Viewing entries posted in July 2011
Kitchen Countertops 101
In working with clients who are renovating their kitchen, the most common and reoccurring question that I receive is inevitably, “What should I do for my countertops?” With so many choices on the market, it’s no wonder that the question is both common and difficult to answer.
Summer Sippin: White Peach Sangria
There is really no gentle way of putting it — SUMMER HAS BEEN BRUTALLY HOT! (If you think you have been toasty outside, try standing in front of a 450° grill on camera doing everything possible not to sweat.) So what's my remedy? Ice cold peach sangria. Let's be honest here: The Spanish culture has endured some pretty hot heat and they were obviously onto something when it came to staying cool.
What’s in Season? Squash and Zucchini!
Summer squash was a favorite of my family, but my love for zucchini and summer squash came later in life. As southern as I am, I’ve just never been a fan of fried vegetables, which is how my family typically served them. Granted, I put in plenty of time picking these slick yellow veggies in our seemingly massive garden, but I never learned to truly appreciate their flavor until I was introduced to different preparations of summer squash. Once I learned to like yellow summer squash, zucchini was easy.
Triple B Farm: Sustainable Farming in Bullock
I'm a pastry chef, so I guess I'm expected to write about desserts and caramel sauce and pie. And pudding. But I have a confession to make. Although I love baking — the chemistry of it, the way I can manipulate ingredients to make them behave the way that I want them to, the sweet richness of it — I have slowly been moving closer and closer to a local-vore, vegetarian lifestyle. (Not that being a vegetarian gets in the way of being a pastry chef, mind you. Unless you love bacon ice cream. In which case, too bad.)
A Diamond in the Rough
Noelle Munoz had a successful sales job with a Charlotte architecture firm when the entrepreneur decided she'd rather follow her passion.
Marinate on That
One of the easiest cooking techniques you can do to add a TON of flavor is using marinades. I don't necessarily think you have to use marinades on everything, sometimes just a little Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper is all you need. However, marinades can help tenderize your proteins while adding a ton of infused flavor from herbs, citrus, spices, etc. Also note that marinades do not have to be strictly used for proteins, they also work great with grilled vegetables.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
If you are visiting Charlotte and are looking for outdoor adventure, then consider a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Encased with lush, mature trees and shaded trails, it’s easy to immerse oneself in the rugged beauty of the surroundings while enjoying the modern conveniences of an onsite restaurant, locker rooms and clean bathroom facilities.
The Beauty’s in the Details
As we’ve all learned in life, whether in school, at work, or in our homes, the more attention you pay to even the littlest of details the better your outcome will be. In the world of interior design, this couldn’t be truer than it is with upholstery. Custom upholstery details such as decorative trim, nailhead application and contrast welting and pleating elevate the look of sofas, chairs and ottomans, making them more unique and polished. And while you can certainly spend a pretty penny on these custom details if you’re so inclined, you can also achieve this look without breaking the bank; a little creativity and bargain materials go a long way.
What’s in Season? Watermelon!
What’s more southern and sweet than a big piece of red juicy watermelon? And if you’re really southern, you sprinkle a little (or maybe a lot) of salt on your ruby red wedge before sinking your teeth into it.
Coffee Talk
When I arrived to Café Roché in Winston-Salem on this particularly hot summer day, I was expecting to be in and out of the shop within 20 minutes. I figured this would be a quick interview with the owner and I would just ask a few questions about how the coffee shop came to be, etc. Little did I know that I would be in store for such a fantastic story about how the current owners came to obtain this little neighborhood coffee house.