I love the new Beekman Gourmet Provisions!

 

I am just crazy over our Beekman 1802 Gourmet Provisions!  I wanted to share three of them with you.  Aside from supporting the small farm and local movement all of their products are very unique and superior in quality. 

 

Most of you know that I love to entertain!  I especially love to serve good food, but more than that...I also LOVE simple so that I can enjoy my guests.  For my store, Gatewood Hall Gracious Home I work hard to find excellent products that can "doll up" even the most simple items...or as one of my best friends says that l love to "guild the lily".  These products do just that, as well as making perfect gifts.

Beekman Hot Fudge

Made with small farm cream, butter and real goat milk!

I almost hate to do this to you. The Beekman hot fudge uses real ingredients, from small farms, including fresh goat milk. It's made the oldest-fashionest way possible...in small batches, by hand. How's it taste? Like it would win Best Hot Fudge Sauce at a 1928 church social. That real. Real chocolate. Real sugar. No corn syrup. No stabilizers.

 

Sure you can just put it over ice-cream while you're binge watching HGTV...but how about really good vanilla ice-cream in a beautiful martini glass drizzled with this sublime fudge sauce and a little cream de menthe!  How easy is that?

There's really not much more to say about it. Except that I'm sorry for creating a new addiction. It is sure to become a stable in your kitchen pantry!

Shortbread Mix

Colonial Recipe with an added touch of goat milk

 

Not only is Shortbread one of my absolute favorite cookies it is one of the earliest “cookey” recipes in colonial America. But only for special occasions... butter was a pretty valuable ingredient in those days. With a little goat milk added to the Beekman shortbread mix, because, well as the Beekman boys say... goat milk makes everything taste better. So easy to make, they are nearly fail proof!  Try these delicious, buttery treats with coffee, tea, or a big glass of cold milk. Who needs a special occasion? Well the Beekman boys just declared today “Shortbread for Everyone Day.” Seriously. They can do that.

Besides there are endless things you can do with really good shortbread. Especially during the holidays! I love to make the shortbread and then dip half of the cookie in melted caramel or chocolate. With a very tiny sprinkle of Fleur de sel. Sometimes I'll add finely chopped dried cranberries, pecans and white chocolate chunks to the mix before baking. Yummy and special.

Blaak Drizzle

As featured in Country Living..

 

The Beekman 1802 Blaak Drizzle is a reduction of balsamic vinegar, figs and the native elderberries that grow wild around the Beekman 1802 Farm and all over New York state. It is in a beautiful bottle making it a perfect gift!

The mellow sharpness of cask-aged balsamic is further tempered by the sweet figs and tart elderberries. It's totally unique flavor has been heralded in Country Living and numerous food blogs. Enjoy it drizzled over cheese, salads, slices of fruit (imagine it with grilled Georgia peaches or strawberries) and always...a favorite...over vanilla ice -cream. Sounds odd but amazingly delicious and another great way to "fancy" up ice cream for guests. I know you'll find even more uses for it, too.

 

I hope you will try these goodies out and please let me know what you think!  I'd love to hear what ideas you come up with! 

My Simplified Holiday UPDATE!

 

Ok, I wanted to give you a quick update on how my simplified holiday is working out.  The photo above is in my kitchen of my mountain home.  Shawn and I bought this sign probably ten years ago, I thought it was sold with our first mountain cabin, somehow I just came across it last week in one of my storage buildings how serendipitous?!  So glad I found it I love it!

Saturday afternoon I left the store early and went to a wonderful holiday open house.  I have to tell you it was so nice, these are new friends who recently purchased a second home here in the mountains and they have done an amazing job on their new north Georgia getaway...So many clever things!  One of them is quite the cook and the food was outstanding.  Imagine this thick homemade sugar type cookie with sea salt, sprinkled on top...this cookie literally melted in your mouth!!! Or a chocolate chip whoopie pie!! I've been trying to be good but I could have gone crazy!...Sorry…I digress.  Just look at the next three photos!! 
 

Sugar Cookies (left) Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies! 

Red Velvet Peppermint Brownies & Coconut Cupcakes Love The Display!

Fun Way To Present Crudite

While at the open house I was visiting with some other friends and decided since I was "so prepared" I'd invite some of them over for a drink that evening.  I then realized it would be close to dinner time and they'd need more than a cocktail and some little nibbley things. 

Now you have to understand I am fortunately blessed with some of the most amazingly, smart and talented friends.  They can cook, decorate and more so, the pressure could be there.  But in staying with my whole "keeping it simple" mantra I decided to do just that…I now needed dinner for at least six and had about an hour to do it.

So I called a local restaurant and ordered two large pizzas, some pasta, salad and buttery, garlic rolls.  I came home transferred it into my own casserole dishes popped it into a warm oven.  I lit my candles, turned on the holiday music, set up a buffet style line, opened the bar, (poured myself a nice glass of red wine) and made a quick platter of olives, cheese, crackers, salami, and almonds.  Just in time for their arrival. 

It was so easy and my very gracious guests seemed to have a nice time. (None of them made fun of my "take out" food.  At least not to my face anyway!)

For dessert I served a platter of "bakery bought" cookies and egg nog (it was store bought but we "kicked it up" a bit) and then added nutmeg and cinnamon.  We sat in front of the fire, visited and relaxed.

 

Serve Egg Nog in a Martini Glass!

I believe that my friends and I realized that the food was not the primary component of our evening but it was the wonderful fellowship instead and that is what we enjoyed the most!  I'm loving my simplified holidays!  Hope you are making the most of yours! 

Autumn Harvest at Gatewood Hall

Well today is the first day of Autumn, and while I know not everyone is crazy about this time of year (Shawn Hall being one of those) I happen to love it! Many of you have heard stories about my mother and how much she enjoys decorating for the holidays and seasons...I remember my very first apartment, late September and she shows up with mums, and pumpkins that she had just purchased at the farmer's market to "help me decorate and get into the fall spirit" you guessed it, she loves the fall too!

Fall is especially nice in the North Georgia mountains, our neck of the woods becomes majestic and mother nature...well, she just "shows out"! Our very beloved British friend Ellie used to sit in a rocking chair on the porch of our cabin and look out at our view of Rich Mountain and say "That my dear is evidence of God!" and I couldn't agree more.

It's not just the beauty, it's the color, the crispness in the air, the idea of nesting and cozying up that I just love. (Don't get me wrong in early December I'll be dreaming of Spring) But for now I enjoy how some things just sort of slow down.

So this time of year brings us to our next theme that we call Autumn Harvest at Gatewood Hall! We'll be highlighting some of the our picks or things that we have in our shops and in our community that we especially love this time of year!

Some great fall inspired gourmet gear and goodies for your pantry or to keep handy for hostess gifts!

Beautiful decor for your harvest table and wreaths for your doors! Love these vintage looking wild turkeys and the faux gourds and pumpkins that we have look unbelievably real!

The new fall Caspari collection of napkins and guest towels are exceptionally beautiful this season. My mom always says buy those pretty paper napkins, "don't store them away, use them...they make an ordinary sandwich or drink taste better". You know what? She is right!!

We love this line and we have carried it for quite awhile, and they keep adding more beautiful pieces. These new items are gorgeous! I love the wood and pewter mix on the salad and nut bowls. The stag wine glass would be a great gift for the man in your life. Imagine a good red wine in that glass while sitting in front of the fire in your mountain home! The little squirrel on the stump is a salt and pepper set, the stump is for salt the squirrel holds pepper...how great is that?

A new gourmet line that we have is Captain Rodney's! The Boucan Glaze is a quick and easy cooking trick. It can be brushed on as a glaze for any game, fish, fowl, beans or vegetables. Straight out of the bottle, it makes the perfect dipping sauce for chicken or shrimp, quick and easy to use, always ready to add just the right amount of sweet spice to any dish. This glaze is added after cooking so you get full, rich flavor without the time and trouble of a traditional marinade. No long waits, just easy, all-natural flavor. We love the recipe for the famous cheese bake appetizer...we'll give you the recipe card on the bottle but- just to get your mouth watering.. you mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayo, scallions, top with crisp bacon bits and buttery cracker crumbs and then drizzle with Captain Rodney's sweet, spicy glaze bake and serve warm with crackers, it is DIVINE!! Our friend who turned us onto "Hot Squeeze" told us about Captain Rodney's, what a great gift to keep on hand! Another one of our customers Martha from Alabama (who does famous catering) says she's used Captain Rodney's forever, she said "We call it the stuff that could make cardboard taste good!" She serves it over her well-loved southern fried chicken, YUM!

We also have Captain Rodney's Temptation of Jezebel Sauce which brings back a traditional recipe of the Treasure Coast. A sweet and tangy taste of the old south with tropical pineapples, sweet apples, cracked black pepper and a little horseradish for just the right amount of bite. Try it as a glaze over meat and vegetables or serve it as an appetizer with cream cheese and crackers. (I love it on a ham and swiss cheese sandwhich or biscuit). With just one bite you will see why the Temptation of Jezebel is impossible to resist.
Gosh now I'm so hungry!! Happy Fall Y'all! Please do come in and see us!

**P.S. I just had to come back in and add this footnote. It is around 11AM, I just called my mother on her cell to tell her to be sure to read this new blog post that I wrote last night..."OK" She said "Honey, let me call you back I can't talk, I'm on my way to Grandma's, I picked up mums and pumpkins and I can't even see out of my car, this is bad, I'm gonna have to pull over to rearrange..." I laughed and said- be careful, just call me later...Is that funny or what?? :) I LOVE YOU MOM!!

Check Out The Sweet Shoppe Blue Ridge

Have we got something fabulous to tell you about. We have a new Sweet Shoppe in Blue Ridge and it is WONDERFUL!!! Susan Catron and Nikki Gribble opened this great place a little while back and shame on us, we just now got a chance to visit. You probably know both of these ladies as they have been very involved in our community for awhile but lucky for us they have decided to share this side of their talents with us in their new Sweet Shoppe! The space itself has never looked better, it reminds you of a little French Patisserie, so quaint and cozy! Filled with beautiful confections including home-made cookies, hand-made artisan truffles, premium dipped north Georgia apples, berries and cherries UNBELIEVABLE!! They also have some very, very special gourmet cupcakes. In fact they have so many flavors you can visit their website (www.sweetshoppeblueridge.com) for their entire menu or friend them on FaceBook (facebook.com/sweetshoppeblueridge) for the daily menu. Today we had Tres Leche (my favorite!!), Chocolate Cream Pie (Shawn's favorite), Key Lime Pie & Blond Bombshell (my second favorite)!! They are as beautiful as they are delicious. We can't wait to try Banana's Foster, Mississippi Mud, Orange Dreamsicle...oh who are we kidding...we want to try all of them. We hear that their new fall menu is coming out soon.... Heaven help us! Wonder how many Weight Watchers Points are in these babies??? Oh who cares, they are worth it!

Above a skewer of blueberries, hand-dipped in luscious, premium chocolate! Susan told me that Nikki is the "Chocolatier" and I am telling you each treat is like a beautiful, ittle work of art!

Above handmade artisan truffles, in flavors like Thin Mint, Oreo Cheesecake, Orange Melt, Coconut Cherry, and Irish Cream! What a beautiful gift these would make!

The Sweet Shoppe Blue Ridge is located in the courtyard below Harvest across from Christy Lee's (576 East Main Street, Suite D Blue Ridge, Georgia) and get this they are open late on Friday and Saturday so you can stop in after dinner for a little dessert treat. Also great to know they will ship their speciality items!! Treat yourself, go in today...Tell them Corky & Shawn sent you...you will probably see us there. ENJOY you are gonna love it!!

Byrds Cookie Company Now Available At Gatewood Hall

Another fabulous arrival to Gatewood Hall Gracious Home- We are pleased to bring you Byrd's Famous Cookies from Savannah, Georgia! Byrd Cookie Company has been a Savannah tradition since 1924, when Ben T. Byrd, Sr. began making cookies by hand, packing them in wooden boxes and delivering them in a Model-T Ford to Savannah stores. Over the years, the company has earned its reputation as a leader in the specialty food industry, receiving many awards honoring the company's superior products and package design. Although their gourmet delicacies have brought much acclaim, they have never lost sight of the importance of personal commitment to their customers. Whether you choose their unique, delicious cookies, or the savory, epicurean cheese biscuits , you'll discover that their products are perfect for any occasion. We are very proud to bring them to you at both our Blue Ridge and Big Canoe locations.

The packages are beautiful and will make a great hostess gift or nice little goody to put into gift baskets. We loved the size because they are well-priced and perfect to keep on hand if a couple of friends stop over for a drink just open a box with abottle of wine and you are ready. Byrd's also offers wonderful larger tins that we may bring in closer to the holidays.

Some of the savory flavors include:

White Cheddar with Peppercorns- Smooth white cheddar cheese speckled with coarse black peppercorns will have your taste buds begging for more.

Cheddar Pecan with Cayenne- Sharp cheddar cheese and fancy pecans provide a rich flavorful crunch while a touch of cayenne pepper gives it a kick.

Gorgonzola with Honey & Walnuts- The distinctive taste of Gorgonzola cheese is perfectly accompanied by the sweetness of honey and crunch of walnuts.

We loved the festive cocktail shaker filled with their Savory Cocktail Mix which is a delicious combination of Byrd's New York Cheddar Cheese Biscuits, roasted almonds and sun-sweetened cranberries. (YUM!)

The sweeter flavors include:

Key Lime Coolers- A quintessential Southern dessert, Key Lime pie has long been enjoyed at many a picnic, dinner and social gathering. Bursting with this same fresh Key Lime flavor, our award-winning cookies capture the tart-but-sweet taste and pleasing crunch of this much-loved delicacy.

Georgia Peach - As deliciously Southern as a fresh Georgia peach. Our delicate, bite-size cookies are reminiscent of the tangy goodness of a tree-ripened peach and the rich flavor of sweet cream, with enough zing to keep you coming back for more.

Triple Chocolate Midnight Truffle- Our rich dutch chocolate cookie is loaded with dark chocolate chips and then sprinkled with cocoa powder for a triple chocolate treat. Packaging features natural tan linen with mocha accents.

Benne Wafers- Long known as "the seed of good luck," the rich flavor of the benne seed has graced Southern recipes for generations. Still made in the same tradition, our thin, crisp cookies are laden with crunchy benne seeds and sweetened with a blend of maple and brown sugar for a true one-of-a-kind taste.

Come by and check them out, you will love them!!!

A Great New Gourmet Line to Add To Our Summer Pantry

As you know we just finished the July Market in Atlanta and it was a really good show! Shawn and I wanted to find some more gourmet lines to bring into both shops not only for our GH Summer Pantry but for some great staples throughout the year. The criteria was- it had to be versatile, unique, delicious, simple and well priced. We also wanted it to be "giftable" so a pretty package was certainly a plus. We found several new lines and I am happy to introduce the first to you this week (yes, it has already arrived believe it or not).

We are thrilled to bring you Foxys Gourmet! This exciting new line met all of our criteria and more! We can't wait for you to try their products. They are beautifully packaged making them great gifts and all of their products are:

• MSG free; No trans-fat; No artificial sweeteners
• No artificial color; No preservatives
• Made in nut free facility

Experience the versatility of the savory gourmet dip mixes. Some of the flavors include Sun Dried Tomato, Garlic Herb, Cheddar Onion, Olive Tappenade, Lemon Dill, Onion Chive, and Roasted Red Pepper. These delicious dips can be used as toppings on countless entrée possibilities. Have one as a dip for crusty French bread, sliced vegetables or flat breads. Delight in the ease of creating gourmet dips at your next epicurean event. Simply add sour cream and mayonnaise and you can even dress them up by adding fresh items like chopped parsley, spinach or even olives to create an incredibly delicious "home-made" tasting treat.

You will enjoy the Sweet Dips as a topping on many desserts and fruits including bananas, strawberries, pears, apples, and so much more! The dips are so easy, simply add milk, cream or water to the mix to create an incredibly rich, creamy and delicious sweet treat. We went crazy over the Creamy Caramel, you just add water and you have a incredibly rich, decadent caramel sauce great on apples or drizzled over cheesecake!

And just wait until you try the amazing cocktail mixes. You can be your own bartender and dazzle your friends and family with impressive martinis, daiquiris, mojitos, and margaritas! Master the art of modern entertaining and use these gourmet mixes to make delicious and unique cocktails. Combine the mix with a few bar ingredients to create a sensational drink. These tasty mixes will become a delightful addition to your cocktail repertoire. Imagine some of these fabulous concoctions:

Chocolate Seduction Martini
Raspberry Buzz Mojito
Cool Lime Mojito
Cotton Candy Daiquiri
Raspberry Lipstick Margarita
Cloud Nine Martini

And get this there are 12 more flavors!!!! Come in and see us and we'll show you the whole line!

the girl & the fig for your Summer Pantry

We love "the girl & the fig" products at Gatewood Hall. We started carrying this wonderful line last year and many of you have come to love it!! Created by Sondra Bernstein proprietor of the renowned Sonoma, California restaurants Estate, The Fig Cafe and The Girl & The Fig these products will make feel like you are in the wine country! These are great additions to your Summer Pantry!

The fig and port vinaigrette is the signature dressing for the famous grilled fig & arugula salad at Sondra's girl & the fig restaurant. A perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Serve on a salad of arugula, toasted pecans, pancetta, grilled figs & chevre. (say it with me, HEAVEN!!!!). You can also use it as a marinade for pork or chicken.

The Apricot Fig Chutney is probably one of the most popular products from the girl & the fig. Plump apricots and calimyrna figs are a fantastic combination for flavor and texture. With a hint of ginger, spices and dried cherries, this chutney is a very versatile condiment that will add another flavor dimension to your favorite dish.

Serving Ideas:

The most popular box lunch sandwich from the girl & the fig is the house-roasted turkey, apricot fig chutney, fiscalini cheddar cheese on a baguette. (YUMMY!!). A great and easy appetizer is to take the small phyllo shells and put a small piece of brie or goat cheese, spoon in a little chutney and warm in the oven, delicious and easy gotta love that! You can also...

- Add to a cheese and charcuterie platter.
- Marinate chicken or pork chops with apricot fig chutney and grill.
- Serve as a condiment for pork loin, roast chicken, turkey breast
- Serve on a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Mix with Cream Cheese or Mascarpone and make Stuffed French Toast.

Mostarda is an Italian condiment made of candied fruit with a kick from mustard or mustard seed. Traditionally mostarda was served with boiled meats called bollito misto which is a speciality of northern Italian cooking. More recently it has become a popular accompaniment to cheeses. Subtle flavors of rosemary, cinnamon, coriander, and ginger add depth and create a nice balance in the multi-dimensional product. Serve alongside charcuterie or cheese, or even as a spread on a sandwich . Also delicious as a condiment or sauce with grilled chicken, pork, lamb, and sausage. You will love it!

The red onion confit is a blend of red onions, red wine vinegar, red wine, sugar, thyme, salt, pepper. Serve with charcuterie dishes, grilled sausages, barbecued chicken and meats. Add to a turkey or cheese sandwich. It almost has a sweet and sour flavor and adds a nice addition of flavor to the most basic recipes.

Serving Ideas:

- Serve with charcuterie dishes, grilled sausages, BBQ chicken and meats.
- Add to a turkey or cheese sandwich.
- Use as a condiment for cheese platters.
- Warm gently and use as sauce for pork, chicken, turkey, or beef.
- Use as a sandwich condiment or on a burger. YUM!
- While braising, add a couple tablespoons to the pot.
- Add a few tablespoons to sautéed vegetables. (I do this and it really dresses up something simple!)

The salts are wonderful blends that include:

Fennel citrus herb blend - A blend fennel seed, lemon and orange peel, sea salt, lavender, mustard seed and other spices. Sprinkle on fish, chicken or pork before pan searing or grilling. Add water to brine pork or chicken.

Lavender sea salt- Simple lavender flowers blended with grey sea salt. Subtle scent and flavor makes this a great addition to certain dishes for an unusual dose of flavor. (I love it on fresh heirloom tomatoes!)

Citrus sea salt- Oven dried lemon and orange peel mixed with grey sea salt. Sprinkle on fish, chicken or pork before pan searing or grilling. Toss with pasta or risotto. Serve as a condiment on the table.

We also have Sondra's outstanding cook book that is full of great recipes that promote her vision of country food with French passion.

Stop in this weekend we will be having tastings of some of the girl and fig products...we will get you hooked!! See you soon!

Sansaba for Your Summer Pantry

This week we are highlighting a perfect product for your summer pantry. A longstanding GH Favorite... Sansaba Preserves! The original Peach, Pecan & Amaretto has been a top selling product for us since we opened and we still love it! All of the flavors are great over cream cheese and served with crackers for a great appetizer. One of our customers loves to make special sundaes with Breyer's vanilla ice cream, and I love to (O.K. I know this not a heart healthy recipe) pan fry homemade pound cake (from the freezer) in butter and then top with any flavor, add some whipped cream...YUM!

Try this recipe for a easy yet fantastic pie that everyone loves!

One of our customers made this pie for a church social and everyone went crazy over it. She was so excited because she isn't much of a cook so she is usually asked to bring paper products however, after this pie everyone asks her to bring dessert. She bought a case of Sansaba to have on hand, and get this she won't give out the recipe as it is now her "secret". While this recipe calls for peach, pecan and amaretto it really works well with any of their flavors.

It is great on pancakes, or waffles on slathered on a biscuit (another customer told me last week that she eats it straight from the jar! I'll mention no names, we don't judge!)

Finally, one of my favorites is to grill chicken and then baste it with the peach, pecan and jalapeno serve on rice and it is AWESOME!! Come try it out if you haven't already! A must have for your summer pantry.

Hot Squeeze Arrives at Gatewood Hall!

At Gatewood Hall we are always on the search for new products! A few weeks ago one of our wonderful guests told me about a gourmet product that was created and made in Atlanta. I love Georgia products so I was interested…I quickly did some research and hooked up with Sue Sullivan the creator of a product called Hot Squeeze Sweet Heat Chipotle Sauce. Once I heard her story I knew that I wanted to try the product and meet her. So this past weekend I received my sample and started on my research (and you thought I was off being lazy on Saturday!) I am so happy that I looked into this because I love Sue’s products and after having the pleasure of meeting her I am excited to be a part of her adventure to get her product in the hand of everyone. It is clear that she is a passionate entrepreneur who is proud of her creation and wants to share it with folks and I just love that about her! I want to share Sue’s story and tell you about her two sauces!

Before Hot Squeeze, Sue Sullivan was a caterer in Atlanta, Georgia she began catering when her children were babies as a way to be a stay-at-home mom. Sue’s husband, who at that time worked for CNN, hired Sue for her first film production catering job. The business grew and grew and by the time her children were teenagers, she had taken on a business partner, renovated a commercial kitchen in her home and was working full time catering film production lunches.

Hot Squeeze began innocently enough as a chipotle glaze for a pork tenderloin served at one of those lunches. It was an instant hit, so she tried the glaze over grilled salmon and flank steak. Then she started using it in recipes for black bean chili, stews, and mashed sweet potatoes. It became a signature ingredient in her catering menus and a staple on their tables. Sue and her partner soon found that clients poured it on everything—meats, vegetables and even on salads, soon it had to be available at every lunch they served.

Word about the delicious sauce spread within the industry and film crews from all over the US, when on assignment in Atlanta, began to request catering from the “two women with the incredible sauce,” and they soon became known as the “Chipotle Sisters.” Clients begged them to bottle the sauce so that they could buy it at home.

For years Sue’s clients continued to tell her that she should bottle the sauce, and for years she would look at them like they were crazy — She was busy enough running a catering company and as she says she had no clue how to bottle a sauce.

As a self-proclaimed workout-aholic, Sue tells the story that her spin class instructor always asks that the group share their New Year's resolutions. In 2006, she told her class that she was finally going to get Hot Squeeze into a bottle. It took her 10 months to actually do this! She said that she asked a lot of questions, researched everything, and then took a leap of faith, but in October of 2006 the first run of 500 cases of Hot Squeeze was produced. (Sue says she felt a little like Lucy in the candy factory when she saw those first bottles come off the assembly line!)
So what exactly is Hot Squeeze Sweet Heat Chipotle? Well it is a very versatile sauce with personality. It's smoky (because of the chipotle, a smoked jalapeno pepper). It's spicy, it's sweet, it's sassy and it's sexy all in one bottle!

Use it as a condiment, like a steak sauce. But it’s not just for steak—it jazzes up everything on your plate from meat, fish, potatoes, to vegetables and even salad.

Use it as a finishing glaze. Let’s say you’ve just grilled up some salmon. Squeeze on the Hot Squeeze and watch as it coats the fish with a sexy glaze that tastes as great as it looks. Tired of baked chicken? Transform it into something exceptional with a little Hot Squeeze! Some say it’s got Asian nuances, others think southwestern and still others think barbecue. Once you realize how good Hot Squeeze is on food, try using it in recipes for chili, black beans, vegetable casseroles and soups, it adds that extra zip. Mix it with mayonnaise for a sandwich spread or add it to vinaigrettes for a new twist on salad dressings Hot Squeeze can be used as a stir-fry sauce and a bbq sauce. Hot Squeeze can be drizzled over goat cheese or cream cheese for an easy appetizer or used as a dip for egg rolls or meatballs.

Sue’s newest creation is Hot Squeeze Orange Ginger Zing (OGZ) It’s got a bold burst of orange and fresh ginger and just a little bit of zing. Like Chipotle Sweet Heat, this sauce was created to do everything! I used it on shrimp this week and served it with brown rice and it was outrageous. It tasted like a gourmet recipe that I had worked on for hours! Sue said people have even used OGZ on cheesecakes and ice-cream. And the great news is that we all know that Ginger is really good for you!

Both of the Hot Squeeze flavors puts an end to condiment clutter because you can clear out all those other bottles of sauce. With Hot Squeeze you’ve got it all—sauce, marinade, dressing, glaze—in one bottle! I’m already addicted. I LOVE THIS STUFF!! It is a sassy, all-purpose sauce that is good for you, too! All natural, fat free, low sodium, kosher and shelf stable. Each flavor has endless uses in your recipes and at your table…come try it this weekend…I promise you are going to be addicted too!

You know it is addiction when you are at one of the new "trendy & fancy" gourmet burger places in Atlanta and you are enjoying what once was your favorite turkey burger and you think to yourself..."Darn, do I have that sample bottle of Hot Squeeze in my car? it would be awesome on this!" Yep- I seriously did that!!

Cookin Chicks Comes to Blue Ridge!

We have a new business here Blue Ridge that has a concept that we just love! Let us introduce you to "Cookin' Chicks", they offer wonderful homemade meals without the hassle. Two self-described "Soccer Moms" said to themselves...just how many times can you go to the drive thru? They recognized that nearly everyone wants to be able to offer their family a nice homecooked meal, but the reality for many is that our busy, hectic and real world lives makes that goal nearly impossible.

The Cookin Chicks (pictured above) Nicole Hamilton Honeycutt and Kathryn Learn Harris have opened at 2460 East First Street Space C-6 Blue Ridge, (behind Taste of Amish).

Let Kathryn and Nicole do the shopping, chopping and cooking for you. Their meals make great gifts for a new neighbor, a friend with a new baby, or even a pot luck supper. They make a homemade meal ready to pop in the oven. The dinners include a main dish, a side dish and dessert that comes packaged (see above...how cute is that) and ready for you to pick up!

An example of one of their delicious meals above, creamy chicken and wild rice, fresh salad with poppy seed dressing, and classic chocolate brownies...YUM! Currently their hours are Tuesday and Thursday 3:3o to 6:00PM, you can check out their FaceBook page for upcoming menus http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cookin-Chicks/188819031145143 , you can call (706-455-0235) or email (cookinchicks@yahoo.com) them to pre-order your supper!! Dinners are available for two, four or six people with prices from $15 to $35. We can't wait to try their meals out and hope you will also, tell them Corky & Shawn sent you!

Gracious Mountain Living

In celebration of the New Year Shawn and I were invited to a couple of parties, one was Friday, New Years Eve and the other was New Years Day. We always consider an invitation to one's home an honor and a treat because someone is allowing you to come into their "inner domain" and see how they live. We find it really wonderful here in the mountains because something about this special area encourages people to want to "nest" and really create their own "sanctuary" or "getaway". Perhaps it is for many a second home and an opportunity to create a place that is very different from their primary residence therefore they take more risks and have more fun with their decorating options, or maybe for others they are at a different phase in their lives and they have come to understand how they want to live and entertain while at their special place in the mountains or on the lake. Either way we are fortunate to know some folks who really understand what we define as "Gracious Mountain Living". I hope our kind hosts will not mind but I wanted to share some of their secrets and special details with you.

The party on Friday night was described as "Champagne and Chocolate" and what a decadent evening it was. First I want you to get the setting of our friend's mountain home! Because they love to entertain while in the mountains she and her husband took a small log home near a lovely creek and designed some thoughtful additions to really enhance the way they would utilize their second home. The area that was originally the living and dining room is now solely the dining room with a very large round table in front of a stone fireplace with a huge, beautiful chandelier that is made up of patina finished metal leaves. They also added a very large gathering room with plenty of seating and another stone fireplace along with a great deck, outdoor fireplace and screened in pavilion overlooking the creek. (While they were at it they built a garage with an apartment and bought the adjacent cabin for a guest cottage so we lovingly call this their "compound"). It is no wonder that we love this woman as she is a consummate shopper, with great taste, she loves home decor and we describe her look as upscale lodge. She has a wonderful knack for mixing rustic and elegant. Picture beautiful rugs layered with real hides, lots of texture in her tapestry fabrics on the pillows and draperies, leather chairs and mohair sofa. She is also great with scale, I love her use of oversize pieces of furniture that really make her rooms feel larger. Finally, her art is amazing she collects original oil paintings that she loves and she has a great collection of mostly nature inspired subject matter in various size and genre.

The party was so lovely, with lots of candles and her additional beautiful holiday decor. The large round table in the dining room was layered with amazing cakes and pastries, truffles, gigantic chocolate dipped strawberries with fresh whipped cream, another friend even brought delicious pink champagne cupcakes!! There was Veuve Clicquot Champagne (my favorite!!) and a wonderful champagne punch. I loved that our host had a tray with various unique champagne flutes...it was fun to watch guests "choose the flute" that they wanted to be toasting with at midnight!

What a wonderful party! In her true form our host created an elegant, sophisticated environment that was very, very welcoming and comfortable. It was a great way to celebrate the new year and we are thankful to have been included.

On Saturday we were invited to visit the mountain home of some other friends for their "Traditional New Year's Day Fare". This was our first time to their home but we just knew that it would be special and we were right. Our friends are a Mother and her two adult daughters, along with a son-in-law and two of the most adorable young grandsons. Mom wanted a getaway where she and her family could be together and make memories and she found a place that with some vision and renovations could be the perfect retreat from their busy lives in Atlanta.

Situated on a great piece of property with a beautiful view their retreat has been created with entertaining in mind. The home has a a bunk room for the boys, a master retreat for mother, and bedrooms for both daughters. They also have a large gathering & dining room, newly renovated kitchen, a cozy finished terrace level, media room and even a craft room (and believe me these ladies are CREATIVE and CRAFTY!). They have several outside living areas where I am told they do the bulk of their entertaining. These areas include a lovely screened porch with that great view, decks, and even a guest house. My favorite area is at the terrace level where they have their stone fire pit, hot tub, a really cool outdoor shower and the piece de resistance the specially designed (by grandmother) tree house for the grandsons. (We are talking trap door, operable windows, dutch door, and room to run around...every kids dream!)

The decor is so welcoming, casual and comfortable. They have several wonderful originals by the artist Cornbread. Some great collections like the wonderful vintage picnic baskets and the clear glass antique oil lamps that look so great on the large mantle mixed with Mercury glass and evergreen for the holidays. I love this idea, they have a rustic bulletin board just off the kitchen with tons of family photos (both old and new). This home is just a place you want to hang out and relax. Another special point is that the homeowner's sister purchased two cabins just up the road, so this really is a place where family memories are made, with aunts, uncles and where two generations of cousins get to spend time together.

Remember I said that they were creative and crafty? They have so much fun like a recent family contest where they wrote odd ingredients on pieces of paper, you then drew a piece of paper with the ingredient and they had a "cook off" to see who could make the best dish (Strawberry Rhubarb pie won!). They also had an entire beautiful, gingerbread village on display that they completed with friends at a gathering just after Thanksgiving a tradition that they started years ago...how fun is that?! (I spoke to one of the daughters today and they were doing decoupage projects!)

Now about the party! When we arrived we were graciously and quickly offered a cocktail. I loved that they had large mason jars pre-made with special family recipe of whisky sours and bloody Marys of course with all of the accoutrement including pickled okra, celery and dilly beans to garnish your drink. The kids played while we sat on the screened porch in rocking chairs enjoying our delicious cocktails just visiting. Then there was the food...oh, the traditional southern food! The buffet included ham, turkey, cornbread, black-eyed peas, the most delicious greens and 'hoppin john that I have ever had! For dessert there was coconut cake and my all time favorite a seven layer caramel cake. Just when you think it couldn't get better we had a sinful tiramisu cordial (mother's special recipe, that I must have!!)

What made this party so wonderful was the welcoming and relaxing way everything was presented. The hosts made it seem effortless (and we know how much work was involved prepare all of this.) Having the bar and a couple special signature drinks ready is always so smart. But I feel the most important part is just loving what you are doing and where you are doing it. When we left Shawn and I discussed how we loved the way that they "really used and enjoyed" their very special mountain retreat.

THANK YOU to our friends who really get the "gracious mountain living" idea, they understand how fortunate we are to be able to be here in this special place. We feel fortunate to have been included in their fetes and can't think of a better way to bring in the new year. I hope their ideas inspire you to put together your own special gathering or maybe even start your own family traditions!

Cucina Rustica Is Always A Treat!

This past Saturday night we enjoyed dinner at Cucina Rustica and as always it was OUTSTANDING! Cucina is always consistent, since they opened we have never had anything but excellent meals there. I have tried most of the items on the menu and you can't go wrong with anything. It is always a perfect choice to take your visitors.

Cucina features Italian country cuisine with definite highlights of chef Isabella's northern Italian heritage (her father is a well known chef also). The emphasis is on light, flavorful but not overpowering sauces and fresh ingredients. To add a special touch, a wood-fired oven is used to prepare baked dishes. The main entrees and pastas include favorites such as: Crespelle al Forno, Baked Spinach and Ricotta Crepes (heavenly!), Fillet Mignon with Porcini sauce (Shawn's Favorite), Tortellini All Nonna which is Meat-filled tortellini tossed in a rich cream sauce with prosciutto, peas and parmigiano (my favorite!) or even a traditional Pizza Margherita. They usually have daily specials that are out of this world. The dessert choices include several wonderful delights including the Tiramisu Della Mamma (it is absolutely the best Tiramisu that I've ever had). The separate dining areas allow for seating of private parties. For those who enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer with their dinner, Cucina Rustica is one of the first restaurants in Fannin County to receive a pouring license.

If you haven't been to Cucina Rustica you really are missing out! I promise you will love it. Owners John and Isabella along with their excellent, well-trained team will take great care of you, and you will leave in happy bliss! Located only about five minutes from downtown Blue Ridge at 76 Forge Mill Crossing in Morganton. It is best to make a reservation by calling 706-374-7474. Go treat yourself and tell them we sent you!!

Bienvenue à la maison Shawn! All Is Forgiven.

Shawn is home from Europe! In light of today's heightened security threat level seems like timing couldn't be better. He told me that he had a great time and while he thoroughly enjoyed the trip he is happy to be back home. He loved the "Shawn's Away Sale" because he is inspired from his travels and ready to go to the International Home Furnishings Market in a couple of weeks and find more new and wonderful things for Gatewood Hall Gracious Home!

Of course I have enjoyed playing the martyr but truth be known I was all for Shawn taking this trip, it just wasn't a good time for me to go. But let me add this...when he returned with several of my favorite French shelter magazines, gorgeous, fresh macaroons from Ladurée- Paris (that he had picked up on his way to the airport) along with my favorite tea and a tin of shortbread from Harrods in London all was definitely forgiven.

If you have never had a French macaroon you are missing out. Not to be confused by our American coconut version the French version is actually small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle, and they are made every morning in Ladurée’s "laboratory". With each new season, Ladurée pays tribute to this its most famous creation by creating a new flavor. We are talking flavors like Chocolate, Vanilla, Coffee, Rose, Pistachio (one of my favorites), Raspberry (Shawn's favorite), Blackcurrant Violet, Caramel with salted butter, Red Fruits, Orange Blossom, Liquorice, Lemon and Ginger. They are sooooo delicious and I think Ladurée’s are the best. www.laduree.fr/

Today I enjoyed the beautiful Autumn weather, had tea and cookies while I read (well looked at the pictures) in my new French Magazines (HEAVEN!!). Thank you Shawn and bienvenue à la maison (Welcome Home!). I will share some inspiration from these mags in a future posting. Have a great week!

Wonderful Things!

It has been a very busy week at Gatewood Hall, as many of you know Shawn is in Europe so I can't thank Becky and Brenda enough for helping "hold down the fort" while he was away. We have received so much new inventory (a bunch of Holiday arrived this week...Oh just wait until you see!!!)

One of the new items we have just put out is a limited edition fragrance by Archipelago called Black Forest. It is the soothing scent of Douglas Fir and Ebony wood and a subtle hint of Black Currant so perfect for the mountains especially this time of year. We have the 8 oz. diffusers and the hand poured, soy wax blend candle (which will burn for more than 50 hours). The packaging is beautiful and would make a very nice gift. Come in and smell for yourself.

A few weeks ago artist Ande Cooke turned me onto this blog called Honey and Jam and I have to tell you I love it. Here is the kicker...the writer and food photographer is local, she along with her mother and the rest of the family are said to make some of the most wonderful artisan breads that they sell locally, usually at the Blue Ridge Farmers Market. Well I fell in love with the blog the young lady is named Hannah, and her photography is absolutely beautiful! I probably sound crazy but I believe she captures the essence and feeling of the food with such simple nuance. Twice while at the farmers market I have looked for her so that I could introduce myself (I know...now I sound like a stalker!) unfortunately Hannah and her family haven't been there.

This past Sunday I arrived late to the store and Becky is helping some folks and I just jump in to do my usual wrapping with tissue and bows and the customer says these things are for my daughter she is a food photographer...(Ping, my ears perked up) I said who is your daughter because I think I am one of her new groupies...and sure enough it was Hannah turns our that she and her family have been in a few times and she buys some of her photo props from GH! The entire family (her sisters were there also, I think they thought I was nuts because I was so excited to meet all of them) were so very nice. Turns out they have been really busy with other stuff and that is why they haven't been at the market. Hopefully they will get back there before the season ends. In the meantime grab a cup of tea sit back and enjoy Hannah's beautiful, mouth-watering blog http://www.honeyandjam.com/ you will enjoy it and you deserve it!

Finally, while Shawn is away Becky and I decided we'd have a sale (teach him to leave us behind!!). Handbags and wallets are 15% to 50% off, all in-stock jewelry is 20% off, Cat Studio is 25% off, and we are still marking down. It is almost time for the High Point market so we need to make room for more new things! Stop in and see us this weekend, the fresh autumn weather has been AWESOME!

The Girl & The Fig Products at Gatewood Hall!

We are so pleased to be able to offer "the girl & the fig" products at Gatewood Hall. Created by Sondra Bernstein proprietor of the renowned Sonoma, California restaurants Estate, The Fig Cafe and The Girl & The Fig these products will make your mouth, heart and stomach sing for joy!

The fig and port vinaigrette is the signature dressing for the famous grilled fig & arugula salad at Sondra's girl & the fig restaurant. A perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Serve on a salad of arugula, toasted pecans, pancetta, grilled figs & chevre. (say it with me, HEAVEN!!!!). You can also use it as a marinade for pork or chicken.

The Apricot Fig Chutney is probably one of the most popular products from the girl & the fig. Plump apricots and calimyrna figs are a fantastic combination for flavor and texture. With a hint of ginger, spices and dried cherries, this chutney is a very versatile condiment that will add another flavor dimension to your favorite dish.

Serving Ideas:

The most popular box lunch sandwich from the girl & the fig is the house-roasted turkey, apricot fig chutney, fiscalini cheddar cheese on a baguette. (YUMMY!!) You can also...

- Add to a cheese and charcuterie platter.
- Marinate chicken or pork chops with apricot fig chutney and grill.
- Serve as a condiment for pork loin, roast chicken, turkey breast
- Serve on a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Mix with Cream Cheese or Mascarpone and make Stuffed French Toast.

Mostarda is an Italian condiment made of candied fruit with a kick from mustard or mustard seed. Traditionally mostarda was served with boiled meats called bollito misto which is a speciality of northern Italian cooking. More recently it has become a popular accompaniment to cheeses. Subtle flavors of rosemary, cinnamon, coriander, and ginger add depth and create a nice balance in the multi-dimensional product. Serve alongside charcuterie or cheese, or even as a spread on a sandwich . We served a sample at our last block party and Brenda along with one of our guests agreed that it would be fabulous on a peanut butter sandwich..that is where Italian meets the south! I think a big tablespoon in Greek Yogurt or in oatmeal would be extremely satisfying. Also delicious as a condiment or sauce with grilled chicken, pork, lamb, and sausage. You will love it!

The red onion confit is a blend of red onions, red wine vinegar, red wine, sugar, thyme, salt, pepper. Serve with charcuterie dishes, grilled sausages, barbecued chicken and meats. Add to a turkey or cheese sandwich. It almost has a sweet and sour flavor and adds a nice addition of flavor to the most basic recipes.

Serving Ideas:

- Serve with charcuterie dishes, grilled sausages, BBQ chicken and meats.
- Add to a turkey or cheese sandwich.
- Use as a condiment for cheese platters.
- Warm gently and use as sauce for pork, chicken, turkey, or beef.
- Use as a sandwich condiment or on a burger. YUM!
- While braising, add a couple tablespoons to the pot.
- Add a few tablespoons to sautéed vegetables. (I do this and it really dresses up something simple!)

The salts are wonderful blends that include:

Fennel citrus herb blend - A blend of fennel seed, lemon and orange peel, sea salt, lavender, mustard seed and other spices. Sprinkle on fish, chicken or pork before pan searing or grilling. Add water to brine pork or chicken.

Lavender sea salt- Simple lavender flowers blended with grey sea salt. Subtle scent and flavor makes this a great addition to certain dishes for an unusual dose of flavor. (I love it on fresh heirloom tomatoes!)

Citrus sea salt- Oven dried lemon and orange peel mixed with grey sea salt. Sprinkle on fish, chicken or pork before pan searing or grilling. Toss with pasta or risotto. Serve as a condiment on the table.

We also have Sondra's outstanding cook book that is full of great recipes that promote her vision of country food with French passion.

Stop in this weekend we will be having tastings of some of the girl and fig products...we will get you hooked!! See you soon!