Cookies and Cocoa?
December 24, 2015
Maybe for Santa. Now that the decorations are up, the shopping is done and dinner for tomorrow is ready for the oven it’s time to relax with a Christmas Manhattan. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.
The perfect simplequietmodern Christmas cocktail. Fill a rocks glass about 2/3 with ice, add a couple shakes of bitters, 1/2 oz. of sweet vermouth and 2 1/2 oz. bourbon, a maraschino cherry crushed against the side of the glass and give it all a quick stir. Recipe by Andy Ward for Bon Appetite.
Merry Christmas!
Photo:gp
Small Gifts
December 15, 2015
Small gifts always seem to make the best gifts. You are thought of fondly by the recipient with every use. Better yet, small gifts don’t need to break the bank to make a lasting impression. Here are a few simplequietmodern suggestions should your shopping list have a few entries that need to be checked off. There’s still time…get crackin.
Conifer chart tea towels ensure one won’t run out of evergreens during the holidays. And, if you help cleaning up as well the cook will love them even more. Photo: http://www.shopterrain.com/best-bets/conifer-chart-tea-towel
This natural birch muddler will make short work of prepping the next Mojito, Cuba Libre or Mint Julep.photo: http://www.cb2.com/wood-muddler/s552025
A pinch of salt is always at hand in this small ramekin in linen from Heath Ceramics.photo: http://www.heathceramics.com/small-ramekin
A pair of fingerless mitts will be a welcome gift that you made yourself. There’s still plenty of time to crank out a few pair with the pattern found here. This photo: gp http://www.afriendtoknitwith.com/2008/09/toasttoasty.html
If you don’t know a baker who needs one, you might gift yourself this modern take on the classic bundt pan from Nordic Ware. The bundt might just be the new cupcake. photo:http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/heritage-bundt-cake-pan/?cm_src=AutoRel
It’s not a sweater, but it’s a start. 100% cashmere that looks like it was spun right off the goat. photo:http://www.purlsoho.com/newoooh.html
Always On Hand
December 11, 2015
Parsley, walnuts, Parmesan and Bucatini…simplequietmodern pantry staples. And, just what you need for Walnut-Parsley Pesto with Bucatini… a perfect Meatless Monday supper to give you a break from all the holiday party fare. Hearty and satisfying, you won’t be missing the moo, cluck or baa.
This deconstructed pesto variation, adapted from the Chris Morocco original found in Bon Appetite, will serve four and can be whipped up at a moments notice. Gather your ingredients: 12 oz package of dried Bucatini, 1 cup of toasted walnuts, 2 cloves of garlic finely grated, 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan, 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 cup chopped flat leaf parsley and a couple good pinches of red pepper flakes. Pulse the walnuts in a food processor until finely chopped and add to a bowl containing the chopped parsley, parmesan, garlic and pepper flakes. Stir in oil to combine and season with salt and pepper. Cook the Bucatini according to package directions. Drain, reserving about a cup of the pasta water. Add pesto to the pasta adding small amounts of pasta liquid as needed until until the pasta is well coated. A glass of wine and a bowl of clementines and dinner is done.
Photos:gp
On The Side
November 22, 2015
A happy accident. While cooking up a few slices of bacon to season something else entirely, I found myself left with a foil lined baking tray coated with a bit of bacon fat and all of that beautiful bacon fond. It took but a minute to wash and prep a stalk of Brussels sprouts to roast off using that same tray and all of that residual bacon goodness. A quick toss with a bit of salt and pepper…30-40 minutes in a 400 degree oven…and you’re ready to serve them up with a big bowl of mashed and a bit of cranberry along side a big ‘ol smoked turkey. As Thanksgiving menus go, it doesn’t get any simpler.
Top three photos: gp
Carved smoked turkey photo: http://thedomesticman.com/2013/10/01/perfect-smoked-turkey/
Switching it up
November 19, 2015
While I will usually go for a simple Thanksgiving table decorated with Bosc pears, nuts in their shells and oak leaves , I’m thinking I might just switch things up a bit. Heath Ceramics dinnerware in basalt and linen, blown Polo roses and a tangle of Tallowberry will keep it simplequietmodern with a chalky neutral palette. Now that that’s taken care of let’s see if I can simplify dinner without any sacrifices.
Photos:gp
Paper or…
November 15, 2015
You know I can work a classic Kraft paper shopping bag six ways till Sunday. But, this waxed canvas market bag takes simplequietmodern to a new level. Easy care cotton canvas hand coated with organic beeswax. Perfect for carrying all the quince, apples and persimmons you’ll be cooking up during the holidays and leaving the brown bags you’ve been recycling available for the wrapping of gifts come December.
Top photo:https://food52.com/shop/products/718-waxed-canvas-market-bag
others: gp
Serving It Up
November 8, 2015
Turkey, Vegducken or pie….they have to go somewhere. Picture presenting your Thanksgiving feast here, on this Paul McCobb walnut and brass credenza. Designed as part of his Irwin Collection for the Calvin Group in the mid 50’s, this stunner was born to be put into holiday service now through the first of the year providing a simplequietmodern stage for everything from a full buffet, coffee and dessert or stirring up a few Manhattans. 
photo: Plastolux
A Little Needed Comfort
October 27, 2015
Between Halloween, Dia los Muertos and turning the clocks back, this weekend might just have you craving or needing a little comfort food. My simplequietmodern shortcut for Pork with Green Chilis and Potatoes to the rescue. A slow cooked New Texican stew served up over rice or folded into tortillas might be just what’s needed to fight that candy corn hangover.
photos:gp
Like It or Not
October 20, 2015
Well, I’m ” falling” into it without a fight. Fall that is. It’s been so much like Summer I had forgotten all about the change in seasons until today. Like someone flipping a switch the sky has grayed, the breeze has cooled and leaves have gone all red and golden. There is simplequietmodern Autumn inspiration around every turn.
Photos: gp
In Season
September 27, 2015
Three simple ingredients and a hot dry skillet will have you cranking out these quesadillas in just a few minutes. A simplequietmodern spin on the traditional, these start with homemade quality tortillas from my local latin market, a Wisconsin Buttermilk Blue Cheese from Whole Foods and crisp thin slices of SweeTango apple. A perfect combination of warm, cheesy, toasty and cool, crisp and sweet will have you enjoying these as a snack, for lunch or as an appetizer from these earliest Autumn days all the way through to Thanksgiving .
Preheat a heavy skillet over medium heat. Place tortilla in skillet, top with blue cheese and cover until cheese is melted and underside of tortilla is browned and crisp. Remove from pan, top with thinly sliced apple and fold in half. Done.
photos: gp
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