Hurry...only 3 hours left!

At the time of this writing, time is ticking away. Just 3 hours and 18 minutes left in the auction for you and 9 of your closest buddies to dine with Eric Ripert, Tom Colicchio, and Jose Andres in a suite at the Ritz-Carlton. Can you believe that no one has offered ten grand for this experience yet? Of course, if you would prefer not to engage in that whole silly bidding drama, you can "buy it now" for a cool $25k. 

So, who's buying? Take me with you?

  

From the listing:

The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. is offering a unique dining opportunity that supports one of D.C.'s most cherished charity gems, DC Central Kitchen. The culinary experience includes personal bonding time with Eric Ripert, the acclaimed 3- star Michelin chef at New York's Le Bernardin, frequent Top Chef guest judge and Culinary Director of Westend Bistro, and Chef Ripert's longtime industry friends Tom Colicchio, celebrated chef and judge of Top Chef and Jose Andres, award-winning chef and Chairman Emeritus for DC Central Kitchen, along with a generous donation to DC Central Kitchen.

The VIP family-style feast will be served in the hotel's luxurious Ritz-Carlton Suite, where up to 10 guests can relax in the 2,200 square foot space that features open living and dining room areas, flat screen televisions and a private terrace with a panoramic view.

The dinner package includes a minimum donation of $8,000 to the hotel's community partner, DC Central Kitchen, a nationally recognized community kitchen with a cohesive approach to solving the interconnected problems of poverty, hunger, and homelessness. The Ritz Carlton, Washington D.C. is proud to support this community treasure and the work they do to help change lives for the better.

The Dinner with Eric Ripert & Friends Package includes:

• Private menu consultation with Chef Ripert prior to VIP family-style dinner
• Three-course dinner and wine pairing for up to 10 guests in The Ritz-Carlton Suite with Eric Ripert, Tom Colicchio and Jose Andres
• Minimum donation of $8,000 to DC Central Kitchen
• Valet parking for all guests 10 VIP access tickets to DC Central Kitchen's signature fundraiser
• Capital Food Fight, held the following evening (November 11, 2010), where guests can catch up with the chefs again, sample food items from 60 restaurants, and watch the high-powered chef-battle on stage

The dinner with Eric Ripert & Friends package will be available one night only, November 10, 2010, the night before Capital Food Fight. Package includes tax and gratuity. Limit of one package available.

Great shot

As many of you know, the knight completed Ironman Wisconsin back in September. Words cannot describe how incredibly proud of him I am. I plan to write a spectator's report one of these days, but in the meantime I wanted to share my favorite picture from the day.

Thanks Debbie P. for capturing my excitement as my sweetie appeared on the run course. I love this mid-air shot! Don't you love my cheering outfit? Knee-high pink socks, tutu, and cow hat.

Fall Soup

The weather in DC right now is hardly indicative of fall. Yet, pumpkins are out and all signs are that Autumn is not far away. So the girls and I gathered last night for a fall-themed dinner and I made one my favorite soups: Sweet-Potato Peanut Soup. The recipe is from Cook's Illustrated's The Quick Recipe - which I recommend. Enjoy!

 

Sweet Potato-Peanut Soup

Serves 4-6

Time: 50 minutes

Although the recipe was developed with standard sweet potatoes (called Beauregards), Jewel and Red Garnet sweet potatoes also work well.  Do stick to the orange-fleshed varieties; white-fleshed sweet potatoes, in conjunction with the peanut butter, would blend to an unappetizing color.  Ground coriander seemingly loses its flavor even faster than most ground spices, so give yours a taste prior to making this recipe; you may want to pick up a fresh supply. If you have a spice grinder, grind whole coriander seeds for the best flavor.  Both smooth and crunchy peanut butter work fine here, as the soup is pureed.  You will need 2 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth for this recipe.  This soup can be prepared in advance (it will hold for 2 days in the refrigerator), but don’t add the cilantro until just before serving.

2 T. unsalted butter

1 medium onion, diced fine

Salt

1 t. light brown sugar

3 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed (about 1 T.)

½ t. ground coriander

1/8-1/4 t. cayenne pepper

3 ½ cups canned low-sodium chicken broth

2 pounds sweet potatoes, (about 3 medium), peeled, quartered lengthwise, and sliced thin

3 T. peanut butter

Ground black pepper

1 T. minced fresh cilantro leaves

1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Once the foaming subsides, add the onion, 1 t. salt, and brown sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion softens and begins to brown, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic, coriander, and cayenne and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds.  Add the broth, sweet potatoes, peanut butter, and 2 cups water.  Cover, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and partially uncover the pan.  Cook until the sweet potatoes begin the crumble and are easily pierced with a knife, 25 to 30 minutes.

2. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth [I use a stick/immersion blender.]  Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the cilantro.  Serve.

Approximate Nutrition Information: Per Serving : 338 Calories; 15g Fat; 16g Protein; 48g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fiber; 16mg Cholesterol; 115mg Sodium.

Sephora Discount!

I know you all love a good deal as much as I do. So here you go...

Now through November 3, use code "FF2010 to take 30 percent (YES, 30% - almost one third) off purchases at Sephora. This is a GREAT deal, people.

Ta ta, I need to go put together my shopping list.

PS - Free shipping on orders over $50...Rumor has it that if your pre-discounted total exceeds $50, you get free shipping even if your final total is under the threshold. 

Welcome to my new blog!

I have to admit, I've missed blogging. It is a rush when people take the time to read what you write. How flattering when friends reference your blog in one way or another.

There have been times that there have been things I wanted to share, but my Ironman blog just didn't seem like the place to post them.

So here it is. My new blog. Please bear with me as it takes shape... Suggestions are more than welcome.