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Breakfast for Breakfast, Part II

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Yesterday you saw me use up leftover ribs and potatoes in a tasty breakfast hash. Today I will recount Sunday’s breakfast – Chilaquiles.

Never heard of it? It was our favorite way to start the day on several of our trips to Mexico. Let me share with you.

Start with tostados (you can also use tortilla chips – leftover from last night’s cookout, perhaps?) Usually the next ingredient added is refried beans. I had some in the pantry, but totally forgot that they were in there. Eric made a homemade tomatillo sauce (salsa verde). Then the cheese – queso fresco would make your dish authentic, but we used cheddar. Top with an egg, sunny side up and finish it with a dollop of sour cream and maybe a bit of avocado. If you are feeling fancy, garnish with a bit of cilantro. Devour with mucho gusto!

Muy Delicioso!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Young MC – Bust A Move

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Breakfast for Breakfast, Part I

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

This past holiday weekend we just threw caution to the wind and indulged. My favorite indulgence is breakfast.

On Friday night I had cooked some ribs and we had some leftover (how could that even be?) So I decided to shred them and use the leftovers in a breakfast hash the next morning (we also had leftover potatoes – what?)

After shredding the ribs, chopping the potatoes and cutting up some onion, I lightly oiled my skilled and put the potatoes and onions in first, so they could get good and browned. And they did. Next up, the rib meat.  Now, while I was making the hash, Eric cooked eggs – sunny side up to go over the hash (I told you this was pure indulgence!)  Lastly, gobble down like greedy badgers.

Cooking The Hash

Doesn't That Look Delicious? It Was!!

Now you have enough calories to run the marathon. Or just shop a lot. Either way.

Follow up the next weekday with Resolution Fruit Salad. And water. Maybe a celery stalk for lunch.

Tomorrow, Sunday’s breakfast – it’s a doozy!

xoxo, Patti

Today Blogging to Carly Simon’s Jesse

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Soup, Peas & Peace With Christy

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

I trust that everyone had a marvelous Memorial Day weekend, yes?

My weekend kicked off with a Friday lunch date with my sweet friend, Christy Annis, the mastermind behind Peas for Prosperity, an organization aimed at helping the disadvantaged.  Christy just glows with love for what she is accomplishing and it overflows into every aspect of her life.  I am humbled and delighted to call her a friend.

But first, lunch.  We chose Noon for their central location and healthy fare.

Noon at Noon on Friday

You Have Got To See What Christy Has Been Creating!

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Fun Find Friday – Picnic Baskets!

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Memorial Day is finally here and that means picnics. Here in Atlanta, that means Piedmont Park, Screen on the Green (back in Piedmont Park, y’all!), Lake Lanier and getaways to the beach and the North Georgia Mountains.  I love a fancy picnic basket, but there are all types to fit your budget (even toy baskets for your little ones!)

The Girls And I Are Hitting The Road

Stop On In For Some Picnic Ideas

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Make It At Home – Spicy Tuna Rolls

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

If you love sushi, you know it can be expensive going out to restaurants to get your raw fish fix. Here’s an easy recipe for making spicy tuna rolls at home. Amaze your friends!

First, buy a tuna. Not the whole fish, but a couple of nice pieces of toro. Make sure the fish is sushi or sashimi grade, anything else will not work for this purpose.  Look for a rich red color. You may have to purchase it frozen, but that should be fine.  Of course, you will want to defrost it before use.  When you are ready to make your spicy tuna rolls, chop your tuna and mix with one tablespoon mayonnaise and one teaspoon of sriracha (Asian hot sauce). You may be like me and want to add more to make it spicier.

Yes, You Use Plain, Everyday Mayo

Roll On In For More Sushi Fun

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A Mediterranean Repast With Dave & Sue

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

I live in the greatest neighborhood in the world. Our neighbors are all close friends and the parties are almost continuous. Especially when the weather turns nice and we are all roused from our hibernation of the winter.

This past week was a divine dinner held at the home of our friends Dave and Sue.  Dave, a pastry chef, and his charming wife Sue had conjured up the perfect warm weather meal, a deconstructed salade nicoise. This was the ideal foil for the sweltering late spring we have been experiencing.

I had visited their home before, but never in the daylight. I was thrilled to stroll through the backyard garden with a pre-dinner cocktail.

A Lush City Escape

Come On In And Cool Off

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The 3 Cs – Clint, Carrie and Castleberry

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Last week we received an invitation to join the cool folks in Castleberry for tapas and paella.  I love all the people in Castleberry and their fabulous loft culture – so urbane!  My bestie Clint is part of the clique, so we were thrilled to have snagged an invite for Tapas & Sangria at Clint’s and then to Carrie & Steven’s for paella (just a short stroll across the street!)

Joining us were Steve & Calvin (another C!), Tracy and Stephanie.  The nine of us had a grand time. Starting at Clint’s with both red & white sangria and a number of tapas. Ranging from tiny bites (olives and almonds), to more substantive fare (cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped dates & taquitos) it was hard not to get filled up on all the yummy tidbits.

Clint’s loft has just been repainted the most gorgeous combination of pale green and grey, making it even more chic than before.  More colorful than the paint? Clint and his neighbors.

Ice Cold Sangria Ready to Pour!

More Chic Loft Fun Inside

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Blogger’s Brunch at Park 75

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

This weekend I had the distinct honor of being invited to the first ever Blogger’s Brunch at Park 75, inside the incredibly glamorous Four Seasons Hotel, hosted by Marsha Middleton and Abby Moreland of M-Squared Public Relations.

Atlanta's Four Seasons Hotel

It has been quite awhile since I had last visited this famous hotel and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But what I found inside far surpassed my wildest expectations.

Come On In To Experience The Wonder

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Fun Find Friday – St-Germain

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

This week has been a flurry of parties and with the weekend approaching there seems to be no end in sight. Two dinners with Jeff at our house, Shameeka’s fabulous reception at the Mansion on Peachtree, dinner with my Love at WASABi after the reception, tapas at Clint’s followed by dinner at Carrie and Steven’s loft (more on that next week), tonight a dinner party at the home of neighbor and pastry chef Dave and his wife, Sue, tomorrow the exciting Blogger’s Brunch at The Four Season’s Park 75, then a graduation celebration with my favorite former boss and his precious family and on to Leila’s birthday party on Saturday night.

Whew. Sometimes, a girl is in need of a swanky cocktail just to slow down and reflect a bit.

Is that girl (or guy) you? Do you need a break, my Sweetie? Have I got the cocktail for you. Made with St-Germain.


The Rare and Beautiful Elderflower

But enough with the history, let’s talk cocktails.  You can surely sip St-Germain over a few slivers of ice as an aperitif, but most of the times I have had it in a cocktail, it has been paired with gin.  So yesterday I drove to Green’s and picked up a bottle of St-Germain and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin and got ready to mix.

Oops! I left the house without any recipes for cocktails, so how was I expected to mix up a drink with no ingredients?  See? I have been busy this week!

But the distinguished crafters of St-Germain are kind enough to include a few recipes in the tiny book that comes attached to the sexy, belle epoque, bottle. Funny, the original St-Germain Cocktail doesn’t even mention gin.

The St-Germain Cocktail

2 shots Champagne or Dry White Wine (preferably Sauvignon Blanc)
1.5 shots St-Germain
2 shots Sparkling Water or Club Soda

Stir ingredients in a tall ice-filled Collins glass, mixing completely. Garnish with lemon twist. Feel fancy-schmancy like the French.

For those of you wanting to try a gin based cocktail made with St-Germain, here’s a doozy from Robert Hess at the Chanticleer Society (this is especially for you, Chioke!)

Clipper Ship

2 ounce gin
1 ounce St-Germain
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 dash absinthe
Garnish: Lime twist
Shake with ice, strain into an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass. Feel tipsy. Smile a lot. Have Jeeves drive you home.

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend!
xoxo, Patti

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The Broke Socialite, Queen of All Media

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Tuesday night I had the pleasure of attending a reception for my fabulous friend, Shameeka Shy Ayers aka The Broke Socialite. This gorgeous fete was held at the very prestigious hotel, The Mansion on Peachtree, in the heart of Buckhead. I implore you to peruse their website so you can feel the opulence.

From the moment bestie Crystal and I stepped out of the car, aided by the most pleasant Darrell, our valet, to the doormen on our way out, we were treated like royalty.

Once inside the hotel, you sense that no expense was spared to make this a spectacular getaway.  Designed by noted architect, Robert A.M. Stern, this 42-story beauty rises like a queen from her throne. And Tuesday night, the queen’s name was Shameeka.

Honoree Shameeka Takes A Moment For Photos

Come On In And Join The Party

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