Monthly Archives: November 2009

Succulent Cornish Hens

November 29, 2009 – 8:32 pm

Food, food, food – I love to make it, we love to eat it and I love to have it prepared and served by a talented at home chef.

This past labor day weekend two couples met at Whispering Pines, Bev & Michael from Pittsburgh, Pa. and Cindra and Darryl from Southfield, Mi. They were definitely foodies, especially Darryl. Knowing that part of our family lived about a 15 minute drive from their home, Darryl and his wife Cindra invited us over for dinner during Thanksgiving week. Naturally we accepted the invitation with much anticipation.

The menu: Armagnac and fig glazed roasted cornish hens – mashed root vegetables and golden yukon potatoes with roasted shallots and a mix of sauteed wild mushrooms with baby spinach and bacon. All this served with Peirano Estate Heritage Collection Chardonnay from Lodi Valley, Ca. Darryl used to be in wine sales, so he has a good deal of knowledge regarding wine and lots of great stories to share.

As you can see from the photos chef Darryl at work, the golden finish of the hens and the beautiful plated presentation. It was a 5-star dinner. Thank you Darryl for all the time and thought you obviously put into this masterpiece.

The evening was a lot of fun and we enjoyed meeting their good friends Gail and Dewey. They shared many stories that left us in laughter.

Well, we really do meet the nicest people as innkeepers, one of the many perks of our ‘job’.

Hope to see you soon,
Linda
Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast
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Atwood Lake Bed and Breakfast Recipes

Recipe for Chocolate Brownies

November 22, 2009 – 7:04 pm

I love brownies. I always have and I always will – without nuts. I love all kinds of nuts, by the handful, in baked goods and sprinkled on a variety of food items. But, a chocolate brownie without nuts is heavenly. They are included in our snack basket and I always receive compliments. Bill and I almost always have a small piece as a taste test to insure quality. At least that’s our reasoning, but we can’t come up with an excuse for adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream, except that it tastes so good.

I’ve been making this same recipe since 2004 when I found it in an issue of “Cook’s Illustrated“, a wonderful magazine filled with recipes that have been tested to the max. So, I will give all the credit to the magazine for these delicious chocolate brownies.

Do you have a favorite recipe you would like to share? I would be delighted to test it out in my kitchen.

The Best Chocolate Brownies:

1-1/4 c. cake flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking powder
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
2 /14 c. sugar
4 large eggs
1 T. pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Fit a piece of tin foil on the bottom and up the sides of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spray with nonstick cooking spray – not too much.
Whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside.
Melt chocolate and butter in a large bowl in the microwave on high for 45 seconds. Stir and heat for another 30 seconds. Stir the mixture until it is completely smooth. You may have to repeat for another 15 seconds. Gradually whisk in sugar.
Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition until thoroughly combined.
Whisk in vanilla. Add flour mixture in three additions, folding with a spatula until batter is completely smooth.
Thansfer batter to prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool on rack to room temperature, then remove brownies. I flip them over to remove the foil, then flip them back again. Cut to desired squares, sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy.

Hope to see you soon,
Linda
Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast
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Atwood Lake Bed and Breakfast Restaurants

Chocolate Dessert

November 21, 2009 – 12:35 am

Bill and I don’t often have the opportunity to go out for a leisurely lunch. With Thanksgiving next week, typically this is a quiet week at the bed and breakfast so we took advantage of our time. We arranged to have lunch with Glenna and Frank, old friends of ours who we haven’t seen in a very long time and met in the middle at a new restaurant. It was well worth the drive as you can see in the photos. Bill and I love dessert, especially chocolate and beautiful presentations.

The Hart Mansion Restaurant is located in Minerva, an easy 40 minute drive from the Inn. It was a bit chilly today, but otherwise a beautiful sunny day. The mansion was built in 1869 and it took three years of renovation, inside and out to open resulting in a very inviting and lovely atmosphere.

Bill had pork tenderloin medallions in a demi-glace that was outstanding. I ordered the lemon shrimp lightly sauteed in a lemon wine sauce served over rice. We both ordered a side of fried green beans. The green beans were lightly coated and fried to a golden brown – absolutely delicious.

We then finished off our lunch with dessert. A very light peanut butter and chocolate mousse pie wedge for our friends. Bill ordered the cranberry bread pudding made with bits of white chocolate and I ordered the chocolate kahlua layer cake. All three items were served with fresh whipped cream and delicately designed with flavored sauce.

We highly recommend the Hart Mansion to our over night guests, it is well worth the drive. And the following morning you will be treated to a wonderful breakfast at Whispering Pines.

Hope to see you soon,
Linda
Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast
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Atwood Lake Bed and Breakfast Interesting Guests interviews Special People

That’s Life with Robin Swoboda

November 14, 2009 – 12:56 am

A few weeks ago I had a call from Rachel, the producer of “that’s life with Robin Swoboda” at Fox 8 Cleveland. Robin wanted to visit Whispering Pines, stay overnight, have breakfast and include us as part of her travel show on Atwood Lake and things to do in the area. Of course we jumped on that request and thought this would really be fun. The show was taped and was aired on Tuesday, November 10th at 10 am. Since we were out of town attending a Select Registry innkeeping meeting we’ll have to wait until the dvd arrives from the station to see it ourselves. We have already received several reservations from this. Thank you Robin.

I’ve included a great picture of Robin – in the middle – Rachel, the producer and Herb, the camera man. This was after they had indulged in a terrific breakfast of Lemon Ricotta pancakes.

The night before we all visited AlBi Winery, located on the lake where Bill, the owner, poured wine and chatted with Robin. I’m sure it was a very funny segment. They walked right next door to have dinner at Casablanca where Jim and Karen entertained them and fed they quite well. The following day they were going to visit the Resort, Warther’s Museum and possibly a tattoo studio.

We enjoyed the experience as Robin really has a magnetic personality, making everyone feel very comfortable in front of the camera.

Would love to hear any comments if you were able to watch the program.

Hope to see you soon,
Linda
Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast
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