tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54777431510525883882024-09-16T19:49:05.213-04:00Bon Vivant: One Woman's Exploration of the Culinary Landscape"I'm not a food critic . . . I just like to eat like one"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-80093993698734820032012-08-27T10:02:00.001-04:002012-08-27T10:02:43.484-04:00The Culinary Seduction
Is this what your last meal was like?
On
a scale of 1 to mind-bogglingly hot, how tantalizingly seductive are the meals
that you eat throughout the day? Is yours a monotonous act of fork-to-mouth chomping,
bearing no real resemblance to the culinary ritualistic masterpiece that
rightfully should grace your dining table at least once a day? While your thoughts
may invariably stray to Kim Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-58615361047573347032012-08-10T15:53:00.001-04:002012-08-10T15:53:36.428-04:00Diet is More Than a Four-Letter Word
There’s something
inherently cleansing and rejuvenating about confessions. They can impart upon
the confessor a sense of freedom, a releasing of burdens or a shift in moral
turpitude. So in the spirit of admission (absent flagrant immorality, of
course), here is my purifying confession:
I am on a diet.
No, seriously. I am on a
bid to shed some unwanted pounds that have decided to Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-2678204729718431412012-08-07T18:13:00.001-04:002012-08-07T18:20:54.905-04:00Keeping You Hydrated: The "Intelligent Water Bottle"
A
couple of weeks ago, I went to my mailbox and discovered a lumpy package inside.
The mystery package was addressed to me from an addressee that was unfamiliar to
me. Naturally, my suspicions were heightened. I hadn’t ordered anything online recently,
my birthday had already come and gone and, as far as I knew, I wasn’t expecting
anything from anyone. I brought the package inside the houseUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-79597200439853001862012-08-02T17:52:00.000-04:002012-08-05T11:24:00.861-04:00My Love Affair with Food Continues: Callaloo
Whether it has been by planes, trains, automobiles or boats, I like
to fancy myself a well-traveled woman. My journeys have taken me to three of
the seven continents where I’ve explored such far-flung places as Dubai, The
Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, Italy, points far and wide throughout the
Caribbean and more. I’ve even been known on occasion to indulge in staycations
of the mind, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-75941717661067857282012-08-01T14:07:00.000-04:002012-08-02T14:11:05.896-04:005 Great Ways to Picnic in Style
Pick your spot . . . and picnic!
Summer
has arrived and we’re full-on in the thick of things. Now that the heat is on,
nothing screams summertime quite like a picnic. So turn off the oven, get out
of that steamy kitchen, find yourself a shady patch of grass outdoors, spread
out your blanket and get ready to indulge in a relaxing bite on your terms. And
who says you have to schlep to the parkUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-33975338503169544822012-07-20T20:58:00.001-04:002012-07-21T08:49:21.444-04:00Kudos for Taking a Stand . . . Even if it's a Stupid One
Photo: Mackenzie Keegan
So there’s this food truck in NYC . . . 666 Burger (a/k/a Satan’s
Burger; hey, I didn’t name it “666” – uh, that’s the mark of the beast, ya know…they’re the ones who say “The burgers
are so delicious they’re evil.”), and they concocted this hideous creation
called the “Douche Burger.”
To be honest, I’m appalled that I’m even giving up prime
blogging real estate Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-59752076317344345462012-07-09T12:22:00.000-04:002012-07-09T12:28:40.268-04:00It's Not Just a Job, it's an Adventu..., um er uh, a Career
....it's what I do
I
just had the funniest conversation with my aunt. Actually, it wasn’t exactly funny as in the retelling of an
uproariously hilarious joke, but rather funny
in the sense of an irritating height of peculiarity damn near its pinnacle.
Don’t
get me wrong; I hold no grudges against my aunt. Although I haven’t spoken to
her in quite a while and it’s been years since I’ve laidUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-69518131025832368552012-07-07T20:39:00.001-04:002012-07-08T14:12:33.995-04:00Nature's Least Malevolent Fruit
It
has to be said that I do love my husband, Maarten, dearly. But . . . (yes, there’s
always a but…) he has this vehement antipathy that is secretly threatening to blow
our marriage wide apart. He harbors a suspiciously strong aversion to one thing
in particular while, conversely, I actually love it. Not love as in the “I want to marry you and be the mother of your
saffron-hued children” Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-32251430613899841492012-07-04T11:40:00.000-04:002012-07-04T22:13:24.182-04:00Dining . . . With Benefits
Dining....it's so much better when you do it with others
Whoa….slow
down there, cowpoke. This is so not
the post that you think it is.
When
you refer to your husband as “The Flying Dutchman” as I do because of his
numerous jaunts around the globe on business (which consequently leaves you at
home alone to a) have mindless conversations with the dog, b) brush up on your
laundry skills, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-16907910912603818392012-07-03T13:20:00.000-04:002012-07-03T13:22:09.136-04:00Book Review: Gettin' Back to Happy
Today I take a moment to push myself away from the table just long enough to soak up this wonderful feeling that I'm experiencing. My new book, "Gettin' Back to Happy," is a personal journey that spans the course of one year in my life. Throughout that year, there have been many ups and downs. During that time, I endeavored to simply be happy, regardless of what was going on. Most days I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-13879834503237307462012-06-25T20:18:00.004-04:002012-06-25T20:18:58.459-04:00The Rooster...and the Man Behind the Cocky Bird
This
morning I read with great interest an article in the New York Observer by Chef Eddie Huang (the persnickety, snarky, outspoken, shoot-from-the-hip guy that everyone loves to hate) and, as a result, I feel a slight
sense of vindication. It seems that the young Huang has brewed up a bitter
storm of controversy over his rather acerbic and venomous remarks aimed at one Marcus Samuelsson, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-5204375484579384612012-06-23T16:08:00.001-04:002012-06-23T18:27:33.457-04:00A New Take on Dinner—From High Above
I
recently began using Stumbleupon.com. Initially, my time spent on the site was very
minimal, however, as of late I’ve been visiting it on a more frequent basis. On a
recent foray into the world of Stumbleupon, I actually stumbled upon a website
that literally gave me butterflies in stomach.
Photo Credit: Dinner in the Sky
As
most of my friends, acquaintances, readers, followers, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-19582971288585843292012-06-21T14:10:00.000-04:002012-06-21T14:10:54.443-04:00...And Then There Were Five: Umami
We
all have some form of recognition from childhood of our four basic tastes:
sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Those four sensory preceptors give our taste
buds a whole myriad of flavors to contend with—some good, some bad. But did you
know there is also a fifth fundamental sense of taste as well? It’s called umami
and it’s responsible for the savory sense of taste of foods.
Do you get a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-27399374030031808502012-06-19T14:34:00.000-04:002012-06-19T14:35:39.393-04:00Six Egg-sential Gadgets That Make Egg-cellent Additions to Any Kitchenby Valerie Albarda
Nutritionists have long lauded it, our mothers have drilled it into our heads from childhood and, to this day, many of us hold on dearly to this one simple truth: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And what could pack a more powerful, delicious, protein-infused punch to start the morning off right than the incredible edible egg? With so many ways to prepare and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-44381637791143264702012-06-13T12:00:00.000-04:002012-06-13T12:00:11.455-04:00I Found the Beef . . . But do I REALLY Want it?
Where's the beef? It's in my kitchen . . . in my refrigerator . . . not so much in my tummy.
In the wonderful world of experimentation, sometimes there are flaws. My hopes were high for my braised beef in red wine adventure in the kitchen yesterday. Perhaps too high. I can admit that. Hell, I can admit that because—and sometimes the truth hurts AND sucks—that chuck roast turned out, ehh, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-28094586227736215582012-06-12T13:06:00.002-04:002012-06-13T00:04:56.717-04:00Where's the Beef? Right Here in my Kitchen!
It’s time
to put on my mad scientist hat and get busy in a culinary fashion today. Today
is an experiment of sorts.
I’m
relatively new to the world of meat. Actually, what is closer to the truth is
that I have been reintroduced to a carnivorous lifestyle after nearly 25 years
of a poultry- and seafood-based eating regime. I’m thinking the true slippery slide into meat began in
Barbados Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-14284488034125121362012-06-10T17:17:00.002-04:002012-06-10T17:17:46.539-04:00A Cut Above the Rest: Top 5 Cool and Unique Kitchen Knife Holders
by Valerie Albarda
When most people think about knives, the prevailing thought is generally somewhere in the neighborhood of, “It needs to be sharp enough to hack through this ____,” [insert random food item of your choice]. However, there are those few individuals who chose to have a love affair of sorts with their cutlery and whatever receptacle houses it. Nothing but the finest will do. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-19253791519830937892012-06-07T23:06:00.000-04:002012-06-08T18:07:45.072-04:00Hmmm...Don't Think I'll Try THAT Again (Aleathea's Restaurant in Cape May, NJ)
This is what profound disappointment looks like.....
Sometimes
in life, we experience these exceptionally dizzying moments when we have such great
expectations that they seem to eclipse all that is humanly possible. For
example, you spy your favorite actress in a magazine with a fierce haircut and,
as optimistic as Shirley Temple in her heyday, you strut into your hair salon,
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-58525052149452550462012-06-05T17:58:00.002-04:002012-06-05T18:06:21.461-04:00In Support of Unknown Authors Everywhere . . . Especially Me
Although
not necessarily cooking related, this little block of space on the Bon Vivant blog today
will be devoted to talking briefly about an event that, while virgin territory for me, is near and dear to my heart. I'm writing this post for various reasons:
Reason
No. 1: Because I can.
Reason
No. 2: Because you can’t stop me.
Reason
No. 3: In the spirit of revelations, I want to impart a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-71775222102406742992012-06-04T10:08:00.000-04:002012-06-05T17:08:26.884-04:00It's Grilling Time! 5 Bodacious BBQ Gadgets Fit for a Grill Master
by Valerie Albarda
Black & Blum's Hot Pot BBQ Grill
Grilling season is officially upon us, as if you couldn’t tell by the savory, smoky grilled aromas wafting through your neighborhood. More likely than not, there’s a designated grill master at your homestead who takes pleasure in lording over the grill. You know, it’s that lone individual, usually a male, who commandeers control of Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-41843664223257580562012-05-30T18:00:00.000-04:002012-05-30T18:00:22.576-04:00Taking Water to a Healthier Level: YZ is Here.
YZ All Natural Hydravesent Crystals
Recently,
I received sample packs of a new product called “YZ”. No, you don’t pronounce it “Y-Z” but rather “wise.” If you aren't already privy to this bit of information, YZ is a line of all
natural hydravescent crystals created to give your water a hydration boost. YZ comes in three flavors, all of which
are caffeine-free, naturally flavored and colored,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-66980261543082972722012-05-22T11:03:00.000-04:002012-05-22T11:17:50.353-04:00I'm Still Asking Myself, "What The Hell Happened, Bar Rosso?"
What the hell did I just eat?
When it comes to dining out, your taste buds can either soar
to new heights of culinary delight as you experience cuisine of the utmost decadence,
or your spirits can sink to an all-time low depth of gastronomic despair. While
not quite the morose characteristics of
the latter, a recent meal that I had at a local restaurant left me baffled,
confused and onUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-55782624521269428142012-05-18T22:30:00.001-04:002012-05-18T22:52:53.438-04:00That's a National Holiday? Really?!?
How do you plan to celebrate these food holidays?
When I was but a mere child, becoming lost and
totally immersed in my own imaginative stirrings, I would daydream about the
few days—aside from the elongated three-month stretch of summer—that we, as
school-aged offspring, were spared from the rigors of homework, teachers,
classrooms and the like. The few holidays that we had just didn’t Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-49235678097134078712012-05-06T22:43:00.000-04:002012-05-06T22:51:13.091-04:00Gettin' Back to Happy
...by Valerie L.S. Albarda
This
blog, Bon Vivant, is all about food. It’s no secret that I love food. I simply
adore everything about it. The culinary world holds for me a fascination unlike
any other . . . well, almost any
other. You see, there is something else in life for which I have a deep affinity.
This intangible object of my adoration is the manifestation of life’s
adventures, the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477743151052588388.post-44436267542950446422012-05-03T16:28:00.000-04:002012-08-12T05:41:34.305-04:00For the Love of Eos . . . Again and Again and Again
The delicious Kotopoulo me Prassa
From the very first time my husband and I dined at Eos Greek Cuisine in Stamford, I knew we had found
a restaurant that we could count among our favorites. Since that time, it has
been a reliable go-to place that has never let us down. The food is
consistently delicious, the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable and the
service is commendable.
This Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2