Vegetable Soup

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June 20, 2023

Vegetable Soup in a metal bowl with a spoon and green leaves on the sides, includes zucchini and yellow squash.

Vegetable soup is soul-soothing goodness, perfect for long wintery days or stormy summer nights (especially when you need to use up the yellow squash and zucchini from your garden).

Vegetable Soup Recipe

INGREDIENTS

3-quart homemade bone broth 1 zucchini, diced
1 yellow squash, diced
1 can crushed tomatoes, diced 1 red onion, diced
1⁄2 head cauliflower, cut into small pieces Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large pot, heat olive oil and add in chopped veggies, brown slightly.
Pour in diced tomatoes and bone broth, cook until vegetables are tender.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve vegetable soup with shredded parmesan on top and crusty bread.

Recipe and Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Dave Bryce

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The Kitchen is Life of the Party in this Pittsburgh Home

By

Keith Recker

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June 20, 2023

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The interior of a kitchen with a granite waterfall island counter, and pink/orange looking drinks sitting on top. Behind the island is another countertop with four bottles of champagne. — Donna Tidwell’s kitchen is made for a party. Photography by Dave Bryce.

Tucked into the rolling green fields outside Ligonier, realtor Donna Tidwell’s home draws in friends and neighbors like a beacon. Donna’s warm, relaxed style is part of the attraction, but the kitchen completes the picture. It was built precisely to host a party.

The house flows easily from the living room to the kitchen and beyond to the dining area, beckoning guests to move first to drinks, then to Chef Alekka’s hors d’oeuvres, and then from one smiling conversation to another.

“We wanted an open concept with voluminous spaces. To achieve that, we had to remodel what was here. We removed the walls that separated the kitchen from the rest of the living space. We also removed the existing ceiling and the attic to create the current 14-foot vaulted one. Eventually, we also widened the kitchen by grabbing part of the garage to allow for the large islands that we desired,” says Donna. “Our mission was to have living room, dining room, and kitchen flow seamlessly together in a comfortable way.”

The hostess with the mostest, Donna Tidwell, gathered her near and dear to enjoy her kitchen and to taste the delicious hors d’oeuvres of Chef Alekka.

The twin waterfall islands are surfaced in a unique schist granite with a leather finish. The perimeter countertops were custom-made of solid rolled steel with a lacquer finish, reflecting light onto white glass backsplashes. The appliances are stainless steel JennAir models, including the streamlined 36-inch induction cooktop with a Kohler pot filler.

“We designed and built LED strip lights located over the islands in a way that provides maximum task lighting without shining directly into our eyes,” Donna adds, rightly proud of a noticeable detail of this long and complicated project she personally guided and monitored. The almost-invisible fixtures cast pools of light that are not mere task-lighting: they attract guests into the kitchen. Their glow, as well as Chef Alekka’s delicious hors d’oeuvres, emphasized the kitchen’s role as the center of this party.

The kitchen’s details are modern and simple… because they are the stage upon which many a party is built.

Starting with Gazpacho Shooters and a glass of bubbly, the crew moved on to Smoked Salmon Blini, Crab & Avocado Brioches, two kinds of crostini, tender potatoes topped with creme fraiche and crispy shallots, and fresh radishes served French-style with salt and butter.

Reluctant to leave and drive back to Pittsburgh, we were assured of summertime invitations, which we look forward to.

The food and a bit of sparkling wine brought people and place to a new level.

Chef Alekka’s Cocktail Party Menu

Gazpacho Shooters with Parmesan & Cayenne Twists
Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes stuffed with Crème Fraîche topped with Crispy Shallots & Chives
Smoked Salmon Blini
Crab & Avocado on Mini Brioche Bites
Crostini with Burrata and Mashed Fava Bean, Lemon Zest & Red Pepper Flake Garnish
Crostini with Crispy Pancetta, Asparagus, Burrata & Lemon Zest
Radishes with Butter, Maldon Sea Salt & Herbed Olive Oil

Chef Alekka prepared a gorgeous array of finger foods to complement the sparkling wine, and to delight both eye and palate.

Appliance list by DON’S APPLIANCES

JENN-AIR 36″ PRO STYLE FRENCH DOOR REFRIGERATOR
JENN-AIR 30″ WARMING DRAWER
WHIRLPOOL 30″ FREESTANDING RANGE
JENN-AIR 72″ COUNTER-DEPTH FRENCH DOOR REFRIGERATOR
JENN-AIR 15 “BUILT-IN UNDER-COUNTER ICE MAKER
THERMADOR 24” BUILT-IN DISHWASHER

Story Keith Recker / Photography by Dave Bryce / Food by Chef Alekka / Food Styling Styling Nina Gleason

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This article appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of Pittsburgh’s Finest Kitchens.

How to Pittsburgh: Local Architecture & Public Art

By

Kylie Thomas

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June 20, 2023

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Exteriors of The Andy Warhol Museum, Fallingwater, and City of Asylum. Local Architecture in Pittsburgh

Lauren Shuty, social media fellow for The Warhol Academy’s new fellowship program in the North Shore’s Pop District, shares some of the region’s local architecture and public art as showcased in TABLE Magazine‘s How to Pittsburgh issue.

Featured Spots:

The Andy Warhol Museum
Fallingwater
City of Asylum
Aaronel deRoy Gruber

Check out all of TABLE’s How to Pittsburgh highlights: https://bit.ly/3MAovkQ

Summer’s In Your Blood Cocktail, Inspired by Boygenius

By

Star Laliberte

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June 19, 2023

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2 cocktail glasses rimmed with tajin and fanned strawberries over a gradient of red/orange cocktail on a brown wood table with a lime wedge and jalapeño slices. A Boygenius inspired cocktail

“You can’t help but become the sun” when you’re sipping on Summer’s In Your Blood, a cocktail inspired by Boygenius’ True Blue. Step away from unpredictable moments and sip on a cocktail with your besties while feeling the vibe of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, the trio who make up this American indie rock supergroup. This is the second cocktail in our 2023 Summer Cocktail Concert Series.

Summer’s In Your Blood Cocktail Recipe, Inspired by Boygenius

INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
6 slices of fresh strawberries
2-3 thin slices of fresh jalapeño
3 oz Bundaberg ginger beer
Tajin for rim
Lime wedge
Whole strawberry, cut into a fan

INSTRUCTIONS

Use a lime wedge to wet half of the rim of the glass, then dip the rim into Tajin.
Add the lime juice, sliced strawberries, and sliced jalapeño to your glass. (If less heat is preferred, remove the seeds and inner pith of the jalapeno before muddling.) Muddle all together.
Add ice to the glass, then pour in bourbon and ginger beer.
Stir together.
Cut a whole strawberry into a fan and place onto a pick to garnish your cocktail.

Recipe by Sarah Cascone / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Dave Bryce / Story by Star Laliberte

Try our Taylor Swift cocktail, Lover

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Pavlova

By

Abdul Rafay

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June 19, 2023

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A beautifully presented Pavlova with Roasted Strawberries and Coconut Jam, served on an exquisite plate, showcasing the art of porcelain and stoneware craftsmanship.

Chef Rafael Vencio’s light-as-a-feather Pavlova with roasted strawberries and coconut jam is a beautiful finish to any meal. This take on the classic pavlova slightly crisps its outer layer and reveals a fluffy cloud interior you’ll want to devour. This recipe works best using a food dehydrator set at about 125 degrees or the lowest setting of an oven at around 200 degrees and also a stand mixer fitted with a balloon whisk.

What is a Pavlova?

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert, showcasing a crisp crust and soft, marshmallow-like center. Usually, you can find this decadent treat with a topping of whipped cream and fresh fruit. This dessert’s textural contrasts plus the balance of sweet meringue and tart fruit makes it unlike anything you have had before. The pavlova’s origins are not entirely known. Both Australia and New Zealand claim its invention in honor of the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova during or after her tours to these countries in the 1920s. But nowadays, you will see this dessert adorning tables at many celebratory occasions.

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Pavlova

Author: Rafe Vencio

Print Recipe

Description

A classy and decadent dessert from Down Under.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tsp vinegar (apple cider or white) or lemon juice
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cornstarch
6 egg whites, from large eggs
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
Parchment-lined sheet tray

For the whipped cream:

1 cup heavy cream
¼ cup sugar

For the seared strawberries:

1 pt of strawberries
2 tbsp sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Mix vinegar, salt, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until thoroughly combined, set aside.
Whisk egg whites slowly first at medium speed until it start to froth; increase speed to high once whites begin to foam. Gradually add sugar, being careful not to add too much at once. Whisk until stiff peaks form; add the vinegar mixture, set aside, and mix until combined.
Trace even circles on the parchment to control portion or divide into 10 mounds. Flatten the middle with a back of a large spoon and free-form a bowl shape. Dehydrate until dry and brittle – the surface should crack easily if roughly handled.

For the whipped cream:

Combine and whisk until stiff peaks form.

For the seared strawberries:

Wash and hull strawberries; toss with enough oil to lightly coat the strawberries and sprinkle sugar. Make pan searing-hot and cook briefly to get a hard sear on one side.

Optional garnish:

Coconut jam, warm and drizzle over Pavlova and strawberries.

Recipe and Styling by Rafael Vencio
Story by Keith Recker
Photography by Dave Bryce
Dinnerware by Mottahdeh

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Unsung Heroes, A Juneteenth Cocktail

By

Jordan Snowden

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June 19, 2023

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Unsung Heroes cocktail in a rocks glass, brown in color. A hand is positioned over the top, squeezing lemon into the drink.

Juneteenth celebrates the day that the Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln’s executive order freeing all enslaved people of the United States, reached Galveston, Texas. It took over two years to reach southernmost Texas. In the 20th century, Juneteenth became associated with red drinks, food, and desserts as a symbol of endurance and strength. The inspiration and the name of this Juneteenth cocktail come from a long history of African Americans not receiving their due for major contributions to American society and history.

The whiskey used in this drink is from Uncle Nearest, a distillery named after a talented distiller whose real name was Nathan Green. He originated the Lincoln County Process, which is essential to Tennessee whiskey distillation. He taught Jack Daniels the craft of distillation, putting in motion an American spirits tradition. His is just one of countless unsung inventions and creations by people of color.

This Juneteenth cocktail helps me continually celebrate the paths we forge, as well as the paths forged by those who came before us who might go uncelebrated this Juneteenth.

“Unsung Heroes” is a bittersweet cocktail that encourages us to uncover our history. It’s reminiscent of a cocktail in the Negroni family. The cocktail is special to me because it is part of my personal history. That’s also part of of what led to the founding of my company, Mindful Hospitality Group.

Portrait of Cecil Usher, co-founder of Mindful Hospitality Group, by Michael Parente

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