Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook - Making Dinner Will Never Be The Same Again

It has taken eating in a lot of restaurants and interviewing a lot of chefs to get my head around to considering attempt modernist cuisine in my own home. After all, I'm all about making meatloaf, chicken pot pie and other comfort foods.

But with a recent trip to Montreal where I had awe-inspiring meals at both Laurie Raphaël

at Hotel Le Germain and Les 400 Coups (which you can read more about in Poetry of Food Magazine in a week or so) and speaking with chefs like Matt Kantor, I am convinced that with a little patience, I can master a few of the techniques required to create molecular dishes that will wow the crowd. Or at least, my and my fella.

So I got myself the new Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook, because who better than Daniel Humm and Will Guidara to guide me. After all, these guys put Eleven Madison Park on the map:

The New York Times - Four Stars, 2009
Michelin Guide - Three Stars, 2012
Forbes Travel Guide - Five Stars, 2010
S. Pellegrino - The World's 50 Best Restaurants, 2011
James Beard Foundation - Outstanding Restaurant Award, 2011
James Beard Foundation - Angela Pinkerton, Outstanding Pastry Chef Award, 2011
James Beard Foundation - Daniel Humm, Best Chef New York City, 2010

Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook from Eleven Madison Park on Vimeo.

Their seasonally-driven menu has translated to the cookbook, which is sectioned into seasons and to allow you to shop for what's best right now.

And take it as slowly as you need to.I am not a perfectionist in the kitchen and so at first glance Chicken Roasted with Truffles and Leeks looks daunting with its 9 components: Marble Potato Confit, Vin Jaune Cream Sauce, Braised Leeks, Vin Jaune Sabayon, Marinated Foie Gras, Brioche Stuffing, Roasted Chicken, Chicken Fricassee and Truffle Jus. Yeah, that's just not going to happen right here at the beginning of my journey. But I can absolutely do Hamachi Marinated with Lemon, Fennel and Horseradish.

This very large, very heavy book is not going to be something I'm cooking from every day, but it will be serving as an inspirational guide as I work my way into molecular cooking this year. I think it could do the same for you [The photos alone (taken by the ultra-talented Francesco Tonelli) will drive you to want to do more, be more, cook better].

Get your own copy of Eleven Madison Park now.

Bee a Natural Beauty with Meadowlake Farm's Artisianal Skin Care

I use honey in my tea and in my toast because of its powerful healing properties. So just imagine what those nutrients and vitamins would do if placed right on your skin.

Honey "contains an abundance of Gluconic Acid the most effective Alpha Hydroxy acid in facial skin care as well as a multitude of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals too numerous to mention, plus many skin regenerating substances yet to be fully understood."

So I went to the pros - Meadowlake Farm.

Meadowlake Farm Organic Skin Care is made on a sustainable farm. The founder, herbalist and apiarist work together to create organic skin care products that not only make a difference to you and I, but the environment and the bees. It's really quite amazing and moving when you think about all that has to be done in order to produce the honey and beeswax that is the cornerstone of these products.

And just wait until you try them!

About Eyes is the perfect way to keep you looking like you got 8 hours sleep instead of 4 and to tighten up those under eye pouches that could hold all of the Kardashian's luggage. Pure raw honey, beeswax, jojoba, sweet almond and borage oils soften and soothe your skin while grapefruit, French lavender, orange and lemon essential oils infuse you with a calm that will help get you through the rest of your crazy day.

About Face is a cream that once you try, you'll be addicted to forever. It completely transforms your skin. I put it on first thing in the morning and right before bed and my skin looks youthful with a wonderful glow. What I love most is that:

- it too has a fragrance that instantly lightens your mood and spirit

- it's made with all natural ingredients, so you can't help but feel great about using it

- you can feel the moisture sink in right away

- it will go head to head with any of those department store creams that you've been doling out hundreds of dollars for each month and cost a fraction of that (sooo inexpensive!)

Now I know what you're thinking - if only you could get your body to feel that good too. Oh honey, of course you can, thanks to Meadowlake's Body Basics (pictured above)! As soon as I slather this love-in-a-bottle on, my skin goes from unkempt to unbelievable. Smooth, soft, supple with that fragrance that isn't manufactured but completely all-natural.

It's easy to see why I am smitten with Meadowlake Farm Organic Skin Care. Go get smitten too.

St. Tropez Tan Mousse - The Most Fabulous Tan Comes in a Bottle!

I have always been pale. As a teenager, friends nicknamed me "Spook" because I was so white. In summertime, I wore a jean jacket and pants because I was embarrassed of how ghost-like I looked.

Decades later, I am nowhere near as pale (thanks, global warming), but I'm not ready to bare my bod in a bathing suit anytime soon either. 

But I have found the ultimate cure in St. Tropez's Self Tan Bronzing Mousse.

You don't have to worry about being orange or streaking or any of the nightmares you've lived with self-tanners before. And because I'd tried St. Tropez before, I knew I was in good hands.

So I applied this awesomely light mousse (if St. Tropez made desserts, I'd be all in) to my legs. Now first thing's first - do not be weirded out by the colour of the mousse (dark brown/grey). It will not look like this once you rub it in.  Secondly, get yourself the wonderful Applicator Mitt. Not only does it ensure you get an even application, you won't have to worry about having brown hands for the next couple of days.

I am awful at applying anything - hair colour, makeup, tanning stuff. Really, you might as well just call me "Streaky." But with St. Tropez's Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, I have J. Lo-worthy limbs now. They are bronzed and seemingly more toned. I look healthier. I look different now that I'm tanned.

Because the mousse dries instantly (60 seconds, y'all), you don't have to lounge around the house all day before you can get dressed and because it doesn't reek like most self-tanners (their innovative Aromaguard fragrance technology "eliminates the tell-tale self tan aroma by a minimum of 70%"), you can breathe deeply as much as you want to.

The only problem with it is that it's not shorts weather where I live, so only a select few are going to see my deep tan. In the meantime, I feel fantastic knowing that underneath my sweaters, pants, socks, boots and puffy coat, I am ready to rush into the ocean in a teeny bikini at a moment's notice. 

Get yourself a whack of St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse. In fact, get a whole case.

Impart Fresh Flavours with Olive & Olives Organic Olive Oils

I have figured out the best and easiest way to cook well is to have a well-stocked pantry. This takes time as you'll want to find good ingredients, but this way, you will almost always produce great results.

This is why I am a big believer in a fantastic olive oil. It can take the most basic dish and make it revolutionary. And one of my new favourite discoveries is Olive & Olives.

This Canadian shop (with stores in Toronto and Montreal) was started by Claudia and Danièle and Claudia's obsession about Spanish olive oil, and has quickly grown into an industry. 

And you can see why. The quality is what makes the difference in a good oil. In fact, I just want to drink Olive & Olives Organic Estate Bottled Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a cup. This unctuous blend of arbequina and arbreblanque olives is fruity, fresh and has a kick of spice that whether you're dipping bread, marinating meat, dressing a salad with it or drizzling it over ice cream (try it - it's wicked).

Of course, this is just one of many available to choose from. And a good pantry will also always have a stellar vinegars and olives and other pantry items on hand, so whether you have 30 mins or 3 hours to make a meal, it will no doubt be a memorable one.

Stock the  pantry shelves with Olive & Olives now.

Delight in the Venetian Countryside with Bottega Veneta Parfum

 

January is a tough month to try and get through - it's cold, snowy and everything feels stale and flat.

That's all about to change now that you've got Bottega Veneta Parfum.

This intensely pleasing scent is like no other before it. Because Bottega Veneta is known for its extraordinary leather goods, don't be surprised if you take in some leathery notes.  

Tomas Maier, Creative Director of BV, imagined the scent as a dream of the Venetian countryside. Summer breezes, worn wood floors soaked in sunshine, leather-bound books and flowers comprise a picture that I want to get lost in every single day. And now I can, thanks to this luscious scent.

Bottega Veneta is comprised of sensual notes of bergamot, patchouli, jasmine sambac and oak moss, with effervescent pink peppercorns to keep it light and lively. The bottle is so exquisite, with its leather tie at the neck, that you'll feel like you're unwrapping a present each and every time you envelop yourself in this fragrance.

Whether you're looking to get a new fragrance for yourself or for someone else (Valentine's Day is getting closer...), you really ought to get Bottega Veneta Parfum. It's the one I can't stop reaching for, can't stop wearing.

Bottega Veneta Parfum is available at select Holt Renfrew and select Bay Stores across Canada.

Step It Up This Valentine's Day with Taza Chocolate!

Although it seems like Christmas was just a few weeks ago (it kinda was), it's time to start thinking about Valentine's Day.

Now you could do what you always do and go to the mall, get a cheezy card because that's all they have and then stuff a gift card in it because you don't really know what get.

Let me help. Get some Taza Chocolate and watch the sparks fly.

Taza Chocolate is far beyond your usual chocolates. First of all, it's stone ground, organic, sustainable and direct trade certified, so you're getting a responsibly-made product that you can feel good in buying and supporting.

Secondly, it's made in a traditional fashion. It all evolved from a trip that cofounder Alex Whitmore took to Oaxaca back in 2005, which is how the company's dedication to "crafting artisan, Mexican-style chocolate in the United States" came to be.

Made in small batches by hand, you can actually see how your batch was made! You can't do that with those red and black boxes you no doubt used to pick up at the drugstore. 

And of course, all of this tender care and attention translates to a divine treat that is unlike any other chocolate you've ever had. Salted Almond Chocolate Mexicano Discs, for example, has an amazingly unique texture and texture. Made only with organic, single-origin Hispaniola cacao beans, organic cane sugar, whole organic raw, then roasted California almonds and kosher salt, this sweet and salty indulgence can also be used to make Mexican hot chocolate (I'm using mine to make Chicken Mole and to add spice and smoothness to my chilis as well - get the whole collection, pictured above).

If you want straight-up chocolate, this 87% Stone Ground Dark Chocolate Bar will satiate your craving, whether it's something you want to nibble on or use to bake your loved one a delectable dessert this Valentine's Day.

Once you've had Taza, it's hard to go back to anything else.

Be sure to check out the entire Taza Chocolate store - there is so much to see and discover!

Philosophy's Purity One-Step Facial Cleanser Removes Even the Most Stubborn Makeup

I won't even buy makeup anymore that doesn't come off with just water. 

Because despite their bold claims, many cleansers don't work off that waterproof mascara that you just doled out $20 for or that liquid eyeliner that is supposed to last until next Tuesday. And then you're stuck with a face of smudged makeup that still won't come off, so now you look like the cast of a George Romero film. 

Great.

And if you do happen to stumble across a cleanser that removes your makeup, it no doubt acts like paint remover and your skin is left a dry, brittle, gross mess.

Sigh.

But your days of having to live with your makeup on for more than 24 hours are over, thanks to the wonderful miracle of Philosophy's Purity Made Simple One-Step Cleanser!

It multitasks just like you do! Ridding you of all your workday/night-on-the-town makeup without hurting your very sensitive peepers, it also gives your pores a what's-what and then goes on to tone and moisturize your skin with natural oils such as rosewood, sandalwood, carrot seed and sage.

So go ahead and buy that eyeshadow that will stay put all weekend, that lip liner that is practically a tattoo and that foundation that just won't budge.

You can have your cake and eat it too, thanks to Philosophy's Purity Made Simple One-Step Cleanser.

Hallejuah!

Bring the Garden Indoors with Alighiero Campostrini's Bath Collection

Things tend to get a little stale in winter - the windows are sealed shut, air circulates at a snail's pace and everything seems to smell a little bit like roast squash.

That's why you're going to want to get yourself Alighiero Campostrini's Bath Collection.  

See, these soaps don't aspire to be or seem European - they actually are. For more than a century in fact. This artisan soap uses a secret family formula from 1894 and "ancient Tuscan soap-making techniques," that delivers a product that is so superior to the soap that you're used to, that you will abandon those drugstore bars immediately.

With every bar, you get a handmade creation. Vegetable oils, beeswax and glycerinare poured by hand into antique bronze molds. Then, Florentine botanical fragrances are added. These scents will completely captivate you, as will the packaging, with illustrations by Italian artist Giorgio Mattioli.

These vegetable soaps not only go a long way to giving you softer, smoother skin this season, they will fill your bathroom, chest of drawers, bedroom and kitchen with fresh, garden-inspired scents. 

 

The big brick of Primitivo brings Italy into your home. Rich with pure olive oil and a warm, earthy scent, this gorgeous soap will make you feel like you're staying in a rustic villa surrounded by flowers and gardens. They should just call soap "Vacation," which is why it also makes a wonderful gift. I mean, we can't all afford to be traipsing off the Italy every few months, but there's no reason we shouldn't be able to

It's also available in Frutatto, Verdone and Gentile.

Exclusively available at C.O. Bigelow, think of these fabulous soaps as not just rich skin moisturizers or cleansing bars - think of them as home fragrances that are also a fabulous gift that requires no gift wrapping.

Shop Alighiero Campostrini now.