all photos via the aesthete and the dilettante
Author: Wendy Franzen
Cocktail Hour: The Daiquiri
Our resident mixologist is back with the fascinating history of Hemingway's favorite cocktail - the daiquiri. We mixed up a batch following Michael's recipe and I promise you, this is not the boat drink you think it is. The Daiquiri This cocktail resides in same family as the most classic of cocktails: the Martini, the … Continue reading Cocktail Hour: The Daiquiri
Breakfast Bite: The Perfect Poached Egg
Hands-down the best way to have eggs, don't you agree? The best part is that it's so fast and simple, but there are a few essential steps to achieving a plump white with a perfectly runny yolk rather than something resembling a Portuguese man-o-war with its egg-y tentacles floating around in the water.The Perfect Poached … Continue reading Breakfast Bite: The Perfect Poached Egg
Cocktail Hour: A Simple Crisp White + Smoked Whitefish Spread
Sometimes nothing is better than a crisp white on a warm summer evening. Yesterday marked the summer solstice, and we spent it on our just finished stone terrace with chilled sauv blanc and this smoked whitefish spread. I picked up the smoked whitefish fillets from a fisherman's stand at the farmers' market in Lake Bluff … Continue reading Cocktail Hour: A Simple Crisp White + Smoked Whitefish Spread
Cocktail Hour: Fresh Strawberry Mojito
This cocktail is summer in a glass! It's my version of a mojito - light, refreshing, and just sweet enough, starring mint from the garden and the ripest, juiciest farmers' market strawberries. Dare I say it almost feels healthy? Fresh Strawberry Mojito serves 2 2/3 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered 8-10 mint leaves 2 … Continue reading Cocktail Hour: Fresh Strawberry Mojito
Chocolate Hazelnut Crepe Cake + A Very Happy Birthday
Oh my, was this cake a labor of love! My daughter Hannah requested a crepe cake for her birthday after seeing a picture of one on Pinterest (doesn't she know 99.9% of pinned recipes are for viewing pleasure only?) and she asked that we make it together. How hard could it be? I thought to … Continue reading Chocolate Hazelnut Crepe Cake + A Very Happy Birthday
Cocktail Hour: The Martini
I'm thrilled to introduce a new weekend feature just in time for summer, Cocktail Hour. Michael, my almost brother-in-law and the most talented mixologist I've ever known (this is not hyperbole), has graciously agreed to share his knowledge and his recipes during the month of June here at a & d. And in true Michael … Continue reading Cocktail Hour: The Martini
Sweet Summer
all photos via the aesthete and the dilettante
Where Did The Time Go?
Nostalgia set in a few weeks ago when the above photo slipped out of a book I had decided to reread. It was taken on a crisp fall day nine years ago, back when life was about hours around the Lego table and playdates at the park. Now with a month of milestones on the … Continue reading Where Did The Time Go?
What to Bring: Lemon Garlic Hummus
Store-bought hummus makes an appearance at almost every casual get together these days, but you can up the ante by bringing a flavor-packed homemade version to this year's Memorial Day cookout. It comes together in minutes, and DIYing it allows you to use fresh seasonal ingredients that may not appear in those little round tubs … Continue reading What to Bring: Lemon Garlic Hummus
the aesthete and the dilettante 