Ever Dream Of Escaping To Paradise?

Who hasn’t had a bit of #wanderlust when seeing pictures of this kind of getaway:

Yes, it is hard to see any downside to a day spent here…the gorgeous beaches of Anguilla in the Caribbean…I could spend a lifetime or two looking at this. Maybe I would also sit down at one of Anguilla’s best restaurants – and enjoy a view like this?

Well, if you get the same kind of “wanderlust” I do, then have I found the “great escape” book – filled with recipes – for you!

A Trip to the Beach: Living on Island Time in the Caribbean by Melinda Blanchard and Robert Blanchard – published in 2000.

This is a fascinating book – not only about escaping the rat race, but escaping to a oasis, and then deciding to open a restaurant there!

This is the true story of “a trip to the beach” that never ends. It’s about a husband and wife who escape civilization to build a small restaurant on an island paradise — and discover that even paradise has its pitfalls. Although they are beautiful pitfalls to be sure!

As one review put it: “It’s a story filled with calamities and comedy, culinary disasters and triumphs, and indelible portraits of people who live and work on a sliver of beauty set in the Caribbean Sea.”

The story begins when Bob and Melinda Blanchard sell their successful Vermont food business and decide, perhaps impulsively, to get away from it all. Why not open a beach bar and grill on Anguilla, their favorite Caribbean island? 

One thing leads to another and the little grill turns into an enchanting restaurant that quickly draws four-star reviews and a celebrity-studded clientele eager for Melinda’s delectable cooking. 

“This absolutely delightful restaurant, a mecca for foodies, is considered to be one of the best in the Caribbean, if not the world.” — FODOR’S CARIBBEAN

And yes, it exists in this paradise of Anguilla…

This great memoir covers it all: the frenetic pace of the Christmas “high season,” the Blanchards and their kitchen staff — Clinton and Ozzie, the dancing sous-chefs; Shabby, the master lobster-wrangler; Bug, the dish-washing comedian — come together like a crack drill team. And even in the midst of hilarious pandemonium, there are moments of bliss. 

This book is a terrific adventure, a couple risking everything on a dream – a dream that comes true in one of the world’s most beautiful locations…

And It Tastes As Good As It Looks!

Yes, Anguilla looks like a gorgeous place to escape to, but you have to eat as well. The huge success of Blanchard’s has made their adventure even more fulfilling. Even better, the couple published a cookbook with recipes from their acclaimed restaurant!

“At Blanchard’s Table: A Trip to the Beach Cookbook” (Clarkson Potter), features a delectable combination of Caribbean creations and New England favorites. From Calypso Chicken and Jamaican Jerk Shrimp to Vermont Cheddar Soup and Balsamic-Glazed Veal Chops, the Blanchards draw on a delightful blend of culinary traditions to create truly unique fare…delicious!

Here is a fun, springtime recipe from the book:

Potato Salad with Lime and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Recipe from: At Blanchard’s Table
by Melinda Blanchard, Robert Blanchard

Here is what they share in the book: “We have two lime trees in front of the restaurant, and from them we often get the freshly squeezed lime juice that gives this recipe its punch. It’s good alongside simply grilled meats and barbecued chicken as well as a more elegant leg of lamb. You can also toss in a handful of pitted black olives if you like.”

Servings: 8

3 pounds small new potatoes
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and finely chopped
1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons freshly grated lime peel
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 drops Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley

In a large pot, cover the potatoes with lightly salted water and bring to a simmer over high heat. Cook just until tender, 15 to 20 minutes, depending on size. Drain and rinse under cold water for a minute or two to stop them from cooking further. Drain well again and allow to cool completely. Cut the potatoes in half or quarters and set aside.

Put the sun-dried tomatoes into a small bowl. Add the mayonnaise. Lime juice. lime peel, garlic, Tabasco, salt, pepper, and parsley, and whisk to blend.

This salad above added some green olives as well, which sounded perfect for me!

Toss the potatoes with enough dressing to coat. Serve cold or at room temperature.

I am going to make this dish and imagine that I am dining at Blanchards – and in the meantime, I’m going to plan a trip to Anguilla to see this beauty for myself!

Speaking of classic beauty – how about a “scalloped potato” dish from “The Joy Of Cooking?”

Since the recent Cookbook Confidential recipe test for this dish went a bit south – they didn’t use cheese or cream! – I thought I’d share my traditional take on the dish:

I have also cooked a traditional Italian “Sunday Gravy”, with an interesting assist from Actor / Cookbook Author / Food Travel Host Stanley Tucci:

I learned a fascinating bit of information about how you are supposed to serve this dish, and you can see how I did by clicking on my story here:

I am sharing and storing all of these recipes on my food website “Bite! Eat! Repeat!” – it’s your site for all things food – if you like what you see, please click on my link and follow this blog as well!

https://biteeatrepeat.com

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