Hospitality – Lynn Dowdell

Fine Dining at Home

Just because we’re home, it doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy an nice meal that could easily be served in the restaurant you visit for special occasions, when friends and family visit or just to make you feel good. It’s up to us to bring fine dining to our own dining rooms and that is what I’ve done.

Just because we’re home, it doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy a nice meal that could easily be served in the restaurant you visit for special occasions, when friends and family visit or just to make you feel good.

It’s up to us to bring fine dining to our own dining rooms and that is exactly what I did.

I prepared Steelhead Trout, roasted Vidalia Onion and a fresh Rainbow Salad, accompanied by an earthy Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.

Steelhead Trout, also known as Rainbow Trout is one of the healthiest types of seafood you can eat. It is full of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acids and yet low in mercury.

Most, generally serve fish with a Chardonnay or a Pinot Grigio. I chose the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2013 because I think it elevated the way in which I prepared my Trout, that I marinated using vibrant herbs and spices. The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (the only red d.o.c. Italy) provided the savory element and accompanied well with the sweet tones from the onion and my rainbow salad.

This dinner was everything! One thing is for sure and two thing’s for certain. You can expect this lovely meal to be served at one of my future dinner parties.

Ciao!

Lasagna Anyone

I’m always in the kitchen making a superfied version of something awesome. I like food, I love food, in fact I actually adore food! So it’s nothing for me to feel a vibe and start a movement in the Cocina.

For the New Year, I debuted my famous Cabbage Lasagne/Lasagna and it was a hit on Instagram, in my home and basically all over the world (in my head). I wanted to share this recipe with you and hopefully spark your flame in the kitchen. I’m a Pescatarian that knows her way around the garden of food and I’m all for sharing the details of deliciousness with you.

Here’s what you need to make my Cabbage Lasagna. A totally good vegetarian meal that your family will love.

20190121_121533_Film1

2 packs of meatless meatballs, baked and then cut in half. Cut and saute 1 large onion, 1 package of mushrooms, 1 cup of shredded carrots, 4 – 6 garlic cloves sliced thinly. Cut up 4 – 6 vine ripe tomatoes in chunk form and add to the veggies along with 1 carton of vegetable broth and saute on low heat.

20190121_124325_Film1

Once you have sauteed for 15 minutes add the meatballs and simmer. You may have to add more vegetable broth. Add your favorite spices to taste during this process. If you are not in to making your own sauce, pick up your favorite pasta sauce at your local grocery. Most every sauce I make is from scratch, it’s work but we’ll worth it.

20190121_155201_Film1

Get a large cabbage and peal off the layers, rinse and pat dry. Get your favorite cheese ready. I use Parmesan, Asiago and Ramano. From here you layer accordingly, sauce, cabbage, sauce and cheese. Bake at °375 for 30 minutes. Let it sit for at least 30 – 45 minutes or so because it will be juicy from the sauce and the cabbage. Serve your family this deliciousness with a nice salad.

20190124_211307_Film1

Let me know how yours turned out. My family did indeed love it. We usually have leftovers and there were none!

Wine For A Time

A Lover of Wine

I’ve been a lover of wine for many years. I am not talking of the younger years when I drank the $5 dollar bottles with family and friends that had my head pounding before the next day. Nor am I speaking of the sips I took when my aunts were busy in conversation that I slipped in during the holidays. Those were good times so don’t think for a second that I did not enjoy the occasions of my past, but as the years have moved on I’ve gained a greater appreciation for the grapes on the vine.

I have visited wineries and vineyards since the early 90’s but it wasn’t until one particular night that the love of wine really grew on me. One Saturday night my cousin and I cruised the aisles of our local liquor store for a wine that would arouse our taste buds. After about 30 minutes of looking, laughing and greeting others coming in we found this bottle dressed in beautiful white etched flowers atop of the green bottle. Yes, it was the bottle that caught our eyes. Everyone knows that a unique bottle or a lovely design will catch the eye of two women. More importantly, two women who were invading the world of wine while they took on the “City of Churches”.

The wine that woke me was smooth and had a suttle finish that left us wanting more. We finished this particular bottle of wine over and over again for what seemed liked a year and then life took its course. I moved away and life happened, but I will never forgot the nights with dinner, laughs and bonding together. It helped me but more importantly gave me a reason to start my journey in wine.

FB_IMG_1522666170779

Fast forward to spring 2018, my family was coming to town for a family get together and it was my mission to turn it into an extravaganza! I was going to make sure whether they’d admit it or not, this would be a soirée they would not soon forget. I had pulled all the punches with dining and entertainment for the early birds that it made those who were on their way pretty anxious for their arrival.

For My Ladies

I’d pulled off almost a week of hosting and entertaining but the real fun was about to begin. My immediate family and I pulled off an exceptional Barbake (we can talk about this another time) that had never been done during prior family gatherings so one would ask, in fact my cousin from Tennessee said “I mean she has out done herself, what more could she (meaning me, smile) possibly do? It can’t get any better.” I just smiled and gathered all the ladies in the parlour and the kitchen and started giving directions. This is where X marks the spot.

We pulled out a cheese board and grabbed a few different cheeses from the fridge. One girl-cousin took to the serving table on the lanai to bring in some brisket to set atop of some Cuban bread, a couple of girl-cousins sliced some fresh fruit and prosciutto and another went to the pantry to find some dark chocolate. One thing about the ladies in my life, they can make something happen at a moments notice. By the time I asked for the wine glasses to be set-up, well everyone knew the “Ladies Meeting in the Parlour” as it read on the itinerary was sure to be a hit.

FB_IMG_1522666774961

The doorbell rings and all of my ladies are in formation, the wine tasting is about to begin. I chose Wines For Humanity to provide an evening of wine and education for my event. I’d been a great host up until now and Lee, my Sommelier was going to assist me with the reigning title of hostess of the 21st century! Wines for Humanity provides an educational and entertaining presentation of 6 exclusive wines from around the world, and a portion of the proceeds from the wines selected benefits a local charity in your community. The one thing that was disappointing to me was that right now Wines for Humanity is currently only able to deliver wine to 14 States and Indiana, Georgia, Virginia, D.C., Maryland and Tennessee are not on the list.

After the initial shock and the room settled our evening began. The wines presented came from different regions of the wine world such as Germany, Italy, France and California. In each of these regions the wine, the way its made and the flavors are very different. And hearing these notes being presented to my guests was amazing. The notes such as the smell and the taste of wine can be an exciting adventure. Understanding and engaging in the five senses of wine will last a life time and allow for a pleasant experience every time.

The ladies were swooned by the fragrance of the wines and how they paired with the hors d’oeuvres. It was interesting to see how everyone’s palette was different and how senses were starting to develop as well as those that were yet evolving. I loved seeing my parlour transform into this seductive place of seclusion in the world of wine that we’d found ourselves in. This night the start of many more experiences that I am sure have set the tone, poise, posture and presentation for years to come.

I am so happy that from seeing and hearing of my adventures over the years, businesses and ideas have started and are flourishing. I am content in the fact that the world of wine is welcoming and will embrace you with open arms.

Salute.