Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The Definitive Ruralist Breakfast...

All the talk about breakfast this morning left me pining for
the precise and unmistakable southern spread. This would
include biscuits, milk gravy, pork, and something fried. Associate
Gourmet food editor Alexis Touchet covers all those bases
and uses pork to put a spin on her mother's traditional
chicken fried steak recipe. Her recipe
for four follows:
Ingredients:
4 (1/2-inch-thick) boneless rib pork chops (1 1/2 lb total)
2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1 large egg
3 1/4 cups whole milk
2 cups vegetable oil
Preparation:
Pound pork chops on both sides with rough-textured side of meat pounder until 1/4 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper and cut into 3-inch pieces. Whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish. Whisk together egg, 3/4 cup milk, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in another shallow dish. Dip pork pieces in egg mixture to coat, then dredge in flour. Transfer pork as coated to a large rack set on a baking sheet. Let pork stand, uncovered, at room temperature 15 minutes. 3Preheat oven to 250°F.

Heat oil in a deep 10-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over high heat until thermometer registers 375°F (see cooks' note, below). Fry pork in batches, turning over once, until golden, about 4 minutes per batch, transferring to paper towels to drain. Return oil to 375°F between batches. Keep pork warm on a clean baking sheet in oven.

Pour off all but 2 tablespoons oil into a heatproof bowl, leaving any brown bits in bottom of skillet, then add remaining 3 tablespoons flour to skillet and cook roux over moderate heat, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Bring to a boil and whisk in remaining 2 1/2 cups milk. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season gravy with salt and pepper and serve over pork.
Gourmet magazine, 2006

Breakfast Part III

...or some buttermilk pancakes in
Debbie Dusenberry's kitchen?
Debbie is the owner of Curious Sofa
in Kansas City. Check out her wondeful

Breakfast Part II...

How about some steel cut oatmeal in this cozy spot?
Jac de Villiers photography

Breakfast...

I wanted to head out for breakfast, but it is just too cold
and snowy. If I had a wonderful little nook like this one,
I'd be perfectly content to stay at home with my
bacon and eggs.
skona hem

Monday, January 4, 2010

Habitually Chic...

I am sure you are already familiar with Heather Clawson's
definitive blog Habitually Chic — but please make sure
you check out her latest post titled Let's Hear it for the Boys.
Her collection of men's inspiring closets is great fun!
My favorite, pictured above, belongs to Belgian architect
Vincent van Duysen.
Thanks Heather.

Tell me what you think about this rug...

I am considering it for my kitchen.
When viewed on a moniter, the pattern
certainly plays tricks on your eyes.
I don't think the effect would be the
same in person. Please tell me what
your opinions are.

Another from the Hamptons...

There is so much that I enjoy about this South Hamptons
bedroom. Designer Steven Gambrel is one of my favorites
simply because his spaces always look collected and never
over-designed. The map wallpaper is brilliant. We've
seen it done many times, but never with this effect.
The coloration of those maps and the way they have
been placed create walls that look like time worn
plaster. Each accessory is on point — especially that
green bubble glass bedside lamp.

Ina Garten's Barn Office...

I can handle most of the Food Network personalities
in very small doses — but Ina Garten is definitely
an exception. I find that there is something both
calming and comforting about Ina's delivery —
so much so that I record her shows and watch them
whenever I want to relax. This image is from Ina's
newly built Hampton barn office. We have a very
similar desk at Finderskeepers at the moment.
The finish on ours is more weathered and gray, and
its aesthetic slightly more primitive. I love how the
artwork and the desk almost mirror each other in
size and color; and that braided rug is the perfect
texture to ground it all. The paint is White Tie by
Farrow & Ball. Image: House Beautiful

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Two more colors that were in the running...

Pratt & Lambert's Tobacco.
Benjamin Moore's Winter Solstice.
Designer Elizabeth Martin for Elle Decor (May 2009)


Sorry for the delay in posting... The painters are here!

Here is something exquisite to make up for
the delay in posting. This image is from
UK Elle Decor by the design firm Uxus. This home,
located in an 18th century Amsterdam warehouse,
features this total dream of a bedroom.
Jansje Klazinga's photography captures
the scene beautifully.