Sur La Table Holiday Cooking Classes

The classy culinary retailer has announded its holiday-themed cooking classes for November and December. Check out the Dallas round-up here.

Book Club: The Heirloom Tomato

My partner in crime often chastises me for my obsession with books, particularly big, beautiful ones focusing on food, home decor, and architecture. Seriously, they’re stacked everywhere in our small Oak Cliff abode. “You should start your own book club,” he snarled last night, tripping over my latest pile of purchases. Great idea, I thought. So, here goes: Every week, I’ll recommend a new and noteworthy tome and tell you where to buy it locally. This week? The Heirloom Tomato: From Garden to Table: Recipes, Portraits, and History of the World’s Most Beautiful Fruit by Amy Goldman. The award-winning food writer grows more than 500 varieties of tomatoes on her Hudson Valley farm each year. In her latest book, she waxes poetic about her favorite fruit, profiles each variety of tomato, and publishes more than 50 tasty recipes. The photography is stunning and Goldman’s words elevate Heirloom beyond the typical cookbook. It’s a true page turner. Get your own copy at Dicho’s in the Bishop Arts District. And if you have a book to recommend, comments are on.

Why Doesn’t Dallas Have a DEAN & DELUCA?

I mean, really, even Kansas City (?!?) has one of these delectable foodie posh shops. Every year when I get my D&D holiday catalog, I devour each savory page, finding numerous great gift ideas and a few things to buy for myself. (Sea salt caramels and roasted strawberry balsamic vinegar ballontins? Why, yes, thank you.) I hear that Victory is supposed to get an Oakville Grocer (yum) at the House development. So, why no D&D? I think it would fit in perfect at the West Village.

New Bookstores in Plano and Bishop Arts

Not that I don’t love Borders and Barnes & Noble. (Hey guys: Keep stocking those D Home’s on the shelves!) But there’s something cozy cool about independent book sellers. Alas, in recent years we’ve seen them fade away due to competition. Happily, two new ones are open: Legacy Books in Plano and Dicho’s in Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District. The first one, which Peggy blogged about last week, is having its official grand opening this weekend with books signings galore. One of my favorite local chefs, Grady Spears of Reata fame (pictured left), will be signing his latest cookbook The Texas Cowboy Kitchen at 3pm on Saturday. Dicho’s is much humbler: small selection of best sellers, coffeetable books, children’s classics, and a wonderful bakery/coffeehouse attached. But where Legacy has that Plano slick look, Dicho’s is Oak Cliff kitschy and cool. Check them both out this weekend and get reading.

Dallas restaurant glasses: A confession

Last night I bought a case of water glasses from Cafe R & D in Preston Center  (I was told they have so many inquiries about their glassware that they started keeping it stock to sell.) Truth be told, I have an unseemly attraction to glassware from restaurants or hotels, a condition I probably should discuss with my psychologist. The water glasses at Lucky’s — clear aqua-blue plastic — are among my favorite Big Gulp glasses. Pescabar, Alberto Lombardi’s restaurant in West Village, has great smallish water glasses with an excellent grip. (The waiter tells me were purchased from West Elm — went there but could not find them.) Did I invent this affliction, or is anyone else similiarly obsessed?

John Tesar’s Close-up

I’m not a huge fan of the morning programs—I will take the old gals on the Golden Girls over those on The View any day. But tomorrow, I’ll tune in to the Today Show, and you should, too. The Rosewood Mansion’s chef John Tesar will be in NYC showing viewers how to make a fish dish. If you’re like me, you might need a mimosa to get through the Ann Curry segments. According to Sarah, he’ll be on around 9:50 a.m. And funny enough, Sarah doesn’t love Ann Curry either.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Mine is good, thanks for asking.

Last year, Mike the Landscaper, came up with a concept of having a kitchen garden.  Fresh herbs and veggies perfect for summer food and fare.  We had a problem, though.  Neither of us, in laying out the landscaping allowed any room for my veggies.  By the time we realized it, I was resplendent in azaleas and hydrangeas, but couldn’t squeeze another plant in edgewise. Or so I thought…

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Miracle Worker

Let’s be honest, I don’t cook. All that prep work, countless hours searching for ingredients at the store, and all the slicing and dicing that goes into every meal…who has time for that? Probably only the people that have this.  Williams-Sonoma’s new Professional Multi-Chopper has made prepping fresh produce a walk in the park. With one effortless push, it cores, wedges, slices, and dices everything from onions and lemons to French fries and tomatoes, and its removable container measures the prepped ingredients for you. With all of the dicing taken care of, the only thing holding me back from being the next Rachael Ray is a personal shopper at the grocery store. Those signs telling you what is on each aisle don’t really cut it for me. I mean, where is a girl supposed to find some lime zest (whatever that is)?

Kohler’s Crevasse Sink

Have you seen this?

The Yolk’s On You at Flavors From Afar

Ouch. Yeah, bad pun. Sorry. But this upcoming event at Flavors From Afar is pretty cool. Caroline and Allen Fruth of Fruth Farms visits the epicurean favorite this Saturday, June 28 (12-4pm) to talk about all things free-range and grass-fed. They’ll discuss their transition from corporate life to life on the farm as well as their philosophy for respecting the animals that sustain us. Also, enjoy Caroline’s treats: mini-quiches, angel’s food cake with strawberries, and mini-burgers.

A Long Weekend

With such gorgeous spring weather we’re having, take Friday off and head out for the weekend to the family-run Greer Farm, about 2 1/2 hours east of Dallas in Daingerfield. Bet you didn’t know we had anything like this within driving distance.

Let’s Talk Meat

Did you know that May is National BBQ Month? Like teacher appreciation week and Black History Month, it’s more awareness than anything else. And because I don’t live with a barbecue expert (dad) anymore, it’s time to learn. Good ole J.W. Foster, the Fairmont’s chef, is reviewing all things Texas barbecue: preparing ribs, sausage, and brisket; using a variety of different woods to enhance the meat’s flavor; learning how to create your own sauces. Post-lecture, enjoy meat and libations. For reservations and details, call 214-720-5340. $95 per person.

La Cuesta Farm

This falls into the Who Knew? category. Beautiful goat’s milk cheese is produced on La Cuesta Farm, about an hour and a half outside of Dallas near Lake Whitney. Order online, or find their cheeses and other goat’s milk products in one of the groceries listed on the website. York Street Cafe and Parigi both serve their cheese.

April in Paris in Inwood Village

If you haven’t had a chance to sample this, shame on you. Our favorite souffle restaurant Rise No.1, featured in the March DHome and the May DMagazine, is having French accordian music on the patio on Saturday, and, of course, dinner on Friday and Saturday. All part of Inwood Village’s family friendly weekend event, I’m sure there will be music, food and fun everywhere.

Ed Harris vs. J.W. Foster

You know what, Candy? I see it. If J.W. ever needs someone to play him in a culinary drama, I think we’ve got our man.

Ed Harris Look-Alike in the Fairmont Kitchen

Candy tells us at a meeting a few weeks ago that there’s a good looking chef doing some exciting things with the cuisine at the Fairmont Hotel. “He looks like George Harris,” Candy says. George Harrison? We wondered. “No, not the Beatle,” Candy says. “Ed Harrison?” she suggested. “Ah, Ed Harris,” we said in unison. Well, no matter who he looks like, the word on the ground is that the new executive chef, J.W. Foster, is using all sorts of local purveyors for Texas quail, venison, and even grapefruit. We’ve also heard he’s instituted some wide ranging “green” procedures for the kitchens. He even bicycles to work. What’s the verdict on the food? I appeal to you, dear readers.

Everything Herbs

Dill is one of my favorite herbs to use in salads or on sandwiches, and I’ve noticed the fresh supply at Central Market lately. Turns out, CM is prepping for its Herb Fest April 4-6. If you’re like me and love herbs but don’t know all of the ways to use them, there will be free afternoon workshops throughout the weekend on topics such as “Pairing Herbs and Foods,” and the “Health Benefits of Herbs.” Florists will even be using dried herbs in bouquets. All of this sounds like fun,  but I’ll be visiting the store for the delicious food samples—which will be in abundance. (Cheese and dill dip? Basil bread? Yum.) To reserve a workshop spot, call 214-361-5754.

Get Crafty at Central Market

As a serious D Home Craft fan, I feel the need to make a brief pitch endorsing chef de cuisine and Texas boy Kevin Maxey’s upcoming cooking class at Central Market. I remember the day Laura and I devoured the Texas farm chicken or diver scallops, and since then, I feel confident endorsing anything that man makes. Head to the Lovers Lane location on Monday, March 31, 6:30-9 p.m. for roasted mushrooms; wild mushroom & mozzarella fondue; wild mushroom risotto; and mushroom bisque. His kitchen philosophy: perfect ingredients, perfectly cooked.

Lemon Curd Recipe

Who says New Yorkers aren’t nice? My friend Ashley who is studying at the Institute of Culinary Education sent along the recipe adapted from Alice Waters’ The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution. (Same Waters from Chez Panisse in San Fran.) Spread it on toast or scones, as the Brits are apt to do, or as Ashley recommends: “Lemon curd can be baked into a tart or used filling pastries such as eclairs. You can also churn it into vanilla bean ice cream. Yum!” Plenty of caloric options. (more…)

A Citrus Clean Friday

I’m getting a maid for today, which makes me feel so rich. (”Feel” being the key word.) Spring cleaning is coming to my house in the form of the new, eco-friendly service Nature Maids. I’ll get back to you with the results, but they come highly recommended by Rebecca. I can almost smell that nice lemony clean smell. Lemon options for you:

1. Meyer lemon and key lime trees that can be harvested on your porch. $69, at Williams-Sonoma.
2. Naturally biodegradable Meyer lemon cleaning collection. $9-$29, at Restoration Hardware.
3. Homemade lemon curd. My culinary school friend loves the recipe in “The Art of Simple Food,” by Alice Waters.

Arcodoro’s Efisio on Martha Stewart

Everyone stay home on Friday - Arcodoro chef Efisio Farris will be featured on the queen of cooking Martha Stewart Living. Imagine all those poor souls that will have to make their own recipes from his cookbook “Sweet Myrtle and Bitter Honey” when all we have to do is go down the street to Routh.

Soup Summary

Last night I learned to make five soups at Sur La Table’s Hearty Soups for Cold Winter Days. The class was lots of fun, and I left quite full. (A second helping of my favorite chorizo, chickpea, and chard soup with garlic toasts did the trick.) Williams-Sonoma is offering a rival class Feb. 17 teaching the basic stock-making techniques, both meat- and vegetable-based stocks. And if that hasn’t gotten you in the mood for a bowl of goodness. Try this recipe from Greenz for their ancho tortilla soup:

(Serves 12 people)

9 corn tortillas
1 T cumin
1/8 cup canola oil
1/2 white onion
1/2 T chipotle powder
2 Ancho chili peppers
1 T chopped garlic
7 cups water
1 T vegetable base
1 T salt

Add water, vegetable base, salt, cumin, chipotle powder, and bring to a boil. Fry tortillas. Add tortillas to mixture. Boil for 10 minutes. Let cool 10-15 minutes then blend mixture until smooth in blender. Garnish with avocado, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chip.

Tasty Treat for a Chilly Day

It’s not freezing, only about 46, but it’s February, which means warm drinks are seasonally appropriate. Brad Fuller, general manager at Al Biernat’s, feels your pain and has shared the recipe for a commonly requested winter beverage, Al’s Coffee. If your liquor cabinet is mildly stocked, you probably have the makings right at home.

Combine 1.5 oz. of brandy, 1 oz. of Cointreau, and 1 oz. of Kahlua. Add hot coffee and top off with heavy cream. Happy afternoon.

Book Drive at Central 214

I am a magnet for books, and as there are only so many surfaces and storage space in a 1500-square-foot cottage, I am frequently chastised for rooms that look like Philip Seymour Hoffman’s in The Savages. In February, Central 214 is hosting its inaugural book drive for the Krissi Holman Family Resource Library & Children’s Collection at Children’s Medical Center. I thought it was the perfect chance to clean off the shelves, but the library is in need of new or gently used English and Spanish books for ages two to 18, so instead I’m buying new ones. Bring in three, and you get free dessert. Totally worth it. Add a note with your name in the book, so donor plates can be added in each book.

Le Creuset on Sale at Sur La Table

Just in time for our frigid winter weather, Sur La Table is having a Le Creuset sale which includes the line’s oval cast iron French ovens (normally $130, now only $79). Mmmmm… doesn’t a nice stew or cassoulet sound good right now? Get shopping (and cooking).