Holiday 2012 Is In The Air

Our 2012 Christmas Tree!

Although it is not Thanksgiving yet - Trent and I have put up our Christmas Tree! We are all set for the holidays...

A few of my favorite ornaments....

Casino Night 2012

Delight Gluten-Free Magazine

Since I have started at Delight Gluten-Free Magazine - we have pushed out two issues - Fall and Winter 2012. Both you can buy online HERE. I am loving every part of my new job. I get to work in a test kitchen all day and talk about food with people who love it as much as I do. Thanks Vanessa! It doesn't get better than that. Well, for me at least. It is such an amazing fit for me. I am involved in testing recipes, styling, writing and much more. I am learning so much about the gluten-free world. Every day is a new food adventure. 

 

My advice if you want to get into the food world - 

1. Go to culinary school if you can. Although I have not gone I guess its never too late. Luckily I have Vanessa next to me all day teaching me all she knows. She is a sponge of food knowledge.

2. Dine out when you can afford it. Try a new place each time and order things for inspiration. 

3. READ READ READ. Pick up cookbooks and magazines. I always have my nose in something, especially if it is related to food. The more you read the more you learn. Reading helps you stay on top of trends and the food world is always changing.  

4. Cook daily. And know it is ok to make mistakes. The more you make the more you learn and understand the ways of ingredients.

Happy Cooking!

Elmo Pancakes

 Griggs LOVES to cook. We made Elmo Pancakes (gluten-free) a few weekends ago in Atlanta.

He LOVED them!

OITF Comes To DC 2012

Outstanding In The Field came to DC again this year. It was great catching up with the crew. Leah and Jim were the only ones on tour this year from my season, but it was amazing to see them. I helped and reminisced on old times. I sure do miss the crew, bus and adventures.



Anyways the event was pretty special. It took place on the roof of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History for a special event to benefit a new exhibition - Food: Transforming the American Table, 1950-2000. 

Guests got a sneak peek of the exhibit which is set to open in November 2012. The new Smithsonian exhibition looks at how the culture of food and wine has changed in the last half of the 20th century.

A portion of the proceeds helped fund the Smithsonian exhibition, which features Julia Child's kitchen from her Cambridge, Massachusetts home and artifacts reflecting 50 years of change in the culture of food.

Cheers to Food, History and Good Times!

Peppers!

I’ve been growing peppers for the first time this year on my patio. I have learned that just because you don’t have a garden to grow veggies in does not mean that you can’t grow them. I think growing peppers in planters is easy.

They are getting huge! I had to get a tomato plant holder to keep the limbs from snapping because the peppers are so heavy.

I read that you pick them before they reach too large a size, thus encouraging the plants to produce more fruit. So I will be sure to do that! But when picked too young, they tend to be a little bitter, lack good texture, and just don’t taste good.

Pepper Tips: Peppers like consistently moist but not soggy soil. Water them whenever the top of the soil is dry. Peppers also like the sun and thrive in heat.

I cant wait to cook with them!

Welcome To DC!

I had two friends moved to DC recently - Martha Collins Grace and Anna Ramsey. So I decided to host a girls luncheon to bring some of my friends together for them to meet people in the city. And I am always looking for an excuse to have people over.

My Aunt gave me this beautiful china for my wedding - so I was excited to put it to use and welcome them to my city! I spent hours planning my menu and cooking. Since my new job at Delight Gluten-Free Magazine. I have been greatly introduced to the gluten-free world and cooking outside my comfort zone. I planned a gluten-free menu (minus the ham rolls) to widen my cooking skills and test some awesome recipes. Not to mention, Anna is gluten-free!

I 1st made a Gazpacho and put shrimp and pickled okra on top. I created the recipe as I went by throwing things in the blender and hoping for the best. It really turned out. I have been eating it all weekend! It made a TON. I got some inspiration from Coastal Living. But they were totally different. I served in these adorable tea cups.

I also made Carrot Ribbon Salad with Lentils and Stuffed Patty Pans (Squash) - which I found off this incredible website I just found. I will be cooking a lot more from this site. The recipes turned out beautifully. I really recommend making these the next time you have guests over. Since squash is almost out of season - you can stuff a tomato or pepper with the same recipe. Would be just as good.

Martha Collins brought a delicious chocolate chip pound cake. I can't stop eating it! And I made mini cheesecakes. It was a successful luncheon!! Next time I need to remember to photograph my guests and not just the food! Cheers!

New Job

I recently started a new job with Delight Gluten-Free Magazine. Delight is a fun, foodie international  magazine filled with gluten-free recipes, mouthwatering pictures, lifestyle advice, and great resources for anyone living gluten-free.

My new boss, Vanessa is an amazing mentor. I am so lucky to have an incredible boss and friend. I know I will learn a lot from her. As well as being the Executive Editor, she consults for a variety of gluten-free food manufactures and is an active member of the Advisory Board of the Celiac Disease Center at Children’s National Medical Center. I am so excited to learn from Vanessa - I feel like I am now able to use my passion and love for the food industry and truly make a difference in someone's life. I cant wait to also get involved with Children’s National Medical Center.

I have been with the company for a little over a month and I have already learned so much about the gluten-free world. And let me say, it is a WHOLE new world of cooking. I LOVE it. It is an amazing fit for me and I love every minute of working for this company. Be sure to check out the Winter Issue - I wrote some piece interesting articles including an interview with Kevin Gillespie from Top Chef. I am also write a Gluten-Free Beauty Column. It will come out in November.

The past few weeks we have been busy developing recipes for the Winter Issue and I am diving into the new routine with Delight. They are having me test recipes, develop recipes, write, edit and much more. Every day is a new day with a new task and food adventure.

The Fall Issue just hit the shelves last week. You can buy it here. Even if you are not gluten-free the recipes are fabulous. You will not be disappointed.

Cheers to a new chapter in my life. I am excited to see where it will lead!

Patio Garden

I am growing a little garden on my patio in Georgetown. Condo living does not stop me! Check it out! I already have tomatoes growing. I hope the peppers, zucchini and squash also grow. I planted them in long big pots that I hope will result in a lovely veggie garden. The herbs are in full bloom as well - but those are easy. Happy Summer!