more msl

a quick mid-week hello to update you on some fun projects we've been a part of recently. these tasty looking pasta dishes are just a few of the things andrew shot in the may issue of martha stewart living.

we had a great trip to birmingham, AL last week for a shoot. besides the wonderful people we met we also ate some good food - great ribs & pulled pork here, a kentucky hot brown here, and a wonderful dinner with a new friend here. birmingham was really beautiful and we can't wait for our next trip to the south!

we'll be hosting our annual urban family easter again this year but with brunch on saturday. hot cross buns & ham are on the menu so far - anyone have a great champagne cocktail recipe we should serve??

behind the bar

just wanted to share a quick link to a guest post we were asked to do on design sponge for their behind the bar series. we came up with a blackberry smash and you can find the recipe over here. thanks to alissa & ryan and everyone at design sponge for letting us be a part of their amazing blog yet again!

if you love oysters and the new amsterdam market, hopefully you're going here on saturday. also, don't forget to go here and help nominate us for best food photography blog!

happy friday!

gorgonzola risotto

we have a favor to ask of you! whether you read regularly or just found us, we'd love your help in nominating pictures & pancakes for saveur's best of 2011 awards for food photography! go here and vote to get us on the ballot. the previous year's lists are filled with amazing artists we'd love to share company with - thanks for your help everyone!

the sun came out for a bit today and we pretended it was warm by having our first kelvin slush of the season - ginger and white peach, yum! we are headed to Birmingham, AL next week to work on a project we're excited to share. any food destinations we can't miss while we're there? also can't wait to share a recent shoot we did with adam richman of man vs. food. some great new cookbooks are out - can't wait to pick up this book on all things goat, heidi's latest and matt's book as well!

here's an easy, indulgent risotto recipe perfect for lunch with a salad or as a side paired with a nice piece of beef and a good bottle of red wine. it's so good and incredibly rich - you'll want to eat the entire pot!

Gorgonzola Risotto

serves 4

2 tbs olive oil

1 large onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup arborio rice

4 cups chicken stock

1/2 to 1 cup water

1/2 cup heavy cream

8 oz gorgonzola dulce

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

salt & pepper

parmesan cheese for garnish

heat oil in a medium pot over medium high heat. add onion and saute 5 to 8 minutes or until translucent. add garlic and cook 2 minutes more. add rice and stir to coat with oil, cooking 1 minute. add 1 cup of stock and stir constantly until all of the liquid is absorbed by the rice. add remaining stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until each portion is absorbed and rice is tender. add water 1/4 cup at a time if rice is not tender enough after 4 cups of stock have been added. reduce heat to low and stir in cream and gorgonzola. stir and cook until thickened. remove from heat, add walnuts and season to taste with salt and pepper. divide between bowls and garnish with parmesan cheese. enjoy!