Anything En Croute is Delicious!

Just about anything En Croute or wrapped in puff pastry is special and 99% of the time looks as good as it tastes. From appetizers to entrees and so simple. If it is a dinner gathering of 7 or more I find a simple buffet is best, I like to enjoy time with my guests and not be stuck in the kitchen.  The wonderful thing about puff pastry is what ever you are wrapping in the flaky goodness can be assembled well before your guests arrive so all that is required is to bake them or it off. An en croute entree can be individual or as a loaf, I prefer to take a few minutes and do individual en croutes such as Pork Wellington with Spinach and a Deep Fruit Compote, Salmon En Croute with Meyer Lemon Broth or both and offer a choice served with a Fresh Winter Greens Salad and the meal is complete. There really is no need to have many side dishes, the puff pastry fills the void and by adding some root vegetables to your salad will cover that end of the meal.  So where is the recipe you ask? I will be back with the Pork Loin Wellington recipe very soon, simple and beyond delicious!! Until then "Think Good Thoughts & Smile".

Gatherings made Simple, Beverages of Choice!!

Keeping your gatherings simple begins with the beverages you offer. The days of the no host bar are long gone and all for good reason. I recall always having more than the basics out for my guests enjoyment, not anymore!! Unless one employs a bartender to over see the pour, it can become very pricey, as well take away from the enjoyment of the evening, not to mention the one that always has one too many. There is a place and time for the enjoyment of the cocktail, our tradition begins with a Picon but I am talking 4 to 5 people not a mas group or even 10. Previously, I mentioned a Sparkling Wine, Red & White, keep it basic unless of coarse you are pairing which is a whole other thing. Sparkling water such as Seltzer or Club Soda are good, but don't think you have to get all the flavors. Plain soda water with the offerings of fresh lemon wedge, lime wedge and orange is more than satisfactory and appreciated. Now onto the wines, it is good to figure 2.5 glasses per adult guest and not of each, just as an average. Sparkling Wine such a Presecco is nice, Chardonnay or Savignon Blanc for the white, I offer two reds which include a Cabernet and a Pinot, one is light, one is full bodied. This will cover the beverages, of coarse you will offer coffee and it is inevitable someone will have a bit of Cognac or Brandy in tow that is brought out with dessert if you go that far which brings me to...... I shall return to share more simple ways to create the perfect gathering.
Until then  "Think Good Thoughts & Smile" someone will notice!

Back with the Holiday's made Simple!!

Thank you for all the well wishes and concern over the past month or so. I have received several emails asking where oh where did Chef Bataille go, the answers is no where!! It is all to often time slips away, we get caught up in this or that and loose sight of what is in front of us, well at least I do from time to time. With that said I have many holiday ideas to share but instead of cramming them into 7 days we will simply call them "Inspiration for Gatherings made Simple"!! As stated previously, simplicity is elegant and can cast the air of complicated to the pallet which is good. So many times one tries too hard to impress or make into a complex taste when just a few ingredients really rev up the taste buds and when paired properly with a complimenting wine or beverage can produce gastronomical bliss. I will return before you know it, until then 'Think Good Thoughts & smile".......