A Gourd-eous - MacArthur Center

BE
IN
GOOD TASTE
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
A Gourd-eous
Autumn
Hearth and Home starts at
MacArthur Center
ON THE COVER
BE
IN
GOOD
TASTE
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
Autumn is here, and food gets a little heartier and
entertaining a little closer to home. Gatherings with
friends and family can be a gourd-eous affair with
a decked-out table, complete with seasonal décor
from Pottery Barn. Pottery Barn is located on
the second level next to Brookstone. Read more
in the Take 5 column on page 7.
1 Be In Good Taste, Vol. 1, Issue 2
Find out more about our Resident
Food Expert
2 Shopping List
Patrick’s been shopping; here’s some
fabulous foodie finds to add to your list
3 Backyard Tailgate
It’s football season; check out our tips
for the perfect tailgate
4 Wine Night
October is Virginia Wine Month,
why not throw a tasting party?
5 An Entertaining Idea
ABOUT PATRICK
Hearth & Home begins at
MacArthur Center
Patrick Evans-Hylton is MacArthur Center’s
7 Take 5
Resident Foodie and editor of Be In Good Taste.
Patrick is a Johnson & Wales-trained chef and
7 Getting Social
award-winning food journalist. He has reported on
food in print, television, radio and social media since
1991. He is author of several books, including Dishing
Up Virginia, which is sold at Barnes & Noble at TCC.
Autumn table tips from Pottery Barn
Share your MacArthur Center
foodie photos on social media
He blogs at www.PatrickEvansHylton.com
8 Foodies – Mark Your Calendar
Patrick’s tip: I love to cook anytime of year, but I
Awesome events you won’t want
to miss
especially love the rich, complex flavors found in fall.
My iPad, which I purchased from Apple (on the mall’s
second level next to Fink’s) is instrumental with
a myriad of culinary apps. My favorite du jour:
Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything,
downloadable from iTunes.
Be In Good Taste is published six times a year by MacArthur
Center and is free of charge. All information contained herein is
copyrighted and may not be used without permission.
MacArthur Center is located at 300 Monticello Avenue in
downtown Norfolk. For more information call (757) 627-6000 or
visit www.shopmacarthur.com
Be In Good Taste - 1
Sometimes things pop up in places you’d never expect.
Shopping List
Fabulous foodie finds
from Patrick Evans-Hylton
The perfect bowl for the pumpkin soup you want to serve at an upcoming dinner
party; candles to illuminate a quiet evening at home – and fill the air with the
delicious notes of the season; fun coasters for a tailgate.
But, like many of you, I don’t have time to run all over the place looking for items.
For my upcoming seasonal soirées, I was happy to find all sorts of things pop up
at MacArthur Center.
I recently walked through the mall with a friend who helped me find an
assortment of great items perfect for my autumn gatherings with family and
friends. With my trusty iPhone in hand, I took photos of some of the items we
found, and share them with you here.
FABULOUS FALL FEAST
A Trio of Cookbooks
AT BARNES & NOBLE AT TCC
I can spend hours at Barnes & Noble
with a hot cup of coffee poring over
cookbooks. These three seasonal tomes
caught my eye: A Taste of Virginia Tech;
Pumpkin; and Southern Soups & Stews.
The latter is from my dear friend Nancie
McDermott and this, and all her books,
are a must-have for any Southern kitchen.
Seasonal Soups, Tureens
AT WILLIAMS-SONOMA
Sometimes time isn’t on our side, and the
premium pumpkin bisque from WilliamsSonoma can jump-start an otherwise homecooked meal. It’s wonderful served in the
decorative tureens and topped with a dollop
of crème fraiche and Old Bay Croutons.
Slow Cooker, Cookbook
Seasonal Apron
AT WILLIAMS-SONOMA
AT WILLIAMS-SONOMA
Slow cookers are hot. Not only do they cook
for you while you’re at work or sleeping, having
just one pot to clean is awesome too. This
four-quart All-Clad Deluxe with cast-aluminum
caught our eye, as did The New Slow Cooker
cookbook.
I love the form and function of this autumnal
apron I found at Williams-Sonoma. The
vintage-inspired print of a pumpkin patch is
very retro-chic and gets me in the mood to
cook seasonally, perhaps with some findings
from a local farm market.
#macfoodie #macfoodandwine
Recipe: Old Bay Croutons – Preheat your
oven to 400F. Cut an 8-inch pan of day-old
cornbread into 1/2-inch cubes and place on
a baking sheet. Drizzle on 3 or 4 tablespoons
of melted butter and lightly toss to coat.
Sprinkle on 1 or 2 tablespoons of Old Bay
seasoning (or salt and pepper) and lightly
toss to coat.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until cornbread
crisps and turns golden. Turn cornbread
halfway through baking. Remove from the
oven and allow to cool before use on soups,
salads and the like.
Be In Good Taste - 2
Decorative Gourds
AT POTTERY BARN
I love decorating to the season, and these
festive pumpkins and other gourds reflect
the warm hues of autumn and have a note of
whimsy, too. Several clustered like this makes
a great centerpiece for any fall entertaining.
Seasonal Scented Candles
AT YANKEE CANDLE
One of my favorite things about fall are the
wonderful, homey aromas. I found seasonal
scented candles – which smell so good you
almost want to eat them – in a number of
fragrances: Apple Cider, Apple Pumpkin,
Apple Spice, Kitchen Spice and MacIntosh.
BACKYARD TAILGATE
Moscow Mule Mug
Chenille Throw
Chip/Dip Tray, Towel, Hot Chocolate
AT BROOKSTONE
AT NORDSTROM
AT NORDSTROM
Something beautiful on the inside and out of
this mug, a classic design for the Moscow Mule
cocktail, works great on other imbibes, too. Its
stainless steel and double walled, so the beverage
inside stays cool with no condensation or sweat
(read: no table rings) from the outer wall. So what
is a Moscow Mule? Glad you asked. Below is the
recipe, created in the 1940s at the Cock ‘n’ Bull
bar in Hollywood.
As the earth tilts slightly on its axis
ushering in autumn, the weather
turns a bit cooler here in Coastal
Virginia. These chenille throws at
Nordstrom are not just beautiful,
but so soft and warm – perfect to
wrap around you at a tailgate party.
This trio of items from Nordstrom is perfect for
tailgating: a generous-sized glass chip bowl has a
wood lid-covered nesting bowl in the center for dips
(check out the recipe below for my Creamy Salsa);
football-themed dish towels are awesome to hand out
as oversized napkins (especially if you serve something
messy like barbecue), and a UVA hot chocolate mix
warms you up with an essence of orange.
Recipe: Moscow Mule – In a tall glass over ice,
combine 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice,
2 ounces vodka and 4 to 6 ounces of ginger beer.
Garnish with a lime wedge or sprig of mint.
#macfoodie #macfoodandwine
Recipe: Creamy Salsa Dip – In a large bowl add 1 cup
sour cream, 1 cup salsa, a small bunch of cilantro rough
chopped, a small jalapeno seeded and minced and a
dash of hot sauce. Stir to combine and chill about an
hour before serving.
Be In Good Taste - 3
Chillsner
Coasters
Assorted Games
AT BROOKSTONE
AT KIRKLAND’S
GO! CALENDARS, GAMES & TOYS
File this under “Why Didn’t I Think Of This?”
This in-bottle beer chiller from Corkcicle
keeps beer cool from the first sip to the last.
Just freeze the insert and place in any bottled
beer and the problem of warm beer is
resolved once and for all.
Cork coasters are so ‘80s. These hip drink
holders have cute sayings (“Why yes, bacon
does make everything better”) and keep
bottles and glasses up and off furniture
whenever you are watching the big
game – or not.
Seasonal Pillows
AT POTTERY BARN
wine
Wine night with friends is one of my favorite
things to do. Everyone brings a little nosh and
we open some great wine, sit around on some
big comfortable pillows on the floor – like these
seasonal offerings at Pottery Barn – and enjoy
each other’s company until late into the evening.
NIGHT
Wine Party Kit
AT BARNES & NOBLE
Cork Candles
AT FRANCESCA’S COLLECTIONS
I think this How To Host A Wine Tasting Party
kit is so smart. Wine remains in the intimidation
realm for many people, and this kit, which
includes a book, wine aroma wheel, wine and
cheese wheel and other aids is a great way to
have fun while being informed.
Remember those pizza places in the 1970s
that had candles dripping in long, waxy streaks
down the side of empty chianti bottles? I love
this 21st century updated version. Pop a cork
in an empty wine bottle (or two, or four) and all
of a sudden your wine night has become more
illuminating.
#macfoodie #macfoodandwine
When the game on the football field slows down,
take a break with food-inspired games. For card
lovers, there are playing cards that include Spam
and bacon recipes – how awesome is that – and
The Tootsie Roll Dice Game to … err … roll the
dice.
Wine-Inspired Candles
AT BATH & BODY WORKS
Gentle notes of fragrance can really set a
mood, and when it’s wine night at the Hylton
household, subtly scented candles not only
provide a warming aroma, but beautiful
flickering light too. I found these deliciously
perfumed offerings: Wine Cellar, Sundrenched
Vineyard and Black Cherry Merlot.
Be In Good Taste - 4
AN ENTERTAINING
IDEA
Hearth & Home Begins
at MacArthur Center
Autumn, without a doubt, is one of my favorite times
of the year.
The hot and humid days of summer are behind us,
and winter has yet to blow in and chill everyone
to the bone.
Because the weather is just about perfect, fall is
a great time to entertain. During the season I host
several parties - like an intimate fall-themed dinner
for a small group of friends, or a tailgating party for a
more boisterous crowd. Sometimes it’s with close-knit
friends, like at a wine night.
Here are some décor ideas for you to host your own.
Fabulous Fall Feast
The Scene
INDOORS – For a more formal place setting, adorn a large table
with a table cloth, decorative gourds and two large jar candles
as a centerpiece.
OUTDOORS – Take the party outside and sit around a picnic
table with a seasonal runner down the middle (see Take 5).
Spruce it up for the season with votive candles (see Shopping List)
and a tall glass vase filled with small branches with changing
leaves still attached as décor.
The Soirée
INDOORS – Prepare a menu that starts with Pumpkin Bisque
served in a large tureen (see Shopping List) and a side of small
biscuits stuffed with Edwards of Surry Virginia ham.
Put your slow cooker to use and prepare a pot roast the morning
of or night before your soirée (see Shopping List). Serve alongside
roasted carrots and potatoes as the entrée.
For dessert serve a Grilled Pumpkin Spice Latte Petit Gateau.
Take four Pumpkin Sweet Cheese Muffins from Au Bon Pain (see
Foodies, Mark Your Calendar) and cut in half vertically. Place each
half on a heated grill pan to toast; remove after 3-5 minutes when
muffin halves begin to turn golden and grill marks appear. Place a
large dollop of Pumpkin Spice Latte Whipped Cream on each half
(recipe below) and serve immediately.
Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Spice – In a small bowl, whisk 4 teaspoons
ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground
cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
OUTDOORS – Serve big bowls of a hearty stew, like the ones
found in Nancie McDermott’s book Southern Soups & Stews
(see Shopping List) with cornbread alongside.
For dessert, grab some chocolate chip cookies from Max &
Erma’s (see Foodies, Mark Your Calendars) and make ice cream
sandwiches with store-bought or home-prepared pumpkin ice
cream; recipe below.
Recipe: Pumpkin Ice Cream – Allow 1 quart of premium vanilla ice
cream to soften but not melt completely.
Add to a large bowl with 1 cup
canned pumpkin, 1/4 Pumpkin
Pie Spice (store bought,
or recipe above) and,
optionally, 1 or 2
teaspoons chopped,
candied ginger. Stir
until combined
and freeze until
serving.
Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte Whipped Cream – Take 1 tablespoon
dark roast coffee beans and add just enough water to dissolve.
Strain, and allow to cool completely. In a medium bowl, add coffee,
6 ounces heavy whipping cream, 3 teaspoons powdered sugar
and 1/4 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice (store bought, or homemade;
recipe below). With a balloon whisk, whip vigorously until firm
peaks form, about 5-7 minutes. This recipe for Pumpkin Pie Spice
makes a little more than you’ll need for the dessert, so store the
extra in an airtight container in a dark place for a month or so and
use in coffee or other treats.
#macfoodie #macfoodandwine
Be In Good Taste - 5
Backyard Tailgating
The Scene
With the advent of Apple TV and other media streaming devices,
it’s easier now than ever to make a television mobile, as long as
the power cord stretches.
Set up a picnic table lined with burlap and some goldfish bowls
filled with colorful leaves.
The Soirée
Fire up the grill. A Taste of Virginia Tech serves up many inspirational
recipes (see Shopping List, page 2), or order a Mix & Match tray from
Max & Erma’s Party Platter Menu (see Foodies, Mark Your Calendars,
page 8).
Supplement with classic sides like potato salad, macaroni salad and
coleslaw. Add some homemade tortilla chips and dip (see Shopping
List, page 2) – the recipe is below.
Recipe: Homemade Tortilla Chips – Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush the
front and back of half-dozen small corn tortillas lightly with corn oil, stack
on top of each other and, with a pizza cutter, slice into six even-sized
pieces. Place the slices evenly on a baking sheet (or two) and bake for
about 5 minutes, until they begin to turn golden. Flip on the other side
and bake about 5 minutes more. While hot, sprinkle with coarse salt.
Cool before serving; store any extras in an airtight container.
Serve up some cold beer and offer a signature cocktail, like a
Moscow Mule (See page 3).
For dessert, grill slices of pound cake and serve with apple butter
smeared thickly on top and dolloped with our Pumpkin Spice Latte
whipped cream (recipe above).
Wine Night
The Scene
I like to keep wine night simple. In my circle of friends, we rotate who
brings the wine and who brings a dish to share. We like to put on
music, sit on large floor pillows and illuminate the room with myriad
of candles while we talk, taste new wines, take notes and enjoy each
other’s company until the last light flickers out. (see Shopping List).
Note – October is Virginia Wine Month. Now is a great time to
celebrate the state’s great quaffs. Join me and a panel of experts
to learn more about wine at at Festevent’s Town Point Virginia Wine
Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18. We’re throwing
a series of fun and informative Somm-inars; free to the first 45 festivalgoers. For more information, visit www.Festevents.org
The Soirée
For this party, one friend brings the wine and the others bring
delicious dishes. I often make a quick, easy and delicious Port Wine
Cheese Ball (recipe below) that goes great with my homemade
tortilla chips (recipe above) or crackers and can be served in the
Chip and Dip bowl I found at Nordstrom (see Shopping List).
#macfoodie #macfoodandwine
Recipe: Port Wine
Cheese Ball – In a large
bowl, combine one
pound grated sharp
cheddar cheese, a
half-pound softened
cream cheese, a half
stick softened butter
and 1/3 cup port wine.
Mix together well and
roll into a ball shape. In a
medium bowl, combine 1 cup
chopped, toasted pecans and 1
tablespoon dried parsley flakes. Roll
the cheese ball in the nut mixture until
coated. Refrigerate until service.
Be In Good Taste - 6
TAKE
It’s true what they say – we do eat with our eyes first.
5
Autumn Table Tips
from Pottery Barn
Before the bowl of butternut squash soup is placed before us,
before the pot roast comes out and fragrances the air and before
the pecan pie tartlets tempt us, the tone is set with the table.
Meals begin the minute family and friends sit down to enjoy a meal
together, so it’s very important to establish a warm, homey feel right
from the start.
I recently spoke with Jeanne Lanni, general manager of
Pottery Barn, about five tips for setting the perfect autumn table.
1. Go beyond the everyday table décor. Set the plates atop a
colorful charger that reflects the fall season; set out the bread knife,
cake fork and dessert spoon; and use a gorgeous, autumn-hued
linen napkin.
2.Speaking of linens, don’t stop with napkins. A tablecloth or table
runner can change the mood of a whole table. I recommend looking
for one in mustard yellow, olive green or brick red.
3. Make the food the star with white dinnerware. Timeless and with
endless adaptability, white plates, bowls and cups show off the
dish atop, and don’t overpower the linens below.
4. Offer a range of glassware options. To start, set out a water glass
and wine glass. Add a second wine glass, a champagne flute or
a sherry glass. Rich hearty reds, sparkling wine and nutty brown
cordials will shine.
GETTING
SOCIAL
5.Don’t forget the finishing touches. Offer napkins in rings, have
personalized place cards, centerpieces (such as an arrangement
of pumpkins (shown on the cover,) gourds and leaves. Consider
a printed menu for a special memento.
Foodies – show us what you’ve got
Maybe it’s a great piece of cookware from Dillard’s, a
treasured cookbook from Williams-Sonoma or a delicious
dinner at Texas de Brazil.
However you get your foodie fix from one of the great stores
at MacArthur Center, let us know!
Share your foodie finds at MacArthur Center. Share your
photos on social media using the hashtags #MacFoodie and
#MacFoodAndWine – I’ll be checking them out from time-totime. We may use one of your photos in an upcoming issue
of Be In Good Taste and reward you for your efforts!
#macfoodie #macfoodandwine
Be In Good Taste - 7
foodies
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
There is always something going on for foodies at MacArthur Center.
Here’s a sampling of events to take a bite out of. For complete details, and for information
on other events at the mall, be sure to visit: www.shopmacarthur.com/events
Max & Erma’s is offering Kids Eat Free Tuesday. Dine
in on Tuesday and kids age 12 and under get one free
kids meal with every adult entrée purchase.
RESTAURANT NEW AND NOW
Some of my favorite new and now things at
MacArthur Center eateries include:
Wednesday is just a little bit sweeter with two free
fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies with any dine-in
menu purchase excluding side dishes or beverages.
Au Bon Pain, located on the third level in the
Food Court, has a new autumn menu. Check
out these items before they’re gone –
Tailgating – or any function – is a bit easier with party
platters from Max & Erma’s. With just 45 minutes
notice, a whole menu of appetizers, salads, soups,
sandwiches, entrees and desserts are available from
the catering menu. Contact the restaurant for more
details.
- The Oven Hot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich is
stuffed with slow-roasted pulled pork, a smoky
barbecue sauce, spread and Vidalia coleslaw
on a toasted multigrain roll.
- Seasonal pumpkin items include the Pumpkin
CroisBun, Pumpkin Sweet Cheese Muffin and
Pumpkin Coffee Cake from the oven; Pumpkin
Pie Latte from the beverage bar, and Harvest
Pumpkin Soup as a fall favorite.
Café Nordstrom, located on the third level of
Nordstrom, features a 20% discount on meals to
active duty military, retired veterans or military family
members through November 30. Show military ID to
receive the offer.
California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), located on the
first level, has a new seasonal treat, Salted
Caramel Pudding – Rich caramel pudding atop
black cocoa cookie crumbs, adorned with a
generous dollop of housemade whipped cream,
caramel sauce and natural flaked sea salt.
WILLIAMS-SONOMA
Each month Williams-Sonoma hosts an assortment
of culinary events and classes that cover a wide range
of topics. Below is a sampling. For more details and a
complete list visit shopmacarthur.com/events
Other seasonal offerings include AleWerks
Pumpkin Ale (brewed in Williamsburg, Va) and
Not Your Father’s Root Beer, an adult version
of the classic.
On October 21, the Cookbook Club features Bobby
Flay’s Brunch at Bobby’s where the class cooks their
way through the Food Network Celebrity Chef’s
newest book. The fee is $75 per person and includes
the class, cookbook and a 10 percent discount in the
store after the event. Call for reservations, (757) 625-6008
Lastly, catch dinner and a show with CPK.
They’ve teamed up with Virginia Stage
Company (VSC) to offer a special menu of one
appetizer, two entrees (one is the Four Cheese
Ravioli – yum!), one dessert, iced tea or coffee
and two tickets to a VSC performance at the
nearby Wells Theater for just $99.
NEW STORES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Three foodie favorites are coming to MacArthur Center
for the holidays.
Specialty food store Harry & David is open through
January 15, offering their famous pears and delicious
Moose Munch, as well as other treats.
Chili’s, located on the third level, is featuring
a Reel Deal. Purchase one appetizer and two
entrees (from the 2 for $20 menu) and get two
tickets to a show at the Regal Cinemas
for $36.
MacArthur Center
•
300 Monticello Avenue in downtown Norfolk
Hickory Farms, with their classic cheeseballs, amazing
sausages and more is open through December 31.
West-coast sweets-maker extraordinaire See’s
Candies serves up their fabulous confections
November 1 through December 31.
•
(757) 627-6000
•
shopmacarthur.com
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