I bet you are getting ready for Labor Day. Me, too. Eric and I are hosting around 70 of our nearest and dearest for paella in the backyard. Someone asked me the other day how I do it. My response was that it is just as easy to cook for 70 as 10 friends. You just add extra chicken. lol
Remember last year’s paella soiree? We learned a lot from last year’s bash.
First, we will build a big wood fire this year. No wimpy propane for us. And we will start the fire early. Eric plans on having the fire up and roaring by 9 a.m. so we can eat at a decent hour. Last year it took 3 hours for that paella to cook and everyone was half in the bag by dinner. Now everyone will only be 1/4 in the bag by dinner, so that’s an improvement.
Secondly, we are asking our darlings to bring wine, beer and booze. That stuff skyrockets a party budget. Everyone is in a bit of an economic crunch these days, so our buddies are happy to contribute.
Thirdly, this year we will buy cleaned and deveined shrimp. Holly and I spent a billion hours peeling and deveining the four pounds of shrimp last year. Not this time.
Dessert will be paletas, or in english, popsicles. As I write this, the strawberries are bubbling on the stovetop with sugar and strawberry nectar. They will go into our popsicle molds and I will start all over again tomorrow with a new flavor. Maybe Mexican chocolate would be good. And easy. Pretty much just chocolate milk with cinnamon. That would be good. When you are making 70 popsicles, easy is key.
Here’s a link to the recipe we’re using. It says it will feed 25-30, but don’t you believe it. It will easily feed 60. With leftovers. Seriously. Maybe 25-30 linebackers.
Some of my favorite shots from last year.
Rick, Teague and Eric discuss the browning of the chicken
I love the look on Eric's face as he stirs this monster...
Have you ever met folks and just knew you all would be great friends? My new friend Victor is one of those folks. Victor is an image consultant and just the loveliest person. Our mutual friend Elizabeth introduced us and on Sunday we all met at Victor’s house for brunch. His house is one of those wonderful places you immediately feel at ease and could stay for hours.
You all know how much I adore living in Atlanta. It’s a town filled with surprises. We are genteel, we are foodies, we love a parade, we love a spectacle. Sometimes we like it rough.
Saturday night was one of those rough nights. Besties Crystal, Teague, Denise, Rick, Eric and I all packed up the food and tailgated before the Atlanta Rollergirls bout at the Shriners Temple. This was my first time seeing the Rollergirls in action, and what a treat it was. But first, we must eat.
Whew, I am finally at home after being gone since last Wednesday. Three days at the lavish Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island on assignment for Design Is, and then up to Sky Valley for some R&R with our sweet friends Clint & Matt in their cozy mountain cabin in North Carolina. Even though Eric and I were there to relax, I couldn’t help but see a story in the weekend. Those two really have this weekend guest thing down to a science. Everyone is responsible for a meal (including happy hour snacks), so no one is stuck doing all the cooking. Brilliant, yes?
Eric and I were in charge of Saturday night supper, since we got there too late to enjoy Friday supper with everyone.
Over the past year you have met so many of our favorite folks. Chioke has been a guest star in many of these posts. Remember his movie night here, our taco and candy night here? Those are just a few of the times we’ve shared and I’ve shared with you.
But now Chioke is moving to THE big city, New York City, to continue his education, and will be gone for three years. Three years I will not be able to walk two blocks for a hug or a special cocktail. Three years I will not be able to hear the sound of his smooth voice and laugh at his wicked jokes.
My heart is a little heavy today.
We spent our last evening together for a while doing what we do best – eating. Eric, Holly, Chioke and I met up at JCT. Kitchen in Atlanta for a (semi) celebratory meal. I first introduced you to JCT on my first meeting with Eddie and Jaithan.
Since JCT. does southern cuisine best, it was a fitting place to say our goodbyes.
When we travel, our souvenirs naturally include something regional to eat or drink. Our last trip to New Orleans, we picked up Cat Daddy Moonshine, Ryals Goat Roast and Creole Tomatoes. Lucky for us we drove, so it was much easier to carry these treasures home.
Now, I know what to do with the Moonshine, not sure how to fix the goat (any ideas out there?), and the Creole tomatoes just epitomize the essence of summer. Eric and I brought home about 6 of these Louisiana beauties, akin to heirloom tomatoes, and have been enjoying them in the yummiest BLT sandwiches you can possibly make.
Those Gorgeous Creoles - Photo Courtesy of Jason Perlow
Can you grow them where you are? Well, it’s a little late in the season, but you (and I) can always plan for next year. Here’s some info about them from Gary Ibsen’s Tomatofest website:
The Creole was developed by LSU around 1956. An heirloom developed in Louisiana for hot, humid climates. This variety has a very loyal following. Yields 3-inch, round, firm, red fruit with a lots of juice and delicious tomatoey flavors with good acidity.
All I know is that sounds like we could grow those here in the hot Georgia summers. I’ll be purchasing the seeds for next year and hope mine grow as big as they do in Bayou country.
So, if you are anywhere near Louisiana soon, pick up some Creoles. You will be tasting summer!
New Orleans is one of my all time favorite cities in the world. It’s French, it’s American, it’s wild, it’s beautiful.
Also, the food is some of the best you will ever taste.
Although I was there writing an article about The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, and the article won’t run until October in Design Is Magazine, I still wanted to share some of our weekend there with you.
Friday night found us at Cochon, the city’s palace of pork. And what pork they have! Eric and I ordered most of the appetizers and set out to have ourselves a taste treat.
We go to a lot of events. Dinner parties we throw, cocktail parties feting fab friends, cookouts and birthday celebrations.
But last night was a first. Eric and I were hosted by not one, but four hostesses, at a dinner party in Decatur.
Let me explain.
Invited by my friend, Elizabeth, who I met through bestie Clint (you all know Clint, right?), to the home of her good friends, Allison and Joel. Oh, their home was dandy – a grand piano, fantastic art created by Joel himself, it was a very elegant setting. Allison even set their lovely table with collected silver and beautiful southern china. Add Victor, a most dapper Image Consultant (I have got to call him) and you have got yourself the recipe for a perfect night.
A week or so ago, I received an email from friend Laura Scholz of Scholz Communications, with the news that Fox News Channel was looking for people who had been laid off but were making the best of it. I am the poster child for FunEmployment! So after exchanging emails with Elizabeth Prann of Fox News, a time and date was set for she and her camera man to come by for an interview.
Um, I’ve never been on tv before. What to do? Why, call up my sweetie Eddie Ross and ask for pointers, of course! Eddie had just enough words of wisdom to get me through the willies. Pile on the make up, be yourself. Can anyone really be themselves with a camera in their face? I could certainly try.
The big day came and I whipped up some blueberry cobbler for our guests first thing in the morning. Elizabeth and camera man Tom were right on time.
This past weekend we were so happy to host a dinner party for my bestie, John. Conjured up by his sweetie, Danny, we planned and plotted to have 10 of his favorite friends gathered to fete our darling birthday boy.
For this occasion I decided to leave the table bare (I tend to forget how pretty it is…) and set it with silver chargers, white plates, white napkins nestled into silver napkin rings and a small arrangement of white and red roses. It was elegant without being fussy.
I love to entertain and when I'm not cooking, I'm being entertained by the restaurants of Atlanta and my fabulous friends!
This is my journal of dinner parties and adventures. Some dinner parties I give, some given by friends, some hosted by restaurants and some while I travel.
I am looking forward to regaling you with all that happens behind the scenes of my dinner parties. You are the guest that sees all!
