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

Chopped Salad

I am currently obsessed Jamie Oliver's chopped salad from his Food Revolution cookbook.  I have been throwing it in my weeknight menus for the past couple weeks and loving it.  This could easily serve four, but I have no problem eating half of it.  Jamie's recipe calls for olive oil and two avocados, but I think it is just as delicious and healthier to remove the olive oil all together and reduce the avocados to just one.  Overall, the salad is crunchy, creamy, slightly tangy, and has a bit of heat from the mustard and scallions - a great combination!

New Year's Resolutions

A lot of people don't do New Year's Resolutions because they ultimately fail at them.  I actually like them though, and see them as a long term goal instead of a whole new lifestyle by the first of the year.  Last year I decided to make all the recipes in The Clinton Street Baking Company Cookbook.  I ultimately failed, but made a ton of them.  I actually lost interest in the book, because some of the recipes just seemed off.  The book still makes the best pancakes I have ever made though!  I also made a conscious effort to be more aware of my environment.  I got rid of my use of paper towels altogether, and started making my own cleaners.  So easy!

This year I want to learn how to make bread and also explore all the awesome bread in New York.  To counterbalance the carb-fest I am also going to try to get more into juicing (BluePrint Cleanse inspired me)!  Check out these two amazing pages from New York Magazine.  I am definitely going to be slowly checking off these breads as I try them!

Check out these New Year's Fritters we make every year.  Or my Great Grandma's Nut Rolls.

Happy New Year's Eve!

Here is my holiday card I sent my friends and family to start the New Year.  I am making The Honey Badger cocktail tonight.  Have a good one!

Lovey Dovey Herb Prints

My best friend got me this adorable herb print, who happens to be made by friend Abby!  If you know someone who loves to cook this could be the perfect gift.  Abby also makes these cute holiday prints, and has a fun blog called Lovey Dovey.  Click here to check out her Etsy shop.

Have a good holiday!

Peppermint Bark

This weekend I made Martha Stewart's peppermint bark.  I love how festive and pretty it came out, and it just takes three ingredients: white chocolate, peppermints, and puffed rice cereal (Rice Krispies - duh).  I was intrigued with the addition of Rice Krispies as I had never seen that in a peppermint bark recipe,  and I really think it adds something unexpected to the treat.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Doughnut Plant Marzipan Doughnut

I know I write about the Doughnut Plant a lot, but come on, it is so good.  I love their creative flavors, and since it is fairly close to the new subway stop I take, I can't help but see what they frying up in there.  Because it is the holidays, they are serving up some very special holiday flavors.  I stopped in for their gingerbread doughnuts, and unfortunately they were out, but the counter girl assured me that the marzipan doughnut was the best and her personal favorite.  With her enthusiasm and the doughnut's adorable star-shape, it was hard to say no.  So I took it home, wolfed down a Chipotle burrito, and then dove into this.  And yes, it was delicious.  If you are in New York, go try one for yourself.

If you are thinking about some food-related gift ideas, click here and here.

And if you are looking for some stand-out cookie recipes for the season, click here.

Tater Tot Pizza

Last year, kind of as a joke, and kind of seriously, I decided to make a masterpiece known as Tater Tot Pizza.  I love tater tots, and so do my friends.  I can't believe it has taken me so long to actually share the recipe, but since it is winter and totally sports season, I thought why not now?  The thing with this pizza is that there are a lot of separate steps, but you can totally make the ingredients ahead of time and combine them all once you are ready to bake your pizza.

The Best Thing In My Mouth - Eataly's Pistachio Gelato

This past week has been the Week of Gluttony for me, and it's not even Christmas yet.  Having my best friend in town makes it an easy excuse for celebration, as we hit up all our favorite spots and then some.    Caracas, Murray's Cheese, The City Bakery, Milan Garden, and then Eataly for her first time.  After a few beers, we tried the pistachio gelato, and as a staunch ice cream fan I was surprised to find out how much I loved this flavor.  This gelato in particular was extra creamy, and packed full of nutty flavor.  We sampled a few others, and this stood out by far.

If you are looking for a gift for a tea-lover, try Kusmi! Or if you are in the mood for Cinnamon Ice Cream, try this recipe.

What Did You Make For Thanksgiving?

What did you make for Thanksgiving?  I made four pies the weekend before, so I was pied-out by the time Thanksgiving rolled around.  Is a pie-less Thanksgiving a crime?  I am not for sure, but I think the Salted-Caramel Six-Layer Chocolate Cake (Martha Stewart, duh) I baked made the cut.  After years of making the same turkey, we decided since it was a smaller Thanksgiving, we would try new recipe.  Here is what was on our menu:

-Salted-Caramel Six-Layer Chocolate Cake - Took three days to make, a little time each night, but was totally worth it.  It was so rich and decadent.
-Tuscan-Style Turkey Alla Porchetta - Whole Foods refused to bone the wings and legs of the bird, so I had to do that myself, which was a little hard, especially because I don't have a boning knife, but once that was over, it was so quick and easy to roast.
-Giblet Gravy - Whole Foods also forgot to include the neck and giblets with the bird, so we just made wing gravy, which was just alright.
-Simple Stuffing - This is so easy, and we make it every year.
-Creamed Corn with Parmesan - This was the surprise winner of the night.  Who knew?
-Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with Sriracha and Cashews - So easy and yummy.
-Mashed Potatoes - My favorite side.
-Spicy Squash Salad with Lentils and Goat Cheese - Love, love, love this recipe, and you can make most of it ahead of time.
-Raw and Cooked Cranberry Relishes
-Zweiback
-Deviled Eggs
-Rosemary Jones - The perfect Thanksgiving cocktail, or anytime cocktail for that matter.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Hopefully I can get back to posting more often.

CSA Week Twenty-Three

My last week of my CSA - wow, that was fast.  Sorry, I have been so busy - just had a lot going on.  Here is what I got:

-Kale
-Butternut squash
-Collard greens
-Sweet potatoes
-Potatoes
-Garlic
-Lettuce
-Carrots
-Acorn Squash
-Pea shoots
-Red onion
-Apples

Looks like a lot of great things for Thanksgiving!

CSA Week Twenty-Two

Ugh...still so busy, but here is what I got in my CSA last:

-Acorn squash
-Braising greens
-Escarole
-Parsley
-Collard greens
-Potatoes
-Sweet potatoes
-Mesclun
-Apples
-Eggs

I did have a chance to make my favorite soup - hearty winter vegetable, which uses escarole, potatoes, and squash.  It is soooo good.

I am making several pies this weekend - and I think sweet potato might be one of them.  I'll keep you posted.

Thanksgiving Invitations

Sorry I have been MIA.  I have been pretty busy, but I thought I would quickly share my Thanksgiving invitations for this year.  Much more simple and modern than past years (here and here).

Thinking of going to an apple orchard before it becomes winter?  Click here and here to read about my trips.

CSA Week Twenty-One

The final weeks of my CSA have arrived.  Here is what I got this week:

-Mesclun
-Braising greens
-Dill
-Lettuce
-Acorn Squash
-Broccoli
-Carrots
-Collards
-Apples
-Eggs

This week I roasted the carrots, broccoli, and acorn squash.  I saved the squash seeds, and plan to toast them soon.  I might make this hearty winter vegetable soup with the dill too.

Sweet Potato Tacos

Last week I took my two monster sweet potatoes and recreated the sweet potato tacos I had at Santa Fe in Tivoli, New York.  This recipe is really warm and hearty, and consists of spicy roasted sweet potatoes, shelled pumpkin seeds, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, and hot sauce.  You can make the components in advance to save you time on dinner night too.

The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - The Tippler's Booty Collins

Last Monday, I met a friend at the Tippler for an afterwork drink.  The Tippler is a new watering hole located under The Chelsea Market.  It is a large, dark space with brick archways and an industrial feel.  Besides their amazing drinks mixed by master mixologists (The Tippling Brothers), there is an Afro-Cuban jazz and salsa band (Conjuto Guantanamo) playing every Monday.

CSA Week Twenty

Wow, tons of greens this week!  Here is what I got:

-Turnips
-Monster sweet potatoes
-Monster fennel
-Mesclun
-Curly endive
-Daikon
-Bok choy
-Kale
-Broccoli
-Jalapenos
-Apples
-Eggs
-Mums

So Wednesday I finally made roasted broccoli, which my mom has been raving about for a year.  It was so good and easy.  You can make it as healthy or unhealthy as you want, but it is really tasty and quick to make.  I used this Alton Brown recipe, and skipped on the cheese and used crushed croutons instead of Panko bread crumbs.  It was good-od-od-od-od-od.  I also made apple chips: FAIL.  They were soggy the next day, so really I just have dehydrated apples (not that exciting).

Last night I made sweet potato tacos, which I hope to share soon.  Really tasty, and a nice change from the old routine.  Tonight I am thinking about a caramelized fennel and onion pizza, but we shall see.

If you are looking for another sweet potato recipe, try this sweet and spicy lentil soup.  You could even substitute the swiss chard for kale.  Or how about this baked spaghetti squash with tomatoes and basil?  I told you I was obsessed.

Vesta Trattoria and Wine Bar

Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels. 

I went out with friends last Friday night to this adorable little place called Vesta in Astoria, Queens.  It was such a fun night.  Vesta is pretty cozy, with enough space to fit about thirty people, give or take, and a little bar in the corner that can seat about ten more.  Besides the Italian food being really yummy and the perfect rustic feel, the wait staff was so friendly and chill.  I can't wait to go back and try them for brunch, their menu sounds amazing.  And did I mention they have a Sweet Baby Jesus Cake?  For real.

Spaghetti (Squash) and Marinara

I am kind of obsessed with spaghetti squash.  I mean what is more magical than a squash that literally has spaghetti-like strands when you scrape out its roasted flesh?  Well I am sure there a few things, like unicorns, rainbows, and Jersey Shore.  Here is a really simple way to get introduced to this squash.  Cut the squash in half, scrape out the seeds, and brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place the squash on a baking sheet, cut-side down, and roast in a 400 degree F oven for about 45 minutes to an hour until tender.  This is when the fun begins, scrape out the squash, creating strands (use an oven mitt to hold the squash in place while doing this).  I like to top mine off with marinara, basil, toasted garlic slivers, and parmesan cheese, and homemade croutons.  For a whole array of recipes, check out Martha's lineup.

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.