Food

Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail Recipe

December 11, 2019 by Autumn Murray Leave a Comment

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Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail Recipe

Looking for a delicious holiday cocktail recipe to serve at your holiday parties and gatherings? Then you’ve come to the right place. I am always on the lookout for a delicious concoction to serve to my guests. However, I don’t just want my cocktails to taste good, I want them to look festive as well. This Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail Recipe is what I am serving this year as it is the best of both worlds – it tastes delicious and it looks simply amazing! The fizz of sparkling water paired with a bright splash of pomegranate juice makes this refreshing cocktail feel extra festive. We hope that you will love this Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail recipe.

Yield: 2 cocktails
Total Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

4 oz. citrus-flavored vodka, chilled

6 oz. 100% Pomegranate juice, chilled

3 T. fresh lime juice

4 oz. cold sparkling water

Optional garnish:
lime wedges
fresh pomegranate arils

Directions:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and add vodka, pomegranate, and lime juice. Shake to combine thoroughly. Strain liquid mixture evenly into two champagne glasses and top with sparkling water. Serve in decorative holiday-themed glasses for even more seasonal cheer!

Serve immediately.

Enjoy and drink responsibly.

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An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Sweet Traditions for Hearth and Home

December 10, 2019 by Autumn Murray Leave a Comment

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An Old-Fashioned Christmas:
Sweet Traditions for Hearth and Home

Christmas is a truly wonderful and magical time of year. Unfortunately, the demands of everyday life can make it challenging to get into the holiday spirit at times. If you need a little extra inspiration to create holiday traditions your family will always cherish, be sure to check out “An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Sweet Traditions for Hearth and Home,” by Ellen Stimson.

When you first open the pages of “An Old-Fashioned Christmas,” you can’t help but notice the author’s authentic love for this special time of year. It shines through as she shares entertaining stories of her family’s treasured holiday traditions, along with captivating full-color photos of their favorite ornaments and Vermont’s snowy landscapes.

The Magic of Christmas

What makes this book so magical, however, is how the author manages to inspire you to create your own special family traditions based around delicious home-cooked meals. Inside the pages of “An Old-Fashioned Christmas,” you are sure to find lots of new holiday favorites among its intriguing collection of recipes, which include Braised Winter Short Ribs, Bay Scallop Ceviche, Roasted Balsalmic Brussel Sprouts, Chestnut Mousse, homemade marshmallows, and so much more.

“An Old-Fashioned Christmas” is not just a compilation of delightful holiday recipes. t is a highly entertaining collection of engaging stories, beautiful photographs, and wonderful recipes that are sorted into 11 distinct chapters, with titles ranging from “Christmas Adventure” and “Fa-La-La-ing,” to “Keeping Christmas” and “Furry Christmas” (which offers a cute assortment of recipes for your four-legged family members). No matter what type of holiday entertaining you’ll be doing this year, you’re sure to find plenty of creative inspiration within this book.

Get a Copy Today!

“An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Sweet Traditions for Hearth and Home” is available in both hardcover and digital format. I recommend spending a few more dollars for the hardcover version as it truly is a gorgeous book. With its lovely photographs and great stories, it is sure to become a much-loved addition to your coffee table during the holiday season for years to come. You might even want to order an extra copy or two as it makes a great gift!

Does “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” deserve a spot on your bookshelf or coffee table? If you love the holidays or wish to recapture the magic Christmas once held for you, the answer is a definitive “yes.” But don’t just take my word for it. Take a look at what verified buyers on Amazon.com have to say about their purchase before you decide if this book is right for you.

“An Old-Fashioned Christmas” has earned an impressive 4.7 (out of 5.0 possible) stars from those who bought and reviewed it. In fact, 97% of those who reviewed this book gave it a four or five-star review. What’s even more interesting is that the ONLY 3-star review (as of this writing) states “All in all, I cannot say too many good things about this book or recommend it too highly.” One has to wonder if the reviewer actually meant to give it only 3 stars after reading the entire review. – A brief summary of Amazon Verified Customers

Check it out for yourself here:

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The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

We also recommend taking a look at “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays.” As with “An Old-Fashioned Christmas,” this book also includes many tried-and-true recipes brought to life with beautiful images. As an added bonus, this collection features many delicious recipes and ideas to help you celebrate holidays throughout the year.

Would love to hear what you think about these titles. Let me know in the comments below. In the meantime – Happy Holiday Cooking!

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Tips on How To Start a Complete Diet Overhaul

June 14, 2019 by Autumn Murray 8 Comments

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New Diet New You!

Taking that first step into totally revamping your diet and improving your eating habits is a hard thing to do, but not impossible. It is necessary to eliminate starchy, carby, and sugary products from your diet. Eating bad foods with empty calories only makes you feel more hungry, and if your aim is to improve your nutrition, boost your health, and empower your wellbeing then you need to start a complete diet overhaul. Major diet and lifestyle overhauling can be a daunting process, but it will certainly have a life-changing outcome. In order for the transition and diet re-organization to run smoothly, you need to take baby steps. Therefore, follow these tips diligently and your wellness and the nutritional journey will surely be less intimidating and more fruitful.

Revive Your Pantry

Deciding on where to start makes some people procrastinate without any specific reasons. However, when it comes to starting your new diet regime, you should first start with overhauling your pantry. Very often we resort to some food items in the pantry just because we subconsciously know that we have bought an extra bag of chips or jar of jam. Since the aim is to revamp your diet, you need to get organized and start by kicking out the bad food from the pantry and fridge and stocking it up with healthy fresh produce and nourishing staples. By rearranging your pantry, you will always be surrounded by quality and healthy foods which will help you stay on track with your overhaul. In a way, this also represents a mental challenge. The more determined and patient you are, the better and more solid the results will be.

Purchase Quality Foods

After you have cleared out your pantry, fridge, and freezer of any processed and refined foods, it’s time to go shopping. Another obstacle will be not to succumb to purchasing unhealthy items. The best way to do that is by focusing on buying only food that has come from the ground, tree, the land, and sea. Some pantry staples like almond bars, quinoa, nuts, spices, and similar are a wise choice to have in order to take a quick grab on a healthy snack when you are in a hurry. For a complete diet overhaul, the best solution would be to shop for healthy products at independently owned greengrocer’s shops, farmers markets or any other local organic store.
Revamp Daily Food Intake

When it comes to preparing your meals, no matter the chores and obligations you may have, you need to leave out the processed and prepared foods, and fast food options. Do your best to prepare fresh meals at home, and if necessary take them to work for lunch. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and a great way to start your day is with a nutritious bowl of oatmeal topped with your favorite fruit. If you don’t have time to prepare a nutritious meal, there are companies like Hello Fresh that can make and deliver your foods to you. If you are exercising, then you might need a more energetic food intake in order to give fuel to your muscles. There are many companies that can help you create a diet plan for muscle gain that is high in calories and with a higher ratio of carbohydrate and protein. Therefore, you will never miss out a healthy meal. Preparing more food from scratch is a powerful way to cut salt, fat, and calories from your diet.

Healthy Snacks Only

In order to get premium results with your new diet regime, you must eat moderately, chose nutritious products, and consume fresh and healthy foods. Don’t starve yourself, or avoid eating throughout the day and then order a pizza overnight. You must choose your food meticulously, have a minimum of three meals a day and two snacks in between. Yes, snacking is allowed, but the snacking habits should be utterly reshaped as well. There are plenty of healthy snacking options for you to choose from. Raw almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pumpkin and sunflowers seed, unsalted peanut butter, the list is endless. If you are used to having dessert after lunch or snacking throughout the day, go for healthy chia seed pudding with goji berries and almond milk. Or a delicious smoothie with natural yogurt, cinnamon, and raw cacao powder.

Listen to your Body

Always listen to your body. When you finally transform your diet, avoid eating hydrogenated fats and deep-fried foods that contain harmful compounds, you can say that you are on a perfect path of maintaining positive and healthy eating habits. Probably up to now, you have discovered that your body feels over-saturated, your stomach bloated and upset when you eat deep-fried foods. By listening to your body you will notice how revived it will become after you have kicked out or at least swapped out snacks, sugar, refined flour and sugar products, processed, ready-made and fast foods.

Hydration is Key

There are many drinks that can have an extremely negative impact on your body. By eliminating all kinds of sugary drinks and sodas, you will detoxify your body from the inside and out. Many sodas, flavored waters, juices, and sports drinks contain refined sugar that can only do more damage then satisfy your thirst. When you are focusing on completely overhauling your diet, the only thing that you should be drinking is plain water. And lots of it. Drinking a minimum of two liters of water per day works miracles for your body. It detoxifies your entire system, cleanses your body, refreshes your skin, and it even helps to shed pounds. What more can you ask for?

To get on track for your best wellness and to become healthier and happier, you need to introduce some changes in your diet. By implementing these tips you will certainly achieve your overhauling goal. Good luck!

Guest post by Helen Bradford.

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Kale Pesto Pasta Recipe

July 8, 2019 by Autumn Murray Leave a Comment

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This Kale Pesto Pasta Recipe post is sponsored, however, the opinions expressed are my own.

Kale Pesto Pasta Recipe

Cheese is one of my favorite things to eat. I love it, I love it, I love it! I sincerely believe that everything really does taste better with cheese. For me, it is important that I use authentic Italian cheese when preparing meals for my family as there really is a difference in texture and most importantly – flavor.

I was in the mood for pasta with cheese this evening (I’m always in the mood for pasta). With the ingredients I had in my refrigerator, I decided upon making an improvised version of pesto sauce. I also wanted to add additional flavor to the pesto recipe, so I added authentic Italian Pecorino Romano and Asiago cheese. The mild and creamy taste of the Asiago added a whole other level of flavor to the pesto pasta dish that made it even more delicious. We hope that you love our Kale Pesto Pasta Recipe.

Because of the hard texture and sharp & salty flavour, Pecorino Romano is an excellent grating cheese over pasta dishes. I also like to include this in the Pesto sauce itself, the salty flavor lets me omit adding salt. The recipe is below.

I always make sure that I use authentic Italian Pecorino Romano and Asiago cheese for the best flavor. You can tell if a brand is authentically Italian by making sure the letters PDO or PDI are on the label.
PDO stands for Protected Designation of Origin and PGI stands for (Protected Geographical Indication). These symbols guarantee the products are from the official place of origin (in this case, Italy) and that they adhere to strict production standards that have been in place for hundreds of years. For additional information click HERE.

Kale Pesto Pasta

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 cloves of Garlic (one clove will work – but I love garlic)
4 cups Kale, loosely packed
1 Lemon
1/2 tsp freshly ground Black Pepper
1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil
1/4 cup Walnuts (or traditional Pine Nuts)
4 oz authentic Asiago Italian Cheese
1/2 cup authentic Italian Pecorino Romano Cheese, grated
1 lb of your favorite type of Pasta

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and place pasta in for 7 minutes or until al dente. for the pasta. Drain in a colander and place to the side.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. Separate the kale leaves from the stems, and roughly chop into thin strips. Place kale in a colander and rinse with cold water and drain.
Add kale to a food processor along with the olive oil, 1/4 cup juice from the lemon, garlic, walnuts, authentic Italian Pecorino Romano cheese, and pepper. Purée until smooth. Note: add additional olive oil if necessary as the sauce needs to be smooth and not chunky.
Add additional salt, pepper and/or lemon juice to your taste. Set aside.
Place your cooled and drained pasta in a large bowl and add a little over half of the pesto sauce and stir until all pasta is coated.
Dice authentic Italian Asiago cheese into small cubes, then add it to the pasta along with 1 Tbsp of the zest from the lemon. Stir to combine all ingredients and then add the remaining pesto and continue to stir until everything is coated.
Top with more grated Pecorino Romano and serve.

Make sure to look for authentic Italian cheese when preparing your favorite recipes for the best possible texture and flavor. Listed below is a little more detail on the authentic Italian cheese that I used for my recipe. Mangiamo!

Fun Facts About Pecorino Romano

Pecorino Romano is a sheep’s milk cheese (‘pecora’ is the Italian word for sheep) that is typically aged for 8 months to 1 year.
The first Italian cheeses were made from sheep’s milk 2,000 years ago to feed the soldiers of the Ancient Roman Empire. To this day, sheep still graze on wild and semi-wild pastures filled with native flora in the regions of Sardinia, Lazio, and the province of Grosseto. Only here can Pecorino Romano PDO be made from fresh whole sheep’s milk from October to July.
Pecorino Romano is only made from three ingredients:. Lightly heat-treated sheep’s milk, salt, and rennet. That’s it!

Fun Facts About Asiago

For 1000 years, milk-producing animals have enjoyed a tasty diet of lush, flower-filled grasses in the provinces surrounding the Asiago Plateau, from where this fabled cheese gets its name.
The Asiago Plateau in Italy has a mild climate, pure air and rich vegetation that all come together to create an unparalleled flavor in the Asiago cheese.
To ensure that you are buying the authentic Asiago PDO from Italy, look on the rind for the word “Asiago” pressed into it. For the best flavor and quality, don’t settle for an imitation.

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Taste Of Atlanta 2019 Restaurant Lineup & Festival Programming

September 20, 2019 by Autumn Murray Leave a Comment

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Taste Of Atlanta 2019 Restaurant Lineup & Festival Programming

Taste of Atlanta, the city’s award-winning food, craft beer, wine and spirits festival showcasing the local restaurant scene, will take place at Historic Fourth Ward Park from Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20, 2019.

Restaurants

The 18th annual festival will feature more than 100 restaurants throughout the weekend. Plus, there will be a Friday Opening Night Party, on-stage cooking demos, cooking classes and new this year, Food Districts, a more expansive VIP Tasting Experience and a Saturday night concert from one of Atlanta’s favorite local bands, Yacht Rock Revue. The complete restaurant lineup can be found here.

Taste Of Atlanta 2019 Restaurant Lineup & Festival Programming | #TasteofAtlanta

Photo credit: Taste of Atlanta

Key Events

Friday, October 18

Opening Night Party hosted by Chef-Owner Nick Leahy of AIX and Tin Tin, the evening will showcase a roster of well-regarded local chefs who focus on sourcing ingredients locally and cooking seasonally. From 7:30-11pm, participating restaurants, including Tiny Lou’s, Bellina Alimentari, KR Steakbar, Table & Main, Mission + Market and dozens more, will serve tastings alongside wine, beer, cocktails and live music from Moontower. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will support Georgia Grown’s restaurant partnership program.

Main Tasting Events on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. Taste of Atlanta will serve as a destination to try bites from over 100 restaurants representing dozens of cuisines all in one place.

Photo credit: Taste of Atlanta

Food Districts on Saturday, October 19 & Sunday, October 20

This year’s festival will feature categorized Food Districts, including:

Buford Highway – Offering the international cuisines of Atlanta’s most diverse culinary corridor, this Food District presented by WeLoveBuhi will feature bites and sips from Northern China Eatery, Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea and more.
Tailgating – Guests can check out game-day bites from restaurants such as City BBQ, Shake Shack, Taco Mac, and Three Dollar Café while watching the football games of the day! Plus, the Atlanta Falcons and 92.9 The Game will be there adding to the game-day spirit.
Hartsfield-Jackson Lounge – Attendees can swing by the lounge to get a taste of what the busiest airport in the world has to offer! Chicken + Beer, TGI Fridays, Atlanta Chophouse & Brewery and others will be serving tastes.
Brunch All Day – Festivalgoers can enjoy brunch all day, every day at Taste of Atlanta. Restaurants, including Waffle House, The Little Farmhouse Cafe, and Simon’s Restaurant, will be dishing up the city’s best brunch dishes at this Food District presented by The Extreme Bean.

Photo credit: Paul Kosal

Chef Demos on Saturday, October 19 & Sunday, October 20

Attendees will also get an inside view into the Atlanta culinary world at Chef’s Table and Home Plate Stages, where chefs will demonstrate how to prepare mouthwatering dishes and provide tastings of their creations. For a full demo schedule, please see here.

All Things Fall with Brezza Cucina’s Culinary Legend Jonathan Waxman & Executive Chef Andrew Cacioppo – The duo is teaming up at Taste of Atlanta to teach attendees all about cooking fall recipes with local and seasonal ingredients, including a Roasted Fall Salad with Maple Vinaigrette, Lamb Chops, and a Warm Shrimp Salad. Plus, they’ll be serving a seasonal cocktail to pair.
Somms and Sous – While head chefs tend to receive the glory, the behind-the-scenes heroes who help keep kitchens running are the sous chefs. Taste of Atlanta is putting some of the city’s best sous chefs front and center as they demo how to prepare bites that are paired with wines selected by their restaurants’ sommeliers. Not only will attendees learn how to cook, but they’ll also get the chance to explore pairings with wines of Germany and Bordeaux.
Burger Brawl with Budweiser – There’s no doubt that restaurants all across Atlanta dish up tasty burgers, but who will receive the top honor at Taste of Atlanta? Guests are invited to watch as burger joints duke it out for ‘Best Burger.’

Photo credit: Taste of Atlanta

Cooking Classes on Saturday, October 19 & Sunday, October 20.

Sponsored by The Cook’s Warehouse, Garnish & Gather, Hammer Stahl, and Sprouts Farmers Market, The Kitchen Workshop offers hands-on cooking classes led by Atlanta chefs, where cooks can learn to cook at individual stations. All classes are first-come, first-served and free to join with a Taste of Atlanta ticket. Please see here for the full list of classes.

It’s All in the Cookware! – Festivalgoers can join Mary Moore, Founder and CEO of The Cook’s Warehouse, and Bobby Griggs of Hammer Stahl in the kitchen as they prepare Wild Mushroom & Marsala Chicken with Angel Hair Pasta. Participants will learn how to make the classic Italian-American dish using the cookware brand’s latest products.
South Meets East – The brilliant chefs of Northern China Eatery will teach participants how to make Dan Dan Noodles with a peanut sauce made from Georgia Peanuts. Plus, Don Koehler from Georgia Peanut Commission will be on hand to talk shop about Georgia Peanuts in this awesome mash-up of South meets East.
Rue Po’ Boy – Chef Darrell Johnson, founder of creole and cajun bistro food truck NOLA Creations and winner of Food Network’s ‘The Great Food Truck Race,’ will take center stage with his famed Shrimp Po’ Boy. Attendees will learn how to prepare the fan favorite firsthand during this workshop.
Dinner at Home with Garnish & Gather – Atlanta’s local meal kit company Garnish & Gather invites Taste of Atlanta attendees to join them in cooking a farm-to-table recipe highlighting seasonal ingredients.

Photo credit: Luciana Carneiro

Georgia Grown Pavilion on Saturday, October 19 & Sunday, October 20

Chefs, restaurateurs and food producers will welcome attendees to learn about Georgia Grown products and ingredients through food conversations, mini culinary demos and of course, recipe tastings. Programs include Cathy Conway of Avalon Catering demoing a recipe with Decimal Place Goat Cheese; Ellijay Mushrooms showcasing their passion for growing shiitake mushrooms; Chef Jennifer Booker highlighting local apples and honey; Author Rebecca Lang talking pecans and more.

Yacht Rock Revue Concert on Saturday, October 19

Taste of Atlanta will continue into the evening with a concert from one of Atlanta’s favorite local bands, Yacht Rock Revue. The famed seven-man band will be crooning classic hits and Halloween tunes. Plus, local food trucks, such as Che Butter Jones, YoJay’s Yogurt Treats and Zubi’s Taco Kitchen, will be selling bites for purchase alongside drinks from beverage tents throughout the concert. Gates open at 7pm, and tickets can be purchased here.

Check out at last year’s Taste of Atlanta!

Tickets to Taste of Atlanta can be purchased here.

About Taste of Atlanta

Celebrating its 18th year in 2019, Taste of Atlanta is the city’s award-winning food and drink festival showcasing the local restaurant scene and attracting food lovers from the region and beyond to Historic Fourth Ward Park on October 18, 19 and 20. Throughout three days of bites and bevs, more than 100 of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants will show off their most craveable dishes alongside live on-stage cooking demos from top chefs, hands-on cooking classes, an all-inclusive Friday Night Opening Party, a Saturday night concert and more. Oprah Magazine named Taste of Atlanta as the “Top Food Festival Worth the Trip,” and Taste of Atlanta has won Creative Loafing’s “Best Food Festival or Event” for six years running. This year’s sponsors include Garnish & Gather, The Cook’s Warehouse, Sprouts, Georgia Peanut Commission and more.

Get Social with Taste of Atlanta!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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BOBBY FLAY FIT COOKBOK

January 28, 2019 by Autumn Murray Leave a Comment

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Photo credit: Michael Crook

Partner Post

BOBBY FLAY FIT COOKBOOK #BOBBYFLAYFIT

Are you still sticking to your New Year’s resolutions? I am! One of my New Year’s resolutions was to continue to exercise and eat healthier meals. I love to exercise – so that is not my problem. My day is never complete unless I have participated in a spin class at my gym and covered a minimum of 20 miles on the bike. My biggest hurdle is eating healthy meals. That is why I made a resolution to eat healthier meals in 2019 and that is where Bobby Flay’s Fit recipe book comes in. Bobby Flay Fit recipe book has 200 delicious recipes for a healthy lifestyle. The best part of Bobby’s recipe book is that his approach to healthy eating is all about flavor—not eliminating anything from your diet.

Not only does Bobby Flay Fit have great recipes for award-winning meals, snacks, and side dishes, it also details with Bobby’s tips on fitness and healthy eating habits. So, start 2019 off right and stick to your New Year’s resolutions of eating healthier meals by getting a copy of Bobby Flay Fit today. Get Fit Fast!

Photo credit: Michael Crook

About Bobby Flay

BOBBY FLAY, New York Times bestselling author and lifelong runner, is the chef-owner of the fine-dining restaurants Gato, Bar Americain, Mesa Grill, and Bobby Flay Steak and numerous Bobby’s Burger Palaces. He is the host of many popular cooking shows on Food Network—from the Emmy-winning Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction to Iron Chef America, Beat Bobby Flay, and Food Network Star—as well as Brunch @ Bobby’s on Cooking Channel and the online series Bobby Flay Fit.

About the Cookbook

With a profession that has him constantly developing and tasting new recipes, chef Bobby Flay does not eschew any foods: bread, bacon, and butter are still all on the table. His secret to staying healthy is to have on hand an arsenal of low-calorie flavor bombs—like rubs, relishes, and marinades—to transform lean proteins, whole grains, and fresh produce into crave-worthy meals at home. In Bobby Flay Fit, Bobby shares smoothies and juices, breakfast bowls, snacks to fuel workouts, hearty salads, nourishing soups, satisfying dinners, and lightened-up desserts. With fitness tips and a look into the chef’s daily healthy routines, this cookbook is for those who want to eat right without overhauling their pantries or sacrificing taste.

BOBBY FLAY FIT COOKBOOK – NOW IN STORES!

BOBBY FLAY FIT – 200 Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle

GET FIT FAST!

Order yours today!

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Get Social with Bobby Flay! #BobbyFlayFit

Twitter | Instagram| Facebook | Website | YouTube

This article was written by Autumn Murray and it originally appeared in Divine Lifestyle in January 2018.

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PeachDish | Fresh Ingredients Delivered from farm to your door!

February 8, 2019 by Autumn Murray 36 Comments

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Simply Amazing Living was hosted by PeachDish and Cook’s Warehouse for a complimentary dinner. As always, all opinions are my own.

Discover the farm-fresh taste of the South with PeachDish!

PeachDish – Meal Planning Made Easy

Discover the farm-fresh taste of the South with PeachDish. PeachDish delivers perfectly portioned ingredients that are delivered ready to prep, cook and enjoy. There are no hidden or artificial ingredients and their meals are for every home cook, new to advanced.

PeachDish quick fix menus are designed to fit your busy day. They offer a diverse range of recipes highlighting food’s global influence and the menus are by James Beard award-winning chefs.

PeachDish has something for everyone as they offer vegetarian, vegan, and no gluten added menu items in addition to their omnivore selections
.

How does PeachDish work?

1. Browse & Choose menu items on their website (www.peachdish.com) and add to cart.
2. Your items are shipped quickly (nationwide shipping available).
3. Unpack your box, prep, and cook!

Discover the farm-fresh taste of the South with PeachDish!

Date Night!

We had a hands-on cooking experience at Cook’s Warehouse preparing a dinner from one of the three-course date-night kits they offer.

If you don’t want to deal with the crowded restaurants this Valentine’s Day, treat your loved one (or yourself) with a Date Night bundle meal kit from PeachDish delivered right to your door.

PeachDish has two different 3-course menus to choose from, each beginning with a delightful cheese course and finishing with decadent chocolate cake.

Sweet Grass Dairy Green Hill Cheese with Elderberry Jam

Rich and creamy Green Hill cheese, coming from Sweet Grass Dairy of Thomasville, GA, pairs happily with elderberry jam, which is made by Fairywood Thicket Farm from berries harvested from their land in Fairburn, GA. The baguette, baked by Atlanta’s own H&F Bread Co, is sliced and toasted until crisp and satisfying; a perfect vehicle for your cheese and jam spread.

Creamy Egg Noodles with Mushrooms and Poppy Seed

This is a vegetarian take on classic stroganoff. Earthy mushrooms and rich egg noodles bathed in a tangy sour cream sauce, while poppy seeds spark the palate with every forkful. This recipe is quick and simple, approachable enough for even the most novice cook to prepare a dish that’s impressive and tasty.

Filet Mignon & Mashed Potatoes with Arugula Salad and Cider Vinaigrette

In the words of author Alan Wolfelt, “Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” With this perfectly marbled, properly aged, Georgia Grown filet mignon, velvety mashed potatoes, and a crisp green salad, there’s no reason why Date Night has to be at the steakhouse this year.

Kathleen McDaniel’s Flourless Chocolate CakeDinner is capped off with the essential for any romantic date: chocolate! Kathleen McDaniel, an Atlanta pastry chef, lends her recipe for flourless chocolate cake, which is paired with a cinnamon-spiced whipped cream that enhances its velvety and decadent flavor. The cake is gluten-free!

I loved how easy it was to prepare this gourmet meal! It was fun having everything at my fingertips to prepare a three-course dinner. Everything was delicious. I can see myself ordering from PeachDish to save time on menu planning and finding the time to run around in a grocery store.

About PeachDish

What’s for dinner? There’s nothing more satisfying than a home-cooked meal, prepared with love and shared among family and friends. And while going out to eat for something different is easy and exciting, it can really add up. PeachDish gives you the best of both worlds. We make it easy to cook a delicious and inspired homemade dinner in your own kitchen.

Order a PeachDish box, and you’ll receive recipe cards and all the ingredients you’ll need to prepare your meals. You get to do the fun part—prep, cook, eat and enjoy around the table with friends and family. Our classically trained chefs develop seasonally inspired recipes that you would order at your favorite restaurant but are surprisingly quick and easy to prepare at home. We source the freshest ingredients, pre-measure everything for you, pack it in a special insulated box, and ship it to your doorstep. PeachDish is a delicious adventure in a box!

Get Social with PeachDish!

Web Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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European Luxury meets southern hospitality – Château Élan Winery and Resort

August 31, 2018 by Autumn Murray 44 Comments

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Photo credit: Chateau Elan Winery and Resort

Chefs Catalog

Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

We were recently invited to a tour and wine tasting at the most-awarded Winery on the East Coast -Château Élan Winery & Resort in Braselton, Georgia. Yes, you read that correctly – in Georgia. When most people think of wine, Georgia is not typically the first area that comes to mind. However, I believe that Château Élan is changing people’s perception of wine produced in the Southeast.

Oddly enough, even though I have lived in Georgia for over 20 years, I had not been to the winery and resort before. To be honest, I didn’t think I would like the wine as I thought it would be too sweet. Wines produced in Georgia are mostly made from muscadine grapes which have a high sugar content. When I think of muscadines, I think of Muscato Wine which is extremely sweet. I like my wine to be more on the dry side.

I was pleased to find out the type of varietals the winery is known for include Muscadine varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and various blends.

Château Élan Duncan Creek

The wines we tried:

Château Élan Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
Château Élan Chardonnay Reserve
Château Élan Duncan Creek
Château Élan Brut Reserve
Château Élan “Nancy”
Château Élan Pinot Noir Reserve
Château Élan Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Château Élan Les Petits
Château Élan Dolce Rosso
Château Élan Port Reserve

Wine Favorites

I truly enjoyed all of the wines. However, my top three choices in no particular order are:

Château Élan Chardonnay
If you are looking for a smooth, fruity, oaky chardonnay – this one is worth a try.

Château Élan “Nancy”
Nancy is the first addition of super premium white wine to their “Fingerprint” collection. It is the most elegant wine yet created by Simone Bergese and it is named after Château Élan founder Dr. Nancy Panoz. It is dry with a slightly fruity taste.

Château Élan Les Petits
If you love bold red wines – this one is the one for you. A blend of Petit Verdot and Petit Syrah. It is deliciously rich and textured wine.

Photo credit: Château Élan

Château Élan Wine Box Subscription

They just announced the Chateau Elan Wine Box!. It is a pick-up subscription experience for wine lovers who live within 50 miles of the most-awarded Winery on the East Coast and want to try new wines while also enjoying the wines they have come to know and love.

Find out more details HERE.

Simone Bergese

Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

Did someone say wine?

Simone Bergese
Simone Bergese is the Executive Winemaker and Director of Winery Operations for Château Élan Winery & Resort. Simone is originally from Alba, Italy and holds a degree in Oenology and Viticulture from the Turin University in Northern Italy. Simone has worked as Assistant Winemaker and Chief Winemaker for several wineries across Italy, Australia, and the United States before joiningChâteau Élan Winery & Resort in 2013.

Upon Simone’s arrival, he directed a complete overhaul of the Estate Vineyard. The winery had been struggling to keep the grape vines they were growing in peak condition. At Simone’s direction, all of the vinifera vines and other vines that were deemed unworthy were removed from the vineyard and replaced with muscadine vines that are unique to the Georgia climate.

Château Élan produces all of their wines at the winery. In addition to the grapes grown in their vineyard, they source and transport grape varieties from top vineyards in California.

Simone also infused specific winemaking techniques at the winery that he honed over his 20 years of winemaking across the world. Since joining Château Élan in 2013, his wines have won over 150 awards at prestigious wine competitions and he has brought the wine offerings to over 20 styles of wines.

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Photo credit: Château Élan

The Ultimate Destination

Château Élan makes for ideal for weddings and meeting destination. It has four ballrooms, 12 conference rooms, and an auditorium. In addition to the winery, the property’s grounds also include a golf course, tennis courts, and a full-service spa. According to guests, the Château Élan packs quite a punch with the amenities it provides. There are seven restaurants that offer a variety of types of food – literally everything from French cuisine to traditional Irish pub fare.

The guest rooms at the resort emulate elements of a French country estate. Very posh indeed.

Photo credit: Château Élan

About Château Élan Winery & Resort

Donald and Nancy Panoz are the visionaries and founders of Château Élan in Braselton, Ga., USA. The luxurious resort is the first winery of its kind in the region since Prohibition. With numerous expansions over the past 14 years, Château Élan is now an award-winning winery and resort with an inn, conference center, four golf courses, eight restaurants, European-style health spa, residential community, wine market, equestrian show center and tennis center.

Come on out and experience for yourself the place where European Luxury meets southern hospitality!

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We hope that you loved this European Luxury Meets Southern Hospitality –Château Élan Winery & Resort post.

We were hosted by Château Élan Winery & Resort and not compensated to write this post.
As always, the views expressed in my post are my own.

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The Ultimate Sugar Show in Atlanta!

November 29, 2018 by Autumn Murray 7 Comments

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Let Them Eat Cake!

The Ultimate Sugar Show was in Atlanta and it was a sweet success. The Ultimate Sugar Show is Georgia’s largest baking and sweets show. Cake enthusiasts and foodies gathered together to watch some of television’s favorite cake decorating talent showcase and share their secrets on creating confectionary masterpieces.

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The event was hosted by Francesca Amiker, 11 Alive’s Entertainment Anchor. John Russel, the star of the Food Network Challenge, ‘Last Cake Standing’, and now NBC’s ’Bluprint’ was one of the highlights of the event presenting live demos on the main stage.

Cyd Mitchel, owner of the Invested Foodie and Ultimate Sugar Show creator, says the mission of The Ultimate Sugar show is to teach people techniques like cake stacking, and sugar molding and to offer classes to help individuals start their own business.

Michelle Obama

A portion of the proceeds from the Ultimate Sugar Show benefitted the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Ultimate Sugar Show Atlanta Next Generation of Culinary Artists
One of my favorite aspects at the Ultimate Sugar Show was watching the young stars from MasterChef and Chopped Junior share their experiences of balancing school, being in the spotlight and competing on National Television. These young culinary stars are very talented and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.

Jasmine Stewart, the star and winner of MasterChef Junior Season 5 on the FOX network.
Violet Waterhouse, 2017 competitor on Food Network’s Chopped Junior
Quani Fields, competitor on MasterChef Junior Season 5 on the FOX network.
Rose Genter, 2017 competitor on Food Network’s Chopped Junior

Check out the event overview for featuring a few of the top chefs in attendance:

How to Decorate Like a Cake Boss

The event featured hands-on decorating classes for children ages 5 to 16. They were taught how to properly hold a piping bag, decorate using royal icing and working with fondant. Classes were also available for the older and more advanced students.

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In association with Hou’s Caking, a new recipe site for kids, the Ultimate Sugar Show also held an Open Question & Answer Panel designed to inspire and motivate the next generation of home cooks and culinary masters. Chefs Catalog
The Great Southern Bake-Off

Bakers and sugar artists of all levels had the opportunity to both show off and improve their skills at the event through competitions and classes.

Attendees had the opportunity to get in on the action by purchasing spoons to taste test and vote for the best dessert in the Great Southern Bake-Off tasing competition. The Great Great Southern Bake-Off was divided into six categories including Best Southern Pound Cake, Best Peach Cobbler, Best Red Velvet, Best Southern Chocolate Dessert, Best Holiday Cookie and Best Overall Dessert. The competition provided small business the opportunity to earn bragging rights while also helping to raise money for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center through the cost of the spoons.

The Southern Lady Hat Competition

Anyone who knows anything about the south knows that southern ladies love to don their best hat at church on Sundays. To celebrate this great southern tradition, the Ultimate Sugar Show hosted an edible Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show (aka Church Lady Hat Show). It was a live competition and participants were required to create and construct a southern style, wearable hat using mostly edible materials.

The Ultimate Sugar Show

A few of the cakes from the event:

Chef Kimberly Bryant

Chef Kim Bryant was one of the local featured instructors at the event. She is the CEO of Adonai Dessert Brand and owner of Adonai Cookie Shoppe. Chef Kim graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in 2013 and in 2018 graduated with a Masters in Education. She has a passion for teaching and is in the process of developing an engaging culinary school curriculum for young people.

Her Adonai Cookie Shoppe specializes in custom cookies, cakes, cupcakes and cake pops. Chef Kim is known for impressing her customers by creating over the top custom orders. She doesn’t believe in “subtle” when it comes to creating her confectionary masterpieces.

Video Highlights from the Ultimate Sugar Show!

Winner!

Congratulations to Liz Marek of the Sugar Geek Show! She is the winner of the 2018 FIPGC USA Division Cake Designer Champion presented by the Ultimate Sugar Show and the International Federation of Pastry Gelato & Chocolate.

Liz will represent the United States in the 2019 World Cake Designers Championship in Milan, Italy.

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Autumn Murray

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Taste of Thailand Tuk-Tuk Food Tour | Bangkok

October 7, 2018 by Autumn Murray 6 Comments

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Taste of Thailand Tours

Taste of Thailand’s Urban Odyssey Tour

On our last trip to Bangkok, we went on a few foodie tours to experience authentic Thai and Chinese food like the locals eat. One of the tours we took was Taste of Thailand’s Urban Odyssey Tuk-Tuk Tour and we were not disappointed. We went with our American friends that live and work in Bangkok. They hadn’t been on this tour yet and wanted to try it out.

We zipped through the historic streets of Old City Bangkok known as the “Rattanakosin” area in our private tuk-tuk. “Rattanakosin” is where most of Bangkok’s must-see sights can be found, including the Grand Palace and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha).

Along the way, we were able to see historic landmarks and temples as we watched the hustle and bustle of the city around us. All of Taste of Thailand’s tour guides are local experts on the city and give you detailed information on the history of the city, each restaurant, and food stall, as well as the history behind each of the delicious dishes throughout the tour. Our tour guide, Katy, was wonderful and answered all of our questions and made sure all of our needs were met.

Our private Tuk-Tuk

First Stop – Congee

Our first destination we tried congee which is a rice soup. It was delicious! The rice is cooked until it breaks down to the consistency of porridge. It can be prepared with or without meat (ours was prepared with meat) and a raw egg is stirred in and it is served with scallions and soy sauce. We were told that this dish is typically served at breakfast but can be eaten at any meal.

Congee

The Family at Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

Fresh!

I love getting a taste of the local area and most if not all of the local Thai and Chinese restaurants and food stalls in Bangkok use only fresh vegetables and herbs.

Taste of Thailand Tours

Bangkok’s Flower Market
The Tuk-Tuk Urban Odyssey tour includes a walk through Bangkok’s Flower Market which is the largest flower market in Bangkok. Local species range from chrysanthemum, gerbera, jasmine orchids, lilies, and roses.

Saving the Best for Last – Thipsamai – Voted Bangkok’s Best Pad Thai

Thipsami has been voted the #1 restaurant in Bangkok for Pad Thai and for good reason. Thipsamai’s ‘original’ Pad Thai is cooked on a flaming hot charcoal stove, fired with wood from local mangrove trees. It is based on a family recipe handed down generation after generation. Thipsamai has been featured on BBC, CNN, and National Geographic, as well as in Reuters, Time, and The Guardian.

Bangkok Tours

The Tuk-Tuk Urban Odyssey tour stops at four restaurants and all restaurants providing generous servings. Each tour can accommodate 1-15 persons. Children under five are not allowed for safety reasons. The tour takes place rain or shine. You can bring an umbrella just in case it rains. But, it is more adventurous to go without one!

Pro-tip: Make sure to come hungry because the portions are generous!

Taste of Thailand has several other tour options in Bangkok and are they have tour offices throughout Asia.

If your travels lead you to Asia, make sure to try one of Taste of Thailand’s tours! Click HERE to take a look at their locations and tour options and to purchase your tickets.

The Grand Palace

About Taste of Thailand

A community-led effort to serve Thai culture through its rich cuisine and exotic foods. Our passion is discovering culinary gems in the sprawling metropolis of Bangkok and our mission is to share them with you, dishing up culture, tradition, and people behind the savory treats along the way. From royal cuisine to street vendors, we share authentic neighborhood tastes and experiences – so that you have the knowledge to explore and eat with confidence, or as we like to say, like a local. Come off the beaten for a tasty, behind the scenes adventure through the smells, aromas and spices local neighborhoods have to offer. We guarantee to awaken your senses and tickle your taste buds! Taste of Thailand Food Tours is a community-led social venture supporting local businesses and the community in which we work.

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We were hosted by Taste of Thailand and not compensated to write this post.
As always, the views expressed in my post are my own

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