5 Great Serving Trays

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March 25, 2024

A painting of a landscape after the civil war depicts a unifying America through nature even in the dark times.

In a presidential election year with many opinions and positions, tempers are certain to rise. A trip to the Carnegie Museum of Art (CMOA) can cool the fever and remind us that what brings us together as Americans is always stronger that what pushes us apart. Among the unifying factors we share: a veneration of the beauty of our country, and a reverence for what each and every American brings to our shared table. Two Carnegie Museum of Art curators start the conversation with works from the museum’s permanent collection.

Thomas Moran (American, 1837–1926)
Clearing in the Mountains, 1865
Oil on canvas
Heinz Family Fund, 2014.16

Akemi May, Associate Curator of Work on Paper

Thomas Moran’s painting of a sawmill in Pike County, PA was made shortly after a sketching tour of the region. It was sometime in July or August of 1865, mere months after the end of the Civil War. The isolation and scale of the manmade structure against the rugged wilderness was a standard theme in Hudson River School landscapes, reflecting both America’s rapid expansion in the mid-19th century and the sublime — a heightened sense of awe, astonishment, and sometimes fear of the expansiveness of the natural world. Given the context, the retreating storm and rays of light breaking through the clouds could symbolize hope for the new era after the war which ended six months prior.

Dawoud Bey (American, b. 1953)
Mary Parker and Caela Cowan, 2014
Inkjet print, 16 × 25 in. (40.6 × 63.5cm)
Carnegie Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by James Armstrong, Elizabeth and Sean McDonald, and Alice Snyder, 2017.22.3
© Dawoud Bey. Courtesy Stephen Daiter Gallery, Chicago

Dan Leers, Curator of Photography

On September 15, 1963, members of the KKK bombed the 16th Street Church in Birmingham, AL, killing six Black children. In 2014, Chicago-based photographer Dawoud Bey made these photographs of a Birmingham-area girl the same age as one of those who was murdered with an adult who is the age that the girls would have been had they not been killed. The event was a flashpoint in the Civil Rights movement and inspired Bey to make this pair of portraits in the sanctuary of the Bethel Baptist Church, a key center for activism following the bombing.

Story and Photography Courtesy of Carnegie Museum of Art

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Dill Pickle Potato Salad

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March 25, 2024

A white plate is slathered in a crispy potato salad with dill pickles and a small plate to the bottom right holds a smaller portion.

Was it Julia Child who blessed the inclusion of chopped dill pickles in potato salad, or was her classic recipe for American-style potato salad a nod to what us Yanks already knew: the tangy, vinegary bite of dills brings alive the subtle charms of the potato. Our recipe asks you to roast boiled and smashed potatoes for crispiness and caramelization … and then mix then with farm-fresh herbs, dills, and yogurt. This dill pickle potato salad is best when served warm, but also scrumptious made ahead of time and served chilled.

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Dill Pickle and Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Author: Anna Franklin

Description

Upgrade your potato salad game.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lb fingerling baby potatoes
1/4 cup yogurt
2 tbsp olive oil (we used a basil-infused olive oil)
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup dill pickles, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup chives, chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1 cup cucumbers, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Dill sprig and chives for garnish

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Instructions

Boil the potatoes until fork-tender, drain, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Using a Mason jar or some sort of glass, smash each potato until they break open and are flat, about ½-inch thick.
Roast the potatoes at 400 degrees until they are golden brown and very crispy. If some of the edges get really dark and crunchy that is okay! Let the potatoes cool to room temperature.
In a large bowl add the room-temperature potatoes and mix together with the remaining ingredients. This can be served at room temperature or chilled.
Garnish with dill sprigs and chives before serving.

Story by Keith Recker
Recipe and Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce
Dinnerware courtesy of Blue Pheasant

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Crispy Mushroom Bundles with Spicy Mayo

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March 25, 2024

Various crispy mushroom bundles sit on a brown plate beside a small bowl of spicy mayo beside two green cups and two forks.

Crispy Mushroom Bundles are a perfect appetizer to wow your guests with your culinary knowledge. To create these little works of art, bundle groups of seafood mushrooms with strips of Japanese nori. Dip them in batter made with flour before frying them up in canola oil to make Crispy Mushroom Bundles. Finally, dip them in Spicy Mayo… and savor the symphony of heavenly locavore flavors.

What Do Seafood Mushrooms Taste Like?

Just as the name suggests, this type of mushroom carries a subtle seafood flavor that’s almost like lobster or shrimp. But, beneath this hint of the seas is a mild, earthy undertone. Granted, once you cook these crispy bundles for our recipe, they’ll take on some of the flavors within the batter. Not to mention, the spicy mayo helps to contextualize the flavor notes and add in a bit of heat.

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Crispy Mushroom Bundles with Spicy Mayo

Author: Anna Franklin

Description

These crispy bundles of mushrooms bound with nori strips pair perfectly with a homemade spicy mayo.

Ingredients

Scale

For the batter:

1/4 cup flour
3 tbsp cornstarch
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup water

For the sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sriracha
1 tsp sesame oil

For the mushrooms:

1 qt non-GMO canola oil
1–2 nori pieces, cut into long thin strips
1–2 lb local mushrooms (we used seafood mushrooms)
1/4 cup green onions for garnish
1 tbsp sesame seeds for garnish

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Instructions

For the batter:

In a large bowl, mix together the batter ingredients until a thin batter is formed and set aside.

For the sauce:

In a small bowl mix together all the sauce ingredients and then set aside.

For the mushrooms:

Firstly, in a large pot or fryer, heat 1 quart of canola oil to 350 degrees. While your oil is heating up, start making your mushroom bundles.
Cut the nori into long thin strips and then piece together some small bundles of mushrooms. Then take a thin piece of nori and wrap around the base of the mushroom bundles to secure them like a little bouquet. Wet the end of the nori with a little bit of water so it sticks.
Dip each bundle of mushrooms into the batter and deep-fry in oil until golden and crispy. At last, garnish with fresh green onion and sesame seeds. Then serve immediately with spicy dipping sauce.

Story by Keith Recker
Recipe and Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce
Dinnerware courtesy of Blue Pheasant

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Must-Have Barware

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March 21, 2024

A smoked grey bottle sits in front of an old fashioned cocktail with smoke rising up through the photo. — Photo courtesy of Viski

We at TABLE love a well-prepared cocktail. And — just as with food — the prep and the presentation are almost as important as the final product. These must-have special barware tools for making and serving drinks — be they for yourself, your partner, or your guests — elevate day-to-day life. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

By the way, these items also make fantastic gifts…

A four piece barware bottle set from Pols Potten in the colors blue, orange, and pink sit on a blank background. — Photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Polspotten, Bubbles & Bottles Mix

Mouth-blown, hand-worked glass in intriguing colors (there are three sets available — black and white, cognac [shown], and multi-color) that look great alone or in a group.

Alchemi, Smoked Cocktail Kit

If you’re into the wildly popular trend, this 5-piece set is an easy way to prepare your Smoked Manhattan or Old-Fashioned. Includes everything, even whiskey-smoked oak pellets.

A golden cocktail shaker from Zanetto Barware sits on a blank background. — Photo courtesy of Artemest

Zanetto, Corteccia Cocktail Shaker

Handmade in Italy, with an all-over hammered finish that makes it feel both glamorous and organic. The juxtaposition of textured and smooth parts amplifies the fine craftsmanship.

A clear soda siphon with a black nozzle top sits against a blank white background. — Photo courtesy of Katom

Steelite, Utopia Siphon

You mean you don’t have an elegant, old-school soda siphon? We thought you would. Now’s your chance to raise your Scotch and sodas — and your whole cocktail game — to new heights.

A black barware set sits beside a cocktail featuring a cocktail shaker, stirring spoon, strainer, and more. — Photo courtesy of Williams Somona

Williams Sonoma, Encore Ultimate Set

Professional-quality gear that brings something extra in the style department with an enticing matte black finish. All the tools you need to be the host/ess with the most/ess.

A grey cocktail shaker sits to the left of a silver barware kit with stirring rods, measurement cups, and a strainer. — Photos courtesy of Texxture Home

Tomini, Hand-Forged Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker and Hand-Forged Stainless Steel Barware Set

If your decor is more New York loft and your tastes skew more industrial chic, this full complement of barware is perfect. Made of solid stainless steel — and comes gift boxed.

A stack of cold coasters and their container sits on a site backdrop. — Photo courtesy of Food 52

Schoolhouse, Brass Coaster Set

Everything you have should be as beautiful as possible, and these brass coasters are a way to add easy luxury to your bar area. Simple and shimmering on top, with non-slip cork below.

A stainless-steel ice bucket with a smooth top sits on a beige backdrop. — Photo courtesy of Food 52

Mepra, Italian Stile Ice Bucket 

Simplicity, Italian style. No extraneous details, just a pure gesture with clean lines and a brushed finish. There are even matching ice tongs. And it’s all dishwasher-safe to boot.

Story by Stephen Treffinger

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Perfect Avocado Toast

By

Anna Franklin

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March 21, 2024

three slices of toast sit with perfectly slices pieces of avocado, cheese, and carrots.

The Aztecs say that avocados are an aphrodisiac. Since it’s not a big step from guacamole on a warm tortilla to avocado on freshly toasted bread, did the perfect avocado toast become trendy for its boudoir potential? Since it’s unlikely we will ever see data to confirm or refute this hypothesis, let’s just enjoy every bite of toasted sourdough bread slathered in a whip of ricotta, chèvre, and honey. In addition to slices of fresh avocado, we suggest layering fresh shaved or grated carrot, salmon roe, and hemp hearts on top. An edible flower or two wouldn’t hurt either. We’re putting this Perfect Avocado Toast in our Meatless Monday dinner rotation, which we will enjoy with a glass of Gewürtztraminer.

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Perfect Avocado Toast

Author: Anna Franklin

Description

If you’re an avocado toast fan, we’re about to blow your mind with this recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tbsp ricotta cheese
2 tbsp chèvre
1 tbsp honey
2 slices sourdough bread
1 avocado, sliced
1 carrot, shaved into thin peels for garnish
Salmon roe for garnish
Hemp hearts for garnish

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Instructions

In a small bowl mix together the ricotta cheese, chèvre and honey until evenly incorporated, set aside.
Toast the slices of sourdough bread and spread on the ricotta mixture.
Top with sliced avocado, carrot curls, salmon roe, and hemp hearts and enjoy.

Story by Keith Recker / Recipe and Styling by Anna Franklin / Photography by Dave Bryce / Dinnerware courtesy of Blue Pheasant

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Khachapuri

By

Anna Franklin

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March 20, 2024

Bread in the shape of pointed ovals and filled with eggs sit on a table with herbs around them. Kachapuri recipe

Inspired by a traditional dish from the Republic of Georgia, our khachapuri recipe blends farm-fresh eggs with two kinds of cheese and fresh herbs. All of this goodness is sheltered in ovals of scratch-made dough. The results? Bites of quiche-like filling, dippy eggs, and light, crispy bread.

The History of Khachapuri

The history of khachapuri dates back to ancient Georgia. Georgian culture is famous for its hospitality, including as the birthplace of wine. Some say khachapuri originated as a way to combine the country’s abundant dairy resources with a staple food of celebratory Georgian feasts, bread. Over time, regional variations of developed. One of the most famous is “Adjarian khachapuri,” which features an open-faced bread boat filled with cheese, topped with a raw egg and a pat of butter. This variation is particularly popular in the seaside city of Batumi, located on the Black Sea coast. Khachapuri remains a symbol of Georgian hospitality around hte world.

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Khachapuri

Author: Anna Franklin

Description

A cheese-filled recipe from the Republic of Georgia.

Ingredients

Scale

For the dough:

3 tbsp unsalted butter from
1 cup milk from
1 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp instant yeast or active dry yeast
2 3/4 cups bread flour

For the filling:

2 cups Moshannon cheese
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 large egg
2 tbsp bread flour
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2–1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
2 tbsp coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tbsp finely chopped chives

For assembly:

Homemade dough
Khachapuri filling
Egg wash
8 quail eggs for garnish
Additional fresh herbs for garnish

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Instructions

For the dough:

Heat the butter and milk together in a small saucepan or in the microwave until the butter melts.
Place the sugar and salt in a large bowl, and pour the hot milk over it, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Cool to lukewarm, about 100-110 degrees.
Stir in the yeast and flour, mixing until a shaggy mass forms. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.
After the rest, knead until smooth: 8-10 minutes by hand, or 6-8 minutes at medium speed in a mixer. Knead in an additional 1-2 tablespoons flour if the dough is uncomfortably sticky.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-1 1/2 hours, until it increases in size by at least one-third.

For the filling:

Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat to combine, or pulse everything together briefly with a food processor.

For assembly:

Line two baking sheets with parchment. Turn out the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 4 equal pieces.
Roll each piece into an oval shape about 10 inches long and 6 inches wide. Cover with greased plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 minutes.
Spoon ¼ of the cheese mixture into the center of each and spread to within 1 inch of the edges.
Pull the dough’s edges up around the cheese, folding and twisting the ends to form a boat shape.
Cover and let rise for 20 minutes, or until puffy but not doubled. While the breads are rising, preheat the oven to 375 degrees with two racks toward the center.
Brush the exposed edges of the khachapuri with an egg wash and bake for 15-20 minutes, until they feel set; they will not have started to brown nor will the filling be bubbly, but don’t worry! They’ll continue to bake once you add the egg-and-butter garnish.
Remove from the oven and use the back of a spoon to make an indentation about 3 inches across in the filling of each khachapuri. Crack two quail eggs into each and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes (for soft-set eggs), or 12-15 minutes (for firmer eggs).
Remove from the oven and serve warm. Garnish with additional fresh herbs, if desired.

Story by Keith Recker
Recipe and Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce
Dinnerware courtesy of Blue Pheasant

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Our Favorite Colors in 2024

By

Jordan Snowden

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March 20, 2024

A pale blue bedroom wall, with built in book shelves on either side fo the walls, and a white bed in the middle. favorite colors 2024

Sometimes something catches your eye — a shape, a texture, a color — and immediately takes hold of you. It feels as if you’ve never seen it before, or that you’re seeing it in a whole new light. For me, it was the color Eau de Nil, revealed during a particularly interesting lecture about ancient Egypt’s representation in art and design on a Viking cruise on the Nile. I’ve always loved celadon, but this shade is a bit less obvious, a bit more elusive. There are even differences of opinion as to what the color actually is, whether it’s bluer or greener or grayer. I’m officially obsessed!

With this in mind, we reached out to interior designers to share their favorite colors of the moment, hues that have crossed over from mere swatches or ideas and become something more, something that has captured their imagination — and won’t let go.

This living room features a gorgeous lacquered blue ceiling that perfectly complements the area rug in the space. It’s a great idea to look at your decor and accessories for color inspiration. (Photo by Nick Sargent. Design by Betsy Wentz)

Betsy Wentz
YInMn-Blue (pronounced “yin min”)

“Discovered in 2009 and noted for its vibrant, near-perfect blue color. We took a family trip to Mustique in the West Indies and the colors were so vivid — from the sky to the water to the food to the sea turtles — the whole place is really special.”

Photo by Emily Mann

Emily Mann
The off-green of a favorite sweater

“My favorite color is “off-green” as I call it. I have a Marion Foale sweater I bought at Barney’s in the ‘90s that is the perfect shade. It’s like the kelp I encountered swimming in Hingham Harbor as a girl. It’s the color ferns get when they are slowing down and moving from summer’s bounty to winter’s dormancy. It’s the olives in Valencia in Spain, so yummy! Or in Madrid, stuffed. My mother recognized how much I loved it and while growing up, if she saw it she’d say “That’s your green, Emily.” I gave the sweater to her at some point and had forgotten about it. When she died last year, I was so happy to find it again. So now it is both of us intermingled forever.”

Munna Chantal armchair with polished nickel feet covers, upholstered in Creation Baumann. The curtain is Maharam’s Valor in color Alfresco. Photo by Garrett Rowland

Ghislaine Viñas
The blue of nudibranchs (vibrant sea slugs)

“While I’m certainly not a pioneer in drawing inspiration from nature, nudibranchs, vibrant little sea slugs, continue to mesmerize me. The serene powdery blue they exhibit is swiftly becoming my favorite go-to neutral. Its calming effect is unsurprising, given that every person has encountered this color while gazing up at the sky.”

Photo of Fisher Wiseman’s Casablanca console

Jeffry Weisman
Venetian red

“Venetian red is our current obsession because of the drama and warmth it gives a space. The glow of the color draws you in and is happy. As a background, so many colors and materials stand out against Venetian red. We love the color in paint, in velvet, and in lacquer. It’s classic and modern.”

Photo is of Asha indoor/outdoor fabric in Pale Green by Peter Dunham Textiles.

Peter Dunham
Pale green

“After the claustrophobia of winter, I gravitate toward airy colors, particularly pale green. It’s earthy yet fresh, and is the ultimate sign that spring is coming — or finally here!”

Photo by Skornicka Designs & Construction

Susan Skornicka
Denim blues

“I love designing with denim blues. I am always inspired by the hues of the ocean and the sky when looking through the windows of our homes. Taking cues from the surroundings, I create comfortable environments to live in, that are grounded in a cool and natural ambience. I also live in denim jeans. In my opinion, denim is the perfect neutral in home design and fashion. And it never goes out of style.”

Interior Design by Suzanne Tucker, Tucker & Marks. (Photo by Roger Davies)

Suzanne Tucker
Shagreen green

“I have always had a soft spot for shagreen green, a sophisticated and cool shade somewhere between jade and sage. Case-in-point: my growing collection of antique shagreen eyeglass cases. They were the inspiration for the jewel box powder room I recently designed for a San Francisco family home: a little bit Deco, a little bit glam, and a whole lotta chic.”

Allison Tick
Various colors

Brooklyn-based Tick sticks to a few colors that are always on her mind. She chose a selection of Benjamin Moore wall colors that she feels go beyond trends. “I tend to like colors that aren’t immediately definable, and change with varying light qualities throughout the day,” she says. Himalayan Trek, for instance, is “a warm gray, with lavender undertones.” Grey Owl is “pale enough to be subtle, but saturated enough to provide interest.” She deems Glacier Lake her “favorite robin’s egg blue. The best soothing bedroom color.”

Story by Stephen Treffinger

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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Cocktail

By

Star Laliberte

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March 19, 2024

A frozen lemon cocktail in a collins glass sitting on a black reflective surface with lemons, and 2 pineapple leaves in the glass as garnish.

Gear up, grab your proton pack, and sip on our delightful Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Cocktail, a frozen ‘New York’ Lemonade libation. Get ready to bust some heat and enjoy the cool, refreshing blend of fresh, tangy lemon and sweet sorbet in this simply chilling cocktail! Who you gonna call when you’re ready to unleash the spirit of a frozen empire?

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Cocktail

Frozen ‘New York’ Lemonade Cocktail Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 pint lemon sorbet
1 cup Tito’s Vodka OR Bacardi Tropical Rum
8 oz New York Style Lemonade (recipe below)
1 pint of ice
Garnish with pineapple leaves to fashion the cocktail after “Tall, Dark and Horny,” Garraka

INSTRUCTIONS

Add sorbet, liquor, lemonade, and ice to a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Pour into a Collins glass.
Garnish with pineapple leaves and serve!

New York Style Lemonade

INGREDIENTS

1/2 fresh lemon, squeezed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
12 oz water

INSTRUCTIONS

Add water, lemon juice, sugar, and ice to a cocktail shaker.
Shake vigorously until sugar dissolves.
Strain and pour.

Recipe by Sarah Cascone / Styling and Photography by Star Laliberte

Try another one, or two, of our movie-inspired drinks, like the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Cocktails.

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Sommelier Kristina Hayden Bustamante Shares Her Wine Journey

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March 19, 2024