“Baked” Brownies

Renato (left) and Matt

       I would have to say that Andrew is not ‘a gusher’.  He is not a person who cares much about celebrity.  And because we live around an awful lot of them, a Seinfeld sighting or showing a property to a colossal media star is water off his back.  (I, meanwhile, have gone practically catatonic at the sight of Martha Stewart at our local nursery.)  So you can imagine my surprise when we were doing our Williams-Sonoma Artisan's Market for Monte's Ham.  They were staging this artisanal food event and they’d lined up some wonderful local New York talent (if I do say so myself)--none more illustrious than Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito of “Baked”, the Red Hook, Brooklyn Bakery .  Before I knew it, Andrew was introducing himself to the two guys and waxing poetic over how much he loved their recipes and their cookbooks, how many recipes he’d used from their first “Baked:New Frontiers in Baking” (2008)Explorations” and how much he looked forward to working with their new one “Baked Explorations: Classic American Desserts Reinvented” (2010)  And on and on and on…

A really easy way to brighten up the Holiday Cocktail Hour

         
       Tonight, our friends David, Carrington and Mitch will hold a Holiday Cocktail Party. As much as I am looking forward to seeing each of them, what I am really hoping we'll find is that David has once again made this wonderful hors d'oeuvre.  David has a terrific New Year’s Day Party. And a year ago while ushering in the New Year, David introduced us to a gorgeous dish I’d never seen before. It’s a combination of a very simple egg salad topped with some beautiful Salmon Roe as you can see for yourself….

Ina Garten's Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Spicy Cocktail Sauce

Flowers from the fabulous
Bridgehampton Florist..where else?

These shrimp are the center of attention on our Holiday Open House Buffett.

Ina Garten is a goddess around here. She lives in the next town over and has for years and years. Before becoming the TV star and author, she had a local food shop and catering service which endeared her to hundreds of customers. Now, with seven indispensable cookbooks in print, she’s endeared herself to millions. Much to her chagrin, because she likes to be able to walk around town and in and out of shops without causing a riot, there’s a cottage industry that’s sprung up involving Fans who come to the East End on self-guided “Ina tours” many of which wind up in our dear friends Michael and Jimmy’s shop, the Bridgehampton Florist. As frequent guests on Ina’s TV show, Michael and Jim are celebrities to these visitors. Personally, I get it. Ina is a sensational teacher and advocate of simple, wonderful food. And from her cookbook “Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics” comes her recipe for Roasted Shrimp Cocktail. To me, that alone should put her on a pedestal.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies from Baked’s Matt Lewis and Renato Poliofito

Renato (L) and Matt outside
Baked in Red Hook Brooklyn

        I am sure there are any number of readers who don’t believe Andrew cooks anything that isn’t from Baked, the Brooklyn bakery we’ve raved about before.  Now into their second cookbook, Baked’s founders really do impress us time after time.  And if you're in the mood for Christmas Cookie making, you couldn't find a more delicious offering than these delicious chocolate-y, peanut-y treats.    This great recipe comes from  “Baked: New Frontiers in Baking” (Stewart Tabori Chang). It would make a terrific Christmas gift for any baker on your list.  And you can order it by clicking on the cover on the left. Order today and Amazon will get it to you in time for Christmas.  Back to our recipe: