28 May 2012 – Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! It's the official start of Summer, and we spent most of the weekend in the pool with friends. It is still a bit cold, but a couple of more weekends like this one, and it will be perfect. The weekend got off to a great start on Friday night when my amazing grand niece, Drew, graduated with honors from North Murray High School. She will be attending Jacksonville State in the Fall where she will pursue a pre-med program and play with the school's celebrated band. I am so proud of her, and her parents! After the graduation, we had a fun dinner with Drew and my other adorable nieces and nephew: Kacey, Kelly and Kenneth Ney. These incredible kids give me a lot of hope for the future! I did not get around to cooking yesterday, so Sunday Supper this week was actually Monday Supper. I have not posted in a few weeks. We were in Baja Mexico for eight days, and it was great. We had some amazing food, especially at Flora's Field Kitchen! Last weekend was the 9th Annual Canton Festival of the Arts, so we worked there all weekend. It was a great Festival and a fabulous weekend for Canton. I finally got to go to the Canton Farmers Market this weekend. It was the third weekend, and it is promising to be the biggest year for the market so far! I got there at 8:15, so I had my choice of some early produce. Most of the items came from South Georgia, but the more local items will begin to appear in the weeks ahead. This week, I bought lady peas, Florida okra, cantaloupe, watermelon and farm eggs. I used all of the items in tonight's Sunday/Monday Supper, and I paired the produce with some heritage St. Louis spare ribs from MountainValley Farm here in Ellijay. I also bought a free range chicken and smoked it with the ribs for some pulled chicken sandwiches. In honor of Memorial Day and my father's service in three branches of the military, I used his BBQ sauce recipe for the ribs and chicken. It was a great dinner and a wonderful way to kick off Summer. I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day, and here's to all of the glorious suppers that Summer has to offer. Cheers! The Menu: - Watermelon Crush Cocktail - BBQ Heritage Pork Spare Ribs - Pulled BBQ Free Range Beer Butt Chicken Sandwiches - Fresh Local Lady Peas - Fried Okra - Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

22 April 2012

It has been a really great weekend. We kicked it off Friday night with a wonderful dinner at Vingenzo's in Downtown Woodstock. This fine restaurant specializes in hand-crafted Neopolitan cuisine with homemade pasta and pizza that is the closest thing I've had to the ones in Italy. We enjoyed a great meal, nice wine and some divine pistachio gelato! I highly suggest this restaurant if you are in the area. We woke up early on Saturday and were at Cracker Barrel for breakfast by 7AM. After breakfast, we went to Autumn Hill Nursery for a workshop on how to grow vegetables in a limited space. We picked up some helpful hints for the garden this year, so we should be planting some herbs, heirloom tomatoes, peppers and a few vegetables in the near future. The friendly folks at Autumn Hill do a great job, and the quality of their plants is very high. Afterward, we ventured back up to MountainValley Farm to stock up on local grass fed beef, heritage pork and free range eggs. As I've posted before, this place is amazing, and Suzy Wright rocks! She informed me that she had a rush of customers after my last post, so I guess someone is reading my blog after all! We purchased some filets, ground beef, eggs, St. Louis spare ribs and the real prize, a heritage Boston butt! I smoked the pork all day before pulling it and serving with some Grant Family secret BBQ sauce. The house smells like Saturday nights when I was a child! I tried to do my daddy proud, and hopefully succeeded. Jeff's parents joined us for dinner, and I paired the pulled pork sandwiches with a Delta coleslaw (no mayo), roasted corn, and Jeff's dad's delicious cowboy baked beans. Jeff made a electable apple pie for dessert, and we had a wonderful dinner. The Canton Farmers Market opens May 12, and I can't wait to have local, organic vegetables to go along with the grass fed beef and pork from Ellijay, Georgia. Jeff has been working very hard on the pool, and we finally got it drained and refilled on Friday. I can't believe how great it looks! We are hoping that we found a work around for the main drain link but should know more after the pool guy comes tomorrow. If so, it will be nice to have the cement pond back in commission for the summer. Now, I am also looking forward to the first homegrown BLT by the pool on a hot summer day! Here's hoping your weekend was equally as productive and delicious! The Menu: - Local Pulled Heritage Pork with Grant Family BBQ Sauce - Delta Coleslaw - Roasted Corn in the Husk - Bill Brown's Cowboy Baked Beans - Jeff's Homemade Apple Pie ala Mode

15 April 2012

It has been a Titanic weekend! Last night, we attended one of the most exquisite dinner parties I have ever experienced. The party was in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Titanic tragedy. Our hosts were Rick, Elaine and Judson Roberts, and dinner was held at the historic Roberts home in Ball Ground, Georgia. The black tie affair featured the last 11 course meal served in the First Class cabin of the Titanic. The Roberts did an amazing job, and the food and company was divine. The fabulous dinner lasted over three hours, and Rick paired a great wine with every course. It was a memorable evening, so thanks to the Roberts and their other guests for a wonderful evening!

Based on last night's extravaganza, today was mostly about recovery. We did manage to wake in time to join our friends Jennifer Dunn, Carmen Tanner Slaughter and Will for brunch at the Fork and Tavern in Downtown Canton. It was their second week serving brunch, and it was actually really good. We all ate too much and plotted a new reality show based on our antics. It was great conversation, and we all laughed a lot.

After brunch, I took a much needed short nap with Jazpurr. I am not a very good napper, but I really needed one today. I woke up and watered some plants in the garden. Jeff and Cory helped our friend, Jessica Carter, move some furniture into her new apartment, and I managed to make it to Publix and eek out a Sunday Supper. Since last night was so over the top, I wanted to do something simple and comforting. I made an old standby, baked macaroni and cheese. I have tried many recipes, and mac and cheese is not as "simple" as it seems. My base recipe comes from Martha Stewart, and the New York Times has heralded it as one of the best. I loosely follow hers with a few embellishments each time. I served it with a Caesar Salad with homemade dressing and croutons. For dessert, I wanted to do a rutabaga upside down cake because it is in season, but Publix did not have it in stock. So, I made a last minute switch to Pineapple. It was perfect and very light. We enjoyed a nice meal on the Side Porch, and it all starts again tomorrow.

One last note: Cory made a beautiful flower arrangement for the table! Jeff bought some farm roses, and Cory supplemented the arrangement with fresh flowers and greenery from the yard. Everything has bloomed so early this year, and we already have new timber bamboo shoots at One Britt.

Ciao!

The Menu:

- Baked Macaroni and Cheese

- Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing and Croutons

- Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Pineapple Whipped Cream

08 April 2012 – Easter

It has been a beautiful Easter Sunday in Canton, Georgia! It was also a busy weekend in Canton's Historic Downtown Loop. We held our April First Friday, and it was another huge success. There were over 150 classic cars, and all of the restaurants were slammed. Several of our good friends stopped by the Store at Grant Design Collaborative, and we sold enough goods to pay for the wine. On Saturday, we held the 3rd Annual Easter Festival, and tons of kids showed up to hunt eggs. Afterward, we came home to do some chores. Jeff continued to clean out the pool. We finally got it drained, and the leak detection service will be here on Thursday to try to find the leak in the main drain. We shall see what happens and if the "cement pond" can be fixed without a major expense. I am skeptical but hope for the best. While Jeff was scrubbing the pool, I prepared deviled eggs for his family's Easter gathering today. It was the first time I had made them since I do not really eat them because they have mayonnaise as an ingredient – one thing that I despise. I know my fellow Southerners are appalled by this revelation, but what can I say? I don't even like having mayo in the refrigerator! The eggs got good reviews, and of course, I topped them with a little bacon for posterity! We had Easter lunch at Jeff's grandparent's house and proceeded to Jeff's parents' house for the Easter Egg hunt. The kids had a great time, and it was a beautiful afternoon on the farm.

Tonight, we came home to prepare a relatively simple and healthy Sunday Supper. For the entree, I cooked another recipe from the Liv Wise cookbook – free range chicken with orange and ginger stuffing. It was really one of the best chicken recipes I've ever cooked! I paired it with steamed rainbow carrots, an organic green salad, and fresh steamed corn on the cob. The healthy part of the meal ended with dessert. I have been craving Banana Cream Pie, so I made my first one yesterday. It was a delicious Easter treat! After dinner, we are watching a holiday classic, Easter Parade, with judy Garland and Fred Astaire! I have never seen it, so it should be entertaining.

Even with all the holiday festivities, the significance of Easter is not overlooked. As a good Facebook friend inquired this week, "you don't seem like a "church" person to me." Granted, I am not necessarily one for the business of organized religion, but I am, indeed, a very spiritual person, and I find hope in the promise of renewal that Easter represents. So, today, hope springs eternal, and during this time, I am always drawn to a performance of "He's Alive" by Dolly Parton. I recall seeing her perform this version on an awards show years ago, and it is still as moving today. Thank goodness for YouTube and for a true believer, Dolly Parton. When she sings it, she means it...

Even with a great Sunday Supper, a classic movie and Dolly, our hearts are a bit heavy tonight at the passing of our dear friends' son, Mark Mullet. Sandy and Gary's son passed away on Saturday from liver cancer at the all to early age of 44. So tonight's Sunday Supper is dedicated to Mark, Sandy, Gary and their family. Peace be with you.

The Menu:

- Pompelmo Spritzers

- Organic Greens with Organic Cashews and Simple Jar Dressing

- Orange and Ginger Stuffed Free Range Chicken

- Steamed Rainbow Carrots

- Husk Roasted Corn

- Banana Cream Pie with Graham Banana Crust

April Fools 2012 – Hopelessly Devoted

Today is the first day of April, and it hit 83 degrees in Canton! I can't imagine what the summer will bring, but today was picture perfect. We have spent most of the day attempting to drain the cement pond. Summer before last, we discovered a leak in the main drain. The pool is well over 50 years old now, so the main drain is a huge iron pipe that runs down to the pump house. The pool has been the bane of my existence since the day I arrived at One Britt, but when it is working and the weather permits, it can be glorious. We have someone coming out on April 12 to run a scope down the drain to see where the leak is located. If it is not under the gunite shell, it can probably be repaired. We shall see what transpires, so stay tuned...

As an April Fool's trick, I am preparing a very healthy dinner from my new cookbook, "Livwise: Easy Recipes for a Healthy, Happy Life" by Olivia Newton-John. Yes, my two guilty pleasures, cooking and Olivia, have come together for tonight's Sunday Supper! All the proceeds from her cookbook benefit the new Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in her hometown of Melborne, Australia. Olivia has been a breast cancer survivor for over twenty years and has become a huge advocate for cancer care. She has raised millions of dollars for this hospital which combines Western and Eastern medicine to treat, and hopefully, cure cancer. Recipes in Livwise tap Olivia's own experience in the kitchen with the help of nutritionists, friends and chefs from Gaia, her Australian health retreat and spa. I WILL visit this place at some point in my life, and I have always wanted to travel to Australia. Tonight, I will settle for her food, even though I did not use any butter, sugar or oil in any of the recipes!

For tonight's Sunday Supper, I selected some of the Asian-inspired recipes from Livvy. I made a fresh coleslaw with cashew nut dressing, Thai barbecue chicken with jasmine rice, and a mango tart with date and macadamia nut crust for dessert. John and Cory joined us for dinner, and John compiled a lovely bouquet of flowers currently in bloom at One Britt. We had dinner on the side porch and enjoyed a beautiful spring evening. We have to believe we are magic!

Love and light,

Bill

The Menu:

- Coleslaw with Cashew Nut Dressing

- Thai Barbecue Free Range Chicken with Jasmine Rice

- Fresh Mango Tart with Date and Macadamia Nut Crust

18 March 2012 – Lucky Georgia Spring

What another beautiful Spring weekend in Georgia! This is the kind of weekend that makes you thank your lucky stars you live in this area of the South. Jeff, Cory, John and I spent the weekend in Dahlonega and the North Georgia mountains. We rented a cabin and had a great time. We went up on Friday night and had dinner at Yahoola Creek Grill. On Saturday, we toured several vineyards, beginning with Yonah Mountain Vineyard in Sautee. We really liked their Genesis 2 and Majestic Red! Afterward, we stopped by the Old Sautee Store to browse nostalgically. On our way back over to the Dahlonega area, we stopped for lunch at Yonah Burger in Cleveland. The burgers were great – simple and tasty! The morning rain cleared around noon, and we spent the rest of the day at vineyards in Dahlonega. We did a tasting at Three Sisters and introduced John and Cory to their "cheeto wine." We then ventured over to our favorite, Frogtown Cellars. It was the first time back since my 50th birthday party, and it was great to see Chauna, Craig and the other lovely Frogtown ladies! They introduced their Cabernet Saviognon this weeked, and we enjoyed it very much. We also indulged in their wonderful Cabernet Franc, my favorite! The vineyard had just experienced bud break, and everything was beginning to leaf out and bloom. We chatted with four delightful women from the Atlanta area and retreated to our cabin retreat for the evening. John and I built a fire by the creek while Jeff and Cory went to pick up some simple food for dinner. They returned with frozen pizzas, and I "doctored them up" with some local cheese and peppered salami from Blackstock Vineyards. The pizza was surprisingly good! We just hung out for the rest of the night and watched My Week with Maryland. It was clear to see why Michelle Williams got an Oscar nomination. She WAS Maryland!

This morning, we checked out and went into the square for breakfast at The Crimson Moon Cafe. It was delicious, as usual, and their coffee is divine! It it also a wonderful place to catch local music, so check it out. After breakfast, we went our separate ways. I am a fan of the old back roads, so Jeff and I took 52 over to the Ellijay/Talking Rock area. We stopped and did a tasting at a new tasting room in Ellijay, Cartecay Vineyards. Their wines are new but show some promise. We enjoyed their newly released Merlot, but the best thing about it was discovering the most exciting destination of the entire weekend! I always ask if there are any places to buy local, grass fed meats, etc. Well, I am so glad I asked the manager at Cartecay, because she told me about MountainValley Farm! I almost hesitate to tell anyone else about this wonderful place, but it is too good not to share. MountainValley is owned by Suzy Wright, and they specialize in Dry Aged Grass Fed Beef and Free Range Heritage Pork. They also have the most adorable free range eggs as well, so I bought a dozen. I found my Nirvana here! We met Suzy, and she told us all about their products. They have their meats fresh butchered (humanely) and flash frozen on Friday, and they are open from 5-7 on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. I did not know where to start, so I asked Suzy. She did not hesitate and recommended the grass fed ground beef for burgers. She also showed us their bacon, fresh ham, pork chops, rib eye steaks, filets, etc. I am so excited about this place, and I cooked local grass fed burgers for Sunday Supper! We served them with baked potatoes, a great green salad by Cory, and Georgia Merlot for a local Spring feast! I can't wait until the Farmers Market begins in Canton on May 12. This summer will be filled with complete locally grown meats and produce for Sunday Suppers!

To top everything off, it was the first Sunday Supper of the year on the Side Porch at One Britt! Yes, it reached 85 degrees this weekend, and everything is in full bloom in the yard. Yes, I highly recommend the North Georgia Wine Highway. They are making some incredible wine, and the beauty of the land and people is unmatched – especially in the Spring.

Cheers!

The Menu:

- Georgia Grass Fed Beef Burgers in Brown Butter

- Baked Potatoes with Backyard Britt Chives

11 March 2012 – Spring Awakening

This weekend was a picture-perfect early Spring in Georgia, and I really needed the change. It has been almost a month since my last post, and what a month it has been! I have been in a semi-fog since I injured my shoulder six weeks ago. I finally got to see the orthopedic surgeon this week, and he found three cracks in my shoulder. That will take 4-6 months to completely heal without complications. He thinks the tear in the rotator cuff may be less severe than the MRI showed, so I am hoping to avoid surgery. On Tuesday, I begin six weeks of physical therapy, two one hour sessions a week, and the doctor will reevaluate the situation at that time. So, keep your fingers crossed!

Enough about my injury! I am tired of talking and thinking about it, and now it is time to get back in the kitchen! I had actually planned a fabulous dinner for the Academy Awards, one of my favorite Sunday Suppers to cook. However, between the injury and yet another water main break and boil water advisory in the City of Canton, it was just too complicated. I had contemplated a French-inspired Sunday Supper in tribute to the Oscar-winning movie of the year, The Artist. So tonight, I am cooking some of the dishes I had planned for Oscar Sunday. I am beginning with a silky cream of cauliflower soup, and the entree will consist of Chicken Cordon Bleu, Jacque Pepin's Pommes de Terr Mont d'Or (potato soufflé), spring asparagus and baby rainbow carrots. In celebration of Spring and seasonal produce, I baked a cornmeal and almond cake topped with peak-fresh local strawberries and mascarpone.

I was looking for some plants at Autumn Hill Nursery in Canton yesterday, and I took this photo of the amazing bradford pears in full bloom at the house next door. It was an inspiring beacon of the wonderful season ahead. Wishing everyone a beautiful spring awakening, great health and oscar worthy happiness – without delay.

The Menu:

- Organic Cream of Cauliflower Soup with Dried Cauliflower
and Parmesan Crouton

- Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu

- Pommes de Terre Mont d'Or

- Asparagus and Baby Rainbow Carrots

- Cornmeal Almond Cake with Strawberries and Mascarpone