Wasabi and Ginger Popcorn

Who doesn't love popcorn.  What a great snack!  It is low on calories, and full on fiber, and tastes so good.  Did you ever think of serving popcorn at a cocktail party?  Probably not.  Think beyond traditional buttered popcorn.  The book Popcorn  by Patrick Evans-Hylton is full of all kinds of exotic and delicious popcorn recipes.  We decided to share one of his recipes with you, our readers today.

Available at Bellagio Interiors

Here is how author Patrick Evans-Hylton describes his recipe for Wasabi and Ginger Popcorn.

"This fiery snack gets its heat from two rockin' roots.  The first, wasabi (also known as Japanese horseradish), is best known as the ubiquitous green glob beside sushi, and it packs a powerful punch to the taste buds.  The second, ginger, is a spice that goes from mild to wild.  The two come together here as a wickedly wonderful pair."

Here is that "wickedly wonderful" recipe:

4 quarts freshly popped corn

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon black sesame seeds

3 tablespoons butter, melted

2 teaspoons wasabi paste

1/4 cup candied ginger, finely chopped

1/2 cup wasabi-flavored fried peas

Put the popcorn in a large, clean paper bag or a washable muslin bag.

In a small bowl, combine the salt, sugar and sesame seeds.

          In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the melted butter and wasabi until fully incorporated.

Stir in the ginger and peas.

Drizzle the butter mixture over the popcorn, fold over the top of the bag,

and shake until the popcorn is coated and moist.

Sprinkle the salt mixture over the popcorn, fold over the top

of the bag, and shake a few times to coat.

Serve in Asian-style bowls and enjoy!  The panther recommends having your cup of Sake at hand because this popcorn is hot!

-The Panther



Topiary Love

I don't know what it is about topiaries, but I love them.  I suppose it is the whimsical shapes that are so charming and reminiscent of enchanted gardens in storybooks.  A topiary can be made in practically any shape: from very formal triple balls, to spirals, cones and even animal shapes.  Living topiaries can be made from a variety of plants: ivy, boxwood, privet or other evergreens.  Indoor topiaries can be made from artificial greens, or preserved plant materials.  The vast variety of shape, size, materials and design make topiaries a perfect accessory for any decor.

A very traditional triple-ball topiary in a formal English garden

Topiaries are often used to flank entrances.  They are welcoming to all who come to your door and can be as formal or informal as you choose.

The bright green and round shape are a lovely accent to the

straight lines of this white home.

Little white lights adorn these artificial double-ball

topiaries in gold half-urns.

These spiral topiaries in terra cotta pots offer a casual welcome.

A variety of topiaries flank these steps and give softness

and interest to this flat brick building.

Topiaries are not just for the outdoors.  There are endless ways to decorate with topiaries indoors as well. 

This grouping of different shapes and sizes of preserved boxwood

topiaries makes a fabulous table scape.

Here is another grouping of a variety of topiaries

on a rustic side table.

I love these topiaries in this formal living room.

The natural draping of the ivy from the pots

is a nice contrast to the formality of the room

This little topiary is romantic and sweet.

Ribbons can be added to any topiary and changed

seasonally to achieve different looks.

This little potted olive tree is a good way to

achieve the Italian country look.

The creeping fig topiaries would be darling in a kitchen

as well as on a patio.

 Finally, if they can make this Tiger topiary, a Panther topiary shouldn't be out of the question!

-The Panther

Daydreaming of Tuscany...

Tuscany... rolling hills, quaint villas, vineyards, cypress trees, and endless fields of sunflowers.  The romance and beauty of this stunning region is so often the subject of paintings and prose alike.  Here are some images to inspire your romantic daydreams.

Happy Daydreams and a lovely weekend to you all.

-The Panther

Night of Inspired Entertaining at Bellagio Interiors

Last month, we held a ladies night of "inspired entertaining" at our store, Bellagio Interiors.  What a great night it was too!

We had a couple of trunk shows of products for entertaining.  We featured a cookbook and Lynn prepared several recipes from the book and served them at the party.  There was wine, music, food, more wine, laughs, fun, entertaining tips, lots of ladies, and more wine!

The wine chilling

We were fortunate to have such a lovely evening and utilized the outside too!

We had a trunk show of these magnetic wine charms by Il Bere.

Our guests loved these! 

 We'll blog about these soon.

 In the meantime, come into Bellagio to pick some up for yourself.

We also had a Karen Lee Ballard trunk show.  Guests could

place custom orders for table linens, napkins and placemats.

There were dozens of fabrics and patterns to choose from.

We featured this fabulous cookbook, "Swirl, Sip & Savor"

by Carol Frieberg. 

Lynn prepared several amazing dishes from this book.

Lynn's beautiful and delicious handiwork.

It was such a fun evening.

Thanks to all of the lovely ladies that came out.

If you would like to be invited to our next in-store event, send us your email and we'll be sure to add you to our guest list.

See you soon!

-The Panther



Parallel 45...Tualatin's Hidden Treasure

Who doesn't love finding hidden treasures?  The panther just recently found a hidden gem in, (gasp), the suburbs! 

While on appointments one afternoon, in Tualatin, the panther stumbled upon Parallel 45, a charming and lively wine bar nestled on Hayden Lake.

Tualatin's Hayden Lake

This welcoming little place caught the panther's eye as she strolled along the banks of the little lake.  We took the panther's advice and visited this place for ourselves.

A charming brick facade and patio with iron tables and potted plants beckoned us to come inside.  Walking through the front door, we were pleasantly greeted by the sound of laughter and clinking glasses, and wonderful smells from the kitchen.  Cozy booths line one wall and the other side is a full length bar.  The warm, coppery, rich colors were inviting and comfortable.  Toward the back, long tall wine storage cabinets full of beautiful bottles line the walls.

We found a seat at the bar and were immediately welcomed by the friendly bartender.  We perused the extensive wine menu, deciding on a Prosecco.  It was perfectly chilled and lovely.  We sipped and looked around in disbelief.  How did we never know about this place?  It was bustling and cheerful but cozy at the same time.  We ogled the food menu and excitedly ordered the Rogue & Honey Plate, and the special of the day, Pan-fried oyster sliders.

As we sipped our Prosecco and waited for our appetizers, Steve Sweeney, the bar's owner came over to check on us.  We told him this was our first visit to his lovely establishment.  We learned that he opened the bar about seven years ago!  As we visited with Steve, we mentioned that we had ordered some apps but probably wanted one more item but couldn't decide.  He said he'd pick out something for us and went back to the kitchen.  He returned shortly with our cheese plate, our sliders, and a plate of seared scallops on top of a beautiful prosciutto and mint salad with a melon-lemon vinaigrette.  Everything looked and smelled so lovely and we couldn't wait to dig in.  We were not disappointed as everything tasted as wonderful as it looked!  Compliments to Chef Joe White!

The Rogue & Honey Plate

A healthy chunk of bleu cheese served with toasted hazelnuts, sliced apple,

honeycomb, and flat-bread crackers

Special of the Day:  Pan-Fried Oyster Sliders with potato chips

Owner's Choice:  Pan-Seared Scallops on top of salad

Parallel 45 truly is a gem and we are so excited to have discovered it.  With summer on the way it is the perfect place to go and sit out on the patio.  The food and drink are fabulous, the staff is amazing and the atmosphere is fun and inviting.

Parallel 45 is located at: 8294 SW Nyberg St.  Tualatin, OR  97062

Look them up on the web at:  http://www.p45winebar.com/

Stop by Parallel 45 and tell them the Panther sent you!
Cheers!
-The Panther