This post was written by Jimmy Contreras, who recently worked with Chronicle author Kayte Terry on a workshop in Philadelphia to launch her new book, Appliqué Your Way.

My name is Jimmy Contreras and I recently opened my very first store: a home, gift and baby boutique in the gentrifying Italian neighborhood of South Philadelphia – or as we like to say, “Souff Philly.” My store is on East Passyunk Avenue. It’s like a small town’s Main Street, lined with mom-and-pop shops — butchers, bakers and tailors – and dotted with two small piazzas. If you’ve seen any of the dozen or so “Rocky” movies, you’ll instantly recognize South Philly. I’m also only a few blocks from Pat’s and Geno’s, famous for their cheese steak rivalry. (Geno’s is my favorite, btw – ordered “whiz whit.”)

I met Kayte Terry on a hot summer day. It was June or July, not long after I opened JimmyStyle. This is a neighborhood being revitalized, and at first glance, she looked like a typical South Philly hipster with her funky glasses, vintage outfit and graphic designer husband. (She has this sense of style that’s hard to describe but instantly recognizable.)

She told me she worked for Anthro (as Anthropologie, which is HQ’d here). At that point, she had just moved to Philly from New York. She was trying to get to know the neighborhood. I ask everyone where they’re from – that’s my thing, I ask everyone. She told me about being a freelance stylist and window designer, and so we started talking about things I wanted to carry in the store. I needed books. And, get this: Kayte had a book coming out with Chronicle in a few months. I couldn’t believe it! It was fate.

Fast forward a few months, and I’m at the New York International Gift Fair. Chronicle had a huge booth there, filled to the brim with books and anything/everything Moleskine. I asked about Kayte and the rep pulled out an advance copy of her book. It was beautiful. I was on the phone the next day with Kayte. I wanted her to do something, anything, at JimmyStyle!

At JimmyStyle, we have an artist-of-the-month series. My only mandate is they have to be local – you can paint with mud, but it better be from the park at 13th and Wharton.

I thought: let’s introduce Kayte to Philadelphia. It just seemed like the neighborly thing to do!

We ultimately did two events with Kayte: a Wednesday evening press reception and a hands-on workshop on Saturday, Nov. 7. As luck would have it, our press event ended up falling on the same night as Phillies’ World Series Game – and during a mass-transit strike by SEPTA, which crippled the city. But we had a solid turnout and great coverage! (Check out PhillyChitChat.com for some more photos. ) We had a dozen media outlets represented, including “Philadelphia” magazine, which is photographing Kayte’s craft room for their Web site! Our friends at Paradiso Restaurant did the food for the press event, and Pure Design gave us a beautiful centerpiece inspired by Kayte’s work.

To get ready for the events, Kayte did a display in my bright-pink storefront window. I have this old fireplace mantle painted white, and she did a little living room vignette with paisley, quilted “fish” trophies and fabric logs and flames in the fireplace. She also made these streamers from scraps of fabric that have been all the rage on the Avenue. Our friend Marnie Hall, who hosts The Gossip on Philly.com, came by to interview Kayte while she was working. It was Marnie who coined the phrase “Philadelphia’s Martha Stewart.”

Kayte’s mom, Patty, came in from Connecticut to help with the workshop on Saturday. Patty made these adorable little kits with all of the materials to make three of the projects in Kayte’s book: woodland felt ornaments. It was a craft she and Kayte made years ago, when Kayte was a kid, so it was awesome to have Patty here to demonstrate it!

I loved Patty’s tights. The number one thing I loved was her cool, fashionable tights. She looked like she was ready for a photo shoot. I saw where Kayte – sorry, Katherine – gets it from. Her mom.

We had a great turnout. We’re a small store and it was our first hands-on workshop, so we capped it at 12 people – well, 13 if you count me. I totally got my craft on.

The kits (and the book) are still available at JimmyStyle, 1820 East Passyunk Avenue, while supplies last. They make great holiday gifts for the crafters on your list.

-Jimmy

Kayte Terry will be doing two events in San Francisco this weekend, click here for more info.

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Two weeks ago my first book, I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas officially launched. It all started off in San Francisco at Parc 55 at a party hosted by my dear friend Zem Joaquin (who wrote the foreword to the book) and Ecofabulous. The event was well attended.

Zem Joaquin, Ecofabulous and myself. Photo courtesy of Heather Wiley for Drew Altizer Photography

This week Rachel Sarnoff and Ecostiletto with Ecobash Events put together the LA launch at Environment Furniture (my favorite sustainable furniture company). The Border Grill truck provided food and Christmas music played in the background.

Amy Smart, Rachel Sarnoff and myself. Photo © 2009 Sarah Strack

In between, I have signed books for women in Orange County, Teens Turning Green in Marin County, have done TV interviews and segments (for the internet too) and have been Facebooking and Tweeting like it’s going out of style. Not to mention there have been months of phone interviews leading up till now. It’s all been a blur. Next week I start the radio interviews that will be airing across the country… And now I am ramping up for the release of my upcoming organic cookbook in April, Anna Getty’s Easy Green Organic.

In I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas, I talk about getting out of the frenzy, getting back to basics if you will. Today as I took a lovely Fall walk in the Descanso Gardens and watched my daughter running between the trees I was reminded how much I love reconnecting with nature and simplicity. My friend and I strolled with our babies in baby carriers peering out at the falling leaves. I had a lot of gratitude. So I remind you again, yes be green this holiday season, make small sustainable changes but also see if you can slow down, take a walk in the great outdoors and connect with gratitude.

Over the next few weeks I will focus on a few of the key green tips in the book around decorations, entertaining and gift giving. So check back for more!

Have a Happy Sustainable Season!

Anna Getty, author of I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas

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It’s holiday time again, and time for vegetarians to decide on a centerpiece main dish for those special meals. I’ve been teaching classes on the topic of “Vegetarian Main Dishes,” and “Vegetarian Holidays” for many years, and I think I have a few things figured out.

The special meal is not a time for stir fry or something ladled over rice. No, the special meal is one where you want to have everyone else look at your plate with longing. You deserve beautiful food that stands alone, like a savory pastry, a timbale, or this fab sformato.

I actually developed this recipe years ago for a class I was teaching with my friend Michael Rostance, a prominent local chef and authority on Italian food. I had to bring my A-game. My course was the sole veg-friendly item on a menu with pork, and I wanted it to wow them. I spent hours poring over Italian cookbooks, and pondering the elements that were needed for a really impressive veg main course.

The Sformata went over well that day-even the folks who were really there for Michael and his Ligurian porchetta loved it. For many years since, I’ve made it in vegetarian classes, for catered parties, and special meals, always tweaking it a bit. The version you see here is the result of all that experimentation and feedback.

So, here it is. A great, solid main course that looks good on the plate, slices well for a neat presentation, and that can be made ahead. It can sit in the fridge for a couple of days, well wrapped, and freezes beautifully. To thaw, let it sit in the refrigerator for a couple of days to give it time to fully de-frost. Reheat gently in a 350 oven.

Like all the dishes in New Vegetarian, this will go over just as well with the meat-lovers as the vegs, so make sure you save a slice for the guest who is going meatless. You can feel good about showing the rest of them a fun way to enjoy eggplant!

Grilled Vegetable Sformato

This layered sformato is pretty and filling enough to be a centerpiece main dish. It can be made a day ahead and reheated, or made a few weeks ahead and frozen, then thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven at 350°F.

Serves 8

3 large yellow bell peppers, or jarred roasted yellow peppers
1/2 cup olive oil
2 large eggplants, thinly sliced lengthwise
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups ricotta cheese
6 ounces Romano cheese, shredded
4 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 cup pistachios, shelled
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrated
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups whole wheat penne, cooked
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
Basil leaves

1. Preheat the broiler or barbecue grill and roast the bell peppers until skins are blackened. Place them in a small airtight container and close tightly to steam for 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel, dice, and drain the peppers in a mesh colander, pressing out excess moisture. (If using jarred peppers, drain, rinse, and chop them.)

2. Brush an 11-inch springform pan with some of the olive oil, then set aside. Heat a grill pan or use the grill. Brush the eggplant with olive oil. Grill the slices until tender and decorated with black grill marks (running lengthwise), 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Put a small slice in the center of the springform pan. Lay slices in a fan or flower design covering the bottom and sides and leaving an inch or so hanging over the edges to wrap around the top of the filled pan.

3. In a large bowl, mix the eggs, cheeses, salt, and pepper. Remove half of the mixture to another bowl. Use a food processor to finely grind the basil, garlic, and pistachios, then mix it with half of the cheese mixture. Dice the tomatoes and add it to the other half of the cheese mixture, then mix in the cayenne. Divide the cooked pasta between the two bowls and fold the contents of each bowl together gently.

4. Preheat the oven to 400F°. Into the eggplant-lined pan, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the breadcrumbs and distribute the pasta and tomato mixture. Level the surface and top with the yellow bell peppers and another 2 tablespoons crumbs. Top with the remaining pasta mixture, level, and cover with the remaining crumbs. Fold the overhanging eggplant back onto the top of the peppers.

5. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes and let stand for 20 minutes before serving to firm up. Run a sharp knife around edge of pan. Invert the pan onto a serving plate and release springform, carefully removing bottom. Garnish with the basil and serve.

Robin Asbell
Author of New Vegetarian and The New Whole Grains Cookbook

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This year, it feels like the holiday season is a tidal wave: there’s no stopping it, it’s coming awfully fast, and it’s going to wash right over me and sweep everything else away. Do you feel the same way about the holidays? My strategy for handling things: relax, stay organized, and have a good cocktail ready.

I’m planning a “spicy cocktail party” this year to help keep the mood light and festive. Here are a few quick tips for those planning to do the same.

Spicy Dos and Don’ts

Do:
• Keep flavors balanced. Heat alone does not make a great drink — use spicy ingredients to enhance and play off other flavors in a drink.

• Wear gloves if you’re cutting hot peppers. A small but important precaution to take, especially when working with habaneros, serranos, and other peppers on the hotter end of the scale. Exposure to chiles – especially oils from the seeds – can irritate cuts or abrasions on your hands.

• Start with less heat – you can always add more! Start with a couple of drops of hot sauce, and taste your drink. Add a little more if the heat level needs more intensity.

• Serve cooling foods to pair with spicy drinks (and vice versa). For example, pair cheese gougeres with a Cajun Martini, or nachos with plenty of sour cream and guacamole with a jalapeno-spiked Blood Orange Margarita.

Don’t:
• Use shriveled old peppers – fresh is best. Just as you shop for the freshest fruits and vegetables, apply the same standards to chile peppers. Younger peppers tend to have more heat and flavor. Look for vibrant color and glossy, smooth skins (except for poblano peppers, which are naturally a bit wrinkly).

• Assume guests can handle heat. It’s tempting to show off an “extreme” cocktail to impress guests, but not everyone enjoys spicy food or cocktails. For parties, consider serving drinks with and without spice-rimmed glasses, or let guests rim their own glasses for fun.

• Rub eyes after cutting peppers – ouch! Trust me on this one. Remove your gloves and wash hands thoroughly before touching your eyes, nose, anywhere else on your face. Should you carelessly forget, apply a cold, wet compress. Although it won’t cause permanent damage, it sure can sting!

• Forget to have fun! Spicy cocktails are a little bit on the flamboyant side – couldn’t be wallflowers if they tried. And that’s what makes them great party guests!

Sample a recipe from Spice & Ice:

Fall Spice Cordial
Yield: 1 drink

Rich with the flavors of orange and vanilla and the caramelized goodness of bourbon, this drink falls more on the spiced than spicy side of the spectrum. This sweet cordial pairs well with autumn pies and other desserts or makes a great sipper to enjoy fireside.

1 ounce bourbon
3/4 ounce chipotle-orange syrup
1 ounce vanilla vodka or Navan vanilla cognac
2 dashes Regan’s orange bitters
Orange peel, for garnish

Mix together all ingredients except for orange peel. Shake together with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with orange peel.

Kara Newman
Author of Spice & Ice, 70 Tongue-Tingling Cocktails

Tell us what your favorite spicy and/or fiery drink embellishment is and enter to win a copy of Kara’s book. Click here for more great recipes.

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First, let me say how honored I am to announce book deux with Chronicle Books - Stencil 101 Décor! I had a great time making these big ol’ stencils and hope you make some nice bold statements with them. Ten precut plastic stencils to choose from with some great color photos and fun how-to’s. I even shot a video to show you the way! Now, let’s get to the giving!

So, we are not only giving away a copy of my new oversized stencil book Stencil 101 Décor but we are “sweetening” the deal by throwing in some Chocolate Bar chocolates with Stencil1 designs!

About the chocolates:
A few years ago, Alison Nelson, owner of Chocolate Bar, asked me if I would like to work together and have my designs appear on her chocolates. How could I refuse?! Alison makes quality chocolate and adds to the mix an array of NY-based artists. Together, we created a cool product,  mini square chocolate bars with some of my more fun designs like gogo girls, hydrolic cars, and boomboxes.

Leave a comment below and tell us what you’ll be wearing, making, or doing to celebrate Halloween next week and we’ll randomly select one commenter who will receive my book & Alison’s delicious chocolates. Don’t you love it? Good Luck and happy stenciling!

Thanks, Ed
www.stencil1.com

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