Lemongrass Love - A Thai Experience @ Newport Cooks!

What an awesome night at Newport Cooks! Chef Jaqueline Borden, a native of Tasmania, shared with us some of her favorite Thai recipes that she has so fabulously perfected while traveling across the globe. We arrived at Newport Cooks! and Chef "Jax" put us right to work, chopping all of the wonderful fresh ingredients like lemongrass (LOTS of lemongrass), mint, cilantro, galanga, Kaffir limes, and basil. While we were chopping, Chef Jax offered pointers on how to choose the freshest produce and the best brands. We learned that choosing products can be tricky when cooking Thai due to the fact a lot of brands have very similar packaging but are totally different quality wise. (Check out the picture of the dueling Coconut Milk cans below) Jax then walked us through the process of preparing an amazingly healthy and delicious Thai meal. We went on to prepare Thai Chicken Larb Salad, Thai Beef and Vegetable Salad, Thai Infused Warm Corn Dip, Rice Paper Summer Rolls, Thai Chicken in Coconut Milk, and homemade Lemongrass Syrup...  the latter of which was served over sliced apples for dessert. YUM! To top it off, after reviewing our menu, the folks at Newport Wine Cellar chose the perfect pairing - a scrumptious Riesling, "Leitz Out", for us to enjoy with our feast!  Everything was absolutely delicious and I can't wait to whip up my first Thai meal at home. Thanks to Chef Jax for sharing her secrets with us and I think I might now have a cooking class bug. The "Homemade Pasta 101" class on October 1st might just be calling my name, watch out Giada! ; )

Chef Jax instructing her students.

Dueling coconut milks - very similar packaging but totally different quality! (The one on the left is best!)

 

Thai Vegetable Salad in a Lettuce Cup topped with Cilantro and Toasted Jasmine Rice

 

Chef Jax prepares Rice Paper Summer Rolls

 

Sliced Apples drizzled in Lemongrass Syrup - delectable!

 

 

Pick a boat, any boat...

Source: Newport International Boat Show

Newport International Boat Show weekend is upon us! I had the opportunity to check out the boat show last night and if you're in town you absolutely can't miss it. The docks are filled to the brim with incredible boats from just about every manufacturer you could imagine. I seriously considered stowing away on a few. If boats don't particularly interest you or you find yourself tagging along with a more serious boat aficionado, definitely spend time checking out the loads of great vendors underneath the tents. In the tents you will find jewelry, paintings, nautical charts, sail cloth bags, sunglasses, boating-friendly clothing by Helly Hansen and Gill and SO much more. My favorite vendor was the Bimini Bay Resort... I've had my eye on a trip to the awesome Bahamian resort for a while now and I entered a raffle to win a free stay - cross your fingers for me! Check out the Bimini Bay Resort here... doesn't it look awesome? Happy "Boat Show-ing"...


 

Source: Newport International Boat Show

Source: Newport International Boat Show
 

Source: Newport International Boat Show

 

The infinity pool @ Bimini Bay Resort - not a bad view!
Source: Bimini Bay Resort

SEAcret Boston Hideaway...

As great as Aquidneck Island is, every now and then, this girl catches a little island fever. I just returned from a night away at one of my favorite Boston spots and I just have to share the 411 on this hidden North End gem. The Boston Yacht Haven Inn and Marina is tucked away on Commercial Wharf, just a short walk away from all the deliciousness of the North End's Italian eateries and lively Fanueil Hall. Boasting waterfront balconies, beautifully appointed rooms, amazing city views, reasonable rates, and an incredibly friendly staff... it's a no-brainer when looking to spend an evening in Boston.

Looking at the city from the Boston Yacht Haven Inn and Marina

Room # 10 with panoramic views of the city & harbor.

A view from above...

Not bad scenery...

Spotted! Steven Tyler at BYH

Wayfair.com? Way cool!

I've been oogling this Buzzards Bay living room in Coastal Living for weeks... and now I can "shop" it on Wayfair.com? No way! It's totally fate... OR massive credit card debt in the making. Either way, how fab! Click HERE to tour this home and shop this dreamy seaside room along with me!

 

Source: CoastalLiving.com

Thai Tailgate at Third Beach

 

Looking at these photos makes me wish for summer to be endless. After a gorgeous night paddling at Third Beach, local private chef Jackie Borden prepared an amazingly delicious and healthy Thai meal for our SUPFit group. Using only the freshest ingredients, she whipped up Rice Paper Summer Rolls and Lettuce Cups with Chicken Larb Salad. I can still taste the fresh mint and lemongrass! Ahhhhmazing. Lucky for us Newport locals, Jackie will be teaching a Thai cooking class on September 19th at Newport Cooks. I will be there and so should you... get all the details here. Newport Wine Cellar will also be choosing a wine pairing for each of Jackie's dishes which will be available for tasting... Now what's better than that? ( Thanks to local photographer and fellow "SUPFitter" Alison Sweeney for the great pics - visit her @ www.AlisonSweeneyPhotography.com)


 

 

 

 

SUP Cup 2012

After three months of insanely awesome SUPFit (Stand Up Paddle Fitness) classes @ Third Beach with hardcore Pulse trainer, Alessandra Ghezzi, a group of us SUPFit ladies finally put our training to the test. We completed the 2012 Coastal Urge Newport SUP Cup by paddling three miles around Goat Island all while battling forceful winds and serious chop courtesy of Tropical Storm Leslie. Ale Ghezzi, our SUPfit trainer extraordinaire, took SECOND place in her division. Way to go Ale! To learn more about SUPFit visit SUPFit Newport's facebook page by clicking here. Come join us, we'll be in the water with training Ale until October.

The Starting Line - Photo courtesy of CoastalUrge.com

A birds eye view - waiting to start the race.

 

Ali Sweeney heads back to the Shipyard after crossing the finish line. Thanks to Ali for the photos!

 

Ale Ghezzi accepting her second place award.

SUPFit Newport Crew

To learn more about Coastal Urge and the Newport SUP Cup click here.