Cool Customers

Rigatoni With White Bolognese

People are always asking for more blogs but lately I’ve been fresh out of ideas. It seems to me I have maxed out on the empty nester story: homeowners upsizing, downsizing, rebuilding, removing. Been there done that. I needed something new to think and write about.

So it was serendipitous that our long-time customer, 41-year-old Antonio Ciongoli, asked Keith to help out on a video promoting Mephisto Shoes in late March. Watch the video below to see Keith sporting said shoes which, according to the WSJ, “Mephisto, the ultimate grandpa brand, is suddenly, improbably cool. Once the butt of jokes about aging ungracefully, the 59-year-old French shoemaker has become an It-girl and It-boy favorite, producing footwear as treasured for its comfort as for its stubbornly unfashionable authenticity.”

And, not surprisingly Antonio is totally, but not improbably, cool too. We first met him well over a decade ago when he was designing higher-end Italian menswear and looking for out-of-the-box items to furnish a Madison Avenue showroom. Poking around the Red Bank antique district Antonio found his way to British Cottage where he bought a pair of massive iron and vintage wood bookshelves, then repurposed them into awesome, industrial-styled garment racks.

Photo by Daniel Dorsa for Esquire Magazine 9/8/2021

In 2017 he created 18 East, a clothing brand designed to appeal to the newly minted crop of corporate and not so corporate guys who were craving a more relaxed style related to the skater looks they grew up wearing but not wanting to be identified as hip hop wanna be imposters either. Antonio’s focus is on natural materials, and while comfort is paramount he is not afraid of a little quiet elegance.

Which is a natural seque into what British Cottage has always been about. Our customers have never welcomed a cookie cutter approach to home decor. Yes they share their homes with kids and dogs and messy spouses but they still want every room to be a great room. They want furniture that has good bones and a lot of style–certainly not the mass-produced s__t from a catalog that everyone else has.

And while the furniture we sell is all about function; we want the kids to sit on our sofas and do their homework at their British Cottage tables, nothing says it can’t be attractive and made to last out of materials that are natural and organic and certainly non-toxic. Whether antique or reproduction we want real wood, and never particle board shelves, thin veneers or cheesy cookie-cutter mass produced components.

Which is the lead in to another totally cool customer who literally puts his money where his mouth is, Tom D’Ambrisi, owner of The Butcher Block restaurant in Long Branch. Ten years ago when Tom was delivering meat for his family business, expecting his first child, and renovating his first home his mom dragged him into British Cottage to look for a dining room table. This was way before he even thought about having his specialty butcher shop, let alone a restaurant. In the end he bought a large, farmhouse style dining table and over the years he would stop in for this and that.

In 2019, not long after Tom opened up a retail store selling all kinds of specialty meat products people started to ask if he could do meals too. Next thing you know Tom took his British Cottage table from his own dining room and put it in the shop (which could well be the one on the left in the above photo) and thus, his restaurant was born. In just a few years, despite his lack of restaurant experience and a global pandemic he has become wildly successful, combining his family’s insider knowledge of the meat industry with his own unique and crazy talented design sense to create one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Monmouth County–if not all of New Jersey.

10′ antique pine table ffrom British Cottage

Like Antonio, Tom is cool because he is not conventional. He is not following a trend, he is making one and that, we like to think is the point of businesses like theirs, and ours. You do you.

Usually I end my blogs with a recipe and today is no exception. I had thought about some kind of homage to Tom and his already iconic Block, but really you need to go there. The decor, the service, the one-of-a-kind cuts of meat and personalities of the staff all meld to create a sensory experience that is unique and just cannot be duplicated on the home turf.

So instead let me tell you about a truly interesting and delish dish that Keith made for us last week: Rigatoni with White Bolognese. I know, I hear you snorting blasphemy and already groaning about what can only be a tragic misinterpretation of a classic. But this recipe by Heidi da Empoli, an old friend of Amanda Hesser, who has been a food columnist and editor for The New York Times for over a decade is more than worthy of a trial run.

Reminiscent of Beef Stroganoff, (which is basically the classic French fricassée de boeuf with the addition of onions and sour cream) this rigatoni is enveloped by an aromatic mix of rich and flavorful gravy that combines meat and vegetables just like a classic Bolognese, but without the dominant tomato taste. In all honesty I have to say Keith used ground turkey instead of beef, a substitution we have been making frequently these days, and he resisted me when I wanted to toss a few cherry tomatoes into the mix. Either way, try it, you’ll like it!

Rigatoni With White Bolognese

David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

Extra virgin olive oil
½sweet onion, peeled and finely chopped
2medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
1stalk celery, finely chopped
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1pound mild Italian pork sausage meat, removed from casings
1pound ground beef (not lean)
1½cups dry Italian white wine
1cube beef bouillon dissolved in 2 cups simmering water
1½ounces dried porcini mushrooms rehydrated in 3 cups lukewarm water
⅓cup heavy cream
1pound rigatoni
¾cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Add enough oil to a large, deep sauté pan to coat the base and place over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion, carrots and celery and sauté until glassy and just tender, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Add the sausage and beef to the pan, breaking it into walnut-size pieces, and brown well.
Step 2

Pour in the wine and keep at a rapid simmer until the pan is almost dry. Then pour in 1½ cups beef bouillon and lower the heat to medium. Simmer gently, uncovered, until the bouillon is nearly gone, stirring now and then. Meanwhile, chop the rehydrated porcini into small pieces, reserving the liquid. (More full confession: Keith used fresh mushrooms and no bouillon!).
Step 3

Bring a large pot of salted (he never adds salt) water to a boil. Add mushroom liquid to the sauce to cover the meat halfway (about 1 cup) along with the porcini and continue simmering until the sauce is loose but not soupy, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper; it should be highly seasoned. When the consistency is right, fold the cream in. Remove from the heat and cover.
Step 4

When the pasta water is at a full boil, add the rigatoni and cook until still firm, but not hard, in the center. When the pasta is almost done, scoop out 1 cup of pasta water and reserve. Drain the pasta and then return it to the pot. Pour the pasta sauce on top and fold in with a wooden spoon. The pasta should not be dry. Add a little pasta water or mushroom liquid to loosen it. (It will continue to soak up sauce on the way to the table.) Serve in one large bowl or in individual bowls, passing the cheese at the table.

A Chic Retreat

Eggplant Lasagna

When a friend since seventh grade who’s lived in NYC for decades said she was hanging up her Manolos and retiring from a decades-long career in finance, I was pretty sure after a few months of leisure she’d be looking for a consulting job doing whatever just to get out of the house. Well, that didn’t happen. At least not yet. After a year of traveling and visiting friends from Bar Harbor to Vero Beach sussing out the second home scene, this summer she stayed plenty busy zhuzhing up her new digs–at the Jersey shore!

In late spring when an updated, move-in ready rental became available at The Alderbrook in Little Silver–basically her old backyard–she pounced. The idea is to try life full-time in the suburbs–and see how she and her native New Yorker spouse (also retired) fare out of the fast lane. The good news is that three months in, boredom is not an issue- yet- mainly because she has done a deep dive into the decor of her new (to them at least) 3100 square foot, three bedroom, multi-story digs. Set on a quiet lane amidst verdant landscaping, it is completely different from the ultra-urban Upper West Side apartment she still calls home.

A samurai shopper with impeccable, albeit top-drawer taste, the dilemma she is facing is how to make this home comfortable and attractive and–because it may be for only 15 months–not spend a fortune. Did I say this is someone who is not used to a budget? Good news; after my visit this morning I can confirm she has more than met the challenge!

Starting with the sofa. Her first purchase was at British Cottage, a gorgeous pale blue velvety sofa with an English arm and a turned leg by Lillian August for Hickory White. Pretty yes, but with custom spring-down cushions it is solid enough for her dodgy back and downy enough to sit and read the afternoon away. I know, I know you thought I said we were talking budget but the fact is cheap sofas are cheap for a reason. Their materials are often toxic, the fabrication always shoddy and their comfort non-existent. A good sofa is always a good investment.

The next purchase (also from yours truly) was a bit of a surprise to me but thinking about it it makes sense. The living rooms in The Alderbrook are two stories high and anchored by a large fireplace flanked by a pair of French doors. It is a challenge to ground the space and create a unifying theme in a room that at first glance can feel out of proportion. The solution here was a large piece of artwork that serves as a focal point. Clearly a bold move to install a painting before the rest of the furniture was even purchased, but, as you can see, a good one.

You can also see a coastal palette was established–and to you naysayers that is not overdone, a cliche, or simplistic especially when you live at the shore like we do. It’s not about the beach; it’s about one calming color flowing to the next and making your home feel breezy and inviting.

Meanwhile, it took several weeks of study, but just a few clicks of the mouse to order upholstered side chairs and side tables, a plethora of poufs, dining room chairs, a coffee table, and a rug or two–all appearing in just days– thanks to the wizards working their supply chain magic at Amazon and Wayfair.

One great thing about a predominately blue and white color scheme is it plays well with so many other hues. I love how this collection of geometric paintings in pretty pastels from a local art gallery gives the space a happy pop of color and shapes. And, once again, you can see how artwork elevates this home’s decor.

One item I can’t forget to mention is the surprisingly luxe 72-inch television sideboard from Costco. We all knew the TV had to go on the far wall–the space over the fireplace was way too high–but what to put under it? Well, only my friend could weekend in the Hamptons and find a cabinet this fabulous–at Costco…go figure.

Besides British Cottage, of course, other great local sources for home decor and furnishings include Beauregard Fine Arts in Rumson, the source for that colorful, geometric artwork in the living room, the Carpet Value Outlet Store in Middletown where you have to make sure to peek into their back room for huge remnants that can be bound to make custom area rugs, and of course the Red Bank Antique Centers. If you are not in a hurry, estate sales are always a good way to find attractive, American-made furniture from the last century (when furniture was made out of solid wood to last for generations) at bargain prices.

Always the best advice when decorating a new home, whether it is a rental or not, is to tread softly. Go light and bright, high and low, and remember classic and grounded is always a better choice than trendy.

Meanwhile, it has been a while since I published a blog, and thus a recipe, but if you are the least bit eggplant friendly I think you will love this Eggplant Lasagna from The New York Times as much as we did–it’s delizioso!

Saying Goodbye to Summer

Ready to eat: Lobster With Grilled Veggies

I adore summer. From the clothes–or rather lack thereof–not that I am a midriff baring grandma but nothing feels better than tossing a frock over my head, fluffing my hair and flip flopping my way out the door in the morning. At home everything is airier in the summer; my bedding is stripped down to the basics: white cotton sheets and a lightweight quilt, the shades are always at half mast, the rugs are stashed away so the floors are bare and the house stays cool.

Who cares if it’s too hot to go outside? This is why we have gardens to look upon. Even better when your rooms have a view like mine suddenly has this summer–now that new owners knocked down the century home that was there. I’ll miss the old girl, a more than one hundred year old structure that was originally the boarding house for the actors employed by a local summer theater up river (another blog in itself).

But I am really happy we are finally post-Covidly being invited over to join other neighbors, once again, to wine and dine. Especially for an al fresco spread comme ca.

Even if you don’t have neighbors to host you, the good thing about summer is there are numerous en plein air waterfront dining options in our two river communities. One of my longtime favorites (they are way older than I am) is Bahrs in Highlands. The food is delish, the atmosphere authentic and the salt air restorative.

And less we forget the reason we live at the Jersey shore is, well the shore, keep in mind the best way to get there is by boat. If you don’t have one, now is the time to find a friend who does!

I grew up on the Shrewsbury but for cruising you cannot beat the Navesink River. Nowhere else in New Jersey (or anywhere) can you see a governor’s mansion, several historic boat clubs, numerous stately homes–and still be back in time for dinner!

Seriously who needs to go to Bar Harbor with houses like this right in our neck of the, well not woods exactly, but river maybe?

Finally, eventually, there will come a time in summer when it is your turn to host; but don’t panic. If you follow my lead you will never have to actually cook, (it’s too darn hot anyway). First hop over to Sickles and pick up a tray of their already grilled vegetables.

Add some sliced tomatoes with their homemade mozzarella, then order a slew of fresh from the Maine seas lobsters from The Lusty Lobster (they’ll even steam them for you) and dinner is ready to be served!

Cheers!

Coastal Meets Chic

Chicken Pot Pie

My clients were devastated to find out that their deposit was being returned and what they thought would be their new, forever home in Sea Girt was sold to someone else. “Sue”! we cried and, trust me, they did consider it but in the end, they bought a vacant lot nearby, hired their own contractor, and built their dream home–their way.

For those of you not in the Jersey Shore loop, Sea Girt is a teeny tiny town of barely one square mile tucked between Spring Lake and Manasquan and the Atlantic Ocean, and only 2000 exceedingly lucky people get to live there. The borough is a lovely seaside community with oodles of small-town charm and scenic beauty–think Nantucket–except you don’t need a ferry to get there.

Needless to say land does not come cheap in Sea Girt and if you are fortunate enough to snag a building lot you have your work cut out for you trying to maximize a whole lot of living in a relatively small footprint. Here, I think, getting a corner lot was key and the double exposure that ensures the house is bathed in natural light throughout the day. This is a definite plus because the owners wanted a home to showcase their art almost as much as they wanted one for themselves and good lighting was essential to the plan.

Their intention all along was to shed the Victorian furnishings, oriental rugs, and vintage tchotchkes from their prior abode and start anew with a cleaner, more modern aesthetic featuring American artistry and craftsmanship. So from the moment, you walk through the front door and into the spacious foyer (with ten-foot ceilings and stunning crown moldings) you are surrounded by art.

Not just paintings, but also the lighting and the case goods are all artisan-made. The chandelier comes from Hubbington Forge a company based in Castleton, Vermont noted for its iconic designs, innovative technology, and uniquely American craftsmanship. Meanwhile, the console table is just one of many items in the home created by Huston and Company (makers of fine custom furniture in Kennebunkport, Maine) expressly for this home.

Ok, ok I get it; you are asking yourselves so what the heck did British Cottage have to do with all this bespoke, all-American craftsmanship brief? Well, besides acting as moral support (it is daunting to build and furnish a new home) and a sounding board (there are countless design decisions from the stain on the floors to the paint on the walls to ponder) we provided all the upholstered furniture for the new house.

As most of you should know by now we work with Century and Hickory White Furniture, manufacturers of some of the best furniture made in America today. Where hardwood kiln-dried frames, eight-way hand-tied springs, and custom seat cushions that are a patented mix of down, foam, and springs (so you have bounce without pancakes) are standard. In upholstery it’s what’s inside that counts so don’t be fooled by a pretty package–you have to check under the hood!

From the sectional in a navy Crypton by Century in the lower level media room to the Hickory White armchair in the master bedroom you’ll find something from British Cottage on nearly every floor of this four-level home (yes Virginia, there is an elevator).

Clearly, this upholstered armchair by Hickory White in the master bedroom is lovely. But note how it complements not only the fabulous chest on chest in solid American walnut from Huston and Company but also the Japanese woodblock print by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai. Pretty eclectic and super fun.

Then, in an interesting pivot reflecting the homeowner’s penchant for things Scandinavian, there is a ground-floor guest room with a Gustavian-inspired four-poster bed (from Century furniture). I’m all in! I’ve tried and tried again to shoehorn this bed into my own master bedroom but my eaves get in the way. Darn.

While we may have put our two cents’ worth into many aspects of designing and implementing the decor of this lovely home, the kitchen was an in-house collaboration between spouses. The nuts and bolts were all on the husband, a professional chef who had been making do for years in the old 1930s Tudor that could barely fit his professional range.

Clearly, that is not the case here. While the footprint is relatively small, everything you could ever want from the Wolf double ovens to the side-by-side Sub Zero fridge freezer is here. What makes it special, I mean we’ve all seen white kitchens with high-end appliances before is where the wife comes in. It was she who called for the bespoke backsplash of Motawi tile handcrafted in Michigan and the solid black walnut top on the island handmade by Charles Parenteau, a custom woodworker from nearby Colts Neck, NJ that makes this kitchen a work of art.

When I asked for a recipe to go with this gorgeous kitchen the chef of the house told me every Thanksgiving he makes Turkey Pot Pies to give to his friends and family. He adapts a recipe from Chef Jean Pierre. Here’s his note:

Hi Trish, Here is a link to Chef Jean Pierre for his recipes and videos. He is an excellent teacher and entertaining to watch. I would substitute the chicken with poached turkey. I also make turkey stock. I omit the bacon and medium dice all the vegetables using carrots, celery, parsnips, and butternut squash, tossed with olive oil salt, and pepper roasting these on a sheet pan to par-cook them. Chef Jean Pierre has all instructions on making the stock, roux, and even vegetable cuts. His video is easy to cook along to.

Below is Chef Jean Pierre’s recipe. I used it as a guideline to use up my leftover Thanksgiving turkey. I skipped the bacon, the peas, and the whipping cream and made a broth with Better Than Bouillon laced with more than a few glugs of leftover white wine for good measure. And I skipped the egg wash.

The result was phenomenal. The two of us ate nearly the whole pie!!! I could have this every night for the rest of my life it was so good. Of course the secret is the puff pastry–all the other pot pies in my life were made with regular pie crust that got leaden and soggy. Who knew?

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

½ pounds Bacon sliced 1 ½ lbs. boneless and skinless Chicken Breast cut into bite size 6 ounces Mushrooms sliced 1 tablespoons Fresh Sage chopped, ½ if dried 1 tablespoons Fresh Thyme chopped, ½ if dried 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne 1 cup defrosted Peas 1/2 cup chopped carrots parboiled 90% 2 tablespoons minced Garlic 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 tablespoons Parsley chopped

For the Sauce:

6 ounces of Sweet Butter
3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
1 large Onion cut into small dice
6 cups Chicken Stock, add more of needed
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream

Prepare the Dish:

1 sheet Puff Pastry Dough
2 Egg Yolks, mixed with 1 tablespoon of Milk

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat Oven to 400ºF / 205ºC

Make the Pie:

In a deep fry pan (the Chef used a non-stick wok), add the bacon and sauté until it renders it fat. Add the chicken and sauté until light golden brown and season with salt and pepper. Add the mushrooms and cook until they have released their water. Add the remaining ingredients and cook for 5 to 7 more minutes.

Make the Sauce:

In a saucepan add the butter and when melted add the onion and cook them until translucent. Add the flour, mix well, then add the stock slowly with a Wisk. Add the cream and cook the sauce AT A VERY LOW HEAT for at least 10/15 minutes

Prepare the Dish for the Oven:

Add the chicken and mushrooms to the sauce and mix well. Pour in your baking dish and wait at least 15/20 minutes to let the steam out before you put the dough on top. Place the dough like the Chef did in the video! Brush the top with egg wash and bake until the dough is golden brown (about 30 minutes)

High Point High Jinks

Broken Meatball Lasagna

For the last decade Keith and I trek twice a year to the High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina and land arguably right into the heart of the United State’s furniture industry. We wander through millions of square feet of showrooms forever trying to find the always elusive stand outs that speak to our creative (and commercial) visions.

This is a far cry from previous decades when we poked around the nooks and crannies of musty warehouses scattered throughout England searching for the antique stripped pine pieces that in some quirky twist of fate had become the heart of the American Country look.

Now antiques are only a small part of our business. At some point we realized we can only sell one pine dining table per family in a lifetime, but that same family will buy multiple upholstered sofas and chairs. Luckily we were able to secure accounts at two of the finest manufacturers of American-made furniture, Sherrill and Century.

And while all this upholstery is custom–we–or you choose the fabric and style, the great thing about High Point Furniture Market is buying the showroom samples. Like this fabulous room setting by the internationally known designer, Phoebe Howard who, along with her husband Jim, is the mastermind behind the Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture Collection. Over the years, Phoebe’s knack for creating stylish spaces has evolved into her own brand of decorating which I really like–traditional sure, but with a fresh and pretty spin.

I’m a hopeless Buffalo Check fan and I totally fell in love with this upholstered chair. And I thought the green would be a nice addition to the store which tends to skew a bit blue.

And it was so much fun to go downstairs to the Sherrill showroom, meant to be more nuts and bolts, but you would never know to look at this setting incorporating that beautiful floral print along with a gorgeous boucle on the sofas. (You will be able to see for yourselves in a month or two, reader we bought them all!)

And the Howards aren’t the only stars in the Sherrill Universe. Hickory White is another design-driven division and we bought a number of room settings there.

We could not leave without purchasing this sofa. It was gorgeous in a tweedy grey menswear fabric, but what really sang to me was the accompanying upholstered armchair in a grade Z30 (that means fabulous–and expensive) fabric, with suede insets on the sleeves….be still my heart. I may have to do some editing at home so it can live chez moi!

Unsurprisingly we were bowled over by this furniture version of a rhapsody in blue.

I mean how could we pass this up? Blue. Check. Bobbin chair. Check. Coordinating swivel? Check.

Unfortunately in the photo below the desk is partially obscuring the two leather wing chairs we bought but you get the idea. (And you can see how each vignette is more lovely than the next.) I’m not a huge fan of saturated color anywhere but this makes me want to go home and paint all my walls blue.

Yet another designer division of Sherrill is Lillian August for Hickory White. In the northeast when we hear the Lillian August name we tend to think of all the stores in New York and Connecticut that were owned and operated by her two sons (which I think may all be out of business now). But Lillian, like Phoebe Howard, is an extremely talented designer with a striking and unique affinity for color, texture and pattern. We bought her room setting below because we liked its interpretation of modern casual cool.

Century Furniture was our next stop and while equally as put together not quite as much fun because very few of their showroom samples were available for purchase. However we did manage to persuade them to part with this sofa in a textured white performance fabric–

Along with two swivel chairs in a bold Sunbrella print that will be perfect inside or out.

We also too made a quick detour to Thibaut.

Thibaut, headquartered in our very own New Jersey makes some of the world’s most glorious wallpapers and fabrics and are noted for their beautiful traditional and transitional designs in signature color palettes. We knew they made their own custom upholstered furniture, but we did not know that they are offering a 12 week turn-around on a select group of upholstered pieces. And just six weeks on a select group of frames and fabrics! All this was very exciting to hear–we have fabric swatches if you are interested. It costs a little more but if you ordered now your things could be here for this Christmas–not next!!

All in all it was all good fun. Not quite the same as trawling through the English countryside but maybe 2023 will be the year to renew our relationships across the pond. Now it is time to think about dinner. Can you stand one more chicken recipe? This comes from Bon Appetit and Laird made it for us when we were visiting Lake Chelan for my nephew Kye’s wedding. While I was tempted to mess with the recipe Laird put her foot down and made it exactly as written and it was really, really good.

Broken Meatball Lasagna

Broken Meatball Lasagna

Step 1 Using a sturdy wooden spoon or rubber spatula, vigorously stir 1 large zucchini (about 12 oz.), peeled, finely grated (about 1½ cups), 1½ cups panko, 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. paprika, 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, and 2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. kosher salt in a large bowl until combined and nearly paste-like. Add 1 lb. ground chicken, ½ cup finely chopped dill, and ½ cup finely chopped parsley and mix until fully incorporated (you don’t need to worry about overmixing here; mixture will be soft).

Step 2 Heat 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high. Using a #16 cookie scoop (about ¼ cup), portion out half of meat mixture (meatballs don’t need to be perfectly round; rustic-looking is good) and add directly to pot. Cook, undisturbed, until well browned underneath, 5–8 minutes. Carefully turn meatballs over and cook until second side is golden brown, 5–8 minutes (it’s okay if meatballs still look misshapen). Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a large plate. Pour 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil into pot and repeat process with remaining meat mixture.

Step 3 Return all meatballs to pot, then add one 28-oz. can whole, peeled tomatoes, lightly crushing with your hands as you go, 1 large shallot, thinly sliced, and remaining 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; season with salt. Reduce heat to medium, cover pot, and cook meatballs and sauce, gently stirring occasionally (it’s okay if meatballs start to fall apart), until sauce is slightly thickened, 15–20 minutes.

Step 4 Meanwhile, whisk together 8 oz. fresh ricotta, 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest, and a large pinch of salt in small bowl until smooth; set lemony ricotta aside.

Step 5 Cook 10 oz. lasagna noodles, broken into 2–3 pieces, in large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until just shy of al dente.

Step 6 Using tongs, drop noodles into pot with sauce and cook, stirring gently, until sauce coats pasta.

Step 7 Divide pasta among shallow bowls and spoon dollops of reserved lemony ricotta over each. Top with two 3×2″ strips lemon zest, thinly sliced, finely chopped dill, and grated Parmesan.

Modern Farmer

Chicken Thighs With Tomatoes and Feta

Just before I was born (sixty-plus years ago) my parents moved to Rumson. They’d met at the University of Rhode Island and moved to North Jersey where there was a family business to support their ever-increasing brood. By the time I came along (number three) they were done with apartment living, and because they loved all things involving beaches and boating, they followed the newly built Garden State Parkway fifty miles south to the Rumson peninsula which was, if not the actual start of the Jersey Shore, pretty darn close.

While we were definitely water babies (three more followed moi) it always made sense to me growing up that New Jersey was known as the Garden State. Everything west of us was farming–from the next town over, across the whole of Monmouth County, straight through the rest of the state all the way to Pennsylvania.

But in the ensuing years, hundreds of those farms were turned into malls, Monmouth and Freehold, shopping centers, The Grove, townhomes, (that’s what happened to Sickles Farm), plus huge communities designed for senior living. And houses, thousands of houses were built, from modest capes to those dreadful McMansions–to accommodate the soaring population.

Which is a long-winded way of saying it was refreshing to visit a newly built home in Colts Neck on twenty-plus acres of farmland that was staying a farm. The house on the property had seen better days so it made more sense to build anew rather than attempt a renovation. While I hesitate to use the term modern farmhouse here because in these days of HGTV-inspired decor it has been over-used and abused, this house is most certainly a functional and aesthetically pleasing home on a farm that is modern in outlook whilst happily employing elements that smartly reference its farming vernacular.

It’s set back from the road with a long driveway and a great lawn flanked by huge trees that must be hundreds of years old. While the house itself is not massive, it sits squarely on the property, long and low, with attached buildings and detached barns like multiple wings spreading hither and yon. And best of all, it has one of my favorite things, a welcoming front porch.

I could have stayed there all afternoon chewing the breeze while watching the grass grow but I was on a mission. It was time to check out how the bits and bobs, the furniture and accessories the new owner with her daughter as wingman had purchased over the last year or two fit into their new home. Straight away, for the win, I loved how this antique pine cabinet looked like it was made for this nook in the welcoming foyer.

Next thing you know you’re in the great room which runs from one end of the house to the other and encompasses the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Usually, I write a lot in my blogs but in this case, I think the pictures really tell the story best. Note the shaker-style simplicity of the space punctuated by massive wooden beams with their barn-like appeal, the texture, and grandeur of the massive stone fireplace, the centrally located gathering table, and the open plan kitchen.

That kitchen features custom-made cabinetry by Town and Country (located just blocks from our store) and not only looks terrific but works well for a family that loves to cook. The large wooden island topped with Taj Mahal quartzite — a beautiful natural stone–sits center stage under a large chandelier in an antique brass finish that matches the hardware on the cabinets. (For even more details check out this article in DesignNJ magazine).

It is a good rule of thumb that no matter how big your island might be it is always nice to have a kitchen table nearby. (Table under the tv and chairs are from British Cottage).

Another room I really loved was the primary bedroom. I mean just because you live on a farm doesn’t mean you can’t have a little sophistication and elegance does it? This fabulous bed by Century Furniture (via yours truly) sets the stage for a stunning retreat–and note how great the lavender tones look with that grey paint on the walls.

A little more casual, but no less cool is this bedroom with our classic British Cottage pine bed.

And when partnered with an oversized antique pine chest of drawers and a streamlined sofa by Century, it makes it feel like a studio apartment sort of– the perfect hang-out space.

There are also tons of fun nooks and crannies in the house. Like this sunny spot in the mud room where a small bench from British Cottage is the perfect perch for changing out of muddy boots–or window gazing.

And I can’t not mention the guest suite over the mostly detached garage, which features a loveseat from Century (and British Cottage) along with our reclaimed pine coffee table.

Perhaps my favorite thing up there is the Smeg refrigerator which I can’t take any credit for but I love how it looks and really want one of my own someday.

But it is growing late. And I plan to go home now and make this dish the homeowners (did I say they were fabulous cooks?) shared with me. They really like it with shrimp too but I think I’ll start with chicken. The weather has finally cooled down–we’re actually on our fourth day of rain–and this one-skillet recipe looks like just the thing to take the chill off. Brrrr!

Chicken Thighs With Tomatoes and Feta – Epicurious

Reunion Times

Sheet Pan Eggplant Parmesan

When I graduated from high school in 1972 it was the best of times. Finally we were the seniors; we had drivers’ licenses and extended curfews. We relished the recently implemented university style curriculum and open campus. The rigid dress code was abolished and we happily tossed our circle pins and Villager skirts with their matching Pappagallo shoes for blue jeans and open toe sandals.

But it was also the worst of times. A war was raging in Viet Nam and all student deferments for the draft–except for divinity students– had been eliminated. A lottery system was established and suddenly at age 18 we realized life could be extinguished by the random act of some stranger plucking a number from a bin.

Earlier, in our junior year, we learned firsthand how painful an extinguished life could be when one of our most beloved classmates died in a car accident. Our class bonded in a state of shock and disbelief. Strangers hugged, all of us wept and with one boy’s passing, we learned grief as well as Algebra 2 that year.

Fifty years later lots of those bonds, although stretched by time and distance, still exist and this summer a group of us got together to celebrate our past and, for one weekend at least, not worry so much about the future. Friends came from all over the country to revisit their old hometowns, Rumson and Fair Haven, and it was great fun to catch up.

And it was a great opportunity for me to join those out-of-towners and run around and visit with some who stayed and see firsthand how, as fellow empty nesters, they were handling the whole decamping, downsizing, and relocating thing.

One of my faves was a house that was literally on the beach in Sea Bright. In 2012, after Hurricane Sandy pummeled a two-story home adjacent to the town beach, that property was eventually sold to a developer who knocked the original house down. And then, by simply switching the new structure’s orientation, was able to build two homes front to back on the single lot. My friends live in one of them.

Admittedly due to updated coastal building codes, we are talking about flood-prone Sea Bright after all, there are quite a few steps in this four-level home (luckily there is an elevator). But what a great idea to line all those flights of stairs with family photos! And what a good idea to put the century old chair on the landing for those in need of a breather–a lucky junk week find over forty years ago from Rohallion, a notable Rumson estate.

Besides the stairs, the next biggest worry is window washing–which is a very small price to pay with views like this.

One of the highlights of the visit, for me, was to see the pitch pine breakfront front and center in this lovely beach house–that we had sold to the owner’s mother over thirty years ago! This cabinet has its own Sandy story too. Left standing in nearly a foot of water after the mom’s house was flooded, it cleaned up beautifully–except for one high water mark stain in the inside of the bottom cabinet. My friend said her kids thought she should paint the backboards a contrasting color; let’s hope she doesn’t listen to them. I think it looks great just the way it is.

Enough with the antiques though; I loved the modern kitchen and the wide-open floor plan. That backsplash is amazing. I’m not sure if it is quartz or granite on the island but whatever it is has definitely just the right amount of pattern to complement what’s going on in the rest of the space.

But the highlight, the piece de resistance as you will, of this home is the fabulous views. They’re everywhere, and seriously, when standing on the third-floor balcony, you felt like you were aboard ship.

Up there this empty nest is more like a seagull’s nest, with views and vistas all around. We could have stayed and soaked up that salty air all day–but there were things to do and people to see so we sadly said goodbye.

When, after nearly two weeks of my oldest friends coming and going and wining and dining, the party was finally over, and things settled down, it was a little sad. Thus I was especially heartened to find this recipe for Eggplant Parmesan from Food & Wine in my inbox. How in the heck did those internet spies know not only that Eggplant Parm is my absolute favorite dish but that I also had a garden full of fresh eggplants and juicy tomatoes? Normally I would make my own marina sauce but (surprise) I actually mostly followed the recipe and used a jarred Jersey Fresh tomato sauce I found at Sickles and it was scrumdiddlyumptious. So delicious that even though this recipe is meant to serve 8, Keith and I polished it off in two nights!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons kosher salt, divided
2 large eggplants (about 14 ounces each), cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
2 cups sourdough breadcrumbs (from 2 [3-ounce] day-old sourdough bread slices)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 plum tomatoes (about 4 ounces each), sliced
1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1 (24-ounce) jar of marinara sauce (about 3 cups)
4 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, torn

Directions

Step 1 Sprinkle 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons salt on both sides of eggplant rounds, and place on a wire rack lined with paper towels. Let liquid drain from the eggplant for 30 minutes. (Because I used fresh baby Italian eggplants from my garden that are naturally sweet I skipped this step).

Step 2 Meanwhile, preheat the broiler to high with the oven rack 6 inches from the heat. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add breadcrumbs, and cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Add minced garlic, lemon zest, and thyme. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and set the breadcrumb mixture aside. (The broiler is not my friend so I cooked the breadcrumb mixture in a skillet on low on top of the stove).

Step 3 Pat eggplant dry. Drizzle both sides of eggplant rounds with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and sprinkle with pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Place in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil in preheated oven until lightly golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Let cool for 10 minutes. (Because I am not a broiler fan, I cooked the baby eggplants skin side up in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes).

Step 4 Reduce oven temperature to 425°F. Layer tomatoes and mozzarella slices between eggplant rounds, slightly overlapping, on a baking sheet. Drizzle with marinara sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan, top with breadcrumb mixture, and bake at 425°F until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with basil, and serve. (I kept the oven at 400 degrees).

Summerize your Home-Part 3

Sue Beaton’s Brownies

I know, I know, enough already with these summerize your home blogs. Once was cute, two okay, but three–get over it already right? But I just can’t. Not after reading the Design and Decorating feature in last Saturday’s Wall Street Journal: “What’s Hot, What’s Not, This Summer”.

Evidently they, she actually, Sarah Karnasiewicz, asked hundreds (my italics) of design pros for the latest trends in al fresco living. Ironically everything in their forecast was the complete, utter, total, whole shebang opposite of what I think. Sigh.

But let’s give it a quick run through and see what you think. We’ll start with stools.

The classic garden stool, the iconic Chinese porcelain standby that used to come in only blue and white but has been updated in any color you desire, the one that is exactly the right height for a drink or a foot or as an extra perch is now sigh, rocking “an everyman look” that you can buy at any big box store. Instead of saying hurray, finally I can find something I like at Lowes, the word is passe and this is what’s in:

Yuk. Give me the classic garden stool any day.

Next up. Blah upholstery. “According to the experts, conservative colors like white, tan and navy are on the way out.” In: next generation performance fabrics in rainbow hues and a variety of textures.

That’s why I have a garden. I like my lawn furniture, low impact and low key.

Next up is resort style umbrellas, the more scalloped, fringed and layered evidently the better. Maybe in the south of France but my 1930’s Tutor would be overwhelmed by all that frou frou.

The good news is, there is no right or wrong way to decorate but I’m going to stick with my classic, traditional garden furniture and accessories and let my surroundings: the sky, shrubs, flowers and trees do the heavy lifting to make the space interesting and attractive.

Now it’s almost time to join Bentley on the couch for a nap. But first I needed to make some Brownies. In another recent Wall Street Journal article the author makes a convincing case for not using a brownie mix–but then supplies a recipe that looks intriguing–but exhausting. While I try to avoid dessert my sister was coming to visit and I thought she might like some of our mother’s brownies–I know I would.

Sue Beaton’s Brownies

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
4 tablespoons butter, more for greasing pan–melt together and add to eggs and sugar
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
½ cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
salt
nuts

350 degrees 15-25 minutes

I must have made these Brownies dozens of times, a long time ago though, and I felt I could have used a little more direction, but in the end just used common sense and it worked out fine.

I microwaved the butter with the chocolate until it was melted. (Those double boiler days are happily a thing of the past). While that cooled I whisked the eggs with the sugar, then added the cooled chocolate mixture, then the flour and baking powder.

My mom always used to butter (okay margerine) then flour the pan but I liked the parchment idea from the WSJ recipe so I went with that. And she always used Baker’s Chocolate but I happened to see Scharffen Berger Baking Chocolate when I was picking up eggs at Sickles and went for the upgrade. It was packaged in grams, not ounces, so I may have used four ounces not the three the recipe calls for and probably would if I make these again.

I’m not sure why the cooking time says 15 to 25 minutes. My batch needed the whole 25. And the good news–the result was a very tasty, very chewy, very moist brownie–just like I remembered. Whew.

Meanwhile here’s the Wall Street Journal recipe:

F. MARTIN RAMIN/THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, FOOD STYLING BY KIM RAMIN

Ingredients

Cooking or baking spray
12 ounces high-quality dark chocolate, such as Guittard or Valrhona, 60-72% cacao
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch slices
1 teaspoon kosher salt or ½ teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
5 large eggs
¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1¼ cups all purpose flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place a rack in the middle position. Line a 9-by-13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang so the brownies can be easily lifted from the pan. Spray lightly with cooking or baking spray.
If using dark chocolate bars (as opposed to baking wafers or chocolate chips), chop ⅔ of the chocolate (8 ounces) finely using a serrated knife and place in a large, heatproof bowl. Chop remaining ⅓ (4 ounces) into ½-inch chunks. Set chocolate chunks aside in a small bowl.
Add butter to chocolate in heatproof bowl. To melt chocolate using a double boiler: Add 2 inches of water to a pot and bring it to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to low and place heatproof bowl on top. (Make sure bottom of bowl doesn’t touch simmering water; otherwise the chocolate might “burn” and the texture will become grainy instead of melting into a smooth emulsion.) Stir occasionally with a rubber spatula until melted. Alternatively, to melt chocolate in a microwave: Place heatproof bowl in microwave and microwave at 30-second intervals. Once chocolate starts to melt on bottom and sides of bowl, use a rubber spatula to mix it. When mostly melted, stop microwaving and stir to melt completely. Once chocolate is melted, stir in salt and vanilla.
In a large bowl, combine eggs and both sugars. Whisk vigorously until homogenous. While whisking, drizzle in melted chocolate, and continue whisking until combined. Sift in flour, and whisk until just combined. Stir in reserved chocolate pieces.
Pour brownie batter into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, save for some melted chocolate, about 35 minutes.
Remove brownies from oven and place on a cooling rack until cool enough to handle, at least 15 minutes. Lift brownies out of pan with parchment paper and cut into squares before serving.

Summerize your Home–Part 2

Cobb Salad

So we talked about how the change of seasons can be a reason to clear the decks and clean out the clutter, especially when we are talking about summer when less is more. Like bikinis, miniskirts, and muscle tees–bare just feels better in the summer.

But, let’s face it, for many of us that ship has sailed and we are far happier rocking a mumu these days–yet the good news is our homes can still benefit from a serious dressing down. When I was a kid we actually had different slipcovers for summer and winter. In winter they were a chocolate brown, a color I loathe to this day, and in the summer they were a leafy, green flowered chintz which I adored.

Switching slips is probably not an option for most of us–but you could change the toss pillows. Stash anything velvet or wool in the attic and treat yourself to a vibrant cotton print. Do the same with your throws. Put those fleece blankies away now and break out the linen.

If your hardwood floors are in decent shape, roll up your area rugs and put away your vacuum cleaner for the summer, especially if you are at the beach. It is so much easier–and cooler to do a quick sweep with the broom.

Treat yourself to new cloth napkins and wicker placemats and, suddenly, setting the table will be less of a chore. Even better, set the table outside. Sure it is hot out there–but that’s the point of summer. Embrace the heat now because that yard will be snow-covered before you know it.

And you’ll need some flowers, hopefully, vibrant and colorful–but just plain old green branches work to bring some of that natural lushness outside–in. The fancy word for this is biophilia and Biophilic Design is all about incorporating nature into our indoor environment.

Natural elements in the home actually help lower our blood pressure and decrease tension. It just makes sense; creating a calming space with a visual connection to nature can’t help but improve our wellbeing, health and productivity. Actually there is a whole other blog here, easily, discussing biophilia but I will leave that for another day. Right now it is time to focus on dinner.

I love salad for dinner but it is a hard sell for Keith. Growing up in New Jersey when it really was The Garden State, and way before air conditioning was the norm, we ate salad all summer: homegrown tomatoes topped with tuna or chicken salad, chef’s salad, pasta salad, carrot salad, fresh from the garden lettuce topped with blue cheese dressing salad…yum.

Keith is unconvinced. It could be because he is from England where it never got warm enough to make salad a pleasant way to beat the heat. I’ll never forget the summer Keith’s brother and girlfriend were visiting and one day, when we were discussing what to have for dinner, she actually started to cry. She could not tolerate one more night of a cold meal–she wanted meat, roast meat, cooked potatoes–and gravy. I said knock yourself out.

And she did. Even though it was easily 100 degrees in our kitchen she made a pork roast, along with a veritable mountain of potatoes and seriously buckets of gravy. And guess what? They ate every last mouthful! But I digress.

The one salad we both agree makes a great summer dinner is Cobb Salad. It takes a little planning because you need to have a ripe avocado and some bacon in the house but that’s about as challenging as it gets. If you want to be fancy you can marinate the chicken beforehand. (If you’re lazy like I am just use whatever bottled Italian Dressing you have in the fridge). You can also cook the chicken on the grill which is nice–but you must never, ever skip the bacon. Add a loaf of crusty bread to the mix if someone you know can’t live without a starch and it’s all good. Enjoy!

Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad Ingredients:

6 Bacon Slices Lettuce 2 to 3 Tablespoons Vinaigrette 1 Pound Thinly Sliced Chicken Cutlets 4 Ounces Crumbled Feta Cheese 1 Hopefully Fresh Tomato 1 Ripe Avocado

First cook the bacon.

You can easily broil or saute the chicken in minutes but it is always a win if you can outsource that chore–especially if it is really hot–and get someone else to cook it on the grill.

Meanwhile toss the lettuce (or arugula ) with the vinaigrette. Place on a platter, add the bacon and bitesize pieces of avocado and tomatoes in separate rows–do not mix–top with feta. C’est tout.

Summerize your Home

Smoky Chicken Enchiladas

Okay, I get it. It’s been a rough year what with the kids back to their crazy schedules and your spouse always dumping all his/her work s h i t all over the house, not to mention you’re on a deadline and still somehow have to get to that soccer/lacrosse/baseball game by four.

You need a vacation. We all need a vacation. But that, in the end, doesn’t solve anything really. What you need to do now, while the kids are still in school and hopefully you-know-who is mostly back in the office is take a moment to make a few simple changes that will go a long way towards making your home the place where you really want to spend the summer.

It’s not hard. It just takes a bit of planning and some heavy editing.

Clutter is your enemy. Clear the gangplanks–now. Those piles of shoes by the backdoor–remove anything that is outgrown, soleless, or holey. If you have a mudroom do the same with the multitudes of jackets, hats, and winter gear. This is what Goodwill is for.
No mudroom, rethink that front closet, remove the door, add some shelves and hooks, maybe a fresh coat of paint and voila! No closet? Add some hooks and a handy bench with storage–do something, anything to ease the bottleneck.

3. Making an entrance. Your foyer is huge. People are coming over again–this is where you make your first impression–you have to clear out the accumulated mail and packages. File, recycle, and use them to fire up the grill but there should be no stacks of papers or magazines or for that matter anything–anywhere. Treat yourself to a console table or chest with a bit of storage for the essentials. Then you can add a great piece of artwork or a mirror, maybe even some lamps or a new chandelier and things really will be looking up.

You can go fancy with a heavily distressed chest of drawers from Century Furniture.

For that massive foyer, you have no idea what to do with.

And mid-century is always a win these days.

Speaking of wins, our favorite meal this spring has been from a recipe I tore out of The Wall Street Journal years ago. I love enchiladas but can’t be bothered with the whole cook the chicken for hours, shred it and then stuff it into tortillas—it’s just easier to get take out.

This version, however, is easy as pie–and full disclosure I have actually made it with store-bought salsa for the sauce bit (thank you Paul Newman) and it’s just as tasty.

Smoky Chicken Enchiladas

2 dried ancho chilies, stems removed
½ cup warm water
1 yellow onion, cut into wedges
6 cloves garlic
Kosher salt
1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
1 pinch of spicy paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 corn tortillas
1½ pounds shredded rotisserie, poached or roast chicken
9 ounces sharp white cheddar, grated
1 generous handful of cilantro leaves
3 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

Place dried chilies in a small bowl and cover with warm water. Cover bowl with a plate and let chilies rehydrate until they become pliable about 5 minutes.
Set broiler to high. Season onions and garlic with a pinch of salt. Spread vegetables across a baking sheet. Broil until well charred in spots, 2-3 minutes. Remove from broiler and set aside. Set oven temperature to 425 degrees.
Place tomatoes, paprika, oregano, charred onions and garlic, and rehydrated chilies along with their soaking liquid in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring liquid to a simmer and cook until onions and chilies soften about 7 minutes. Off heat, use a handheld blender or food processor to purée to a thick, smooth, uniform sauce, taking care with hot liquid. Set sauce back over low heat and gently simmer to keep warm.
Coat the bottom of a 9-by-9-inch baking dish with a thin layer of sauce. Arrange a single layer of tortillas over sauce, trimming edges to fit. Scatter a loose layer of chicken over tortillas and top with a loose layer of grated cheese. Continue layering sauce, tortillas, chicken, and cheese until the dish is nearly full. End with a layer of tortillas, a layer of sauce, and a final layer of cheese.
Bake enchiladas on the top rack of oven until cheese topping bubbles and browns in spots, 15-20 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and scallions and serve immediately.