Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

GREEN TEA SUSHI & COCKTAIL BAR sitting right in the middle of the Westin Hotel in Madrid! How sexy is that??? All it takes is seven short marble steps up to and through the entrance to this hidden gem. An outrageously yummy night of fresh Japanese delicacies, green tea, and cocktails await once you enter this jewel discreetly tucked into a corner of this beautiful lobby. The photo of the front window with its ginger jars, and antique chest is the only hint of what awaits you.

Once tucked inside (see photo below) .   .   .  the delicious fun begins! Every imaginable and unimaginable sushi is there for the picking. Low lights, candles, service, service, service abounds. A full bar also awaits your every whim, further adding to a wonderful night of pure sexy pleasure!!!

Hey .   .   . now I know most people travel to Spain in order to experience paella from the source. But .   .   . well what’s a little side trip, now and then? Right? Sooo .   .   . I say .   .   . sometimes you have to zig instead of zag. And am I glad that I did!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

       

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

       

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

 

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Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

LEATHER AND LEMONS .   .   .

OH GEEZ .   .   . I BOUGHT A LEMON !!! Lol. No silly, not as in a car. I’m referring to a real honest to goodness lemon! Before I travel on from Morocco, I feel it would be fun and interesting to share some of the local tasties and traditions. Very little gets stirred, cooked, or consumed without a splash, drop, squirt, sliver, or smash of lemon. I kid you not! As seen in the photo above, Moroccans take their lemons very seriously. From hummus to lamb, and everything in between. Lemons make themselves known with a subtle touch and other times packs an “I’m here” punch. Meyer lemons, the “queen of lemons” are considered the classic go-to condiment. Salted and packed in a jar, ready to use in about four to five weeks, yield lemon rinds (discard the pulp) the texture as soft as an angels wings mixed with the lingering tantalizing flavor of a first kiss!

In Morocco, leather and lemons speak volumes .   .   . spun from the earthly resources of this mystical land. Handmade leather goods, displayed along side of  bowls of lemons can be found prominently displayed everywhere. The traditions of Morocco have been serving up both heaping spoonfuls of artistically-driven visual-pleasure, while satisfying ones gastronomic flights of fancy.

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

       

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

 

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

What’s the big deal?

I’ll tell you what the big deal is. There’s seems to be a whole lot of pimping going on. Who knew? Lol! If you are a fan of pimped sodas, then Marrakech is definitely not a place to miss. As seen below,  pimped-sodas are a big deal. From Marrakech to Timbuktu, Shanghai to Soul, Paris to Portugal and most destinations in-between,  scrumptious-looking, mouth-watering, mountains-of-pure-sensual-pleasure seen below, rank way past the Richter scale used to measure California’s earthquakes. Oh please I kid you not! What? You don’t think so? You don’t agree? Hmmm .   .   . well, here’s what I say .   .   . take yourself down to the local/corner ice cream shoppe/hut/kiosk and ask them to give you their most over the top, decadent, insanely-concocted  pimped-soda! Then get back to me.

Wait, wait, wait. Take a breath. Thanks. Phew! How about the trio below??? Don’t you just want one? I just heard someone ask what is the point of this visual torture? Lol! I am not here to torture you .   .   .  but .   .   . and this is the important but .   .   . I am here to entice you. My main thrust of sharing information, and cajoling you is for the shear pleasure you will get after stepping-out-of-the-box. Go-ahead dip you toe into the water of creativity .   .   .

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

       

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

 

Dishing it up with / Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

A FEAST FOR THE EYES!

An evening of pure magic (seen above) awaits on a side street quietly hidden behind a nondescript wall. Ahhh yes .   .   . hmmm .   .   . the wall.  What is behind the wall? Candelabras strategically placed, metal fretwork pendant lights hang everywhere, much likened to the desert night sky lusciously blanketed with stars. A shimmering turquoise colored pool placed center stage gives diners time and room for contemplation. Shhh .   .   . do you hear it? Wait listen again. There you go. Yes,yes.    The piano-man’s music being played in the outdoor lounge area gently floats throughout the collection of intimately lit dining rooms without being intrusive, while Moroccan and French fare is served on starched white table linens.

As a designer and lover of creativity I would be remiss in not sharing one of what I call the highlights of my trip to Morocco. Yves Saint Laurent’s Museum is housed in the Majorelle Gardens, which was also the sight of his beloved home. Unfortunately photos were not allowed inside, however, above is a photo taken of a sliver of the lush foliage and brilliant blue accents in the garden. The good news is there is also one in Paris. There are many ways to feast one’s eyes. It’s not always just about the food.!!!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

       

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

 

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Morocco, serving up the exotic.

A far off land offering promises of untold fascination, steeped with the sights, sounds and tastes of a world so far removed from most of our every day lives. Yes, of course there are local restaurants, cook books and even travel guides offering up insight into the culture of Morocco while sitting comfortably at home .   .   .  but .   .   . oh pleeeease .   .   . of course there is a buttttttt. Let’s face it, there is nothing better than first hand experience. Now on the realistic side of this discussion not everyone can drop everything and run to Morocco. Sooo taking this fact into account .   .   .  I have personally volunteered to being your hands-on, feet-on-the-ground, ambassador/observer/gatherer and seeker of the mystic that surrounds this far-off land steeped in centuries of history. (Please .   .   . thank yous are not necessary .   .   . it was my pleasure .   .   . lol!)

Once the souks were thoroughly explored, historic sights seen and digested, camel journey taken or not .   .   . hmmm .  .  . the not is for discussion at another time. It was time for the taste test. ‘Sustenance and Presentation’!!!  As you all know .   .   . I am always asking you to .   .   . Come sit with me for awhile . . . and see what I’m bringing to the table®. Moroccan Berber cooking is an art much like the composition of a fine oil painting. Once you pick you main ingredient, lamb, chicken etc., you layer a mélange of colorful veggies. To me the canvas for these tasty and visual beauties always start with the tangine, as seen above. Since I could not carry a half  dozen clay tangine pots back with me, I opted for one large enough to serve two.  My next dinner party will be a Moroccan feast complete with individual tangines bought stateside.

Was it the allure of the sights, sounds, colors, or the amazing invisible ribbons of  aromatics wafting/ permeating every waking moment that carried me well beyond the veil of mystery that dots this less traveled exotic land? I would say that it was a dish that needed all of the above in order to turn out a Moroccan feast.

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

       

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Whether in Marrakech, Los Angeles, or Timbuktu .   .   .  the draw to sit and share is palpable with each flicker, flare, twist, and shimmer that culminates in the hypnotic   dance of what I affectionately call the  flight of the flames.

Pictured above. The impact of extra tall candelabras with the backdrop of three story tall banyans, and palm trees, can be seen sitting regally on dining tables in Marrakech.  Can you hear it? Shhh. Listen again. The whispers of the flames are saying “Come sit with me for awhile. . . and see what I’m bringing to the table” ®

Moths are not the only species drawn to the light. We humans are also the seekers of light, as well as the glow that beckons us to immerse ourselves in the circle of warmth and conversation. Candles strategically placed, as seen below, create an invisible thread that just begs guests to sit back and bask in the joy of the gathering. The setting below was done in Los Angeles as a send off to my Marrakech trip.  Moroccan pattern cloth sits atop a yellow brocade table cloth. Cobalt blue glass dinner plates, pops of orange accented hand painted salad plates share space with yellow napkins, and pops of alternating yellow and rose colored stemware.

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

       

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

 

 

Dishing it up / with Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Tomayto/tomahto? Potayto/potahato? July 2, 1776 or July 4,1776?

Hmmmmm .   .   . let me answer that. Thanks.

The vote to declare independence was voted on the 2nd of July by the Continental Congress. WAIT! Don’t get yourself in an uproar. What happened was it took until July 4th for all thirteen colonies to vote unanimously on the Declaration of Independence. Ahh .   .   . who or what held up the formal day of celebration? New York. What can I say?

As for the tomayto/tomahto, potayto/potahato conundrum .   .   . I think I’ll stick with the good old American pronunciation .   .   . tomato, potato. Every 4th of July the real question has been how to serve these tasty morsels. This year is going to be the quintessential celebration. I am planning hot dogs, and hamburgers over an open  fire pit, not a bar-b-que thingamajig. What was that? How can I cook over an open fire pit? Easy. First, inverted empty cans strategically placed into the pit, that allows oven racks to sit above the flames. Voilà! No I haven’t forgotten about the tomatoes and potatoes. Remember this is a good old fashioned 4th. Several bowls of flavored different potato chips, bowls of fresh tangy tomato salsa, potato salad, chili, grilled onions, relish and a serving of sauerkraut for those who are true traditionalist.

Line baskets with foil. When done eating just scrunch up the foil and toss!

Happy and SAFE 4th of July !!!!!

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on Amazon

Book1  getBook.at/book1Lucky    Book2   getBook.at/lucky2

Book3   getBook.at/Lucky3

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

       

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.