Ready for Fall

The New York summer weather doesn't show any signs of letting up, but the first day of Fall is fast approaching and thoughts of crisp mornings, leaves falling in Central Park, and fall foods are starting to seem enticing! 

The end of summer also means the unofficial end of Rosé season, and I for one am excited to get some beautiful reds back in my life. From Merlot to Pinot Noir, there's nothing better than coming home on a cool evening & uncorking a bottle as you unwind and get cozy. Of course, I'm partial to the Italian wines, but a little bit of everything is always nice! 

Are you ready for Fall, or are you still holding on to summer? If you want to try a few of my favorite Fall recipes, make sure to order my new book, Domestic Chíc, so we can cook together! And if you're craving red wine like I am, join me at Bocca di Bacco to try one of our 500+ wines! 

Domestic Chíc Launch!

Image via Chattavore

Today is the day! 

Domestic Chíc is officially released and I couldn't be more excited for my book to be in your hands and in your kitchen! The support and excitement has been overwhelming and I have to another big thank you to my team and all of you for experiencing this with me. It makes it all so worth it! 

To celebrate today, I want to share a few amazing food bloggers who got a sneak peek at Domestic Chíc and have already tried out their favorite recipes:

Mary from Chattavore tried out my pumpkin bread recipe. Doesn't this photo have you wishing for that brisk Autumn breeze to come through? 

Chels from Catz in the Kitchen whipped up these Meatless Breakfast Tacos and I think these are perfect for a lazy morning this Labor Day Weekend!

This photo of my California Almond Fudge Pie by Mondo from I Bake, He Shoots is not helping my chocolate cravings! 

Lauren from Hall Nesting made my Hot Swiss Dip for a football game, and she's even giving away a copy of Domestic Chíc on her blog! 

Seeing photos of my recipes from kitchens all over brings me so much joy - and makes me hungry! Here's to a long weekend of cooking, baking, and entertaining. 

Fashion in the Kitchen

The countdown is getting down to the final days! Domestic Chíc launches next week, and I can't wait to hear what you all think! With recipes, full menus, and decor tips, Domestic Chíc has everything you need for entertaining by the seasons. Now all you need is a chic apron to go along with it!

When you're hosting an event, your guests may arrive a bit early or you might be running behind, causing you to still be cooking or preparing food as your guests are mingling. You don't want to be caught in an old, frumpy apron when this happens - with aprons this high-fashion, you might even lag on purpose so you can show them off! 

Designing these couture pieces was an amazing process, and I'm so happy with how they have come to life. The CELLINI line is dear to my heart, and I hope you'll love it as much as I do. Coming soon to your kitchen!

Dad's Famous Caesar Dressing

Summer always has me craving a big, fresh salad, but often store-bought dressings can be heavy and underwhelming. Italian cooking is all about simple ingredients with big flavor, which is definitely the case in this recipe for Dad's Famous Caesar dressing! This recipe uses oil instead of heavy mayo, and just egg whites instead of the whole egg. This keeps it light and refreshing, and won't have you crashing an hour after eating lunch. Add in some classic ingredients like lemon juice, ground mustard, and fresh Parmesan, and voila! The perfect dressing for your summer salad. 

Want to add even more of a punch to your salad? Grill some fresh prawns or chicken with herbs & garlic for extra protein and flavor. Pour a glass of chilled white & enjoy!

Check out the full segment for the recipe and technique!

Final Touches

This summer has been busy & crazy in the best way - from tasting events to book conventions to putting the final touches on my designer apron line, everything is coming together and I couldn't be more excited to finally show you all what I've been working on! With the help of an amazing team, a lot of passion, and a little bit of wine, the finish line is near and the countdown is officially on. Domestic Chíc launches on September 4th (you can pre-order now!) and we have another exciting event on September 16th: 

Presenting "A Taste of Fashion," a five-course food & wine tasting  and live fashion show by designer Mauricio Alpizar & The Dream Time Project. When you mix food, wine, & fashion, good things happen. Save the date & reserve now by emailing jamie@kristinsollenne.com! 

Italian Lamb Chops Recipe: The Juice

In case you missed it, I wanted to share a fun segment I did with Z Living last month. In this segment, I show how to make easy, irresistible Italian Lamb Chops with a balsamic & grenadine reduction that is PERFECT for your next date night in! You know, the kind that involves dinner, wine, & Netflix? Perfect.

This recipe is so simple & has a short ingredient list, which always makes things easer. The lamb chops only have to marinate for about an hour, so the prep time is minimal as well. Simply put together your favorite side, and dinner is ready! What would you pair these Italian Lamb Chops with? Leave me a comment with your ideas! 

Kristin's "Home & Garden" Table

I like to switch things up every once in a while.

I have such a great time hosting the Kristin's Table tastings, and I'm so excited to host one that is just a little bit different! Join me on Tuesday, August 18th, for a very special event! Kristin's "Home & Garden" Table presents Bars and Crafts, a night of food, drinks, and crafts in the Arte Cafe Garden. We'll be sipping on drinks, snacking on appetizers, and creating our own custom re-usable water bottles.  If you like to get crafty and get your DIY on, this event is perfect for you. Bring your friends and spend a wonderful evening with me!

Book your tickets now at http://bit.ly/barsandcrafts.

Happy National Tequila Day!

Happy National Tequila Day! Is there anything more refreshing on summer afternoon in NYC than a frosty margarita? 

I certainly can't think of anything!

Cooking Italian means I enjoy all different kinds of wine, but there's something about a tangy, fresh lime margarita that just hits the spot on those hot days! The fun thing about Margaritas is how versatile they are. Classic lime? Perfect. Add another fruit or citrus? Amazing. Blended? Why not! You can have some fun with the rim, the garnish, the glass it's served in, and on and on! Make a pitcher and pour them at your next party, or blend them to order for your guests. No matter what, I guarantee it will make for a fun night!  

There are so many ways to make a margarita, but I share the perfect margarita recipe in Domestic Chíc and I can't wait for you try it. Pre-order the book now to make sure you get the first look! 

Kristin's Table - Italian Feast at Il Bastardo

Last night was definitely one for the books! If you've been to one of my food & wine tastings before, you know I like to do things a little differently. At yesterday's Kristin's Table, we definitely lived up to that! With live music, lots of wine, and even some dancing; it was an incredible Italian Feast! 

photo by my friends at Men Who Dine

photo by my friends at Men Who Dine

I want to thank Chef Donato Deserio, my friends from Mister Diva & The Gents and Men Who Dine, and everyone who attended and made this a wonderful event. I'm so happy to get to share my love of seasonal Italian cooking with new friends - can't wait until the next one! 

Potato and Cauliflower Gratin with Camembert

Cauliflower is such a versatile vegetable and has numerous health benefits, which makes it a great addition to any of your favorite dishes! Whether it's mashed, steamed, or roasted, cauliflower pairs great with so many foods - including cheese!

Camembert is a creamy cow's milk cheese with a buttery texture and undertones of mushrooms. For this recipe with The Cheeses of Europe, I decided to make a Potato and Cauliflower Gratin with a creamy, delicious topping made with this amazing cheese! And of course, I couldn't help adding a little bacon - because why not?

See the full video here, or check out the recipe below! 

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup chopped cauliflower

1 cup whole milk

4 ounces Camembert cheese with rind, cubed

Sea salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

4 ounces bacon, diced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent, then add garlic and sauté for one minute more. Add the chopped cauliflower and continue stirring, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Pour in the milk and bring to a simmer for ten minutes. Then add the Camembert cubes and continue stirring until melted. Season with salt and pepper, add chopped parsley, and remove from heat.
4. While the cheese sauce cools, layer potato slices into an 11” gratin dish. Pour cheese mixture over potatoes and even it out with a spoon. Evenly distribute the bacon bits over the gratin.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes until potatoes are tender.
6. Uncover and raise temperature to 400° and cook an additional 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top

Fourth of July Grill Favorites

Fourth of July weekend is upon us! Chances are you'll be hosting or attending a barbecue this Saturday, and if you're anything like me, you can't wait to show off with a delicious summer meal! However, in warm weather, no one wants to spend lots of time inside working on a complicated meal. So here are two ways to save time on your Fourth of July BBQ, while still creating a mouth-watering dish!

1. Grilled Caesar Salad

Ingredients:

3 hearts of romaine

1/3 cup oil (canola or olive oil)

2-3 garlic cloves

2 egg whites

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 Tablespoon Anchovies paste

Dash of Worcestershire sauce

1tsp Ground mustard

1 Fresh lemon squeezed

Directions:

Cut romaine hearts in half lengthwise, then grill cut sides down, just until grill marks appear, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside and let sit. 

For the dressing, crush garlic in bowl (preferably an unfinished wooden bowl) with a garlic crusher. Then add a tiny bit of oil and Anchovy paste. With a mortar continue to rub together the garlic and Anchovy paste and then add 1/3 cup oil. Then add 2 eggs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, ground mustard, 1 lemon squeezed, dash of Worchestershire sauce. Add dash of garlic salt or sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Mix together with a whisk.

Place grilled romaine head with grill marks up on a plate. Drizzle dressing over the lettuce and add a pinch of Parmesan on top and anchovies (optional).

Serve and enjoy!

source

2. Grilled Peaches n' Cream with Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients:

Peaches

Oil for brushing

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Balsamic Glaze

Rinse peaches and cut in half, removing pits. Preheat the girl. Brush flesh sides of peaches with a neutral oil, and place flesh-side down on the grill. Grill 3-4 minutes, or until slight grill marks appear. Flip over and let cook for one minute, then remove. Serve warm, with a scoop of ice cream on top. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and enjoy! 

Serve either of these quick, fresh dishes and I guarantee you'll be the hit of the party! Have a great weekend! 

Kristin's Table at IL Bastardo

Can you believe July is already upon us? I always find the summer goes by too quickly, but with all that has happened already this year, 2015 is flying by! Summer is here in NYC, and one of my very favorite events is back in just a few weeks - and in a new location!

The next Kristin's Table Food & Wine Tasting event is coming up on Thursday, July 16th, at 7pm at IL Bastardo. I will be hosting the event along with my friend Chef Donato Deserio, and we will also be featuring live music by Mister Diva and the Gents! I am so excited to host this fabulous event and share it all with you. 

Get your tickets now by emailing monica@kristinsollenne.com. See you there! 

Happy Summer!

Not only is this Sunday Father's Day, it is also the first day of Summer! As you know, I am very passionate about cooking and entertaining seasonally, so I always get excited for the official start of the new season. From cocktails to dishes to wine (hello, Rosé season!), I am so ready for summer meals and parties! So this Sunday, as you cheers to your dad and all he's done for you, raise a glass to summer and all the fun that is to come in the next few months!

Stay tuned this summer for more events, recipes, and entertaining ideas to come!

Bacon Wrapped Dates with Bleu D'Auvergne

If you have been reading along for a while, you already know how much I love two things: simple, delicious appetizers, and cheese! For my fourth recipe from The Cheeses of Europe, I used Bleu D'Auvergne to create an easy, mouth-watering appetizer: Bacon Wrapped Dates. Bleu D'Auvergne has a delicious flavor with undertones of wildflower, so it pairs amazingly with the sweet dates and salty bacon. The best part about this recipe is the ingredient list - you only need five simple, wonderful ingredients to throw this appetizer together! A short shopping list and prep time makes this dish a great choice for entertaining guests - and who doesn't get excited when you walk in and smell bacon?

See the full recipe below, or watch the video to see how I prepared this delectable dish!

Ingredients:

20 Medjool dates

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

3 ounces Bleu d’ Auvergne cheese, cut into chunks

Small handful pistachios, crushed

10 bacon slices cut in half lengthwise

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Cut slits down one side of the dates just large enough to remove the pits—careful not to cut entirely in half.
3. Fill each date with some chopped parsley, a chunk of Bleu d’Auvergne cheese, and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios. Lightly squeeze them shut.
4. Wrap a strip of bacon around each date and secure with a toothpick. Bake on a parchment covered baking sheet for about 15-20 minutes, until bacon is crispy.

Summer Sizzle Table

The fun continues!

I have had so much fun in the whirlwind of the past few weeks, but when it comes down to it, my true passion will also be found in food. Being able to do what I am passionate about, and get to share it with people, is a dream come true! Which is why I am excited to share that I will be hosting a summer edition of Kristin's Table, my five-course food & wine tasting event, next week! Join me for "Summer Sizzle Table" at 7pm on June 9th at Bocca di Bacco Chelsea for a truly unforgettable evening of food, wine, and learning together. Reserve your seats today by emailing monica@kristinsollenne.com. See you there!

What A Week: Domestic Chíc

Last week I invited you to the pre-release party for my new book Domestic Chíc, and now I'm so excited to show you a few moments from this whirlwind week! From signing books at Book Expo America 2015 to debuting my Cellini aprons at Il Bastardo, this has been a week I'll never forget. I'm thrilled to get to share my tips for both cooking and entertaining with all of you in this book!

(photo by @curvily)

This LBD apron is one of my favorites, and is perfect for those last-minute touches on dinner you finish as your guests arrive! Domestic Chíc at it's finest.

Seeing my own book among so many other amazing publications at Book Expo America has truly been a dream come true!

(photo by @tvmarci)

The amount of supporters and friends old & new that came to celebrate with us at Il Bastardo was humbling and exciting. I'm so thankful for the amount of support and passion that surrounds me as I continue on these endeavors. Thank you for a great week - I can't wait to see what's next!

Stay tuned to purchase Domestic Chíc and Cellini aprons!

Save the Date: Domestic Chic!

I I can't tell you how excited I am to be inviting you all to my Pre-Release Book Launch and Designer Apron Preview! Domestic Chic has been an amazing project to work on and a dream come true, and I am so thrilled to finally get to share it with all of you! Join me at Il Bastardo for complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres this week, May 28th, from 6-8pm. This event is free, but please email monica@kristinsollenne.com to reserve your spot. I can't wait to celebrate with you! What an exciting time!

Have a great long weekend and I will see you at Il Bastardo!

Flatbread with St. Nectaire and Raclette

I love making Flatbread. Not only is it delicious and simple, but you can change it up however you want depending on what you're craving that day, what the occasion is, or just what is in your refrigerator at the time! It makes for a great meal, or you can make a few varieties and cut into small pieces for appetizers at your next party.

For this recipe with The Cheeses of Europe, I wanted to stay true to the magnifique flavors of the two cheeses, St. Nectaire and Raclette, so I kept the recipe very minimal and VERY delicious! With quality ingredients like olive oil, garlic, mushrooms, and truffle oil, this Flatbread is both indulgent and simple - perfect for making the everyday amazing.

You can see the recipe below, or check out the video here!

Ingredients:

1 ball pizza dough

Flour for dusting

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced shallots

1/2 pound mixed mushrooms, thinly sliced (chanterelle, porcini, oyster, shiitake)

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

5 ounces Raclette cheese, grated

5 ounces of St. Nectaire cheese, crumbled

2 tablespoons white truffle oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°
2. Spread dough to desired shape on lightly floured parchment paper. Dock by piercing with a fork, and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes or until nearly done.
3. While the flatbread is in the oven, heat olive oil in a sauté pan and cook garlic and shallots until translucent. Add mushrooms and stir until they wilt. Season with salt, pepper, and chopped parsley and remove from heat.
4. Remove the flatbread from the oven, sprinkle the grated Raclette and crumbled St Nectaire over it, and place it back in the over for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts.
5. Drizzle with truffle oil, and use a slotted spoon to spread the mushroom and shallot mixture over the melted cheese

How to celebrate your mom every day

Happy Mother's Day weekend! This Sunday, we are all reminded of how much our mothers have done for us, and we get the chance to let her know how much she is appreciated. I love Mother's Day, but I started to think - why don't we let our moms know every day how much she means to us? It's something so simple, that goes such a long way. In honor of Mother's Day, here is a list of small ways to spend quality time together and let mom know how much you care! 1. Cook a meal together.

You probably aren't surprised that this is top on my list, but cooking a meal together is a wonderful way to spend time together! Not only do you get quality time together, but you can learn from each other, laugh together, and reminisce - all while thanking her for all the meals she prepared for you as a child!

2. Bring her a special bottle of wine - and enjoy it together. 

Wine is a special, intimate thing to share, and sharing your favorite bottle with your mom, or introducing her to one she's never tried before, is an experience that will be enriching for both of you.

3. Learn something new together. 

You are never too old to learn something new! Find a subject you are both interested in, and sign up for a class or seminar together. From learning a new language to taking private pilot lessons, I guarantee you will make some amazing memories together!

4. Take her out for spontaneous happy hour. 

Take the evening off and call Mom and let her know you're on your way to pick her up. Let her know that she is much more important than work or being busy, and that you love spending time together!

5. Just tell her. 

If you don't live near your mother, or even if you do, it's that easy: tell her how much you appreciate her and are grateful for all she has done for you. Don't wait until Mother's Day - tell her every day!

Clean Eating for Spring: Kale Salad w. Brie & Grilled Chicken

If you've been reading for a while, you know that I am passionate about creating recipes that are seasonal, delicious, and nutritious. As the warmer months approach, I know we all have clean eating on our minds, so I am excited to share a recipe today that uses fresh, healthy ingredients but still tastes indulgent and amazing! This salad would be perfect for a spring lunch with your friends, or as part of your weekly meal prep. Just don't forget the brie, the best part!

To see the full video of how I prepared this spring dish, check out Cheese of Europe here! Bon appetit!

Ingredients:

(Dressing)

1/4 olive oil

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast

(Salad)

1 bunch kale, sliced

8 ounces Brie, sliced

1 cup glazed pecans, chopped

1 green apple, cored, sliced into thin wedges

(Chicken)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Whisk the oil with the mustard and slowly add the vinegars. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Remove the stems from the kale and slice. Toss the kale with desired amount of dressing and set aside to marinate.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, kosher salt, lemon zest, pepper, and paprika.
4. Oil the chicken and rub the seasoning onto each piece. Grill on medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes per side. Let rest 4-5 minutes and then slice.
5. Mix pecans and apple slices to the marinated kale, then place the sliced chicken and Brie on top.