Thursday, February 19

The Academy Awards


This Sunday evening are the Academy Awards. I personally like to sit at home with my family and quietly watch them on TV while sipping a cup of hot cocoa snuggled up on the couch. However, that doesn't mean you have to.


Why not throw an Academy Award Bash and invite some of your closet friends over for some fancy appetizers and drinks?


In fact make a night of it! Why not have the women dress in formals and the men in tuxedo's? Pretend like you're at the Oscar's and you're one of the stars being nominated. Then watch yourself live on the air, hopefully you'll win. Winners can get a special prize. Most of all serve some special appetizers for everyone to enjoy.


Menu:

Chilled Cooked Asparagus wrapped in Prosciutto
Candied Pecans
Olives Stuffed with Goat Cheese
Roasted Vegetable Kebabs
Beef Tenderloin thinly sliced on baguette slices with mustard, chutney or a Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Mini Cheesecakes


Here's a recipe for Beef Tenderloin that I know you'll love:
Serves 12 - 20 people (depending on your slices)

Marinate 3 lb. tenderloin in refrigerator for 2 hours in:

1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/3 cup plum sauce
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1/4 cup dry sherry
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1 Tbsp Asian Chili Sauce (Rooster Brand)
2 Tbsp finely minced ginger
5 cloves garlic, finely minced

Combine all together and spread over tenderloin
  • Roast on rack in roasting pan in a 500 degree oven.
  • Brush occasionally with marinade until the internal temperature reaches 120 degrees (using an instant-read thermometer for approx. 20 minutes.
  • Let cool, then refrigerate until chilled about 3 hours.
  • Slice meat across the grain into very thin slices.
The tenderloin can be prepared, covered and refrigerated up to 24 hours prior to serving.
Serve chilled, on baguette slices with accompaniments.
All these appetizers can be prepared ahead of time so you can enjoy yourself with your guests when they arrive.
Add the drinks and you'll be ready for a night at the Oscar's! Oh and don't forget you might want to have some party favors as a momento of your fun and fabulous evening at the Oscars.
For more information on the Academy Awards go to http://www.oscar.com/

Saturday, February 14

Valentine's Day Cocktail




Besides some of the obvious Valentine's Day drinks like Champagne or a Pomegranate Martini here's an unusual but delicious mix of liquids.




Tequila isn’t an obvious partner to sparkling wine, but put them together in this elegant, cocktail. Light and effervescent, the Divinity manages to stay on the dry side, even with the subtle, aromatic touch of fruits from the combination of pomegranate liqueur, rose nectar, and guarana-spiked Remy Martin Cognac. The final touch is a delicate gold-dusted rose petal.



Divinity

Makes: 1 Cocktail


INGREDIENTS

¾ ounce Partida Blanco tequila
¾ ounce Pama pomegranate liqueur
½ ounce Remy Red Liqueur
2½ ounces Sence rose nectar
1 ounce Asti Spumanti

To Assemble and Serve:
1 rose petal, dusted with 23 karat edible gold flakes


METHOD

In a shaker, combine tequila, pomegranate liqueur, Red liqueur, and rose nectar with ice.
Shake and strain into a champagne flute.
Top with Asti and gently stir. Garnish with rose petal.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, February 10

In The News

I just caught a glimpse of this in the February 6th, 2009 issue of the Ladue News - "Ladue Lips" and wanted to share it with my readers. Read below or click on the logo to view the post. You can also pick up your own copy at local stores.


Local foodie (and culinary veteran) VICKI BENSINGER has begun offering in-home culinary classes, so you can enjoy her epicurean savvy in the comfort of your own kitchen! Topics include knife skills, sushi rolling and special occasion meals. Bensinger has been teaching culinary classes for more than 17 years at area cooking schools.

Friday, February 6

Valentine's Day Delights



So how did food and sex become so intertwined?


We could suggest it goes back to Adam and Eve, who did take a bite of the apple, and of course, you know the rest of the story ...


Research has shown the link between food and sex is not just in our heads. The scent of certain foods triggers increased blood flow to those specific areas that benefit from such blood flow — when the mood is right.

So it turns out the path to men's and women's hearts — and to the rest of their bodies — might just be through their stomachs, after all.
There's something about the luscious flavors and intoxicating aromas of certain foods that simulates both mind and body.

Foods that create sensuous moods reportedly include natural chemicals that enhance certain emotions, but it could also be the power of the mind. Very often it is just the sharing of sensuous foods with your significant other that makes them so special. Whether any truly amorous reactions occur with foods is purely speculative, but that does not mean it cannot help set the ambiance for romance.

While most people think of champagne, strawberries and oysters as foods that lend themselves to amorous moods, the following can also be considered "mood foods" which can be found at your local supermarket.

Chocolate: Of course, chocolate is infamous for being a powerful food, and even the Aztecs referred to chocolate as "nourishment of the Gods." Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, or PEA, which is the same chemical (similar to amphetamine) released by the brain when people fall in love, producing a euphoric, dreamy feeling.

Coffee: Just the aroma of coffee itself can perk up the senses. Serve it up for your special someone in a demitasse cup to create a special love buzz.

Hummus: Chickpeas, the main ingredient in hummus, were believed to have had aphrodisiac properties in history, and it was noted the Romans often fed chickpeas to their prized stallions. Put a Mediterranean twist on Valentine's Day and dip bits of pita bread in hummus and hand feed your significant other a provocative appetizer.

Ice cream: What could be more indulgent and romantic than lovers spoon-feeding each other vanilla ice cream in bed? The scent of vanilla alone will bring the aura of romance to the room, however, most rich and decadent ice creams will bring bliss to taste buds.

Nuts: Almonds and walnuts have, in the past, been a symbol of fertility. Ancient Romans used them in fertility ceremonies and threw walnuts instead of rice at newlyweds.

Prunes: Did you know prunes are considered an aphrodisiac? Legend has it that Eros, the Greek God of love, dipped his arrow in prune juice for extra effect before taking aim on his love targets. Serve a goblet of the silky smooth prune juice as your secret love potion this Valentine's day. Of course you could be running to the bathroom instead of into bed!

Seafood: Everyone knows that oysters are considered an aphrodisiac, but other kinds of seafood can stir up those amorous feelings as well. Shrimp can be a very romantic food; hand feed them to your significant other draped in a luscious cocktail sauce to help seduce your partner.

If that's not enough to get the fire going then check out Burger King's "FLAME" body spray. Yes you heard that right! The company describes it as having "the scent of seduction with the hint of flame-broiled meat." BK says FLAME "became one of the hottest stocking-stuffers of the holiday season, selling out in just three days after its December debut." You can get your body spray HERE Be prepared though this is one Burger King ad you won't see on TV.

So, I've given you a few menu ideas to pick from for your romantic Valentine's Day next Saturday. Since we know that strawberries can be very sensuous why not make something simple for dessert like Chocolate Covered Strawberries to share with your sweetheart.

Here's a simple recipe that won't take anytime at all.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

12 oz.pkg. of chocolate chips
small pkg. of white chocolate chips
large Driscoll Strawberries with stems - wash and dry completely with paper towel

Warm the chocolate chips in a double boiler (or pyrex or oven proof bowl that sits on top of a pot of boiling water).

Once the chocolate has melted dip your strawberries one at a time into the chocolate covering all but the leaves and stem. Take out and lay on parchment, wax paper or foil to dry.

Once dried (about 30-60 minutes) you can melt a small amount of the white chocolate (same as above method) and drizzle it over the chocolate coated strawberry using nothing more than a fork or toothpick to drizzle.

Variations on your strawberry could be after coating it for the first time with chocolate (while still wet) to then sprinkle on:
coconut
pecans
cinnamon
rice krispies
sprinkles

The list is endless. Just let your imagination fly.

Once you have finished decorating your strawberries let them sit out to harden for about an hour and then refrigerate until ready to eat.

Enjoy!

As always if you try any of my recipes and have questions please feel free to send an email, comment or contact me for assistance. I'm always happy to help.

Wishing all of you a very Happy Valentine's Day! May you share the day with someone you love.

Tuesday, February 3

The Mediterranean Diet

What is it?
A lifestyle approach to healthy eating that includes a balanced variety of foods and daily exercise.


What it's not?
A fad diet, magic bullet, or quick fix.
While most people associate the word diet with bland food and strict rules, the word diet actually refers to the foods and drinks regularly consumed by a population or individual.


Where?
The phrase Mediterranean Diet refers to the food and drink traditionally eaten by people living in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea (Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Algeria, Greece, Albania, Israel, Spain, Italy, France, Croatia, Lebanon, Libya, and Malta).

Who?
Ancel Keys, a famous researcher and father of the Mediterranean Diet, discovered the Diet in the 1940's after he noticed that people who ate a Mediterranean-style diet had the lowest rates of chronic disease.
In fact, people who follow a Mediterranean Diet live longer.
What's even better? They do this by eating delicious foods. That's right, no depriving yourself on a Mediterranean diet. It's filled with the freshest, best tasting foods.


How?
The main ingredients of the Mediterranean Diet include:
- Eating abundant amounts of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
- Enjoying moderate portions of cheese and yogurt
- Choosing healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, avocados, and canola oil
- Drinking wine in moderation, usually with meals, if okay to do so
- Consuming fish and seafood regularly
- Eating small amounts of red meat only few times per month
- Being physically active daily

To view the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid click here


Why should we incorporate the Mediterranean Diet into our lifestyle?
The growing body of medical and scientific evidence supporting the healthfulness of
the Mediterranean Diet, or the “Gold Standard” for healthful eating (as it is often
referred to), continues to show that following a Mediterranean Diet may:

1. Lengthen your life
2. Defend you from chronic diseases
3. Fight cancer
4. Lower your risk for experiencing heart disease along with high blood pressure
and elevated “bad” cholesterol levels
5. Protect you from diabetes
6. Aid your weight loss and management efforts
7. Keep away depression
8. Safeguard you from Alzheimer's disease
9. Ward off Parkinson's disease
10. Improve rheumatoid arthritis
11. Help you breathe better


What's stopping you from eating this way?
Mediterranean cooking classes available

Sunday, February 1

Mexican Fiesta


Had a fun class Friday evening for a young lady that was turning 12 and her girlfriends. The girls did a great job creating a huge Mexican Fiesta. They were so into it and couldn't believe how delicious their meal turned out. The parents that joined the dinner party were going back for seconds. With few leftovers they will still have some fixin's left for SuperBowl Sunday today.


The menu that they prepared was:


Home Baked Tortilla Chips
Hot and Creamy Cheese Dip
Roasted Vegetable Salsa
Guacamole
Chicken Fajitas with Grilled Veggies
Cilantro Rice
Mexican Cole Slaw
Banana Buritto's

This was quite an extensive menu. Everyone had so much fun and learned lots of new skills that they'll be going home and sharing with their family and friends.


It was a fun night for me, the birthday girl and her friends.
You too can have this same fun party. Call me for details!

Support At Home with Vicki Bensinger, In-Home Culinary Classes in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

Support At Home with Vicki Bensinger, In-Home Culinary Classes in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

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