St. Augustine FL Chef Poinard

I had the great pleasure to interview Chef Jean Stephane Poinard of Bistro de Leon in St. Augustine, FL. I will start by saying the Menu of this restaurant took me back to the time I lived and worked in Paris. The best thing is that Chef Poinard's creations are truly French and Reasonably priced.

Chef Poinard is a 5th generation Chef from the Lyon area of France. His latest effort is his contribution of 18 recipes to a new Art/Culinary/Spirits book titled "ABSENTE".

We discussed the history of the "Green Fairy", Absinthe and the re-invention of Grande Absente. This Anise flavored liquor is the basis of Chef Poinard's fantastic recipes. one of which he has shared with us today.

Please enjoy our podcast of this interview.


Tomato Stuffed with Escargots

To prepare the tomato:

4 large, vine-ripened tomatoes

Bring 2 quarts water to a boil. Cut a cross into the bud end of each tomato. Plunge the tomatoes into the water for 15 seconds. Remove and plunge directly into ice water. Peel the tomatoes, pulling the skin back from the cut cross. Cut the stem end of the tomato off, carefully scoop out the seeds with a spoon or melon baller. Set aside the tomatoes and the tops.

For the garlic cream:

6 cloves garlic, finely diced

1 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix the garlic, cream, salt and pepper in a saucepan.

Reduce slowly over low heat, stirring until thickened.

For the escargot:

2 tbsp. butter

1/2 cup carrot, peeled and julienne cut

1/2 cup turnip, peeled and julienne cut

3 cloves garlic, finely diced

4 dozen snails

3 tbsp. Grande Absente

Slowly saute the carrot, turnip, garlic and snails in butter over low heat until the vegetables have caramelized. Quickly deglaze the pan with the Grande Absente. Flame the Grande Absente by touching a lit match to the edge of the pan.

To serve:

Sprinkle salt and pepper into the tomatoes. Place the tomatoes in a 250 F oven for several minutes. The tomatoes should be just warm, not cooked. Place each tomato on an individual plate. Fill each tomato with one quarter of the snail mixture. Place the tops on the tomatoes.

Garnish with 2 or 3 tablespoons garlic cream sauce around each tomato.

July 25th TRAVEL PLANNERS SHOW

Kevin is hosting the show today while Sue is on a press trip to Washington DC and Virginia.  Be sure to look at OUR BLOG next week for details of her trip.   HR 1 Max Hartshorne of www.gomonad.com         Max and Kevin will talk about Normandy and D Day           Chef Jean Stephane Poinard          Bistro DeLeon, St Augustine, FL          www.bistrodeleon.com   HR 2  Kent St. John of www.gonomad.com          Kent and Kevin will talk about Taiwan, Shanghai          and Beijing            Tom Parsons, www.bestfares

Pigeon Lady St. Mark's Square Venice, IT

Guest Michelle Newman aka Pigeon Lady

TRAVEL PLANNERS RADIO BROADCAST

Saturday, July 18 Guests were: Luisa Frey, "Flying With Kids" and "Family Reunions". Luisa is the founder of www.teentraveltalk.com and Family Travel Marketing. Jefferson County, MO Sheriff Glenn Boyer, "Jail and Breakfast". A novel way for fundraising and an unusual B&B concept. Michelle Newman, Travelwriter who visited Venice for a week and sailed on the luxury cruise www.windstarcruises.com on the Adriatic. Tom Parsons, www.bestfares.com for those super deals and steals.

AMTRAK STL to CHICAGO

I decided to take Amtrak for my recent trip to Chicago for the grand opening of a new boutique hotel - theWit Hotel on State and Lake.  I could have driven and the time would have taken about the same, but then I would have parking garage fees to pay in the heart of downtown Chicago.  I really didn't need a car since the hotel was my destination (more on Grand Opening later).  I could have flown, but the price was higher (you won't believe when I tell you how much Amtrak cost!) and I would have needed transportation into downtown.   Because I qualified for a Sr. Citizen (62) discount I got a round trip ticket from St. Louis to Chicago for $39.10....yep, that's right.  A cab fare of $5.00 from Union Station to the hotel was also inexpensive.   My train left at 6:30am heading north, so Kevin suggested I sit on the left side of the train to escape the sun shining in while I tried to catch a nap.   I like to sit by the window on planes and look down on our beautiful earth.  I also liked to observe what I saw as the train headed across mid-America.    OBSERVATIONS FROM THE TRAIN Stone train depots.  A deer grazing in a field.  Horses and cows.  A Wind Farm of 30 turbine windmills.  Rivers and creeks rippling over the rocks.  Backyards of mid-America with children's swings and gardens.  Main streets with people shopping.  Interstate 55 with tractor trailer trucks zooming alongside the train.  Graffiti on underpasses and empty warehouses.  Wildflowers of white Queen Anne's Lace, rusty Doc, orange trumpet vines, yellows and purples.  Rich farmland with green corn and soy beans.  Round haystacks (when did they start making them round instead of conical shaped?)  Victorian houses, small family homes, one and two story abodes.  Children playing in playgrounds.    Next time you take a trip...take the train and observe what is outside the window. Sue McCarthy

PLAY BALL

St. Louis is humming with the activity of the 80th MLB All Star Game to be played in Busch Stadium on July 14th.  President Obama will throw out the first ball.  The MLB Fan Fest at America's Center started today and runs through July 14th.  What an opportunity to meet former players, get autographs and purchase merchandise.

LISTEN IN TO OUR BROADCASTS

Our broadcast this week:   Sue and Kevin discuss Sue's recent trip to the Hill Country of Fredericksburg, TX; the German settlers and the B&Bs.   Owner, Richard Estenson of the Hangar Hotel and nearby Gillespie County Airport will talk about the 1940's style hotel and conference ctr.   Owner, Richard Estenson of Fredericksburg Brewing Co. will talk about the award-winning ales and lagers and the "Bed and Brews."   Chef Pierre Wolfe will talk about "How To Be A Guest Chef", "How To Be A Guest Lecturer" and How to plan a fun trip for a family of 10 to Europe.   Our regular, Tom Parsons of BestFares.com will share his Deals and Steals with the listeners.   Broadcasts are on: www.globalamericanbroadcasting.com Sat. 8-10am Ctrl KZQZ 1430AM Sun. 6-8am Ctrl WBGZ 1570AM Sun. 3 - 5pm Ctrl www.kmox.com Thurs., 11am - 1pm Ctrl

WHERE ARE WE GOING NEXT?

Kevin and Sue's next travel trips will be to the Windy City of Chicago for the Grand Opening of theWit Hotel (201 N. State St.) - a Doubletree Hotel and then Sue is heading off to Virginia and Washington, D.C.  Be sure to check back later this month for an update on these two great trips.

HAPPY JULY 4th

The Travel Plannners Show is on every Saturday 8 - 10am central time, www.globalamericanadvertising.com   Hr1 St. Louis - The Arch, Mississippi River Cruise, Old Courthouse Puerto Rico - Culebra Island and more with Neala Schwartzberg                     www.offbeattravel.com Competitours with Steve Belkin www.competitours.com News and Tips with Kevin and Sue   Hr2 Patrice Raplee, Editor Travel Excursion & Seattle Spotlight London's Shopping and Restaurant Districts Tom Parsons, www.BestFares.com   Have a Happy and Safe July 4th

St. Louis Cardinals Win!

St. Louis Cardinals vs San Francisco Giants Cardinals Win!!! Final score 5 - 2 Wellemeyer pitched best game of season. Thanks to Donna Andrews, Public Relations Director St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission for our invitation to join the marketing team in the Best Buy Suite for an evening of food, drinks and BASEBALL. If you haven't been to the new Busch Stadium you are missing out on a great experience. Check out Donna's website for St. Louis at http://www.explorestlouis.com/ for things to do. We had a great view of two of our favorite players, 1st Baseman Albert Pujols #5 and Catcher Yadier Molina #4. Busch Stadium is where the 80th All Star-Game will be held Tuesday, July 14th.

Check us out

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AND YOU TUBE.   www.kevinandsuetravel.com and www.youtube.com/kevinandsuetravel

Fox News Channel 2

Sue was the "Travel Expert" again today on Fox News Channel 2 Morning Show. The topic was "Exploring ala carte Airline Fees" and this was Sue's 8th appearance.   www.fox2newsnow.com/news/morningshow