David Chang Q & A

An interesting Q & A with Momofuku/Milk Bar chef David Chang.  Click here to read.  I like what he has to say about farm-to-table restaurants and vegetarians (even though I am one).

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

I know that a lot of people hate Valentine's Day with a passion, but I love it!  It is the one day when Cynical Me actually likes to tell people that I like them.  So since it is officially February today, I thought I would create a list of delicious goodies you could give someone special or share with a friend while you are watching Somethings Got To Give.

Lets start with chocolate:

L.A. Burdick has these adorable chocolate mice.  They are just too cute to pass up.  The chocolate hearts and cigars are fun too.

An expensive, but fancy gift of Champagne with Rose Truffles from Vosges would be perfect for the traditional romantic.  Vosges also carries Champagne with Exotic Truffles too.

You can also by the Exotic Candy Bar Library and divide the bars of chocolate among friends.  I love the Woolloomooloo bar :)  Vosges really has an extensive selection of gifts, so be sure to check out their website.

Candy:

I cannot say enough good things about Bequet Caramels (click here to read my review).  These caramels are to-die-for.  Instead of the traditional chocolate, try the Chipotle Caramels to spice things up, or the Celtic Sea Salt Caramels.  SO GOOD.  Click here to visit the Bequet Confections.

Divan's Turkish Delight.  Okay, so I have never had this candy, but it is so pretty.  I regret not trying any at Borough Market last year.  You can find this brand at Harrods.  Click here to order.

The All Bacon & Chocolate Gift Box from Vosges would an amazing gift for the bacon lover.

There is also this Sir Francis Peanut Brittle that looks like fun.

Cookies:

Momofuku Compost Cookies ship in packs of 6.  Their Cornflake Cookie is pretty good too.  Click here to order.

If you want to get cutesy, try a French macaron.  If only Laduree had a shop in the States, but alas they don't.  Instead try Macaron Cafe.  They deliver nationwide.

Tea:

Kusmi Sweet Love Tea is one of their most popular teas.  Who can resist their hot pink tins?  The tea is sweet and spicy, and is delicious with some milk and sugar.

Harney & Sons has a Valentine's Tea Blend of chocolate tea with rose buds for the season.

And if you want something to sweeten the tea, try this Four Cheese Honey Flight or the Ames Farm Honey Sampler from Terrain.

Momofuku Milk Bar

If you are in the mood for dessert, and want something off the beaten path, try Momofuku's Milk Bar.  There are actually two locations, one in the East Village and the other in Midtown.  I have only been to the East Village spot.  It is dimly lit with a chalkboard menu behind the dessert-filled counter, along with tall tables with bar stools that fill the space.  I have stopped in there a couple of times for their compost cookies, but the last time I was there I tried their Old Fashioned Donut Soft Serve.  OMG!  It tasted seriously exactly like an old fashioned doughnut, except cold and soft.  I also love the way they serve it - a small cup overflowing with ice cream and a cute wooden spoon to make you feel like you are in first grade again.  Besides their soft serve and cookies, people rave about the Crack Pie, which my friend described to me as pecan pie, without the pecans, just the sugary filling.  Sounds gross to me, but I am not the norm.

If you don't live in NYC, don't fret.  Milk Bar actually ships their cookies, pies, and cereal milk (yes, it is milk that tastes like corn flakes - whoa) now.  February 9th is the last day they are accepting orders for Valentine's Day.  It's coming up people!  Click here to check out their menu.  Click here to see their shipping menu.  And click here if you want to make your own compost cookies.

Momofuku's Compost Cookie

Skip the chocolate chip cookie this holiday season and surprise your friends and family with this recipe for Momofuku's Compost Cookie.  I don't have a lot of time to write about this cookie, but all I can say is make it.  The cookie went so fast I only had time to snap a picture with my phone (so sorry for the blurry photo).  This recipe is based off of Momofukufor2 blog.  Here is the original recipe, I just got specific with my ingredients.

Ingredients for Momofuku's Compost Cookie, makes about 2 dozen:
-1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
-1/2 cup granulated sugar
-1/4 cup  plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
-1/2 tablespoon corn syrup
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
-1 large egg
-3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon kosher salt
-1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
-1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
-1/4 cup pecans, chopped
-1/4 cup Lay's Natural Thick Cut Sea Salt Potato Chips, crunched
-1/4 cup Rolos, cut in halves
-Mini pretzels, placed on top of each ball of dough

To begin, cream butter, sugars, and corn syrup until light and fluffy, about 2 or 3 minutes.  Add egg and vanilla, and mix on medium speed for 10 minutes.  It is helpful to have a stand-mixer, so your arm doesn't fall off.  Use your paddle attachment if you are using a stand-mixer.  The 10 minutes allows for the sugars to dissolve completely and creates a light and fluffy dough.

Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the egg mixture.  Mix until just combined, don't over mix.  Add the chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans, and mix until just combined.  Add the potato chips and rolos and mix until just combined.

On parchment lined baking sheets, scoop out 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie.  Take one mini pretzel per scoop and press it into the dough ball (mine were sticking up, don't worry it will flatten down as it bakes).  Place cookie sheets in the refrigerator for at least one hour, up to a week.  Wrap in plastic wrap if you are refrigerating longer than an hour.

Preheat the oven at 400 degrees F.  Place your chilled cookies 4 inches apart, and bake for 9-11 minutes, until brown on the edges and beginning to brown in the center.  Let cool on baking sheet for a minute and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  Store in an air tight container for up to a week, but they won't last that long!

If you would rather just make chocolate chip cookies, then click here for the recipe :)