+ The first item is by a young designer based in Helsinki. Elina Aalto designed a series of black perforated roller blinds. The lights draw a view of the city of Paris, Stockholm, Helsinki or  Tokyo. They are great for any space where you need a small barrier for privacy at night or to block the sun in an office. These limited edition roller blinds are sold at Iukbox from € 375 or more, depending of the size and model you want. Via Room and Serve

+ I like to relax on the weekends all year long in this scandinavian summer retreat. Via The Style Files

+ There is still a few weekends left to test this original lantern stand. It would be perfect for a fishing trip dinner. Via The Style Files

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This menu is so quick to make that you still have time to serve this meal tonight to your family. To get the full effect of the charming sight created by this old table, you can postpone it for the closing party at the cottage.  When I saw this delightful scene, it reminded me of the South of France.

Because the temperature is colder and let’s face it, closing the cottage requires time, planning a simpler menu seem to be in order. I selected dishes that required minimum cooking and preparation.

Anyone can cook an assortment of sausages on the barbecue. Devise a meal on a theme by assembling a platter of cured meats and salami for appetizers. Pay attention to the condiments to make it more special. Get several types of mustard. To play on textures, it is important to add crush with salads and pickled vegetables. Drinks are straight-forward since this menu called for European beers and red wines. Also provide one non alcoholic drink besides water.

You can made little bouquet with an assortment of fresh herbs from your own garden or wild flowers from your land. Tie each bouquet in with a simple string. Insert the end in a small plastic bag filled with a little bit of water and tie at the top. Then, you put the bouquet is a tall Mason jar with a gift tag. Voilà!

SOURCING:
+ Salami Sampler at Dean & DeLuca $40 USD
+ Grilling Sausage Set $25 for 12
+ Dean and DeLuca Chile Dijon Mustard $6 USD
+ Dean and DeLuca Sweet Cucumber Pickles $9 USD
+ Walnut Harvest dinner scene by Cooking Light – photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner

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By this sunny morning here in Montreal, I wish all my fellow Canadians a great Canada Day! I was in San Francisco last week which meant I did not have the time to create new mood boards to help you prepare your party. I noticed that many have look at my previous menu suggestions. Click here for last minute Canada Day party ideas and menus.

A quick inspiration

You can go the nautical theme this year. Serve the maple salmon on the BBQ that I did last month paired with a nice white wine. You only need fresh salmon, maple syrup, a clove of garlic, garlic salt and ground pepper. The maple BBQ salmon recipe so simple to prepare that you can decide to host a party within the hour.

For your party decor inspiration, I selected vintage items from the Toronto-based retailer Flik & Company: boat strings and vintage buoys. If you do not have time to make a dessert, go with fruits. Everybody enjoy the refreshing taste of in-season watermelon. Plus, I get the red and white color.

PHOTO CREDITS:
+ String Balls: Flik & Company
+ Vintage Buyos fron Flik & Company:  featured in the Trends column of Canadian House & Home Magazine July 2009
+ Watermelon: Crate & Barrel

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This is part 2 of the eco-chic BBQ that I hosted last Friday night thanks to True North Salmon and iStudio. One of my guests goes fishing the Atlantic salmon every summer. He commented that it was the best farm salmon he ever tasted. Since they are foodies, this is a great compliment for this Canadian family-owned company based in New Brunswick.

Addressing the Common Problems with Fish Farming

To receive the eco-label certification from third-parties, True North Salmon addressed typical complaints about fish farming and put in place a series of  sustainable practices to farming and harvesting the fish. Amongst them, they use a 3-bay management system to allow from crop rotation and fallowing. The fishes are harvested when they have an order for it. They work hard to bring you a fresher product on your plate.

They carefully monitor the level of mercury and other chemicals in the water. The low level will please pregnant women since a good omega-3 intake is essential during pregnancy. Locating their farms in deep waters with good tidal movements provides a cleaner water. They also keep a lower density of fishes in their farms. This allows the fish to swim more freely and it helps in maintaining the quality of the water.

They also reduce their energy usage, carbon footprint, water use and try to be leaner with the packaging.

About the Salmon I received

I wanted to taste the fish with the minimal transformation so I requested fresh fillets. I received 3 fresh salmon fillets (I asked for 2), delivered at home the afternoon before the party. The Montreal representative of True North Salmon showed us at my door with the fish properly packed in a Styrofoam food carrying case with ice cubes.

I got a lot more than I needed for my party. The fillets were 3 to 3.5 pounds each. In fact, one fillet was plenty to serve 7 persons (3 guys, 4 girls).

I made gravlax with almost half of the second salmon fillet (recipe will be published later). I gave the rest to two families. B., who is an infrequent Facebook user, wrote a Status Update about how delicious was the fish we gave him.

Easy Fish Preparation

Just looking at the fillets was mouthwatering. We were all impressed with the fish appearance and freshness feel. Like I mentioned earlier, True North Salmon harvests to order. They typically deliver within 48 hours. Mine may have delivered within 24 hours.

Plus, True North really pays attention when they prepared the fish. They were absolutely no pin bones left which makes it so simple for us. I would feel confident serving the fish to young children. Notice that you must NOT wash or neither put the fish in contact with water. Refer to their dos and don’ts of keeping fresh salmon.

The Entertaining Props and The Maple Salmon recipe

It does not stop there. istudio prepared a box of goodies to reduce my amount of shopping. See the top photo montage to see what was inside the box. I feel they went the extra mile by adding 2 bottles of wine (Oyster Bay, a New Zealand Sauvignon blanc) that nicely paired with the Maple salmon recipe.

They included all the ingredients for the maple syrup salmon; even the garlic clove. Anyone that knows how to cook salmon on a grill is able to make the recipe blind folded. Even if you do forgot to turn at mid-point the salmon while it is marinating (we did not turn it), the recipe is delicious.

Since a fillet has not the same thickness everywhere, you will be able to serve different cooking preferences. It works us fine with our group. Just make sure to select a thick fillet at the center. For that piece, my husband cooked it about 10 minutes in total over medium/medium-high heat.

Where to Buy?

The True North Heritage Salmon brand is available at Loblaws, Longos, Sobeys and Metro stores across Canada. Ask your fishmongers if they carry the brand. In top of whole fish and fillets, you could get fresh center pieces in individual portions, steaks and ready-to-cook skewers.

+ Sustainable Practices of True North Salmon

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+ The first idea is city landmark buildings or construction. You can choose between the John Hancock Building in Chicago, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Chrysler Building in New York. City Sculptures $38 USD each at Chiasso

+ Go green with these modern solar powered led house numbers. it makes it easy for visitors to find your home at night without requiring any electrical wiring. $28 USD per number at Chiasso

The second group will enhance his BBQ collection or help him have a better time at the cottage.

For a dad who love grilling

1. Miniature Steak Thermometers set of 4 $22 USD at Smith & Hawken
2. Magnetic Grill Light $25 USD at Smith & Hawken

3. To save his back, get him a Forged Iron Wood Cart $149 USD

For a custom gift

4.  Give him a puzzle with the cover page of The New York Times for any date from 1888 to 2008.  Select the date you are born or the date a big event dear to him has happened. The New York Times Puzzle $45.99 USD at PersonalizationMall.com

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+ Tuscan Beverage Jar made of recycled glass $27.99 CAD

+ Colorful Melamine Mixing Bowls can be used to serve nachos, chips, green salads and fruit salads $18.99 CAD for 4 bowls
+ Fratelli Salad Spinner from Guzzini that I introduced last week $21.99 CAD

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The Wine Bottle

Volute claims this is the 21st century way to drink wine. Their bottle is made of a sturdy aluminum with a special treatment to make it compatible with wine. The single serving format and the fact the recycled aluminum bottle is lighter and safer than glass bottle assure its portability. We would not need to transfer your wine into a SIGG aluminum water bottle when you wish to bring wine to a public festival or for a picnic on the beach.

The fact that the bottle cannot break makes it ideal for a pool party or a family BBQ reunion. It is simple for you to serve since no corkscrew or wineglasses are necessary.

About the Wine

Volute’s wine bottles are all made of Bordeau wine in California. The Volute Red Bordeaux is made from 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Volute White Bordeaux is made from 85% Sauvignon and 15% Sémillon. Volute Rosé Bordeaux is made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot.

I like the principle for a party. The next question is to hold a wine tasting to see if the wine is to your liking. It is a new product. Only the Volute’s wine is sold online but only ship to the state of California. A small number of retailers, mostly located in the San Francisco area, carry the brand.

SOURCING:
+ Volute Wine Case with free shipping $25 for a case of 6, $49 for 12 bottles, $94 for 24 bottles

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On Sunday, I talked about the upscale burgers prepared by French Chefs. We tried a recipe that same night. I referred to my version as my Parisian burgers on Twitter. Several Tweeple were curious.

Jerome and I relish the Parisian burgers. The burger reaches new height. We cannot wait to invite friends so they can appreciate their full flavor.

Last Winter

This is not our first excursion to a different burger experience. We savored the Father’s Office burgers in Santa Monica. We liked it but we were not overwhelmed by the flavor. Both recipes prove that mayonnaise, mustard or ketchup are not essential to make a delicious burger.

Our Interpretation of The Café Salle Pleyel Burger

This was a team effort. I dug the recipe, adjusted the ingredients to our taste and my husband Jerome cooked the meal. Be prepared to taste the ultimate burger. The burgers were cooked on the BBQ.

I am not a fan of tarragon so we use fresh thyme from my herb garden. We use 4 big dill pickles instead of 6 cornichons. I do not have a meat grinder and we believe in making it easy for us. So we use top-grade lean ground beef instead of the stated chucked or mixed ground sirloin.

We save time on the condiments by buying sliced tangy pickles (the sandwich saver kind). You can make your own with a vegetable peeler but why go through this trouble.

Here is the list of the ingredients for our Parisian burger. Refer to Café Salle Pleyel Burger recipe for the prep and cooking instructions.

Onion Puree

• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon salted butter (the original recipe used unsalted butter)
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 cup water
• 3-4 good pinches of Fleur de sel
• Lots of freshly ground black pepper

Meat Patties

• 1/3 cup oil-packed, sun-dried tomatoes (2.5 ounces), drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup drained capers (1.5 ounces)
• 4 dill pickles without garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup flat parsley leaves, freshly picked from my gardens
• 1.25 pound (560 gr) lean ground meat
• Lots of freshly ground black pepper

Brush some olive oil on both sides of the beef patties and on the BBQ grills – brush again the patties before turning the patties as the oil will have dried out

Composing the Burgers

I will try a fine bakery bread next time. Otherwise, use

• 4 large D’Italiano Original Crustini Buns or your favorite sesame-seed burger buns

Jerome lightly grills the bread on the BBQ. He simply puts the entire bun (top sitting on the bottom) on the grill. He puts nothing on the bread. Then, he flips it over. The idea is that the interior stays tender.

Condiments for the 4 burgers:

• 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, thinly sliced with a vegetable peeler
• 12 slices of tangy dill pickles – sandwich savers by Bick’s

I encourage you to try my recipe as it is at least once. Then, you can make your own adjustment. Savor!

>>> Sourcing:
Original recipe: Café Salle Pleyel Burger  [New York Times]
Photo credit: Ed Alcock for the New York Times – rights reserved

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Serving burgers is so common that the stylish hostess is always on the lookout to elevate the basic recipe. Using a better cheese or changing the condiments is one way to go. Now the French Chefs are playing with the burger recipes.

Eating Habits

I still see many European who immigrated in Canada eating their hot sandwich or their burger with utensils. It feels strange. I must confess that I eat warm submarines with my knife and fork at home because it is less messy. But burgers and French fries are finger food. For their comfort, I provide two large napkins to every guest when we serve hamburgers.

Burgers are Turning Chic on the New York Times

This is why I enjoyed reading an article from the New York Times. It explains how the French Chefs are reinventing this American dish. My husband is cooking our version of the Café Salle Pleyel Burger tonight. I will talk about it if we like it. But I can tell you that it smells good in the house.

Food Presentation

Without regard to the recipes, one thing that the French Chefs can teach us is how to better plate the burgers. I am showing three easy ways. The top pictures rely on restaurant style plates where you can fit the bowls. The second way puts the French fries in a handmade paper cone. Both are pretty straightforward to do but they look great.

The last food presentation looks more elaborate. You can go a step further by dressing up your outdoor table with a fine tablecloth. To stay true to the classics, start with oversized sesame hamburger bread and cut the bread as a rectangle or a square. Prepare a matching format Angus steak patty. Voilà!

>>> Sourcing:
Via: In Paris, Burgers Turn Chic [New York Times]
Slide show: Hamburgers Conquer Paris [New York Times]
Photo credits: Ed Alcock for the New York Times – rights reserved

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They are plenty of small items that can make your stay at beach or at the park more enjoyable. It is better to shop for them before your vacation starts. These summer essentials display style and function.

Recreational Recliner

The Metro Seat by Picnic Time is a portable, recreational recliner with shoulder strap. The Metro Seat is available in 4 colors. It is color coordinated with the Metro Basket that I introduced last year. Looking similar, the Metro Melrose Bag is an insulated tote with a picnic service for four.

Colorful Dinnerware and Serving Ware

Stock bowls in punch colors to serve ice cream, cereals and cold soups. The Medium Orange, Large Green and Small Blue Birthday Party Cake Stands are currently on sale at Pottery Barn. At $29 for the set, it does not cost an arm to add a festive touch to any table.

Outdoor Changing Rooms

I love the romantic mood of pool cabanas. I think they have drama next to the pool. Do not forget to dress them up the cabanas with accessories for a party. Think about comfort first and ask a chair, baskets, bags or hooks. If the party runs until nighttime, add some safe lighting.

The multi-stripe Chesapeake Changing Cabana in is my favorite. If you prefer solids, go for the green apple or the stone fabric.

BBQ Accessories

The BBQ Carver set by Picnic Time is really cool. The white teak cutting board with a reservoir for juice run-off and removable seasoning tray create the perfect meat cutting serving area. The stainless steel knife, tong and basting brush can be stored on the hanging bag when not in use.

>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Metro Seat at PicnicFun.com – price: $30 USD
Buy online: Birthday Party Cake Stands at Pottery Barn – on sale: $29 USD
Buy online: Chesapeake Changing Cabana at Pottery Barn – on sale: $299 USD
Buy online: Picnic Time BBQ Carver Set at Everythingpicnic.com – on sale: $44.25 USD

RELATED POSTS:
+ Recreate the beach club atmosphere at home
+ Hip Nautical Color Palette

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I just read on Moco Loco about a new eco-friendly product. We used propane BBQ at home. But I crave for the real BBQ charcoal taste. Last year I almost gave in but after checking the negative effects on the environment, I decided against it.

But now I have a solution that will leave me with great taste and a clear conscience. Baja is an eco-friendly instant charcoal packaging developed by Mike and Maaike for design annex / Lazzari.

Baja renders your barbecue experience simple, clean and chemical free. It is simple to cook on the BBQ since Baja heats the natural lump charcoal to the right temperature without the aid of chemicals or lighter fluid. The coals are ready to cook within 15 to 20 minutes from lighting.

When you go at home or if you go at the friend house for a Bring your Own Food outdoor party, Baja is much better than regular charcoals for you and your neighbors.

What are the advantages of mesquite charcoal?

1. Captures the delicious flavor of natural wood smoke
2. Searing at high cooking temperature retains natural juices, aroma and succulence.
3. Burns hotter and lasts longer
4. 100% natural product

About Lazzari

Located in San Francisco, Lazzari is the largest, oldest and original producer and distributor of premium mesquite charcoal in the USA.

Add wood chips for additional flavors. Wood chips work well with charcoal or gas grills.

>>> Sourcing:
Learn more: Baja BBQ Firepack designed by Mike and Maaike
Learn more: 100% Natural Lazzari Mesquite Charcoal
Via: Baja BBQ Firepack [Moco Loco]

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I love cookbooks. It seems I never have enough. With so many books, which one to choose.

Save time and start with the 2008 finalists of the James Beard Foundation Cookbook Awards? After all, they examined the latest publications for us.

James Beard Foundation Cookbook Awards is said to be the highest honors for food and beverage professionals working in America. The awards reward excellence in 13 book categories.

I am showing you four books from the Entertaining category. These inexpensive books will each be appreciated as an hostess gift.

Canadian Nominee

A Canadian is nominated this year in the Entertaining cookbook category. I introduced Dish Entertains last year.

The author of Dish Entertains is Trish Magwood, the owner of dish cooking studio located in Toronto. Trish is completing against two cookbooks:

• Great Bar Food at Home by Kate Heyhoe
• Welcome to Michael’s: Great Food, Great People, Great Party! by Michael McCarthy

You can also grab a copy of the 2007 entertaining book winner by a talented couple. The Jamisons won last year with The Big Book of Outdoor Cooking and Entertaining. That would make a great gift for Father’s Day.

About the James Beard Foundation Cookbook Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony and Gala reception will take place at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City on June 8, 2008.

This 2008 black tie event will be hosted by the Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall and the award-winning chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author Bobby Flay. If you would like to assist to this party, tickets for the general public are $450 each.

SOURCING:
+ 2008 James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception – price: $450 USD per ticket
+ Dish Entertains by Trish Magwood – price: $28.32 CAD
+ Great Bar Food at Home by Kate Heyhoe- price: $12.21 USD
+ Welcome to Michael’s: Great Food, Great People, Great Party! by Michael McCarthy- price: $26.40 USD
+ The Big Book of Outdoor Cooking and Entertaining by Cheryl and Bill Jamison- price: $16.47 USD

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