My secrets to a perfect Central Coast party!

San Luis Obispo has so many wonderful sources to create the perfect party.

Picking Daisies is my favorite little shop tp create the theme for the party. It all begins with the napkins. There are patterns upon patterns upon patterns. Paisley, flowers, stripes, polka-dots, and now my new favorite - crowns!!!!

https://www.pickingdaisiesinslo.com/

De Palo and Sons in Shell Beach for the best Italian specialty products.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/de-palo-and-sons-provisions-spirits-and-fine-wines-pismo-beach

Meze is the hottest new shop to find the best in cured meats. Located in the railroad district of SLO - you definitely have to check it out!!

http://www.mezemarket.com/___/HOME.html

In the North County - there are four shops that I always take the time to stop in and pick up something yummy.

For the best cheese selection on the central coast, you HAVE to check out Vivant Fine Cheese in Paso Robles.

http://www.vivantfinecheese.com/

Because we all know you cannot have the best cheese with mediocre bread - make a stop in Atascadero at Hush Harbor Bakery. Their bread will leave you wanting more.

http://www.hushharborartisanbakery.com/

Before you get to Atascadero make a pit stop in to 15 degrees C. This amazing, cute, little wine shiop with its own sommelier. The staff will direct towards the best wine for your cheese pairing!

http://www.15degreescwines.com/

If you plan on offering a nice salad or fruit dessert cross over the bridge and go to Nature's Touch in Templeton. You will find the best produce, eggs, honey and dairy from all local sources. Don't forget to pick up a pretty bouquet of flowers for the table to compliment your dinner napkins!

http://www.ntnah.com/

There you go! The perfect party, all  locally grown!

Fall = Apples

Apple Season is here!!

Every fall we would gather in the car to take a drive through See Canyon so that we could taste our way along the various apple stands. As children, my brothers and I  looked forward to applesauce, apple cake, apple pie or crisp ala mode and the cider in the refrigerator. Our mom loved to set up a caramel apple line on our kitchen table - we all opened up the individual caramel candies, watched as they melted in the microwave, stuck the popsicle sticks into the green tart apples and then coated the caramel dipped apple with our favorite topping. I always chose chopped nuts. It was suggested that we wait for the warm caramel to cool before eating but I thought it was much more enjoyable to make a mess right away.

One of my brothers, Matt, moved to the East Coast to attend graduate school in Boston five years ago.  I am happy to report he still celebrates the changing of the seaon with a trip to the apple orchard. This recipe gave Matt and his wife Kate a yummy dinner a few weeks ago after they spent the day collecting apples. He was so thrilled with the result he shared with his West Coast family and now I am sharing it with you:

Apple-Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts

• 1 1/2 c Apple Cider, plus 2 T Apple Cider - separated
• 1/3 c light corn syrup
• 2 T Maple Syrup
• 1 T Dijon Mustard
• 1 T Apple Cider Vinegar
• pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
• 1/2 c All-Purpose Flour
• 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, trimmed of fat
• 2 t vegetable oil
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 1/8 t salt
• 1/8 t pepper

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Whisk together 1 1/2 c apple cider, corn syrup, maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in medium bowl.
3. Spread flour in shallow pie plate.
4. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and then dredge each chicken breast in flour, patting off the excess.
5. Heat oil in an oven proof 12 inch skillet on the stove until it is shimmering but not smoking.  Lay chicken breasts in a single layer and cook 12-14 minutes, turning once, until both sides are golden brown.  Transfer chicken to a plate.
6. Pour off all but 1 t of fat and saute shallot until softened, about 1-2 minutes. 
7. Increase heat to high and add cider mixture to skillet.
8. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture has reduced to about 1 cup (about 6-10 minutes).  A spatula should leave a slight trail when dragged through the mixture.
9. Remove skillet from heat, and tilt so that all of the glaze pools on one side.  Use tongs to coat each chicken breast and lay in a single layer in the skillet.
10. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the thickest portion of the chicken reaches 160 degrees (about 20-25 minutes), turning chicken about half way through.
11. Remove from oven and set chicken on a plate.
12. Return the skillet to high heat on the stove top (be careful - skillet will be very hot!).
13. Cook until glaze has thickened and is syrupy, about 1 minute.  A spatula will leave a wide trail when dragged through.
14. Remove from heat and whisk in the remaining 2 T of cider.
15. Spoon 1 t over each breast, and serve.

Here are a few more recipes to help take advantage of the abundance of Apples that you may habe in your kitchen:

Applescotch Crisp

• 4 c sliced, peeled tart apples
• 1/2 c packed brown sugar
• 2/3 c + 1 T all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 c water
• 1/4 c milk
• 1/2 c quick cooking oats
• 3.5 ounce pkg. butterscotch pudding mix (non-instant)
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1 t ground cinnamon
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 c cold butter

1. Place apples in an ungreased 11 in x 7 in x 2 in baking pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk brown sugar, 1 T flour, water, and milk.  Pour over apples.
3. In another bowl, combine oats, pudding mix, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and remaining flour.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Sprinkle over apples.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until topping is golden brown and fruit is tender.  Serve with ice cream.

Cinnamon Apple Oven Pancake

Pancake:

• 1/4 c butter
• 1 c flour
• 2 c milk
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 t salt

Filling:

• 2 T butter
• 2 t cornstarch
• 1 T cold water
• 1/3 c packed brown sugar
• 1/2 t cinnamon
• 2 medium apples, cored and sliced 1/2 inch

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a 12x8 inch baking pan, melt 1/4 c butter in oven (about 5 minutes).
3. In small mixing bowl combine all remaining pancake ingredients.  Beat at low speed until well mixed, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Pour melted butter into batter and continue beating until well mixed.
5. Pour batter into hot pan.  Bake 30-40 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
6. Meanwhile in 10 inch skillet, melt 2 T butter.
7. In small bowl stir together cornstarch and water.
8. Stir brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch mixture into butter.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles and thickens (about 2-3 minutes).  Stir into apples and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until apples are evenly coated and slightly tender (about 10-12 minutes).
9. Spoon filling over hot pancake and serve immediately.

Happy Apple Picking!!