Golden Night at the Oscars

I'm pretty sure that most of you are watching the Oscars tonight, so I truly hope you are enjoying the red carpet fashions.  There are so few events when it's not only appropriate but absolutely expected that you wear a full length evening gown; pageants, award shows, the opera/theatre, and possibly a formal evening wedding, can you really think of any other time?

In case you missed it (or are like me with no cable and must turn to the internet), here's a link to the Red Carpet section of the Oscars.
Also some shout outs to the celebs wearing Gold tonight : Catherine Zeta Jones in Zuhair Murad, Jessica Chastain in Armani, and Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott

Golden Tidbit:

I'd take this stunning Monique Lhullier one shoulder gown any day. Available from Bergdorf Goodman for $7999  and just elegant enough to be perfect for your red carpet night

Golden Quote: "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well; and doing well whatever you do, without thought of fame."  - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

California Sun

I happened to be in SoCal for work this week, and I wish I could tell you that I spent a bunch of time at the beach, or shopping on Rodeo or star-watching in Hollywood. Instead I can honestly say the closest I got to Hollywood was passing a Universal Studios lot on the way to lunch, and I didn't make it to Disneyland, but I did stay at a hotel 5 miles from Legoland.

Still, there's something about seeing Palm Trees literally EVERYWHERE you go that is a little relaxing.  Oh, and that bright thing in the sky blinding me?  That's the sun which I feel like I haven't really seen in 3 months.

Matzo Ball Soup at Jerry's Deli

I did get the opportunity for some great shady Thai food and a Cali staple called Jerry's Deli - great kosher Jewish food, and probably some of the better Matzo Ball Sousp I've had in the past few years.  With a menu containing over 600 options, it was pretty tough to decide on just one item.

Golden Tidbit:

I bought these Mazzy Flip Flops from Banana Republic last year and they are still one of the most comfortable pairs I own.  I got them on clearance for about $15, but you can get then today from BR for $39.50. They take a little time to wear in but are an easy way to bring a little Gold to your summer wardrobe.

Golden Quote: "There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California."  - Edward Abbey

Cooking up a storm

I realized recently that I hadn't yet posted any recipes, so you'll be happy to know I spend all day yesterday cooking up a storm! (No really, by 10 am the apartment smelled like roasted chicken, it was AMAZING!) Every couple of weeks we have a rotating dinner with some friends and each time the hosting couple is responsible for cooking the main portion of the meal, and the other couples bring sides, apps or dessert as needed to complete the meal.  It was our second time hosting and I brought the big guns: Personal Pot Pies & Oven-Baked Fried Chicken.

Personal Pot Pies

Ingredients: (Makes approx 8 personal pies)

1-2 C. Chicken (Thigh or Breast, or whole roasted)

1 C. Peas

1 C. Corn (kernels)

1 C. Carrots (chopped)

1 C. Potato (chopped)

2-3 cloves garlic (diced)

1/4 C onion (Diced)

3-4 Tbsp Flour

4 C. Chicken broth

 1/2 stick Butter

Spices to taste (S&P, Thyme, Rosemary, garlic)

Phillo dough or pre-made frozen pie crust for top

Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Line baking sheet with Foil (in case the pies bubble over, makes for easy cleanup), set aside. In oven safe large frying pan, lightly over bottom with olive oil & place chicken; season liberally with spices. Roast for Approx 45 min or until cooked (if using whole chicken, 45 min @ 400, baste & turn to 375, cook for 20 min, baste, cover with foil, cook for 30-40 more minutes or until juices run clear).  *Tip: While the chicken is roasting, use this time to dice your veggies!

I usually use this as a good time to start heating the Chicken broth on the stove - I use a combo of Trader Joe's Savory Chicken Broth packets (thanks to my Mom for turning me onto these) + a few bullion cubes + a bay leaf + spices to taste.  Cover and set on low, this will really get some flavor going for the broth.

Remove from oven, set chicken aside to cool. Once cool, cut into small pieces. Do not wash pan, place frying pan burner set to med heat.  You want all the chickeny goodness stuck in the pan from roasting, this is called Fond.  Now we're going to make the roux (pronounced roo) this is basically the gravy base for the pies.  Add approx 1/3 stick of butter to pan.  As the butter melts, use a whisk to stir; this will help unstick the fond and combine it with the butter.  Once all the butter has melted & starts bubbling (keep whisking) add flour 1 heaping tbsp at a time - keep whisking! The roux color should look caramel, be the consistency of thick syrup and smell a bit nutty when it's just right.  If it's clumping still, add a bit more butter, if it's runny, add a bit more flour.  Now it's time to add the chicken broth (which should be hot!) slowly pour the broth onto the frying pan with the roux & KEEP WHISKING! You've just made gravy :)

Taste and season as needed.  Allow to cook on med for a few minutes (if it seems like it isn't thick enough, cook down for longer, whisking occasionally).  Now add chicken, carrots, peas, garlic, onion & potatoes.  Stir until well mixed and allow to heat throughly.  Ladle the mixture into the ramekins filling to just below the top. 

For Crust: Before filling ramekins with Gravy, use them as a guide to cut out top (cut a little larger than the ramekin)  I've used both Phillo & premade pie crust and I personally prefer the Crust, but here's the info for both ways:

For Phillo: Place tops onto each ramekin, push into gravy as needed (Phillo option pictured below) Melt the remaining butter in microwave, brush tops & bake @ 400F degrees for 30 min.  Remove from oven to cool.

For Premade crust: allow to thaw while chicken is roasting. The crust may overlap the top of the ramefin, which is fine.  Melt the remaining butter in microwave, brush tops & bake @ 375F degrees for 40 min. Remove from oven to cool.

*Golden Tips: I took the long route and instead of just oven roasting chicken breast/thigh I roasted a whole chicken.  Instead of spending $8-10 per ramekin at William Sonoma/Target/etc, I recommend buying the pot pies or Mac & Cheese from Metropolitan Market; you get a meal, and get to keep the dish for about $5.99.

Oven-Baked Fried Chicken

Ingredients:

10-15 chicken legs

1 quart buttermilk

2 C. Flour

3 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Thyme

Salt & Pepper

Remove skin from chicken. Pour buttermilk into large Stainless Steel mixing bowl.  Add spices and S&P, mix thoroughly, add chicken to buttermilk (fully submerged) and allow to soak at min 1 hour (up to overnight) covered & in the fridge.  Stir the buttermilk & chicken mixture 1/2 way through soaking.  Prepare a roasting pan with a rack (you want the chicken off the bottom of the pan), spray the rack with Pam or other nonstick cooking spray.   Preheat oven to 400F degrees. In a pie dish (the tall sides contain the flour mixture better than on a plate) mix the flour & spices together.  Even if it feels like you are adding too much of the spices, you aren't, the flour will dilute the flavors more than you think.  Remove the chicken, and 1 piece at a time, shake off the excess buttermilk, roll in the flour mixture until fully covered, place on the rack in the roasting pan.  Place roasting pan in over and bake 45-50 min.  Remove from oven and allow to cool, enjoy!

NOTE: There are a lot of versions of this recipe online, and I will say that the chicken wasn't as crispy as I had hoped when it cooled (VERY crispy right out of the oven).  Next time we're trying the version that uses no rack, and butter in the bottom of the roasting dish so you fry the chicken while it bakes, turning at 20 minutes & then finishing (same cooking time).

Dinner is Served!

Golden Tidbit:

If you have $1000 to burn next time you are in NYC, stop by Serendipity 3 and order the Golden Opulence Sundae; it's actually in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007 as the worlds most expensive Sundae. Made with 23k gold and the worlds rarest chocolate, I think this dessert is a true once in a lifetime opportunity for a real Gold lover.  You get to keep the Baccarat Crystal goblet, but no the 18k gold spoon.  Don't forget to call ahead, they need 48 hours notice to get it ready for you!

Golden Quote: "The only real stumbling block is fear of failure.  In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude." Julia Child

Spring Decor: a touch of Gold

It's Super Bowl weekend so naturally I know everyone's minds are on snacks, football and BBQ.  Somehow, my mind is on redecorating my apartment.  It's not quite spring yet, but I have an overwhelming desire to change at least something about my apartment. The good thing about apartment living is that limited square footage makes inspired decorating a must. Gold inspired decorating is of course my preferred path.

Golden Tidbit:

1. Gold Lacquered Tray $8.98 Sale (Pier One)

2.  Sugar Frost Gold Candle $6.38 Sale (Crate & Barrel)

3. Brown & Gold Agate Coasters $125 (Jonathan Adler)

4. Gold Feather Tray $98.00 (William-Sonoma)

5. White Stag with Gold Antlers $94.99 (White Faux Taxidermy)

6.  Gold Chevron Pllow $75.00 (Caitlin Wilson Textile)

7. Measuring Hedgehogs $36 for a set of 4 (Anthropologie)

Golden Quote: "There is a conception in this country about luxurious things that we have to save them for a time that's right.  But an object is truly luxurious if you allow it to be, if you use it.  When you live with beautiful things you stimulate the mind, you enjoy life a little bit more." - Ralph Rucci