Sweet Stuff

What are you gonna leave

FOR SANTA ??

Meg Baggott Images

If you're really nice, you'll share your stash of amazingly delicious Sweet Andy's Cookies.  These soft, sweet and super rich meal-in-a-mouthful cookies come in 11 varieties, from classic to creative.  I melted for the Mint Chocolate Chip and the Cinnamon Sugar, but you can't chose wrong no matter what you fancy.

Visit Andy in Westhampton Beach or order your batches today from his mouthwatering new website.

Num, num, num!

Have you ever been to ...

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA?

Meg Baggott Images

Gettin' your kicks on Route 66?  Don't skip by Flagstaff.

If the time is right, you can't miss the annual, majestic aspens show.  Autumn is ablaze with the cheerful yellow sequin-like leaves, flickering their final salutation to the bluebird sky.

Meg Baggott Images

Then, set your destination for downtown and stroll by Heritage Square. Get crafty at The Armadilla Wax Works Candle Factory with olfactory inspiration and a perhaps a little lesson in candle dipping.

Meg Baggott Images

Forget kitschy native crafts, find your souvenirs at the Rainbow's End where truly unique clothes, kicks, jewelry, and accessories from around the world will really remind you of this fun and funky town.  

Meg Baggott Images

Then take a break at Flagstaff Brew just next door or hop across the tracks (look out for the Sante Fe), and get your lunch at the Lumberyard Brewing Co.  Their draught selection, made right there, will keep you busy for a few rounds, but their food is worth the visit too.

Meg Baggott Images

Save room for a treat and top off your travel mug with a gourmet delight from Macys.   

Meg Baggott Images

Flagstaff has an awesome music scene with venues like the Orpheum and The Green Room hosting talent both famous and infamous.  There is always something good to see, great specials, and hey- Free Tacos on Tuesdays!

Meg Baggott Images

There's a enough to fill a few days in Flag, so why not get a celebrity-inspired room at the historic Hotel Monte Vista.  Celebrating pasts guests such as Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, and Clark Gable, among others, you might even land the bright pink Debbie Reynolds room. 

Meg Baggott Images

Looking for a more organic experience?  The Abineau Lodge in the Mountainaire neighborhood of south Flagstaff offers on-site wine tasting and access to miles of casual trails.  Stop at "the tavy" (tavern) on your way back in for a refreshing PBR with a few locals.

  

My favorite thing about Flag: The People! Genuine, conscious, and ever-ready for a good time, these folks make a stay in town something to remember (with parts I forget).  Thanks, gang!

Congratulations Eric & Amanda!

In Season... ABUNDANT APPLES !

Meg Baggott Images

Celebrate the season this Sunday at Warwick, NY's famous APPLEFEST! 

There's still time to get to the orchard and grab up those Grannies, Galas and Goldens, Cortlands, Crispins and Cameos.  They're a totally versatile, long-lasting staple for a well-stock pantry.

Meg Baggott Images

Got a little zealous on your last apple-picking tour?  There's so much more than pie to make with your bushel...

Caramelized Onion & Apple Omelette with Smoked Gouda

On low heat, slowly saute about 1/4 of a small white onion, diced finely, and 1/2 of one apple, peeled and diced, until soft and caramelized, about 10 min.  Add a pinch of brown sugar if you please.

Toss in a tad of your still-lingering garden herbs such as thyme, chives, parsley.

Beat 3 egg whites and carefully incorporate the apple-onion mix.

Pour back into the pan and cook, turning once, about 5 min.  

Layer smoked gouda on half of the omelette, fold and top with a little bit more.

Mmmm!

Apple & Brie Bites

Top crackers with a sliver of apple and a generous cut of brie.  Drizzzzzle with a little honey.  Use Kame rice crackers (wasabi style is delish) for a gluten-free party snack.  

Impress your friends with these apple fun facts

Have you ever eaten...

Cicchetti ?

Meg Baggott Images

Well you haven't until you've been to San Carlo Cicchetti.  Their newest location in London's Piccadilly launched just weeks ago, and the energy - and provisions - are second to none.

Meg Baggott Image

Starting with a warm welcome from Carlo himself, my senses were flooded with an array of fresh ingredients, the chic market-inspired décor, the aromas of a fiery pizza hearth, and the lively buzz of friends sharing abundant "small" plates that explode with flavour and colour.

Meg Baggott Images

Greeted next by a plentiful assortment of breads, olives and dripping oil, I relaxed at the cool marble bar and excitedly took in the scenery.  Cecchetti, by the way, are a typical Venetian fare - small snacks for mixing and sharing any time of day.  That inspiring atmosphere resonates here at Carlo's.

Meg Baggott Images

Saying nothing more than "anything," "small," and "vegetariana," my wildest food fantasies were set in motion.  Generous servings of grilled veggies, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy, carb-a-licous pastas quickly arrived.  My bowl was made of parmesan cheese.  Need I say more?? 

Meg Baggott Images

That warm buzz of energy never subsided though eventually the lunchtime crowd did and I could chat a little more with the gracious staff.  And to think all I was hoping for from my 4 hours in London was a beer buzz and some fish & chips.  I was happily converted.

Mangia!  

In season... SANGRIA!

Meg Baggott Images

If you haven't been celebrating the fruits of summer yet, it's high time to fill your glass with juicy bits of peach, pear and plum - or whatever you have on hand - shake it up with fluids of your choice and sip in the bright flavors of this bountiful season.

Meg Baggott Images

So how DO you make sangria?  Well, don't be afraid to experiment; there's really no wrong answer.

In a carafe, toss together:

- a diced medley of whatever ripe fruit you please: apple, apricot, berry, even banana if you dare, kiwi, melon, citrus... 

- wine: red or white.  Choose an unoaked red with punchy fruit, like a malbec or zinfandel, or a pinot noir for a lighter body.  For whites, think crisp and fruity with low acid, like pinot gris or for a bit more body, an unoaked chardonnay.

- fortify your potion with a higher-proof spirit: triplesec or brandy for rich flavor, rum or vodka for a bigger buzz

- pump up the fruit with a splash of juice - a cranberry blend or a white grape work well
- add some bubbles with seltzer or Sprite  
- Soak in the summer vibe!  

And if that's just too much to handle, hop on your Harley and head to Rhodes North Tavern in Sloatsburg, NY, where a refreshing mason jar of sangria awaits.  Grab a dozen oysters and a chair on the sand.

- There's still fun for the virgins.  Try Vandalia Wine for a N.A. version that's refreshing as well.