Susan Manlin Katzman | Sweet Leisure

Author Archives Susan Manlin Katzman

Where to Eat in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Kim Bayer knows Ann Arbor’s food scene and shares her favorite, and sometimes secret, places to eat in this Wisconsin food-focused city.

CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES

Although he was not the first European to discover Fiji (Abel Tasman was in 1642), Captain James Cook is literally and figuratively credited as the first to put the archipelago on the world’s radar (such as the radar was in 1774). Therefore I thought it super symbolic to begin my exploration of Fiji on a […]

¶ Posted 27 April 2011 § CRUISING § ENTREES § PASTA § RECIPES § SIDE DISHES § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: bula, Captain Cook, Captain Cook Cruises, fettuccini, Fiji, kava, MV Reef Endeavour, pumpkin, rice

World’s Best Chocolate Torte

Imagine sitting with a lover on the terrace of Merriman’s Kapalua. Your table overlooks a small-boat harbor and the south Maui shoreline where Humpback whales frolic in shimmering waters. Sunshine kisses all. Could life be sweeter?

Well…yes…frankly it could, the moment you lift a fork and bring the velvety darkness of Merriman’s Chocolate Lover’s Torte to the tongue. Forget everything else. Chocolate Lover’s Torte is perfection! It’s as good as it gets—and more.

¶ Posted 18 April 2011 § CHOCOLATE § DESSERTS § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS § Uncategorized ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: Chocolate Torte, Hawaii, Peter Merriman

Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

Whoever sang, “Flying high in the sky with some guy is my idea of nothing to do,” is guaranteed to change the tune after one taste of Malaysia Airlines’ satays. Served in the airline’s business and first-class sections, on Los Angeles to Kuala Lumpur flights, these appetizers are in a class all their own.

¶ Posted 05 April 2011 § AIRLINES § APPETIZERS § ENTREES § RECIPES ‡ Comments (1) ° Tagged: chicken, Laos powder, lemon grass, Malaysia Airlines, peanut sauce, satay, tamarind

Bizcochitos

Hand-kneaded, elegant and dusted with cinnamon to resemble the color of fresh clay, bizcochitos are the perfect refreshment for Native American potters Diane Jenkins and Krieg Kalavaza to serve in their San Ildefonso Pueblo studio/gallery. Bizcochitos (also spelled biscochitos) are so popular that they have been declared New Mexico’s Official State Cookie.

¶ Posted 14 March 2011 § COOKIES ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: anise, cinnamon, COOKIES

KRISTINE KIDD PICKS LOS ANGELES RESTAURANTS

Former Bon Appetit editor Kristine Kidd list her favorite Los Angeles restaurants, not necessarily the newest or trendiest, but places she loves.

¶ Posted 27 February 2011 § RESTAURANTS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: A.O.C Wine Bar and Restaurant, Angelini Osteria, Bouchon Bistro, Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery, Kristine Kidd, Los Angeles, Loteria!, Melisse, Osteria Mozza, Piccolo, Pizzeria Mozza, Rivera, Rustic Canyon, The Bazaar by Jose Andres

French Onion Soup

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and French onion soup. Magnifique!

¶ Posted 16 February 2011 § CHEESE § RECIPES § SOUPS ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: French onion soup, onions, soup

BARCELO BAVARO PALACE DELUXE

He wants golf. She wants a spa. He wants bars and buffets. She wants romantic restaurants. He wants sports. She wants shopping. He wants gambling. She wants dancing. He wants to stay within a budget. She wants comfort and style. Both want to take the kids, but also want an adult getaway. Impossible to accommodate the […]

¶ Posted 07 February 2011 § BREAKFAST § RECIPES § RESORTS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: bacon, Barcelo Resorts, beach, Dominican Republic, plantains

STAR DISHES FOR SAG AWARDS

Wow! Attended a press event previewing the food and wine to be served at the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards. Spent an afternoon sipping and sampling as well as watching and photographing the food paparazzi who were sipping and sampling and watching and photographing chef Suzanne Goin and actress JoBeth Williams in Suzanne’s […]

¶ Posted 01 February 2011 § BREADS § CHEESE § CONDIMENTS § RECIPES § SALADS ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: arugula, blood oranges, crostini, JoBeth Willams, Parmigiano Reggiano, SAG, Suzanne Goin, vinaigrette

HOT COCOA CAKE

Guess you have to be there (Ann Arbor) to indulge in the full monty, but you can sample some goodies by mail order. For example, Zingerman’s fabulous Hot Cocoa Cake (a coffee cake that is not too rich, not too sweet but just right) is available in the Ann Arbor deli and bakehouse, by mail order, and, now, even in your own home kitchen as Zingerman’s shared the recipe below. Praise the lard!