Fernesque : Fern Esposito's Blog

Fern's fern.

2011-08-06T12:59:00.001-07:00

Fern's favorite fern.

Third Annual Wine Tasting Event

2011-08-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

Bayshore Community Hospital Foundation will host its Third Annual Wine Tasting Event on Thursday, September 8th at the Addison Park in Aberdeen from 6:30-9:30 PM with proceeds to benefit Bayshore's Cardiac Services programs.

This year we are once again fortunate to have returning sponsors Food Circus Foodtown and Spirits Unlimited donating the wines.

This year we will be featuring award winning wines by:

Clos Du Bois Marlstone Vineyards

Estancia

Franciscan

Kim Crawford

Mondavi Napa

Mt. Veeder

Ravenswood Lodi

Ruffino

Anyone wishing to attend please contact me.

A Della Robbia Christmas 2009

2009-12-30T11:57:00.001-08:00

I absolutely adore the Christmas Season along with all the old holiday traditions. This year I have decorated my home in the style of Della Robbia...wreaths laden with fruit and cherubs...candelabras embellished with sugar encrusted fruit and vines.

All the gifts placed under the tree were wrapped in the same heavy gold paper and adorned with poinsettias and silken handmade bows.

The Atrium of my home was decorated not only with Della Robbia but also with an assortment of Nutcrackers ranging in size from one inch to four feet. They were arranged around an array of brightly decorated gifts and antique toys, including my father's wooden sled. As a child I rode on that sled and pulled both my children on it when they were toddlers. It is now painted gold and embellished with Christmas decorations, greenery and red silk ribbons....it is one of my most cherished possessions!

Happy New Year !

2009-01-16T11:57:00.001-08:00

Beer Balls

2008-12-15T03:45:00.000-08:00

This a great appetizer and will never fail to please and dazzle your guests. And best of all it is SOOOOO easy!

Ingredients:
1 12 oz. jar of chili sauce
1 can of beer
1 lb. ground veal-beef-pork combination..use my meatball recipe for the meatballs

For every pound of meat use 1 can of beer (any brand will do) and 1 jar of chili sauce (any brand).

Pour the beer and chili sauce in a pot. Stir and cook on medium flame until bubbling. Stir frequently to avoid burning.

Use my meatball recipe from a previous post. Roll the meatballs very small, about the size of a cherry tomato. It is served as an hor d'oevre so you want the meatball small enough for your guests to pop one in their mouth.

Once the beer and chili mixture is bubbling and hot start adding your tiny meatballs

Let them simmer in the pot for 30-40 minutes stirring frequently.

I like to serve them on a plate in a large hollowed-out round loaf of bread that has been baked in the oven at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes. This prevents the sauce from leaking and making a mess. Serve them hot and provide plenty of toothpicks and get ready for lots of compliments once your guests taste the "Beer balls"!

Restaurant Review - K.O.B.E.

2008-12-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

K.O.B.E.

Japanese Cuisine
The Commons At Holmdel
2132 Rt. #35 South
Holmdel, New Jersey 07733
T:(732)275-0025

This upscale sushi venue is welcoming from the moment you walk in the door! Its minimalist decor and friendly greeting put you in a good mood the second you enter.

The sushi is exquisitely prepared by the owner and sushi master. Their delicious sushi and sashimi is one of the best I have ever experienced.

My favorite rolls are the Red Roof, Special Volcano, Spicy Girl and Aruba.
However if you are a tuna lover, their Toro Tuna Tartar, (tuna belly with scallion and wasabi sauce), is to die for!

It is a child-friendly establishment with clean and sturdy highchairs available and a children's Menu. .They do not have a liquor license so feel free to BYO.

Enjoy!

What is "Fernesque"?

2008-12-11T10:13:00.000-08:00

A few years ago a friend of mine began describing my style of entertaining and life as "Fernesque". Since then, my family and many friends now refer to most things I do as "Fernesque".

To define the term I would say it is an over-the-top way of entertaining. It is developing a style of excess in entertaining without being "tacky". Excessive yet still tasteful!

From my Louis Vuitton dog carrier and my high maintenance toy poodle to my mini signs in calligraphy identifying the types of cheese on a platter....I firmly believe details matter and it is those subtle touches that uplift an event and make them "Fernesque".

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T12:52:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Pate

Ingredients
1/2 stick butter
1/3 cup olive oil
2 onions - sliced
garlic powder
onion powder
Kosher Salt
2 small containers of sliced mushrooms
4 garlic cloves
turkey liver (from a 20lbs turkey)

Directions
-Saute and caramelize sliced onions and garlic in butter and oil. Add garlic and onion powder to taste
-Add mushrooms and saute. Add Kosher salt to taste.
-Add 1-2 tsp of Kitchen Bouquet
- in a separate pan, add 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil. Saute turkey liver
-Combine all liver with mushroom & onion mixture. Saute for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and bring to room temperature
- put mixture in food processor or blender (I use my Cuisinart Mini Prep)
-Pour pate into container, seal, and refrigerate.
-Embellish with a sprig of fresh parsley.
-Serve and enjoy with crackers or thinly sliced french bread.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Fern's Meatballs

2008-11-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

Ingredients
· 2-3 lbs of ground veal/pork/beef mixture
· The inside of one large loaf of Italian bread
· 1 container of grated locatelli cheese
· Dried parsley flakes to taste
· Pepper & salt to taste
Directions
· Take the Italian bread and put it in a colander. Pour warm water over it then mush it up.
· Drain the bread and make it into a ball
· Take the v/p/b mixture and add garlic salt, pepper and parsley.
· Add drained bread ball to meat mixture. Mix in well.
· Add in cheese. Mix in well.
· Roll out one meatball and microwave for 60 seconds to check the seasoning. If Ok, then roll all meatballs and add to bubbling gravy.
· Cook on low for approximately 1 hour.

This is just a sneak peak at what it really means to be "Fernesque"!

More recipes,restaurant reviews, & entertaining tips to follow!!

We have reservations at Brioso's in Manalapan, NJ on Saturday night for a wine tasting.... a review will follow!!