Sugar and Spice Nuts

Dec 13th, 2011 by Wendy

I’ve resurrected this holiday favorite and adapted it even further. What’s great about this recipe is that it’s easy to adapt based on what type of nuts you have in the pantry. Don’t have peanuts…then add almonds; don’t have dried cranberries…then add dried cherries. The recipe is still easy and delicious and sure to be an office or party pleaser this holiday season. This recipe was shared with me from my friend, Alison, who adapted the original recipe.

Sugar and Spice Nuts

¼ cup packed brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 egg white beaten

1 cup salted cashews

1 cup almonds

1 cup pecan halves

½ cup dried cherries

In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and cayenne. In a large mixing bowl or electric beater whisk the egg white well. Add the nuts and cranberries to egg white and mix to coat. Sprinkle with sugar mixture and toss to coat. Spread flat on a baking sheet coated lightly with peanut oil or cooking spray. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring once at about 10 minutes. Cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container. Makes 3 ½ cups. Enjoy!

Tags: sugar and spice nuts

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Southern Cocktails

Dec 12th, 2011 by Wendy

While shopping in Savannah recently, I stumbled upon this fabulous little book that I feel would make the perfect Christmas gift, stocking stuffer or hostess gift for the Southern foodie in your life that loves to entertain and serve the perfect Southern drinks. It’s Denise Gee’s Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions, and Classic Libations. Besides including the perfect Southern cocktails is includes gorgeous photography by her husband, Robert Peacock. What a creative team these two are: Denise has written for Southern Living, Coastal Living, and Better Homes and Gardens, while Robert’s photography has appeared in magazines throughout the South.

It was fascinating to learn that Denise is a native of one of my favorite Southern towns: Natchez, Mississippi. One of my cherished Christmas ornaments is from a Christmas store in Natchez that I bought way back in the day when I was still with The Pillsbury Company. Denise grew up living in a four-story Victoria home/clothing store downtown that was owned by her mother and grandmother. She was a young docent at several antebellum houses where she learned the joy of cooking, entertaining, storytelling, architecture, interior decorating and garden design.

It’s not surprising, then, that her career was inspired by both her grandmother, Freddie Bailey, who wrote two regional cookbooks, and cousin, Lee Bailey, a design guru who wrote and styled 22 nationally acclaimed books on good living. He was a master at recipes combined with ideas on presentation. Denise worked with Lee on one of my personal favorites, Lee Bailey’s Southern Food and Plantation Homes. In researching this story, I was so sorry to learn that Lee Bailey died at the age of 76 on October 16, 2003. This was the same week that we had to put down our beloved golden retriever, Kelly, so I can see why I missed. He was/is one of my all-time favorite cookbook authors. I’m so glad that I own five of his many published cookbooks.

I found Southern Cocktails at Savannah’s One Fish Two Fish at 401 Whitaker Street, but you can easily buy on Amazon. Just click here to purchase: Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions, and Classic Libations.

Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions, and Classic Libations

French 75 is one of the many Southern cocktails featued in Denise Gee's book, Southern Cocktails

The recipe for Euphoric Eggnog would be the perfect Southern cocktail to kick up your holiday parties this season. Serve in antique silver tea cups for an unforgettable ladies' lunch.

Tags: Denise Gee, Lee Bailey, Southern Cocktails, Southern cookbooks, Southern Living

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Coca-Cola Moves Its Secret Formula to the World of Coca-Cola

Dec 9th, 2011 by Wendy

It hasn’t been moved in 86 years, but today the secret is out (well, not exactly). The Coca-Cola Company has moved the 125-year-old secret formula for Coca-Cola to a new home at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. As the capstone to the 125th anniversary year of Coca-Cola, for the first time in history, the vault containing the secret formula will be visible to the public in a permanent exhibit titled The Vault of the Secret Formula, opening today at the World of Coca-Cola.

At the World of Coca-Cola, experience the fascinating story of the world’s most famous soft drink in a dynamic, multimedia attraction featuring a fully-functioning bottling line that produces a complimentary 8 oz. glass bottle of Coca-Cola for each and every guest to take home. View over 1,200 never-before-displayed artifacts ranging from vintage bottles to a 1939 Coca-Cola delivery truck from Argentina. The thrilling, multi-sensory 4-D movie experience, In Search of the Secret Formula, puts you right in the action. And, tempt your taste buds with over 60 different beverages made by The Coca-Cola Company from around the world in Taste It!

The World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia now contains the Coca-Cola secret formula.

The World of Coca-Cola is located at 121 Baker Street in Pemberton Place, adjacent to the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta and is accessible via the Peachtree Center or CNN/World Congress Center MARTA stations. Consumers with questions about the attraction may call 1.800.676.COKE or visit our website at www.worldofcoca-cola.com to purchase timed tickets.

Thought it would be fun to wet your whistle by sharing the history of the Coca-Cola formula from 1886 – 2011. Click to enlarge.

Things To Do
Atlanta

Tags: Coca-Cola, Coke, The Coca-Cola Company, World of Coca-Cola

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Aria Celebrates Tomatoes

Dec 8th, 2011 by Wendy

Muir Glen Dinner Menu at Aria on Tuesday, November 29, 2011

I was recently invited to and attended a celebratory dinner at Aria in Atlanta hosted by Muir Glen to celebrate their 2011 Reserve Tomato. Chef Gerry Klaskala, owner and executive chef of Aria, has been a Muir Glen partner chef since 2001 so Aria was the perfect venue for this event. Last year when Chef Klaskala traveled to California to participate in the 2010 Reserve Harvest and had the opportunity to sample tomatoes right in the field from the test plot for the 2011 Reserve, he knew they’d be the perfect tomato for holiday cooking.

So to showcase the flavors of Muir Glen and the 2011 Reserve Tomatoes, Chef Klaskala created a dinner at Aria that included a specialty drink, six hors d’oeuvres, three entrée samplers and dessert, all made with Muir Glen tomatoes. One of the menu items included a recipe that Chef Klaskala created exclusively for Muir Glen—Spicy Slow-Braised Beef with Tomato, Tomatillo and Potato Stew, available in the Muir Glen 2011 gift basket.

The food this evening was incredible and very thoughtful in its preparation and presentation. The restaurant and the dinner felt like being a guest for the evening at Chef Klaskala’s home. He personally greeted old friends and new guests, like me, like long-time friends. Each table was beautifully decorated with a festive white floral arrangement and holiday ornaments. Chef used the evening to remind all of us about the little things that you can do to make guests in your home feel special when you entertain: do as much food prep in advance so that you can enjoy your friends, have fresh flowers in your home and in the restrooms and have little decorations on the table like holiday ornaments that each guest can take home as a special gift. And for someone like myself that always entertains, does all the cooking and in most cases, the dishes too, I couldn’t resist by asking, “who does the dishes?” Chef Klaskala said that he always hires a couple of folks to do just that. So that’s the ticket.

The gorgeous tablescape at the Muir Glen dinner at Aria on Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Aria's Chef Gerry Klaskala greets guests at the Muir Glen dinner.

Each year, Muir Glen produces a special Reserve Tomato which was harvested in the fall and is only available for a limited time. So when they needed a name they turned to their Tomato Connoisseurs’ Club (TCC) who voted on a name that evokes the fiery glow of the perfect tomato, Harvest Sunset. This year’s 2011 Reserve gift basket include both the fire-roasted and diced varieties of Muir Glen Reserve Tomatoes, Muir Glen Fires Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies, Muir Glen No Salt Added Tomatoes and a recipe booklet featuring chef-inspired recipes, available online for $10 plus $5 shipping. Visit www.muirglen.com for more information. Visit www.aria-atl.com to learn more about Aria and to make reservations for your own incredible dining experience.

Tags: Aria, Atlanta chefs, Atlanta restaurant, Muir Glen, tomatoes

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