Happy Valentine’s Day!

Oysters and chocolate first come to mind as aphrodisiac foods, but did you know avocado, bananas, figs, garlic, basil and asparagus can have similar effects? Almonds are also on the list- they have been a fertility symbol for centuries and the aroma is said to entice passion. High in levels of Vitamin E and Magnesium, almonds can aid in weight loss and reduce LDL cholesterol. So they can keep your heart healthy and filled with fervor!

Instead of the usual chocolate covered strawberries, make this Almond Brittle for your Valentine:

Almond Brittle
Ingredients:
1 ½ Cups Sugar
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Light Corn Syrup
3 TBSP Butter
1 TSP Vanilla
1 ½ TSP Baking Soda
1 ½ Cup Almonds
1) Cook Sugar, Water & Corn Syrup to 280 degrees
2) Add Nuts & Stir. Cook to 300 degrees, Turn Off Heat
3) Stir in Butter and Vanilla
4) Stir in Baking Soda
5) Immediately Pour onto Silpat and Spread as Thin as Possible
6) Let Harden, Break Apart and Enjoy!

Meet our Team!

As the newbie at ATTC, I’ve been getting to know everyone in our
office and kitchen. I thought it would be fun to interview them in the
style of New York Magazine’s 21 questions so you can get to know them too!

Our first interview is Joe:

Name: Joseph Willhoit

How long have you been working with ATTC? For the last three years, but also for four years starting when I was 18 years old.

So, 7 years total over the last 12 years.

In one sentence, what do you do all day at your job? In one word: cook, just get the job done.

Most memorable experience since working at ATTC? Cooking 30 boxes of chicken one weekend. It was 2 days straight of roasting and barbequing 250 pounds of chicken!

Food you can’t live without? Garlic and Coffee, but not together.

What is your drink of choice? Scotch.

Favorite restaurant? My kitchen, I’m not the going out type of guy.

What would you be doing if you weren’t working here? Professional wrestler, I used to wrestle from when I was 21-24 years old.

What do you like best about working at ATTC? It’s almost like a family, we fight and then we always work things out.

Welcome to the Year of the Water Dragon!

Millions around the world began CHINESE NEW YEAR celebrations on January 23rd with fireworks,family and food! The Dragon signifies growth, change, power and optimism.
This is GOOD news for brides and/or parents-to-be planning a wedding or bundle of joy this coming year. Regarded as the most powerful of the Chinese zodiac symbols, it is the perfect time for a wedding and people born during a dragon year are said to be brave, innovative and driven.
As with most holidays, food plays a big part in the celebration. Traditional foods have a certain significance relating to the wish for a prosperous and happy New Year. One should have lots of citrus such as tangerines, oranges and pomelo (an ancestor of the grapefruit) for wealth, luck and prosperity. Sweets will ensure a sweet life in the New Year, particularly with the Nian Gao cake. This cake made with rice flour, brown sugar and oil, and often topped with dates, white sesame seeds or nuts, symbolizes reaching new heights in the New Year (maybe we should add this to our cake week tasting menu!).
The ATTC team is hoping this Year of the Dragon lives up to its’ reputation of bringing wealth, optimism and growth!

How are YOU celebrating the Chinese New Year?

Greetings ATTC friends!

We have a new addition to the team- me (Lauren) !
I’ll be updating the blog each week with fun food news and
important info about A Thyme to Cook.

So be sure to check in every Tuesday starting next week!

Wedding Wire Has Just Announced....

"January 24, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce A Thyme to Cook has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Catering!"

This is sooo exciting! We shout out a gigantic thank you to all of our wonderful friends who voted us to receive Wedding Wire Brides Choice Award -

in White ~ January 11, 2012

~in WHITE crackers made by Chef Bill

in WHITE, a luxury wedding collective is hosting a celebration this evening of the shoreline's newest collaboration of luxury wedding vendors. Visit the White Dress By the Shore to know more! Hope to see you there!

We are thrilled to have Liz and Brendan's August wedding featured on Style Me Pretty today! Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven was the perfect venue to highlight their unique style. We knew the moment we saw their Save the Date cards that it would be a special evening. From the Collection of Family Recipes, to the special centerpiece bottles on the tables, to the hand drawn signs and photo booth.....it was a wedding to remember. Beyond the Lens captured the true spirit of the evening with amazing photos......check it out here and make sure you click into the Gallery of Images, too!