Swapping Chocolate Bars for Chips

Don’t have chocolate chips? Use a chocolate bar instead! Matter of fact, I prefer coarsely chopping my favorite chocolate bar and tossing them in my cookie dough for a nice bite of deliciousness; pun intended! The key is using the best quality chocolate you can lay your hands on which shouldn’t be hard given there are more (and better in my opinion) options of good quality chocolate in bar form than in chips.

To easily chop the chocolate, place a piece of parchment paper on your cutting board, add the chocolate and use a serrated knife to chop the chocolate into small bite size pieces.

Now if you don’t mind, all this talk about chocolate has me craving some of my own! Until next time, you can find me in the candy aisle! 

Now that you are In The Know, come join me in the kitchen and let’s bake some cookies!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Poached Egg Sandwich

If you are looking for a quick and easy Sunday supper recommendation, why not consider breakfast for dinner! Simple, delicious and a true crowd-pleaser, I would be surprised if you had any objections.

Whatever you plan on gathering to for Sunday supper this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together.

For this recipe as well as other terrific recipes to share around The Table Together, visit the “recipe” tab at the thetabletogether.com.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings! Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival

This weekend the Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival opens their doors in the city of Newport Beach! We are beyond thrilled to showcase some of the best restaurants and wineries Southern California can offer and even more thrilled to showcase them on one stage. Beside the incredible restaurants and wineries, several Master Sommeliers and Celebrity Chefs will be hosting panels and live cooking demos featuring their signature dishes. Our lineup of Celebrity Chefs includes, Rick Bayless, Hubert Keller, Rick Moonen, Alan Greeley, Shirley Chung, Brooke Williamson, Louis Maldonado, Brian Huskey and Jamie Gwen.  Our lineup up Master Sommeliers includes Fred Dame, Michael Jordan, Steven Poe, Sur Lucero, and Thomas Price. With that lineup, you are in for a real treat!

Hope to see you there!

Link here for tickets!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday: Jeff Lewis and Gage Edward

This week’s #TBT goes to meeting Jeff Lewis and Gage Edward when I was at The Talk for a cooking segment with Chef Curtis Stone. I had met them before at a private dinner party I helped cater, so it almost felt like old-time friends taking a moment to say a quick hello. Even though there is no hereditary connection, note the same last name, and the fact that they seem so “tough” on air, they have this way about them that almost makes you feel like family.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Cookbook Recommendation: "Momofuku"

In October, my mom and I are heading to New York for the New York Food and Wine Festival. One of our first stops for dinner, mind you our list is LONG, is Momofuku! In celebration of my excitement, I am featuring Momofuku in this week’s blog post to share a “taste” of what’s to come!

I cannot speak to the recipes or Momofuku the restaurant itself as I haven’t been, but I can speak to the countless reviews and friends that give it a 5 star review!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Stop Overcrowding the Pan!

The next time you pull out your grill or cast iron pan, consider this tip. Don’t overcrowd your pan! You can thank me later.

Overcrowding your baking dish, pan, skillet, baking sheet, or oven (for that mater) may seem to help with productivity and cooking times, but instead is doing you a dis-service by steaming your food! Very counterproductive, if you ask me!

The next time you head into the kitchen, cook items in batches or in more than one pan to develop that GBD (golden brown and delicious) outcome!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Inside Out Eggplant Parmesan

This recipe is just pure genius and I wish I could take the credit! My friend, who is an incredible chef, came up with the idea and after making it together, I quickly fell head over heels for its simplicity and creativeness. On top of that, it’s beyond delectable and impressively show-stopping!

Whatever you plan on gathering to for Sunday supper this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together.

For this recipe as well as other terrific recipes to share around The Table Together, visit the “recipe” tab at the thetabletogether.com.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings: Final Countdown to NBWFF

This weekend marks the final countdown for the Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival!  It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has gone but with our dedicated team of amazing woman, every detail has been captured and all timelines are right on target!  If you don’t have your tickets yet, run don’t walk as tickets are selling fast!!!

Hope to see you there!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday: Moving Cross-Country

This week’s #TBT goes to my journey and cross-country move from Columbus, Ohio to Newport Beach, California. Luckily I didn’t have to make the drive myself, however watching them load my car with all my belongings was the point where I finally realized it was happening! I was moving back home to the West Coast and culinary school was right around the corner!  If only I knew at that point how incredible my “journey” was going to be and the tremendous opportunities along the way.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Cookbook Recommendation: David Lebovitz "My Paris Kitchen"

I was first introduced to David Lebovitz when I applied to culinary school and a friend sent me a copy of his book The Sweet Life in Paris. The Sweet Life in Paris followed his journey from Berkeley, California to Paris where he still lives and writes to this day.  I absolutely loved his work and became an avid reader on his blog davidlebovitz.com. After a little more research, I found that he has not only worked with Alice Waters at Chez Panisse, for 13 years mind you, but has been featured in Bon Appétit, Chocolatier, Cooking Light, Food+Wine, Cook’s Illustrated, The Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Travel and Leisure, The New York Times, People, Saveur, Sunset, and USA Today. And, if that wasn’t enough, he has written a fabulous collection of 7 and counting books! Impressive, wouldn’t you say?

His latest collection of recipes showcased in My Paris Kitchen is a beautiful and delicious collection of recipes highlighting the best of Paris.

My Paris Kitchen is a must and one whose pictures and recipes produce countless oohs and ahhs!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Toasting Spices

I absolutely love cooking with spices as it quickly takes a blank canvas to exponential levels. That being said, before visiting the spice cabinet, pull out a dry skillet and spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Here is why: Quickly toasting spices like cumin, cloves or coriander before grinding and adding to your recipe of choice, is one sure way to take full advantage of its ultimate potential.

Toasting spices helps release their natural oils offering ultimate flavor and impact. In a dry pan over medium – low heat, add spices and while occasionally stirring the pan to prevent burning, toast until fragrant. Quickly remove the spices, place them in a designated spice grinder (not your coffee grinder, unless you don’t mind cumin scented coffee) or mortar and pestle processing until powder forms. And with that, fresh fragrant spices are ready for use!

Now that you are In The Know, let’s roll up our sleeves and get cook’n!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Pickled Mangos

With summer quickly coming to an end, finding ways to use up the last of the mango crop is a top priority, in my home at least! This weekend, try pickling mangos and topping them on your favorite tacos, or even tossing them in a salad. Now how is that for fun, delicious and impressive?

Whatever you plan on gathering to for Sunday supper this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together.

For this recipe as well as other terrific recipes to share around The Table Together, visit the “recipe” tab at the thetabletogether.com.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings: Tennis Tournament

This weekend my dad and I will be watching the finals of the tennis tournament he has been in all week! In addition to some quality tennis viewing, we plan on riding our bikes from Newport Peninsula to Huntington Beach and stopping for brunch along the way.

To whatever you are gathering to this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday! Summer Cookouts

This week’s #TBT goes to the countless summer cookouts this past summer with my family and friends! It’s those moments, where your family and friends tightly nestle around The Table Together, that you truly realize the importance of surrounding yourself with those that you love.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Cookbook Recommendation: "One Pot Meals"

Now that kids are back in school and schedules begin to tighten, finding ways to make a delicious and nutritious meal for family and friends is of upmost importance.  One Pot Meals by Martha Stewart is my all-time favorite go-to when limited on time but looking for something fantastic! With only one pot, cleanup is a synch allowing more time for gathering around The Table Together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Properly Storing Tomatoes

As we near the end of summer’s bounty, tomatoes are a must have in my weeknight cooking rotation! From pizza, marinara sauce, salads, bruschetta and savory galettes, I am trying to take full advantage!

The best way to prolong the life of tomatoes, because we simply must buy in abundance while we can, is out of the fridge and at room temperature! Use them as fast as you can and if they get overly ripe, consider using them for your gazpacho and marinara sauce while showcasing tomatoes at their prime in your galettes or Caprese salads.

My best piece of advice when it comes to tomatoes, is treating them simply and letting them shine! They really are that good.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Peach Spritzers

For Sunday supper tomorrow, consider serving a delicious peach spritzer and cheering to the remaining bounty of summer peaches! 

Whatever you plan on gathering to for Sunday supper this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together.

For this recipe as well as other terrific recipes to share around The Table Together, visit the “recipe” tab at the thetabletogether.com.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings: Dads in Town!

This weekend, my dad is coming to Newport Beach for a tennis tournament. Lucky me, we get some quality father-daughter time together!!!

To whatever you are gathering to this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather around The Table Together with family and friends.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday! Bread Baking Class Le Pain Quotidien

This week’s #TBT goes to a bread making class I took at the one and only Le Pain Quotidien in Newport Beach. If you haven’t taken any of their baking classes I highly recommend that you check out their schedule and test your hands at the art of baking. If nothing else, you take home your work, which will no doubt delight your friends and family.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Join a CSA!

What is a CSA? CSA, Community-Supported Agriculture, is an organization that delivers a collection of the season’s bounty direct to your doorstep. Community members pay at the beginning of the season in anticipation of the season’s bounty of fresh produce and/or dairy. You can choose from which farm you would like to support but they only deliver what’s growing which can vary from week to week depending on the harvest and crop. I personally love CSA because they offer a selection of produce, some of which I wouldn’t normally purchase at the store keeping my weekly menu rotation fresh and exciting!

Whether you sign up for CSA for your family or share one with a friend or neighbor, it’s a great way to get involved with your community and expand your culinary repertoires.

To sign up for a CSA near you, simply Google CSA and look for a location that is nearest you.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!