DRESSIN’ UP! Salad dressings are one of the easiest things to whip up using only a few ingredients. Chef Lea shares three classics—Caesar, blue cheese, and vinaigrette—that will take your salads anywhere you want them to go! And once you know the basics, you can easily embellish and turn them into all sorts of specialty combinations.

Read Full Feature in Nesting Newbies Magazine, Issue No. 3
Dressin’ Up!…and taking your salads anywhere you want them to go

Newbie: Jeanine Hays
Directed by: Elaine Clark
Produced By: Burkart Video

HOW TO ARRANGE AN ARTFUL— AND UNEXPECTED—CHEESE PLATTER Turn a 30-inch round glass into a cheese platter. You’ll need the selection of cheeses, fresh raspberries (or strawberries), grapes (several varieties), your favorite nuts (no salt), and a small crock of slow-roasted balsamic figs (recipe to follow). The video shows you how to build the ingredients into an extraordinary display.

Read Full Feature in Nesting Newbies Magazine, Winter ‘10
The Cheese Stands Alone - Chef Lea’s formula for a fabulous wine-and-cheese party.

Newbies: Vanessa & Elise Rockey
Produced By: Burkart Video

Meet the Newbies. Wendy and Michael Mantilla were married in October 2008 – They love adventure! They keep life light and spontaneous…after 8 ½ years of enjoying being together, they just said “Hey why don’t we get married? And they pulled together a magical, intimate ceremony at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. It was relaxed and comfortable – just like them.

“That’s the way we make all big decisions in our lives,” says Wendy, “We keep things in perspective and make the choices as simple and basic as possible.” They did all the planning and decision-making together – their goal was to make their wedding a celebration of their love surrounded by family, the sounds of the ocean and seagulls, delicious gourmet food and excellent wine. According to Wendy, that’s exactly what it was!

“We try to keep life light and spontaneous. You don’t know how long you have on earth, so you might as well find joy and happiness every day you are here. Besides, the days that are tough are easier to manage if you have a full bank of good memories to collect on.”

Newbie Challenge. Wendy and Michael are interested in learning about fish and how to make a seafood risotto, and they challenged Chef Lea to also come up with some inspiring ideas for the leftovers.

Culinary Conclusion. She’ll teach them how to make her Moroccan-style seafood stew over a saffron risotto. Then she’ll show them how to make crab cakes using the leftover risotto.

By the Sea Tablescape. Learn how to set a modern Mediterranean seaside table setting using seashells, beach glass, lemons, flowers, votives and more.

Newbisode #2 Recipes & Resources

Photos By Allure West Studios

Newbie Challenge. When Chef Lea McIntosh asked them about their cooking interests, they wanted to know a great pasta recipe they could cook for a romantic evening at home or something they could easily make together for a huge party.

Culinary Conclusion. Chef McIntosh’s Italian Sausage Ragu is the perfect choice! It’s easy to make and adaptable for any size crowd.

Setting a Romantic Table for Two. In the classic “Lady and the Tramp” cartoon, Tramp treats Lady to a romantic spaghetti and meatball dinner while the Italian chefs sing: “Oh this is the night, it’s a beautiful night and we call it Bella Notte.”

This is the inspiration for the tablescape in this episode of Nesting Newbies. Pick an evening to surprise your partner with a chic Italian bistro setting for serving your Nesting Newbies’ Italian Sausage Ragu.

Newbisode #1 Recipes & Resources
Italian Sausage Ragu
Italian Cream Soda
Bella Notte Chic Tablescape
Behind The Scenes

Photos By Allure West Studios