BLOGS WE LOVE
RACHEL RAPPAPORT'S COCONUT AND LIME

June 26, 2012 by MeStro Team

Summer is crazy hot—the kind of hot that pulls at you, wilts, you, makes you yearn for the frostiest winter day. And today, when even under the shade was blistering, it made us at MeStro wish for something homemade, delicious, cold, and superbly shareable. As such, we started in the best arena for foodie perusal: food blogs—recipes and quirky tales from chefs, professional and less so, just like you (and us). Boy did we hit a jackpot. Smack dab in the middle of the opening page of Rachel Rappaport’s award winning blog Coconut and Lime was an absolutely arresting recipe: Creamy Blackberry & Raspberry Ice Box Pie with a Coconut Crust. It’s first impression led to a reverent moment of silence—sweet, cool simplicity, and enough to go around—full-proof perfection in a crumbly crust. We want more. Tell us about your icebox pies; how do you share them? 

FOOD AND COMMUNITY

FOOD, COMMUNITY, AND MOM

June 19, 2012 by MeStro Team

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At MeStro, we’re applauding the family this week. Why, because we love food and communities—and communities thrive because of families. So today at The MeStro Blog, we wanted to take time to celebrate moms. An ode was attempted, but we decided to stick to prose for the wellbeing of all our readers. Hence, we thought of the best moms-inspired culinary moments. A favorite: tea time with mom—a big mug exhaling curls of fragrant steam and a thick piece of warm, spicy, slightly sticky zucchini bread—oh, and the best conversation.

Another favorite—smashed avocado sandwiches on crusty ciabatta bread with vine-ripened tomatoes salt and pepper

What’s your favorite food memory with mom?

FOOD AND COMMUNITY

FAMILY, FOOD AND, COMMUNITY

June 18, 2012 by MeStro Team

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This week is a great week at MeStro, not only because everyday is a good day where food and community reign supreme, but also, more importantly, because we’re celebrating families. June is all wound up in families--from Children’s Days around the world to Father’s day in the US and Canada. At The MeStro Blog we thought that rather than just celebrating father’s day, we would make Father’s day into an prologue of stories, articles, and recipes, highlighting the very thing that makes father’s so important: families--because families are the bedrock of great communities. We’d love to hear how food makes your family and community incredible

A TABLE FROM THE GROUND UP

THE ART OF PICNICKING

June 7, 2012 by MeStro Team

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Bold though it may be, at MeStro we think the best part of summer is outside. Summer sun shimmies through leafy branches in scintillating ribbons of joy, like nothing else. And unlike every other time of year, the days are long and giving, the air is warm, and getting a good tan is highly probable. So, what can be better than mixing the best with the best: earth and food, sun with savory, hot with a glass of cool—oh, and just enough wind to carry the magnificent aroma for miles.  Yep, it’s just the right time picnicking. At The MeStro Blog, we’re hoping you do it big. No scrawniness; just food, friends, and you the chef doing your impressive skills justice. Hence, we’ve scoured our brains and the World Wide Web for bounds of inspiration. From menu to décor to activities and the exciting tidbits in-between, it’s a table from the ground up. Why not make a MeStro meal out of it—expand your culinary influence, combine cookery and community. We can’t wait to see your masterpiece.

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The Great Outdoors Around the World

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MENU

Fresh Corn Chips with Guacamole

Pita Pockets with Grilled Brisket and Vegetables

Spanish Roasted Potatoes

Salad of Arugula, Grilled Peaches, and Goat Cheese

Apple and Pear Turnovers

Vanilla Ice Cream 

For this menu, we went around the globe, using some amazing recipes we found to craft culinary perfection

Tyler Florence - Fresh Fried Corn Chips

Food52 - Spanish Roasted Potatoes

DECOR

With decor, don't be afraid to play with the theme. We started with a picnic table in a large veranda finished with succulents, tall hurricane glasses full of colorful wild flowers and a vibrant indian beaded runner. 

West Elm - Succulents

ACTIVITIES

For fun, we looked to our favorite global sports and pastimes, from cricket to croquet. And

whimsy is a must, entertain small children with games of tag and necklaces of daisies.

Martha Stewart - Daisy Chain

FOOD AND COMMUNITY

A NEW PATH

June 6, 2012 by MeStro Team

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As children great memories were made with food, the smell of buttercream frosting, sweet, moist chocolate cake mingling with the last vestiges of candle smoke; charred edges of tender brisket slathered with sticky sauce on a warm bun punctuated by sour pickles and a tall glass of sweet tea. These memories remain with us not only because of great food, but also good feelings—mom, dad, friends, neighbors, guests—cooking, eating, sharing; why—because food is community. At MeStro we’re taking this fact to heart. As such, we’re forging a new path, one where great food is not reserved for the more sterile environment of restaurants, where sharing delicious meals needs no arsenal of crew, hostess, and maître d’hôtel--just you, the chef. After all, good food comes from the heart, not the pocketbook. So, come cook and share.