Recipe: Caprese Salad

Recipe: Caprese Salad
Serves 2

1 pint grape tomatoes (halved)
4 fresh basil leaves (cut into small pieces)
1 cup of fresh mozzarella balls (halved)
Barrel Aged Balsamic
Salt
Pepper
Roasted Tomato Dipping Sauce

Divide tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella balls equally into two salad bowls. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the Roasted Tomato oil and Barrel Aged Balsamic on top.

Whether it is summer time or fall season, this is one of my favorite salads that my mom made for me growing up after her first trip to Italy. It is so fresh and easy to make that your whole family will enjoy. Also, you can make the Caprese Salad Bites for your next party and use the Roasted Tomato Oil and Barrel Aged Balsamic to make the perfect dipping sauce. JD's Gourmet has fabulous products that can enhance the flavor of your favorite recipes!!

Virginia Showtimes for American Classics

Upcoming Episodes Airing in November

Cox Cable Channel 10 in Fairfax:

American Classics: Join Lauren and Chef ‘Red’ Shannon from the Majestic Restaurant for simple American cuisine consisting of Mint Juleps, Fried Green Tomatoes, Meatloaf, and Strawberry Shortcake.

Time slot during the 4th week of the month, Mon@1130p, Thurs@930a, and Wed @4am.
For more recipes from the show, email me at capitalcooking@gmail.com.

Photo by Mary Diaz

Don't Miss my Thanksgiving Appetizers and Desserts Cooking Class!

Online Registration is available at:

http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/1540108819214883/site/default.asp

Thanksgiving Appetizers and Desserts: November 20, 2008

7:30-10 p.m. Located at Arlington Adult Education

2801 Clarendon Blvd. Ste. 306, Arlington, VA 22201

Join Lauren DeSantis, host of the television show, Capital Cooking, as she demonstrates how to make Thanksgiving appetizers with a twist. Instead of cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, she'll show you how to make a delicious Cranberry Salad and tasty Pumpkin Dip. We'll also be making Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake and a Chocolate Pecan Tart. These recipes will add some fun to your Thanksgiving celebration!

If you can't make the class, email me to set up a private event or to sign up for my next class offering at capitalcooking@gmail.com.

17 States...only 33 to go!

We are expanding across the country one station at a time! We've just added Connecticut and Georgia!! We are now airing on 20 different stations.

Capital Cooking is a ½ hour program that airs on Comcast Channel 95 and RCN Channel 10 in DC, Cox Cable Channel 10 in Fairfax, Access Montgomery TV 19 and 21 in Maryland, KDHX Channel 21 St. Louis, Missouri, Windsor Community Television in Windsor, Connecticut, People TV Channel 24 in Atlanta, Georgia, MCAM Channel 23 in Manchester, New Hampshire, CCTV in Concord-Carlisle, Massachusetts, The Peoples Channel 8 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Saco River Community Television in Hollis, Maine, TV2 Channel 2 in Manistee, Michigan, HCTV in Herndon, Virginia, HPA-TV in Hibbing Minnesota, SCTV in Saugus, MA, TBNK in Covington, Kentucky, WITC Channel 6 in New Richmond, Wisconsin, DATV in Dayton, Ohio, KCAT TV Channel 15 in Los Gatos, California, NCTV in Nevada City, California, WCTV in Waterloo, Iowa, as well as http://capitalcooking.chanz.tv/. The show reaches approximately 2 million households in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Iowa, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Ohio, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Kentucky and North Carolina. Clips of the show are also available for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/user/capitalcooking.

Your location not listed? Help expand our coverage.

Local residents can put a program on the in their community! Anyone willing to act as the program's "sponsor" may bring a DVD to their public access station each month.

If you would like to sponsor Capital Cooking in your area, first check with your public access channel or cable operator. (There is generally no charge for this service). Contact capitalcooking@gmail.com to arrange for delivery of the DVDs.
Photo by Mary Diaz

Fall Flavors: Butternut Squash

This weekend we enjoyed some time in my husband's home state of Iowa. We had a great time at Nippy's wedding and even had time to check out one of Des Moines finest restaurants, Centro, with our friends Scott and Amber. One of my favorite fall flavors is butternut squash. I got to enjoy some delicious butternut squash ravioli in a sage butter...yum!!


Do you have a favorite butternut squash recipe to share? I'm going to work on some recipes this weekend. The peak season for butternut squash lasts from early fall through the winter. I found a few ideas...

Butternut Squash Turnovers from Food and Wine Magazine
Butternut Squash with Browned Butter and Thyme
Quick Squash Sautee
Butternut Squash With Green Peas
Butternut Squash Risotto
Grilled Butternut Spears
Brown Rice with Butternut Squash, Wild Mushrooms and Salami

Butternut Squash & Apple Soup with Chestnuts

Cupcakes Come to Reston

Starting Saturday, November 15, 2008, MallowDrama cupcakes will be for sale at Dinner Zen, 11160 South Lakes Drive in the South Lakes Village Center in Reston, Virginia. A celebration will be held on November 15th, 1-5 PM, featuring door prizes from Dinner Zen and MallowDrama and free samples (while supplies last). MallowDrama will also donate a portion of cupcake sales from opening day to four local theater groups. For more information, call Dinner Zen at 703-391-9361 or visit www.mallowdrama.com.

Jolie Crowder is the owner of Dinner Zen. "Cupcakes are a wonderful complement to what we offer at Dinner Zen, whether you're coming in for meal assembly or carryout, now you can stop in for the perfect dessert," she says. "Cupcakes are fabulous for so many reasons: you can have just the one you want the way you like it, they are simple to serve, and work in all types of settings – from mom's night out to office parties."

The line of cupcakes at Dinner Zen, known as MallowDrama's Cupcake Theater, will feature at least six selections daily. Four standard flavors (or "productions") will be offered on an ongoing basis, with seasonal specialties and other flavors rotating onto the menu; cupcakes are priced at $3 each. Vegan cupcakes will be available daily. Special orders can be placed for mini cupcakes, large quantities, special decorations, and gluten-free selections.

Standards

One and Only Vanilla – vanilla cupcake frosted with vanilla buttercream

The Chocolate Factory – chocolate cupcake iced with chocolate fudge frosting

Starlight Orange Zest – yellow butter cupcake topped with white chocolate orange ganache

Coffee Break – chocolate cupcake with espresso ganache

MallowDrama's cupcakes are baked fresh locally, made by hand by MallowDrama Chefs and Co-owners Mary and David Supley Foxworth. The pair uses premium natural ingredients – no artificial preservatives – and uses local and organic ingredients whenever possible; all dairy (milk, cream, butter, and eggs) and sugar in MallowDrama's products are organic. The single-serving cakes are also packed with flavor and creativity.

"Baking is our passion and we're excited that our cupcakes will be available in store at Dinner Zen," says Mary Supley Foxworth, Chef and Co-owner of MallowDrama Inc. "Now, people will have direct access five days a week to our handmade, natural baked goods for an any day treat or to celebrate a special occasion."

Opening day for this partnership is Saturday, November 15th, at Dinner Zen, located in Reston's South Lakes Village Center. Visitors will have the chance to sample mini cupcakes while supplies last and to win door prizes from Dinner Zen and MallowDrama. Additionally, MallowDrama will donate 50 cents for every cupcake purchased to one of four local theater groups, as designated by the customer. Customers can place orders now (minimum 1 dozen cupcakes) for guaranteed availability for opening day; contact Dinner Zen at 703-391-9361.

Long-time customer Stacy Crickmer has ordered from MallowDrama in the past, "for a number of events such as bridal showers, reunions, and other parties. Not only does everything taste as good as it looks, but Mary and David [Supley Foxworth] are extremely trustworthy, focused on customer satisfaction, and provide unparalleled personal attention." Crickmer works in Reston and is looking forward to the "cupcake unveiling" on November 15th.

With this new partnership between local, independent businesses Dinner Zen and MallowDrama, now you can have your cake and eat it, too!

Open since Spring 2008, Dinner Zen is Reston's first meal assembly store. Founded by Jolie and Warren Crowder, Dinner Zen simplifies the dinner preparation process by eliminating the planning, shopping, and clean-up involved in making home cooked meals. Dinner Zen is more than just a store, it's about a simpler way of life – enjoying good times and great food with family and friends. For more information, please visit www.dinnerzen.com or call 703-391-9361.

MallowDrama Inc. offers desserts with a dramatic flair from the pastry team of Mary & David Supley Foxworth. We specialize in made-to-order cakes, cupcakes, and chocolate truffles, and take pride in creating desserts that taste every bit as good as they look. Based in Reston, Virginia, MallowDrama serves the metropolitan DC area and beyond.

Also, get ready to learn some fantastic cupcake recipes on the upcoming episode of Capital Cooking.

Crazy for Cupcakes: Cupcakes have become a national pastime, thanks in part to the now famous Magnolia Bakery. Everyone just can’t get enough of this sweet goodness. Lauren will teach you how to make some fabulous cupcakes at home as well as exploring some of the best places to get cupcakes in the DC area.

What is your favorite cupcake recipe? Email me at capitalcooking@gmail.com and you may have a chance to be on the show.

Check out my Interview by Todd Wiggins!

American Classics Spotlight: Chef Shannon Overmiller

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to cook with Chef Shannon Overmiller on our American Classics episode. Not only is Shannon a fabulous chef, but she has a great attitude. Chef Shannon works at The Majestic, a restaurant specializing in Virginia-fare menu. She is young and part of a team of women running the fourth project in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, by Chef Cathal Armstrong and wife Meshelle of nationally acclaimed Restaurant Eve.

Overmiller’s childhood greatly influenced her culinary career and her Mid-Atlantic background continues to shine through her cuisine today. Growing up near the Patuxent River in Maryland, Overmiller gained a great deal of knowledge of food from her father and a group of women including her mother and grandmothers. Although her parents and grandparents passed early on in her life, they instilled a sense of love for life in her. Overmiller was taught an early love of cooking from the “beautiful, loving group of women,” that helped to raise her. It is this love that continues to drive Overmiller in the kitchen today.

Overmiller began her professional career as a bartender and waitress at Proximo Restaurant Group’s Austin Grill in Washington, DC. Realizing she craved more experience in the kitchen, she then made the shift to Café Atlantico, also part of Proximo, where she worked as a line cook while attending the esteemed L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland. In 2002, she graduated and accepted a position at Ristorante Tosca under the direction of Chef/Owner Cesare Lafranconi. At Tosca, she quickly moved her way up from Line Cook to Pastry Chef to Sous Chef. With a desire to broaden her experience after spending three years at Tosca, Lanfranconi made a phone call to Chef/Owner Cathal Armstrong on Overmiller’s behalf, which brought her to Restaurant Eve in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Chef Armstrong’s leadership taught Overmiller about the importance of local vendors and sourcing from local farms, along with honing in on her technical culinary skills. Armstrong added French techniques to Overmiller’s Italian preparation, and soon she found a balance between both of her mentors’ skills.

As a 2004 Jean-Louis Palladin Foundation award recipient, Overmiller had the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Italy and learn about ingredients and cooking techniques. She has proven herself in many kitchens and now, as the Executive Chef at the latest addition to the Armstrong’s projects, which opened in May 2007, Overmiller continues to use the skills she has developed throughout the years.

What are some of the challenges you face now?

Some exciting challenges I've encountered are learning to Manage a staff and keep a restaurant profitable and the product good. Overall Supervision of product, production, people, and daily maintennance in a constant battle (for the good of all food-kind) The cooking part is no longer the challenge, it is teaching it, getting others to respect the food truly.

Anything else that you'd like to convey to the readers?

Eat well and fresh, local, seasonal. Don't change food too much from what it is, keep it simple and clean!

Food Bloggers Challenge: Meet the Judge and Chef Patrice Olivon

You’ve voted on the dish and the challenge has begun. We are now editing and after the show airs, you will have a chance to tell us your vote on the Challenge winner. Food Bloggers Challenge: Comfort Food.

Join Lauren and four other food bloggers as they compete in making the best Chicken Potpie. A panel of judges will determine the winner along with votes from readers and viewers.

You’ve met the Challengers
1. Lauren DeSantis: Host and Producer of Capital Cooking
2. April Fulton: Food Scribe
3. Stefanie Gans: Endless Simmer
4. Alison McConnell: Humble Gourmand
5. Johnna Rowe: Johnna Knows Good Food

Now meet the Judges:
1. Chef Vincent Horville: The Metropolitan Club
2. Patrice Olivon: L'Academie de Cuisine
3. Lorena Sander: DC Gastronome

You've met Chef Vincent... and now check out Chef Patrice.

Patrice Olivon is part of a new wave of chefs taking cooking to exciting and dramatic new levels. Born in Casablanca and raised in Provence, Chef Patrice’s culinary style is inspired by the cuisine of Southern France, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients.

Chef Patrice shines when he explains his craft to others – his charisma and culinary expertise draw in culinary students and audiences across the country. Currently the Program Director of Culinary Arts at L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Chef Patrice obtained his culinary degree from Ecole Hôtelière de Marseille, and then cooked at the renowned Negresco Hotel with Michelin two-star Chef Jacques Maximin. Relocating to Washington, DC in 1979, Chef Patrice first worked at Le Palais des Friandises and then was the sous chef at La Maison Blanche for twelve years. Chef Patrice achieved the position of Executive Chef of the Embassy of France and excelled there for twelve years. At the Embassy, he drew upon his French and Moroccan roots, serving cuisine with a sensual, ethnic flair.

Chef Patrice regularly cooks at the White House for formal affairs, private parties, and daily meals. In 1993, First Lady Hillary Clintoncalled upon Chef Patrice, along with the country’s most talented chefs, to “Americanize” White House cuisine. Chef Patrice helped revolutionize State Dinners and private functions - elegant, plated courses showcasing regional American ingredients replaced staid menus and buffets.

Chef Patrice uses humor, antidotes, and charm to not only captivate students, but also television viewers and live audiences. Recently, Chef Patrice released Table for 8, an instructional DVD which allows students of all skill levels to “learn what the professional chefs know.” He demonstrates how to create the perfect dinner with ease and gives tips from start to finish such as choosing delectable ingredients, selecting wine, and properly setting the table.

On Food Network’s competition series Food Fight, Chef Patrice and his French team won by a landslide. His team not only won the show’s grand prize, but Chef Patrice won viewers’ and television executives’ attention. Following Food Fight’s success, Chef Patrice appeared on The Next Food Network Star where participants compete nationwide to become the next culinary television sensation. Out of 10,000 rivals, he rose to become a semifinalist, cementing him as one of the most talented and entertaining food personalities in the United States. In 2006, Chef Patrice competed on Food Network’s Iron Chef America with the former Executive Chef of the White House, Walter Scheib. Alton Brown nicknamed Chef Patrice the “Patrice-O-Matic” for his speed and culinary prowess - skills that helped the team win the battle against Iron Chef Cat Cora. Chef Patrice also appears in a National Geographic documentary featuring a Russian state dinner at the White House.

Chef Patrice’s live cooking demonstrations are in high demand. He has appeared in two Smithsonian Folklife Festivals on the National Mall. In the Food Culture USA 2005 event, he, along with notable chefs Michel Richard, Patrick O’Connell, and Walter Scheib celebrated America’s recent food revolution. In 2007, Chef Patrice demonstrated his passion for his adopted homeland, Virginia, with two cooking demonstrations in the Roots of Virginia Culture.

Chef Patrice regularly entertains live audiences in the Washington, D.C. area whether during his on-stage cooking demonstrations at the Washington, D.C. International Wine and Food Festival or instructing his students at L’Academie de Cuisine. He readily shares his passion for the culinary arts and his innovative ideas about what it takes to truly cook like a professional chef…and he's showing no signs of slowing down. (Bio written by Fresh TV, LLC)

The judges gave helpful comments and critique...you'll have to see for yourself. Keep reading the blog to find the airing dates.

St. Louis Showtimes: Asian Fusion Cuisine

KDHX Charter Cable Channel 21 in St. Louis, Missouri

Every Wednesday at 1p.m.

Asian Fusion: Join Lauren and the chefs from Ping by Charlie Chiang’s while they make Pot Au Feu, Rosemary Red Pepper Chicken and Shiny Slippery Shrimp. This innovative cuisine will highlight the fusion of American tastes and local ingredients with the exotic, pleasing flavors of Asia.

Thank you for the emails from viewers across the country. My website is under construction so if you can't find a recipe from one of the episodes there, email me at capitalcooking@gmail.com and I will send them to you. Hope you enjoy the show!

Thank you Capital Cooking Team!

The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show was a huge success! I couldn't have done it without the help and support of my fabulous team. Thank you to Carolina Aguilar, Shauna Alexander, Katie Clabby, Capital Carpet, C'Vita Dancy, Jesse Goldberg, Denise Medved, The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show team, Leya Terry, Carla Warner, Mom, and Corey. We sold lots of super cute aprons that I wear on the show. We handed out pumpking gooey butter cake and recipes... I signed autographs...I presented at the Tasting Workshops (the Thanksgiving Appetizer recipes are available on my blog)...we tasted lots of great food at the other booths including the Texas Sassy, Happy Jalapenos, Cuginos, Alili Morocco and many more... I really hope you guys didn't miss out on this fantastic show. It was nice meeting so many wonderful people who all love food. I even saw Chef Patrice Olivon perform at the Chef Stage. Denise Medved demonstrated some recipes from her Tiny Kitchen cookbook with the Geico cavemen. At the end of the weekend we were all wiped out. I enjoyed every minute of it and hope to participate again next year.

Thanksgiving Appetizer: Cranberry Salad

Ingredients

2 10 oz packages of mixed salad greens

1 teaspoon of dijon mustard

Salt to taste

- 2 cups dried cranberries (sweetened)

- 2 4 oz packages of crumbled Feta cheese

- 1 cup walnuts (toasted and coarsely chopped)

- 5 Tablespoons Black Mission Fig balsamic vinegar

- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions 

Mix vinegar, pepper, mustard, and olive oil in a small bowl with whisk. In a large salad bowl, toss the remaining ingredients together. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve. You could also substitute figs for cranberries. The key is the JD Gourmet vinegar...it is fabulous! It even has a hint of vanilla which makes this salad delicious. This will be a perfect starter for Thanksgiving!

Capital Food Fight

Check out the Capital Food Fight tomorrow night. Tickets are $175, and can be purchased at online here. The event is held at Ronald Reagan Building at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW at 6p.m. The Capital Food Fight is an on-stage culinary battle between DC's top chefs. The event also features tasting booths for the area's hottest restaurants and the proceeds benefit DC Central Kitchen. I love any type of culinary battle especially when it is for a great cause!

Thanks Mom!

Thanks Mom for flying in from St. Louis to help with my show. Love you, Lauren

Celebrity Fever

Were you at the show? Hope you didn't miss out on a great weekend at the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show!! We got the chance to see Giada DeLaurentis, Bobby Flay and Paula Deen. So much fun and so much fabulous food!

Thank you Foodbuzz!

Photo courtesy of Anna: Left to right, Me, Quinn from Daily Moderation, Maddy from Cook Like Mad, Olga from Mango and Tomato, Matt from Foodphoria, Anna from Meals from the girl in the little Black Dress, Taresa from Cook and Book, Colleen from Foodie Tots, and Rivka from Not Derby Pie.

This week I joined eight other local food bloggers for a delicious dinner at Central. We enjoyed great wine, conversation, entrees and dessert.
Quinn from Daily Moderation and Anna from Meals from the girl in the little Black Dress, both do blogs about healthy eating. Taresa from Cook and Book, also writes for dcfoodies.com. Colleen from Foodie Tots, writes about local food for the family. Rivka from Not Derby Pie focuses on recipes.

We had a great evening. The food had perfect plating presentation and tasted excellent. Check out some of the above blogs to see more pictures of the food. (I forgot my camera). Thank you to Olga and Rivka for organizing the dinner and thank you to Foodbuzz for picking up the tab.

Event: Crowning Cuisine

After you head over to the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining show to see me at Booth 404, check out Crowning Cuisine on Sunday night.

WOMEN CHEFS & RESTAURATEURS INVITES YOU TO

CROWNING CUISINE

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2008 • 5 TO 8 PM

WILLOW RESTAURANT
4301 N. FAIRFAX DRIVE
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

Meet the area's top "women of food" and enjoy their favorite hors d'oeuvres.

Win great door prizes, ranging from dining certificates at top local restaurants to bottles of wine and more. One lucky winner gets a grand prize of 12 months of personal chef experiences ranging from cooking lessons in your home to private meals in a chef's home!

While you're there be sure to pick up the new WCR 2009 Calendar and Recipe Collection - Crowning Cuisine: More Than Sugar and Spice featuring the women of food and their recipes.

Food Bloggers Challenge: Meet the Judges

You’ve voted on the dish and the challenge has begun. We are now in the post-production stage of the episode. After the show airs, you will have a chance to tell us your vote on the Challenge winner. Food Bloggers Challenge: Comfort Food.

Join Lauren and four other food bloggers as they compete in making the best Chicken Potpie. A panel of judges will determine the winner along with votes from readers and viewers. THANK YOU to JD Gourmet for generously providing the fabulous Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Olive Oil that I used in my chicken potpie recipe!!

You’ve met the Challengers
1. Lauren DeSantis: Host and Producer of Capital Cooking
2. April Fulton: Food Scribe
3. Stefanie Gans: Endless Simmer
4. Alison McConnell: Humble Gourmand
5. Johnna Rowe: Johnna Knows Good Food

Now meet the Judges:
1. Chef Vincent Horville: The Metropolitan Club
2. Patrice Olivion: L'Academie de Cuisine
3. Lorena Sander: DC Gastronome

Chef Vincent thinks...

DC Cuisine:

A cuisine is much created by the peoples who leave in that city and DC is a melting pot of Ideas opinions and flavors that sometimes clash and sometimes get along, it is a great city for food as it provide an unlimited canvas for chefs to express their expertise on a plate to various Food educated taste buds .

Favorite Food network show
Alton Brown Good Eat/ Original Iron chef Show/ American Iron chef.

Favorite comfort food:
Cassoulet / well made stew that simmers for hours.

Chef Vincent is originally From Versailles, France, grew up in the restaurant Business and help out in the kitchen from an early age. Trained in classical and modern style received his first award as one of France Best apprentice in 1982, His passion for cooking has taken him to two continents, four countries and to some prestigious places such as the Famed Noga Hilton and the New sporting club in Geneva, The Dorchester Hotel in London under master Chef Mosimann to name a few. Chef Horville, moved to the United States in 1989 and since as work in reputable restaurants and Local institutions. More recently at the IMF were chef resided for Five years and help opened the new convention center as a Production consultant, in Recent year Chef Vincent as run two prestigious City Club in DC Chef Vincent has also worked since 1995 at the White House and Camp David, still to date.2006 Iron chef battle winner,
Two James beard foundation dinners and Newscast appearances on Local network Channels.

Chef Horville food Philosophy is Simple:
Hone your culinary Fundamentals, Never stop learning and educating other. Always work with the best seasonal ingredients Available Good techniques and only associates with People who share the same core Values. That is a successful recipe.

Judging Categories

q Taste/Comfort Factor

q Originality

q Camera Ready

q Ability to stay within the time limit

• Plating/Presentation

Thank you to my wonderful production assistant Carolina Aguilar for finding Chef Vincent to helps us out!

Capital Cooking's Food Bloggers Challenge will air on Comcast Channel 95 and RCN Channel 10 in DC, Cox Cable Channel 10 in Fairfax, Access Montgomery TV 19 and 21 in Maryland, KDHX Channel 21 St. Louis, Missouri, MCAM Channel 23 in Manchester, New Hampshire, CCTV in Concord-Carlisle, Massachusetts, The Peoples Channel 8 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Saco River Community Television in Hollis, Maine, TV2 Channel 2 in Manistee, Michigan, HCTV in Herndon, Virginia, HPA-TV in Hibbing Minnesota, SCTV in Saugus, MA, TBNK in Covington, Kentucky, WITC Channel 6 in New Richmond, Wisconsin, DATV in Dayton, Ohio, KCAT TV Channel 15 in Los Gatos, California, NCTV in Nevada City, California, WCTV in Waterloo, Iowa, as well as http://capitalcooking.chanz.tv/. The show reaches approximately 1.9 million households in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Iowa, California, Ohio, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Kentucky and North Carolina. Clips of the show are also available for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/user/capitalcooking.

If your location isn't listed, email at capitalcooking@gmail.com and we can try to get Capital Cooking to air in your area.

Photo by Shauna Alexander

Upcoming Episodes Airing in November

Cox Cable Channel 10 in Fairfax:

American Classics: Join Lauren and Chef ‘Red’ Shannon from the Majestic Restaurant for simple American cuisine consisting of Mint Juleps, Fried Green Tomatoes, Meatloaf, and Strawberry Shortcake.

Time slot during the 4th week of the month, Mon@1130p, Thurs@930a, and Wed @4am.

DCTV Comcast Cable Channel 95 in the District:

Cooking in Small Spaces: Join Lauren and Denise Medved, author of The Tiny Kitchen Cooking and Entertaining cookbook and founder of The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining tradeshow for tips to transfer the stress and intimidation of cooking and entertaining into memorable and fun experiences. Learn how to make Gazpacho and Swordfish with a Tropical Salsa.

KDHX Charter Cable Channel 21 in St. Louis, Missouri

Every Wednesday at 1p.m.

Asian Fusion: Join Lauren and the chefs from Ping by Charlie Chiang’s while they make Pot Au Feu, Rosemary Red Pepper Chicken and Shiny Slippery Shrimp. This innovative cuisine will highlight the fusion of American tastes and local ingredients with the exotic, pleasing flavors of Asia.

Access Montgomery TV 21 in Maryland

Every Tuesday at 7p.m.

11/4/08 Cooking For Kids: This show will be centered around making healthy food for the kids. Lauren will show viewers a chicken nugget recipe, fruit dip, smoothies, and more.

11/11/08

A Simple Summer Supper: Join Lauren and Chef Oliver Friendly as they prepare a simple summer meal with locally grown produce and humanely raised meat from DC-area farmers markets. While commercial organic markets provide a great service, the food at the Farmers Markets is fresher and better for you. Learn how to make: Homemade Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Minted Sweet Peas and Tomato Vinaigrette, Paprika Dusted Pork Chops with Roasted Corn, Shallot, Tomato, and Mint Salsa, and Vanilla Ice Cream with Fresh Fruit and Mint Syrup.

11/18/08

Asian Fusion: Join Lauren and the chefs from Ping by Charlie Chiang’s while they make Pot Au Feu, Rosemary Red Pepper Chicken and Shiny Slippery Shrimp. This innovative cuisine will highlight the fusion of American tastes and local ingredients with the exotic, pleasing flavors of Asia.

11/25/08 American Classics: Join Lauren and Chef ‘Red’ Shannon from the Majestic Restaurant for simple American cuisine consisting of Mint Juleps, Fried Green Tomatoes, Meatloaf, and Strawberry Shortcake.

The Peoples Channel 8 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Thursdays at 6 p.m.

Fridays at 6 a.m. and noon

HPA-TV in Hibbing, Minnesota CHANNEL 5

Mondays at 2 a.m.

Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.

Fridays at 10:35 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Saturday at 2:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Booth 404 at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show

Don't forget to get your tickets to join me at the trade show November 8-9.

Also, catch my cooking presentation at one of the workshops.

Thanksgiving Appetizers

Join Lauren DeSantis, host of the television show, Capital Cooking, as she demonstrates how to make Thanksgiving appetizers with a twist. Instead of cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, she'll show you how to make a delicious Cranberry Salad and tasty Pumpkin Dip. These recipes will add some fun to your Thanksgiving celebration.

Date	Time	Location
Saturday, November 8, 2008 Saturday, November 8, 2008 Sunday, November 9, 2008	1:30 - 2:00 PM 6:00 – 6:30 PM 1:00 – 1:30 PM	Tasting & Entertaining Workshop 1 Tasting & Entertaining Workshop 2 Tasting & Entertaining Workshop 2

DATES
November 8 – 9, 2008
LOCATION
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001

Giada De Laurentiis, Paula Deen & Bobby Flay

Headlining at The 2008 Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show

Local Talent to Showcase Their Culinary Skills on the Cooking Stage

Springfield, Va., September 11, 2008, (PR NEWSWIRE) – Three of the Food Network’s top celebrities, Giada De Laurentiis, Paula Deen and Bobby Flay will be headlining the 2008 Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington, DC on November 8-9, 2008.

“I am so thrilled about the success of the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington, DC over the past two years, where Smithfield has been our title sponsor, and can not wait to bring all our new talent and exhibitors to the Show in DC this year. There are so many people in this area that are passionate about cooking and entertaining and we’re proud to offer them this program,” said Denise Medved, CEO of The Tiny Kitchen, Inc., Founder and producer of the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show.

The two-day show, which is designed to inspire creativity and to offer hip trends and fresh ideas for cooking and entertaining enthusiasts, will feature our headlining Food Network celebrities in the Land O’ Lakes Celebrity Theater; interactive cooking sessions and demonstrations with award-winning local and national chefs; product sampling and sales from 200+ exhibitors; tastings and entertaining workshops; a children’s cooking area; and, a beer, wine and spirits tasting and workshop area.

The DC area’s hottest chefs presenting culinary demonstrations at the upcoming event include:

Chef Anthony Chittum, Vermillion

Pastry Chef Heather Chittum, Hook

Chef RJ Cooper, Vidalia

Chef Roberto Donna, Bebo Trattoria

Chef Tim Elliot, Mie N Yu

Chef Jacques Haeringer, L’Auberge Chez Francois

Chef Michael Harr, formerly of Butterfield 9

Chef Jamie Leeds, Hank’s Oyster Bar

Chef Jonathan Krinn, Inox

Chef Peter Smith, PS7’s

And more!

The show will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Show hours on Saturday, November 8 are 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and 10:00 am – 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 9. Tickets are selling fast!

General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on-site. Children ages 4 – 12 are $10 in advance and $13 on-site. Children 4 and under are free. General admission includes demonstrations and entertaining presentations on the exhibit floor. Additional tickets are required for the feature presentations in the Land O’ Lakes Celebrity Theater, Viking Interactive Cooking Area, the Domino® Sugar Just for Kids Interactive Cooking Experience, the VIP Book Signing & Luncheon with Paula Deen and the Beer, Wine & Spirits Tasting Area.

For more information about the show and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.metrocooking.com.

About The Tiny Kitchen, Inc.:

The Tiny Kitchen, Inc. is an integrated media company that is passionate about introducing cooking and entertaining enthusiasts to a delightful mix of products and services through The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show, The Tiny Kitchen Television Show, The Tiny Kitchen Cookbook series, and the Tiny Kitchen 2 Cents E-Newsletter. The Tiny Kitchen, Inc. provides the latest trends and ideas for cooking and entertaining with ease, while motivating ordinary people to have fun in their own kitchen.

For more information, visit www.metrocooking.com or www.thetinykitchen.com, or e-mail carla@thetinykitchen.com.

Thank you to Capital Carpet !

Capital Carpet & Furniture, Inc. is a sponsor of Capital Cooking and provided us carpet for the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show. The store is located in my neighborhood and has really nice stuff!

1905 14th St, NW
Washington, DC 20009

http://www.capitalcarpetinc.com

14 States, 36 to go!!

Iowa and Ohio will now be airing Capital Cooking!!! With your help, we will continue to expand.

Capital Cooking is a ½ hour program that airs on Comcast Channel 95 and RCN Channel 10 in DC, Cox Cable Channel 10 in Fairfax, Access Montgomery TV 19 and 21 in Maryland, KDHX Channel 21 St. Louis, Missouri, MCAM Channel 23 in Manchester, New Hampshire, CCTV in Concord-Carlisle, Massachusetts, The Peoples Channel 8 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Saco River Community Television in Hollis, Maine, TV2 Channel 2 in Manistee, Michigan, HPA-TV in Hibbing Minnesota, SCTV in Saugus, MA, TBNK in Covington, Kentucky, WITC Channel 6 in New Richmond, Wisconsin, DATV in Dayton, Ohio, WCTV in Waterloo, Iowa, as well as http://capitalcooking.chanz.tv/. The show reaches approximately 1.7 million households in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Iowa, Ohio, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Kentucky and North Carolina. Clips of the show are also available for viewing at http://www.youtube.com/user/capitalcooking.

Spotlight: Denise Medved

Happy Election Day! Don't forget to vote!!!

This month, my newly released episode, "Cooking in Small Spaces" will air in DC. Denise Medved, author of The Tiny Kitchen Cooking and Entertaining cookbook and founder of The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining trade show and I will show you tips to transfer the stress and intimidation of cooking and entertaining into memorable and fun experiences. Learn how to make Gazpacho and Swordfish with a Tropical Salsa.

The Tiny Kitchen, Inc. (TTK) was founded in 2001 as a part-time business by entrepreneur Denise Sullivan Medved upon publication of her first cookbook, The Tiny Kitchen Cooking and Entertaining. The critically-acclaimed book has sold nearly 10,000 copies to date. Her second book in the TTK series, The Bachelor’s Tiny Kitchen, published in 2004, has been equally well-received in the marketplace.

In 2005, Denise Medved sold her interest in three tradeshows focused on the homeland security market (GOVSEC, U.S. Law and READY) to center her considerable energies on The Tiny Kitchen, Inc. and innovating new products to bring to market.

In addition to The Tiny Kitchen Cookbook titles, TTK launched the The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show (MCES) in 2006, a consumer show for cooking and entertaining enthusiasts. The first MCES had 7,500 attendees and was held in November 2006 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. The second show in 2007 had nearly 13,000 attendees and featured nearly 175 exhibitors and 35 presentations from celebrity chefs and party planners. MCES also launched an extremely successful show in Atlanta on May 3-4, 2008.

Check out my Booth 404 at the Metro Show on Nov. 8-9 at the Washington Convention Center!

Photo by Shauna Alexander

Maryland Show Dates: November

Check out our Blog of the Day award!

Access Montgomery TV 21 in Maryland

Every Tuesday at 7p.m.

11/4/08 Cooking For Kids: This show will be centered around making healthy food for the kids. Lauren will show viewers a chicken nugget recipe, fruit dip, smoothies, and more.

11/11/08

A Simple Summer Supper: Join Lauren and Chef Oliver Friendly as they prepare a simple summer meal with locally grown produce and humanely raised meat from DC-area farmers markets. While commercial organic markets provide a great service, the food at the Farmers Markets is fresher and better for you. Learn how to make: Homemade Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Minted Sweet Peas and Tomato Vinaigrette, Paprika Dusted Pork Chops with Roasted Corn, Shallot, Tomato, and Mint Salsa, and Vanilla Ice Cream with Fresh Fruit and Mint Syrup.

11/18/08

Asian Fusion: Join Lauren and the chefs from Ping by Charlie Chiang’s while they make Pot Au Feu, Rosemary Red Pepper Chicken and Shiny Slippery Shrimp. This innovative cuisine will highlight the fusion of American tastes and local ingredients with the exotic, pleasing flavors of Asia.

11/25/08 American Classics: Join Lauren and Chef ‘Red’ Shannon from the Majestic Restaurant for simple American cuisine consisting of Mint Juleps, Fried Green Tomatoes, Meatloaf, and Strawberry Shortcake.

Exhausted!

Photo by Shauna Alexander

The Food Blogger Challenge: Comfort Food episode was filmed today (#15). We really had a great time and had excellent judging and super contestants. Wow... from 1:30-9p.m. we were setting up, filming and taking all of the equipment down. I'm wiped out... We got up early to finish the unpacking and hanging art and photos on our walls. Yesterday I spent the day creating my chicken pot pie recipe. Can't wait to wake up early tomorrow morning to be a lawyer.

We won!!

Only one day before filming Food Bloggers Challenge...

Still waiting for the groceries so I can practice the recipe I've developed for my chicken pot pie recipe. I have a few things in mind, but we'll see what works best. The challengers are ready and the judges are too.

Last night we went to dinner at Creme on U Street in our new neighborhood. We are still exploring the area since we've only lived here since last Wednesday. The food was good and we didn't have any wait at all (maybe because it was Halloween or maybe the economy). The restaurant is quite small, holding maybe 50 people at most. We sat in the window and watched all of the funny costumes go by. I asked to talk to the chef and to my surprise they said that they currently didn't have a chef. Huh!? They said that they're looking for one, but their past chef left. Creme has a nice atmosphere (very similar to Utah Bistro down the street). It is comfort food style, but there was no chicken pot pie on menu. Corey tried the shrimp and grits and I tried Oprah's Tomato salad. Both were quite tasty, but nothing to write home about. They are in the process of redoing the menu and wine list so we'll have to try it again soon.

Creme Cafe and Lounge
{1322 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202.234.1884}