Smokin' Hot

Today, I'm starving for the perfect summer "smoking jacket" (I prefer this name to "boyfriend jacket" as it sounds much chicer).

The piece that inspired this posting I discovered on Net-A-Porter, French label Sandro's Vegas Crepe Blazer. Like a wonderful recipe, the brand brings to life so many of my favorite fashion flavors, including wide lapel jackets that hint at the 80's after-dark supper club look--a look that Jami Gertz wears so well as Blair in Less Than Zero. She indefinitely rocks the smoking jacket to the point that I just want to be her (sans the frizzy hair, but you catch my drift).

Now that you have your pick of the perfect summer cover-ups and are all dressed up with nowhere to go, do some late-night entertaining, put on "Hazy Shade of Winter" by the Bangles and serve up an hors d'oeuvre the decade would be proud of, a smoked trout canape (see recipe below).

Become smokin' hot this summer by shopping the looks (from top to bottom): Sandro's Vegas Crepe Blazer; Halston Heritage's Boyfriend Blazer; Asos' Contrast Lapel Blazer; Joseph Lara's Smoking Chain Jacket; Vanessa Bruno's Fuschia Jacket.















Smoked Trout Canapes with Creme-Fraiche and Herb Sauce for Two

1/2 cup creme fraiche
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon snipped fresh dill, plus some fronds, for garnish
1 teaspoon snipped chives
1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 squares mini-pumpernickel bread
4 ounces smoked trout, bones removed

For the sauce: In a small bowl combine the creme fraiche, herbs, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper.

Assemble the canapes: Dab a teaspoon or of creme fraiche sauce on 1 side of the pumpernickel slices. Place 1 or 2 large flakes or chunks of trout on each, and top with a small dollop of crème fraiche sauce. Garnish each canape with a frond of dill, and serve.
- Rachael Ray Recipe and Photo (www.foodnetwork.com)