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VIVA MEXICO!

September 16, 2011 by the long table

Viva Mexico!

Today, is Mexico’s Independence Day!

In honor of Independence Day and because I adore the country of Mexico, I put together my “favorites list” highlighting just a couple of things I love about this country.

First, a brief history of where my adoration came from. I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, an area in the southern part of Texas along the border of Mexico. Therefore, my proximity to Mexico and it’s people, culture and food was quite close. My grandmother, Felicia Benavides Trigo, is of Spanish/Mexican decent and would speak to us in Spanish all the time. She made THE best homemade flour tortillas and consequently ruined me for life. I have found very few flour tortillas that can stand up to hers. In the late ’70’s, my father bought a place in CanCun, Mexico and would take my sister and I there every summer. These three ingredients brewed a strong love affair with Mexico, its people, culture and, of course, the food. Later, my sister and I went on to study in Cuernavaca, rented an apartment in Oaxaca and traveled throughout Mexico every chance we got.

I haven’t been to Mexico in several years but I had so much fun writing this blog. It reminded me about all the fabulous places and things I long to see again.

Favorite Mexican Artist:

Joaquin Clausell

Joaquin Clausell

Joaquin Clausell (1866-1935) is one of my favorite Mexican painters. Born in Campeche he was considered the one who introduced Impressionism to Mexico. 

Joaquin Clausell

Favorite Hotel:

 Las Mananitas, Cuernavaca

The gardens

Where you can sit and have a cocktail and enjoy the setting sun

Las Mananitas is a quaint 29-room colonial style hotel. Because of the hotel’s small size, incredible service and attention to detail, you feel as if you’re visiting a friend rather than staying in a formal hotel. I love the rooms with fireplaces, as well as the ones facing the gardens where exotic birds roam freely. A beautiful, beautiful place.

Favorite Album:

Bachata Rosa by Juan Luis Guerra

There are so many great artist from Mexico, but I think the Spanish CD (yes, I just said CD) that had the most impact on me is, Bachata Rosa by Juan Luis Guerra. The first summer I lived in Cuernavaca, we would always listen to it as we drove through the mountains on our to Acapulco for a long weekend. I realize that he is actually from the Dominican Republic, but nonetheless it’s a fantastic CD!

Favorite Dish:

Chiles Rellenos

It’s impossible to think of a one all-time-favorite dish, but today it would be the chile relleno.  Stuffed with cheese or ground pork and topped with a light red sauce it’s incredible!

Favorite Restaurant:

Axitla, Tepoztlan

Tepoztlan

One of my favorite restaurants in Mexico is one located in the mountainous and mystical town called Tepoztlan. It’s the restaurant, Axitla, and it’s located at the foot of the trail leading up to the pyramid Tepozteco. The restaurant is situated in a garden and has a very treehouse-like feel to it.  When we lived in Cuernavaca in the early 90’s, we would take a bus there every Saturday for a late lunch. The food is amazing and we would linger over our lunches for hours.

I do long for days when I can take my children there and travel freely without hesitation. To introduce them to all I fell in love with, hoping they will one day feel the same way I did about such an amazing country and its people.

Posted in Holiday, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Jamie Oliver’s Sausage Carbonara

September 8, 2011 by the long table

My last blog about food was “Rotolo di Zucca e Ricotta“. This time it’s Sausage Carbonara, also from Jamie Oliver’s cookbook, Jaime’s Italy (I love this cookbook). I’m cooking again with Karla, who has gathered some tomatoes and basil from the Alamo Heights Community Garden. Karla is making a tomato pasta with basil, and a butter pasta for the kids. This Sausage Carbonara recipe is super easy and really delicious without being too heavy.

 The dough waiting patiently to be transformed into linguine

 Tomatoes & pancetta

The Sausage Carbonara

Jamie Oliver is also trying to change the way our children eat with his “Food Revolution” click here to learn more about it.

The Recipe

linguine alla carbonara di salsiccia

4 good-quality organic Italian sausages
olive oil
4 slices of thickly cut pancetta, chopped 
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1lb. dried linguine
4 large egg yolks, preferably organic
1/2 c heavy cream
3 1/2 oz. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
zest of 1 lemon
a sprig of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
extra virgin olive oil

“With a sharp knife, slit the sausage skins lengthwise and pop all the meat out. Using wet hands, roll little balls of sausage meat about the size of large marbles and place them to one side.

Heat a large frying pan and add a good splash of olive oil. Gently fry the sausage meatballs until golden brown all over, then add the pancetta and continue cooking for a couple of minutes, until it’s golden. While this is cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the linguine, and cook according to the package instructions.

In a large bowl, whip up th egg yolks, cream, half the Parmesan, the lemon zest and the parsley. When the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander, reserving a little of the cooking water, and immediately toss it quickly with the egg mixture back in the pasta pot. Add the hot sausage meatballs and toss everything together. The egg will cook delicately from the heat of the linguine, just enough for it to thicken and not scramble. The sauce should be smooth and silky. If the pasta becomes a little sticky add a few spoonfuls of the reserved cooking water to loosen it slightly. Sprinkle over the rest of the Parmesan, season if necessary, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and serve. Eat immediately!”

Posted in Food | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

AUSTIN PROJECT: THE FAMILY ROOM

August 30, 2011 by the long table

This part of the home is really overall “The Family Room” — it’s where most of the lounging and hanging out will ultimately happen. The previous owner had it split into two areas — a living area and an office. I kept the living area as a living space, but turned the office into a “library”.

BEFORE

The plan, with the living area (above), was to beef up the built-ins by removing the closet on the left. We also wanted to simplify the look of the built-ins by having only shelves on top and keeping only drawers at the bottom (see below).

AFTER

 

Posted in Home, Projects | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

AUSTIN PROJECT: THE KITCHEN

August 29, 2011 by the long table

BEFORE

The plan here was to remove the wet bar (under the big key on wall) and walk-in food pantry (behind the buffet). With these two sections gone there would be room for a smaller, yet more efficient, food pantry – as well a new breakfast area.

AFTER

With the wet bar and old food pantry removed we had space to add one of my favorite kitchen items — the banquette.

 

In the rest of the kitchen we replaced the cabinet doors to give it a more modern look, but still kept with the overall traditional style of the home. With the atrium gone, we were able to make use of the space by creating storage for large appliances, as well as a small work station. The light fixture over the breakfast table is from Terrain.

BEFORE

The view of the kitchen looking toward the living room.

AFTER

The cabinetry in the island was also rebuilt to better suit the homeowners. Instead of a place for a wine fridge we added large drawers for linens and kid items.

Posted in Home, Projects | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments »

Austin Project: The Dining Room & Living Room

August 26, 2011 by the long table

 The goal with this project was to create a casual and comfortable home with a neutral palette that would be soothing for the homeowners, yet relevant for a family of four. Because they were moving from a smaller home into a larger one, I knew there would be new pieces to purchase. However, to keep the new home cozy and familiar, I wanted to use as much of the homeowners’ original furniture as possible. Though there are still odds and ends that need to be done, I am finally ready to post the “after” photos.

The Dining Room 

Before

The photo above shows the original space as you enter the front door. A large atrium sits in the middle of the home connecting the dining, kitchen and formal living room. Behind the atrium is the formal dining room, and then the large family room. To the right of the atrium is the entrance to the kitchen.

During

As you can see we removed the atrium, which allows for a much larger dining room and overall space to entertain. A wall was added in an “L” shape between the dining and kitchen to add a bit more privacy between the two areas, as well as to add extra storage in the kitchen.

After

In addition to removing the atrium and adding a wall, we opened up the entrance into the family room about 2 feet to provide a better balance.

Before

Another “before” photo of the dining room and atrium

After

Again, you can see with the removal of the atrium, the space is more open.  For functional purposes, as well as to incorporate color, we placed a 9 foot red bench in the entry. The owners are still waiting for the 10 foot dining room table and a piece of art that will be placed on the wall opposite the buffet. The chandelier is from Hinkley Lighting.

The Living Room

Before

After

We removed the stucco from the fireplace to reveal the original brick. We had the fireplace, walls and ceiling painted, added a mantel and hung two large picture shelves from Ikea. Now, we’re just waiting on one large jute rug to come in and this room is done!

Next time: the breakfast nook and kitchen!

Posted in Home, Projects | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Jamie Oliver’s ‘Rotolo di Zucca e Ricotta’

July 27, 2011 by the long table

The other night I decided to have a go at making “Rotolo” — a rolled up pasta dish. This pasta is stuffed with butternut squash, spinach and ricotta. With the Texas heat reaching over 100 degrees everyday, I am trying to think of different ways to get through the hottest part of the day. One solution has been getting together with friends and cooking long meals (with a chilled glass of wine). So, my friend, Karla ( a food stylist here in San Antonio), and I took a recipe from Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italy cookbook and gave Rotolo a shot.

Karla was in charge of the dough, which I am still a bit intimated by

The spinach waiting for its turn in the saute pan

The  roasted butternut squash with coriander and fennel seeds

The rolled out dough ready to be stuffed

Iris rolling out her dough

rolling…

…rolling

rolled

into the boiling water

weights so it doesn’t float to the top

unrolling the pasta

Sliced and ready for the table with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and fried sage leaves. A great vegetarian dish, however, we did decide to serve it with steak and a beet salad. Very fun and super tasty!

Click here for Jamie Oliver’s website

Posted in Cooking, Entertaining, Food | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

PENDANT LIGHTING

July 13, 2011 by the long table

Lately, I have been looking for pendant lighting for an upcoming powder room project and found so many fabulous ones, the choice became far more difficult than I expected. Below, are  only a few that caught my eye. I also included some similar, but less expensive versions as well.

Armand Riviera Iron Pendant, $447.00

Capriz Hanging Pendant from World Market, $69.99

Beat Light Pendants by Tom Dixon, $450.00e

Drop 1 Pendant by Peter Bowles, $220.00

“Happy Kiss” Pendant by Caleb Siemon, $500.00

Gervasoni Bell 95 Suspension Lamp, $990.00

A similar version from Ikea, $39.99

Bucket Pendant Light from Anthropologie, $248.00

A similar version from Lowes, $49.97

Ayers Pendant light by Marco Piva, $1,188.00

A similar version from Ikea, $49.99

I’ve sent several options over to the clients, we’ll see what they select in the end. I’ll post it soon!

Posted in Home, Shop | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

Quick Update on the Austin Project

June 10, 2011 by the long table

Several of you have been asking about the Austin Project, so I have a quick update.

Built-ins are built, curtains, lighting and pictures are going up. We are still waiting for two rugs and two wing back chairs to be delivered, as well as a long bench for the entry (which is being recovered).

The family room, before

We still need to finish putting the items on the shelves, and are waiting on a large jute rug which should be delivered any day.

The library area before

The library in progress

Posted in Home, Projects | 2 Comments »

Thompson & Hanson

May 28, 2011 by the long table

I know I have mentioned Thompson & Hanson before but with a recent visit to Houston I am re-inspired (is that a word?). Anyway, it’s an amazing garden store and attached to it is a lovely little cafe, called Tiny Boxwoods.

One of my favorites, Boston Ivy, growing on the wall outside the shop. If you’re ever in Houston, and love garden stores, I highly recommend checking this one out. Very Inspiring!

Posted in Shop | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

Hotel Havana

May 26, 2011 by the long table

About a month ago, I finally checked out San Antonio’s Hotel Havana. I wanted to see for myself what all the talk was about. It’s another establishment by Liz Lambert, who also has Hotel San Jose and the Saint Cecilia in Austin.  I admit, I did fall in love. Her use of vintage furniture recovered in vibrant colors is inspiring! The overall feel is very warm and sophisticated, yet casual and comfortable — more like a friend’s home than a hotel.

My daughter excited about the “griddle cakes”

Yesterday morning, a friend and I checked out their new little restaurant, Ocho that had just opened. It’s housed in a glass conservatory and felt much like a hotel in Florence I visited last summer. It was also nice to see an uncomplicated menu, friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. It doesn’t hurt that the little restaurant overlooks the River Walk either, and on pleasant days they can open several huge garage-like doors to allow the ultimate in dining alfresco.

In the summer, the dimly lit bar in the basement, with its blue painted cement walls, is a welcome refuge from the South Texas sun.

I did snap some more pictures of the rest of the hotel but I thought I would just include the link to the Hotel Havana website instead.

Posted in Food, Travel | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

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