The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Beer Bread

Over the weekend, my friend made this amazing beer bread.  This was the first time I had beer bread, and I must admit I fell in love.  It has a buttery, crunchy exterior and a dense, chewy interior.  Here is the recipe he used.  Best thing I had in my mouth!

Check out some things I made last year:

-Tomato and Parmesan Omelette
-Lime Squash
-Mexican Scrambled Egg Tacos
-Potato Pancakes
-Banana and Walnut Pancakes

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Eataly's Golden Raisin & Caraway Seed Bread

Last week I met up with a friend for a drink at Eataly, and then wound up shopping for some ingredients for dinner.  I got butternut squash and amaretto ravioli, Mario Batali cherry tomato marinara (really fresh and bright tasting), and this golden raisin with caraway seeds bread.  All the food was great, but the bread was soooo good.  I loved the sweetness of the golden raisins with the licorice flavor of the caraway seeds.  It was great toasted a few days later too.  Definitely the best thing I had in my mouth all week.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Concord Grapes

Last week I made it down to the Greenmarket for some concord grapes.  These beauties are in season right now, and I love them soooo much.  They are the types of grapes you see in old Baroque paintings.  They are a beautiful purply-blue color with a thin bloom that rubs off.  You don't find them in a lot of grocery stores, because they have large seeds.  They don't bother me too much though, because I love their flavor and jelly-ish texture.  I had fun buying a basket, sitting in the park, and spitting the seeds.  They looked quite picturesque in their wooden baskets with bees buzzing around them at the Stone Arch Farm's booth.  You should definitely stop by your farmers market and give them a try.

The Best Thing In My Mouth - ABC Kitchen Sundae

Last Thursday, I treated myself to a fancy lunch at ABC Kitchen.  I have been dying to go there after I heard about their salted caramel sundae with candied peanuts, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and popcorn.  Like really!?  As an ice cream freak I had to try it, and I glad I did, because it was the best thing I tasted all week.  Toffee popcorn is officially my new topper on ice cream (specifically Garrett's).  I also loved that the chocolate sauce was in the bottom of the bowl, like a swimming pool for my three mounds of salted caramel ice cream.  And yes I shared, so don't judge.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - The Standard Biergarten Pretzel

This past weekend, after a leisurely walk across the High Line, we made a stop at The Standard Hotel Biergarten.  It was a perfect time to go.  It was an overcast, potentially rainy day, and it was unusually empty at the Biergarten, making it less scene-y and more chill.  What I love about this Biergarten is its location directly under the the old subway tracks of the High Line, the employees' t-shirts, and the ping pong tables (not that I really play).  We grabbed a tall table, played some ping pong, drank some German beer, and had a snack...er meal, as mine was a ginormous salty pretzel with mustard.  And yes, I ate most of it, I left a little and shared so I wouldn't look like the pig that I am when it comes to bread and mustard.  It was a great accompaniment with a beer.  Later I got home and took a nap, I can't imagine why.

If you are looking for a restaurant to try in Soho, check out Cafe Habana.  And if you are looking for a little detox (or a big one), check out my BluePrint Cleanse review.

The best Thing I Had in My Mouth - Carrot-Ginger Muffin

You know what the best part about having a friend in pastry school is?  All her extra goodies.  My friend Shari loaded me up with ciabatta bread, olive focaccia, creme anglais, homemade marshmallows, and these carrot-ginger muffins.  These muffins were absolutely to-die-for.  They were so moist, and the texture and flavor were great.  I loved the combination of fresh shreds of carrot, chunks of ginger, and toppings of coconut, oats, and brown sugar.  Seriously, how can you go wrong?  I can't wait for her to graduate and start her own thing.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Ortega Taco Kit

I love Ortega's crunchy tacos, and their seasoning mix, and their taco sauce.  I don't care that they aren't soft, corn tortillas from the local bodega.  Long live the Ortega crunchy taco kit.  Best thing in my mouth this weekend.

The Best Thing I Had in My Mouth - Arby's Curly Fries

There is nothing like going back to the Midwest and finding treasures like Arby's awaiting you at the Minneapolis Airport.  AMAZING.  I couldn't help but stop and pick up some curly fries.  These are one of my favorite French fries in the world.  And they were piping hot too!  The best thing I had in my mouth the whole week!

Sorry about the lazing bum posting, but I have been tired.  Who knew a three-day weekend could actually exhaust someone more?

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Hurricane Irene Edition

It's weird what you do in emergencies.  On Thursday of last week, there was definitely rumblings of Hurricane Irene, by Friday my friend had informed me she was looking for a battery-powered radio.  What?  Like you are really that worried?  Then the news of the subways closing by noon on Saturday came, and it started to freak me out a bit.  It was more about the lack of cheap transportation than the fact that there could be some real damage.  I was feeling stuck.  So what did we get for the emergency?  Water (to make us look sane), Lay's potato chips, tortilla chips, mixed nuts, Pepperidge Farm Bordeaux cookies, and Pirate's Booty.  My friend stopped at Harlem Vintage and he they were pretty low on things (New Yorkers know what's important).  On Saturday, we spent a bit of time making salsa and a pitcher of margaritas to get us through the weekend.  The slim chance of death was just enough for me to go hog wild and not care that I  had two bowls of Pirate's Booty in a row while laying on the couch watching Friday Night Lights.  Thanks Hurricane Irene!

Please enjoy this Curb Your Enthusiasm clip, where Larry David proclaims his love of Pirate's Booty (we share the same passion):

Last year, I made this tomato salad - click here to check it out.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This week has been a huge disappointment of mediocre food.  Accidentally added guac in my Chipotle burrito online order - FAIL.  Had Dominos Pizza - health FAIL.  Ate at Dos Toros - LivingSocial FAIL.  There were some successes - Roasted Tomato and Eggplant soup (which I also used as pizza sauce), homemade pizza, and this tomato grilled cheese sandwich.  Fresh CSA tomatoes with Consider Bardwell Farm Pawlet cheese.  Major SUCCESS and the best thing I had in my mouth all week.

If you are in the mood for some baking - try this chewy and crispy chocolate chip cookie recipe.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Rosemary Jones

My friend made this Rosemary Jones for me this weekend.  Sweet, refreshing, and sophisticated.  You can make it too, just check out Design Love Fest for the recipe.  Definitely the best thing in my mouth!

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Dessert Truck S'mores Macaron

One of the great things about Clinton Street in New York, is that Clinton St. Baking Company, CultureFix, and Dessert Truck are all on the same block.  On Saturday, after a drink at CultureFix, we trotted across the street to Dessert Truck.  We got the S'mores macaron (soooo good) while we waited for their unbelievable fried doughnuts filled with Nutella and sprinkled with sugar to be made.  We took the doughnuts home and sat in front of the TV and ate the doughnuts in a blissful silence.  Best thing in my mouth.

Looking for things to make, try these Swiss Chard Tacos (you can substitute other greens as well).  Sharing a blueberry baked oatmeal recipe tomorrow, stay tuned.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - L & B Spumoni Pizza

I went to Coney Island for the first time with my sister, and we stopped by L & B Spumoni Gardens on our way back to Manhattan.  We got a delicious Sicilian slice of pizza.  It is so good that I am closing my eyes and tasting the pizza in my mouth.  Thick and fluffy crust with a sweet tomato sauce over the cheese.   Out of this world good.  My only regret is only getting one slice.  Is it worth the hour trip out to Brooklyn?  Ummm...YES!  If you are at Coney Island, get the fries at Nathan's Hot Dogs, but save room for this pizza  for dinner.

Click here to read my Domino's Pizza review.

Click here for a Sugar Snap Pea and Asparagus Pasta recipe.

The Best Thing In My Mouth - Birch Iced Coffee

Birch Coffee on 27th Street, between 5th and Madison Avenue is selling these growlers of iced coffee, which they call BRRRCH (so cute).  I have been searching for a growler of iced coffee since last year.  At my BFF's wedding it was a staple while we were hanging out at the cabin, so I was quite excited when I realized I could purchase a growler in NYC, and it was so close to my office.  It is $20 for your first growler, and $15 for refills.  A perfect summer-time caffeine buzz, and definitely the best thing I have had in my mouth this week.

Click here to learn about the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - so much fun.

The Best Thing In My Mouth - South Brooklyn Pizza

Sorry I don't have a picture, but just had to tell you about what a delicious slice of cheese pizza I had from South Brooklyn Pizza.  And no, this location is not in Brooklyn (although there is one in Carroll Gardens), but in the East Village.  Thin, crisp crust, tasty sauce, cheese, and basil leaves.  And if you want to add a bit of pep, add the hot peppers, or roasted garlic that are kept in little pots along the wall.  And they are open late - real late, perfect for after a drink at CultureFix.

Click here to read my Clinton St. Baking Company review.  Yummy.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Caracas Arepa Bar

People who me, know I love Caracas, the arepa bar located both in the Lower East Side and Williamsburg.  It was one of the first restaurants I ever ate at in New York, and it was one of  the first foods I had never tried, but instantly liked.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - The Meatball Shop's Vegetarian Meatballs

Have you ever been to The Meatball Shop?  If you live in New York and haven't, you must go.  The Meatball Shop is just that, a meatball shop.  Fortunately the vegetarian is not left out this time though.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Rosemary Butter Cookies

This weekend I made Rosemary Butter Cookies again, and I almost had forgotten how good they are, until I took a bite!  I am addicted to these little cookies.  They are great on with a cup of Earl Grey tea, and just as good by themselves.  This batch of cookies turned out much better than my first attempt a couple years ago.  For one, the butter was not as soft,  second, I made my log into a skinny rectangle instead of a round tube, and third, I kept the dough in the freezer for two hours instead of just one.  These changes all allowed for more even baking, and the cookies actually held their shape.  Click here for the recipe.

Click here for a homemade pizza recipe.

Click here to learn about asparagus.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Tie Breaker!

This past weekend I had a lot of delicious food, which makes it so hard to decide what was the best thing in my mouth.  So I narrowed it down to three bites:

1.  Bad Horse Pizza's Acropolis House Pie.  Thin crust, fresh basil, some salty toppings, delicious.  I hope to have a review about Bad Horse's opening night out today or tomorrow.  Stay tuned.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Delicious Fresh Pierogies

Deep sigh.  I am still mourning KU's loss this morning, but trying to look on the bright side - I had a pretty delicious lunch while watching the game.  My friend picked up Delicious Fresh Pierogies (yes, they are really called that) from Fairway, and I boiled and fried them in less than ten minutes.  And they were delicious, soft, and flavorful.  We got the potato and cheese variety, but there are so many more.  Click here to check out their other options.  It looks like there are several grocery stores you can buy them at on the East coast.

Click here to learn how to make Miso Soup from scratch.