Category Archives: Eat

Grenada’s delicious Spice Island resort

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Whether we realize it or not, we all keep a mental list of Places We Would Go Back to in a Heartbeat, simply because they are magical.

Spice08Spice Island Beach Resort on the West Indies island of Grenada is on my Top 10 list, by virtue of both its natural beauty and supremely civilized amenities. It’s glamorous, gorgeous and generously appointed. Just ask Britain’s Princess Anne, who arrived for a stay shortly after my memorable one-day visit.

Most folks are familiar with Grenada because the United States invaded the tiny island in 1983 in response to a perceived Communist buildup in the Caribbean.

Spice10Located in Georgetown, the capital city, Spice Island is a manicured oasis with 32 beachfront suites — actually, more like villas — and 17 equally sumptuous suites with private gardens and plunge pools, marble baths and bars stocked with full-sized bottles of top-shelf liquor.

It’s an all-inclusive resort and that doesn’t just mean drinks and a buffet. The daily rate, which starts at $806, includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus pre-dinner cocktails and afternoon tea. Oliver’s, Spice Island’s elegant open-air restaurant, serves Creole and international cuisine, capitalizing on the abundant seafood of the West Indies.

Spice13Burn off those calories with golf, tennis and cycling on land or snorkeling, kayaking or sailing Hobie-cats on the turquoise waters. And if you still aren’t relaxed, indulge in a massage at the salon and spa.

Owned by Sir Royston Hopkin and his family, Spice Island exudes an aura of both warmth and exclusivity that is difficult for hotel chains to match.

That said, drag yourself away from this luxurious oasis for at least a few hours to experience the considerable charms of Grenada, where the locals shop for fruits, vegetables and crabs in the market square. (Think twice about driving yourself. Roads are narrow, twisting and motorists drive on the left, a reflection of Grenada’s past as a British colony.)

An old air strip, built during the Communist regime in the 1980s, is deserted now. Goats nibble at the weeds sprouting between cracks in the asphalt.

 

The first rosé of the season

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imagesAs we glide toward summer, let’s uncork a rosé from the sunny vineyards of Portugal. I’m pouring Defesa Rosé, an intense, elegant wine with notes of red cherry and blackberry made by the Herdade do Esporão winery, in the Alentejo region, also a celebrated source of olive oil.

No shrinking violet, Defesa is robust for a rosé, with a slightly herbal feel. The color is the deep pink of a Mediterranean sunset.

If you shy away from rosé wines, I encourage you to give one a try the next time you light up the barbecue. Defesa is a good match for grilled chicken or spicy shrimp or perhaps a salad sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. Also think of a nicely chilled bottle of rosé as a thoughtful gift for your hosts, delivered with a bouquet of pink roses. Expect to pay about $14 for this well-made import.

Freekeh, the latest ancient grain

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Move over, quinoa.

Here comes Freekeh — rhymes with eureka! — the latest in ancient grains.

Freekeh means “to rub” in Arabic. Freekeh was created by accident nearly 2,000 years ago when a Middle Eastern village was attacked and their crop of young green wheat was set ablaze.

0Happily, the villagers managed to salvage their crop. They rubbed off the chaff, cooked it  and created Freekeh, a delicious roasted green wheat that is as easy and fast to prepare as rice.

At our house, we team Freekeh with many of the same foods we serve with other grains. We discovered it’s a nutty, tasty accompaniment to stir-fried shrimp and veggies. Even better, it’s bulletproof, cooking on the stovetop in 20 minutes.

Each 8-ounce package contains four servings with eight grams of protein, four grams of fiber and 130 calories each. No wonder Oprah and Dr. Oz like it. Freekeh comes in various flavors, packaged in resealable pouches. MSRP: $3.99.

You can find Freekeh in Whole Foods, Wegmans, health food stores and various websites.

Brush, floss, multi-task

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Only 22 percent of us have achieved the lofty status of flossing every day, surveys say.

So why doesn’t someone come up with a device that allows us to floss when we are stuck in traffic or paying bills online?

In fact, somebody has. Majestic Drug has developed an innovative solution called Proxi-Plus®to help us keep our teeth and gums healthy when we are on-the-go.

Recommended by dentists, Proxi-Plus is a little blue device that cleans teeth and those hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.  There’s an interdental brush on one end and a flosser on the other to remove food from between teeth, clean plaque and stimulate gums.

0The nice folks at the company sent me some samples to try. My husband Dale, the ultimate multi-taker, uses Proxi-Plus to floss as he checks his Facebook posts. You can find them at Walgreens and other drugstores for about $6 for a pack of 30.

No more hassle of carrying a toothbrush and toothpaste in my purse. And no more excuses for not flossing. Proxi-Plus is small, sanitary and disposable, ideal for busy people who really, really want to floss more often.

Lisa likes this. You will, too.

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On every bag of veggies and sauce from Lisa’s Organics, there’s a three word message: Lisa likes this.

SW-Veggies-260x260That makes sense. If you are going to put your name on a product it should  be something that you enjoy.

But would other folks like it, too? The nice folks from Lisa’s shipped me some samples so I could try them and report on my thoughts.

What I discovered was a happy blend of convenience, good taste and nutrition. The veggie combos come in flexible, recyclable plastic bags that you can easily tuck in a crowded freezer. Each package contains generous two servings.

I mixed Lisa’s sweet peas with onion and parmesan sauce with my own faro for a quick nutritious dish. (If I had not been in a hurry, I would have made risotto.) I enjoyed the fresh flavor of the peas with the nuttiness of the faro. For added oomph, stir in more minced onion and chopped parsley from the garden.

Lisa’s broccoli with gorgonzola sauce is a natural with pasta. I blended the veggies with fettucine and added a splash of half and half and a twist of cracked black pepper. If you have leftover steak, slice that and toss it in at the end. Fast. Easy. Yummy.

Southwest vegetables in ranchero sauce offer the dual benefit of being the quickest and most flavorful combo. Lisa’s ranchero sauce is a slow-cooked, mildly spicy blend of organic red chiles, garlic and tomato with  organic sweet corn and onions, plus red and green peppers. Sweet potatoes are the wild card, adding just the right hint of sugar and even more color.

I rolled the veggies in a whole wheat tortilla in less time than it would take to call out for pizza. De-LISH.

Lisa’s vegetables are all grown organically in the U.S. and Canada and are frozen the same day they are picked. (And if you are wondering who Lisa is, she is Lisa Marie Boudreau, a mother of three who works from home.)

You can find Lisa’s in the frozen food section of select grocers, including two of my favorites, Whole Foods and Wegmans. MSRP: $3.49.

Keep your cool with tilt

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There’s a downside to the glorious spring weather embracing the East Coast, which has millions dashing to decks, patios and balconies.

M.aspxHow to keep the dip chilled?

Hopefully, you are prepared with tilt, with a lower-case T, a decidedly cool stainless steel ball that you can drop in dips, salads and drinks to maintain their cool, without ice.

This handy, low-tech gadget comes from Soiree Home, the enterprising folks who invented what has quickly become an iconic, pour-through device to decant wine.

tilt is flavorless (so as not to corrupt your hummus) and reusable, at the ready in your freezer, where it demands little more space than an ice cube. Or store it on the counter in the enclosed silicon stand and chill four to six hours before use. (MSRP: $34.99 for a set of two or $17.99 for a singleton.)

You can buy one large shiny orb or a pair of chillers. Each comes with a handy hook for retrieving the devices when the party’s over. Clean up is easy. Wash with soap and water until the next use.

From Spain, two great value reds

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When I’m looking for reds that suit both my sensibility and my budget, I often turn to wines imported from Spain, birthplace of food-friendly wines that also are focused on style.
VinaZaco_Temp_NV_HRTwo noteworthy wines in the coveted $15 or less category come from Bodegas Bilbainas, the largest estate in the Rioja Alta, where traditional character blends with modern production techniques. Both are 100 percent Tempranillo. Think fruit. Color. The best of the grape.

Vina Zaco 2010 is lively and assertive, yet its scents of violets and fresh feel make it a good match for grilled chicken and veggies, as well as the meats from the barbecue that we usually serve with reds on a soft summer night. Because it isn’t overly heavy, tempranillo is a great match with small bites, your very own tapas hour.  Wine Spectator loved this offering, awarding it 90 points. You will enjoy it, too.

Vina Pomal Crianza 2009 is more traditional, yet is still simpatico with a wide range of dishes from cheeses to grilled fish. Expect an aromatic bouquet of black cherry, licorice and vanilla. The winemaker suggests serving at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For optimum flavor, pop it in the fridge an hour before uncorking. Honest! No need to decant. Pour and enjoy.

 

Easter chocolates by Norman Love

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Here’s hoping the Easter bunny brings you a basketful of exquisite chocolates from Norman Love Confections (NLC). The high-end candy maker is offering eight limited-edition treats through March 30, all in the shape of eggs.

2013 easter_10pc_P9209852_rt smallCaramel Crunch has a surprise inside, crunchy, dark pearls of chocolate.  Creamy Peanut Butter is a polka -dotted confection of velvety peanut butter ganache in a milk chocolate shell.

For the butterscotch lover, there’s a silky butterscotch ganache made from slow-cooked brown sugar and butter. The clincher: a layer of creamy white chocolate. Other temptations include Vanilla Pudding, Coconut Almond, Mint Chocolate Cookie, Lemon Drop and Strawberry Shortcake.

Easter collections are packaged in a variety of pretty gift boxes. Choices range from a five-piece sampler priced at  $13.25 to a 50-piece candy bonanza priced at $95, plus shipping. Chocolate bunnies also are available for the traditionalist.

If you don’t hop to it in time to indulge in Easter treats, don’t despair. Norman Love offers and expansive line of chocolates and truffles suitable for weddings, gifts and every day indulgence.

 

Broken Shed Vodka is whey cool

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bottle_2011_0-98x300Two guys in a tumbledown shack have lots of time to think. And, odds are they can really use a drink.

In a dinged-up shed on a mountain in New Zealand, two Yanks from Connecticut dreamed up a New Zealand vodka. The aptly named Broken Shed is distilled four times. It’s gluten-free, additive-free and naturally smooth. No sugar, either.

The creamy notes come from whey, which the Broken Shed folks refer to as “milk honey.” The result is an inviting vodka that is round, rather than sharp, with no cloying sweetness.

Whey to go, guys.

Expect to pay about $30 for a 750 ml bottle. Broken Shed is currently available in New York, Connecticut and online purveyors.

0You could tuck a bottle of Broken Shed in the freezer and enjoy with ice and a lemon twist. The makers suggest a classic cocktail to get us through ‘til spring.

In the 1960s, the Old Fashioned cocktail was in vogue. My grandparents traveled with their own blend, delighting hosts who would add ice and an orange slice. Typically made using bourbon or whiskey, Broken Shed has put their own spin on this timeless temptation.

 

Here’s a whey-cool recipe:

Old Fashioned

3 oz Broken Shed vodka

3 dash bitters

1 sugar cube

Zest of lemon/orange/grapefruit

Garnish- flamed or not

In glass, add sugar cube with bitters and few slices of zest, add 3 oz vodka and 4 cubes ice. Stir for 10-15 seconds.

Garnish and serve to copious thanks.

 

Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage

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The annual Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage, a tradition for the H&G set, returns this spring over five weekends from Saturday, April 20, through Saturday, May 18. For 76 years, the Pilgrimage has offered visitors the opportunity to explore some of Maryland’s most fascinating and noteworthy properties.

The 2013 tour includes about 50 private homes, gardens, farms, churches and historic sites, including a docked Skipjack, across six areas in Maryland. They are Anne Arundel County-Annapolis: Wardour (Saturday, April 20); Queen Anne’s County (Sunday, April 27); Baltimore City: Guilford (Sunday, April 28); Somerset and Worcester Counties (Saturday, May 4) and Charles County (Saturday, May 18).

bcity-201-east-highfiel-resize-site-7-fODx.jpg-resampled-250The annual spring tours showcase MHGP’s efforts to cultivate awareness of Maryland’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Each year, proceeds  support preservation projects in each host community. To date, the Pilgrimage has raised more than $1 million for the preservation and restoration of architecturally significant properties throughout Maryland while evoking oohs and ahs from tour-goers.

This year, visitors will see Ogden Nash’s home and Sherwood Garden’s, where 80,000 tulips bloom, in the Guilford neighborhood of Baltimore, rarely seem homes in the Wardour community of Annapolis, 300-year-old homes in Queen Anne’s County, as well as homes that have never been publicly toured in Somerset and Worcester Counties.

Guests can buy lunch along the route. In Guilford, home to the stone Tudor house shown above, lunch will be served at the Second Presbyterian Church, where the first 700 visitors  will receive a free Sherwood Gardens poster and can see the restored sanctuary and its  light-filled Georgian Revival interior.

5B.The Manour of Truman' MD med resOther tour highlights include:

Anne Arundel:

The Wardour community in West Annapolis offers a walking tour of nine breathtaking properties, including the waterfront home of the president of St. John’s College with its superb art collection. Other stops include the grand Kent Road home built in 1911 by the architect of the Naval Academy’s Bancroft Hall, the largest college dorm in the world. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. designed the neighborhood in the early 20th century.

Queen Anne’s County:

Queenstown and Centreville are the focus of this tour, with many of the homes built in the 1700s.  Reed Creek Farm, built in 1775, has a view of the Chester River and an 18th century ballroom regarded as the loveliest room in the county. The original ceiling was discovered during a recent renovation. The South Liberty Street home has an extensive collection of Delft Pottery and samplers dating from the 1730s.

Baltimore:

Guilford is celebrating its centennial, with the garden tour featured as the first of many events during the year (www.guilfordassociation.org). Sherwood Gardens is the most famous tulip garden in North America. The Chancery Road Turnbull House is the former home of famous Baltimore artist Grace Hill Turnbull and features a mix of Spanish Mission and Arts and Crafts styles.  Turnbull’s church-like studio has stained glass windows and a bell tower. The Rugby Road home, formerly owned by famed poet Nash, is a Tudor Revival structure built in 1927. More info at www.facebook.com/GuilfordCentennial.

Somerset and Worcester Counties:

One of the highlights of the tour is the Anderson Road property known as Hollyhurst, with its Flemish-bond brick work. The Federal-style house was lovingly revived in the early 1980s with the introduction of raised-panel woodwork.  Crisfield on Phoenix Church Road,  also known as Watkins Point Farm, has never been on the tour before. The Greek Revival estate is furnished with 18th century period furniture. Beverly of Worchester, built in 1774, is one of the most elaborate and best preserved Revolutionary War period homes.

Charles County:

The Caleb W. Jones Skipjack will be docked in Benedict, one of only a handful of operating Skipjacks in the world. The Manor of Truman’s Place in Waldorf, shown above,  played a role in the War of 1812. Its more recent history includes a rear sunken garden with koi pond and gazebo.

Tickets of each tour are $30,  purchased in advance. For tickets and information, go to mhgp.org or call 410-821-6933.