“A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.” ~ Anthelme Brillat-Savarin photograph by Melissa Placzek I’ve enjoyed cooking with wine pretty much since I started cooking. A splash or red wine in spaghetti sauce elevates the flavor from merely “good” to “fantastic.” Cooking with wine adds depth to your dishes. I was going…
photograph by Melissa Placzek :: Tea of the Week :: Pearl Gunpowder-Temple of Heaven Grade (Zu Cha) This week I’ll be talking a little bit about a common Chinese green (unfermented) tea called “gunpowder.” Almost all gunpowder teas are made in Zhejiang province. They’re called gunpowder because of their appearance; Tightly rolled little “pearls” or…
A couple easy, whimsical ideas for you… photographs by Melissa Placzek ~Teacup as Compote~ Transform old teacups into whimsical compotes! They’re ideal for serving little appetizers, dips and spreads. They’re also a fun way to present small dessert items like cookies, truffles and cupcakes to guests. So cute for a brunch, garden party or for…
Here is a little preview of what I’ve been up to… One of my favorite traditions…Decorating for Valentine’s Day! vintage rose tablecloth felt ABC chart remember making Valentine boxes in grade school? This one is decorated with some of my vintage valentines! a silk Chinese Take-out box…soon to be filled with fortune cookies fireplace mantle…fancy…
Before I start talking about my favorite way to make a single serving of tea, without using a tea ball or tea ball infuser, I have to say that the very best way to make tea is in a glass, china or porcelain tea pot. This method has not been improved upon in the last…
One of my favorite ways to sweeten cups of tea and coffee is to serve them with lollipops as “stirrers.” See’s Candy makes awesome “gourmet” lollipops that are perfect for this purpose, but any unfilled lollipop will work. I like to pair the flavors of lollipop to the tea I’m serving… orange and lemon are…
“A wise man once said, ‘To be still sometimes requires great effort.’ For a path of less resistance, unwind with a well-steeped cup of TAZO REST. Fragrant rose petals and lavender mingle with calming lemon balm, lemon myrtle, and soothing valerian in a delicate, aromatic blend to which eyelids willingly succumb.” ~The quote on the…
“Japanese art, infused with the spirit of wabi sabi, seeks beauty in the truths of the natural world, looking toward nature for it’s inspiration. It refrains from all forms of intellectual entanglement, self regard, and affectation in order to discover the unadorned truth of nature. Since nature can be defined as asymmetry and random imperfections,…
“Oh, Christmas Tree, you fill my heart with music.” ~Ernst Anschutz ~Melissa
“When we send down water upon it, [earth], it quivers and swells, and puts forth herbs of every joyous kind.” ~The Koran For those of you new to my blog, website and facebook page, I am the author of two lifestyle books on home-spa rituals, taking time for yourself, and luxuriating in your own relaxing…