by Linda Lang | Aug 4, 2021 | Featured Recipes
In the center of Ireland on 600 splendid estate acres is Ballyfin, acknowledged as the most lavish Regency mansion in Ireland. Rich in turbulent Irish history, the site dates back to ancient times before becoming the ancestral home of the O’Mores, Crosbys, Poles, Wellesley-Poles family of the Duke of Wellington, the Cootes and this classic dessert recipe.
The house, itself, designed by the renowned Irish architects Sir Richard and William Morrison, was built in the 1820s for Sir Charles Coote, whose family enjoyed the house for exactly one hundred years. With the arrival of Irish Independence, the Coote family sold the estate to the Patrician Brothers who, for much of the 20th century, ran a school at Ballyfin. Afterward, it fell into years of disrepair, which inspired the Irish Georgian Society to organize a fund-raising campaign. Still, the future of one of Ireland’s finest houses was uncertain until Ballyfin was acquired by its current owners who began a complete restoration spanning nine years.
The 5-star luxury hotel reopened its doors in May 2011 and today showcases some of Ireland’s finest architecture, furnishings, art and antique collections. Its 15 magnificent staterooms and suites are individually named and decorated with posh furnishings representing Irish the best of Irish tradition. Indoor activities include a spa, gym, and indoor pool while an endless array of outdoor pursuits include boating and fishing on the lake, clay pigeon shooting, falconry, tennis, archery, golf, and pony-drawn carriage rides.
Dining venues range from the grandeur of the State Dining Room or intimacy of the Van Der Hagen Dining Room to more casual locales such as the Library, Bar or Conservatory and private dining in the Porcelain Room lined with ‘Flora Danica’ china, or the dramatic Wine Cellar. Visitors are welcome. Contact www.ballyfin.com | Tel: +353 (0)5787 55866. Meanwhile, try this delectable dessert.
Preparation: 1 hour | Serves: 8
Ingredients:
For the Strawberry Mix:
1–3/4 lbs ripe strawberries
1 cup caster sugar *
4 tbsp strawberry water**
1-2/3 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp fresh lemon juice
pinch sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 sprigs fresh mint cut into long thin strips
2 leaves fresh basil cut into long thin strips
For the Crumble:
1-1/4 cup high gluten flour cup
1/2 cup caster sugar
3 tbsp brown sugar 3-1/2 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
Method:
- Slice the strawberries in half from top to bottom. Mix together all the other ingredients for the strawberry mix, then add the strawberries and let them marinate for 8-10 minutes.
- While the strawberries are marinating, mix all the ingredients for the crumble together in a food processor to form a dough. Place in the fridge until firm.
- Rub the cooled dough together with your hands until it flakes and crumbles start to form – if necessary put in a mixer to break it up. Once it has achieved crumble consistency, place it on a baking tray lined with silicone paper and bake in the oven at 375F/190C for eight to ten minutes until golden brown.
- While the crumble is still hot, cut out sections of 8cm in diameter with a cookie cutter. Let the discs cool before lifting.
- To assemble the dish, place the ring cutter on a plate. Place the marinated strawberries into the mold and gently lift the mold. Place the crumble disk on top.
- To finish add a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream or strawberry sorbet on top of the crumble before serving.
* Caster Sugar is a British term for very fine granulated sugar. Because the crystals are so minute, they dissolve very quickly and are particularly useful in meringues, custards, and mousses, baking and sweetening cold drinks and cocktails. It may not be easy to find but it is very easy to make. Ingredients: granulated sugar — a little more than the recipe calls for. Method: Place the sugar in a food processor or blender and pulse 1-2 minutes until it reaches a super-fine, but not too powdery. Be sure to cover the top with a cloth or lid to keep the dust in the processor. Allow the sugar to settle for a few minutes. Then, use in place of the castor sugar called for in your recipe.
** Strawberry Water is made by mashing a large handful of strawberries and straining through a sieve.
by Linda Lang | Jul 22, 2021 | Luxury Travel News
Ala Moana Regional Park, Honolulu, Oahu. Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority / Akira Kumagai
U.S. travelers fully-vaccinated against Covid-19 can now bypass Hawaii’s 10-day mandatory quarantine with accepted proof of vaccination confirming two shots of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine plus 15 days after the last dose and creating a mandatory Safe Travels account at https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel
Accepted documents include a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card; printed copy of your VAMS (Vaccination Administration Management System); Department of Defense DD Form 2766C; a SMART Health Card with your vaccine record; or proof of vaccination provided by a doctor/medical provider or authorized Covid-19 vaccination administrator.
Trans-Pacific travelers and returning residents WITHOUT proof of vaccination must remain in the Oahu Testing Program and test with a Trusted Testing Partner 72 hours in advance of the last leg of their trip to bypass quarantine.
This information was announced July 7 by the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. For further details, visit https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/ and https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/ or call 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924).
by Linda Lang | Jun 30, 2021 | Luxury Travel News
Well before the June 14 removal of Covid-19 restrictions, planes, Air B&Bs, and vacation rentals began selling out for the balance of 2021 and well into next year. Anticipation, desperation – whatever the reasoning – Americans are determined to break free from the Confines of Covid and are planning ahead in massive numbers.
While airline travel is one of the safest ways of getting from one place to another, unfortunately too many short tempers are resulting in onboard passenger violence. Yelling, fist fights, assaults on passengers, crew members and other acts jeopardizing the safety of everyone onboard have become a major problem. In a few cases, pilots have had to make unscheduled landings to remove unmanageable passengers. Since the beginning of the year, airlines have reported a record 3,000 incidents, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. During the entire prior decade, FAA investigations only totaled around 140 cases annually. Understandably, demands are fast rising to get this unprecedented situation under control before it worsens.
That being said, commercial flights are still by far one of the safest modes of travel. As of today, masks are still required from airport entrance to exiting the destination airport. HEPA-filtered air captures 99 percent of airborne microbes, and re-circulated filtered air also increases cabin humidity. These filters have the same standards as those required by hospitals, making airlines the best form of commercial transportation today. And the filthier a HEPA filter becomes, the more effective it gets – especially reassuring for passengers on larger jets.
Tray tables, seatbelt buckles, seatbacks, video screens, armrests, window shades, doors and overhead bin handles are all disinfected prior to boarding. High-contact airport surfaces i.e. ticket counters, seating area, kiosks, etc. are frequently sanitized, but as a rule, we still recommend wearing gloves as well as masks until seated aboard the aircraft. Some carriers also allow you to scan your boarding pass at a kiosk in many U.S. airports to print your baggage tags.
Be aware that food and beverage service is temporarily suspended or quite limited as determined by each carrier, flight departure, duration, and destination. Due to irresponsible passenger behavior, alcohol is currently limited or restricted by many carriers. Check at the time of reservation. Same rules apply if you want to prepare to bring aboard your own snacks and soft drinks.
Despite any inconveniences, plane seats are selling fast. If you are even thinking of booking a flight, check availability now. Also, remember, Covid-19 will be with us for a while. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov requirements and recommendations before finalizing any travel plans. Also check with your destination.
by Linda Lang | Jun 12, 2021 | Travel Bytes
Napa Truffle Festival makes headlines again with another “first” – its premiere online TruffleTV exclusive Saturday, June 19 from 3:30-5:30pm PDT. Deadline for purchasing the remaining 14 ticket packages required to participate is Tuesday, June 15, providing they don’t sell out sooner.
Napa Truffle Festival has been a major annual international culinary event for decades. Due to Covid, this year’s festivities are being replaced by the first live two-hour online festival broadcast via Zoom from Shadybrook Estate in the Napa’s Coobsville District.
During this invitation-only event, Michelin Star Chef Ken Frank will be in your kitchen live to demonstrate how to prepare his famous Truffle Sandwich with Brillat-Savarin Cheese from France and his hand-made Potato Gnocchi with fresh Black Truffles paired with two Shadybrook wines. He’ll also take you through the step-by-step process of creating a Truffled Brillat-Savarin cheese you can age. To view his personal invitation to you, click here.
All ingredients (except the potatoes) are included the Truffle Kit which will be overnighted to each participant. All are of Michelin Star quality from the hard-to-source Brillat-Svarin cheese and French butter, personally imported by Ken directly from their artisanal makers in France, to the freshest Périgord black truffles, Fiscalini Cheddar and Oprah-approved Model Bakery bread. You’ll not find these quality ingredients elsewhere.
In total, this exclusive Truffle Kit contains 90 grams (3+ oz.) of the ultra black truffles – enough for 14 generous servings in a Michelin Star restaurant – which are required to make Ken’s famous Truffle Sandwich, the single best-selling menu item at La Toque. This provides more than enough to make each of the three dishes for four connoisseurs. Other recipes in this gourmet meal include a truffled cheese appetizer to be enjoyed before Ken’s Truffle Sandwich, and handmade gnocchi with black truffles. An additional option is the choice of two wine pairings.
CBS Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem will emcee the event. After learning and preparing Ken’s gourmet specialties, you’ll enjoy a true Michelin Star dinner complete with wine right at home! You’ll be able to order the wines at the end of the Truffle Kit checkout process.
The complete Napa Valley Festival Truffle Kit serves four and is available now for $275 plus shipping and handling until Tuesday, June 15 or until the remaining 14 tickets are sold prior. Additional options include a choice of two wine parings selected exclusively for this extraordinary experience.
Images courtesy of Napa Truffle Festival
by Linda Lang | May 24, 2021 | Luxury Travel News
Look for events i.e. Big Bear’s Wine Walk last held in 2019 to return in the near future. Photo by Greg Zook
As vaccinations rise and Covid restrictions decline, the travel industry is exploding with special offers over the next 18 months in almost every sector. Initially, airline seats unexpectedly sold at greatly-reduced then markedly-increased fares as those who could wait no longer were booking tickets to anywhere vacant seats would take them. Totally unexpected? Yes and no. There are those who think they are invincible and willing to risk anything to desegregate. Any possible consequences are for other folks. All that aside….
Vacation homes, B&Bs and other short-term single property rentals began selling early while most hotels remained nearly or completely shut down. It makes sense seeing that the use of masks and social distancing is just occasional and people are free from the 24-hour confines of all-too-familiar settings. Families and close friends can actually see one another smile again — in person — watching the sunset shimmering on the waters from a beachfront or lakeside setting, exploring mountain villages and forests from a cozy cabin, enjoying golf from their fairway condo, exploring small towns from country houses or city attractions from condos — with many being pet friendly. They can dine together, laugh, and hug. If cooking in rental kitchens becomes tiresome, they can bring back take-out or try a new recommended restaurant patio.
With 65% of Americans currently having at least one shot and new cases markedly decreased, we can expect domestic travel to open up far more quickly than international. To expedite the numbers vaccinated and continuing toward our goal of herd immunity, a potpourri of incentives is being offered to the unvaccinated by various levels of local governments, industries, and businesses. United, American, Delta and Southwest airlines have launched sweepstakes giveaways. MBL teams are aboard with free Yankees and Mets tickets, and the NFL is giving away tickets to Super Bowl LVI. Some states are offering lotteries and drawings with jackpots up to $5 million. Locally, look for free fries, pizza, donuts, beer, and discounts to restaurants, movies and sporting events. Even dry cleaners and clothing shops are participating. Check your local media.
Before planning any international travel, check reliable sources i.e. COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination | CDC. Many countries are still far from safe. Verify their status, arrival restrictions and other conditions before purchasing that airline ticket.
Stay tuned as we continue our post-Covid luxury travel news, updates, and special offers!!!
The house, itself, designed by the renowned Irish architects Sir Richard and William Morrison, was built in the 1820s for Sir Charles Coote, whose family enjoyed the house for exactly one hundred years. With the arrival of Irish Independence, the Coote family sold the estate to the Patrician Brothers who, for much of the 20th century, ran a school at Ballyfin. Afterward, it fell into years of disrepair, which inspired the Irish Georgian Society to organize a fund-raising campaign. Still, the future of one of Ireland’s finest houses was uncertain until Ballyfin was acquired by its current owners who began a complete restoration spanning nine years.
The 5-star luxury hotel reopened its doors in May 2011 and today showcases some of Ireland’s finest architecture, furnishings, art and antique collections. Its 15 magnificent staterooms and suites are individually named and decorated with posh furnishings representing Irish the best of Irish tradition. Indoor activities include a spa, gym, and indoor pool while an endless array of outdoor pursuits include boating and fishing on the lake, clay pigeon shooting, falconry, tennis, archery, golf, and pony-drawn carriage rides.
