Stirring Up the Past

Most of us eat day in, day out without giving a second thought to the wealth of history and culture that shapes our dining habits and taste preferences. Our recipes, menus, ceremonies, and etiquette are directly shaped by our country’s rich immigrant experience, the history and innovations of food preparation technology, and the ever-changing availability of key ingredients.

Stirring Up The Past, a cookbook created by the Butts County Historical Society, commemorates the Smithsonian Institute’s traveling exhibit, Key Ingredients: America by Food, which was on display at the Indian Springs Hotel/Museum last fall.  I was honored when my friend, Melinda Atha, Executive Director of the Butts County Chamber of Commerce, asked me to contribute to the monumental project. Five of my family’s favorite recipes are included in the cookbook.

Fond memories of good food are common bonds that unite the people of Butts County. Old family recipes, many with stories and memories, were submitted by local citizens and compiled into a one-of-a-kind cookbook aptly named, Stirring Up The Past. This collection of historical recipes has been handed down from one generation to the next. Recipes from the Native Americans who lived here long before the white man came to Indian Springs are included, along with memories of the grand hotels that once flourished in this middle Georgia resort community during the first half of the twentieth century. Old recipes from the Elder Hotel, (1879-1984), are also remembered in this cookbook.

Key Ingredients: America by Food will be traveling to more than 200 rural communities across the US through 2013.

Cellar 56: Scrumptiously Affordable

Nestled on East Andrews in the heart of Buckhead, you’ll find the delightful wine bar and small plates bistro, Cellar 56. With plates priced from $3.50 - $6.50 ($9 for the pot of chocolate for two) and incredible wines at $4.00 a half glass to $10.00 a full glass, it is the perfect place to dine without spending a fortune.

The staff was gracious, knowledgeable and attentive, without being over the top. Ian, our ever so charming waiter, started us off with the sautee of wild mushrooms and Locatelli polenta; caramelized garlic risotto with aged balsamic; seared New Bedford scallop, sweet corn and Nueske’s applewood bacon; and sweet Georgia white shrimp, tasso gravy and Logan Turnpike grits. Polenta is polenta, but the wild mushrooms were sautéed with rosemary, which added a rich flavor, without being overwhelming. The New Bedford scallop was cooked to perfection – a delight to the palate. The Nueske’s applewood bacon overpowered the corn a bit too much for me, but it would be a dream for a bacon lover. The Logan Turnpike grits were the creamiest I’ve tasted, but I was not impressed with the tasso gravy and the shrimp were a bit tough. The risotto was deliciously satisfying.

For round two, Ian selected the grilled flatbread, duck confit, fig jam and Point Reyes Blue; chipotle pork, corn relish with Arbol vinaigrette; green chile prosciutto mac & cheese; and Guinness braised boneless short rib. I’m a duck lover, so I was in heaven with the grilled flatbread. The fig jam mellowed the Point Reyes Blue perfectly. The chipotle pork was savory with a touch of spiciness. The Guinness braised boneless short rib was melt-in-your-mouth fabulous, especially paired with the awesome mac & cheese.

For dessert, we had the white chocolate caramel bread pudding with Maker’s Mark caramel. Here’s a secret – it’s made with Krispy Kreme doughnuts! While some bread puddings can be heavy, this was a mouthful of scrumptious BLISS!

No good meal is served without wine, so we did partake in libations, too. The 2008 Four Vines Paso Robles Naked Chardonnay made this ABC girl (anything but chardonnay) a chardonnay drinker. Why? No oak! Yes, you are not left with that, “I just drank a tree” taste that many chardonnays leave behind. The 2009 Kung Fu Girl Washington State Riesling was crisp and fruity, without being sweet. The 2008 Villa San-Juliette Paso Robles Petit Syrah had intense tannins, and an herbal bouquet fill with black fruit and plums. The 2007 Eberle Syrah, my personal favorite, was fruit rich and tannin mellow.

Whether it is date night, girls night out, or forget cooking, I’m making a reservation night, I highly recommend Cellar 56 for any night. Cellar 56 is located at 56 E Andrews Drive Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30305-1316, (678) 244-3600. Specials include: $19.00 All You Can Eat Mondays and Two-for-One Tuesdays.

This review and my upcoming monthly reviews can be found in North Georgia Leisure Magazine.

Reality: Certainly, Relatively Speaking

Quantum physicist Werner Heisenberg is famous for his Uncertainty Principle. Heisenberg believed that reality is what can be observed. If there are different observations, there must be different realities, which depend on the observer. In stating such, he can be regarded as an advocate of philosophical idealism - objects of perception are identical with the ideas we have about them.

The idealist view denies that any particular thing has an independent essence. This is a far cry from Einstein’s Relativity Theory. Einstein believed in a reality independent of what we can observe, which is in essence the view of realism.

Two great scientists and two completely different observations, yet, both are equally significant. There is reality and there is our view of reality based on our emotional state of mind at any given time. As impartial as we think we are, our emotions and attitude play a significant role in how we view life and our outcome.

On the positive side, if we change our attitude, we can change the outcome of any given situation for the better. Antagonistic points of view based on judgment, not fact, have the adverse effect.

Paul Haggis gives us an excellent illustration of this in his 2004 film, Crash. The trailer states, “Moving at the speed of life, we are bound to collide with each other. Live your life at the point of impact.” Indeed, the film is thought-provoking and depending on the viewer, possibly a life-changing experience.

As in physics, so in life, never underestimate the impact you have on any situation.

Summer Weekends: Deliciously Art-filled

The exciting thing about summer weekends -- there’s always something fun to do -- festivals, concerts, and my two favorites, outdoor markets and art. This weekend was filled with my favorite things.

Friday evening, I attended the opening of Shana Robbins’, Supernatural Conductor, at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. The exhibition features paintings, videos and drawings that link womanhood with the Earth. Her bold images are graced with the soft femininity of lace and dollies. Iceland, Mexico, rural Georgia and New Mexico, set the stage for poignant videos that evoke thought and emotion, as they bring her Tree Ghost to life. Ms. Robbins graced opening night attendees with a Butoh dance to America’s, You Can Do Magic, adding the last and perfect layer to her multi-dimensional installation. Indeed, Shana Robbins did magic. Supernatural Conductor is on display until September 19th, once you see it, you’ll be glad you did.

Farmers markets, once the best kept secrets around, are more popular than ever. One of my favorites is the Marietta Square Farmers Market, open every Saturday through November from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in Marietta Georgia. I’ve watched this gem morph into a market boasting almost sixty vendors -- very different from the ten vendors of its early years. Two of the original and must-see vendors are Callan’s Lemonade Stand and Allene’s Farm Fresh Produce. More vendors mean an abundance of very delicious delights. Ogeechee Peaches, Zio Micu’s Garden, Granny’s Goodies (the cabernet sauvignon wine jelly is “must have more” scrumptious), Annie Okra’s Barn, Emily G’s Jams of Love (tarragon makes her red zinfandel jam wow you), and Bernhard’s Bread Bakery -- to name a few -- add something special to the mix. In addition, the restaurants surrounding Marietta Square make the Marietta Square Farmers Market a perfect shop and dine excursion.

Additional photos of Shana Robbins’ Supernatural Conductor exhibit and Marietta Square Farmers Market can be seen here.

Preserving Democracy

On this Fourth of July, let us rededicate ourselves to the proposition of preserving democracy. Let us resolve anew that this hallowed concept, bathed in the blood of heroic men and washed in the tears of courageous women, shall not perish by fault or default. Democracy’s success rests with the people, and freedom’s preservation lies in its true purpose: the freedom to do right which helps all, not a select few.

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy July 4th!