Articles for December 15th, 2010

Recipe Contest: Main Course Day 3

posted by Christine Sracic | December 15th, 2010 3:56pm | filed under Recipes, Sponsored Post

Support Our SponsorsWe’re sure you’re probably stressed with crazy last-minute holiday shopping. Or maybe you’re trying to figure out where to put the roll-out bed for Uncle John so the whole neighborhood doesn’t hear his snoring. Wouldn’t winning a $100 gift certificate to Central Market take your mind off the frantic part of the holidays, if at least for the hour you’ll spend strolling through the aisles of your favorite CM? The answer is a big, jolly yes.

So take a few minutes to enter your favorite Main Course recipe in our Central Market Recipe Contest as we build the perfect holiday meal. The winner, who receives $100 to Central Market, will be announced on Monday, so do it now!

Jason Kosmas Is A Mixology Master

posted by Hayley Hamilton | December 15th, 2010 2:38pm | filed under Bars, cocktails, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

Jason Kosmas instructs Dallas bartenders how to be craftsmen.

I remember many years ago when I was a bartender, and if you didn’t know how to make a cocktail there was this recipe box, circa 1985, filled with common cocktails noting the ingredients to make them, most which involved some sort of spirit (obviously) and mixer.  We would make our “sweet and sour” by mixing water with a dried pre-packaged mix.  On occasion I would get curious and start mixing A with B, and sometimes C to make some sort of crazy concoction, that was then often put into shot glasses and quickly downed by happy TCU students.  There was no real training though…just that box of recipes.

Fast forward to today where the inventive cocktail, using real ingredients, is becoming as popular as a glass of Chardonnay used to be.  On Monday afternoon 40 or so Dallas bartenders gathered at Victor Tango’s for an interactive seminar and conversation on how to truly hone your mixology craft hosted by St. Germain Edlerflower Liqueur.  Continue reading "Jason Kosmas Is A Mixology Master"

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Accessorize Your Quest For the Holy Ale Tonight at The Old Monk

posted by Sarah Reiss | December 15th, 2010 2:10pm | filed under beer, freebies |

It’s Maredsous Chalice Night at The Old Monk. Be one of the first 150 folks to order a Maredsous 6 or 8 and receive a free ceramic Maredsous chalice. Yours to keep. Really. We promise.

Rachael Ray Book Signing at Preston-Royal Borders Tonight. Go Now to Secure a Spot.

posted by Sarah Reiss | December 15th, 2010 1:15pm | filed under Events | 1 Comment »

Tonight at 7 pm, Rachael Ray will make an appearance at the Borders on Preston at Royal to sign/promote her new cookbook, Rachael Ray’s Look and Cook.

The signing starts at 7 pm. But listen up! Hopeful attendees need to get over to the store ASAP (that means now) to purchase the book in advance. The purchase gets you a yellow wristband that acts as your ticket into the book signing.

The store notes that the last time she was on tour, she sold more books in Dallas than any other city, so get yourself down there ASAP if you want the princess of perk herself to personalize your copy.

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What To Do When It’s 70 Degrees in December? Taste-test the New Holiday Flavors at Paciugo Gelato.

posted by Sarah Reiss | December 15th, 2010 12:10pm | filed under Chocolate, dessert, freebies |

Paciugo Holiday Gelato.

Locally owned and operated Paciugo Gelato & Caffè is making our stomachs howl in anticipation of its five new holiday flavors:

Chocolate Cocoa Nibs gelato—a dark chocolate gelato with crunchy bits of Venezuelan cocoa nibs that add texture and a slightly bitter, smoky, roasted flavor.

Dulce de Leche Peppermint Swirl gelato—a combination of Dulce de Leche gelato swirled with Dulce de Leche & Peppermint sauce, dark chocolate pieces and a milk caramel and mint twist to tone down the pungent notes of peppermint without losing the intensity of the flavor.

Lemon Custard Fig Ginger Swirl gelato—a traditional Italian gelato recipe made with creamy custard gelato paired with a sauce made with golden fig, Paciugo Gelato & Caffè’s signature candied ginger and fresh lemon peels.

Limoncello gelato—infused with an Italian liquor that is made from fresh lemon peels, which are stored in a sealed glass container with alcohol and sugar until aged just right.

Red Velvet Cake —a quintessential combo that pairs the creaminess of vanilla with an American dessert favorite sure to please the taste buds this holiday season.

Bonus: purchase $20 in gift cards and receive a free Piccolo Cup of gelato.

Single Malt Tipples For The Holidays

posted by Andrew Chalk | December 15th, 2010 11:49am | filed under Andrew Chalk, Wine & Spirits |

Holiday season seems like the most appropriate time to partake of a premium single malt Scotch. If you were looking for one to try, here are a couple of suggestions. First, Glenfiddich 12 Year Old is the best-selling single malt scotch in the world. It is aged in oak barrels for those 12 years a process that gives it a fresh and fruity nose like fresh pear and a sweetness in the mouth with notes of butterscotch, cream, malt, and oak. At the end is a long smooth finish.

Less well known but worth seeking out is The Balvenie Doublewood Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Aged 12 Years. This is a very soft easy drinking whisky that is matured in an unusual way. Late in maturation it is transferred from its traditional oak bourbon cask and finished in a European oak sherry cask. The bourbon casks contribute softness and the sherry wood brings depth and fullness of flavor.

Both are widely available around town.

Holiday Gifts Part 3 – Books….

posted by Hayley Hamilton | December 15th, 2010 10:52am | filed under Books, Gifts, Holidays, Wine & Spirits |

Yes, hard cover books are still published, and though your eBook or Kindle may be trying to rule your book reading world, a beautiful hard cover wine and spirits book is still good for the coffee table, kitchen, bar or (for some) nightstand.

I wish I had written the Art and Design of Contemporary Wine Labels.  I have so many friends that I know that buy wine solely based on the label….red or white, bold or soft…doesn’t matter. If they like the label they will buy it.  Which also shows you how far opinions have changed from the very Old World, European style with a chateau adorning the label.  Does it mean that wine in a bottle with a flashy label is bad? Of course not, but it may mean the winery owner is a bit more adventurous.  Tanya Scholes takes you through the whole process of how a present day label is really created.  

Continue reading "Holiday Gifts Part 3 – Books…."

If You Can’t Get to Nobu, Try Chef Raso’s Holiday Lamb and Cocktail Recipes at Home

posted by Sarah Reiss | December 15th, 2010 10:00am | filed under Recipes |

Chef Matt Raso over at Nobu is totally feeling the holiday spirit today—so much so that he wanted to share his holiday recipe for Lamb with Rosemary Miso Sauce (as well as recipes for a couple reputation-bending cocktails) with SideDishers ambitious enough to try making them at home. (Don’t freak out about the measurements. Here’s a reliable weight and volume converter.)

Jump for Chef Raso’s Lamb with Rosemary Miso Sauce and Nutcracker Martini recipes… Continue reading "If You Can’t Get to Nobu, Try Chef Raso’s Holiday Lamb and Cocktail Recipes at Home"

Rachael Ray = Santa Claus for Needy Dallas Pets

posted by Allison Hatfield | December 15th, 2010 9:00am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Events |

Rachael Ray will be at Borders at Preston and Royal tonight from 5 to 9 p.m., co-hosting a pop-up pet adoption with Dallas animal rescue group Paws in the City. The television chef, who is famous for her 30-minute meals, also has her own brand of dog food, from which she donates all proceeds to animal rescue and adoption organizations. She’s pledged $750,000 to groups in 12 cities, including Paws in the City. Founder Tara Harper says the donation amount has not been revealed, but an Austin group received $7,500 earlier this month. About 10 dogs will be up for adoption. Ray will also be signing copies of her new cookbook, Look + Cook.

La Madeleine May Be Ubiquitous, But Come Dec. 23 That Might Make The Chain My Best Friend

posted by Sarah Reiss | December 15th, 2010 9:00am | filed under Baking, Christmas, Holidays, New Year's Eve |

OK, sure, they’re everywhere. But ubiquity doesn’t disqualify La Madeleine from easing my burden this holiday season. The chain’s patisserie (French bakery) is turning out a broad enough variety of Viennoisere (Viennese yummies) and assorted hostess/office/family-worthy gifts to solve every potential holiday dilemma I tend to encounter.

jump to find out how… Continue reading "La Madeleine May Be Ubiquitous, But Come Dec. 23 That Might Make The Chain My Best Friend"