grapefruit essential oils into either a Deep Tissue or Swedish massage, with 10% of proceeds going to Seton.

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September 28, 2011

Guest Post: Recipe for Thai Spiced Eggplant

Today’s tasty guest post comes from Angelina Foster, who delves into the season’s eggplants!

Recipe: Homemade Thai Spiced Eggplants

It may be the end of September but it’s not too late to have another barbeque or two. I love eating out in Austin and Aspen, but sometimes it’s nice to eat in the comfort of my own home. An in season vegetable is eggplants, which is packed full of flavour when marinated and here is an easy recipe that I’ve found to make homemade Thai Spiced Eggplants.

Ingredients to serve 4

4 medium eggplants
2 hot red chillies, seeds removed
2 sticks lemongrass
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tbsp fish sauce
100g creamed coconut
The juice of 2 limes and finely grated zest of 1 lime

Method – less than an hour to prepare and cook

1. Start by cutting the eggplants into thick slices (about 2 cm thick).
2. For the marinade, peel and discard the outer layer of the lemongrass, then very finely slice the stalks. Add the lemongrass, garlic, red chillies and the creamed coconut into a food processor and blitz before adding the fish sauce.
3. Next, stir in the lime juice and lime zest.
4. In a shallow dish, lay the eggplant slices down and spoon the marinade all over them. Make sure they are all covered in the paste and leave for an hour, or longer if you can, to let the flavors soak in.
5. Turn on the barbeque or grill to a high to medium setting, then place the eggplants cut side down onto the barbeque/grill.
6. You’ll need to watch the eggplants quite carefully so they don’t burn but cook them until the marinade has formed a light crust on the underside. This usually takes between 10-15 minutes depending on the heat.
7. Keep turning the eggplant slices over until they have softened completely
8. They are now ready to be served!

Why not make the most of the sunshine and enjoy homemade Thai Spiced Eggplants? They are so easy to make so you won’t need to be thinking about getting cheap restaurant insurance or hiring staff for help when you are cooking!

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September 28, 2011

Austin Bakes for Bastrop

I love cookies, and I love what the group Austin Bakes is doing with bake sales to support people close to home and far away (remember Austin Bakes for Japan? It raised almost $12,000). Saturday, October 1st from 10a to 2p, hundreds of bakers, bloggers, businesses, and consumers will unite for Austin Bakes for Bastrop, a bake sale fundraising event to help those affected by recent wildfires in Central Texas.

Over 80 home cooks and dozens of local businesses will be contributing baked goods at locations throughout Austin. Baked goods will include cookies, cupcakes, brownies, pies and pastries of all kinds. Several home bakers are creating Texas-themed confections for the sale, while others will be baking locally sourced, organic, vegan or gluten-free items. All funds raised will go to Austin Community Foundation’s Central Texas Wildfire Fund. Those who wish to make a gift in advance of the sale may do so at Austin Bakes for Bastrop’s secure, online giving page.

Austin Bakes for Bastrop locations:

Community Renaissance Market
6800 Westgate Blvd., 78745

The Flying Saucer at The Triangle
815 W. 47th Street, 78751

Foreign & Domestic
306 E. 53rd Street, 78751

Hotel San Jose
1316 South Congress Avenue, 78704

Old Settler’s Park
3300 E Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, 78665

Whole Foods Market Gateway
9607 Research Blvd. #300, 78759

Whole Foods Market Lamar
525 N. Lamar Blvd., 78703

Get Involved: Interested in providing baked goods and/or volunteering? Contact Kathryn Hutchison at austingastronomist@gmail.com.

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September 27, 2011

How to Make Cold-Brewed Coffee

Because it is awesome.

I blogged about Chameleon Cold Brew here, and I’ve just gotten word that Central Market started carrying Kohana Cold Brew Concentrate (the company is local and woman-run) too—it’s already a fave at Whole Foods.

But I’m here to burst your bubble. It’s too easy to cold brew at home for you not to know how. Then you can choose convenience or consumerism over making your own, but at least you know.

How to start cold brewing coffee

How to start cold-brewing coffee: a jar, and some coffee

How to make cold-brew coffee

Step 1: pour 1/3 cup ground coffee into jar

add water to cold brew coffee

Step 2: Add 1 + 1/2 cups water per 1/3 cup coffee

Step 3: Seal jar and let sit 8-24 hours.

Filtering for cold brew

Step 4: You'll need plain, regular coffee filters. This is a single cup filter, you could also just rig up a way to hold the filter over the jar (like a rubberband around the rim with the filter going into the jar)

Pourin the cold brew coffee

Step 5: Pour contents of jar over filter into another jar

Voila! Cold-brew coffee.

The resulting coffee is concentrated, so many people like to dilute it with water. You can play around with your fave concentration.

I like to make iced coffee lattes, diluting the concentrate with raw milk:

How to make cold brew iced coffee

Cold brew iced coffee with raw milk is my new fave drink

Adding raw milk to cold brew coffee

Adding raw milk

Morning cold brew coffee

Ah, morning ritual

Sprinkle a lil cinnamon on top!

Cold brew coffee is super easy to make, smooth-tasting, better for you, and awesome. Try it and leave feedback in the comments!

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September 26, 2011

Take Me There: Napa Valley

Despite my love for wine, travel, and the sunshine of California, I have not ever been to Napa Valley. Sad panda.

Just another reason to visit: Austin hotspot and “Best New Restaurant” James Beard Foundation Award nominee La Condesa just opened an outpost (view my coverage of the Austin location’s drinks here and food here). La Condesa Napa Valley, 1320 Main Street, St. Helena (707.967.8111; www.lacondesanapavalley.com) still features the vision of executive chef Rene Ortiz, blending traditional and innovative Mexican, an extensive tequila selection, artisanal cocktail menu, and California-driven wine list.

“The Napa Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the country, and its breadth of produce and ingredients is unparalleled,” says owner Jesse Herman.  ”We’re excited to work hand-in-hand with the region’s growers and producers to combine the flavors of the Napa Valley with the spirit of La Condesa.”

beef

La Condesa Napa Valley sources locally whenever possible and Ortiz has designed many new menu items that highlight ingredients from Northern California and Bay Area purveyors. The Napa Valley location also serves favorites from the Austin menu, including Taquitos Arábicos (seared venison, pickled cucumber, chipotle harissa, fennel pollen yogurt and cilantro rolled in a bacon-fat tortilla); Hongo Y Huitlacoche Huaraches (crispy masa flat breads topped with wild mushrooms, huitlacoche, yellow corn, farmer’s cheese, queso chihuahua, epazote and a dash of truffle oil); and Cangrejo Tostadas (lump crab meat, green mango, grapefruit, tomato, chives and chipotle mayo).

dessert

Food is cooked over a wood-fired grill imported from Texas to add an essential Lone Star flavor to the menu. La Condesa Napa Valley’s menu of unique cocktails is overseen by the 2011 42Below Cocktail World Cup national champion, Nate Wales but still features faves like El Cubico and all fresh juices.

drink menu

The interior of an historic building has been retrofitted to reflect the interior, quirky Mexican of the Austin location, including the whimsical art of Ortiz’s brother.

decor

The restaurant is open nightly for dinner, from 5-10p, Sunday through Wednesday and from 5-11p, Thursday through Saturday.  Lunch will be served from 11:30a to 2:30p, Monday through Friday; and brunch service will be available from 10a to 3p on Saturday and Sunday. Take me there!

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August 25, 2011

Aspen: Wine and Heels

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend Aspen’s latest ladies’ night craze: Wine in Heels. It’s a women-only (save for a few media men) wine and food pairing geared toward educating women about wine and food and creating networking opportunities. It works.

Wine in Heels is hosted on top of the Dancing Bear, which is an absolutely amazing location. We were greeted at the door with champagne, then sampled four wines through four flights of wine + food. We did Wine and Asian food, which was a real treat: wine with sushi, tom kha, and steamed buns.

Wine in Heels

Coming up tomorrow is Wine & Comfort Food! Think decadent mac & cheese … from 6-8p, $75. thekitchenhotline.com/wine-heels/

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August 4, 2011

Austin: Paul Petersen at VIVO Lake Creek

I feel a particular affinity for people I’ve interviewed, even if I haven’t really kept tabs on them in quite some time. One of my first major interviews out of college was with Chef Paul Petersen, a legendary Texas chef who had then just made the somewhat controversial move to the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas (where I had coincidentally just visited before I interviewed him). You can download a Gage of Grandeur PDF here, if you care.

The point, however, is that Petersen has returned home to Austin to head up the kitchen at Vivo Lake Creek. Vivo is known for sexy, sometimes healthy Mexican food and orchids in its drinks. Well, that’s how I know it at least. Great first date spot. Wow I can’t manage to stay on point. So Vivo owner Roger Diaz is a lifelong friend of Petersen. Chef Petersen credits Diaz’s three generations of family cooks with inspiring him to get involved in the culinary world from a young age, and he fondly remembers urging Diaz’s mother to reveal her family recipes.

So it’s a match made in the sandbox, being realized today. “It makes so much sense for me to join Vivo,” Chef Petersen says. “Roger’s family and I have been friendly pretty much my whole life, and he’s developed a really successful San Antonio-inspired Tex-Mex restaurant unlike anything else out there. Tex-Mex and Southwestern are in my blood, and by bringing in some barbecue and French influences, we’re elevating the menu even more. It’s a great reason to make the trip to North Austin for dinner and drinks.”

Vivo’s signature dish, the (unhealthy) puffy taco, is “the best on the planet,” and Petersen won’t mess with it. But new Vivo Lake Creek menu staples will include brisket tacos, sweet and savory crab enchiladas served with a signature Vivo sauce; smooth, pan-seared panela cheese with mango-papaya salsa and raspberry puree served with grilled bread; smoked tequila braised pork belly with house made Dr. Pepper chipotle barbecue sauce; and pan roasted scallops with tomato watermelon salsa and tequila prickly pear sauce. Yes.

Vivo Lake Creek is in the Lake Creek Village Shopping Center / (512) 331-4660 / vivo-austin.com.

Sidenote: I was tagging this post and my computer auto-suggested ‘moses’ … have I tagged other posts Moses? Does this post remind my computer of Moses? Puzzling.

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August 2, 2011

Aspen: Why Ellina is Buzzing

When an occasion came along recently for us to celebrate, my number one choice was Ellina. The Vermonster and I had heard plenty of great things about Ellina, but hadn’t gotten a chance to check it out. It’s three seasons old (that’s a summer, winter, and now a summer) but still growing its buzz with the locals. We said we’d stop in for a drink, but got completely sucked in by the bar menu. We ordered one of everything. Literally.

ELlina patioWe sat on the middle patio, a level down from the Hyman Avenue mall but above the dining room. You can order from the bar menu, lounge on couches, and still be outside. It’s pretty awesome.
Ellina aspen drinksSo is the Vermonster’s face … he’s pretty excited about the drinks. The creative concoctions feature fresh juice.

Ellina aspen artichoke and calamariEllina cevicheEllina saladEllina crabcakeWe really did order one of every app on the bar menu. Calamari (legit), roasted artichoke, ceviche (so fresh), spinach salad, and crab cakes, which were sweet enough to be considered dessert. For three drinks and five apps plus tip, we got away for under $100. That’s a total win in Aspen!

The service was impeccable, the atmosphere just right, and the food outstanding. No wonder there’s such a buzz on Ellina. We’ll be back for more of you.

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July 27, 2011

[UPDATED] Drink Me: Mercy Mercy

UPDATE: Thanks to commenter Brian, MERCY has given us a promo code for free shipping! WAHOO! Use discount code “Austin” to get free shipping on ANY order. Try a MERCYRITA and let me know how it goes!

The other day, I accidentally ended up having a small gathering at my apartment. Luckily, we always have tequila and triple sec on hand, so margaritas were easily in store. Then we ran out of lime juice. Though I live above a grocery store, it was past ten pm. Luckily, I remembered that the folks at MERCY, a hangover prevention beverage, were kind enough to send over a few samples. Does this mean I have a problem? No matter, back to my initial problem: Mercyritas?

MERCYRITAS!

Mercy hangover drink

MERCY is a non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage that contains nutritional supplements proven to protect your body as it processes alcohol. It flushes your system of acetaldehyde, the toxin that causes your hangover, and pumps up your natural defenses with some vitamins. MERCY contains a blend of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and herbs to prevent hangovers. You must drink it BEFORE you have a hangover, which is why a MERCYRITA is a perfect way to enjoy the beverage.

I will admit, I indulged a little that night. And woke hangover-free! (I also made a point of hydrating throughout the night … Belly Up in Aspen has several hydration stations that I was very excited about … more so than usual. MERCY influence?) My friend declared the MERCYRITA “tastes like summer!”

With a kitschy marketing campaign and pleasantly fruity, lightly carbonated taste, MERCY is a nice way to remain hangover free if you’re determined to indulge. They recommend 1 can for every 5 drinks, not to exceed 3 in 24 hours. For now, you can get MERCY mixed into cocktails at The W Austin or order online at drinkmercy.com ($28.50 for 12 cans).

Bottoms up!

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