Big 4th of July weekend ready to start

Looks like a busy week with the Inn. Right now a beautiful weather report. 
6/22/2011 - The Stars and Stripes Spectacular Set for July 4th
PSO’s Patriotic Pops gives fireworks celebration a new bang

The annual 4th of July celebration, The Stars and Stripes Spectacular, will be held at the Eastern Promenade Park. The celebration will feature a free Patriotic Pops concert by the Portland Symphony Orchestra with performances of Sousa, Copland, and Tchaikovsky -- making it a night to remember. The concert is scheduled to begin at 7:40 PM and will run throughout the fireworks display, which will begin at 9:20 PM. Prior to the pops concert, spectators can enjoy a special performance by Maine’s funniest comedian Bob Marley, starting at 6:00 PM. A rain date for the 4th of July event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5th. Call the city’s hotline at 756-8130 if a change seems likely.

Monte cristo with Ham, Maples mustard, pears and Harvarti

Ok here goes. I am planning my breakfast menu for this week and going to try this new recipe out. Monte Cristo with Ham, Maple mustard, pears and harvarti.  Does this not sound great ?  Thanks to one of my new inspirations (Dana) Thanks if you are reading this :-) I will let you know how it comes out and of course throw in a few pictures.
Take care
Buddy

Inn on Carleton Bed and Breakfast in Portland Maine

Inn on Carleton Bed and Breakfast in Portland Maine

My saving graces " Meredeth & Sonya "

I don't Know what I would do with out the two of them .  Thank you Sonya & Meredeth

Mini Quiche Over Mixed Field Greens

Asparagus & Goat Cheese

Ham, Broccoli & Cheddar

Spinach, Bacon & Gruyere



Homemade Whisky Cream Sauce

My boyfriends mother, Susan, got this one stuck in my head.  And I had to try it.  It is insane!!!

You need...
1 stick of butter
1 cup of heavy cream
1 1/3 cup of white sugar
1/4 cup of whisky
1 tsp of vanilla
And a very strong arm to whisk...its worth the effort.

Combined melted butter, heavy cream and sugar into a pan on very low heat.  Start whisking.  (this prevents burning) 
Once mixture thickens (approx 20-30 minutes) add vanilla and whisky
Keep whisking away for about 10-15 minutes
Let rest and thicken for about 10-15 minutes

Pour over bread pudding or pound cake.

Pictures to follow!

Meredith with our Pineapple Banana Cairns with Creme

Pineapple Banana Cairns with Vanilla Cream on top

Had to try this one out this morning  I put a slice of Banana and pineapple . Sprinkle a little cinnamon topped with a vanilla Cre'me sauce. But the best part I get to use my torch to crisp the top. I think I scare the girls working for me when I get that thing out. But guest  seem to have loved it.   Sonya Can't wait for you to see this one. You would be very proud of me.

Strawberry and Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

Super Simple Nutella Butter Cream Frosting

1 Stick of Softened Butter
1/2 Cup on Nutella
Slowly add powdered sugar until you achieve the right frosting like consistency.

You can also sub almost anything for the Nutella.  Try cream cheese, peanut butter, melted chocolate, strawberry jam!!!

Truffled Eggs Toast

The first time I had truffled eggs toast I was at Ino Cafe Bar in the West Village, NYC. 

 It was soooo amazing I tried to recreate it for my guest at the Inn.

(Serves 4)

4 Slices of thick cut bread (1 1/2") , I used Brioche and it was perfect.

8 egg yolks

Shredded Gruyere Cheese (5 oz)

Shredded Parmesan Cheese (5 oz)

White Truffle Oil

Crumbled Bacon

Asparagus Grilled with Salt & Pepper

Heat oven to 450 degrees

Spray cooking oil on pan

Make a little nest for your egg yolks in the middle of each slice of bread by pressing lightly.

Put 2 egg yolks in each nest

Cover bread and eggs with Gruyere Cheese

Bake for 8-10 minutes

Take out of oven and place on serving platter.

Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese

Pour a few drops of truffle oil on top

Garnish with crumbled bacon and asparagus

Simple, Beautiful & A Real Crowd Pleaser!

Crepes by Sonya

Many people are intimidated by crepes but a few key tips can save the day.  My recipe is simple.

4 Eggs
1 Cup of Milk (cold)

Whisk together
...add

1 Cup of Flour
A pitch of salt (more for savory)
A pitch of sugar (more for sweet)

Whisk

2 Tablespoons of Melted Butter

Whisk

Put your pans on med-high heat for awhile. (5-10 minutes) You want the pans to be hot and even. Spray cooking oil and then wipe out the pans with a paper towel.

Then all you have to do is pour the mixture in the pan and try to move the batter around so it is thin and even.  This takes a bit of practice but once you get it you'll never loose it.  Once the edges brown up and start to lift, flip with spatula.  Give it 20 seconds and then place on parchment paper.  Repeat.

I make a ton of crepes and then wait to fill them with whatever the guest want.

Today it is Honey, Blueberry & Strawberries or Banana and Nutella with Homemade Whip Cream...Yum!

I also love Goat Cheese and Asparagus or Ham and Swiss.

Open Face Ricotta, Asparagus, Fried Egg and Bacon Sandwich

4 Pieces of Thick Toast (try a brioche)
Ricotta Cheese
Grilled Asparagus
Eggs-Fried
Hollandaise Sauce
Crumbled Bacon

Layer in Order and Serve....

Warm day at the Inn

Greetings all.  Looks like A/C ;s are in and much needed. A very warm couple of days coming up and must keep our guest cool and happy. Stay cool and comfortable .

 Buddy and Paula Dean

 Our very own Paula Dean here at the Inn helping with breakfast this morning. Ok she really is just my bestest close friend Judy but we all call her Paula Dean anyway.

Meredith

Our little actress Meredith doing breakfast. Trying to get her to give up that acting gig and run the Inn and become an innkeeper.

Sonya Rook

cooking breakfast!



A Short History...

The Inn is an historic landmark known as the Grandville Chase Block. It is listed on the local and National Historic Registry. The Inn was the first house on Carleton Street and one of the first houses built in the Western Promenade neighborhood of Portland, Maine in 1869. The Inn is also listed with the Society for the Preservation of New England antiquities as being one of the homes that Charles Schumacher created his famous trompe l'oeil paintings and murals in. The Inn has begun the process of uncovering and restoring some of Charles Schumacher's famous paintings. The first restoration project in the entryway has just been completed. This is just the beginning of many more to come

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The Inn on Carleton

          We graciously welcome you to our restored 1869 Victorian home located in Portland Maine's prestigious, historic Western Promenade neighborhood.

          Situated on a quiet, tree-lined street in a neighborhood of Victorian architecture, The Inn on Carleton is close to the center of downtown Portland. It's a short walk to the Portland Museum of Art, Maine Medical Center, the Performing Arts Center and the city's business district.

Close at hand are Casco Bay's ferry terminal to the Maine Islands, the international ferry terminal, and the Old Port area with its cobbled streets, colorful shops and many fine restaurants. Portland Maine, Voted America's Foodiest Small towns 2009.

Upon entering the Inn, the arched double doors open into a grand entryway. An elegant, winding, stairway leads to six wonderful guest rooms with all private baths, located on the second and third floors. In keeping with the historical flavor of the Inn, the six spacious guest rooms boast high ceilings.

We want your visit to the Inn to be relaxing, and comfortable. It is our hope that you will feel at home. You may visit the beautiful English garden, located in the back, and relax with a good book. The garden is quite spectacular in the spring and summer.

Your innkeeper and host Buddy Marcum takes great pride in creating a relaxing getaway.