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February 3, 2016
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| An excruciatingly opinionated guide to the Connecticut Shoreline |
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I heard a rumor that Charlie Van Over (famous baguette baking expert, James Beard Award winner, and previous owner of the beloved Restaurant du Village) knew the secret to building a better blaze and spent his winter cooking in his fireplace. I begged him to let us in on it, and then turned to his significant other, Priscilla Martel (equally famous as a food writer and consultant, cookbook author and chef) for a few of their favorite hearth recipes. Lucky for us, she threw in a perfect cake for Valentine’s Day, too. Here’s to cozy winter nights by the fire. p.s. That's me and my daughter at the fantastic Edson Hill Inn in Stowe, VT.
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Cooking at Home Over a Wood Fire A glowing fireplace is one of the joys of life in New England. The warmth and the gentle sounds of the flames comfort us during the long dark winter. And in our house, we need an efficient fire to keep the place heated. We’ve been using the fireplace to cook for more than twenty years. We have a squat iron grill that sits close to the hearth and a small electric spit for roasting. But most often we use an adjustable Tuscan Grill inserted into the fireplace.
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| Wood Grilled Jamaican Jerked Chicken
Nothing says summer like grilled chicken. Pair the bird with the flavors of Jamaica and I’ve escaped the winter doldrums. As long as I don’t look outside that is. Here we’re splitting game hens, slathering them in jerk marinade and grilling them in our home fireplace. Of course you can cook them on a gas grill or in the oven for that matter. But if you’re adventuresome, cooking in the fireplace has many rewards. The flavor of the wood smoke adds to the pleasure of these birds. And what better way to bask in the warmest corner of an old house?
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| Wood Grilled Hanger Steak, Green Anchovy Butter, Grilled Radicchio
Robust, flavorful cuts of meat love a wood fire. The smoke coats the meat with a layer of flavor sealing in the meat’s juiciness. Wood grilled hanger steak is a family favorite. The lean meat comes from an interior muscle that sees little action. The cut, called onglet in French, is tender and flavorful, a bistro favorite. We slather it with a pungent green anchovy butter made with kale and scallions.
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Rose Almond Butter Cake
This Rose Almond Butter Cake has a tight crumb and rich buttery flavor without being too sweet. Rose powder in the batter along with orange flower water and a garnish of freeze-dried raspberries give the cake its subtle floral notes. The batter includes blanched almond flour, one of my secret ingredients, as well as cake flour.
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Local Favorites for Your Valentine
Tapped out for gift ideas for your better half this time of year? We've culled more than a handful of the best Valentine surprises on the shoreline.
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Timothy Pamment Salon "I feel dry here, there, and everywhere!" In the colder months, our clients yearn for more hydration. For thirsty locks, our tried and true favorites include: Moisture Velvet Shampoo by Shu Uemura, Masquintense by Kerastase, Supershine by Oribe, and Touche Perfection by Kerastase. But we don’t stop at hair; we’ve got your skin covered, too, with the best moisturizing products from leading edge companies in the skincare industry. Stop by to speak to one of our specialists about Meder Beauty and Natura Bisse (The Cure, Natura Bisse’s all-in-one anti-aging, hydrating, tinted BB cream is an e-list favorite, too!). Get a skin fix! Mention the-e-list and take 20% off a luxurious European facial with Lisa*. *new clients only, valid thru 2/28/16.
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Featured Event Listing
Social Art Events at Guilford Art Center
Fridays and Sundays in February and March
Gather with friends and family at Guilford Art Center this winter for fun, casual art events. On Friday nights, join single-session workshops exploring pottery, drawing or painting (Feb 19, March 18). Beginner or continuing artists welcome; BYOB, too! For “Artogether: Sundays at the Center” (Feb 21, March 20), bring the family and get creative together (ages youth-adult). Register for single sessions or all of them at www.guilfordartcenter.org.
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The Average Joe Photo Show Kickoff Party, 2/7
Come celebrate the Average Joe Photo Show and the 2015 gallery of photographs in support of “Doctors Without Borders/MSF." This exhibition celebrates the average person's perspective while highlighting deeper humanitarian issues.
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Classes at Weekend Kitchen in Essex, through 4/13
Take the chill off of winter with a cozy Weekend Kitchen cooking class. Upcoming classes include Persian Immersion, a Moroccan Feast and Paella.
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And that's not all...find exciting events, interesting openings and more on our events calendar.
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Inside the Insane Insidewalk Sale! YES, it was insane! 1468 shoppers turned out to snag unbelievable bargains from the Shoreline's best boutiques and designers. Thanks to all who came and supported local small business! It was a very happy place to be at the tail end of January, but happiest of all was our $500 Shopping Spree Winner, Kim Smith!
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| If you missed last week's list with our favorite one-piece swimsuit picks, family fun ideas over Feb break, and some Valentine's ideas, it's right here.
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