Hello from (rainy) Los Angeles! I decided to spend a week here after my trip to Mexico to work remotely and visit some west coast friends. I really do like the energy in LA. Yesterday morning I went on a 3-mile hike overlooking a beautiful canyon, only fifteen minutes from where I’m staying. It’s in these little moments where I wish NYC had a bit more access to nature, but spring is coming and the flowers will blooming on the east coast soon enough!
My Mexico pop-up was SO much fun. I hosted a cheese party happy hour overlooking the ocean, followed by my signature “build your own board” workshop. We featured local Mexican cheese pairings and served Raicilla, a liquor similar to tequila distilled in the region of Nayarit where I stayed. It was my first international workshop and definitely not my last. As you can tell by now I love traveling, and this pop-up inspired me to host many more events abroad in the future!
Speaking of traveling, here’s a reminder that I am hosting a six-day culinary journey through France from August 26th to 31st. We’ll be exploring the Normandy region, home to the “famous four” cheeses - Camembert, Livarot, Pont-l'Evêque and Neufchâtel. The trip will also include cider and calvados tastings, a tour of Mont St Michel, a French tabletop setting workshop, delicious meals, a farm visit and much more. The deadline to reserve your spot is Friday April 5th, so make sure you submit your deposit this week to join us! All details and booking info can be found HERE.
Easter Recipe Roundup
I can’t believe it’s already Easter weekend / almost April! This month really flew by. Here are some of my favorite dishes to make to bring the springtime vibes.
Goat Cheese Deviled Eggs
Goat cheese adds a creamy, lemony tang to the classic deviled egg, making for a delicious snack. The added beet juice also brings a beautiful pink hue to the dish!
INGREDIENTS
- 6 eggs
- Juice from one 12 oz jar of pickled beets
- 4 oz fresh goat cheese
- 2 tbsp mayo
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Additional dill and smoked paprika to garnish
TO MAKE
1. Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan, cover with water until submerged. Cover with a lid and heat on high until boiling, then remove from heat and let sit for 10-12 minutes.
2. Place in ice bath and once cool, peel the eggs. Submerge them in a bowl of beet juice and let sit for 30 minutes to an hour (the longer the soak, the darker the color)
3. Once soaked, slice in half lengthwise and remove yolks.
4. In a food processor, combine eggs yolks, goat cheese, mayo, dijon, dill, lemon juice salt and pepper.
5. Fill the mixture into a piping bag, and pipe a small flower into each egg yolk
6. Garnish with dill and smoked paprika
Tinned Fish Brunch Board
This pastel cheese plate creation is perfect for a light late breakfast or early lunch spread! Find the step by step here.
CHEESE: Feta, herbed goat cheese
PROTEIN: Smoked trout, hard boiled eggs
PRODUCE: Rosemary potatoes, cucumbers, watermelon radishes, pickled red onions, castelvetrano olives
CRUNCH: French baguette
GARNISH: Fresh dill, sage and edible flowers
Spring Pasta Salad with Feta and Herbs
This bright and vibrant pasta salad is the perfect embodiment of spring. The tangy feta, briny olives, and zesty pickled onions add big bursts of flavor, while the crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sweet bell peppers bring freshness to the dish.
Serves 2-3
- 4 oz cooked pasta (I used Cavatappi)
⁃ 1 cup fresh feta, cubed
⁃ 1/2 cup diced persian cucumbers
⁃ 1/2 cup diced cherry tomatoes
⁃ 1/3 cup diced yellow bell pepper
⁃ 1/4 cup sliced Castelvetrano olives
⁃ 1/4 cup chopped pickled red onions
⁃ 1/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
⁃ 4-5 sprigs of dill fronds, chopped
⁃ 4-5 sprigs of parsley leaves, chopped
⁃ Italian vinaigrette to mix
⁃ Flaky salt and black ground pepper
1) Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta until tender
2) Let pasta cool, add all items to a bowl and mix
3) Place in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour and serve
Easter Candy + Chocolate Pairings
We’re back with another PAIRING PARTY! For paid Extra Sharp subscribers, here are four new Easter candy and cheese pairing suggestions that can be easily found at the grocery store, plus wine pairings, a flower bouquet and a music playlist!
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