one of life's little pleasures

Tracy Speaks!

In case you have never run across Tracy's postings, here is his latest comment. Tracy is one of my favorite people. He is the perfect gentleman, the consummate host and one HELL of a person. Did I mention he is smoking hot, and makes me jealous of his size 28 jeans? Oh and lets not forgot the most important thing; I consider him a friend.

OF COURSE YOU NEED THE YELLOW ONES!!! As Spider said, yellow, esp bright yellow really shows off a tan (or lack of it even!) Same goes for lime green. Yes! Lime green! Get 'em Jay!!! On another note, as we all know, Jay's fav-o-rite salad is a perfect Caprese Salad. So, without further delay, I submit (out of the gutter Diego!) for your approval:

Zuppa Caprese:
3 Md tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped.
Salt 1/4 C
2 Tbs fruity (tee-hee) extra-virgin (NOT Jay!) olive oil
Freshly ground white pepper
2 balls (it never stops!) of packaged buffalo mozzarella with their liquid, room temp 2 scallions, white and tender green parts only, julienned
2 apricots- halved, pitted and thinly sliced
1 Tbs lime juice 2 Tbs finely shreeded basil
1 Tbs vin cotto, saba or aged balsalmic vinegar

1. In a blender or food processor, puree the chopped tomatoes with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Line a strainer with two layers of cheesecloth and set the strainer over a medium bowl. Pour the tomato puree into the strainer, gather the ends of the cheesecloth and tie with a string (handcuffs do not work here Jay). Let the tomato juices drain into the bowl for 2 hours. You should have about 1/2 cup of tomato water. If not, gently squeeze the cheesecloth to extract a little more of the tomato water. Whisk in 2 Tbs of the olive oil and season the tomato water with salt and white pepper.

2. Rinse out the blender. Pour in the mozzarella liquid- there should be 3/4 cup. Cut each mozzarella ball into 6 pieces and add them to the blender. Blend at low speed for 1 minute, then increase the speed to high and puree until smooth. Add the remaining 1/4 C olive oil and puree until creamy and smooth. Season the soup with white pepper.

3. In a medium bowl, toss the scallions and apricots with the lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Pour 1/2 C of the mozzarella soup into each of 6 small bowls. Spoon the apricot mixture on top and garnish with the basil. Drizzle a few drops of the tomato water and the vin cotto on top and serve right away.

From Shea Gallante, CRU-NYC, One of the New Best Chefs In America.  Enjoy, My tanned flip flopped friend! Tracy 

Gobble Gobble

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

The Seasonal Rowdy Report
By Tracy

Ahhh...The Holiday season is here.  It has once again sneaked up on us.  Seems Halloween was just yesterday.  What fun that was!  But now, let the turmoil begin!

My first suggestion is for you to view Home For The Holidays with Holly Hunter and the infamous Robert Downey Jr. (among other greats.). If this movie is not each and everyone of you, then something has seriously gone afoul with your family!

Let us start by planning the first of the three major days of celebration, Thanksgiving (which is followed by the biggest shopping day in the universe- whoo hoo!  Kenneth Cole on sale?  YES!  SWEET!  By the by, have you sampled the new fragrance from Puma?  Yes, the athletic wear company.  YUM!  It's true, most people like to have foods they know and moreover, know how to prepare.  However, I feel this is a good time to try new things.  You never know, maybe you'll start a new tradition for yourself or others!

Rowdy Report by Tracy Redux

Ahhhhh. The weather today is perfect! 85 degrees and a slight southerly wind. I feel a picnic in the air!
F.Y.I. Picnic is derived from the French phrase pique-nique meaning "a fashionable social entertainment" in which each guest brings a contribution to the feast. In other words, pique-nique is a fancy way of saying potluck! I love to picnic. Being outdoors in the park, eating, drinking, watching people, having people watch you! It's all great! So, here are some of my techniques and ideas.

Advantages:
1. You don't have to spend hours cleaning the house, because no one will see your house.
2. Not only do you not have to clean your house, there will be no "day after" mess to deal with.
3. Nothing in your home will get broken and the carpet shall remain stain free.
4. The neighbors will not be able to complain (again!) if things get too loud.
5. You don't have to worry about getting the "hangers on" to leave your house and go home.
6. Picnics save you $$$. It is generally cheaper to have a picnic than to eat in a restaurant, a a park is certainly cheaper than a rented hall, and they can make a cheap date that comes off as anything but.
7. If you want to get romantic, nothing impresses like a picnic!

Rowdy Report by Tracy

Note from Jay: Please welcome the first of the Rowdy Report. I am pleased as punch to have a new guest columnist. Tracy will be host of the Rowdy Report on new drinks, food trends and general advice on hospitality, dining and overall entertaining. And let me tell you, when I have a question, I call him. Sometimes the mountain must bow to a star

As my first installment finally hits the press, I will try to give advice and pointers on entertaining, to include, but not limited to, booze, grub and rock & or roll. Please do not confuse me with Jai (the "culture guru" from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy), although with the new shows going on, he seems to be coming of age!

Noodles! Oodles of Noodles! As I have just returned from Las Vegas, it seemed that you couldn't swing a 7 foot show girl without hitting a noodle house! Don't get me wrong! I love noodles just about as much as the next guy, but come on! Even in Dallas, there seems to be noodle houses opening all over the place! (Eek! Carbs!) I say that a boycott of noodles should take place. Ya want noodle? Go to a Thai restaurant like everybody else!