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Pâté the Perfect Picnic Plate - Article & Recipe

The following article and recipe was written and created by our own Chef Joseph based on a traditional French Pâté. When it comes to warm weather eating, many of us turn to room temperature dishes, chilled dishes or salads.  In most cultures where warm weather dominates you will find just the opposite in both temperature and spiciness or a combination of both.  Personally I believe the perfect warm weather meal is the latter.  A nice cool starter followed by a something hot and spicy finished with something cool.  Why the spicy or hot?  Easy...it makes you sweat. Sweat cools you off.  It is a no brainer.  Sometimes, though, a lighter meal seems right and a pâté is not only elegant, but perfect to be served by itself or with a salad or simple pickled vegetables, cheese and some fruit.  Wrap it all up in a pastry crust ( Pâté en Croûte ) and you elevate it to a whole other level. What is pâté? Many think it is a pureed glob of liver.  Actually it is nothing more than a fancy

Paella Mixta Recipe

June is the the beginning of Summer here in the northern hemisphere and it is also the time when we celebrate the longest day of the year. “Skt. Hans”, or St. John’s Day, as it is known throughout Scandinavia, is celebrated with bonfires and outdoor cookery.  Originally I wanted to do typical Norwegian fare, but after speaking with a dear friend I learned that the traditional foods have given way to “International Fare”.  Spain has a huge expat Norwegian community, and Florida was founded by the Spaniards in 1513 by Ponce de Leon who led the first European expedition.  So I thought I would  offer one of my favourite dishes from Valencia Spain, Paella. Paella was originally a peasant dish, cooked over an open fire in the fields and eaten directly from the pan.  Originally snails were the main protein used as they were plentiful in the fields.  Occasionally rabbit or duck would be added and - if you were really well off - chicken. Every Spanish mother claims to make the best paella