Wednesday, December 23, 2009

New Year's Day at Five and Ten


(img src: http://www.amazon.com/My-Dear-New-Years-Day/dp/B000P5FHGM)

For the first time ever in Five & Ten's history, we will be serving a traditional New Year's Day Dinner. Think Southern meat n' three with the traditional New Year's Day dishes: classic hoppin' john (for good luck), skillet cornbread, collards (symbolizing green money)and pan fried pork chops with chanterelle pan gravy. Start the New Year off right and join us!

Open regular hours: 5:30-11:00 pm.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Shae's Gingerbread House Featured on Beauty Everyday


Here is the entrance, click on the link to see the whole house and garden!
Photo of courtesy of Beauty Everyday

Join us at 5 & 10 for a New Year's Eve dinner

new year's eve

65 food… 35 wine



1.


oyster stew with fennel, turnip, cream,

radicchio, lemon and parsley

Chardonnay, Scarbolo, Friuli, Italy 2006




rabbit and dumpling soup:

mirepoix, bacon and black truffle bits

Pinot Noir, Eyrie Vineyards, Dundee Hills, OR 2007




butterhead lettuce, pickled sunchoke, smoked trout

fingerling potatoes, creme fraiche & caviar dressing

Gruner Veltliner, Hugl, Austria, 2008




tuna tartare with grapefruit, sesame, charred scallion,

citrus ponzu and sesame crackers

Domaine du Salvard, Cheverny, France, 2008




2.

baked local egg in piperade...

pork belly, tiny croutons, manchego

Verdejo, Bodegas Pedro Escudero, 'Fuente Elvira' Spain 2007




seared dayboat scallop with whipped cauliflower,

pomegranate, crushed almonds and a lime brown butter

Chardonnay, Stuhlmuller, Alexander Valley, CA 2007




seared foie gras with raisins, port gastrite,

toasted brioche and buttered leeks

Sauternes, Chateau Roumieu-Lacoste, France 2005




leek risotto with cauliflower cream

and burgundy truffles

Bourgogne, Rene LeClerc, France 2006




3.

roasted arctic char with romesco, chopped caper buerre blanc,

crisped Red Mule grits, butternut squash with almonds

Bourgogne, Paul Jouard, 2004




roasted Newfoundland cod: flash cooked brussels, leek whipped potatoes,

vermouth emulsion and crushed pinenuts with lemon, parsley and basil

Bianco, Damijan, Collio, Italy 2001




rack of lamb with braised lamb leg, polenta,

artichoke and olive ragout, salsa rossa and a rosemary jus

Cotes du Rhone, Clos Chanteduc, France 2007




beef tenderloin with parsnip and potato gratin,

carrot, celery and scallion, Van Winkle Bordelaise

Cabernet Sauvignon, Long Meadow Ranch, Napa CA 2005




4.

White chocolate mousse,

hazelnut dark chocolate truffles and carmel milk chocolate tart

Tawny Port, Fonseca, 20 Year, Portugal




Spiced orange creme brulee

with mini tart tatin and candied kumquats

Vidal Icewine, Pilliteri Estates, Niagara, Canada, 2006




Champagne Sorbet with grapefruit,

Rum baba with raisins and roasted grape tart

Demi-Sec Sparkling, Gruet, New Mexico, NV




Caramel Cake, candied pecans

and butterscotch Jameson pudding

cognac, Kelt, VSOP, France

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

THIRD ANNUAL ATHENS DANCING WITH THE STARS

I am competing in the Athens Dancing with the Stars to raise money for Project Safe, an amazing 501c3 working to end domestic violence and provide support systems for the victims of domestic violence.

The Athens Dancing with the Stars event is their marquee fundraiser for the year and gets a ton of attention. My wonderful partner for the evening is Natalie Cox who is a local attorney and ballroom dance instructor. Natalie and I will be raising money for the event throughout the next three months in a variety of different ways.



The easiest way to support us is to go to the project Safe website and click through to support our team, lucky #7!!!

http://www.project-safe.org/Dancing-with-the-Athens-Stars.html



But as time flies by we will be having t-shirt sales, drink specials, wine dinners, tip jars, cooking classes and corporate sponsorship opportunities!



If you can directly support us then write a check to Project Safe and we'll put your logo on the back of our t-shirt! Unlike many charities we'll give you a lot more than a cheesy mug!



$1000 level

A four course Five & Ten wine dinner for six at the restaurant! Gratuity for the waiter not included.



$2000 level

A wine tasting for 12 people with tapas at GOSFORD WINE!



$5000 level

A six course wine-matched dinner for six cooked at YOUR HOUSE by Hugh.

Must be in Athens.



$10000 level

A six course wine-matched dinner for twelve cooked at YOUR HOUSE by Hugh.

Must be in Athens.



Thanks for helping me help Project Safe and our community!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Lobster Pie


The southern staple of oyster pie is a legacy item of Thanksgiving around these parts but I also love to cook this version as well (and lobsters are really inexpensive right now). It's a decadent treat that makes a great side or appetizer. The shiitakes could be chanterelles, oyster mushrooms, porcini... whatever the season is showing off.



serves four

oven to 375F


8 slices of sourdough boule, 1/3 of an inch thick drizzled with olive oil,

toasted at 375 until crisp, nicely browned but still with a hint of pliability


2 one-pound fresh hard shell Maine lobsters

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Old Bay

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cups shiitakes, sliced

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

1/3 of a cup of flat leaf parsley, chopped

pinch of red chile flake

1 ½ cups minced leeks

1 cup heavy cream

pinch grated nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste



Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil over high heat. Season with salt and Old Bay. Cook in lobsters for five minutes in boiling water, then shock them in ice water to stop the cooking. Using a whatever your favorite lobster cleaning tools, shell and clean them, reserving the shells for a bisque or something. You should have two tails, four claws and the knuckle meat. Coarsely chop all and reserve.



Heat a large frypan over high heat. Put one tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of unsalted butter in to the pan. Add the mushrooms and sauté until fully cooked. Mushrooms like to give off liquid and you should cook them until that some of that liquid evaporates and some returns to the mushrooms. At this point turn off the heat and add vinegar, chopped parsley and chile flake. Set aside.


I like cream but I am not a big fan of cooked cream sauces so this is a different way to thicken a sauce using pureed leeks instead of reducing the cream or (aghast!) using flour.


Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add one tablespoon of butter. Let the butter bubble and froth and then add the leeks. Add a teaspoon of water, season with a touch of salt and then cover pot. Lower heat to low and cook until leeks are tender, about fifteen minutes.

Puree the leeks with the cream and then set aside.


SO now we have all four elements: The toasted bread, the lobster, the crema, and the mushrooms.


Butter a 8 inch by 8 inch (or so) baking pan and place a bit of crema in the bottom. Arrange two or three boule slices in the bottom and then put a little more crema on top of that. Put down a third of your lobster meat down and then a third of your mushrooms. Repeat until all ingredients are exhausted, making sure you finish with bread and then crema.


Bake at 375 F for twenty minutes. The crema will be bubbly and a bit browned, all yummy like.


What we have learned:


1. I love Old Bay. It is the only prepared spice mix that I use because there's something timeless about the combination. It makes seafood sing!


2. As we learned, par-cooking lobster is pretty dang easy. You could take the same lobster method used here and make a risotto or a poached lobster salad. The trick is to remember that you have only cooked the lobsters half way and they need that next gentle step before gracing that plate.


3. With this I think BIG WHITE. Roussane from Qupe would be great! Qupe is such a smeinal winery in the sphere of American oenology.


Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Rocket Nutcracker

Our salesperson of the day! We are selling the Rocket Nutcracker at Gosford Wine. $19.99

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Châteauneuf du Pape wines: A celebration of a wonderful 2007 vintage

Please join us at Five and Ten on December 1, 2009 at 6:30 PM for a six-course dinner accompanied by Châteauneuf du Pape wines. According to the American Institute of Food and Wine , Mr. Robert Parker stated that, "2007 is the greatest vintage I have tasted in my thirty years working in the Southern Rhône." These are wonderful autumn wines that will surely warm your palate on a chilly evening.

1. seared scallops: woodland baby carrots, crushed edamame, soy brown butter, sesame
CDP blanc, Cuvee du Vatican, 2007

2. puy lentil soup with merguez sausage, yogurt, pomegranate
CDP rouge, Bousquet du Papes, 2007

3. duo of pork: tenderloin & belly with grits, mustard greens and redeye gravy
CDP rouge, Domaine Lafond, Roc Epine, 2007

4. Jamison lamb shank with ratatouille, salsa verde and grenache enriched braising jus
CDP rouge, Domaine Olivier Hillaire, 2007

5. Bittersweet Plantation cheeses
CD rouge, Mas de Boislauzon, 2007

6. tiny apple tart


$120 per person plus tax and tip.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Red Eye

If you have not stopped by Red Eye Coffee on Prince Avenue, go! This is a shop that celebrates the craft of making coffee and tea. Red Eye serves a variety of teas and fresh coffee Counter Culture Coffee. Counter Culture Coffee is a company based out of Durham, North Carolina that only produces coffee that has come directly from the hands of farmers. This company is dedicated to fresh, delicious, and sustainable coffee that educates consumers by making the coffee chain transparent. Take some time and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea at Red Eye on this beautiful fall day.


Red Eye is located in the Bottleworks building, 297 Prince Avenue.
It is open Monday-Sunday from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Closed on Tuesdays)


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

pan roasted mahi mahi: soy braised hakurei turnips, turnip greens and potlikker jus

Hakurei turnips are those beautiful, ivory white, smooth skinned little turnips about the size of a golf ball or even smaller. They take about five to ten minutes to cook and are just about the best thing ever. It's another one of those things where people say to me, "I don't like turnips... yuck." I feed the naysayers these turnips and they have a quick change of heart. And don't you dare throw away those greens, mostly because you need them for the first part of this recipe.

Mahi mahi is a great home cooking fish because it lend itself well to many different styles of cooking, it's sustainable, it's local to many of us Southerners and it's some fine eating too.

Don't be afraid of pan roasting. Just turn on your hoodvent and have at it!


turnip greens and potlikker jus

1 tablespoon bacon fat or olive oil

2 tablespoons minced country ham

1 bunch turnip greens, washed & torn into two inch squares (about two quarts torn greens)

1 cup chicken stock

1 teaspoon cider vinegar

pinch of red chile flake

pinch of salt (remember that country ham is salty)

In a medium sized pot heat the bacon fat or olive oil over medium heat. When hot add the ham and the greens. Add the chicken stock, vinegar, chile flake and salt. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until the turnips are tender and cooked through. Remove from heat while you cook your turnips and mahi.


soy braised hakurei turnips

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

8 turnips, greens removed (and cooked above), cleaned and halved from north pole to south pole

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon chicken stock

tiny pinch of salt (the soy is salty as well so balance)

1 sprig fresh thyme

Warm a small saucepan (one that has a lid) over medium high heat and add the butter. When the butter has melted and foamed add the turnips, cut side down. Let them get a little color by cooking them for about three minutes without turning them.

Add the soy, stock, salt and thyme and cover the pot. Cook for five minutes and then remove lid. Reserve warm until mahi is done.


pan roasted mahi mahi

Preheat oven to 450.

four portions of mahi mahi, about 5 ounces each (about one inch thick)

salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

Heat a large frypan to high heat. Add the olive oil. Season the fish and then add them carefully to the hot oil. Don't fiddle with the pan, rather let the fish brown nicely for about three minutes and then turn it over to the other side. Cook for three minutes and then place in the oven for three to five minutes, or until the fish is cooked through but not overdone. Mahi turns a beautiful ivory white when cooked.


plating

Drain off about four tablespoons of the potlikker (the juice from your turnip greens) and place in a small pot. Bring to a boil, turn off heat, and while its still hot whisk in about a tablespoon of butter and some chopped parsley. That's your sauce.

Four plates. Equal sized piles of greens on each plate, then turnips, then the fish, Then a touch of sauce.

Eat.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Brandini and Bastianich

If you could not make it to the Fisher Vineyards Wine Dinner that will be happening tonight, reserve your spot at our Brandini Farms Wine Dinner on November 3rd (that is next Tuesday). Brandini La Morra, a winery in the Barola region of Italy, was recently purchased by Joe Bastianich. Bastianich and award-winning Italian winemaker Beppe Caviola are two very talented guys who are producing inspiring and delicious wines. First, they have a great regions to work in, wine from Barola is considered to be Italy's best wine. Second, Bastianich (if you don't already know) is the partner of Mario Batali in the James-Beard Award winning restaurant Babbo, one of New York City's finest restaurant, and also co-owner of eleven other eating establishments in New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It can be said that Joe Bastianich does nothing second-rate and knows his stuff. Beppe Caviola was chosen the best Oenologist of the year in 2002 by Gambero Rosso-Slow Food, and he is native of the Piedmont region of Italy. Caviola understands his region and cares for his wines with the passion and patience that it takes to create great wine. While I am sure that we would all love to take a trip to Italy, let us settle for a taste of the culture by enjoying these authentic Italian wines.

Click here to see the menu and wine pairings.

Here are some details on a few of the wines we will be tasting.

Brandini Barolo
A typical garnet red, that is graceful, spicy and fruity with floral notes of rose and current. This wine is smooth and full-bodied upfront and then followed by a prominent tannin, young and persistent with a clean finish.

Brandini Dolcetoo d'Alba
This wine is ruby red with a purple reflection. It is fragrant, strongly fruity with notes of cherry and raspberry. The Dolcetoo d'Alba feels rich and refreshing in the mouth with balanced tannin.

Langhe Rosse
The Langhe Rosse is a dark garnet red that is complex and diversified with sophisticated aromas of plums, blackberry, coffee and highly detailed natural spicy notes. This wine is fully-extracted, important, full-bodied and enveloping with a well-balanced acid-tannic ratio and long finish.

http://www.agricolabrandini.it/pagine/eng/vini_brandini.lasso

Dinner begins at 6 pm
Five & Ten
$100 per person not including tax and gratuity

Friday, October 23, 2009

Food and Wine: The FourCoursemen

Mahi Mahi recipe is still in the works..Sorry. However, if you have been thinking about this fish the past few days (as I have) you can get your fix tonight at Five and Ten. Try the Roasted Mt. Pleasant Mahi Vermouth Emulsion, Sea Island red peas and rice, carrots, radish, & micro greens 27. Or if you are in the mood to cook at home and were hoping for a good recipe posted today, then pick up a copy of the November issue of Food and Wine. for some great recipes from The FourCoursemen. Have a good weekend.











Thursday, October 22, 2009

Brandini Farms Wine Dinner

November 3rd, 2009



Brandini Farms, is located in a small village in La Morra called Brandini, on top of a hill overlooking a wonderful view. Vines are exclusively local and from them important wines are obtained: Dolcetto D’Alba, Barbera D’Alba, Langhe Rosso, Langhe Nebbiolo and Barolo.
Please join me for a tasting of these fantastic Italian wines partnered with a six-course dinner from Five and Ten.



Menu

1.

shaved brussel sprout salad

Quinterelli Bianco 2005

2.

lobster and braised bacon risotto

Brandini Dolcetto d’Alba 2007

3.

chicken thighs & chanterelles with leek polenta

Brandini Langhe Rosso 2004

Brandini Langhe Rosso 2007

4.

grilled Piedmontese beef strip steak with grilled endive, peperonata and olive oil

Brandini Nebbiolo 2005

Brandini Barolo 2005


5.

Roccolo cheese with toasted hazelnuts and green tomato chutney


6.

Semifreddo al torrone



Dinner begins at 6:30 PM at Five and Ten

$100 per person, tax and gratuity not included

Mahi Mahi tomorrow...Dolphins today....

Well I am not going to post the mahi mahi recipe today, definitely tomorrow though. It is a new recipe of mine and I want to make a few more additions. However, to keep you interested in dolphins, here is a picture of me supporting them.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Hakurei Turnips




Tomorrow, I will be posting a recipe using hakurei turnips. First, I wanted to give you a little bit of info about this cute little root. Hakurei (three syllables) turnips are a Japanese white turnip that I am sure many of you have been seeing in your CSA box or at the market. Do not fear these turnips, this tasty root vegetable has mellow, fresh flavor and are very good raw. Give them a good wash, trim them up a bit and take a bite!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

roasted butternut squash bisque


If you didn't get a butternut squash in your CSA box this week, go pick one up at the Athens Farmers Market, open 'til noon on Saturday. Or if you don't live in Athens, I am sure there is a farmers market nearby. Check out this site to find local foods in your city.


Once you get your squash, make this tasty soup to warm yourself up on this chilly Saturday.


roasted butternut squash bisque


2 pounds butternut squash

2 T brown sugar

2 T unsalted butter

2 T water

2 T unsalted butter

½ cup yellow onion, diced

½ cup leek, cleaned and minced

1 piece celery, minced

1 T fresh sage, chopped

pinch of allspice

1 small apple, cored and diced

1 quart chicken stock

bouquet of thyme, bay and parsley

zest of one lemon

salt to taste


oven to 400


Cut and scoop the squashes. Place in roasting pan and rub with the butter and the sugar.

Pour water in pan, cover with foil and roast for one hour. Remove foil and roast for 15 minutes more to lightly brown squash.

Remove squash and let cool.


In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, leek and celery and sweat until translucent. Add apple, sage, allspice, chicken stock and bouquet. Cook until apple is tender, about 15 minutes.


Scoop cooked squash, discarding the shells. Place cooked flesh in soup base. Remove bouquet. Season, puree. serve. Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

A Generation of Self-Owning Trees

If you live in Athens, you have probably heard about The Tree That Owns Itself, located at the intersection of Finley and Dearing Street. A new idea has emerged: populate the world with seeds from the Tree That Owns Itself in order to create a generation of trees that cannot be cut down or destroyed because of their self-ownership. Click here to learn more about this project.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Fisher Vineyards Dinner

October 27th


Fisher Vineyards Wine Dinner


Five & Ten, 6 PM


The dinner will be delicious, wines phenomenal, and evening memorable. Not only will we be enjoying wines from Fisher Vineyards, but Juelle Fisher, the matriarch of this family-owned and operated California winery will be in attendance. Juelle and her husband Fred founded Fisher Vineyards in 1973 on 100 acres in the Mayacama Mountains on the western slopes of Spring Mountain.



The winery began with this mission....

"To grow and produce wines of consistent, world-class quality that express their unique mountain or valley heritage in the truest sense of terroir; the resulting wines should pay tribute to the land we are fortunate to care for, as well as each member of our team, which together will yield classic balance and style that transcends time." http://www.fishervineyards.com/winery/winery_and_cellar.php



Today, Fisher Vineyard's wines are given some of the highest ratings and best reviews....


Whitney's Chardonnay 2005


90-92 Points http://www.erobertparker.com/Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"From an older (33 years) Chardonnay vineyard, the 2005 Chardonnay Whitney's Vineyard possesses attractive notes of honeyed lemons, poached pears, white peaches, and spices. Medium-bodied and elegant with expressive aromas as well as flavors, it should drink well for 2-3 years."


Unity Cabernet 2006


92 Points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

"Bright red. Sharply focused redcurrant and cherry scents are complemented by tobacco and brown spices. Deeper cassis and bitter cherry on the palate, along with spicecake and succulent herb qualities. Combines power and depth smoothly, finishing with slow-building sweetness and excellent clarity."

http://www.fishervineyards.com/trade/coach_insignia.php



The Menu...

1.

butternut squash bisque with raisins, bottarga and yogurt

Whitney Chardonnay 2005

2.

country ham wrapped Maine cod with , romesco,‘not your mama’s’ brussel sprouts and sweet onion soubise

Unity Cabernet 2006

3.

corned beef with buttered cabbage, roasted shallots, pomegranate and chopped arugula

Coach Insignia 2005

4.

Peppered and grilled venison with celery root-pancetta gratin, grilled scallions, cranberry compote and port glace

Mountain Cuvee Cab 2006

5.

sticky date pudding with rum ice cream



Join us.



$100 per person not including tax or gratuity


Five & Ten

6 pm

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Tablas Creek Dinner

October 13th
Tablas Creek Vineyards Wine Dinner!
These wines are off the chain!

"Tablas Creek is the realization of the combined efforts of two of the international wine community's leading families, the
Perrin family, proprietors of Château de Beaucastel, and Robert Haas, founder of Vineyard Brands. They had since the 1970s believed the California climate to be ideal for planting Rhône varietal grapes. In 1987, they began the lengthy process of creating a Châteauneuf-du-Pape style vineyard from scratch in the New World. The Tablas Creek Vineyard Partnership was born, with the Perrin and Haas families as majority partners, and French and American wine loving friends as minority partners." http://www.tablascreek.com/history.html

That's them talking. To me Tablas is a quintessential American winery paying homage to the Rhone in all the right ways. The place is an incubator for what's great in US winemaking!
The wines are all rated crazy high by Mr. Parker.

1.
green tomatoes, red tomatoes, buttermilk dressing
Tablas Creek Vineyard, Cotes de Tablas blanc, 2007

2.
white bean and lobster soup with buttery bread crumbs
Esprit de Beaucastel blanc, 2007

3.
duck choucroute garni
Cotes de Tablas rouge, 2006

4.
American lamb with caponata and polenta
Esprit de Beaucastel rouge, 2006

5.

vin de paille blanc, Quintessence, 2005

$100 per person
tax and gratuity not included

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