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Jul 15
Love0

Review: Hank Jr. – Last Confederate

By Arts & Culture, Music
 “Are you sure Hank done it this way?”

The words of Waylon Jennings ran through my head more times than I could count during Hank Williams, Jr.’s Red Butte set last night.

Sure, it’s not fair to compare a man to his legendary daddy under normal circumstances — but these aren’t normal circumstances. Junior has made his entire career out of name-dropping his father, who died when he was just three years old, covering his father’s songs and dumping on the rest of country music while stroking his own ego with self-referential songs.

The ego was in full effect at Red Butte on Tuesday night, when Bocephus hit the stage in a back ball cap with the word “ICON” written on it in big gold letters following a medley of shitty new country songs that reference him (Gretchen Wilson, Kid Rock, etc.).

His chatter throughout the evening seemed to serve two purposes: 1) To remind people that Hank Williams is his father and 2) To remind people that Hank Williams, Jr. really thinks that Hank Williams, Jr. is great, the best, better than everyone else.

At one point, he dumped on both Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson by declaring, “Kris is a movie star and poor Willie hangs out at Taco Bell and smokes weed all day.” But right after he propped himself up by invoking his “Dear friend Waylon Jennings” who allegedly said of Junior, “I guarantee you one thing, that son of a gun is not adopted.” (That’s double points, for a name drop and a slick reference to Daddy, for those keeping track at home.)

He also reminded the Red Butte crowd that June Carter Cash was his godmother before singing, to the tune of “I Walk The Line”: “I keep my pants up with a piece of twine … Just say you’re mine, baby yank the twine.” Yes, Hank Williams, Jr. believes he still he has sex appeal, which he attempted (and failed) to prove to the crowd by referencing his Salt Lake City groupies, air humping, stroking a fiddle at his waist and attempting to play the piano with his ass.

There was music, of course. His voice wavered and was off-tune through most of them; some were his daddy’s songs, some were his own songs, some were covers, some were vaguely racist, some were overtly so. He hit on many favorites with the crowd, “If Heaven Ain’t a Lot Like Dixie,” “Move It On Over,” “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight,” “Kaw-Linga,” “A Country Boy Can Survive,” “Your Cheating Heart,” and of course, “Family Tradition.”

He played a few love songs, but they, like the rest of his songs, are really just about him. The crowd favorite may have been “Keep the Change,” a conservative Christian call to arms that he wrote slamming Obama, socialists and everything else this writer holds near and dear to her heart.

Speaking of the crowd … At a time when our country appears to be collectively moving away from the Confederate flag, there was no sign of that at Red Butte on Tuesday night. Junior’s merchandise table was selling the old Confederate battle flag emblazoned with his logo (of course) and the man himself wore a hat for part of the show with it on the bill (it is worth noting that Williams changes hats during shows like Cher changes outfits).

It was a much more blue-collar crowd than one will usually find in the east benches, but seriously, this crowd hooted and hollered every time a dirt road or a country girl was mentioned like they knew what the hell he was talking about. When Junior rolled out an Al Jolson-esque impersonation of a black musician, oh, how they laughed.  I’m certain that they drove home to Herriman in their Ford F-350’s with their Confederate flags still wrapped around them high fiving over the awesome night they just had. I left Red Butte angry at the insensitivity of the crowd in a state that can’t even claim heritage as the reason to continue waving the symbol of hatred and intolerance.

Williams covered Run DMC’s “Walk This Way,” in the most inexplicable moment of the night. “I play with black bands, white bands, yellow bands, red bands. I’ve even rocked out with two Yankee bands!” he declared in the same way racists claim to have black friends before seguing into Ted Nugent’s “Cat Scratch Fever.”

He signed off for the night after playing “Family Tradition,” but not before an incomprehensible rant about a Sandra Bullock soundtrack and how people should kiss his ass (I tried to Google it, I still don’t know what the hell he was talking about) and this: “If you don’t like Ludacris, if you don’t like ZZ Top, if you don’t like Waylon Jennings, if you don’t like Run DMC, if you don’t like my boys Kings of Leon, if you don’t like Ray Charles, if you don’t like Fats Domino, if you don’t like Flatt and Scruggs, if you don’t like Hank Williams, you can kiss my ass!”

And then the creepiest thing I’ve EVER heard, “I know you’re going to go home and make love and I’m going to be right there with ya.”

No, Hank. Please. Your daddy didn’t do it this way.

Jul 09
Love0

Recipe: Summer Fruit and Shortbread Parfait

By Eat & Drink
This week’s recipe isn’t really one of mine, but it’s essential for the summer.

Try this delicious dessert by Susan Massey.

summer-fruitandshortbread-parfait
Photo by Adam Finkle

Prep time: 15 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients

4 to 6 nectarines, washed and sliced into sixths
1 pint of raspberries, washed and drained
2 tablespoons sugar
1 box of shortbread cookies
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese or créme fraiche, stirred well
Edible flowers or mint leaves to garnish

Combine fruit in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the fruit with sugar and allow the fruit to rest for 10 minutes, or until sugar dissolves.

Carefully spoon a layer of fruit into fluted glasses or wine goblets. Add 1 shortbread cookie, and a teaspoon of mascarpone cheese. Repeat with a second layer. Garnish with edible flowers or mint leaves if desired.

-Mary Brown Malouf

Jul 02
Love0

Recipe: The Reconstructed Egg

By Eat & Drink
reconstructedegg1

Cuisine Unlimited‘s chefs seek menu inspiration from upcoming holidays, seasonal products and the desires of customers. Recently, they were truly inspired by none other than the “Incredible, Edible Egg.” How do you make this culinary staple something new and exciting?

The chefs have decided to de-construct and re-construct the components of the egg into a mouth-watering dessert.

Ingredients

¼ c. Granulated sugar
3 ea. Whole lemons
3 Tbs. Unsalted butter
4 oz. Lemon juice
½ c. Granulated Sugar
12 ea. Large eggs, grade AA

Directions

“De-Constructing” the Egg:

Using an eggshell cutter, cut the tops off each egg one third of the way down the egg. Carefully separate the yolks and whites of the egg into separate bowls.

reconstructedegg2

 

Rinse eggshells & carefully place in large pot. Cover eggshells with cold water. Put on medium heat & stand by to watch temperature rise. Do not exceed 150 degrees. This is the point right before bubbles begin to form. Hold eggs in water for 3-5 minutes. Carefully remove from water and place upside down on dry paper towels until completely dry.

Lemon Curd:

Using a peeler, remove zest of 3 lemons, being careful to avoid the white pith. Put zest in a food processor fitted with steel blade. Add sugar and pulse until the zest is finely minced into the sugar.

reconstructedegg4

In separate mixing bowl, cream butter and beat in the sugar & lemon mixture. Add eggs yolks, 1 at a time; then add lemon juice and salt. Mix until combined.

Pour the mixture into a 2 quart saucepan and cook over low heat until thickened (about 10 minutes), stirring constantly. The lemon curd will thicken at 170 degrees or just below simmer. Remove from the heat and cover with saran wrap directly on lemon curd. Refrigerate until completely chilled.

Meringue:

Beat egg whites until frothy; gradually add ½ cup sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.

“Re-Constructing” the Egg:

Use egg carton to stand clean eggshells upright. Spoon or pipe ¼ cup of lemon curd into clean eggshell, then pipe dollop of meringue on top of lemon curd. Using a butane torch; brown top of meringue or place in a 500 degree oven for 3–5 minutes until meringue tops are golden brown. Display in egg-holder or in a rectangular dish filled with sugar.

 

Try this simple but stunning dessert at home for your Easter brunch. Some may call it “egg-ceptional!”

Emily Lavin is Cuisine Unlimited Catering & Special Events’ marketing director and a contributor to utahstyleanddesign.com. This post was originally published on utahstyleanddesign.com. 

All photos by Dave Hyams

-Emily Lavin

Jun 28
Love0

2015 Best of the Beehive

By Arts & Culture

Our beloved Beehive State is full of surprises.

Everyone knows we have the best snow on earth, but did you know Utah is home to many of the best tattoo artists in the country (we’re holding a contest to decide Utah’s best tattoo artist on Instagram)? As well as beer brewers, whitewater rivers, biking trails and live music venues? Believe it. This is not the stodgy, conventional place many people elsewhere think it is. Here’s a list of more great secret reasons we love the Beehive.

Click the categories below to see this year’s Best of the Beehive winners.

Family Fun

Food & Dining

Shopping & Services

Arts & Entertainment

Get Outdoors

Of course, it’s not all butterflies and red balloons in the Beehive State. We would be remiss if we didn’t include a list of losers as well:

Wasatch Faults

Click here for Park City Life’s Best of Park City.

Contest: Put your tattoo or tattoo art on Instagram with #BeehiveTattoo and @SLmag to let us who you think is Utah’s best tattoo artist. Just for posting your photo, you’ll be entered to win $50 to Texas de Brazil.

Contest: We’re also asking readers what great people, products and places we missed in this year’s Best of the Beehive. Let us know, and you’ll be entered to win a $50 gift card to Ruth’s Creekside.

Jun 28
Love0

The Best of Park City

By Arts & Culture
We put local businesses, services, arts and recreation on center stage in the first annual Best of Park City Awards.

As editors at our sister publication Salt Lake magazine have done for decades,PCLife editors have selected the stars in five categories (below). Readers had the chance to weigh in, too—see the final tally of their votes in our Best of Park City: Readers’ Choice.

Disagree with our picks? Let us know at editor@ParkCityLifeMag.com to continue the discussion.

Family Fun

Best frozen yogurt (seriously)

Owners Joseph and Sue Anne Kim are always ready with a smile and love to snap photos of patrons for their digital photo screen. Nestled in The Market at Park City, Yodipity is accessible from numerous bike paths. (Use it as a stopping point after biking from McPolin Farm or City Park.) Deck out your favorite flavor with more than 50 toppings running the gamut from fresh lychee to mini gummy bears. Closed Sundays. 1500 Snow Creek Drive.
435-655-2777

Best concert series for families

Pack a picnic and your favorite blanket for these free uber family-friendly mid-week concerts. Kids dance in front of the stage or toss Frisbees on the lawn while adults catch up and enjoy a meal al fresco. Rain or shine, Wednesday nights through August at Deer Valley’s Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. 2250 Deer Valley Drive, 6–8 p.m. Leave your dogs at home!

Best weekend activity (without snow)


Photo courtesy of Park Silly Sunday Market

It’s the perfect lazy Park City summer Sunday morning: heading over to thePark Silly Sunday Market (bike, bus, or walk from City Park), noshing at booths of gourmet and specialty treats ranging from Bloody Mary’s to Maine lobster rolls while perusing an eclectic bazaar of art, jewelry, and clothing. Group yoga classes, art yards, fencing, hula hooping, dancing, music, fire breathing, metalsmithing and unicycling are just a few of the rubberneck worthy activities going on. Sundays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., June 7–Sept. 20 on Lower Main Street.

Best family outing 

Thrill-seekers will love Park City Mountain Resort’s Alpine Slide, Alpine Coaster, and ZipRider, while tamer folk can take in a scenic lift ride or round of mini golf. Treat the littles to a ride on the merry-go-round, airplanes or mini train in the Little Miner’s Amusement Park. Snack shack and frozen treats on site. 435-649-8111, parkcitymountain.com

Best new family sport

Get the best of both worlds on the water in the mountains. Park City Standup Paddling does it all, from tours along the Jordanelle Reservoir or Weber River to classes, clinics, SUP yoga and fitness. Summer rentals available daily include board, paddle and PFD. Don’t forget sunscreen! 801-558-9878

Best place to score a birthday present

Stuffed to the ceiling with the latest and greatest from Schleich, Playmobil, and Lego, this amazing toy store stocks everything from an eye-popping array of nostalgic candy to catapult-wielding elephants and vintage toys like the Slinky. Purchase a velvet pouch of J.W. Allen & Sons nickels (wooden $5 tokens redeemed in store) for that extra special birthday boy or girl and let them pick their own gift. 1675 Redstone Center Dr., 435-575-8697

Shopping & Services

Best path to tranquility

Jump-start your body’s ability to heal itself with Chinese herbal medicine, auricular acupressure and acupuncture and electro-mineral lamps at Dr. Ding Hai Chinese Health Clinic and Herbal Store. Dr. Ding Hai’s four principles of healing employ deep breathing, eliminating negative energy, rinsing with warm water and foot soaking. 1910 Prospector Ave., 435-513-3749

Best place to find the perfect pair

Well-stocked with the latest styles from Frye, Ugg, Jeffrey Campbell, Seychelles and Hunter, Mary Jane’s specializes in helping their customers find the right fit and look. An added bonus: MJ’s also houses a great selection of women’s apparel and accessories. 613 Main St., 435-645-7463

Best beauty fix

Splendor Beauty Emporium provides the luxury feel of a personal shopping experience without the hassle of a cosmetic counter. With brands like Lalicious, Philosophy, Laura Mercier, Dermologica, Smashbox, Lavanila, Colorescience and more, it opens up a world of possibilities, or provides a great gift for a lucky friend. 1635 W. Redstone Center Dr., 435-575-1800

Best source for wearable art

Designer Ron S. Butkovich of RSB Designs draws from art and nature to craft unconventional, organic pieces, primarily using the techniques of lost wax and fabrication. These handcrafted pieces, derived from precious metals and stones, are mini sculptures. 1101 Park Ave., 435-649-4700

Best self-indulgent haircut

With a contemporary woven tile interior and a sanctuary-like “wash room” (complete with soft lighting, subdued music and a scalp or shoulder massage), a trip to Lunatic Fringe feels like an escape. Complimentary snacks and beverages and iPad minis loaded with 100+ magazines makes waiting under the drier feel like a staycation. 4343 UT-224, #202, 435-658-0298

Best beauty feast

Nourish your body with organic juices and vegan or gluten-free baked treats, sandwiches, soups and salads at Park City’s only locally owned community market and café. Fairweather Natural Foods offers a variety of local and organic produce, whole food vitamins, herbal remedies and holistic skin care products, for beauty inside and out. 1270 Iron Horse Dr., 435-649-4561

Best spa treatment

Release stress and tension, restore energy, and strengthen concentration with a rejuvenating Bindi Beauty Treatment at Waldorf Astoria Spa. The warm herb exfoliation combined with a Dasha Oil massage and finished with a cocoon wrap allows the body to detoxify and stimulates circulation. Float, rather than walk, back into regular life. $230 for 75 minutes. 2100 Frostwood Dr., 435-647-5555

Best style advice


Vanessa Di Palma Wright at Farasha Boutique, photo by Adam Finkle

Visit the showroom at Farasha Boutique for the latest unique designers scouted from the U.S. and around the globe, then consult with owner Vanessa Di Palma Wright for personalized services, such as wardrobe editing and revamping, styling  and full production photoshoots. 605 Main St.,435-649-3123

Get Outdoors

Best spectator event


The FIS World Cup Moguls at Deer Valley Resort, photo courtesy of Deer Valley

The FIS Freestyle World Cup comes to Deer Valley Resort each winter, bringing with it world-class athletes and an all-world party atmosphere. The World Cup is full of great events, but nothing brings those aforementioned things together like the Dual Moguls finals. Top skiers battle it out under the lights on the imposing mogul course down Champion ski run while a well–lubricated swarm of locals and visitors goes bananas for big air and bigger spills.

Best non-skiing winter thrill

Sometimes you just need to hear the distinctive roar of a two-stroke engine and let loose through the mountains. Thousand Peaks Snowmobile Adventuresdelivers incredibly consistent snow thanks to its high-elevation terrain accessed on 60,000 acres of Utah’s largest private ranch. With that much real estate, brand new snow machines each season and easy access from Park City, there’s a pristine backcountry experience for riders of all levels. 900 Weber Canyon Rd., Oakley, 888-304-7669

Best tune for your skis

It’s a pretty safe bet that the folks trusted to tune skis for elite alpine racers can handle the boards upon which the rest of us struggle to french fry down the groomers. Jan’s Rennstall and Wintersteiger technicians are the best in the business, whether you’re looking for a precise edge bevel or simply trying to fill a core shot after some ill-advised early season tree skiing. Jans Mountain Outfitter, 1600 Park Avenue, 435-649-1833

Best fly fishing expertise

Nothing’s more reassuring than a Gone Fishin’ sign on the door of your local fly fishing shop. It’s not as though you’ll frequently turn up to a vacant building at Trout Bum 2, but you can take stock in the fact that the employees you don’t see in the store are out on the river. When they are in the shop, Trout Bum 2’s experts are armed with firsthand knowledge of what’s happening on the river, so they can point you in the right direction and help put the right fly on the end of your line. 4343 Highway 224, 435-658-1166

Best indoor fix for the outdoors

Let’s face it: Not every day is sunny, warm and beautiful. But thanks to The Mine Bouldering Gym, that doesn’t mean you’ll be left out in the cold. Parkites can now get their fix for adventure and get a decent workout even when a monsoon blows through town. The Mine’s 4,000-plus square feet of climbing walls have routes of all difficulty levels, and yoga classes give you the opportunity to stay active even when your fingers need a rest. 1680 Ute Blvd., 435-655-6463

Best so-called bike race

Park City’s new IMBA gold status makes it, seriously, one of the best places to bike in the country. But don’t take that too seriously. Consider Tour des Sudsmountain bike race. With over 2,700 feet of climbing, it takes some serious legs and lungs to complete. But the race, which will be held on Sept. 20 this year, is less about fighting lactic acid buildup than it is about wearing crazy costumes, riding bikes and getting weird on the trails with a great group of people.

Best bike tune-up

When your bicycle starts making noises like a Soviet-era tank, it’s time for a little more TLC than just a dab of chain grease. Storm Cycles is relatively new in town, but their mechanics have been around the block (and a finicky rear derailleur) more than a few times. They’ll have your bike running smooth in no time. 1680 Ute Blvd., 435-200-9120

Arts & Entertainment

Best Sundance venue

When the hullabaloo of Sundance descends on Park City, hype swamps everything, from which artsy film is most obscure to which celebrity wore the most ridiculous fur coat. Sometimes you just need something authentic. The Egyptian Theatre is a beacon amid the Main Street madness. The classic marquee out front signals that this isn’t merely some basement viewing room. Even if the film is a flop, the Egyptian is always a hit. 328 Main St., 435-649-9371

Best art for every aficionado

Perfect for families and the more casual art fans among us, Park City Kimball Arts Festival is something everyone can enjoy regardless of how many art history classes you slept through. Proving that art doesn’t need to be intimidating and exclusive, festival-goers can watch live music on multiple stages or stop into one of several beer gardens for a refreshment while perusing world-class art representing myriad genres up and down Main Street.

Best Main Street music

It doesn’t matter if you’re a bluegrass fiend, a hip-hop aficionado, an electronic enthusiast, a reggae zealot or a country devotee; there’s one place in Park City you should be keeping tabs on to catch your favorite acts. Park City Liveconsistently books the top talent in town, and the venue holds just the right number of people for lively yet intimate performances. 427 Main St., 435-649-9123

Best locals film experience 

The Sundance Film Festival’s wild popularity and ever-widening global footprint means it’s harder than ever to get access to the movies people want to see, but the Sundance Institute doesn’t leave Parkites hanging in the warmer months. The Stars Under the Stars film screenings at City Park are free, family-friendly opportunities to view some outstanding independent films. This summer’s slate includes Racing Extinction on July 10 and Being Evel on Aug. 14.

Best après ski experience


Photo courtesy of The Corner Store

Après shouldn’t be conflated with highfalutin’ surroundings and convoluted cocktail recipes. The Corner Store Pub & Grill does away with pretentious trappings and excels at the things that matter most: food, beverages and atmosphere. Grab a cheap brew and a basket of waffle fries before checking out the free music on the patio in the springtime. It’s also the place ski patrollers gather after work on Fridays. Is that enough cred for you? 1325 Lowell Ave., Park City, 435-645-8666

Best live music with your meal

The Viking Yurt sits at 8,000 feet on the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort, making it an unlikely candidate for an evening of entertainment. Folks need to board a snow cat to get up there, but those who make the trek up for dinner are treated to live performances on a baby grand piano every night of the week. While you can’t just wander in off Main Street, live music, gourmet cuisine and an improbable location mean The Viking Yurt serves up the finest sonic accoutrements. 435-615-9878 

Food & Dining

Best java with a view


Hugo Coffee’s nitrogen-infused cold brew, photo by Adam Finkle

Hugo Coffee’s nitrogen-infused cold brew isn’t some drab mug of used motor oil. The cold brew is served from a tap in a beer mug, and the drinking experience it delivers is shockingly reminiscent of a Guinness. Add in Hugo’s panoramic view of the Olympic Park and surrounding hills and you’ve got a superlative cup of joe. 1794 Olympic Pkwy., 435-655-5015

Best take out

At Windy Ridge Cafe, choose from meatloaf, farfalle primavera, roasted turkey or grilled salmon with salad, bread, veggies and mashed potato sides. Set a nice table and spoon into your own dishes or serve à la carte. Portions are sized for four, but can squeeze five for kids. Allow 20 minutes. Pick-up after 5 p.m. $27.1250 Iron Horse Dr., 435-647-0880

Best sushi roll

Sushi Blue chef Adam Compton’s homage to time spent in Lima draws from the Peruvian tiradito, a dish of raw fish in spicy sauce that reflects the influence of Japanese immigrants on Peruvian cuisine. A cousin to ceviche, tiradito is sliced, not chopped, and washed in lime juice rather than marinated. This lively roll offers refreshing layers of salmon, jalapeño, avocado, and cilantro topped with kanpachi, kiwi salsa and tajin spice. 571 W. Redstone Drive, 435-575-4272

Best DIY dining

Shabu Shabu House offers a hands-on experience that puts the fun back in dining. Gather around a table inset with individual cook pots and create your own Japanese hot pot from a selection of Kobe beef, shrimp, chicken, fish balls, veggies and sauces. Bonus: The meal isn’t finished until your server adds a hearty portion of Udon noodles to your well-seasoned broth. 1612 Ute Blvd., 435-658-9829

Best slopeside drink

There is something vaguely Bond-esque about ascending in the glass and leather funicular at St. Regis Deer Valley (or better yet, schussing in) to the ultra swanky bar at the St. Regis. Soothe fatigued muscles and wind-burned cheeks with the Ginger Margarita, a refreshing blend of sweet and spicy. 2300 Deer Valley Dr., 435-940-5700. Ski in via Deer Valley’s Carpenter Chair.

Best secret gourmet lunch

A trip to the hospital usually means you’re having a bad day, but Chef Jason Kieffer is changing that. The Silver King Café in the Park City Medical Center serves up gourmet cuisine at reasonable prices. “We change the menu every day to keep things fresh for guests who come in repeatedly throughout the week,” says Kieffer. “I love coming up with new dishes, and it seems to keep everybody in the community happy.” It’s our pick for lunch, but the Café does breakfast and dinner, too. 900 Round Valley Dr., 435-658-7000

Click here for our Best of Park City: Readers’ Choice

WEB EXTRA: What did we miss in our Best of Park City? Let us know onFacebook for a chance to win $50 to the Egyptian Theatre. Click here for details.

Back>>>Read more stories from Park City Life’s July/August 2015 issue.

Jun 24
Love0

Recipe: American Prairie Julep

By Eat & Drink

High West, Park City’s award-winning distillery, offers its American Prairie Bourbon. In other words, the perfect base for at Kentucky Derby’s great cocktail: the mint julep, the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby. High West celebrated the most exciting two minutes in sports complete with hats and juleps like this:

  • 2.5 oz. High West American Prairie Bourbon
  • .5 oz. simple syrup
  • 3-4 fresh mint leaves

Muddle the mint. Mix syrup and bourbon. Serve over crushed ice. And may the best horse win. Click here for photos from 2015’s High West Kentucky Derby celebration.

See more recipes here.

Jun 18
Love0

Recipe: The Uncommon Margarita Beats the Heat

By Eat & Drink
I’m pretty much a purist when it comes to cocktails.

Despite the constant flurry of cocktail creativity, I don’t understand a martini unless it’s made with gin, I eschew blended daiquiris and I like my margaritas shaken and served neat.

I’m a real snob. Except when I’m not.

Lisa Barlow, of locally owned Vida Tequila, sent me this margarita recipe that called for, of all things, grapefruit flavored hefeweizen. It was invented by Richie Spare of The Boneyard in Park City.

Ingredients

2 oz. Vida Blanco
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 oz. simple syrup (but we used agave syrup)
2 oz. Shofferhofer Hefeweizen

Shake tequila, lemon juice and sweetener together over ice and pour over ice in a tall glass. Fill glass with beer.

Wow! It’s a very un-Maloufy concoction but it’s curiously refreshing. With this in my hand, I think I can survive the heat wave.

Frito, hiding under the table in this photo, will stick to the shady side of things.

fritohoffer(1)

-Mary Brown Malouf

Jun 11
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Recipe: Meditrina’s Coq au Vin

By Eat & Drink
coqauvin-ontable

Meditrina’s Coq au Vin, photo by Adam Finkle

Coq means rooster, and that’s a clue to the nature of this dish—a tough old rooster requires long, slow cooking. These days, it’s most often made with chicken, browned then braised in red wine (traditionally Burgundy, but not necessarily), mushrooms, salt pork, onions and garlic.

Here is how Meditrina does it.

Ingredients

12-15 small cipollini onions
4 chicken thighs and legs, or 1 large chicken, cut into serving pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup flour
8 oz. slab bacon, cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips
20-30 medium-sized cremini mushrooms
3/4 cup brandy
1 1/2 (750-ml) bottles red Burgundy
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
8–10 cloves garlic
bundle of fresh thyme
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup butter

Slowly cook the bacon in a big sauté pan over medium heat until it is golden brown and crispy. Remove bacon from the pan and set aside. In the same pan and fat, saute the onions and mushrooms. Remove from the pan and store in the fridge until ready for use.

Season the chicken on all sides. Place it into a big plastic bag with the flour and shake to coat it well. Brown chicken in the same bacon fat (you may need to add some olive oil) until deep golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a large enameled cast-iron pot.

Pour off any remaining fat and deglaze the pan with the brandy and 2 cups of the wine. Reduce by half.  Pour this into the pot along with the chicken stock, tomato paste, onion, carrots, celery, garlic and thyme. Add remaining wine. The chicken should
be almost covered.

Place the chicken (and the entire enameled cast iron pot) in the oven at 275 to 325 degrees and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is tender enough to fall off the bone. Make sure the chicken remains at a low simmer—no more.

Remove cooked chicken and keep it in a warm oven. Strain the sauce to remove the vegetables, then pour it in the pot and reduce by half. Add the bacon, onions and mushrooms and heat. Off-heat, whisk in the butter a little at a time. Add chicken.

-Mary Brown Malouf

Jun 04
Love0

Recipe: Individual Shrimp Cocktails

By Eat & Drink
Serve show-stopping foods without the fork for your next shindig, and make one of them shrimp cocktails. Catering pro Iverson Brownell and his team at Iverson Catering gave us this recipe for one of our 2008 issues, and it still looks great.

shrimpcocktails99

Individual Shrimp Cocktail

Serves 15

1 quart canola oil
1 pack of egg roll skins cut into 1/2-inch rounds
1 pound rock shrimp
1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning
2 lemons
2 bay leaves
fresh chives
2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper
fresh chive and candied lemon zest for garnish (optional)

The shrimp: In a sauce pan heat canola oil to approximately 325 degrees using a candy thermometer (if you do not have a candy thermometer, keep the oil over a medium high heat). Place the egg roll skins into the hot oil one at a time, flipping them when hey become crisply. Remove from the oil and set on a paper towel to drip dry. Fill a sauce pan with enough water to cover the shrimp and bring it to a simmer. Add Old Bay seasoning, juice of 1 lemon and bay leaves. Bring back up to a simmer and add the rock shrimp. The rock shrimp should only take about 5–7 minutes to poach. Strain the shrimp from the water and rapidly cool under cold water. Set aside.

For the sauce: Blend ketchup in a mixing bowl with horseradish, juice of 1 lemon and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.

To serve: Toss the shrimp in your cocktail sauce and place them on top of wonton discs. Garnish with chive and candied lemon zest.

VARIATIONS

1. Coarsely chop cooked shrimp and mix with tomato and lime juice, roasted green chiles and avocado, and minced cilantro and onions. Serve in a shot glass.

2. Puree 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 3 teaspoons wasabi paste. Spread on rice crackers and top with cooked shrimp.

-Mary Brown Malouf

Jun 01
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Recipe: Fresh Watermelon Cake

By Eat & Drink

If you are looking for the perfect, light, refreshing and delicious dessert to serve, look no further. Below is a recipe for Cuisine Unlimited’s Fresh Watermelon Cake with Whipped Cream. It is an easy-to-make show stopper that is sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients (serves 10)

  • 1 large, seedless watermelon
  • 2 16 oz. fresh heavy cream
  • 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh assorted berries
  • 1 cup fresh, whole mint leaves

Directions

In a mixing bowl, whip cream adding in sugar and vanilla extract slowly. Whip until stiff peaks form. Place in refrigerator to chill. Slice off the short ends of the watermelon and reserve for alternative use. Sit the watermelon flat and cut away rind to create a cylinder shape. Frost with chilled whipped cream and top with fresh berries and mint. Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. Slice like a cake.

Emily Lavin is Cuisine Unlimited Catering & Special Events’ marketing director and a contributor to utahstyleanddesign.com.

-Emily Lavin

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