Your ultimate guide to the coast
This week it’s time again for the popular Palette and Palate Stroll in Charleston, South Carolina. If you’re like me and enjoy the finer things in life – fine arts, fine wine, food and fine women – this event is something you don’t want to miss. It’s one of the most anticipated food and arts events in Charleston.
Read more on our special events page for Palette and Palate Stroll, Charleston
BREW WITH A VIEW: A SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD DELIGHT
On Tuesday July 13, 2010, the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, SC, it’s time for another Sustainable Seafood event – this time the event will include craft brews as well. It will be a special night where you get to indulge in seafood and special brews at the Riverside terrace overlooking the Charleston Harbor at the South Carolina Aquarium. All the fun is for a good cause, because proceeds from the event will go towards the South Carolina Aquarium’s conservation and education programs.
The special evening will feature sustainable seafood prepared by five of Charleston’s finest chefs, drinks, and a magnificent view. You get to taste a variety of sustainable seafood dishes prepared by the chefs from Fleet Landing, Pearlz, Slightly North of Broad, the Restaurant at Middleton Place and the Boathouse. In addition, there will also be a selection of beer samplings, courtesy of Highland Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery and Full Sail Brewing Company.
Tickets for the evening are $25 per Aquarium member, $35 per Aquarium non-member, and all guests must be of ages 21 or older. Advance reservations and payment are required. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (843) 577-FISH (3474).
Everyone likes free stuff, but how far would you do to get a free meal?
Last year more than 300,000 cow-clad customers stampeded to Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country to get a free meal for Cow Appreciation Day.
All you have to do is visit a Chick-fil-A in full “head to hoof†cow costume and receive a free Chick-fil-A Meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) on July 9, 2010. If you’re a too chicken to dress up when it’s not Halloween — Chick-fil-A will actually award a complimentary entrée to those dressed in partial cow attire. (cow-spotted scarf, purse, hat or accessory).
Just check out the silly video below…
More about Cow Appreciation Day:
· Chick-fil-A has launched www.cowappreciationday.com. This website offers cow costume ideas and tips, as well as downloadable cow spots, masks and other bovine-themed accessories for customers to use to create their costumes.
· Two online photo contests are part of the festivities. A photo contest for adults is hosted on the Chick-fil-A Facebook page http://facebook.com/Chick-fil-A. A second photo contest for kids 10 and under called Show Us the Cow is available at www.showusthecow.com. Both contests will award free Chick-fil-A products for a year to the best cow-dressed customers, and children will also have the opportunity to win a $1,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond and a digital camera through the “Show Us the Cow†photo contest.
How about spending a relaxing Wednesday evening at one of Charleston’s most beautiful gardens? In July the popular Summer Wine Stroll at Middleton Place takes place on July 7, July 14, and July 21.
Enjoy a leisurely walk through America’s oldest landscaped gardens while sampling a variety of summer wines at Middleton Place. During each wine stroll Middleton Place will host the wine tasting in a different garden location.
Wine tasting in the gardens of Middleton Place takes place on Wednesdays from from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Cost is $10.00 per person and reservations are not required for the event.
Summer Wine Strolls every Wednesday through September.
For more information visit www.middletonplace.org or call (843) 556-6020.
It’s true – the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens, you can bet I love to stir things up. This column lets me pass along to you some of my best recipes, tips and baking secrets.
This Fourth of July, get the kids involved in decorating the yard for a red, white and true blue backyard party.
* One-of-a-Kind Mural: Break out the sidewalk chalk and let the kids create their own patriotic sidewalk mural. Flags, fireworks, the Statue of Liberty – anything goes. Guests might like to try their hand at adding to the mural, too.
* A Patriotic Welcome: Put red, white and blue pinwheels and flags into buckets and flower pots filled with sand. Line the walkway to your door to set the mood and welcome guests.
* Balloon Fireworks: Use a funnel to fill red, white and blue balloons about one-quarter full with sparkly confetti. Inflate balloons with a hand pump and tie them off. Then, let kids pop away for some “firecracker” fun.
Of course, no Fourth of July party would be complete without an inspired dessert. I love the colors – and the flavor – of this Red, White and Blueberry Torte. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate a special day.
Red, White and Blueberry Torte3/4 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
2 large eggs
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 of an 8-ounce container frozen light whipped topping, thawed
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/4 cup fresh blueberries
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Line 9-inch-round cake pan with wax paper; grease paper.
COMBINE 3/4 cup sugar, butter and water in small, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Add 3/4 cup morsels; stir until smooth. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add flour, baking soda and salt; stir until well blended. Stir in remaining 3/4 cup morsels. Pour into prepared cake pan.
BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Invert torte onto wire rack; remove wax paper. Turn right side up; cool completely.
BEAT cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until creamy. Stir in whipped topping. Spread over torte; top with berries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information per serving: 540 calories; 290 calories from fat; 32g total fat; 21g saturated fat; 105mg cholesterol; 280mg sodium; 58g carbohydrate; 3g fiber; 42g sugars; 7g protein; 15% Vitamin A; 40% Vitamin C
Jenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.
Photo courtesy of Nestlé
For more recipes worth celebrating, visit TollHouse.com.
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