A Moveable Feast Part II

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

After looking through some of my old travel itineraries and plans for last summer's trip, I stumbled upon a valuable list of great places to picnic in London that I just had to share after my last post was so Paris-focused. While the fickle weather may make planning a London picnic a bit more difficult, if the cards are in your favor then a British picnic could be quite fun! 

This Picnic Spots in London guide by View, A Londoner's Guide to London, has a lot of really great recommendations. In addition to some of the off the beaten path places this article spotlights, I think some other noteworthy spots include:

St. James Park

Located near Buckingham Palace and Westminister Abbey, St. James Park is a perfect place to lunch while exploring this magnificent part of the city. One of the royal parks of London, St. James Park is home to a beautiful variety of flowers as well as wildlife such as ducks, geese and pelicans, who enjoy the park's small lake. The park is used for national celebrations because of its proximity to the Queen's palace. 

St. James Park is a beautiful London park that's near

Buckingham Palace and Westminister Abbey. Can you see the palace

peeking through the trees across the lake?

Photo Source: Self

Hyde Park

While it rained the day we visited Hyde Park, we still enjoyed walking among the gardens and memorials of the extensive park. Points of interest include a memorial to Princess Diana as well as London's Holocaust Memorial. We ended up going to several museums that day including the Victoria & Albert Museum, which ended up being quite impressive although not as noteworthy as The National Gallery or, for modern art lovers, the Tate.

St. Paul's Cathedral

While climbing to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral was probably my favorite activity in London, particularly because of the incredible view from the top, you can still enjoy the architecture and gardens of the church by dining nearby. Kris and I relished our meal from Paul's, an excellent chain eatery with a restaurant close to the church. Enjoy your picnic style meal at the tables behind St. Paul's or if you can find a spare bench in the gardens!

Enjoy a picnic meal outside of St. Paul's Cathedral after climbing 

259 steps to the top for a scenic view of London!

Photo Source: About.com

Near the Thames

Picknicking near the Thames seems like an almost compulsory tradition during summers in England. It's just a matter of where. This River Thames guide has a number of possible picnic places, but I would recommend finding a one near the heart of it all close to the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the City Hall.

If you're looking for picnicking made easy (although I'm not sure this is a strategy to eat on the cheap), Gridskipper has created a map of places in London that sell ready-made gourmet picnic baskets. Check out the full article and map here.

A Moveable Feast

Monday, May 4, 2009

I've decided that it's time to spill my number one travel tip of all times. Not only is this a valuable takeaway for the budget-conscious traveler, but you may also be surprised to find that this secret will help you to immerse yourself in your new surroundings in an unforgettable and even romantic way. So what's my million dollar tip? Picnicking.

  

The Royal Gardens in Paris was one of our favorite places to picnic. 

Photo Source: Self

As a just-out-of-college couple, Kris and I were on a shoestring budget for our European adventure last summer, especially considering all the places on our itinerary that were exactly on the cheap particularly with a weak dollar up against the pound and the euro. After reading stacks of travel guides and doing due diligence research, we had created full itineraries for each day of our three week vacation. Surprisingly we stuck pretty well to our itineraries (with the exception of a missed early morning train to Brussels), and we also managed to stay within our budget range, which was pretty impressive considering it was our first time traveling together in Europe.

So how did we keep our costs down? Well aside from enlisting the trusty services of STA to handle the booking of our hostels and surprisingly nice hotels, we made a concerted effort to keep our food costs down, but without sacrificing taste. After all, what a waste it would be to travel to another country and not have the opportunity to sample the culture's culinary offerings. So we balanced out our cuisine costs in several ways. First, we took advantage of breakfast that was included at our hotels and hostels. With breakfast out of the way for most of our trip we made plans to eat dinner at a few nice and more expensive restaurants while we picnicked for most of our lunches and for some dinners.

While the rain stopped us from picnicking in the beautiful gardens

adjacent to Musee Rodin, we still enjoyed walking among the rows of colorful roses.

Photo Source: Self

Believe it or not, picnicking in different parts of the cities that we visited actually ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip.  I'll forever cherish our picnics under the breezy blue Parisian sky. So how did we do it? Each morning we would set off and pick up a freshly-baked baguette (just follow your nose, bakeries seem to be on every street corner in Paris), cheese, fruit and a bottle of French wine from a close by shop or supermarket. Then we stowed away our treasures in Kris's backpack until we found the perfect place for a picnic in whatever part of the city we'd planned to be in for the day. For example, for the day we spent in the Louvre, we picnicked close by in the Royal Gardens, a beautiful area of the city with white rose gardens, tree-lined paths and fountains galore. With so much to see at one of the world's most famous museums, it was nice to dip our feet in one of the fountains and spend time in the summer sun without having to find a restaurant (and they all charge an arm and a leg if you're near the Louvre), waiting for a table and for food to be served. Instead we were able to come and go as we pleased and after a nice satisfying meal we returned to walk along more of the famed corridors. We even got to watch part of a movie being filmed in the garden while we ate. 

So what are my tips for picnicking success? There are so many beautiful parks in Paris and in Europe, so you have the fortune of many different picnic locations to chose from. Do your research and you'll have some special memories in some of the most beautiful places in the world.  Also, pack food early in the day before you become hungry so that you don't have to take time-consuming detours to satisfy your stomach.  

Sharing dinner on the lawns below Sacre Coeur made for 

the beginning of an enchanting evening in Montmarte.

Photo Source: Self

Other important pieces of picnic wisdom: Don't  forget to pack a wine opener and cups or glasses to drink from. We had a supply of plastic cups each day in our hotel room that we packed along with cutlery and napkins. Some stores and supermarkets had plastic eating utensils on hand, but with a language barrier it wasn't always easy to ask for these. Finally, be conscious of the weather forecast. If you're visiting London, it may be more difficult to plan regular picnics, whereas we were blessed with consistently amazing weather in Paris. Finally, be aware that although many parks in Paris and elsewhere may have beautifully manicured lawn space, unlike in America, this isn't necessarily up for grabs.  Many gardens and parks in Paris fenced off their lawn space keeping visitors from treading (and eating) in these areas. However, you'll find that there's usually not a shortage of park benches, so grab a seat without a cultural faux paus. 

On our last day in Paris, Kris and I enjoyed lunch on the banks 

of the Seine with Notre Dame in sight.

Photo Source: Self

The best piece of advice that I could offer is to just soak it all in and carpe diem, seize the moment. 

Best Places to Picnic in Paris 

1. Beneath the Eiffel Tower at dusk. A special treat awaits you as dark approaches. 

2. On the lawn of Sacre Coeur, especially on a weekend evening when the youth of Paris enjoy music and entertainment. Watch the sunset from the beautiful steps of the church, which is the highest point in Paris. 

3. In the Royal Gardens as a lunchtime break from the Louvre.

4. In Luxembourg Gardens. Watch children race toy sailboats in the fountain.

5. On the banks of the Seine with Notre Dame in full view. Enjoy watching riverboats pass you by.

6. In the gardens of Musee Rodin where you'll find the famous "Thinker" statue among a colorful orchestra of blooms.

7. In Place des Vosges, a romantic garden where you may hear a violinist play from time to time. It's also the oldest square in Paris. 

A couple other notable picnic spots include: 

1. Nice, France. Any picnic lunch you could ever dream up is waiting for you at the Cours Saleya Flower Market in Old Nice. Take your pick among the savory tables of treats and then climb La Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill) for phenomenal views of the city. Beautiful waterfalls cascade down the mountainside in the park at top that's littered with ruins of a 6th century chateau. Grab a picnic bench overlooking the beautiful view of the ocean and of neat rows of docked sailboats and yachts. 

Kris and I dined on the fattest olives we've ever had, which were soaked in olive oil and basil. We had delicious, juicy and ripe red raspberries and freshly baked focaccia bread with sun-dried tomatoes. It was a meal fit for a king that cost less than we ever would have paid for one meal for one person at one of the local restaurants! And we enjoyed it from the most breathtaking view of the city!

Kris and I posed in front of a waterfall at the park in the Chateau 

after enjoying a fresh picnic we picked up from 

the famous flower market in Old Nice.

Photo Source: Self

2. While we didn't picnic at Versailles, this would have been the picnic among all picnics! The extensive gardens are beautiful, and there is plenty of lawn space near the main channel where we watched the Grandes Eaux Musicales fountain show begin in the late afternoon. 

So where is your favorite picnic spot in the world? I'd love to hear of any suggestions!  Bonne nuit!

Food to Try Before You Die

Sunday, April 19, 2009

A couple days ago I stumbled upon The Traveler's Lunchbox, a blog dedicated to food and travel with a strong international presence and dialogue between food bloggers from around the world. I'm particularly fond of site author and mastermind blogger Melissa Kronenthal's project dubbed Things to Eat Before You Die, also known as The Foodblogger's Guide to the Globe, a take-off from the well-known book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. 

Check out this guide of international food favorites. 

Be sure to add your "Five Before You Die" to the list!

Photo Source: The Traveler's Lunchbox 

The idea behind Things to Eat Before You Die is to come up with a list of the top five foods that you've eaten in your lifetime that you believe everyone should have to try before they die. This can include not only the tastiest foods that you've had, but also those special recipes or meals that spark memories or mark unforgettable moments. Maybe it was when you tried a certain food for the first time or time spent baking homemade cookies with a child. 

After you've come up with five, then you can post them to the growing list of food favorites from around the world. 

It was really hard to narrow down my list, but here are my five, not in any particular order:

1. A Parisian breakfast of pan au chocolat & cafe au lait 

2. Sweet and spicy North Carolina blue crabs seasoned with Old Bay

3. Delicious salty and raw oysters from Brittany, France

4. Perfect caramel sweet creme brulee in Paris 

5. Paella del mar and a cold glass of bubbling cava in Barcelona, Spain

You are looking at a perfect Parisian breakfast of pan au chocolat, 

a delicious chocolate pastry, with cafe au lait, 

a creamy coffee concoction. Yum!

Photo Source: Flickr

So what are your top five? What are the foods that you can't live without? And what can you tell about someone based on their list? 

Well, for me it's obvious that I have a very big sweet tooth and that I could pretty much float on the ocean and eat seafood my whole life (if I had a stock pile of sweets, of course). 

After scrolling through the list and seeing quite an interesting array of favorites including deep-fried alligator and kangaroo meat, I picked out a few items that I would love to try:

84. Blackberry creme brulee

212. Ginger Cake with Pumpkin Gelato from Park Chow, San Francisco

629. Green Tomato Pie at the Holly Hill Inn in Midway, KY

763. The "Hawaiian breakfast" of half a fresh papaya filled with granola and yogurt served by the restaurant Eggs & Things in Waikiki

Did any of the "foods to try before you die" pique your interest? Which ones will you be adding to your "bucket list" and why? 

Ten Triangle Favorites

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

As promised here is a list of ten of my favorite Triangle-area restaurants! Being the foodie that I am, I've grazed in all parts of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Cary, Apex and Morrisville during my time at UNC and before my college days when I lived in Cary.

While it was very hard to narrow the list down to the top ten since there really are so many great restaurants in the area. My list includes elegant to casual and everything in between. You'll see a bit of diversity in the types of food, and I'm a sushi-holic so I apologize if that's not your thing (I'm already lamenting the thought of not eating sushi for nine months while I'm pregnant and that is still many, many years away).

It's not in favorite to least-favorite order or anything like that; these all just are really great places to eat! Bon appetit!

Penang, Chapel Hill

With a combination of Thai and Malaysian cuisine, the menu at Penang is full of colorful and flavorful dishes including traditional curry and satay-based dishes along with a sushi bar. I recommend the Thai Pineapple Fried Rice, which is served hot in a halved pineapple or the Rendang, which is a delicious combination of cinnamon, cloves, lemongrass and coconut milk along with your choice of chicken or beef. 

The food at Penang ranges from spicy to sweet with options for 

vegetarians and meat lovers alike!

Photo Source: Self

Mediterranean Deli, Chapel Hill

A purveyor of Middle-Eastern and Greek cuisine, Mediterranean Deli, also known as "Med Deli" by the locals, is fresh and tasty. Order the sampler platter so that you can try two to four different dishes. Some of my favorites include tabouli, falafel, and hummus with pita bread. Now that I have a new found love for moussaka, I'll have to try that next! The Franklin Street deli also has an olive bar and fresh-baked desserts. 

Top of the Hill, Chapel Hill

Simply put, if you are a Chapel Hill-first timer, you have to have a meal at Top of the Hill. Known for their award-winning beer and elegant Southern cuisine, Top of the Hill or "Top O" is a great place to experience Chapel Hill nightlife or to enjoy the view overlooking the heart of Franklin Street. While the menu changes, one favorite is their Chicken Parmesan. Even if it's not on the menu, they'll make it for you with their heavenly Buttermilk Fried Chicken atop a heap of hot noodles and a sweet tomato sauce. If you're sampling their brews, I recommend the Old Well White.

Carrburritos, Carrboro

My fiance and I love many Mexican restaurants and burrito spots, but Carrburitos certainly has our hearts. The variety of tasty fresh salsas and the colorful upbeat atmosphere of the restaurant makes this place a standout. Tip: there is limited outdoor seating tucked away on the side of the building.

Weaver Street Market, Carrboro

This is a favorite breakfast spot for Kris and I. We love hitting up the hot breakfast bar on Sunday mornings, which includes favorites such as dill biscuits, eggs with peppers and corn tortillas and, my favorite, mediterranean strata. The laid-back atmosphere of eating at outdoor picnic tables is enjoyable, and often there is a musician or two playing the guitar, which can be nice. Beware that it's a popular place on the weekends and during nice weather, so it can be difficult but well worth it to find a seat. 

Breakfast Bar $5.99/lb

Hours: 7:30 - 10:30 a.m., Monday - Friday

Saturday, 8 a.m.- noon

Sunday, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

You won't ever find Weaver Street this empty on a Sunday morning 

during their brunch buffet!

Photo Source: Infrastructure of Milk Blog

Milltown, Carrboro

Milltown has delicious Belgian-style food and a variety of beer from around the world. The grilled chicken sandwich with gorgonzola cheese and grilled pear is my all-time favorite, and I'm always torn between pairing it with their salad, which is delicious and healthy or their skinny French fries, which are possibly more delicious but are certainly a calorie killer. Their grilled cheese with avocado and tomato (I've dubbed this dish "sexy grilled cheese") is also awesome. Milltown hands down has the best selection of beer in Carrboro with 100+ choices on their menu.

Shiki Sushi, Durham

As a self-appointed sushi connoisseur, I've eaten my way around quite a few sushi digs. Of all of those, Shiki Sushi is my all-time favorite. I would probably eat their daily if it wouldn't break my budget and if I still lived in the area. Their unique and ecclectic rolls such as the Sumo Roll with tuna, yellowtail, salmon, white fish, spicy mayo tempura top with mixed roes, crab stick, conch, sprinkle eel & cream sauce is fantastic. Shiki is the only place where I've ever had conch on sushi, and the sweet buttery meat is a fantastic addition. Other favorites include the Atlantic Lover, which has snow crab meat, cream cheese inside out with four kinds of fish and three kinds of roe on top and North Carolina Sunset, a roll with spicy tuna, salmon, cream cheese and spicy mayo inside out with flying fish roe. Tip: one of the best parts of eating at Shiki is that all sushi is buy one get one free - always.

518 West Italian Cafe, Raleigh

Three words on 518 West for you - delicious Italian food. A perfect date restaurant, 518 has great ambiance in addition to a wonderful menu. Notable entrees include The Crab, which is red pepper papardelle pasta tossed with a dill cream sauce and a saute of wild mushrooms, scallions and bacon topped with fresh crab meat and Lemon Linguine Pasta, which is a delicious combination of shrimp, scallops, roasted tomatoes, garlic and scallions in white wine with lobster butter sauce.

518 West Italian Cafe has ambiance, charm and decadently delicious Italian cuisine.

Photo Source: Technimo

Daniel's, Apex

A long-time family favorite, Daniel's is another great Italian restaurant in the area. While it's less romantic than 518 West, Daniel's is a restaurant that's good for a family outing or a date. Try out the Penne alla Vodka, which is pasta in a yummy pink vodka sauce. For dessert? Sample a slice of Oh, My God, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie.

Sweet Tomatoes, Cary and Raleigh

While Sweet Tomatoes is a chain restaurant, I truly love this place! Named one of America's Healthiest Restaurants by Health Magazine, Sweet Tomatoes is famous for their healthy and affordable seasonal soups, salads, bakery delights and pastas. Some favorites are available year round, such as the Big Chunk Chicken Noodle, which is a yummy version of Chicken Noodle Soup that has big fat dumpling-like noodles. Tip: for dessert try the Chocolate Brownie Muffin with Vanilla Soft Serve for a healthy and delicious treat!

Daily Candy Weddings

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I was so excited to see an email come through my inbox today announcing that DailyCandy has started a dedicated wedding site! For those of you who aren't familiar with DailyCandy, it's just like what it sounds like -- a scrumptious and often witty daily dose of shopping, contests, gossip and more. You have to subscribe to fully experience and appreciate the fun little interruptions to your day, especially with sometimes over the top email titles that might make you do a double-take (No, it's not another unsolicited email from an online dating site). DailyCandy has special editions for cities across the country. Since my status as a Charlottean hardly qualifies me as a full-blown "city-girl", I'm subscribed under the "Everywhere" category.  

The newly launched DailyCandy Weddings has quite a few fun features. Check out playlist recommendations or, my favorite, the songs on the "not" playlist meaning that these are a list of songs that you should provide your DJ with so that he or she won't play those songs under any circumstances! Some of the songs that made the cut for the "not now, not ever" list include:

"Gold Digger," by Kanye West

"Womanizer," by Britney Spears

"Cry Me a River," by Justin Timberlake

"Dirrty," by Christina Aguilera

Other content to check out includes a picture gallery of rewearable bridesmaid dresses, over-the-top hair accessories, creative cake alternatives and sample menus (I really think I may have drooled on my laptop while reading the Gala Gala menu...yum!). I can't wait see what else is to come now that there will be sweet daily wedding tidbits in my inbox! 

This beautiful updated vintage-style headpiece is a 

fun and elegant addition for a wedding day outfit 

that's sure to make you feel like a queen!

Photo Source: DailyCandy Weddings

Gone to Carolina in My Mind

Sunday, April 12, 2009

If you haven't ever experienced a springtime in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, then you're missing what I consider to be a truly beautiful experience. If I could bottle the intoxicating feeling that permeates the air -- the life and activity, the swirl of excited emotions as eager seniors dream of tossing their cap into the Carolina blue sky, the smiles of couples walking hand in hand among the shaded boughs of Coker Arboretum and the laughter of pink-cheeked children walking down Franklin Street with ice cream cones in hand -- let's just say that I'd be quite comfortable living off the spoils because I would have succeeded in capturing simple, sugary sweet joy in the purest form.

The Old Well, pictured here during springtime, is one of the most 

famous representations of Chapel Hill and the university. 

Photo Source: Wunder Blog

Each year it's the same scene that unfolds. The Old Well dons her throne of pink azaelas in full flush and a sea of students don cotton candy colored clothing. As Chapel Hill-bound hopefuls tour the campus with Mom and Dad, the student population busies themselves with classes, papers and preparation for finals while catching sunbeams in the Quad at any given chance. 

This only skims the surface of the dozens of reasons why I love Chapel Hill. But being a witness to this mesmerizing tradition isn't the only reason to visit this fine Southern town. No, there are many, many more! From a delightful array of dining options to sell-out performances shows at local venue Memorial Hall, outdoor theatrical experiences in the Forest Theatre and a variety of nightlife options on Franklin Street, there is a lot to see and do in Chapel Hill. 

While I could write a book on this, I'll boil it down to a few fun upcoming events in the area, and a list of my top Triangle dining favorites (coming soon)! 

Durham Bulls First Home Game of the Season - April 15

Not only are the tickets for Durham Bulls' games inexpensive, they're just plain fun for all ages! Whether you grab a lawn seat with local college students or bench or club seating, there isn't a bad seat in the house. Check out their 2009 season schedule for more details.  

Great Grapes Wine, Arts & Food Festival - April 18

A first-time Great Grapes attendee last year, I had a blast at this fun festival. It was a great way to sample wine from all different regions of the state to see what vineyards to add to my roadtrip list. Some of my favorites picks from last year included Old North State Winery (try the 38 Vines Autumn Leaf Gold), RagApple Lassie Vineyards and Lumina Winery (ask for the Green Apple Riesling). Great Grapes is also held annually in Charlotte among other locations across the Southeast. Check out their site for a full list of venues.

Fridays on the Front Porch - April 24 

This year's series of the Carolina Inn's Fridays on the Front Porch kicks off at the end of April with a weekly TGIF celebration of live bluegrass music and a knock-out buffet lineup of Southern delicacies. Fridays on the Front Porch will be held every Friday from April 24 through mid-October. 

The Carolina Inn is a must-see for anyone traveling to Chapel Hill. 

Make an appointment for teatime or enjoy their 

award-winning cuisine.

Photo Source: WeddingMapper.com

North Carolina Symphony at Memorial Hall - May 7

The North Carolina Symphony is an incredible group of performers that continue to amaze me each time I see them play! From pop to classical to a knock-out Beatles themed-show I saw a couple summers ago, they play a variety of styles. Check them out at Memorial Hall before their Summerfest series kicks off at the end of May. They'll be playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons, so I'm sure that it will be an excellent show!

Shows at Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill are often sell-outs,

so be sure to buy your tickets in advance!

Photo Source: NCArts.org

Now that you're all ready to pack your bags to visit Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas, be on the lookout for an upcoming post where I'll share my favorite dining spots around the Triangle! Until then, I'll leave you with words from Class of 1920 UNC graduate Thomas Wolfe who wrote the following words for the yearbook his senior year:

" ... But sometimes when the springtime comes,

And the sifting moonlight falls --

They'll think again of this night here

And of these old brown walls,

Of while old well, and of old South

With bell's deep booming tone,

They'll think again of Chapel Hill and --

Thinking -- come back home."

-Thomas Wolfe, Class of 1920

A Twist on Tradition

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Easter dinner is one of those food events that I look forward to all year because I know I'll be spending it in the kitchen with my mom and sister cooking our favorite traditional recipes like deviled eggs, honey-baked ham and asparagus.

These dishes are timeless classics. You can bet that my mom ate almost the same Easter dinner when she was a child that we still cook every year. But just because we're planning to stick to the mainstays doesn't mean that we can't spice up these dishes with a new twist!

If you're looking to mix-up family favorites without losing sentimental staples, here are a few dishes for cuisinspiration!

For Breakfast

Blushing Mimosas

As bright as an Easter egg, these bubbly beauties are a mix of orange juice, pineapple juice and champagne with a splash of grenadine. Serve chilled in a tall champagne flute.

Photo Source: MyRecipes.com

Lemon-Raspberry French Strata

This custard-like dish combines the flavors of tart raspberries and fresh citrus lemon zest. Some Epicurious reviewers liked this best with the zest of a full lemon and when the maple syrup is added before baking. If you can't find good-quality fresh raspberries, you could use frozen raspberries or any another fresh or frozen substitute including blueberries, blackberries or all three! 

Photo Source: Epicurious.com

For Dinner

French-Style Stuffed Eggs

Fresh spices and bread crumbs give traditional deviled eggs a much-needed makeover in this recipe. If you don't want to sacrafice the spice, substitute spicy mustard and add a dusting of paprika on top. 

Photo Source: MyRecipes.com

Spring Carrots with Apricots and Pistachios

This yummer from The Splendid Table is inspired by an old Persian dish. The sweetness of spring carrots with tangy apricots and salty pistachios offers a unique sidedish option that's not lacking in taste.

2 bunches green-topped carrots, peeled and cut into small chunks (about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds)

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup diced dried apricots

Shredded zest of one lemon

6 large garlic cloves, diced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1/3 cup shelled and crushed salted pistachios

1. In a 12-inch skillet, combine everything but the butter, lemon juice and pistachios. Bring to a simmer, cover, and gently cook about 8 minutes, or until carrots are barely tender.

2. Uncover and boil until they are cooked through and the liquid becomes a glaze coating the carrots. (You could stop here, cover the carrots, and hold them at room temperature an hour or so, or refrigerate overnight, then reheat).

3. Taste for seasoning, then stir in the butter. Turn into a serving bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice and pistachios.

Ham with Champagne and Vanilla Glaze

This five-star favorite is sweet and savory with detailed steps to guide cooks of all experience levels and skill. Cooking Light recommends pairing this dish with a Chardonnay that's light on oak flavor. 

Photo Source: MyRecipes.com