Category: Blog (Page 8 of 30)

Praise Piretra and Pass the Pasta!

I love reviewing products; especially the kind that you cork and pour, or simply pour over ice.  While as enticing and intoxicating as those might be, it’s much more fun and engaging when you have a history with the person who creates the product and, hence, can tell their story.  Anyway, who wants to eat a big plate of ravioli and not know whose hands are stuffing them?  Not me!!  Oh, this is Mike:)

Enter Mr. Mike Piretra of Star Ravioli.   Mike is the 3^rd generation of rav makers in his family and is based out of Moonachie, New Jersey.  He is a graduate of the Culinary Arts Institute, an avid fisherman, and one of my very first face book friends. 

There are a few things that initially turned me on about Mike ~ he’s frickin’ hilarious, completely passionate about what he does and well, he’s the real deal!  Mike would always pipe in on FB with outrageous quips and we frequently made references to him and Star Ravioli on our radio show.  After several months, there just came a time when he had to bring it …the pasta, I mean.

So, with a slight suggestion from yours truly, Mike sent me a freezer full of some of his best: Braised Beef Short Rib, Quattro Formaggi, and their classic Roasted Garlic, Spinach, and Ricotta.  Upon delivery, lunch time was nigh at the office so I whipped up a batch of the Spinach ravs, made a little beurre blanc, grated some fresh parmesan over the top and Emily and I went into paroxysms of joy.  Emily is a superb connoisseur of good food, so when she makes that little deep throated “mmmm” noise, you know you’ve got a winner.

Later that same day, I cracked open a package of the Braised Short Rib ravs and made a tomato, garlic and wine reduction to go with them.  Just a little spoonful of the sauce on the plate, arrange a few ravs on top, pecorino shavings, wine in a glass and again, complete joy!

The Piretra family has been making ravioli since 1946 and since that time they’ve added a plethora of amazing fillings and other staples to their original lineup of cheese, meat and spinach. It’s an all in the family operation and that means a lot to a lot of folks.  Most trained Chefs have the ability to make high quality pasta, shape it, stuff it with unique, top of the charts ingredients and serve it on a plate.  The difference with the Star Ravioli team is they do just that, only more than just a plate at a time.  In fact, they crank out about 7 million pounds per year and each little pocket of love can still rock your world!  *(At press time, the exact production amount wasn’t available, so we just took a wild guess.)

We had a little ‘to do’ at my place a few weeks ago and created a buffet menu that could be served warm or at room temperature.  My brilliant idea:  Star Ravioli, breaded and fried.  Mike hand prepared several varieties all on his own and included a few containers of his gorgeous Pesto and Kalamata Tapenade. 

I wish he could have been there that night to see the paroxysmal faces of my guests and listen to all of their deep throated ‘mmmm’ noises.  When people asked “Where did you get these amazing ravioli’s”, it was my greatest pleasure to say, “Mike Piretra…he’s a good friend of mine!” 

P.S.  Just so you know, it was with complete presence of mind (a/k/a before I partied hearty), that I stashed a few packages of the Jalapeno and Jack Cheese in the back of my refrigerator.  “What”, do you ask, “did you do make with those”?  A Mexican Lasagna…”mmmmmmm!”

For more information on where you can purchase and/or enjoy the products from Star Ravioli visit www.starravioli.com.

There’s this guy I know named Karl.  He and I have had a standing bet on the Apple Cup for 20 years.  You know, that super, duper, uber in-State College Football rivalry that makes people do super, duper, uber wonderful things.  Like continuing to bet on a team which has won just 7 of the last 20 games.  GO COUGS!!  Anyhoo, Karl was my boss, when in another lifetime, I was a paralegal.  He’s Husky (oops, I mean A Husky), and you guessed it kids, I’m a Cougar.  (No snide remarks, thank you very much).

In 1992, just 2 months into my tenure with this firm, Karl and I decided to lay down a little wager.  Since we were the only ‘rivals’ in the office and coffee was THE WORD in Seattle, our ante was Latte’s on demand for a week.  I thought to myself, “Self.. gee willakers,  what if you win?  Could you seriously approach your new boss in the middle of the day and put in an order for a rather expensive cup of 40 weight?”  Self said ~ HELL YES!!”

That year, the Cougs prevailed and since Karl was traveling the Monday after the big game, I decorated his office…with everything Crimson, Gold, Coffee and Apples.  The next day, he arrived with a perfectly prepared latte in hand ~ what a sport.  Later on that same day I popped my head into his office with a big shit eatin’ grin on my face and he popped down to the local Starbuck’s.  Don’t you just love the enticing aroma of coffee and victory?  YUP!

I left the firm several years later, so now, instead of hoofing it into the pouring rain for a cup o’ joe, the loser sends the winner a pre-paid card.  How sweet it is to present that piece of plastic to a cute little barrista and tell him the endearing story that goes along with it.  It just seems to get better every year.  Karl and I still engage in a little email pre-game banter, snide jokes and all.

There aren’t many jobs that rival my current one and you all know how much I love it!  However, exceptions can be made and the only one that compares is the one I had working for Karl and the entire team at our exceptional law firm.  We bought each other birthday gifts, celebrated each other’s joy and commiserated in times of sorrow.  We all worked really hard and were a great group of friends and colleagues.  It was so much more than difficult to leave.

However, I did just that and many of us keep in touch as often as we can.  I return to Seattle every summer and make every effort to stop in and say hello.  The firm disbanded a while back and while many have moved far afield, Karl’s still right there (along with Lisa, his amazing right hand) ~ hey Lis!!  If at all possible, I stop by with a tall, non-fat Latte in hand.

This year, my youngest brother and Husky surprised me with tickets to the big game which was held the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the Seattle Seahawks stadium.  They packed the house, the noise was deafening, a sea of purple filled my eyes and I got to sit next to my little bro (one of my most favorite people) and watch the game ~ WOW!

He and I laughed and cheered, hugged and high fived, elbowed each other and reveled in the common bond of devotion to our alma maters and to each other.  How sweet that was!  The not so sweet part is that I need to go buy that infamous piece of plastic and await the email assault of really bad Cougar jokes ~ we lost again.   I think I need a coffee drink.

GO COUGS!!!

“Tis the season for roasting and root vegetables!  Size matters…..make sure your vegetables are all cut to the same size; otherwise some will cook faster than others and others, not at all.  You can substitute the butter with a really nice EVOO or other vegetable oil.  Serve with a warm spinach salad and crusty bread.

Pan-Roasted Root Vegetables

• 4 T. unsalted butter

• 1 white turnip, unpeeled and 1 inch dice

• 2 carrots, 1 inch dice

• 2 small parsnips, peeled and 1 inch dice

• 1/2 celery root, peeled and in inch dice

• 8 Brussel sprouts, halved if large

• 4 fresh Sprigs Thyme

• 1 1/2 t. Kosher Salt

• 1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper

• 2 celery ribs, 1 inch dice

Mel the butter in a large (12 inch) saute pan that has a tight fitting lide.  When the butter is melted, add everything but the celery ribs and toss with the butter.  Cover the pan and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.  add the celery and stir the vegetables.  Cover the pan again and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, untill all teh vegies are tender.  If they’re too dry, add a few tablespoons of water.  Taste for seasonings and serve hot.

Dear Sunset’s Savor the Central Coast Organizers:

Now that the shock of the event has worn off a bit and my sulfite levels are returning to normal, I have a few bones to pick with you. I may be a bit of a rookie when it comes to full-blown press tours, but I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck either. I’ve been in this business for a few minutes now, and I have a pretty good idea of how these jaunts are supposed to pan-out for media teams. This just didn’t cut it.

Let’s start with Day One. After consulting the detailed itinerary you sent us in advance of the trip, we made our way to Morro Bay for a private paddle boarding tour with a really hot surfer-dude named Matt from Central Coast Stand Up Paddle Boarding. You can only imagine what a drag that was. Harbor seals bobbed their heads up to say hello, water fowl dove for their breakfast, breaking the glass-like surface of the Estuary. No one took to the drink and meanwhile, back in Paso, the television in our hotel room remained dark and quiet as we missed precious hours of daytime programming. I’m still feeling pangs of regret.

After our paddle boarding “sesh” with Matt, we got this big, over blown greeting from Chef Kirk and “Bitches” at Miss Lola’s South Side Grill. We were soon joined by Mr. Know-it-all Oyster Farmer, Neal Maloney, who was about as cute as they come. He taught us a thing or two about shucking (no, that’s not a euphemism), and we enjoyed more oysters. We switched to wine (when in Rome…) and had a gorgeous grilled pear salad, more oysters, and maybe a smidge more wine.  We finished off the meal with a slice of the most heavenly chocolate cake I’ve ever planted my face in. The two and a half hours we sat there, stuffing ourselves was pure torture. We couldn’t wait to leave. 

After a shower and a nap back at the hotel, we braced ourselves for the big kick-off event at Hearst Castle. Puh-lease.  An elegant, candlelit, tapas-dinner perfectly paired with local wine? Where have you been for the last five years? A kick-off event is supposed to be full of messy drunks, long lines, and bland, lukewarm food. Instead, you gave us breath-taking views, the best local fare, brand new Infinity cars to zip us up and down the hill in style, and a crowd of well-mannered, interesting folks. What’s the deal, Sunset?

Now this is where things get really disappointing. The next morning, we took an air-conditioned tour bus to First Crush, where I hopped on a tractor with Lowell, grape-stomped with Sara Shneider, wine editor for Sunset Magazine, and had a gourmet lunch catered by those food geniuses over at Thomas Hill Organics. Lunch included more wine, of course. Punch-drunk and sated, we were bussed back to Paso where we fell into our cushy beds at the Marriott (they give you 4 pillows each!) and snoozed until our next event. We can’t believe you subjected us to this type of cruelty!

That night, we attended The Sunset Western Wine Awards at Pismo Beach Pier. The perfect sunset over the Pacific Ocean was oh-so cliché. Add to that the convenient parking, generous pours, amazing food and another appearance by Chef Kirk and that Neal Maloney character and you’d think we’d had a pretty good night, right? I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing…

Ah, the Main Event…sounds like a Barbra Streisand movie, bad perm and all.  We arrived to find that we had our own private Idaho in the centuries-old “Wells Fargo Building” at Santa Margarita Ranch. It was a scorching day, but the building was cool and comfortable. Other event attendees peered in through the windows looking distraught as they watched attentive staff members bring us snacks and bottled water. Then of course, you stuck me with Cat Cora, as if I was prepared for that. We talked soup and muppets.  To top it all off, my next guest, Margo True, Sunset’s Food Editor, was a complete lush. Direct quote, “I’m HOT and I’ve had A LOT to drink!”  All in all, cool, but hey, you get where this is heading.

Then, Neal showed up again. I think he was stalking me (Editor’s Note: A third party tends to think it was the other way around…). His oysters were roasting just outside, so I ate 1 or 5—you know—to be polite.

By this time, we were really ready to hit the road.  But No!!! That darn itinerary indicated that we had to attend a sit down dinner at Paso Glow. The dishes prepared by Chef Jeffrey Scott and Chef Kevin Fryburger were truly amazing. Again, our wine-maker, Hans, kept it flowing at our Vina Robles table. Everyone goaded me into using the lapel pins as earrings and being the considerate celebrity that I am, I did.   

So, there we were, Emily and I, in our hotel room, drinking a gorgeous 2007 Ortman Cuvee Eddy which Sara Shneider forked over in the parking lot of Paso Robles Inn at evening’s end. We were pretty exhausted and a bit perplexed: “We came all this way for that? Why?”

Oh, I know….BECAUSE WE LOVED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT! You had to know I was joking, right?  Luckily, I’m a radio personality and a writer. I had to give up my dreams of being a TV star because a “Poker Face” is not a mask I wear well.

Thank you so, so much for everything you did to make Savor the Central Coast such a unique, invigorating, and once-in-a-lifetime experience. We hope our little company and show did you justice. Should you ever need us again, we’re just a phone call or an e-mail away. And, um, speaking of phone calls, does anyone have Neal Maloney’s cell number? His voicemail must not be working…

Editor’s Note: Neal Maloney changed his contact information shortly after the Savor the Central Coast Event. He refused to comment further on the matter.

There’s just something groovy about California. I had hoped, and continue to hope, that one day I might reside there in some form or fashion.  I’ve envisioned a cozy cottage near the beach, or maybe a cabin in the mountains. A hideaway in the Red Woods would be nice, or a deck house overlooking the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean and crashing surf.

Choosing where to pass my golden years in the ‘golden state’ is a beautiful dilemma that I love to ponder, but California isn’t just a State to me; it’s a state of mind. Its rich history, culture, and topographical diversity inspire a sense of adventure and an unexplained longing for a Beach Boys Album. Unexplained longings aside, I know I’m not alone in my reverie. It’s that sense of adventure that keeps you, me, and so many others returning to the fertile California soil again and again.

Naturally, my childhood experiences in California included its mountainous interiors and Disneyland. As a young woman, I enjoyed college in So Cal, the Santa Monica nightlife, and Pacific Beach, but as much as I adored these spots and my time spent there, I didn’t truly find my peace (or piece) of California until I discovered the Central Coast.

My family and I road tripped from LA to Oregon a few years back, and although the phrase ‘road trip’ lends itself to the idea of letting go–winging it, taking each day as it comes—this woman needs to know where she’s going to land at 5:00 p.m. and there had better be a joint nearby that serves a good glass of wine.

So, I planned it and planned it well. We stayed at small seaside motels akin to the ones from my youth, strolled the hamlets that dot the area, dined at quaint, family-run restaurants (with exceptional CA wines), and stopped frequently to enjoy the view. 

There were no malls, no skyscrapers, and no vast expanses of concrete encapsulating brands. It felt real, unencumbered and relaxing – the perfect road trip. One of the most gratifying things to me was to feel the enigmatic pull to go OUTSIDE! 

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in the last year, delving into the background and foreground of this amazing parcel of terra firma.  I’ve fallen in love with the wine, food and folks of Paso Robles, visited the farms and the vineyrads that dot the Central Coast, and re-discovered the beauty of the great outdoors. In California, being outside is as integral to daily life as a glass of that fine wine and just as good for your blood pressure….I think.

Whether you imagine yourself setting sail from a sequestered harbor, paddle boarding Morro Bay, embarking on guided hikes through Montana de Oro and Avila Lighthouse, or embracing the iconic presence of Hearst Castle; the Central Coast is more than happy to accommodate.  Santa Margarita Ranch is another “must-see” if only to support the families’ dedication to preserving the land. As for me, I’d do it all, but my first choice would be to traipse through vineyards, shake the farmers hands and enjoy a gorgeous meal with relaxed folks…and wine.

Suffice it to say, I relish every moment I get to spend in this very special peace (intentional) of California.  Do come visit….if I had my druthers, I would never leave.  Well, maybe if I was tempted to take a road trip….

We have had the privilege of being a small part of Savor the Central Coast Food & Wine event occurring September 29th thru Oct. 2nd…in one of my favorite places, ever!

Many heartfelt thanks to the ladies from Mental Marketing, Travel Paso, and Parker Sanpei; Sunset Magazine and all the people from the Savor Group who have dedicated themselves to this amazing event.  My hat is off to all the wonderful chefs, wine makers, farmers, travel guides and new friends who have taken the time to show me the way. 

By R.F. Burton

In this installment of Geographer’s Café, R.F. takes us to Lisbon, Portugal and shares his experiences with hills, hookers and history…not necessarily in that order.  He’s just a notch above PG13, take it as you will.

As far as walking cities go, I wouldn’t count Lisbon in my top ten.  Cars, noise, large avenues, round-abouts, humidity and hilly terrain are all obstacles to the ambitious pedestrian.  Being the adventurous traveler and pedestrian that I am, I took one for the team which resulted in sore knees; saggy, sweaty pants; and quickly draining patience.  I was oblivious of these circumstances; the lesson is do your research.

I started from the HF Fenix Hotel in Marquis de Pombal, which was quite nice if a bit circa 1970’s, and headed down Avenue de Libradad toward Rossio Square. There were hints of a greater past in the stone walkways and facades of peeling paint; ghosts of an even greater past materialized on the rod iron trimmed balconies, flitted among intricate fountains and roamed around the grand squares.  One felt that if you squinted at just the right angle you could transport yourself to perhaps a hundred years ago, when Portugal still whispered of empire rather than economic  downturns.

As enticing as they the main tourist areas are near the river Lisbon,  I am more interested in history, and history is nearly always found on the high ground. So, up I go to the 11^th century Castillo de St. Jorge. It is a quite a climb and much to my dismay, my leg muscles were soon straining and the humidity was giving me quite a glow. Fortunately, I came across the Se Cathedral which afforded me a chance to dry off and catch my breath.

The Se Cathedral is not a site which stands out on a map, but it is definitely worth a look. For a few extra pennies, you can venture up to the living quarters.  There is a great view of the city and some wonderful religious artifacts. To see how the clergy lived and imagine the inner workings of a medieval cathedral is worth every one of those pennies. Climbing, yet again, toward the Castillo, I decided to stop at a small café set among the winding alleys. I snacked on a nice meal of baguette with melted cheese and tomato (Portugese Pizza), all for 4 euros.

You enter The Castillo via a small park and there is an incredible view of all Lisbon. The castle itself has a fascinating history dating back to the pre-crusades as a Moorish stronghold all the way through to the 17^th century as the administrative center and residence for Portuguese royalty. 

Later, I made the journey through more of those omnipresent winding streets and hills to the Igreja of Santa Engrácia which provided a nice view back to the Castillo and another little bit of history.  A word of advice; unless you are obsessive compulsive about exploring everything, I would finish off at the Castillo.

Lisbon shows itself best after sundown; shadows hide the flaws and the lights reflect its largesse.  Cool breezes stoke energy and a rhythmic fervor starts to spread over the town.  Since I was going it alone on this part of my journey, and wanted to be among the people, I broke my rule ~ again ~ and went to the tourist cafes for dinner.

I picked my dining destination of the evening for no other reason than they didn’t jump out and shove a menu in my face.  This particular comestible experience was one of those mistakes you know you have made right away but are too polite to rectify. Firstly, the theater across the way started to let out which prompted a herd of hookers to gather just a few meters from my table. While interesting to watch, that type of show doesn’t aid with digestion.

Follow that with a rather unsavory fellow who offered me some ‘oregano’ in a bag. He said it was pot, but seriously, it was oregano. When I said “No, thank you,” he said “Cocaine, then?”  I politely refused. He then tried to entice me with one of the ladies of the evening.    Again… “Tempted, but no,” was my answer. He was not deterred and pulled out a menu of potential vice ~ photos included. While detail is not necessary, suffice it to say that it showed everything, right down to Hostess cupcakes, Adderall, or a packet of paprika. Finally, the restaurant owner ran him off leaving me in peace to experience a rubbery slice of meat, wilted salad, and French fries and a final bill of nearly 50 euros* for one of my worst meals on this, or any, trip. Still, I got to be around people including hookers and spice dealers. 

The next day I grabbed a cab to visit the Monastery of St. Jerome. This is a place of particular interest to me because of its relation to Prince Henry the Navigator, Vasco De Gama and the era of Portuguese Discovery. I suspect some of you are already snoring so let me just say that it is a beautiful place which houses Vasco’s tomb, the epic poet Camoes’ tomb, the Maritime museum and a small archeological museum all set in amongst gorgeous renaissance architecture.

The following day, a new business acquaintance took me to his neighborhood and a restaurant called Tico Tico. This is the dining experience every traveler prays for. First, the area was no tourist trap but legitimate and upscale with a beautiful church and fountain. People were going about their daily lives at a leisurely pace and no one was trying to sell $30 plastic souvenirs….or vice.

The restaurant was a soft place with lace trimmed table linens in a garden setting. We enjoyed real salted cod, a traditional Portuguese dish, fried pork with muscles, Port and over three hours in which to enjoy it all. That is what I call a business lunch!

* A bit of warning about eating in Portugal: the portions can be large, plan to share; the starters may seem as if they are complements of the house, they aren’t and can be quite expensive.  Make sure you clarify this or you are liable to walk away with a decidedly emptier wallet.