Soup on Sunday: Victory Amory's Creamy Garlic

A few basic and simple ingredients are all that it takes to make this heart-warming soup from hostess extraordinaire Victory Amory. Day old bread, garlic, broth and a touch of cream combine to create a velvet-like soup perfect to end a long winter’s day.

1 head of garlic, peeled
2 quarts of chicken broth
1 loaf of white country bread, crusts removed and diced
1/2 cup heavy cream
Salt and fresh ground pepper

In a small pan filled with boiling water, blanch the garlic for a few minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and repeat. This step removes the pungency of the garlic leaving all its sweet aromatic properties.

In a stockpot, combine the chicken broth and garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until the garlic is soft, about 10 minutes. Add the bread and bring to a boil. Add the cream and stir until heated through. Season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat. In batches, purée the soup in the blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Return to a clean stockpot to keep warm.

Makes 6 cups

Return of the Filofax?

There was an interesting article in the Telegraph today about the return of the Filofax. Figures from Selfridges out yesterday suggested that personal organizers are flying off the shelves, and sales of Filofaxes have increased 25 per cent over the last year. Even Anna Wintour has been scribbling into her organizer in the front rows of London Fashion Week.

For me, the Filofax has never gone away. I am a paper and pen person. I always have been, and I probably always will be. Nothing can replace the texture of paper, the feel of a pen and the idea of permanence.

In an age of the iPhone, do you find it is curious that such 'relics' are flourishing? Personally, I think it is a bit of a backlash in the face of a technical revolution. Of course I am not technophobic, and I love that you can (manually) 'synchronize' your Filofax with various calendar and email programs. There's even rumor of a Filofax application for the iPhone. As the article points out, the Filofax is the ultimate back-up for when your computer crashes.

It's ironic that the article appeared on the same day that my son was teasing me for being "old school" and using a Rolodex to keep track of business cards I receive. I wonder if they will make a comeback too? Any other Rolodex and Filofax users out there?

Banana Pankcakes, and the lucky winner is...

It is pancake month, and there is nothing I enjoy more then a fluffy fried dough smothered in maple syrup!

This is a as simple as it gets for recipes, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together, pour in milk (with a splash of apple cider vinegar) and a little oil.

I like to add bananas, I am a Jack Johnson fan, so its always nice to listen to the banana pancake song while you make'm.

The little fork in the picture is my kido climbing on the chair, and making her way up to the table, ready for breakfast.

Thanks everyone for entering the contest and checking out a really cool company, Bumblebar! Random.org picked the lucky winner, #29 Alice in Paris!
Congratulations, please email me with your address.

DOXA - An All the Best Exclusive

Professional, talented, spirited and extraordinary are just a few of the words that are repeatedly used to describe Jaime Rogers. Hailed as one of Florida's growing young talents, Jamie is the lead designer and owner of Doxa Design Group — a full-service design firm and online retail boutique.

Every time I visit doxahome.com I am thrilled by the amazing, carefully edited collection of home furnishings and décor. Each item is personally sourced from talented American and European artisans. Jamie’s trained eye and attention to details is apparent in every object on the doxahome.com website.

Always one step ahead of the curve Jamie also offers Online Design as an alternative service for do-it-yourself custom designed spaces. A great option for clients who want to be involved in the labor and don’t mind DYI—regardless of where you live.

My favorite item from doxahome.com is the White Washed Daybed
Eric Cohler Design - Daybed from DOXA

Jamie has graciously offered a complimentary online room design ($895-$1150 value) and a $350 gift certificate from their online retail boutique for one lucky All the Best reader!

To enter this wonderful giveaway, simply go to doxahome.com and select your favorite item, then make note of that item in the comment section of this post on All the Best (by March 12, 2010). I have included my favorite item from the website, as well as images of Jamie’s beautiful work.

Additionally, all readers will receive 20% off all purchases through March 11, 2010. Just use the code ATB20 at checkout. The winner of the complimentary online room design and $350 gift certificate will be announced on March 15, 2010. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Save the Date

This year WESTWEEK 2010: DESIGN REVOLUTION will be anchored with three keynote panels, including Elle Decor, The Editor at Large, and Interiors.

I will be on the Editor at Large panel and would love for you to attend it you are in the area. Here is the full line up:

ELLE DECOR’s keynote panel, “Giving Design a Voice in the Digital Age,” Wed., March 24, 11:00 AM, moderated by ELLE DECOR Editor in Chief Margaret Russell, features:

· Vicente Wolf, Designer and blogger

· Mayer Rus, Los Angeles Times Magazine Design and Culture Editor

· Patricia Shackelford, author of the blog Mrs. Blandings

· Michael Bruno, founder of 1stDibs.com


The Editor at Large panel, Wed., March 24, 3:30 PM, moderated by Sophie Donelson, features:

· Michael Bruno, founder of 1stDibs.com

· Ronda Carman, founder of AlltheBestBlog.com

· Brian Patrick Flynn, designer, founder of DecorDemon.com

· Brad Ford, designer and founder of DesignTherapy.com

· Jilllian St. Charles, vice president and site director, HGTV.com

· Vanessa de Vargas, interior designer and host of Designer Tag Sale


Interiors magazine panel, Thurs., March 25, 11:00 AM, led by editorial/creative director James Barra and Editor in Chief Arianne Nardo, features:

· Orlando Diaz-Azcuy

· Roger Thomas

· Carlos Barbosa

· Kara Mann

Thank You for Asking

I must confess that I have not been keeping up with new blogs the way that I did three years ago. Time is really the biggest factor keeping me from reading more. But on occasion, one grabs my attention. My recent weekly fix is the blog Thank you for Asking—A woman starring in her own movie that nobody is watching.

It is a tongue-in-cheek account of one woman’s "trials and tribulations" of trying to keep up in the glamorous Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. As a wife, mother, blogger and someone who loves design, this blogger makes me laugh. I particularly love that her New Year’s Resolution is not to say the F Word in front of the children—an admirable resolution that I should adopt.





Photos: Thank you for Asking

The Inspired Design of Brooks and Falotico, New Canaan Architects...

The tag line of the New Canaan architectural design firm of Brooks and Falotico reads, "Exceptional Residential Architecture." Take one look at their work and you'll know this is no overstatement.

Visit Brooks and Falotico's website for an overview of their classically-inspired portfolio or take a look at a sample project posted below...

The gambrel roofline of this Brooks and Falotico stone and shingle house adds character and a great sense of warmth.

Look at the exceptional detail in the kitchen.

The beautiful living space off the kitchen is a great gathering spot for family and friends.

What a great place for laundry!

Look at the detail of the bathroom vanity below...

Another fabulous bath with a gorgeous black marble vanity top...

A lovely bank of windows surround the freestanding tub in this vintage-inspired bathroom...

The wood paneling in the library creates a sense of intimacy and sophistication in this magnificent home...

Soup on Sunday: Frank Webb Suggests Fennel Soup

The Italian inspired Tomato Bread Soup from Matthew White (my first guest soup contributor) was so well received, that I thought that I would follow with a recipe from Frank Webb. Frank is the other half of the White Webb. According to Frank, “I can’t cook to save my life, but I’m a great at finding interesting recipes and persuading my partner, Steve, to whip them up for me. I love this amazing dairyless fennel soup, courtesy of Chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill (and Blue Hill at Stone Barns), which was printed in New York magazine.”

I can’t confirm Frank’s talents (or self professed lack of) in the kitchen, but I can tell you that he has designed an amazing kitchen in his own home, as well as countless others!

Vegetable Stock:
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
1 ¼ cup medium-diced onion
¼ cup thinly sliced shallots
¼ cup medium-diced leeks
½ cup medium-diced carrots
3 ¼ cups medium-diced fennel
pinch of salt
1/8 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/8 teaspoon black peppercorns
6 sprigs parsley
3 sprigs thyme
½ head garlic

Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the vegetables with a pinch of salt, and sweat over low heat. Add the coriander seeds, peppercorns, parsley, thyme, garlic, and 6 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 50 minutes. Strain and chill.

Fennel Soup:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 small shallots, minced
3 ½ cups diced fennel, white part only, reserving green fronds for garnish
1 apple, peeled and diced
Salt and ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
4 cups vegetable stock (recipe above)
½ teaspoon chopped thyme

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and shallots, and sweat until translucent. Add the fennel and apple, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes before adding the fennel seeds and stock, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a blender and puree, adding the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Return to saucepan and heat gently. Garnish with fennel fronds.

Good Morning Tea Biscuits

My friend made tea biscuits the other day for the play group she was hosting, when we walked into their home it smelled so good.
I was sad, they were not vegan.
Then she asked me...how do I make them? I have never made vegan biscuits.
This morning I wanted to make some, so I google it, and found this recipe.
They are really easy to make, just be sure not to over knead the dough, otherwise they will be rock hard.


vegan biscuit recipe

Modern Western House

Modern Western House

A Kitchen Conservatory...

Washingtonian.com featured this Georgetown kitchen, which is enclosed in an incredible conservatory. Architect: Kevin Pruiett of David Jones Architects; Interior Designer: David Herchik; Contractor: Mauck Zantzinger & Associates.

The Paula Deen Home Collection: Southern-Inspired Furniture Design

Paula Deen has collaborated with Universal Furniture to produce a line of beautiful southern-inspired furniture. Visit PaulaDeenHome.com to see the entire collection and find a dealer near you.

The Kitchen Gathering Table (shown above) is a great substitute for an island in a tight space. The shelves below the table-top feature fabulous wicker baskets -- perfect for storage and a convenient way to manage clutter.

The lovely ladder-back chairs above add a sense of warmth in the dining room.

The round pedestal table creates the perfect intimate setting.

Like most of the pieces in the Paula Deen Home Collection, the Hall Table comes in both light and dark finishes.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

The truth is Jennifer Aniston would look good sitting in a plastic lawn chair. However, she seriously looks fabulous curled up in a purple velvet chair on the March cover of Architectural Digest.

Apparently I am not the only one who has noticed Jennifer and that gorgeous chair. Architectural Digest has been flooded with inquires over the past few days. The vintage chairs (circa 1970) were purchased from the extraordinary New York based Lobel Modern and covered in a deep violet fabric by Manuel Canovas. According to propietor Evan Lobel, “They are grand in scale and comfortable. And, they are glamorous, just like Jennifer.”

Lobel Modern offers an amazing collection of furniture, lighting and art by important designers from the 1940's thru the 1980's. A few include Edward Wormley, Harvey Probber, Paul Evans and Karl Springer. Evan Lobel was Exhibition Coordinator of the retrospective on Harvey Probber in 2003 and has been hailed by Architectural Digest as the "New York dealer who has been instrumental in putting Springer back on the map."

Lobel Modern is open to the trade and public or you can browse their wonderful collection online.

The vintage 1970 chairs before reupholstering

A beautiful deep violet fabric by Manuel Canovas

Cover photo by Peggy Sirota

Best Luxury Homes

Best Luxury Homes

Bumble Bar Giveaway!!

 

This afternoon, when I opened the front door to my house to take out my compost, a box was on my doorstep. I love getting things in the mail.( except bills, he he). I have been wanting to have a contest on my blog for sometime now... and BumbleBar, who make the yummiest treat, was kind enough to send me a couple boxes, so let's have a giveaway!

I love snacks and it was middle of the afternoon... perfect timing...

oh the choices...
I tried the chunky cherry, and I enjoyed it thoroughly... and all its goodness. Organic Agave syrup ,Organic sesame seeds, Organic cherries, Organic Almonds, Organic flax, and Organic Coconut.

One of you lucky blog readers is going to win a box, you just have to go to the bumblebar site, check them out and by check them out, i mean read their story, its a good one!

Come back here and tell me which bumblebar you enjoy eating, and if you have never had a bumblebar tell me which one strikes your fancy.

Enter as often as you like, the randomly chosen winner is gonna get a box consisting of  15 bumblebars...  3bars each of 5 flavours! The myriad ways to enter are:

• Join my Facebook fan page
• become a Kirsten's Kitchen follower on Google friend
• tweet this post
• Link this post on your blog post
• become a subscriber

When you do any of these things, don't forget to come back and let me know!
Contest ends February 23.