Is My Dog Smart, Or What?

This morning, my two year old Golden Retriever attacked the Wall Street Journal before I did. He left it, like so much confetti, sprinkled across the front lawn. Is my dog smart, or what?

Reading the papers these days is akin to riding a roller coaster blindfolded. You never know what’s coming next. So I have taken to creating my own reality. I keep my nose to the grindstone, try my best to turn potential problems into opportunities, and work closely with top-notch staff, customers, sales reps, and vendors around the world.

It also helps to have a fabulous array of products.

Pacific Merchants prides itself itself on a range of housewares both broad and deep. Our MacFab, Saleen and Malibu place mats run the gamut from restaurant elegant to outdoor practical. Our Acaciaware™ serving pieces are exotic beauties hand-crafted with pride in the Phillipines. Sturdy stoneware bowls, bakeware and petware from iconic British manufacturer Mason Cash are heirlooms to pass from one generation to the next. Kensington Price teapots and tea accessories are cheerful, functional additions to any kitchen. U.S. made Cutting Edge Flex Mats, decorated with stunning archival photography, serve as both light-weight cutting surfaces and sophisticated placemats. And our stylish Multi-Use Eco Mats, perfect for kitchen, mudroom, doorway or pet area, are also produced stateside from 90% recycled materials!

STYLE. FUNCTION. VALUE. Do you see a theme here? It’s my Pacific Merchants reality, and it beats the heck out of the morning papers.

Good boy, Zappy!

Putting the "Party" into Tea!

Just last week, Pacific Merchants introduced a brand new, exclusive import at the New York Fancy Food Show: Price and Kensington Teapots. This storied British line is truly fabulous, and the response to it exceeded our very high expectations!

Reminiscent of the traditional “Brown Betty”, Price and Kensington teapots are stout and sturdy. Their design allows tea leaves to swirl capaciously in the pot as hot water is added. The result is a heady, full-bodied tea. And while the tea a Price and Kensington pot produces is second to none, it is no drab homebody. Sorry, Betty! Instead, Price and Kensington puts the “party” into tea. (I’m thinking Alice in Wonderland, here, people!) Produced in a wide array of rich glazes, Price and Kensington teapots provide all the satisfying functionality associated with traditional styling, as well as a vivid palette of designer colors meant to enhance any kitchen. And did I mention they are an excellent value? Well, they are! Charming mugs and teapot-shaped tea bag rests complete the Price and Kensington line, all in matching colors.

So put the “party” into tea, and enjoy! Isn’t it about time?

"When you are describing,
A shape, or sound, or tint;
Don't state the matter plainly,
But put it in a hint;
And learn to look at all things,
With a sort of mental squint." -Lewis Carroll

Endless Summer!

Summer may begin officially on June 21, but unofficially, I like to keep it going all year round. Of course it helps to live in Southern California, where it’s not uncommon to celebrate Christmas at the beach or Valentine’s Day sunning with your sweetheart at the park. I can prime and fire up a grill with drill sergeant precision, conduct a picnic dinner at the Hollywood Bowl with symphonic grace, and throw together a soft ball tailgate party with the awesome speed and power of a line drive. And I do it twelve months a year!

Yeah, I’ve got game. But I like to think my “endless summer” is something anyone can enjoy, whether they live in Minneapolis or Maui. It’s simply a state of mind. And seeing as summer is strongly oriented towards entertaining (read: eating) there is one item from Pacific Merchants you simply can’t do without: The Cutting Edge Flex Mat™.

What is The Cutting Edge Flex Mat™? I’m so glad you asked. It’s a flexible cutting surface and placemat rolled into one. Perfect for prepping foods at the aforementioned picnics, and tailgate parties, it’s also great for the home grill or bar, and an outstanding choice for kitchens where the bulk and weight of a heavy cutting board is problematic. Cutting Edge Flex Mats™ come in 12 beautiful, vibrant archival photographic images that bring summer to your culinary pursuits any time of year. These designs are so attractive that most of our customers use Cutting Edge Flex Mats ™ on both their tables and counters. Made in the USA and designed of FDA approved polypropylene plastic, Cutting Edge Flex Mats ™won’t dull knives, and are so flexible, they can be used to funnel chopped foodstuffs straight from mat to bowl or pan. And unlike any other flexible cutting board on the market, Cutting Edge Flex Mats ™ are dishwasher safe.

So, now that the season is upon us, pull out your Cutting Edge Flex Mats™, and let your endless summer begin!

Just Around the Corner...

As I was making breakfast the other day, the blast of a car’s horn announced that carpool -usually ten minutes late- was, on this particular Friday, ten minutes early. My teenager, frantically searching for her physics book, intercepted a half finished tuna sandwich from her mother, grabbed a breakfast bar from the cupboard, and ran out the door in a jaw-dropping blur of speed. My wife sighed and muttered, “I can’t wait for summer.”

Neither can I.

I love the way life slows down just a bit during summer. Work still beckons, often 7 days a week, but the days are longer, the sun is sunnier, and balmy breezes are redolent with flowers in full bloom, copious amounts of sunscreen, and best of all, the mesquite from my grill. Summer, I thought to myself, is just around the corner. I could almost smell it!

That night, I decided to pull the grill out of the garage in honor of the impending season. As I worked over smoking coals, my wife set the patio table with placemats from our Malibu Collection: several different colors from aqua to lime to cobalt, topped with square white dishes and multi-colored napkins. When the salad was tossed (in one of our beautiful Acaciaware™ salad bowls!) the chicken plated, and wine glasses topped off, we sat down to eat. There was still a bit of chill in the air, so I lit the outdoor heater. Nevertheless, I felt transported to that special state of mind that is summer. ..Almost.

Just as I closed my eyes to savor the moment, I heard the blast of a car’s horn. My daughter grabbed a chicken leg, and ran into the house with a vaguely familiar blur of speed. “Thanks for the barbecue! Gotta Go! Back by ten!” My wife and I shared a look, and a laugh. Then clinked our wine glasses together. “Here’s to summer!”

Note: Pacific Merchants Malibu Collection place mats have the look and feel of natural woven fabric, but are actually made from polypropylene. This easy to clean material resists moisture and bacterial growth and will not stain or fade. Simply wipe clean. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, as well as every season! Acaciaware™Acacia hardwood salad bowls are also ideal for any occasion, from bbq to formal feast, and as beautiful as they are durable!

Every Day Is Mother's Day!

I’m a little perverse when it comes to certain holidays. Every year I beg my husband not to buy me flowers or candy, or take me to a fancy restaurant on Mother’s Day. The flowers are marked up to astronomic levels, the candy goes straight to my hips, and the restaurants are overcrowded and impersonal. It makes me crazy that utterly contrived holidays, created solely to boost sales of consumer goods, have been indelibly imprinted on the guilt and obligation strands of our collective DNA. It’s not that I don’t mind a little appreciation on occasion, but hey --every day should be Mother’s Day! And Father’s Day, for that matter!!

Instead, I beg the kids to whip up a handmade card that I can decorate my office with, or perhaps serve me breakfast in bed. Last year was poached eggs, lemon crepes, and a yummy yogurt parfait! I ask my husband to barbecue for dinner. He is only too happy to select the perfect tri - tip and grill it to perfection, accompanied by my favorite pink bubbly. Yes, all I want for the holidays is a little family time, a soupcon of harmony, and good eats! And I have to say, I’m blessed. That’s just what I get!

In honor of Mothers everywhere – and every day! - 20% off our Mason Cash Batter Bowl, through May. Hint: perfect for lemon crepes, or plain old pancakes! Also, check out our comprehensive line of Mason Cash bake ware, mixing bowls, pudding basins and pet bowls, as well as our adorable Price & Kensington tea-for-one teapots --because “I love you” is a year round holiday!

-- A special thank you to my wonderful husband, for letting me take his column over this month.


Lemon Crepes

Prep Time:25 min
Inactive Prep Time:1 hr 0 min
Cook Time:25 min
Level:Intermediate
Serves:4 servings

Ingredients

• 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• Juice of eight lemons
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 12 medium crepes
• 1/4 cup butter
• Splash of Cognac

Directions

Using a hand-held blender, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar, powdered sugar, juice of two lemons, 1 tablespoon of the lemon zest, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Fill each crepe with 3 tablespoons of the filling. Roll the crepes up tightly and place in the refrigerator. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
In a large saute pan, over medium heat, melt the butter with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Add the remaining juice of six lemons and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest. Stir to mix thoroughly. Add the crepes to the mixture. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cognac. Carefully place the pan, back over the heat and flame the mixture, shaking the pan back and fourth several times. Continue to shake until the flame dies out. Lay three crepes in the center of each plate. Spoon the sauce over the top and serve.

Crepes:

• 3 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 1 cup sifted flour
• Salt and white pepper

For crepes, combine the whole eggs, milk, butter, flour until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Heat a 7 1/2-inch crepe pan. Lightly oil the pan. Pour 2 tablespoons of the batter in the center of the pan. Tilt pan from left to right to cover entire surface. Cook the crepe until the edges begin to brown and flip cook until done. Remove from the pan.

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse

Mason Cash Cane & Blue Cat Saucer, 5" by 1-1/2"

Mason Cash Cane & Blue Cat Saucer, 5-Inch by 1-1/2-Inch Mason Cash: 23312 This Mason Cash Cane & Blue Cat Saucer is perfect for indoor and outdoor cats. Original cane color exterior with a blue interior. Fine, gloss finish, inside and out. 5-inch diameter and 1-1/2-inch tall. Made from heavy stoneware, this saucer is durable, practical and difficult to tip over, it also maintains the food temperature longer and the thicker lip of the saucer is chip resistant. Dishwasher safe. Part of the Mason cash cane pet ware line. As iconic and recognizable as the cane mixing bowls, the cane pet ware has been in the range almost as long and is used by pets all over the world. Every item within the range has been specifically developed with pets and their eating habits in mind which is probably why Mason cash bowls are so high on the priority list of pet lovers. Mason Cash – high quality pottery, for over a hundred years. Mason Cash Cane & Blue Cat Saucer, 5-Inch by 1-1/2-Inch

A Dash of Love!

“The way to a man’s heart,” so the saying goes, “is through his stomach.” I’m inclined to agree. An inexorable link exists between cooking and love. My daughters, who love to bake, are the “proof in the pudding.” Whether conjuring up tangy lemon poppyseed muffins, my favorite birthday cake, or "melt in your mouth" bittersweet chocolate meringues, they always seem to add a dash of love to their culinary endeavors. Baking is their way of nurturing, of filling those they care for with sweetness of both a physical and metaphysical kind. And I am the lucky, waist-band expanding, recipient of that sweetness. So it’s no surprise that the Mason Cash Romantic Heart Mixing Bowl is one of my favorite finds of this - or any- season! Currently available in pink, this 12” mixing bowl, decorated with a whimsical frieze of chubby hearts, is the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. But you’ll find yourself using and displaying it year round. There is simply nothing else like it! Present it to a loved one filled with fresh-cut camellias from the garden, sappy heart candies from the dime store, or a split of champagne on ice. There is plenty of time for baking, later.


Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

For the Muffins:

2/3 cup sugar
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 cups all purpose flour
2 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
3/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 t pure vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 T poppy seeds

For the Icing:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2-3 T fresh lemon juice

Directions:

To Make the Muffins:

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter or spray the 12 molds in a regular-size muffin pan or fit the molds with paper muffin cups. Alternatively, use a silicone muffin pan, which needs neither greasing nor paper cups. Place the muffin pan on a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, rub the sugar and the lemon zest together with your fingertips until the sugar is moist and the fragrance of the lemon strong. Whisk in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whish the sour cream, eggs, vanilla, lemon juice and melted butter together until well blended. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and, with the wish or a rubber spatula, gently but quickly stir to blend. Don’t worry about being thorough-a few lumps are better than overmixing the batter. Stir in the poppy seeds. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a thin knife inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing each muffin from its mold. Cool the muffins completely on the rack before icing them.

To Make the Icing:

Put the confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl and add about 1 1/2 T of the lemon juice. Stir with a spoon to moisten the sugar, then add enough additional lemon juice, a dribble at a time, to get an icing that is thin enough to drizzle from the tip of the spoon. You can then drizzle lines of icing over the tops of the muffins or coat the tops entirely, the better to get an extra zap of lemon.

(As adapted from Dorie Greenspan’s fabulous book, Baking, From My Home to Yours)