Win a Trip with BlackAtlas.com to Dine with Chef Marcus Samuelsson at Red Rooster Harlem

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I have to break away from the Great Hallow Tweet to tell my readers about this great event from Black Atlas at American Airlines! Or better yet, I will let the Top  Chef Master, Marcus Samuelsson , tell you himself. How opportune that this event falls on my birthday weekend! Wish me luck as I wish you luck in entering.

I don’t know about you, but visiting historic Harlem would be awesome. Let Marcus take you on a brief tour and show you his world.

Here is the information!

Register in the Black Atlas Community to enter now!

AMERICAN AIRLINES, THROUGH BLACKATLAS.COM, TO HOST EXCLUSIVE
MUSIC, FOOD AND WINE TASTING EVENT AT MARCUS SAMUELSSON’S
NEW RESTAURANT, RED ROOSTER HARLEM

Registered Users of American’s BlackAtlas.com Website Can Win Tickets to Meet Celebrity Chef and Sample Food and Wine at Pre-Opening Party on Nov. 15

Grand Prize Includes Trip for Two to New York City with Airfare,
Hotel, $200 Gift Card and Tickets to Event

NEW YORK – American Airlines, through BlackAtlas.com, the first online travel community for people interested in Black culture, will host a private music, food and wine tasting for some of its lucky members next month. Registered users of BlackAtlas.com will have the opportunity to join Travel Expert-at-Large Nelson George and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson on Nov. 15 for a preview of his eagerly-anticipated restaurant, Red Rooster Harlem.

Award-winning chef and cookbook author Samuelsson is the youngest chef ever to receive two three-star reviews from The New York Times, the first in 1995 after just three months as Executive Chef and co-owner of Aquavit, and the second in 2001, also for Aquavit. He has received consecutive four-star ratings in Forbes’ annual All-Star Eateries feature, was named one of the “40 Under 40” by Crain’s, and has been hailed as one of The Great Chefs of America by the Culinary Institute of America. Recently, Chef Samuelsson won out over 21 fellow chefs on the second season of the television competition “Top Chef Masters” on Bravo, and received $115,000 for the UNICEF Tap Project. A video of Chef Samuelsson exploring Harlem, the location of his new restaurant Red Rooster Harlem, can be found on BlackAtlas.com.

American Airlines and Chef Samuelsson will host a pre-opening dinner party at Red Rooster Harlem. The restaurant will celebrate the roots of American cuisine in one of New York City’s liveliest and most culturally-rich neighborhoods. The event will consist of a four-course meal, prepared specially by Chef Samuelsson. Each course will be paired with a South African wine, provided by Heritage Link Brands, the preeminent importer and distributor of wine produced by people of African descent throughout the world. A musical performance by American R&B and soul singer-songwriter Chrisette Michele will conclude the evening’s activities.

“These unique BlackAtlas.com events in New York allow those of us at American Airlines to share and support our customers’ interests and build a closer relationship with them,” said Art Torno, American’s Vice President for New York. “It also allows us to show our support for such beloved New Yorkers as Chef Marcus Samuelsson, a ‘global citizen’ whose new restaurant, Red Rooster Harlem, will represent the diverse tastes of American cuisine.”

Currently registered members of BlackAtlas.com, and those who register between Oct. 27 and Nov. 4, will be entered to win a grand prize of one pair of tickets to the exclusive event, which will include round-trip Economy Class airfare for two to New York City on American from anywhere in the 48 contiguous united States, two-night hotel accommodations for two and a $200 gift card. The grand prize winner will be announced on or around Nov. 5. In addition, 15 users of BlackAtlas.com who live in New York and New Jersey, who are currently registered or who register between Oct. 27 and Nov. 9, will also be entered for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the event. Local winners will be announced on or around Nov. 10. See www.blackatlas.com for full terms and conditions.

“BlackAtlas.com, has taken social networking to new heights for Black travelers,” said Monte Ford, American’s Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “The online community has become the resource for those looking to explore their passions and interests in Black history and culture worldwide. BlackAtlas.com has given Black travelers everywhere the opportunity to better plan their next trip and share their stories when they return.”

BlackAtlas.com is the first-of-its-kind social networking site combining the best features of a travel site with the power of an online social network for travelers to share experiences unique to the Black community. Through video, commentary, photos, and blogs, BlackAtlas.com users can share content across social networks, create profiles, rate content, save content to Favorites, create downloadable travel guides and link to promotional fares on AA.com. Content is categorized into destination/city-specific information and category-specific information, such as travel tips, restaurants, nightlife, culture, arts and museums, historic sites, beauty and barber shops, and places of worship. The Red Rooster Harlem Music, Food and Wine Pairing event is part of a series of events that American Airlines has been presenting exclusively for members of BlackAtlas.com in New York.

For more information on Black culture, the Red Rooster Harlem Music, Food and Wine Pairing and the BlackAtlas social network, please visit BlackAtlas.com.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American’s award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

AmericanAirlines® We know why you fly®

Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.

The address is http://www.aa.com

Hot and Sour Soup… The Ultimate Brew and Cure All

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As I type this this the evil winds are howling in Chicago. Wicked germs are flying around but I feel safe and warm after having some Hot and Sour soup. That is all I need to ward the wicked cold away.

I remember the first time I ever had Hot and Sour soup. I was repelled by the site. The thick dark concoction with unidentifiable things floating in it just didn’t appeal to meal.I didn’t even bother tasting the bowl put forth. Then years later at a better restaurant, I was enticed to try it and have been a fan ever since. It’s  my go to brew when I’m under the weather. Hot and Sour soup is the cure the common cold. Why am I posting this for the Great Hallow Tweet? Well its just the sort of brew I see a witch cooking up in her cauldron. Only the intentions and results are good.

Hot and Sour soup is one of China’s most popular soups, yet it can vary by region. The more spicier version being Szechuan of course. Vegetarian versions can be made too with vegetable stocks and no meat. If you are lucky you will find Lily buds( golden needles) which add the healthful benefit .They look like fingernails  .I’m not sure about the mushrooms I got in the market but I thought they were beautiful. Most recipes call for Cloud Ear and other dried mushrooms. A well stocked Asian Market will have the mushrooms and Lily buds  dried. Hot and Sour Soup gets it’s heat from white pepper  and the sour from vinegar. I kicked my heat up a notch with the addition of red chili oil.Remember prep is key to this recipe.

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Hot and Sour Soup

  • Various dried mushrooms
  • 4-6 pieces dried mushrooms like Shitake
  • 12 pieces of Cloud Ear mushrooms
  • 3 cups boiling water for soaking
  • 10-12 pieces of dried Lily Buds
  • 1/2 cup chopped  raw pork ( tenderloin, chop)
  • 1/2 bamboo shoots
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 4 tablespoons corn starch or tapioca starch
  • 1 tablespoon peanut oil
  • 6 cups chicken or beef stock
  • 1 cup diced firm tofu
  • 3-4 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • salt
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon chili oil
  • 2 teaspoons white pepper
  • Scallions to garnish
  1. In a bowl soak your dried mushrooms with enough boiling water to cover.Cover with a plate and let sit for 30 minutes.
  2. Soak Lily Buds in warm water for 30 minutes.
  3. Marinate chopped pork with 2 tablespoons of Soy Sauce for 20-30 minutes. While the other items are soaking.
  4. Drain mushrooms and Lily buds.Set aside 1/4 cup of mushroom soaking liquid.
  5. Slice the mushroom and Lily Buds thinly , discarding any hard parts.
  6. In small bowls mix your cornstarch and the reserved mushroom liquid in one. In another  mix your vinegar, remaining soy sauce with sugar and salt.
  7. In a large wok or sauce pan heat with peanut oil until very hot.
  8. Add drained chopped pork and stir-fry for a few minutes until no longer red.
  9. Add ginger.
  10. Add mushrooms and Lily Bud’s and drained bamboo shoots.
  11. Stir-fry for a few minuted.
  12. Add Chicken or Beef stock and bring to a boil.
  13. Add Tofu.
  14. Bring to another boil.
  15. Add vinegar and stir in.
  16. Add cornstarch and water. The soup should start to thicken. If you feel you need more, add more dissolved cornstarch in water to reach desired level of thickness.
  17. Beat egg with some sesame oil and add in a drizzle to the soup.
  18. Add the white pepper and remaining  sesame oil. At this point you can add chili oil to add desired amount of heat.
  19. Taste and adjust with any extra soy , vinegar, or sugar needed.
  20. Serve garnished with scallions and an extra drizzle of chili oil.

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Hot Buttered Rum with Apple Cider… A Witches Brew for the Great Hallow Tweet

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There was an old cabin in the woods. It was rumored that there lived an witches coven who blended magical brews in their cauldrons.  It was only on  Hallows Eve that the town folk were fearless. The aromas of cinnamon and spice filled the air  and beckoned anyone in their vicinity to their door. Taking the young ones trick or treating left most exhausted and the siren call of a warm fire and a hot drink could not be turned down. Upon entry one is greeted by other townsfolk who were lured by the promise of warmth and hospitality.

“Yummm, There is no Eye of Newt or  Toe of Frog in this brew!” a guest proclaimed.

” Oh, There was some bubble, bubble, but it really wasn’t much of a toil and trouble to make. Would you like the recipe?” asked the witch?

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Hot Buttered Rum With Apple Cider

Serves  4 small cups or 2 big mugs

  •  2 cups Apple Cider
  • 1 cup Dark Rum or more depending on taste
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons  Brown sugar
  •  a  few cloves to taste
  •  1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Whipped Cream
  1. In a saucepan  melt butter with brown sugar. Do not burn sugar.
  2. Add cinnamon, nutmeg,  cloves and cider.Heat until almost a boil.
  3. Add rum and lower heat to simmer a few minutes.
  4. Strain while pouring into cups.
  5. Top with with whipped cream.

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Marzipan Eyeballs…Great Hallow Tweet Halloween Blog Hop

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It’s that time of year again . Time for the Great Hallow Tweet. Now many of my faithful readers know that I like  to craft both the beautiful and macabre from edible sources. So naturally with Halloween coming up , why not some edible eyeballs amongst the pumpkins. I don’t have kids, but I think they will love this easy project. Serve them up on a bed of almonds for a homemade candy . You can make your own marzipan or buy it.  I find with most brands I like to add a bit of mine own flavor. Rather than knead color in , the colors are painted on. This a great gluten free, child friendly, no cook recipe project.

Be sure to visit my other ghoulish partners in the Great Hallow Tweet on my sidebar for other fantastic ideas and recipes.

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Marzipan  Eye Balls

Things you will need:

  • Food Grade Color gels from Wilton or other sugar craft supply source (White, Blue, Black, and Red)
  • Good quality Marzipan. A little goes a long way.
  • 3-4 small brushes used only for cake decorating.
  •  A few tablespoons Clear Vanilla Extract or Vodka/Rum to dilute food color gel
  • Piping tip to make indentation.
  • Toothpicks  to remove color and drag paint veins in eyes.

*Normally I steam finish my marzipan’s to set the color,however as this is a child friendly recipe, you can skip this step.

How To:

  1.  Roll marzipan’s into round balls.
  2.  Take a piping tip and indent the shape of an Iris. This will help keep your colors in place and add depth.
  3.  Dilute your white food color gel with clear alcohol (vodka or clear extract)
  4.  Paint eyeball white with the exception of Iris.
  5.  Paint Iris color of choice.
  6. Paint Pupil Black.
  7. Taking a thin brush or toothpick dragged in red gel, paint on veins on the whites.
  8.   Lift with offset spatula and let set and dry.

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Suggested Serving Ideas:

  • Boxed up for your  party guests
  • Cupcake or Cake toppers
  • On a tray of almonds

 

Musings on Rome

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The city of Rome has always fascinated me. I remember my mother coming back from her honeymoon with my stepfather with fabulous clothes, clothes, cosmetics, and magazines she had purchased there. One day I would get there, I vowed. In my teens I was captivated by Princess Luciana Pignatelli’s vintage The Beautiful Peoples Beauty Book, full of musings on growing up and life in Rome, beauty secrets of La Dolce Vita, and diet advice ( from an glamorous Italian perspective). Even today the book is a good fun read, as I thumb through my well worn copy, picked up in garage sale long ago. The book provided even more fuel for my desire to go to Rome one day to see the Beautiful People. When I looked up my late great uncle Bob Curtis, after my mother’s death, I had found he longer lived in Rome, but in Vienna. I put visiting Rome on a back burner. Certain Someone had also had had a longstanding desire to go to Rome as well. When Bobs good friend Renate , informed the family of a memorial/ommagio for Bob in September, we knew we had to go.

What can I say that hasn’t been said about Rome? It’s amazing, fabulous, and really makes a person feel small and mortal. Like an ancient woman, people still flock to her and find beauty, wisdom. Naturally with any tourist destination there is a side of cheesiness that can be avoided. You walk and realize the thousands of years that have passed, and those who stood in the very spot. For a lover of history and art it’s a dream come true, but overwhelming at times. One would need many visits to get a handle of Rome.The old mixes with the modern way of life beautifully and amusingly. Its a common site to see a pack of “suits” on mopeds ,with cigarettes, at a traffic stop as they commute through the city for work. Luckily I had a full agenda with a little time for site seeing thrown in. I finally got to meet NYC Caribbean Raggaza for an upcoming interview, see old friends of my uncle Bob, meet new ones and family I hadn’t met before. I even got to meet the leading figures of Italian modern dance. The Ommagio was wonderful with students and colleagues of Bob, and their students giving outstanding performances in Afro dance, which my uncle brought to Rome decades before.

Certain Someone and I took full advantage of our time and made it count. Acting like unashamed tourists, we got on a 48 hour hop on , hop off bus tour to get acclimated to the city and really assess what we wanted to explore future. Rome is pretty compact and once we found our way, it was nothing to walk back to hotel while taking it all in.Who measures time and distance amongst such beauty? While not openly very religious, I loved seeing Certain Someone’s reaction and captivation in the Vatican. St. Peters leaves one breathless.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. I think our favorite church was an unassuming from the outside ,Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, which we discovered in our final few hours in the city. It was one of the elderly Michelangelo’s last projects which incorporates modern day works of art within.

As this is food blog, I would be remiss not discuss the food. Oddly , while he food was good, we weren’t overwhelmed. Armed with suggestions from the high to low end, we just didn’t have that food revelation moment. The best bites were off the cuff while sampling salamis and other pork products in a shop , an odd pizza, and a few scoops of gelato here and there. One of the best, but overpriced dinners was on the Via Veneto at a place called the Café de Paris, ironically. I liked the place for the outstanding service (after dismal service at some other locations), excellent presentation, and the historical fact that La Dolce Vita was filmed on that very spot. It seems to had a notorious reputation until recently.Don’t let the fact that the menu was in Italian, English and Russian, and the cheesy guys racing their white Ferrari’s up and down the Via Veneto put you off. The food really stood up to my critical palate. I regret I didn’t get to dine on the famed Roman Jewish cuisine. We went to the traditional tratorria’s, to more high end restaurants, and a few tourist traps out of hunger and convenience in between. Feeling odd about my Rome dining experience, I asked friends why I was underwhelmed. The response was that while Roman food was good, it’s not the destination for great Italian food like Florence, or Tuscany. Having talked about my views with others, they voiced the same opinion. So I wasn’t to off in my views but I feel weird voicing it.

One question that baffled Certain and I was why most of the public toilets we encountered in Rome were seat less. I hadn’t seen this in any other place I traveled, and neither had he( we travel a lot). I found my answer here.

A week is Rome isn’t enough. I really need to come back and explore and eat more. Like a smart wise woman, Rome doesn’t reveal all she has on the first date.