Along with the beautiful homes, stunning gardens and breathtaking floral arrangements, we enjoyed some very fine dining throughout Virginia. Le Refuge in Old Town Alexandria You've probably picked up by now that I have a penchant for classic French cuisine. If you're in the same camp, you'll want to put this eatery on your to-do list. A go-to for Francophiles for over 30 years, you won't be disappointed. What We Ate.... Mousse de foie de canarde au cognac Salade Vert Eminces du beouf au Bearnaise Coq au vin It was so good we just sat there grinning. Moving on around the state we found ourselves in Onancock, Virginia on the Eastern Shore. The Charlotte Hotel, Onancock, Virginia Onancock is a charming village on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay and the Charlotte Hotel's reputation as a boutique hostelry is well known. Their 33 seat restaurant has a well deserved three diamond AAA rating. Imaginative American cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients makes meals from this scratch kitchen a real treat. What We Ate ... Fried Chincoteaque Oysters Chicken Oscar (Planko coated chicken breast topped by sautéed crab meat, asparagus & Bearnaise sauce) Another sigh worthy meal. So, in case anyone wants to replicate some of these for Mom's big day, here are the recipes. Chicken Oscar
Pound boned chicken breast into thin cutlets, dredge in planko or flour. Saute in butter and olive oil. Top with warmed crab meat and finish with Bearnaise sauce. Finish off your feast for mom with this ridiculously simple and impressive dessert. Brownie mix, Dove chocolate pieces - one minute in the microwave and rave reviews. Easy Bearnaise3 egg yolks - room temperature
1 stick of butter - cut into pieces 2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar 2 teaspoons chopped tarragon - preferably fresh In a heavy sauce pan, (I use my Le Creuset) combine the room temperature egg yolks with the pieces of cold butter. Place on low heat and still constantly. The butter will melt and then begin to cook the eggs. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat. Still n the tarragon vinegar and chopped tarragon. Serve warm. If you want to do a little armchair traveling, pick up one of these wonderful books available in the shop The Gentleman's Farm This book features a range of houses from the Eastern Shore to the Hunt Country and the Piedmont of Virginia and has a wonderful section on Eyre Hall in Cheriton, VA If you'd like a little more inspiration for your interiors try this one.
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Karen HelmeKaren is an interior designer and the owner of FOUND. Archives
January 2017
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