I was in Phoenix this week, sharing  Martha White Muffin mixes with local media. For dinner one evening we went to Lon’s at The Hermosa. Wow- what a wonderful dining experience. We walked through a gorgeous courtyard with fire places, lanterns, and  trees with hanging lights, a bubbling fountain and gorgeous gardens underneath a star lit sky. We thought it might be a bit chilly and chose “inside” when asked if we wanted to dine in or out. They encouraged us to try outside- and thankfully we did. The fireplaces and free-standing heaters kept us plenty warm and the atmosphere was truly spectacular.  Lon’s at The Hermosa has  an extensive wine list, a special chef’s tasting menu and a well-rounded menu over all. For a starter I had the Hermosa Garden Salad with Maytag blue cheese, apple-pears, spiced pecans and prickly pear vinaigrette and for my entree I ordered the Scallops with Asparagus Risotto and Preserved Lemon. Everything was delicious- made even more so by the beautiful setting. If you find yourself in the Phoenix/Scottsdale vicinity, make sure to include dinner at Lon’s at The Hermosa as part of your stay.

What could possibly be better than a fabulous dessert that’s baked straight from the freezer? Lava Cakes with Cherry Amaretto Sauce are a perfect dinner party dessert, made even more so because they’re make-ahead. Whether you choose to freeze them or just chill them until ready to bake, they’ll be ready when you are. Make the Cherry Amaretto Sauce up to several days in advance and serve it warm or cold. Leftover sauce? It’s sublime served over vanilla ice cream. Try it mixed with plain Greek yogurt, topped with toasted almonds, for breakfast! Delicious!

I’m serving this at my California Wine Country Dinner: Foppiano Vineyards class.

Chocolate Lava Cakes with Cherry Almond Sauce
Makes 6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 14 minutes
Make ahead: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Can also be frozen, well wrapped, for 1-2 months. Add 3 -4 minutes to the bake time for frozen cakes.

Cooking spray
8 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped [Read more →]

Listen to the interview.

Hey Santa- here’s a great gift idea for the food and wine lover on your list! Wouldn’t they just love to step in to this photo? It’s MacMurray Ranch and one of the reasons I can’t wait for April! That’s when I’m heading to California’s Wine Country for a really special trip. Beth Baran of Travel Leaders, Cincinnati Magazine and EQ at The Party Source have put together a trip that is truly once in a lifetime. This insider’s visit will include opportunities to meet some of California’s legendary wine producers and winemakers during private winery tours, tastings, lunches and dinners in exclusive settings. I hope you’ll join me for great wine, food, sights, spas and shopping, not to mention creating memories that will last a lifetime!

WHERE: San Francisco, Berkeley/East Bay, Healdsburg in Sonoma County

WHEN: Depart Cincinnati Wednesday, 4/28/10; Return Sunday 5/2/10

WHO: This trip is produced by EQ at the Party Source, Travel Leaders and Cincinnati Magazine.

WHAT: To guarantee your place on this trip, registration with deposit is due on January 15, 2010. Space is limited!

INVESTMENT: $1,995 per person* (based on double occupancy) Air fare is not included

WHY: To relax and restore you!

For a complete trip itinerary and more information, click here.

All travel arrangements will be made by Beth Baran at Travel Leaders:
beth.baran@travelleaders.com, 859-441-7992.

*price may vary depending on total number of travelers

So happy to see my book featured as one of the “Pink Products” supporting breast cancer in the Cincinnati Enquirer today! Thanks to all of you that have purchased books.  Please help me keep the momentum going- I’m  not quite halfway to my goal of 1000 books. Amazon sold out but should be re-stocked soon. You can get  them online  directly from the publisher for a great price, too.

Here’s the background:

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I am asking for your help. As a way to honor my Mother, my sister and my friends who have been touched by breast cancer, 100% of my author royalties for Amy’s Table: Food for Family and Friends go directly to Susan G Komen for the Cure. It’s my goal to sell 1000 copies this October and I’m asking you to consider buying a copy for yourself or for a gift, and then ask a few friends if they would do the same. The book is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. I’m proud to say it’s a good book for a good cause and I hope you’ll consider helping me reach my goal. There is a link directly to Amazon on AmysTable.com (locally you can visit The Party Source, Joseph Beth, Borders or Barnes and Noble, too)
Many thanks for your consideration. Here’s to the Cure!
Sincerely,
Amy

Listen to the interview.

The fall theater season is officially underway and of course the best place for theater is Broadway. Did you know 65% of theater goers in New York City are out-of-towners? We could all use a little insider information to make the most of a trip to the Big Apple and Ken Davenport  gave us The Prodcuers Perspective, including the scoop on the newest shows hitting Broadway this season, how to score and save on hard to get tickets and where to go after the show for a chance to mingle with cast members!

Ken is considered one of the most innovative and entrepreneurial Off- and On- Broadway producers today with a production slate including TONY award winner Blithe Spirit, Speed the Plow, Will Ferrell’s You’re Welcome America, Altar Boyz, The Awesome 80s Prom, My First Time and Oleanna coming next month.

Ken suggests these websites for reviews, deals and more:

broadwayspace.com (A social networking site where memnosts discounts for shows

Didhelikeit.com (A compilation of all the theater reviews and an overview of what the

Theproducersperspective.com (Ken Davenport’s blog)

To mix  and mingle with the stars, head to these industry hot spots:

Joe Allen Restaurant

Angus

To learn more about Ken, visit his site

Chatting with Cincinnati Magazine and Beth Baran from Travel Leaders this morning to finalize details on the trip I’m leading this Spring. We’re off to Sonoma for a once in a life time adventure, behind the scenes in wine country. Above the scenes, too- we’re doing an early morning hot air balloon ride! Want to come? Let me know and I’ll send details as they’re confirmed.

Listen to the interview.

In this year of “firsts,” an increasing number of people are looking beyond the usual vacations to seek out activities and escapes to contribute in a meaningful way. Whether it’s mentoring and accompanying at-risk teens into the wilderness in Denver or volunteering across the nation on conservancy preserves, Volunteer Vacations Across America by Sheryl Kayne offers interesting places to go with something worthwhile to do when you get there.

Here are just some  of the volunteer vacation opportunities Sheryl outlines in her book:

. Assist in providing vision and dental care to people living in remote areas
. Reintroduce puffins into their natural habitat in the Gulf of Maine
. Offer instruction on fly-fishing retreats [Read more →]

Here’s a fun weekend idea: explore the Indiana Wine Trail. The wineries of the region began 200 years ago when Swiss immigrants planted vineyards near Vevay, IN and produced America’s first commercial wines. Cheers!

Madison, Indiana
Madison Vineyards [Read more →]

If you haven’t done so yet, tour a Kentucky bourbon distillery. We recently toured Buffalo Trace    and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it. I learned a lot and was awe struck by how the air was thickly scented with scent of bourbon. (They call the alcohol which evaporates from the casks during the aging process “Angel Share”) The barrel house is amazing and our tour guide, Freddy, was wonderful. Did I mention the bourbon tasting at the end? Fun summer weekend idea.

Gary from New Hampshire suggested that I do a segment on New England food and culture, though he admits I’d need a translator! Enjoy these interesting “translations” from Gary:

“You would be very surprised by the way the language in New England is different, especially when it comes to food. For example, if someone offers you a “tonic” at 8:30 AM, they are not alcoholics, they are offering you a Coke, Pepsi, Ginger Ale, etc. If you ask for a “milk shake” you will not get what you are think of (except at McDonalds, which is not really anything). If you want what you think of when you ask for a “milk shake” you want to ask for a “frappe”. When you order an [Read more →]