< Previous60 COASTMONTHLY.COM | SepTeMber 2023 GAME ON DELECTABLE DOVE Pan-searing is the key to preparing this wild-game dish story, recipe and photo by CAPT. NATE SKINNER D ove seasons around the state commence this month, and breast meat from these wild game birds is downright delicious. Dove meat has a pretty mild flavor. A lot of folks think you have to wrap dove breasts in bacon for them to taste excellent, but that just isn’t true. A classic pan-searing strategy is a quick and delicious method for preparing dove, and this recipe proves that. Some salt and pepper, high-quality butter, garlic and herbs will provide all the flavor you’ll need. Paired with some yellow rice, these dove breasts make for one easy and tasty meal. PAN-SEARED DOVE BREASTS 10-15 individual deboned dove breasts 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 3 tablespoons salted butter Dried thyme Olive oil Salt Pepper Fresh parsley pat the dove breasts dry with a paper towel, then season them on both sides with salt and pepper. place a cast-iron skillet or a stainless-steel pan on the stove over high heat. Coat the bot- tom of the pan or skillet with a thin layer of olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up. Once the oil is hot, add the dove breasts and allow them to sear without moving them for about 2 minutes. reduce the heat to medium, then flip the dove breasts over. Add in the butter and garlic slices and sprinkle in 1-2 tablespoons of dried thyme. Cook for about 1 minute. Use a spoon or spatula to move the garlic around so it doesn’t burn and to evenly distribute the butter. Continue to stir the contents of the pan or skillet for about 1-2 minutes. remove the dove breasts and place them on a plate. Once the garlic slices are golden and crispy, use a spoon to sprinkle them over the dove breasts. Also use a spoon to drizzle some of the butter from the pan over the seared dove breasts. Serve over a bed of yellow rice and top with a sprig or two of fresh parsley. COASTMONTHLY.COM | SepTeMber 2023 61 SUNDAY & MONDAY 11-8 TUESDAY 11-9 • WEDNESDAY 11-11 THURSDAY 11-10 FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11-MIDNIGHT G aido R eal e state G Roup Carolyn T. Gaido REALTOR ® CLHMS, CRS, RSPS, SRS 713.851.3377 CarolynGaido@SandNSea.com CarolynGaido.com Sand `N Sea Properties, LLC Top Agent Since 1999 Michael J. Gaido, III REALTOR ® 409.457.4900 MichaelGaido.com Kimberly A. Gaido REALTOR ® , SRS 713.498.2020 sandnsea.com A trusted name with over 50 years of real estate experience 3823 PERIWINKLE $1,199,000 21019 W. SUNSET BAY DR. $245,000 4203 BARATARIA $1,147,000 13730 SAN DOMINGO $710,000$729,000 3303 LANYARD PLACE $2,395,000 2 WESTWIND LOT $399,000 4116 AVENUE T $649,000 1214 103RD $1,195,00062 COASTMONTHLY.COM | SepTeMber 2023 DESSERT ISLAND FABULOUS FENNEL These butter cookies are sugar, spice and everything nice story and recipe by PHIL NEWTON | photo by JENNIFER REYNOLDS F ennel usually isn’t an ingredient that comes to mind when you think of dessert. Although not a root vegetable itself, fennel is a member of the carrot family. It features a slight anise flavor and can be eaten raw, roasted, sautéed or added to soups, stews or salads. All parts of the plant can be eaten, including the seeds. Fennel is a nutrient-rich, low-calorie plant with many health benefits. Combining the ground seeds with orange zest creates a cookie that pairs well with espresso, tea or fortified wines. ORANGE AND FENNEL BUTTER COOKIES 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature ¾ cup sugar ¼ cup honey 1 large egg Zest of 2 oranges 2 teaspoons ground fennel seeds Powdered sugar for garnish preheat oven to 350 F. In a small bowl, whisk togeth- er flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Set aside. In an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, beat to- gether butter, sugar and honey until light or airy. Add egg, orange zest and fennel, occasionally scrap- ping down the sides. On low speed, add flour mixture and mix until dough comes together. Using a heaping tablespoon, portion the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between cookies. bake until cookies are light golden brown and crisped on the edge, about 8 to 10 min- utes. Cool to room tempera- ture on the pan. Garnish with powdered sugar and serve. PHIL NEWTON is a Galveston baker/cook. 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Save $200 Per Person • $400 Per Couple* Booking #167785 (Web Code) https://res.premierworlddiscovery.com64 COASTMONTHLY.COM | SepTeMber 2023 Tatiana Verega, a fitness coach, owner of DLS Dance Studio and competitive bodybuilder, created an open kitchen with a black- and-white palette with the kitchen remodel in her Galveston condo. COASTMONTHLY.COM | SepTeMber 2023 65 COUNTER CULTURE ALL THERE IN BLACK AND WHITE Condo redo creates perfect kitchen for a busy athlete story by CAMRYN BACON | photos by JENNIFER REYNOLDS A flair for style and dedication to healthy living merge in the center of Tatiana Verega’s modern Galveston condo after a carefully designed kitchen renovation. A fitness coach and owner of T-45 Fitness and DLS Dance Studio in Galveston, Verega bought her condo in January 2023, about a week before her birthday and be- gan months of vigorous remodeling. The adventure had come to a close in March when she moved into the two-bedroom, one-bath space with her furry friend Pikachu. Verega moved from Moldova in 2012 and had not gotten the chance to have an island home that fits her lifestyle, she said. “Having my own place was important to me, and after years of hard work and persistence, I was finally able to make my dream come true,” she said. The centerpiece of the kitchen is a white quartz island that provides a spacious surface for work and meal preparation and forms a connection to the living room, creating an open, inclusive feeling. Verega fell in love with the condo at first sight because of its location and the privacy, she said. The view from the kitchen facing an open waterfront made the space feel bright, but the kitchen just wasn’t going to cut it. “Everything had to be changed,” she said. “The cabinets, appliances, floor and, most importantly, I had to get rid of the wall that was closing the kitchen and making it look very small.” She envisioned an open, modern black-and-white kitchen where she could prepare nutritious meals and work from home. “I wanted to put my personal touch on every nook and cranny with this condo, starting with the heart of the home — the kitchen.” The kitchen makeover was no piece of cake. She had plenty of ideas but didn’t know how to get her thoughts on paper and turned to her boyfriend, Joseph Raitano, a designer and builder. Measuring the dimensions of the original kitchen and creating a layout of new cabinets, including new drawers and a pantry, were most important to the kitchen makeover. Knocking down the wall opened the space to a cozy living area she outfitted with light gray couches and a flat-screen television.66 COASTMONTHLY.COM | SepTeMber 2023 One of Tatiana Verega’s favorite meals to prepare is chicken, rice and broccoli. (Opposite, clockwise from top left) Wine from Moldova, Verega’s home country, is always on hand to offer friends; the white Nespresso machine is one of her favorite appliances. She starts her day with an espresso and another when she gets home from the gym; appliances and utensils match the kitchen’s color palette. COASTMONTHLY.COM | SepTeMber 2023 67 COUNTER CULTURE Her go-to colors are black and white, mak- ing the place feel clean and sleek. “White represents cleanliness and peace, and black, for me, has a classy touch.” Three black hardware light fixtures hang over the white quartz countertop where four black leather barstools are stationed to accommodate small gatherings. She chose appliances to match the black- and-white theme throughout the kitchen. Working from home often, she values her coffee machine the most. “I enjoy having a good cup of espresso every morning before I head to the gym and when I get home in the afternoon.” The kitchen serves as an efficient work- space but also functions well for cooking, she said. Along with owning DLS Dance Studio, leading fitness classes and training clients, Verega is a competitive bodybuilder, which requires forced work and a strict, clean diet. She prefers freshly prepared food to cooking in advance and storing meals as many busy athletes do, so a good kitchen is essential, she said. “My kitchen is my work space,” she said. “I cook every day and I do all my computer work on my kitchen island. Keeping it clean and organized helps my mind stay organized and productive.” One of her favorite meals to prepare is chicken, rice and broccoli. Occasionally, when not competing, she enjoys a glass of red wine from her mini wine fridge. But when she can’t, she loves offering guests a glass. “I love bringing people together when I can and spending time with my friends with good food and a glass of Moldova wine.” 68 COASTMONTHLY.COM | SepTeMber 2023 presents on the High Sea s By Leslie Kimbell September 15 - October 7 www.islandetc.org for tickets COASTMONTHLY.COM | SepTeMber 2023 69 Imagine your home, totally organized! Custom Closets Garage Cabinets Home Offices Wall Beds Wall Organizers Pantries Laundries Wall Units Hobby Rooms Garage Flooring Media Centers and more... Call for a free in home design consultation and estimate 409-904-0787 www.closetsbydesign.com CM Follow us Terms and Conditions: 40% off any order of $1000 or more or 30% off any order of $700 or more on any complete custom unit order of closet, garage, or home office unit, and any other products. Take an additional 15% off on any complete system order. 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