Tasmanian Salmon Cakes
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Chef Jon-Paul Hutchins Le Cordon Bleu | Executive Chef |
Yield 4
Ingredients:
1 pound of salmon chopped
Bread crumbs as needed
1 whole egg
½ red onion, fine diced
½ red pepper, fine diced
½ yellow pepper, fine diced
½ green bell pepper, fine diced
1 tablespoon Dijon
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Combine all of the ingredients. You’ve added enough breadcrumbs when the mixture is moist yet moldable.
2. Shape into 4 patties and let chill for 30 minutes to firm up.
3. Fry the cakes gently in a little oil until the are cooked through.
4. EAT!
Pairs Well With:
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| Chardonnay |
For more culinary inspiration KEYWORD "recipes", a specific ingredient or click here.
Rib Eye with Dijon Parmesan Crust
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Chef Jon-Paul Hutchins Le Cordon Bleu | Executive Chef |
Ingredients:
Mustard Parmesan Coating:
20 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh, roughly chopped thyme
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 thick rib-eye steaks (about 2 to 2 1/2-inches)
Grey salt and fresh ground black pepper
Olive oil, for drizzling
2 cups fresh, finely grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
In a pre-heated saute pan over medium-low heat, pan roast the garlic in olive oil, tossing only once. Allow to brown for about 5 to 10 minutes. Drain the cloves through a strainer. Allow to cool before mashing roughly with fork. Add thyme to garlic paste and mash that in as well. When they are pasty but still chunky, mix in the Dijon mustard.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Preheat a grill to high.
Season steaks well with salt and pepper. Pound the seasonings in well. Drizzle steaks on both sides with olive oil. Place meat on grill to brown, about 5 minutes each side.
Remove steaks from grill, place on a large cookie tray. Cover top generously with mustard parmesan coating. Top with large piles of parmesan, spreading out to edges carefully with fingers. Place steaks in oven for 8 or 9 minutes.
Pairs Well With:
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| Cabernet Sauvignon |
For more culinary inspiration KEYWORD "recipes", a specific ingredient or click here.
Going “Green”
Have you been driving around your neighborhood recently and suddenly noticed?… Wow…that home has a lush green lawn. It looks perfect and makes the home stand out nicely too. Well, if you take a closer look, there’s a very good chance it’s artificial. YES! The technology is available now for what the industry calls “synthetic turf”.
When HOA’s in Ahwatukee created their CC&R’s, as long as 20 years ago in many communities, there were strict guidelines against any form of artificial turf in the front yard…and for good reason…artificial turf was more like indoor/outdoor carpet; However, not any more…today professional installers offer a wide variety of products that look so real, it fools even the most seasoned professional upon first glance. As a professional landscape designer & contractor, I see and install a lot of this turf and I am a firm believer in the value, beauty, and overall quality…for several reasons.
First, the obvious…no water& no real maintenance. Debris can be blown off artificial turf with a conventional blower, it hoses off easily and is very pet tolerant when you buy the right turf. Most important of all, it looks green all year long, year after year. On top of that, most companies are offering a minimum 7 year warranty on their product and some even longer.
Second, I don’t know about you, but I get frustrated when I drive by what appears to be a nice home and the lawn is not being taken care of at all. It dramatically affects the curb appeal. Unfortunately, most HOA’s have no overseed mandate, so many homes throughout Ahwatukee have dead or dormant grass in the winter months, and many homes look way below par even in summer months. If you are reading this article and fall into this category, I apologize if I’ve offended you, but you are not helping the property value of your home, nor your neighbors. Take out the grass and go with a natural xeriscape plan (low maintenance/low water/native material), or synthetic turf. Either choice would be a drastic improvement. I suppose some people have a reason for neglecting their lawns by having to tighten their financial belt with these tougher economic times. This is a place to cut costs by reducing your water bill, but again, another good reason to go synthetic, you will cut your maintenance by 95 percent, and your water bill substancially.
Third….I’m throwing down the gauntlet here. The frustrating part is that some, (not all) HOA’s still are way behind the curve when it comes to modifying their synthetic turf guidelines and allowing more homeowners to “go green” without being hassled. Club West is stepping up their efforts and is moving in the right direction. Mountain Park Ranch also is taking a more serious look at their guidelines and becoming more open minded about the subject. I recently became aware of a few communities in Ahwatukee that are looking into using synthetic turf in some of the common areas. Congratulations for thinking outside of the box! However, there are others like the ARC in Lakewood, that are in desperate need of writing guidelines that make sense and hope they will start listening to what homeowners want and not running their own program.. Real grass guidelines and synthetic grass guidelines should not be treated differently, and fining people for installing artificial turf in their front yard is archaic thinking. The demand for these products is surging and I advise those ARC’s reviewing plans to have more of an open mind and modify your guidelines ASAP. Wouldn’t you rather have a neighbor whose lawn looks great like these photographs, or have to live with a neighbor who could care less about what his front lawn looks like?….No brainer here!
Homeowners should be applauded for wanting to give his/her property a “beauty makeover” and at the same time add to the overall value of their neighborhood. Need I mention the savings of thousands of gallons of water yearly. Many of us take water for granted here in Arizona at a time when we need to conserve, since annual rainfall levels have been below norm for nearly a decade. Don’t fight it, embrace it, and realize the technology is here for all lawns to look good 24/7.
If you are thinking about synthetic turf for the back yard, well, that is a different story. No HOA approval is usually needed, but I caution you to always contact your HOA on every exterior improvement whether it be front or back before you move to the construction phase. It doesn’t hurt to check. More good news…the Consumer Products Safety Commission recently released information on the falsely reported harmful effects of synthetic grass material. The CPSC found nothing that is harmful to people or our environment and have given their approval for most artificial turf products. Disney has installed tens of thousands of square feet of turf in their theme parks created by Forever Lawn, and are looking into installing more.
So GO GREEN in more ways than one and think about the long term, cost effective measure of synthetic turf. Your wallet, your aching back, your kids, and your neighbors will all say thank you!
Dill Crusted Salmon
With a Fresh Tomato Buerre Blanc
|
Chef Jon-Paul Hutchins Le Cordon Bleu | Executive Chef |
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 Salmon Filet Steaks
2 tablespoons dill weed or fresh minced dill
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
¼ cup white wine
Juice of ½ grilled lemon (cut a lemon in half and grill cut side down for 3 minutes)
1 cup peeled seeded and diced fresh tomato
1 stick of butter
Directions:
1. Season the salmon with salt, pepper and dill. Allow to sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
2. Heat the oil in a sauté pan and sear the salmon.
3. Add the white wine and put in a preheated 350-degree oven for approximately 12 minutes.
4. When done remove the fish from the pan add the lemon juice and the fresh tomato. Cook briefly to heat through.
5. Add the butter a little at a time swirling constantly until fully incorporated. Season with salt and pepper and put the sauce under the salmon.
Pairs Well With:
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| Pinot Noir |
For more culinary inspiration KEYWORD "recipes", a specific ingredient or click here.
Tri-Color Honey Slaw
|
Chef Jon-Paul Hutchins Le Cordon Bleu | Executive Chef |
Makes enough to bring to a pot luck!
Ingredients:
1 head red cabbage cored and shredded
1 head white cabbage cored and shredded
2 large carrots peeled and grated
Vinaigrette:
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup honey
3 tablespoons mustard seeds
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
In a large bowl combine the ingredients for the vinaigrette with a whisk. Add cabbages and carrots. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until the cabbage is wilted but still crunchy. Do not mix a day ahead because the colors will bleed.
Pairs Well With:
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| Sauvignon Blanc |
For more culinary inspiration KEYWORD "recipes", a specific ingredient or click here.
Secret Recipe Granola
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Jim Matykiewicz The Inn On Oak Creek | Owner |
Ingredients:
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking)
¾ cup raw pumpkin seeds
¾ cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
1 cup coarsely chopped unblanched almonds
½ cup wheat germ
½ cup powered nonfat dry milk
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¾ cup Safflower oil
½ cup maple syrup
½ cup honey or malt syrup (available in health food stores)
½ cup dried apricots, finely chopped
½ cup dried figs, finely chopped
½ cup golden raisins
½ cup black raisins
½ cup banana chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together the oats, seeds, almonds, wheat germ,
dry milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla. Set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the oil, maple syrup and honey. Pour over the oat mixture and toss with your hands or a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are moistened. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes, stirring once. The edges tend to turn brown first, so stir carefully.
When lightly browned, remove from the oven and cool to room temperature. Loosen from the pan in chunks and add the dried fruits. Seal in airtight container.
Pairs Well With:
 |
 |
| Pinot Gris | Dessert Wine |
Thank you for your interest in our recipes. If you have any problems with the preparation or final product, please feel free to call us.
The Inn On Oak Creek
A Sedona Bed & Breakfast
556 Hwy 179, Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone: (928) 282-7896
Toll Free: (800) 499-7896
E-mail: info@innonoakcreek.com
Recipe property of The Inn On Oak Creek
For more culinary inspiration KEYWORD "recipes", a specific ingredient or click here.
It’s all about SHADE!
Let’s just hope we don’t have too many 110 degree plus days this summer…ugh!!! If you are an outdoor enthusiast and love spending time by the pool no matter what the temperature, having relief near by is always welcome. Over the years, I have built dozens of shade structures using a variety of different materials. Before we go into the numerous options, let’s talk about the many names we use to describe them and their associated meanings. Gazebos, Arbors, Ramada’s, Pergolas are the most common names, but what are the differences?
Gazebos offer protection from both the sun and rain because they have a solid tiled roof that matches the home. These are free standing structures that usually are not attached to the house. The interior finished ceiling is either exposed framework, or the framework is covered using a tongue & groove high grade plywood. Most people install a light & ceiling fan with a switch on one of the support posts, and others go as far as installing a misting system on the perimeter for additional comfort. The support posts are built with masonry block (CMU), require a solid footing, and can be finished off with stucco & paint, or maybe a stone veneer. A good Gazebo starts at about $10,000 for a 10×10 or 12×12, but I have built others that cost $15,000 to $20,000. It all depends on how you accessorize and the materials you choose. Because Gazebo’s usually finish off at a height of 10 to 12 feet above ground level, just about all require HOA approval and a building permit. They are not hard to get, but that is the correct way to go about it. Gazebos are one of the more expensive shade options, but are extremely functional and decorative.
Another shade option is the ramada, which sometimes is called an arbor or pergola. In Arizona these words seem interchangeable, but they really all mean the same thing. A ramada or arbor offers no protection from the rain, but does offer “filtered” sunlight, as well as a very attractive decorative element. These can either be free standing structures or attached to the house. The support posts can be wood or masonry, and the top can have anywhere between one and three layers depending on how much shade you require. Two and three layered arbors are usually the norm. I recommend three especially if you are using wood, because the cross member building approach helps to keep the wood from twisting. I like using a “rough sawn” fir because it holds up well to Arizona weather and stains or paints beautifully. The three layered arbor top starts with a first course of main beams with dimensions of 6” x 12”. I like a “beefy” looking structure. I corbel the ends for decoration and the corners are cross woven into one another. The second course is a 3” x 6” member laid perpendicular to the first, and also has corbeled ends. The final layer is 3’ x 3” and is laid perpendicular to the course below. Ends are usually too small to corbel, so I’ll straight cut them or slightly round over the ends. It’s also best that you stain or paint the wood on the ground so you can cover every inch of wood before it is assembled. It also makes staining or painting much easier when you can place them on a saw horse as opposed to working overhead. Wood still has a tendency to twist, so make sure the wood is as dry as it can be from the lumber yard. Cracking in some of these beams is expected and is commonly called “checking”. Unless severe… checking usually doesn’t effect the strength integrity of the wood.
If you don’t want the maintenance of wood, there are companies that offer an aluminum stud wrapped with vinyl and simulates the look of wood. There are a few color choices, and when dirty, can be washed off with a hose and never require any painting. Again, most structures like these require permits and HOA approval. Cost for natural wood arbors or ramadas range between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on the size, the number of layers, and what type of materials you will use to accessorize. Cost for the “aluma wood” structures is about 20 percent less expensive. There is definitely a trade off between the overall look and beauty of natural wood versus the low maintenance of artificial looking wood so…pick your poison here. Being a third generation contractor and an experienced finished carpenter….well, I don’t think I have to tell you which is my personal preference. Pick the right materials, have a good design, get the proper approvals and finally choose a licensed contractor, and you can begin to enjoy this summer with a little added comfort as well as building some nice equity. If you have any questions about this or other landscape products, call or email me for a free design and consultation. So long for now and STAY COOL!
Curt Havens
Color and Interiors
I’d like to inspire you to view your home as more than mere protection from the elements and encourage you to view ordinary living space in new, innovative and creative ways.
Let’s say you are having company. Better yet, let’s assume you are “expecting” yourself. The place is clean and in order. (In my case, that would mean I’d have no clock assembly going down the hallway, cans of paint in my entryway, or sample boards and fabric sprawled over my pool table.) Starting at your front door, walk into each room of your home, paying close attention to the atmosphere and feeling that each room conveys. Now ask yourself the following questions:
- Which colors predominate the room?
- Is there a general color that is repeated throughout the house?
- Do the main colors reflect your personality accurately?
Color is the most important single ingredient in preparing a scheme for your home, and in itself costs nothing! Attractive colors cost no more than drab ones. When I am working with an individual, deciding on a color scheme, there are several things to consider:
- What are the favorite colors of the person or people using that room?
- Is the room itself cold, dark, warm, large or small?
- What is the room used for? Should it be stimulating, relaxing or inspirational?
Color and decorative finishes can give your room individuality…personality! Deciding which color and finish to choose for your home, however, can be incredibly overwhelming. As an Interior Designer, it is my job to enhance simple shelters by applying paint imaginatively to create aesthetically pleasing home environments. I achieve this through faux finishes, painted surfaces, children’s murals and unique functional art.
When deciding upon a decorative finish, often we must do something most of us find challenging…trust our instincts. Color selection is a personal experience. There is no right or wrong. When creating your decorative schemes, keep in mind the colors and finishes you choose will reflect your own unique personality and taste. So show yourself and your home off to the fullest and most colorful, making sure you use colors sympathetic to your character. For those wanting a little direction, here are a few forecast trends:
Technology driven colors with fabrics that shimmer
High-gloss lacquered finishes
Color-washed metallics and gilding
Luxurious textiles paired with hides
Eco consciousness…eco friendly products
Mixing old with new.
Teichert Design Group is happy to assist you in your wall treatment and color selections from choosing simple color washes to more polished surfaces of stucco lustro, trompe l’oeil, marbles, frescos and hand painted papers.
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Copyright 2009-2010 Denise Teichert
PRO-Build
Decorate Your Home for the Holidays
Denise Teichert
December is a perfect time to give us an excuse to make our living spaces feel new again. As we change our environment for the Holiday we can entertain ourselves as well as our guests. Decorating your home is good for you! You increase your happiness when you decorate for the holidays as long as you remember to keep it fun. Don’t take on too much. I like to refer to it as KISS…Keep It Simple Santa! Holiday decorating can be overwhelming and turn into a stress-filled event. Balance and simplicity is the key to a joyous season. It’s important through this busy time of year to take some time for yourself and truly enjoy your holiday decorating. It doesn’t take a lot of times or decorations to instill holiday cheer.
The Holidays hold different meanings for different people. There are a number of ways you can personalize your holiday or honor past memories and traditions through design choices alone. Choosing your homes color scheme is one. The “simplest” way of determining your color scheme is by focusing on the colors you already have in your home year ‘round, selecting complimentary colors to bring out a seasonal feel. If your home has warm colors, choose golds and reds over whites and silvers. If you love a rustic, earthy feel, then you may want to stick with greens and browns for your holiday motifs. Another simple way to choose a hue for a fabulous décor is to look into your past. If you have fond memories from Holidays past, choose a color scheme to enhance that memory. Were you given a special gift or decorations from someone special? If so you can make that your focal point in which to draw color from.
Our very own community will be enjoying one of the most spectacular display of lights this valley has. Why not add to the warmth and ambience by joining in with your own “festival of lights”. Hanging outdoor lights has caused many of us to use words we normally wouldn’t in the presence of our neighbors. For many it is the most dreaded chore of the holiday. May I send you a big KISS…and helpful suggestion? “Simply”…call My Christmas Guys! They provide the lights and cords or can use your existing ones. These guys can do the simple stuff or turn your cactus into candy canes and dry river beds into a river of lights. Hiring a professional light decorating company is ideal for those wanting to spend time with family instead of stressing out on all the decorating. It’s also a wonderful service for the disabled and is a useful gift to offer a friend or loved. When you are hanging those outdoor lights, don’t forget the lighting inside. You can create ambiance by using more candles than usual. Another tip would be to replace your existing candles with colored candles to fit your holiday color theme.
Be sure to keep your family and guests warm and cozy this season. Ok…perhaps it’s not cold outside…but keep in mind that’s why we live here J. You can give your home that coziness with style however. A great design secret is to cover your existing pillows with holiday covers. This tip saves money and space! No having to store bulky holiday pillows! The covers simply zip off and fold flat for storage. And bring out some throw blankets in your holiday colors. Drape them over sofas and chairs to add the warm and fuzzies we are after this time of year.
Yes…we all love the holidays. But don’t overdo it. Simplicity and balance is the key this holiday season. Celebrate Color! Light Up Your Home For Joy! And keep in mind…Holiday Decorating Is Good For You!
KISS’S
Denise
Teichert Design Group, LLC
Denise Teichert, Allied Member ASID
480.330.3717
teichertdesigngroup@msn.com
teichertdesigngroup.com
Copyright 2009-2010 Denise Teichert
