It is my extreme delight to share the incredible Hutton Wilkinson with you in today’s profile. I first had the pleasure of working with Hutton when he wrote his first book, TONY DUQUETTE, and made a personal appearance, with Wendy Goodman, at the Chicago Saks Fifth Avenue. He made a second visit with his second book, MORE IS MORE, and his third, TONY DUQUETTE AND HUTTON WILKINSON JEWELRY along with his fine jewelry collections (on several occasions). Always immaculately garbed and full of fantastic stories…it is my great pleasure to call him a friend. Recently on nenasnotes (December 10, 2018) I posted my review of his newest unbelievably exquisite book, DAWNRIDGE, beyond glorious…and he joined me in conversation for nenasnotes The Fashion Book Club to discuss that and his other books….bonus!!!!
I must admit having heard Hutton speak on several occasions I knew my group would find him amazing….I was not disappointed nor were they. The hour flew by and I can only say we need a repeat with another book sooner rather than later. I really didn’t need to prompt him with questions he speaks quite eloquently and with much passion. My TFBC attendees were totally absorbed and had in-depth questions. It was a stellar evening and we all raised our bubbles to toast this man of MANY interests!!!! Thank you Hutton for sharing yourself with all of us.
Sit down, relax, grab a glass or two of chilled bubbles and get to know this unique creator in his own words (and all in caps!) as he responds to my questionnaire, you will be awestruck….enjoy!
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
I THINK IT WAS A PAPER ROUTE… THEN I WORKED UP TO SELLING L.A. TIMES AND HERALD EXAMINERS AT THE CORNER OF 3RD AND WESTERN IN L.A. AND REALLY MOVED UP WHEN I GOT THE CORNER IN FRONT OF ST. BASILS CATHOLIC CHURCH AT HOBART AND WILSHIRE SELLING THE L.A. TIMES ON SUNDAY MORNING (THAT WAS THE MOST LUCRATIVE JOB AND THE MOST COVETED CORNER IN L.A. AND I WRANGLED IT.) WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BIT OLDER I GOT TOGETHER WITH TWO OTHER PALS AND MADE COFFEE… PUT IT IN A HUGE THERMOUS, SET UP A CARD TABLE AT 7TH AND GRAND IN L.A. (AGAIN THE BEST POSSIBLE CORNER) AND SOLD COFFEE STARTING AT 6:00 AM DURING THE SUMMERS ON WEEK DAYS… WE WERE THE DARLINGS OF THE SECRETARY’S AND THE LAWYERS… AND PRE-DATED STAR-BUCKS BY 15 YEARS… WE MADE A FORTUNE THAT SUMMER, GOT OUR PICTURES IN THE L.A. TIMES AS YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS… TOO BAD WE DIDN’T TAKE IT FURTHER AND THINK UP STARBUCKS BUT WE WERE JUST OUT OF 8TH GRADE… SO WHAT THE HELL.
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR MOST RECENT OCCUPATION?
TONY DUQUETTE AND HUTTON WILKINSON
I WANTED TO WORK WITH TONY DUQUETTE SINCE I WAS IN 7TH GRADE. I READ ABOUT HIM IN THE SUNDAY HOME MAGAZINE OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES. HE LIVED IN A SILENT FILM STUDIO WITH HIS WIFE ELIZABETH AND THEY WERE PHOTOGRAPHED ALL DRESSED UP AND BEJEWELED, ALL OVER THE HOUSE. THEIR LIVING ROOM WAS 150 FEET LONG, 28 FEET WIDE AND 28 FEET HIGH WITH A STAGE AT THE END. I SHOWED THE ARTICLE TO MY FATHER (WHO WAS A SQUARE ARCHITECT) SITTING AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE AND SAID “THIS IS WHAT I’M INTERESTED IN.” HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS “100% CRAZY”! I TORE OUT THE ARTICLE AND SAVED IT, AND ASKED EVERYONE I KNEW (MOSTLY MY PARENTS FRIENDS) IF THEY KNEW TONY DUQUETTE, AND SOME OF THEM DID… BUT NONE OF THEM WOULD INTRODUCE ME TO HIM. FINALLY I HAD AN ART TEACHER AND WE USED TO PLAY, “TONY DUQUETTE” … JUST ME AND HER… AND ONE DAY SHE TOLD ME THAT “TONY DUQUETTE IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS” I QUITE MY JOB (AN AFTER SCHOOL JOB IN THE ‘OLD WORLD WEAVERS’ FABRIC SHOWROOM ON ROBERTSON BLVD IN LOS ANGELES) AND QUIT MY SCHOOL THAT DAY AND WENT TO WORK FOR TONY AS A VOLUNTEER. I WORKED FOR FREE FOR TWO YEARS… AND THEN HE PAID ME $50.00 EVERY TWO WEEKS FOR THREE YEARS (I WAS NEVER RICHER) AND THEN HE OFFERED ME $5.00 AN HOUR (THAT MAKES ME 21 YEARS OLD AND NOT VERY BRIGHT) AND I TOLD HIM … “I THIINK I CAN DO BETTER ON MY OWN.” SO I OPENED MY OWN BUSINESS AS AN INTERIOR DECORATOR… AND MADE A LOT OF MONEY… WITH WHICH I BECAME INVESTMENT PARTNERS WITH TONY IN A SERIES OF APARTMENT HOUSES, OFFICE BUILDINGS, AND RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS WHICH WE WOULD FIX UP AND FLIP 50 -50. LATER WHEN TONY GOT OLDER… HE WAS OFFERED GREAT DECORATING JOBS WHICH HE WASN’T INTERESTED IN … I TOLD HIM “TAKE THE JOBS, I’LL DO THE WORK AND WE’LL SPLIT THE PROFITS.” AND SO WE BECAME BUSINESS PARTNERS… FIVE YEARS BEFORE TONY DIED, BERGDORF GOODMAN ASKED US TO CREATE A COLLECTION OF ONE OF A KIND JEWELRY WHICH WAS INSTANTLY SUCCESSFUL WITH THE CUSTOMERS, COUTURE DESIGNERS, AND THE FASHION PRESS. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT I PURCHASED THE BUSINESS AND THE TRADEMARKS TO THE NAME TONY DUQUETTE… AND THAT IS MY MOST RECENT OCCUPATION… I AM CEO, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND OWNER OF TONY DUQUETTE INC., AN INTERIOR DESIGN AND FINE JEWELRY COMPANY WITH LICENSES FOR CARPETS WITH PATTERSON FLYNN MARTIN, FABRICS FOR JIM THOMPSON THAI SILK, LIGHTING FOR REMAINS LIGHTING, DISHES AND TABLETOP FOR MOTTAHEDEH, MANTLES FOR CHESNEY, CHOCOLATE BOXES FOR LOUIS SHERRY, FURNITURE FOR MAITLAND SMITH… ETC.
WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER THE FIRST IMPRESSION OF YOUR TALENT?
I WENT TO MY FATHER AND GRANDFATHERS ARCHITECTURAL OFFICES EVERY DAY SINCE I WAS OLD ENOUGH TO WALK AND TALK. THEY’D SIT ME UP ON A HIGH STOOL AND I WOULD POUR OVER THE ARCHITECTURAL BOOKS AND THE DRAFTSMEN WOULD CALL ME “THE LITTLE ARCHITECT”… STARTING IN KINDERGARTEN, I WOULD BE PICKED UP AFTER SCHOOL AND TAKEN TO THE OFFICE… THAT’S WHERE I HUNG OUT… ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL… THERE WAS ONLY A MOMENT… AFTER I SAW THE FILM CAMELOT… THAT I THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE TO BE A COSTUME DESIGNER… BUT THAT ONLY LASTED A COUPLE OF DAYS. I WAS 17 WHEN I MADE THE FINAL DECISION THAT I WOULD RATHER BE A DECORATOR… BECAUSE I WASN’T THAT GOOD WITH MATH… AND DON’T HAVE A LOT OF PATIENCE (I LIKE TO GET THINGS DONE FAST AND SEE RESULTS) … AND ALSO… IT WAS THE DECORATORS THAT HAD THE ROLLS ROYCES (IN THOSE DAYS) AND THE DECORATORS WHO GOT ALL THE ATTENTION IN THE PRESS… SO I MADE MY DECISION… AND FORTUNE STEPPED IN … AND I GOT TO APPRENTICE UNDER MY DESIGN IDOL… TONY DUQUETTE… AND THE REST IS HISTORY.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU HAD “MADE IT” EXPLAIN?
I’VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL… BUT I REALLY DON’T FEEL LIKE I’VE “MADE IT”! THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF HIGHLIGHTS… MY FAVORITE SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT WAS MY ONLY TIME ON STAGE WITH TONY DUQUETTE… IT WAS AT THE PALACE OF THE LEGION OF HONORE MUSEUM AND THAT WAS MEMORABLE. DOING THE PALAZZO IN VENICE WAS A BIG DEAL… BEING ASKED TO SIT ON THE BOARD OF DIFFA IN NYC … AND ALSO ON THE NYC BOARD OF SAVE VENICE WAS PERSONALLY REWARDING… WHEN I GOT A HOUSE WITH A SWIMMING POOL AND A TENNIS COURT WAS A BIG DAY… THE FIRST TIME I WAS MENTIONED IN THE L.A. TIMES, WHEN MY DECOR FOR THE GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND BENEFIT WAS WRITTEN UP AS “NOT ONLY BEAUTIFUL BUT DISTINGUISHED.” THAT WAS NICE. BUT I STILL DON’T THINK I’VE “MADE IT”. MAYBE I’LL THINK I’VE MADE IT WHEN I GET A CAR… YOU KNOW… A GREAT CAR LIKE A 1959 LINCOLN MARC II OR A ROYCE… OR A DELAHAY… OR BETTER YET A 1935 DELAGE… I’VE SPLURGED FOR A LOT OF REALLY BEAUTIFUL USELESS THINGS IN MY LIFE… BUT I’VE NEVER HAD A CAR… YOU KNOW… A REAL CAR.
1935 Delage
HOW YOUR ORIGINAL PASSION BROUGHT YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I THINK I MAY HAVE ANSWERED THIS ALREADY… THE BEST PART IS THAT THE ORIGINAL PASSION… IS STILL RED HOT… I LIVE AND BREATH DESIGN… ALWAYS HUNGRY TO LEARN MORE… TO SEE MORE… AND TO CREATE MORE… WHAT I’M HOPING FOR NOW IS A PATRON OR TWO WHO WANT EXACTLY WHAT I WANT AND WANT ME TO DO FOR THEM WHAT I WANT TO DO FOR ME.
WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR ALTERNATE CHOICE AS A CAREER….WAS THERE ONE?
IN HIND SIGHT… I MIGHT HAVE LIKED TO WORK IN THE MOVIES… NOT AS AN ACTOR BUT MAYBE A SCENEOGRAPHER OR EVEN A PRODUCER… RIGHT THIS MINUTE… I LOVE WRITING BOOKS… I’VE WRITTEN AN ADVENTURE SERIES AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON… IT IS WRITTEN FOR YOUNG ADULTS BUT LIKE HARRY POTTER IT IS BEING READ AND EQUALLY LIKED BY ADULTS TOO. THE FIRST BOOK IS CALLED “GASPAR BROWN AND THE MYSTERY OF THE GASPARILLA SUCCESSION.” TO DATE I HAVE COMPLETED SEVEN ADVENTURES… OF WHICH THE FIRST THREE HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED.
I MOSTLY READ BIOGRAPHIES. MY FAVORITE SO FAR IS “JOHN ADAMS” BY DAVID MCCULLOUGH… MY FAVORITE MOVIES ARE, SUNSET BLVD, AUNTIE MAME, GILDA, GONE WITH THE WIND, THE FOUNTAIN HEAD, ALL THE BROADWAY MELODY’S… AS FOR STAGE SHOWS, THE FIRST LIVE SHOW I EVER SAW AS A KID WAS “THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN” WITH TAMMIE GRIMES, I’VE SEEN THEM ALL… AND I LIKE THEM ALL… IT WOULD BE EASIER TO LIST A SHOW I DIDN’T LIKE… BUT I CAN’T THINK OF ONE RIGHT NOW… I LOVED THE ROYAL OPERA PRODUCTION OF TURANDOT, AND THE BOLSHOI PRODUCTION OF SLEEPING BEAUTY. AND I’LL NEVER FORGET SEEING DANGEROUS LIASONS ON STAGE IN LONDON.
BALLET, OPERA, SYMPHONY, TYPE OF MUSIC YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO, LOCAL RESTAURANT?
I HAVE TO CONFESS THAT I DON’T “LISTEN” TO MUSIC… THE ONLY TIME MUSIC IS ON IN OUR HOUSE IS IF THERE IS A PARTY… (BACKGROUND MUSIC IS THE HEARTBEAT OF A PARTY AND ESSENTIAL… A PARTY WITHOUT MUSIC ISN’T A PARTY)… WE USUALLY HIRE AN ORCHESTRA OR A COMBO TO PLAY AT PARTIES… BUT WE ALSO HAVE OUR FAVORITE COLE PORTER, JEROME KERN INSTRUMENTALS PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND… BUT WE NEVER LISTEN TO IT!!! I LISTEN TO 50’S ROCK AND ROLL, CLASSICAL (IF IT IS BAROQUE AND SOUNDS LIKE A STORM AT SEA) AND JAZZ BUT ONLY WHEN IN THE CAR… WE LOVE TO DANCE… SO I LOVE DANCE MUSIC… AGAIN, COLE PORTER, JEROME KERN, HARRY WARREN… 20S, 30S, 40S TUNES. WE ONLY ENTERTAIN AT HOME… NEVER IN RESTAURANTS… WE ONLY GO TO RESTAURANTS WHEN INVITED AND THERE ARE ONLY THREE THAT WE LIKE… THE GRILL ON THE ALLEY IN BEVERLY HILLS, FRIDA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT ON SOUTH BEVERLY DRIVE IN BEVERLY HILLS, AND CHARLIE’S COFFEE SHOP FOR SUNDAY BREAKFAST AT THE OLD FARMERS MARKET IN L.A. THEY SERVE OLD FASHIONED, THIN WAFFLES AND WE’VE BEEN GOING THERE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL.
HOBBIES….
ALTHOUGH I’M SERIOUS ABOUT IT… MY WRITING IS MORE OF A HOBBY… WHICH I DO IN EVERY AIRPORT ON EVERY AIRPLANE AND IN EVERY HOTEL ROOM I GO TO … AND I TRAVEL A LOT…
AND I SUPPOSE TRAVELING… I LOVE TO TRAVEL… MY PROBLEM IS I KEEP GOING BACK TO THE SAME PLACES… I HAVE RESOLVED NOT TO DO THAT ANYMORE… SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY PLACES I’VE NEVER SEEN SUCH AS CHINA… RUSSIA, MOROCCO FOR EXAMPLE.
HOME….MODERN, TRADITIONAL, ANTIQUES (WHAT ERA) ECLECTIC?
ANYTHING CHINESE… ONLY PAINTED FURNITURE… NO BROWN MAHOGANY… ANYTHING 18TH CENTURY VENETIAN… … I ALSO LOVE REALLY ECCENTRIC VICTORIAN DECORATIONS AND ARCHITECTURE… ANTIQUE CHINESE CARPETS… VERY HI-LUXURY ART DECO… PREFERABLY FRENCH… NOTHING MID-CENTURY EXCEPT THE ARCHITECTURE… I LOVE MODERN ARCHITECTURE!!! NOTHING IN SILVER… ANYTHING IN VERMEILLE OR GOLD… AND 18TH CENTURY CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN… ALL OF THE ABOVE IS WHAT I LIKE… ALL OF IT IS WHAT I COLLECT… EXCEPT FOR THE ART DECO STUFF… I GUESS I’LL HAVE TO PICK UP MY GAME AND GO HUNTING!!!
WHO WOULD YOU HAVE AT YOUR FANTASY DINNER (LIVING OR DEAD AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOURSELF!)
HUTTON AND RUTH WILKINSON
HUTTON AND RUTH WILKINSON, TONY AND ELIZABETH DUQUETTE, ARTURO AND PATRICIA LOPEZ WILSHAW, BARON DE REDE AND NENA IVON, CARLOS DE BESTEGUI AND DODIE ROSEKRANS, SIR CHARLES AND LADY MENDL, DIANA VREELAND AND CECIL BEATON AND LETS NOT FORGET JOSE AND MISIA SERT TOO… THAT WOULD BE A DINNER PARTY OF COLLECTORS, PARTY GIVERS, CONNOISSEURS, ARBITERS OF TASTE, AND THANK GOD… I WON’T HAVE TO URGE ANY OF THEM “TO DRESS UP”.
WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE ?
I LIKE RECOGNIZEABLE FOOD… MEAT AND PATATOS… LET’S SEE… WE’LL START WITH BELUGA, AND CHAMPAGNE… LOTS OF IT… SIT DOWN TO DINNER… A SIMPLE SALAD… ENDIVE, AND A GOOD VINAIGRETTE DRESSING… OR MAYBE SEARED SCALLOPS IN BROWN BUTTER… THAT’S ALWAYS TASTY… WE’D MOVE ON TO EITHER BEEF WELLINGTON OR DOVER SOLE… ALTHOUGH I ALSO LIKE A GOOD PORK ROAST WITH FRUITS AND ROASTED FINGERLING PATATOS. I’M NOT INTO GREEN VEGETABLES OTHER THAN STRING BEANS… SO WE’LL THROW IN SOME STRING BEANS SAUTEED WITH A LITTLE MINCED ONION AND BACON AND BUTTER… AND FOR DESERT… CHOCOLATE MOUSSE OR CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH ICECREAM OR A HOT FUDGE SUNDAE… (ANYTHING CHOCOLATE) AND CHAMPAGNE ALL THE WAY THROUGH… (NO RED OR WHITE WINE… TOO MANY DECISIONS TO MAKE)… JUST CHAMPAGNE ALL THE WAY THROUGH… LOTS OF IT. BESIDES… ITS ALL ABOUT HOW THE TABLE LOOKS… NO FLOWERS… ONLY OBJECTS… TO CREATE A TABLESCAPE FOR DINING…
I HAVE A BEACH SHACK… ON THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, NEAR PALM BEACH, FLORIDA… I LOVE IT MORE THAN ANYTHING … ESPECIALLY SINCE IT HAS REPLACED MY BELOVED RANCH IN MALIBU WHICH I RECENTLY SOLD ALTHOUGH I’VE RETAINED 60 OF THE ORIGINAL 100 ACRES FOR MYSELF…. SOMEDAY MAYBE I’LL BUILD A THAI WEEKEND HOUSE ON THAT LAND… I LOVE TO TRAVEL… AND I LOVE INDIA… I’VE BEEN 10 TIMES… I COULD LIVE THERE… IT IS EVERYTHING IT PROMISES TO BE… I MUST SAY… I KEEP GOING BACK TO THE SAME PLACES… DELHI, AGRA, JAIPUR, UDAIPUR JODHPUR… I’M CRAZY TO SEE MORE… JAISALMER, AND GOA… BUT I ALSO LOVE VENICE, ITALY… EVERY MINUTE, EVERY INCH OF IT… I LOVE IT IN THE FALL WHEN IT’S HOT IN THE SUN AND COOL IN THE SHADE… I LOVE IT IN THE SUMMER WHEN YOU CAN SPEND TIME SHOPPING IN THE MORNING… HANG OUT AT THE LIDO ALL AFTERNOON… THEN GO INTO TOWN TO LOOK AROUND SOME MORE WHEN IT COOLS OFF… I LOVE IT WHEN THERE ARE FESTIVALS AND FIREWORKS… AND SPEAKING OF FIREWORKS.. I LOVE IT IN THE WINTER TOO… FOR INDIA… YOU NEED AT LEAST A MONTH… MINIMUM… FOR VENICE… A DAY, A WEEK A MONTH OR A YEAR… IT’S NEVER ENOUGH.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING MOST IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I LIKE TO READ AND I LIKE TO WRITE… I RARELY GO OUTDOORS… I’VE GOT THIS WORLD FAMOUS GARDEN AND I BARELY EVER GO OUTSIDE AND LOOK AT IT LET ALONE SIT IN IT… I LOVE WATCHING OLD MOVIES… AND BECAUSE I RARELY SIT STILL… WHEN I DO… I LOVE BEING A COUCH PATATO.
FAVORITE WORK OF PUBLIC ART?
I LIKE ALMOST ANYTHING BY HENRY MOORE… OR PAUL MANSHIP… I LIKE MONUMENTAL SCULPTURES LIKE THE STATUES OVER THE ENTRANCE TO THE GRANDE PALAISE IN PARIS… AND IF IT WERE STILL AROUND I’D PROBABLY CHOOSE THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES… I’M CRAZY ABOUT SO MANY THINGS… HOW ABOUT THE MOSAICS ON THE UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS IN MEXICO CITY… OR THE SCULPTURE OF CHAC-MOOL AT CHICHENITZA.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?
I’D LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED AS AN ARBITER OF TASTE… IF THAT DOESN’T WORK OUT THEN… AN ECCENTRIC… AND IF THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN… A NICE GUY, A GOOD FRIEND, AND A GENEROUS HOST… ONE OR ALL OF THE ABOVE WOULD BE A MIRACLE!
A FAVORITE RECIPE…
ANYTHING FROM THE CHEZ MAXIM COOKBOOK, ANYTHING THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH CORNMEAL… ANYTHING WITH MOLE SAUCE… SEE BELOW:
MY FAVORITE RECIPE FROM THE CHEZ MAXIM’S COOK BOOK IS POTAGE BILLY B. I LIKE THE BACK STORY AS MUCH AS THE SOUP. IT WAS A CUSTOMER, WILLIAM BRAND WHO WANTED TO SPARE HIS FRIENDS THE DELICATE OPERATION OF EATING MUSSELS WITH THEIR FINGERS SO HE ASKED THAT ONLY THE JUICE BE SERVED WITHOUT THE MUSSELS. THE EXPERIMENT WAS SUCH A SUCCESS THAT WHEN HIS GUESTS RETURNED TO MAXIM’S THEY ALL ASKED FOR THE “POTAGE BILLY BRAND” AND SO IT WAS PLACED ON THE MENU AS POTAGE BILLY B WHICH HAS BECOME A STAPLE OF FRENCH CULINARY TRADITION.
POTAGE BILLY B
1 1/2 cups Fumet de Poisson
2 qt. mussels
1 large onion
1 stalk celery
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup dry white wine
2 sprigs parsley
1/2 tsp. ground peppercorns
2 qt. mussels
1 large onion
1 stalk celery
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup dry white wine
2 sprigs parsley
1/2 tsp. ground peppercorns
Salt, scrape and wash the mussels thoroughly. Mince the onion and place it in a deep saucepan along with the celery, wine, and pepper. Add the muscles, cover the sauce pan, and boil over a high flame for 6 minutes. Shake the mussels in the pan two or three times during the cooking process so that those on top go to the bottom and vice versa. When the mussels are open remove and drain them. Pour the liquid in the sauce pan through a fine strainer, return to the saucepan, and reduced to about 1 quart of liquid. Add the Fumet de Poisson and cream and reheat over a low flame until liquid comes almost to the boiling point, stirring continually with a wooden spatula. Season to taste.Serve very hot without the mussels. This soup can also be served cold.
CHICKEN MOLE WITHOUT TREE NUTS… (FROM THE FOOD NETWORK) I’M ALLERGIC TO TREE NUTS SO I HAVE ELIMINATED THE ALMONDS FROM THIS RECIPE… AND BELIEVE ME… IT TASTES JUST AS GOOD WITHOUT THEM!!!
INGREDIENTS:
1 chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut into 6 pieces
5 black peppercorns
Kosher salt
1/2 cup sesame seeds
5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon anise seeds
1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
6 dried guajillo chile peppers
4 dried ancho chile peppers
6 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup hulled pumpkin seeds
2 6-inch corn tortillas, torn into pieces
1 2.7-ounce disk Mexican chocolate, broken into pieces
Pinch of sugar
DIRECTIONS:
- Put the chicken and peppercorns in a large pot, cover with water and season with salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat and cook until tender, about 40 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a large plate and set the cooking liquid aside.
- Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, tossing, until golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside 2 tablespoons for garnish and transfer the rest to a blender. In the same skillet, toast the cloves, cinnamon stick, and anise and coriander seeds until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add to the blender.
- Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chile peppers. Heat 4 tablespoons canola oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the chiles and fry until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with hot water and set aside to soak until pliable, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the raisins, pumpkin seeds and tortilla pieces to the oil in the skillet and cook, stirring, until the seeds and tortillas are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add to the blender along with the oil from the skillet. Add the softened chiles and puree, pouring in 2 to 3 cups of the soaking liquid to make a thick, smooth sauce.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chile sauce and fry, stirring, until thickened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add 4 cups of the reserved chicken cooking liquid and simmer until the sauce starts to thicken, about 20 minutes. Add the chocolate and simmer, stirring frequently, until the chocolate melts and the sauce reduces, about 20 more minutes. Add the sugar and season with salt.
- Add the chicken pieces to the sauce and warm through over low heat. Garnish with the reserved sesame seeds.
CORNMEAL WAFFLES:
INGREDIENTS;
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk.
- 2 large eggs.
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled.
- 1 1/2 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour.
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal.
- 2 tablespoons sugar.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda.
MIX IT ALL UP AND THROW IT IN AN OLD FASHIONED WAFFLE IRON, COOK TO GOLDEN BROWN, SLATHER WITH BUTTER AND MAPLE SYRUP AND SERVE WITH CRISP BACON!!!
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BLOGS YOU FOLLOW:
NENA’SNOTES, BIJOUX REVIEW
ALL PHOTOS FROM PINTEREST PHOTO CREDITS UNKNOWN.
Yes, this is a paint by number painting…I think it is a stunner and not what we think about when thinking of this craft. I saw it at last months 
Aren’t they awesome….the art of window display at its finest.
