My favorite show on The Food Network is Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger. It seems to be the only Food Network show focused on meals for health-minded home cooks. Ellie is a registered dietitian and author of a cookbook called "The Food You Crave," which I love. Her meals are both beautiful and delicious. It's a book I keep coming back to again and again when I am in the kitchen.
Time is a big issue for Ellie, just as it is for many families these days. After a long, busy day, she reaches for recipes that can be on the table without a lot of fuss. One favorite is Greek-style shrimp with tomatoes and feta. "It's quick and simple and I usually have the ingredients on hand." Another meal that fits the bill is maple mustard braised chicken, which comprises as few as four ingredients. Simply mix mustard, maple syrup and marjoram, spread on braised chicken, and bake.
Salt (down 6 spots)-This restaurant--along with the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island--has experienced a bit of a decline since the glory days of the early 2000's. Salt used to have a AAA Five Diamond rating and the hotel used to be one of the best around. Since then, Salt slipped to a four diamond and on a recent visit we had an abysmal experience at the spa. So, that explains the drop. The thing that keeps Salt on the list is the single, amazing experience we had when it was a five diamond. The restaurant still has the potential and the ambiance is great because it is right on the beach.
Pinot Noir is an exceptionally flavored wine with a high alcohol content and medium to high acidity. It has the aroma of wilted roses with a hint of cola. It really is a difficult wine to make and may cost a bit additional but the flavor is worth the expense. Pinot Noir goes well with rabbit, chicken, ham, steak, boeuf bourguignon, and coq au vin in a slow cooker.
Preparing coq au vin slow cooker food is time consuming and monotonous. Food processors are such time savers for chopping, slicing and shredding a variety of different foods. They'll also be used to beat eggs, cream and create pastry dough. Build area for the appliance on a kitchen bench therefore that it's continually handy. You may never have to cry over a chopped onion again. Employing a processor to mix home made soups can provide a silky smooth texture.
A folding table or two will be perfect. No tablecloth? Use an old sheet or burlap and tie off the corners at the table legs or use hair bands to secure it by bunching the fabric immediately underneath the table at the corners and tying it off with the band. Quilts work nicely too and have better weight. Some potted herbs on the table make for interesting and wonderfully fragrant mini-centerpiece.
coq au vin dinner a special experience of relaxed quiet dining in Boston, try either The Top of The Hub, Petit Robert Bistro or Icarus. You will surely enjoy good food, a pleasant atmosphere and soothing music to complete your evening out on the town.