August 6th, 2010

The Beach in East Hampton and a Paella Dinner

Last week I told you about how I was honored at the James Beard Foundation’s summer gala, Chefs & Champagne held out on the beautiful East End of Long Island.  That event was so much fun, despite the incredible heat of the day.  The following morning, I woke up early to walk along the ocean, which is so very magnificent.  I always enjoy looking at the stately homes that sit upon the dunes.  Later that evening, I hosted a party for a group of friends.  Chef Pierre Schaedelin, created a fabulous paella and it’s always so much fun to watch him create this meal.

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1 The pool is looking really good at Lily Pond. The plants in all the pots are growing vigorously and the gardens are thriving.

2 The drive at Lily Pond looks very good also. The boxwood have put on a lot of new growth.

3 Carlos walks the dogs on weekends. They love their daily constitutionals.

4 Walking to the beach

5 The ocean was pretty calm and the weather was very, very hot.

6 The houses along this stretch of beach are varied in architecture and are very glorious.

7 It has been said that this is the most beautiful stretch of ocean beach in America - I agree.

8 The sand is clean and powdery white and the beach is wide.

9 The day could not have been better for an early morning walk.

10 This is one of the older Lily Pond houses.

11 And this is one of the newer residences.

12 The late Charles Gwathmey designed this house about 20 years ago.

13 A very new 'chateau' built on the dunes

14 This is a newly renovated mansion.

15 This is the oldest house on this stretch of beach.

16 Breakfast at Lily Pond - yummy smoked salmon

17 And flaky croissants

18 The table was set with Fire-King glass dishes.

19 The table with Charlie Green, my makeup artist, at one end

20 There were four for breakfast.

21 When breakfast was cleared, the same table was set for dinner. The lilies are from my garden in Bedford.

22 We used antique blue ball jars for the flowers.

23 The table nearly set - Pillivuyt French porcelain dishes, depression era hobnail glasses, grange chairs, and lots of McCoy pottery

24 The dead fish taxidermy look like they are swimming on the wall.

25 The lilies were spectacular - great for Lily Pond.

26 Dinner was paella cooked on the grill in a giant pan. This nicely browned chicken was transferred to the larger pan.

27 Here are the paella ingredients all ready to be added in the right order to the hot pan.

28 Chef Pierre cooked over the charcoal and wood fire.

29 Everyone loved watching Pierre's composition.

30 Adding the shrimp and the squid

31 My friends Corneliia and Charlotte

32 Enjoying the show

33 We were all captivated!

34 The aromas were rich with plenty of onions, garlic, red and green pepper, and spicy chorizo.

35 Adding the tomatoes

36 And then the beans and peas

37 Next, the mussels and clams

38 the rice, finally

39 lots of intense discussion about techniques

40 Pierre getting ready to add the broth, dash of cognac, and saffron threads. Once the liquid was absorbed, we feasted!

41 Dessert was passion fruit sorbet and lots of ice cold supremed citrus sections.

Posted on August 6th, 2010 in Entertaining, Food & Recipes, Friends, Gardens, My Home, Photo Gallery, Travel | Permalink |

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