Vintage Kitch

This week in May is Brimfield Mass. Week. Brimfield is considered the largest outdoor antique show in the country.  There are approximately 5000 dealers in 21 different show venues (often referred to as fields).  The show geographically covers one mile on each side of Route 20.  The show runs 3 times a year in May, July, and September. Bring a wagon!

Antique fairs and auctions can be fun for the whole family who enjoy tinkering and collecting vintage stuff. I was recently told that people who collect something, are said to be generally happier people. 

I especially appreciate collecting old mixing bowls and old hand tools. I have a few of my mom's vintage bowls and pitchers from the 50s; together, they are a mix of bright colors that bring me joy to my cupboards. I continue to add to my tool box whenever I come across a handmade tool, like my grandpa used to make. He was a mechanic and if he didn't have the right tool, he just made it!

With Mother's Day coming up; spending the day with Mom hunting for her favorite collectables, might be the right idea. Check out local flea markets, auctions and antique fairs in your neck of the woods. Collector's Show Guide

Join Me; I visited Bill Eckleberry's Auction House in New England Massachusetts and learned a thing or two about "the sport". Some people take it very seriously, I just had a good time. There was everything from antique cars, baseball cards, tin toys to kitch-collector finds, fine china and antique furnishings.

Watch TV Segment

George at Country Auction: TV Segment

Herb of the Year

Rose is the winner for 2012. Roses have been used for culinary purposes for centuries in syrups, jams, sweets and teas. It has also been used for its medicinal properties, like it's high in vitamin C. Teas steeped from tea leaves or rose hips have a delightful fruity flavor; ideally serve with scones or cake. Pair my Good Stuff Pick with My Scone Recipe for Mother's Day.

We let Nature speak for itself, hand-picking premium organic teas and herbs and blending them with only real fruits, flowers and spices.  Since we use real ingredients and high quality teas & herbs (not tea dust or fannings), there is no need to apply “natural” flavorings or fragrances to create flavor.  This means you can pronounce the ingredients, know exactly what you’re sipping and savor true gifts of Nature. 

George's Scones | chefgeorgehirsch.com
Recipe by Chef George Hirsch | Makes 8 scones in a 9 inch round pan 

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) very cold sweet butter, cut into small pieces 
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons pure cane granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk, *made into buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup raisins, **plumped
1/4 teaspoon white vinegar, for making milk into buttermilk

*Add white vinegar to milk to make the buttermilk. Allow to sit 5 minutes to sour. 

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees F. 

Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add cold butter to flour and blend in by hand until the butter resembles fine crumbs. Add granulated sugar and mix into flour. 

Combine beaten egg, vanilla, and milk. Add milk mixture to flour mixture, toss in plumped raisins and mix by hand until a dough forms. It will take about one minute of kneading until the flour is absorbed. Turn scone dough on to a floured surface. Form in the shape of a ball, do not over knead. With a rolling pin, flatten out dough to one inch thick.

Place the round scone dough into a 9 inch cake pan. With a bench scraper or knife cut though the dough across four times dividing into eight equal pieces. Immediately bake for about 16-18 minutes until dough sounds hollow, a sign it is fully baked. 

Serve warm with jam and clotted whip cream. 

**To plump raisins add 2 tablespoons of water and heat in microwave for 30 seconds. 

Patio Fiesta

This week Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated worldwide honoring Mexican heritage; marking the defeat of the French Army after invading the Americas. But believe it or not, this commemorative holiday is celebrated by more people in California than Mexico. And, many festive ways are used to mark the occasion beyond cervesa and tequila. Dances and music mark the occasion to preserve & educate the public of its historical significance and culture.

Make any day a fiesta on your patio with a few easy steps and don’t be afraid to use vibrant colors. There is more to having fun than hanging a piñata!

-       Use terra cotta planters filled with pants such as begonias, dahlias, begonias, nasturtiums, and sunflowers

-       Cushions, throws, tablecloths, and napkins of hot yellow, turquoise green, and burnt orange

-       Set flower pots on tables with traditional herbs used in Mexican cooking like Cilantro, oregano, and peppermint

-       Serve foods and beverages on plates and glassware with bold bright colors

-       Hang out door lighting for mood

-       Turn up the volume and spin Maraichi and Latin music

-       Set up a hot sauce and salsa station

Get recipes for patio entertaining:

Posole

Barbecue Burrito

Chocolate con Plátanos Quesadilla

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Sweet Peach Chutney

It was the love for making good chutney that paved the way for the husband and wife team who founded the Virginia Chutney Co., which is now a family affair. Virginia Chutney is located in the heart of Ameria's chutney eating country, where peaches are a-plenty and the chutney tradition has been a staple in every cupboard since English settlement. The tradition has expanded in popularity beyond the south over the past few years with the resurgence of culinary cottage industries popping up and spreading the good word about the pleasureable benefits of good condiments like homemade jams, pickles and chutneys. 

Sweet Peach Chutney: The perfect blend of sweet and savory. This incredibly versatile blend of peaches, apples, and raisins with brown sugar, ginger and apple cider vinegar from the Virginia Chutney Company is delicious and refreshing, and a great addition to curries, ham, chicken and cheeses. 

Vintage, Old Farm

La Vieille Ferme, literally translates 'old farm'. The vines of a Vieille Ferme are growing on the southern side of the slopes of Mont Ventoux; the location which you immediately think, ahh the Tour de France. Both the vines and tour bikers require strength to contend with the heat and the fierce winds of that region which creates winning wines and champions.

This is a good pouring red wine, very drinkable medium weight for lunch or dinner, and for any occasion. There is also a great story here, twenty-five years in the making. 

Pair with my Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Honey Pork Sauce Recipe

Grilled Pork Tenderloin as seen on George Hirsch Lifestyle