Recipe: Chilean Sea Bass

Previously, on Capital Cooking, Chef Enzo Fargione helped us Set the Mood with Food with his Chilean Sea Bass in Fennel/Anise Broth with Smoked Purple Potatoes.  Enjoy!

Thinking of Drinking: Blood Orange Margarita

Add a zing to your Cinco de Mayo party with these Blood Orange Margaritas.

Thinking of Drinking: Two & Two

District Distilling, located in the bustling U-Street corridor, will be offering a layered shot for Derby Day. It's called the Two & Two, to tie into the $2 Million payout awarded to the horse and jockey who wins the 2 minute race. Its made from a combination of District Distilling’s Embassy Row Creme De Menthe with Backroom Bourbon layered on top garnished with a mint leaf and will be available throughout the day on Saturday, May 5th. Its priced at $5.

Recipe: Popovers

David Burke had me popping over for his popovers at the International Trump Hotel! When the chef came out with these “huge” rolls, the aroma overtook me, and I felt as though I was back at home helping my mother bake fresh breads and pastries for a big family dinner. I promptly looked at the chef, eyes-wide and belly empty, and uttered “did you ask my mom what I liked before coming here?!” as I quickly grabbed for one of the fresh baked loaves.

Recipe: Opa Opa Shrimp

Cava is my favorite Greek restaurant in DC, so I was so excited to have Chef Dimitri join me on Capital Cooking to teach me his Opa Opa Shrimp recipe.  Hope you enjoy!

Recipe: Awaze Tibs

DC is filled with lots of delicious Ethiopian restaurants.  This recipe was featured on Capital Cooking's Ethiopian Cuisine Episode.

Thinking of Drinking: Maple Derby Cocktail

Get ready for a derby party with Clyde May's bourbon and make Black Jack 's Maple Derby Cocktail.  Enjoy!

Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail with Calypso Sauce

Planning a cocktail party?  This shrimp cocktail with calypso sauce would be the perfect appetizer.

Recipe: Lamb Tacos

Prepare for Cinco de Mayo with this recipe for lamb tacos.

Perfect Pair: Asparagus and Tomato Salad

The Dish:  Asparagus and Tomato Salad

Thinking of Drinking: Kentucky Mule

Get ready for the Derby with this Kentucky Mule from Gamlin Whiskey House.

Perfect Pair: Cucumber Tea Sandwiches and Piedmont Whites

Cucumber sandwiches are one of the classic tea sandwiches for Kentucky Derby parties. I first tasted these sandwiches long ago when my friends had tea parties for their birthdays when I was very young. We learned how to sip tea and hold our pinkies up. Tea sandwiches provide your guest something easier to manage when dressed in nice clothing. You can try these sandwiches for a Derby party or even make them for Mother's day.

Opening: Gong Cha Bubble Tea

Gong Cha, a Bubble Tea Chain that originated in Taiwan in 2006, has opened in Rockville, Maryland! The trendy Taiwanese shop opened at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31st, with a massive line out the door and live entertainers performing outside the new spot. Located at 1800 Rockville Pike in the Galvan at Twinbrook complex, it’s only about a 25-minute drive from downtown D.C. to get the best authentic Bubble Tea in town.

Thinking of Drinking: April Rain

April showers bring May flowers!  Have a sip of some April Rain.  Hopefully we'll clear through the rest of the month without more rain.

Dining Out: Cherry Blossom Tasting Menu at BLT Prime by David Burke

With the Cherry Blossom season in full bloom, David Burke at BLT Prime has outdone himself again with a new cherry-inspired tasting menu. Located in the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C., the upscale steakhouse offers outstanding service, a beautiful atmosphere, and incredible flavors. The Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off on March 20th and runs until April 17th, with the peak bloom taking place between April 8th-April 12th, and David Burke and Executive Chef Matijevich wanted to add another way to celebrate the 3,000 cherry trees that Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gave to the city of Washington D.C. in 1912.

Perfect Pair: Garlic Chicken

The Wine: Luca Bosio Barbera d’Asti 2016 D.O.C.G

This is a light red that pairs well with chicken.  This Barbera shows ample red fruit on the nose. It has silky tannins that give it a smooth mouthfeel. This freshness and approachability makes it a great wine for everyday drinking.   The company has 60 acres of vineyards and sources additional grapes from vineyards in Piedmont.

Recipe: Carrot Gooey Butter Cake

The cake was supposedly first made by accident in the 1930s by a St. Louis-area German American baker who was trying to make regular cake batter but reversed the proportions of sugar and flour.  This cake is available at most area bakeries and grocery stores in St. Louis. If you haven’t had it before, you are in for a treat.  I've put a spring spin on it with my carrot cake version.