tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10094865305428243052024-03-13T12:52:37.288-07:00Little Miss FoodieLittle Miss....loves: food, entertaining, being a mum, good style and decor. Join the party...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-46974259874890568022011-08-27T14:21:00.000-07:002011-08-27T14:21:52.317-07:00Little Miss Party PlannerI am no longer posting to Little Miss Foodie. Go forward you can find all of my blogging on the new site for <a href="http://littlemisspartyplanner.com/blog/">Little Miss Party Planner</a>. Don't miss out…sign up for the <a href="feed://littlemisspartyplanner.com/feed/rss/">RSS feed</a> to get all updates!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxedsq0bP7EYT9hpA7QLp-5DWWlp7Rdqbaa8dtrT9p7h02F0b-pnl83KGZWuNtupGUZD5zXdQbiQ-xkYbsenV1ioFBTVpoHYHeQHmkvoS1BKh3AXFkhEneCLTS9D3xMaPA3hoaAffIrjer/s1600/LMP_HOME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxedsq0bP7EYT9hpA7QLp-5DWWlp7Rdqbaa8dtrT9p7h02F0b-pnl83KGZWuNtupGUZD5zXdQbiQ-xkYbsenV1ioFBTVpoHYHeQHmkvoS1BKh3AXFkhEneCLTS9D3xMaPA3hoaAffIrjer/s400/LMP_HOME.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-59991844561247967762011-07-09T17:41:00.000-07:002011-07-10T18:25:02.125-07:00Apple Strudel with Aunt DMy Aunt D is in town and we've been cooking up a storm. She whipped up some apple strudel one of my favorite things to have along side a hot cup of lemon tea after dinner. It's a family recipe that my Boobie (Grandmother) made up and passed down to all of us. It's one of the few I'll forward on from her collection because she's a bit sensitive to sharing recipes so do me a favor…keep it on the down low.<br />
<br />
Recipe makes 2 strudels ~<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients</b>:<br />
* 2 cups flour scant<br />
* 2 eggs<br />
* 1/4 tsp salt<br />
* 2 packages <a href="http://www.oetker.ca/en/product/baking-ingredients/pouch/11100">vanilla sugar</a> (don't believe you can buy this in the states…Aunt D brings me a dozen packages every time she comes to NYC)<br />
* 1/2 cup oil<br />
* 1/4 cup water<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350.<br />
<br />
Mix all together with hands and place on floured board. Knead more flour into make a dough. Divide and cut in half. Roll out. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* palmful of breadcrumbs</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* 8 apples shredded and squeeze almost all of the juice out (Aunt D likes to use Granny Smith but she says the BEST apples for strudel are spies) - each strudel requires 4 apples</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* 4 packages vanilla sugar (2 per strudel)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* Strawberry jam (with seeds)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* 1/2 package chopped walnuts</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">* Corn oil</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8g4QXuPIgqOc1x0jFTMgZb69rAQuOK8FVldijAMaxN00Zta0u6d4KxSFpdLOAnYJRzO80m6q7nBAjfIHrKPIUeSAP4139H7cwIMVjeEwHSkUfIQ_XbM9DCapJxP3Wr_eaS6jBajxPPkU/s1600/IMG_9206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8g4QXuPIgqOc1x0jFTMgZb69rAQuOK8FVldijAMaxN00Zta0u6d4KxSFpdLOAnYJRzO80m6q7nBAjfIHrKPIUeSAP4139H7cwIMVjeEwHSkUfIQ_XbM9DCapJxP3Wr_eaS6jBajxPPkU/s200/IMG_9206.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gX40yLw2XuaFLambAixB1_jNIZjmh8TaQ1sXakHvp7ansS3kfC61gLFivnLKa8awT10URSTDeZRZCDAYDp6zQSBxvqx1iCXMTLJTtX9w4t6sQUo3EOJa1Yo_mxGUgmiWpx5nga32znx1/s1600/IMG_9184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gX40yLw2XuaFLambAixB1_jNIZjmh8TaQ1sXakHvp7ansS3kfC61gLFivnLKa8awT10URSTDeZRZCDAYDp6zQSBxvqx1iCXMTLJTtX9w4t6sQUo3EOJa1Yo_mxGUgmiWpx5nga32znx1/s200/IMG_9184.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrmy-ya393-eUNhmZcvpsa_kvPuSO-mquYqKPs2AuAjrsEUMww2NScmJg-qi_juysF9PoS-CVr_VU5cThUYOW5AbXNQm_DS0O6K9rTQZhztk0MsWcWMngpxmu16ZReG24RntAAUlUkO8w/s1600/IMG_9189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrmy-ya393-eUNhmZcvpsa_kvPuSO-mquYqKPs2AuAjrsEUMww2NScmJg-qi_juysF9PoS-CVr_VU5cThUYOW5AbXNQm_DS0O6K9rTQZhztk0MsWcWMngpxmu16ZReG24RntAAUlUkO8w/s200/IMG_9189.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Schmear oil on dough and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Place the apples on top of the dough and sprinkle with 2 packages of vanilla sugar. Dot with jam and sprinkle with chopped walnuts. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7P-UuG5rvYM2G5o5D3rYwpRTBwEk8haDgRr0Kuo0mC9jzWYIKQMBXTw8SzfSe-5yXgPX0Df9aLz1EaM84atYzd6_oDceaxQ4OaMwHsjofs2Bel2iR7iEfbjtvoRSakj6vy2ZPyWQ8cx2/s1600/IMG_9209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7P-UuG5rvYM2G5o5D3rYwpRTBwEk8haDgRr0Kuo0mC9jzWYIKQMBXTw8SzfSe-5yXgPX0Df9aLz1EaM84atYzd6_oDceaxQ4OaMwHsjofs2Bel2iR7iEfbjtvoRSakj6vy2ZPyWQ8cx2/s200/IMG_9209.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24tWEQ4wi6Qiv1c6g8vBVHc_M2WY6t9yMmpNy9OqNq34DiXqv9T1vy_hEBuhYQlLM09S4tXgpM76czyJKcEDaBhd1yVi-QvpYGK22OD5U9TRJYrBemuKaWDKBFw-k_k_EI7eV7g4hc71m/s1600/IMG_9220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24tWEQ4wi6Qiv1c6g8vBVHc_M2WY6t9yMmpNy9OqNq34DiXqv9T1vy_hEBuhYQlLM09S4tXgpM76czyJKcEDaBhd1yVi-QvpYGK22OD5U9TRJYrBemuKaWDKBFw-k_k_EI7eV7g4hc71m/s200/IMG_9220.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HbJ1V0ckFK0aM4XQEcyRmdLOIUwhriuBK2pvt0CEdwq7NZKfb4TBQI3CAWndwk5hNOuutbXyrEWImpFVpn27ai0f6myzEi4TR9DRwRUNitlh5awUMHMmBgfypHauy_ffbZzfWO-txvJz/s1600/IMG_9223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HbJ1V0ckFK0aM4XQEcyRmdLOIUwhriuBK2pvt0CEdwq7NZKfb4TBQI3CAWndwk5hNOuutbXyrEWImpFVpn27ai0f6myzEi4TR9DRwRUNitlh5awUMHMmBgfypHauy_ffbZzfWO-txvJz/s200/IMG_9223.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Roll carefully and tight (the dough is very delicate) and place on an oil greased baking sheet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIy0UdqJfsb5kE4Wc0bgF_7JnNpvxrizsKsMMVa3WG7dReCjNwq7r8dhQkwrPBa4Y2DQOQz8KVGOtfNLo1EU8FzMC_D0H6C9F9YUVRI693E-ri7qANYuL2sf_C9zQb1S1iac0KCffjDJU/s1600/IMG_9200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIy0UdqJfsb5kE4Wc0bgF_7JnNpvxrizsKsMMVa3WG7dReCjNwq7r8dhQkwrPBa4Y2DQOQz8KVGOtfNLo1EU8FzMC_D0H6C9F9YUVRI693E-ri7qANYuL2sf_C9zQb1S1iac0KCffjDJU/s200/IMG_9200.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRFtuh_zwXu_w4jpjRgWp0fUOITlqjcLH5q9zUn_n8bKXy4-s6Jd6n6QQNb3COip_1Bnv8DfrYGD_FekBb44JRbeYKCmUaEx1xDXd7zCYGyHX2iP4Ix9wRxZumVedcQOJlyF-ZZ1rPh4Z/s1600/IMG_9201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRFtuh_zwXu_w4jpjRgWp0fUOITlqjcLH5q9zUn_n8bKXy4-s6Jd6n6QQNb3COip_1Bnv8DfrYGD_FekBb44JRbeYKCmUaEx1xDXd7zCYGyHX2iP4Ix9wRxZumVedcQOJlyF-ZZ1rPh4Z/s200/IMG_9201.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Bake at 350 for 50 minutes…and voila! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYql18aPas7DrUVrugIYF8uoU5Mj6Na1OcBkKJzgffBTuLIfQsHQK65eOgDvYf6S-f_oaLKFVYyHZCM8l8pHnRcFOLgKC0U_1KPsbiOQsiRoHY7dMIErc3c-8V097kQ7jlz2126QOn8hih/s1600/IMG_2816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYql18aPas7DrUVrugIYF8uoU5Mj6Na1OcBkKJzgffBTuLIfQsHQK65eOgDvYf6S-f_oaLKFVYyHZCM8l8pHnRcFOLgKC0U_1KPsbiOQsiRoHY7dMIErc3c-8V097kQ7jlz2126QOn8hih/s200/IMG_2816.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Now be careful…because it's not the prettiest looking dessert but boy is it ever addicting. I've had to look into a strudel rehab since I've eaten almost two full strudels by myself. That's right, I'm a piglet. Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-13901601215850265972011-07-07T21:07:00.000-07:002011-07-07T21:07:07.173-07:00Rouge Tomato in Central ParkAt dinner last night our friends were telling us about a restaurant that they love in Midtown called Rouge Tomato. They were joking with us about it because they know I do not like to travel above 23rd street but they insisted on my going there because they love the food so much. I told them I'd give it a shot…<br />
Little did I know they had a food cart outside of the Central Park zoo which is where I took my LM today. I was pretty psyched since we didn't have lunch plans and it was incredibly convenient. So after a couple of hours watching the sea lions, penguins and a giant polar bear swim in what looked like very refreshing water while the LM and I sweat our butts off…we hit up the cart. There were only a couple of things on the menu but I was highly impressed. For 15 bucks I got the lunch box special: sandwich, soup and a juice. I chose the BLT (which in addition to the standard ingredients included an avocado paste that was beyond to die for, arugala and red onions all on multigrain bread), chilled corn and jalepeno soup and the mint lime/lemonade. LM and I took our lunch bag and went over to a shaded area on the grass back in the park to enjoy our afternoon meal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-x275_ge7tMf-qmQey_Hpx0TRm0ytjsgiONZA9WMmRF_MHxOG8_YHzOzjpORO3uJ_JcF9mH5PN5pdvdGftuZmeKKjX8Wmky14CU4UrU_sRSnQZ7itud7toE0ekezYeyVw_KejFK48uSCe/s1600/IMG_8336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-x275_ge7tMf-qmQey_Hpx0TRm0ytjsgiONZA9WMmRF_MHxOG8_YHzOzjpORO3uJ_JcF9mH5PN5pdvdGftuZmeKKjX8Wmky14CU4UrU_sRSnQZ7itud7toE0ekezYeyVw_KejFK48uSCe/s200/IMG_8336.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Well firstly, I couldn't get the soup outta my kid's lap. He devoured it. It was the perfect texture, silky smooth and had a slight kick to it though the heat was balanced out really nicely with the creamy and cool flavoring of the corn. Outstanding. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP57U0VckbvDjFVYqZ5hQn9anyOvXAhq7z-E-Yv57pS5nF1w6F3euqXfi4_1mTMKMc-ddqq2B8sKn0vyQoUWnGztjOdD08JKu5hNlMqZOmeJGobPBbAwUKJDMQ6JTn7pdZE6mqk9099OMD/s1600/IMG_8340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP57U0VckbvDjFVYqZ5hQn9anyOvXAhq7z-E-Yv57pS5nF1w6F3euqXfi4_1mTMKMc-ddqq2B8sKn0vyQoUWnGztjOdD08JKu5hNlMqZOmeJGobPBbAwUKJDMQ6JTn7pdZE6mqk9099OMD/s200/IMG_8340.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The sandwich was also fantastic. Though the bacon was crazy salty (a bit too much for my liking) I still scarfed it down in only a few minutes. And the juice was the perfect compliment to both dishes and most refreshing on such a scorching day. <br />
I do also have to point out that they are a member of the Green Restaurant Association which I really love. From their Media kit:<br />
<i>Rouge Tomato sets a new standard for environmentally conscious, aesthetically inspired, nutritionally optimal cuisine. </i><br />
<i>Our commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices is evident in every aspect of our restaurant, from the culinary to the operational to the structural.</i><br />
I will absolutely be making a point of visiting this restaurant now that I have had a taste from their food cart…and I cannot wait to see what's in store…<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rougetomatenyc.com/">Rouge Tomato</a><br />
60th Street between Fifth and Madison<br />
646-237-8977Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-30238323889431745352011-07-06T20:37:00.000-07:002011-07-07T20:50:31.777-07:00Fedora in the west village<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhZ23W4FN0ZdrnU_5vwDXaIoThd17hFTPsFZYdJOz3GV6UVPc99NosA9BhCXvqPPdgGxU1GuwzGcP9nygAj9qf1FYmfGwOP8PuqLiiuNbP8Kauvxchwy6Gmcm12aZq7ni_v5Whk06mrVv/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+11.44.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhZ23W4FN0ZdrnU_5vwDXaIoThd17hFTPsFZYdJOz3GV6UVPc99NosA9BhCXvqPPdgGxU1GuwzGcP9nygAj9qf1FYmfGwOP8PuqLiiuNbP8Kauvxchwy6Gmcm12aZq7ni_v5Whk06mrVv/s200/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+11.44.38+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>Last night my husband and I had dinner out with our friends at Fedora. Same guys who own the Little Owl, Joseph Leonard and Jeffrey's grocery run this place. You have to call day of at 11am to get a reservation. I literally stood by my phone waiting for the clock to strike 11 and I hit the dial buttons as fast as humanly possible. I got through and got the reservation. I couldn't have been more excited. Isn't it funny how the harder it is to get the reservation, the more desirable the restaurant is to go to? Pretty genius…keep this in mind if you're thinking of opening up shop one day. ha. <br />
It was dark and cozy and the food was fabulous. I loved every bite. I started with an egg in a hole and then moved on to the fried chicken. But it wasn't like normal fried chicken it was delish really well seasoned and breaded. I'm not quite sure how to explain it to you but it was really juicy and tasty and I highly recommend this dish if you're not on a diet. <br />
We ended the meal with the Madelines and ice cream sammies. Both fab. Not to mention <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001624/">Oliver Platt</a> was sitting a few seats away from us…and I think he's hilarious always and especially in the currently airing Big C on Showtime. This place gets two greasy chicken fried thumbs up from LMF. <br />
*photo above taken from <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/fedora-restaurant/">NYMAG</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://fedoranyc.com/">Fedora</a><br />
Frnt A, 239 West 4th Street<br />
New York, NY 10014<br />
(646) 449-9336<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-18680102825457853462011-07-03T08:23:00.000-07:002011-07-03T08:23:33.939-07:00Fourth of July: BBQ & BudsI had entered to win a party sponsored by Budweiser through a site called <a href="http://houseparty.com/">Houseparty.com</a>. I got chosen as a host! The people at House Party sent me a box filled of goodies including 3 t-shirts, an apron, frisbees, Budweiser cups, Budweiser BBQ sauce, beer cozies, $10 Visa card towards Budweiser beer, $30 rebate on Budweiser beer and lots of coupons. So we celebrated the fourth of July long weekend with BBQ, Buds and good friends.<br />
The menu was derived as follows...<br />
<b>Theme</b>: Fourth of July<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7AJa-lwNI8r665QtbNWk-cTSncI7x2oTBkezxe4P43jMZ72RuF9Ci8GmA5uffiSZu6EN5IylXQvrgS7Xr-p8y9bd1j1gcMtGC91mvGk_mS0N6S33i_A0ypdcpbB7niXpLJWRjatbTYFu/s1600/IMG_7422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7AJa-lwNI8r665QtbNWk-cTSncI7x2oTBkezxe4P43jMZ72RuF9Ci8GmA5uffiSZu6EN5IylXQvrgS7Xr-p8y9bd1j1gcMtGC91mvGk_mS0N6S33i_A0ypdcpbB7niXpLJWRjatbTYFu/s200/IMG_7422.JPG" width="133" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span>Colors:</b><br />
Cherry red<br />
Cobalt blue<br />
Shimmering white<br />
Tin silver<br />
<br />
<b>Tableware:</b><br />
Bamboo plates<br />
Stripe linens<br />
Galvanized pails<br />
Mason jars<br />
<br />
<b>Nibbles:</b><br />
Onion dip with Ruffle chips<br />
Mango salsa with Tostitos scoops<br />
White bean dip with paprika pita chips<br />
Crudites and ranch dip<br />
<br />
<b>Menu:</b><br />
Pigs in a blanket with horseradish mustard<br />
Budweiser BBQ glazed chicken wings (smoked on the big green egg)<br />
Hamburger sliders<br />
Summer orzo salad<br />
Mini corn on the cobs<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9cfz4DzpPiEcPwwlVTeWMqPGpPGfbZUUqkRv5dktK8G6XPmBl8HW-11_3NiXtKqKP00CrNjkJet3hL5N6Sj4Mb4fSsRAfGw-upJN-BoiZCWBPTrAdzaLPgETuoiGIRnX4oyOshmDgKzw/s1600/IMG_7489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9cfz4DzpPiEcPwwlVTeWMqPGpPGfbZUUqkRv5dktK8G6XPmBl8HW-11_3NiXtKqKP00CrNjkJet3hL5N6Sj4Mb4fSsRAfGw-upJN-BoiZCWBPTrAdzaLPgETuoiGIRnX4oyOshmDgKzw/s200/IMG_7489.JPG" width="133" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span>Dessert table:</b><br />
Watermelon fruit salad<br />
Fourth of July strawberries<br />
Canada day marshmallows<br />
Chocolate stars<br />
Mini cherry pies (by First prize pies)<br />
<br />
Drink: Organic lemonade with mint and sliced lemons to garnish<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZKeAoqi6Wx2JPWvDrLKvADniJUgEBgCJ0VDeZpzUtD5_PngAQ61Zvfu5JqJOeM9aOfz3wF6pmfeuCfREz1b7UjWHWxWrl4BD1Twyy2w4YgLG5CFc9kbiv2GwVNRpduAB8wGAn2j0BKAH/s1600/IMG_7443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZKeAoqi6Wx2JPWvDrLKvADniJUgEBgCJ0VDeZpzUtD5_PngAQ61Zvfu5JqJOeM9aOfz3wF6pmfeuCfREz1b7UjWHWxWrl4BD1Twyy2w4YgLG5CFc9kbiv2GwVNRpduAB8wGAn2j0BKAH/s200/IMG_7443.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZIOurh80MUmD2yK2GqSugBz4gTDXAZQAN6a8lYpWIbdntD9dZr8aud9a51_BJhPq-9jWsHp9G12keQyaioC2zCpLaC-0zej82TeQTmf33I_S2nXwTqLzSGaO_uY49VyU1AiN0iQAW18D/s1600/IMG_7383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZIOurh80MUmD2yK2GqSugBz4gTDXAZQAN6a8lYpWIbdntD9dZr8aud9a51_BJhPq-9jWsHp9G12keQyaioC2zCpLaC-0zej82TeQTmf33I_S2nXwTqLzSGaO_uY49VyU1AiN0iQAW18D/s200/IMG_7383.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAOrbVJkqdiuRn2DXRy-YgLMz99WEm6SGu6w7UkN27FkqM9Pf5hx1u_sMEpv9OclvfYsvNhVua32plL203I_G9eQLm525wHtKj4uMxSRjYmEZ0KtnA3HZTmO2qeaAOZL0ZRjLCzyWO0iJ/s1600/IMG_7434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAOrbVJkqdiuRn2DXRy-YgLMz99WEm6SGu6w7UkN27FkqM9Pf5hx1u_sMEpv9OclvfYsvNhVua32plL203I_G9eQLm525wHtKj4uMxSRjYmEZ0KtnA3HZTmO2qeaAOZL0ZRjLCzyWO0iJ/s200/IMG_7434.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBafp6JoCPYyWBPkIH4EHrznwalu0PNYPs6NJeYDOmWEjNu05bCj7zTC98DmfJ1f0RinGtLfAGhN5oA3j8AWPzZ-lK1T4j0aiMP55dxzcT7hS5R8ULiEJyhZZ8Go_Vcb1wAD5-WSAFUvK/s1600/IMG_7486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBafp6JoCPYyWBPkIH4EHrznwalu0PNYPs6NJeYDOmWEjNu05bCj7zTC98DmfJ1f0RinGtLfAGhN5oA3j8AWPzZ-lK1T4j0aiMP55dxzcT7hS5R8ULiEJyhZZ8Go_Vcb1wAD5-WSAFUvK/s200/IMG_7486.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-39021874243923575792011-06-27T19:43:00.000-07:002011-06-27T19:45:46.137-07:00Cooking with Aunt DSo my Aunt D is one of the coolest ladies around town…the town of Vaughan, Ontario Canada that is. She hosted a dinner for the fam this weekend including my mom and Boobie (aka Grandmother) who just raved about the spread she put out. On her delectable menu...<br />
BBQ Mexican sweet and spicy ribs<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwX-hC2JtP8CZMu1-MzRc2v5hJKGpyDnkc1OL9VmS12keLhTbd9guZsvpLAc0SXsq1sW6jtPw8p4dv7ntomX9jr1sZJUg0O4ILI813IkYiSrcPUk4gnRpRvSZq4KcQ_-ScAV99J8f-62r/s1600/ribs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwX-hC2JtP8CZMu1-MzRc2v5hJKGpyDnkc1OL9VmS12keLhTbd9guZsvpLAc0SXsq1sW6jtPw8p4dv7ntomX9jr1sZJUg0O4ILI813IkYiSrcPUk4gnRpRvSZq4KcQ_-ScAV99J8f-62r/s200/ribs.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Grilled shrimp scampi<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_cCZZnBB3P2y1Dun5BX6uQDql3u2-n50V3jvNxDDtOjaVVR0oSTXzIuFsbxykvtjd18BzZ7beW2VKok8Z22V8giJv7VoUBofx0zKezVsrO4cLHCYnKa69mcYTRZo9N-Q20PXPOPOvCbr/s1600/shrimp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_cCZZnBB3P2y1Dun5BX6uQDql3u2-n50V3jvNxDDtOjaVVR0oSTXzIuFsbxykvtjd18BzZ7beW2VKok8Z22V8giJv7VoUBofx0zKezVsrO4cLHCYnKa69mcYTRZo9N-Q20PXPOPOvCbr/s200/shrimp.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
Red Chinese chicken<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFx2JJw1HwPW6XgHn-jYSS41cL3fdBpziPZq0qxJ5PHue4IPWJPjmToieej8iHIWmpGHT8VtU9oXl_wIZsXBWDfN-OJmMTaHxgHB_-WKjfpoLkygjZsjzjM7KZOxPAqZez9Ssemqt2WuS/s1600/chinese+chicken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFx2JJw1HwPW6XgHn-jYSS41cL3fdBpziPZq0qxJ5PHue4IPWJPjmToieej8iHIWmpGHT8VtU9oXl_wIZsXBWDfN-OJmMTaHxgHB_-WKjfpoLkygjZsjzjM7KZOxPAqZez9Ssemqt2WuS/s200/chinese+chicken.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Rotini with ricotta, spinach, golden raisins & pine nuts<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpl3sjSyAKl093jJjpyHXTF0hJr6Kiev3M0OWwZAe-IcpDBHKq0ogAAHYFrG3WT3_8z-hCd2KpEbEqCvbL4pIR4FL9tXfhVsc0BtBgOuka2JayGgsZzJdaS_EVJu4j7sx9s-hZtKpxZ-g/s1600/pasta+salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpl3sjSyAKl093jJjpyHXTF0hJr6Kiev3M0OWwZAe-IcpDBHKq0ogAAHYFrG3WT3_8z-hCd2KpEbEqCvbL4pIR4FL9tXfhVsc0BtBgOuka2JayGgsZzJdaS_EVJu4j7sx9s-hZtKpxZ-g/s200/pasta+salad.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Feta & watermelon salad with fresh basil (Love the star shaped watermelons!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI_xhaVqM6InWVemsr4sPfXNKNWDM_Mj5yzUQCl1BCI6jn7td0HDzPWMYeiU2U8kz9xyQyfXWAkGEnMKgI8GsPDE7Tmyei8a5KkRm20yCc87VsL7_K75lHBcvB9FKM0hAPrPY75Bs-KHO/s1600/deb%2527s+salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI_xhaVqM6InWVemsr4sPfXNKNWDM_Mj5yzUQCl1BCI6jn7td0HDzPWMYeiU2U8kz9xyQyfXWAkGEnMKgI8GsPDE7Tmyei8a5KkRm20yCc87VsL7_K75lHBcvB9FKM0hAPrPY75Bs-KHO/s200/deb%2527s+salad.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Mango crab salad in spring roll cups<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcUIOp64Sr960uxR9irZJj7EVAYAg2FWdUqaS1wMOaWyIVVxZ396UrDM3BYE3D25HzKNN5XJf7G9NSn3oi2yS2gY8sYjZxZJuPBjyjH8iH_DpM8AizGXHHfu-2iv_4Us2r_rNZbuumTZ0/s1600/mango+wontons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcUIOp64Sr960uxR9irZJj7EVAYAg2FWdUqaS1wMOaWyIVVxZ396UrDM3BYE3D25HzKNN5XJf7G9NSn3oi2yS2gY8sYjZxZJuPBjyjH8iH_DpM8AizGXHHfu-2iv_4Us2r_rNZbuumTZ0/s200/mango+wontons.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Potato salad (ala Boobie F.)</div>Blue & red fresh berries + peach crumble<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6b57HA2K6viwzGWlJY9RjG1b3-uXoY_gbghZj6ycoYQeygfErGhtos6tH3tBxwZiJQaYk3u3TY86a_ITgLJaB0f5oaaRcLXbl1VcypCARA2rtrk9Yk5rO3jnATysly2BizH0Yw1ENi6P/s1600/beries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6b57HA2K6viwzGWlJY9RjG1b3-uXoY_gbghZj6ycoYQeygfErGhtos6tH3tBxwZiJQaYk3u3TY86a_ITgLJaB0f5oaaRcLXbl1VcypCARA2rtrk9Yk5rO3jnATysly2BizH0Yw1ENi6P/s200/beries.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Um…yum! So jealous I wasn't there.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-19522870816932907342011-06-26T18:34:00.000-07:002011-06-26T19:12:04.518-07:00A little bit of peanut butter chocolate crescent roll heavenBy now you may have heard of this site called <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>. My sister introduced it to me and I am fully addicted. My Aunt said it best tonight "I'm going to have to go to Pinterest rehab". It's such a fantastic site where you can browse photos that people have uploaded and you can "pin" them into your own boards which allows you to organize your images however you'd like and keep everything on file online. Very cool and a great way to get inspiration for parties, ideas for recipes, style, kids, etc. <br />
So as I was browsing last week I came across a picture of Pillsbury dough crescent rolls spread with peanut butter and it immediately caught my interest since I'm a huge fan of both…<br />
When you click on a picture on Pinterest you can find the website that the picture came from. This picture was from a site called <a href="http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/2009/10/chocolate-and-peanut-butter-filled.html">For the Love of Cooking</a>. Such an adorable site! With great recipes. I was so excited to try this recipe since it's beyond easy and I had all ingredients on hand I whipped it up for breakfast the next morning. <br />
First, you preheat the oven to 375. I then took a tube of crescent rolls and laid out the triangles on a non stick baking sheet. I slathered each with creamy peanut butter, sprinkled with some milk chocolate chips and rolled up as you normally would. I cooked for 11 minutes and they came out golden and oozing with gooey deliciousness! Now…just think what else I could stuff into these flakey treats?! I'll have to get creative and keep you all posted on the results.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLT01Q2MAr0WRtjPp53FT_vVlRhdtdu4fAaMb3-0HWf0qej5gIOoBbjkOnG7trbM7nzX8NVR0mZsO7-jJVgM2j5dKh1FV1-aVkAJWPJEwVpqfbD1Tjw1PbRT_Ln3MGe9C7Tdls6i0oFt7/s1600/IMG_8776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLT01Q2MAr0WRtjPp53FT_vVlRhdtdu4fAaMb3-0HWf0qej5gIOoBbjkOnG7trbM7nzX8NVR0mZsO7-jJVgM2j5dKh1FV1-aVkAJWPJEwVpqfbD1Tjw1PbRT_Ln3MGe9C7Tdls6i0oFt7/s320/IMG_8776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvHAOu65xNwYJdbiNtXtf2RJSq_AY9muj9E7Qw8U-n__IGw_b_CuG29sFcJSj-NBRzOnmVoMgwi2CUZ7PeYVOQX-a7VeteULT-EcuV9gaaSlw7LwnE4CKdfdnCLn8Dcv9QEkjM1wyBgUc/s1600/IMG_8777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvHAOu65xNwYJdbiNtXtf2RJSq_AY9muj9E7Qw8U-n__IGw_b_CuG29sFcJSj-NBRzOnmVoMgwi2CUZ7PeYVOQX-a7VeteULT-EcuV9gaaSlw7LwnE4CKdfdnCLn8Dcv9QEkjM1wyBgUc/s320/IMG_8777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU8YImK62Bda7aSrwYGlPZAFb_yirClVcvKstauRiZ_aYwM4DkF6hbFjo7h1kmOn90E7p8DlAJtUhqMQpdXES1naOsNI8Du0haRFHD-zPcmVXHyYzPYuWEPhYdanw0-8aSs-FdFexIjIW/s1600/IMG_8781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU8YImK62Bda7aSrwYGlPZAFb_yirClVcvKstauRiZ_aYwM4DkF6hbFjo7h1kmOn90E7p8DlAJtUhqMQpdXES1naOsNI8Du0haRFHD-zPcmVXHyYzPYuWEPhYdanw0-8aSs-FdFexIjIW/s320/IMG_8781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7DqqSrYjmgytIGDQQUKjijz2070fL_tKIDYz6ypMWHSmodnPCYIlHs9A5YC3zsnvkFBqgMXqPggVD1ZI-mN-FC7mDbhOGZGepeZKk7Z9W6Ho7nv0FnGz8KGN3H0TE-ac15mIK-zSKLCd/s1600/IMG_8791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7DqqSrYjmgytIGDQQUKjijz2070fL_tKIDYz6ypMWHSmodnPCYIlHs9A5YC3zsnvkFBqgMXqPggVD1ZI-mN-FC7mDbhOGZGepeZKk7Z9W6Ho7nv0FnGz8KGN3H0TE-ac15mIK-zSKLCd/s320/IMG_8791.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-26577196100257888402011-06-24T21:35:00.000-07:002011-06-25T09:49:44.977-07:00A tropical night's dinner<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Tonight we had a very tropical meal packed with tons of fresh flavors, fruits and fish. On the menu:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Mango salsa</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Salmon pineapple skewers with pepper glaze and lime creme fraiche</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Grilled shrimp with cilantro, lime and peanuts</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Grilled zucchini</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cumin baked sweet potatoes</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I had found all of these recipes online and in the Small Bites cook book that I have but I basically just used the recipes for inspiration and then made them my own…</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">All recipes below were made for 4 people.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKaqh_cUvADsQLi_Ha3HHPmpvgchPkmsPxPUfZRsNgKdV9HgqXT7qcnI7dN6gCSRcCOtYZq9y1Ym0YANSQJ-IVfI6xzTLOu1WRKTF2WilBGtxq81RD8LB6NilrZMj51IXORz3vRM6D7pY/s1600/IMG_8769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKaqh_cUvADsQLi_Ha3HHPmpvgchPkmsPxPUfZRsNgKdV9HgqXT7qcnI7dN6gCSRcCOtYZq9y1Ym0YANSQJ-IVfI6xzTLOu1WRKTF2WilBGtxq81RD8LB6NilrZMj51IXORz3vRM6D7pY/s200/IMG_8769.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><b>Mango salso:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 mango diced</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 tomato seeded and diced</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2 spears of pineapple diced (these will be leftover from the pineapple you use for the skewers)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/2 red onion chopped fine</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">handful of cilantro chopped </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Juice of 1 lime</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">salt to taste</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Mix everything together and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Salmon pineapple skewers with pepper glaze and lime creme fraiche</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>For the paste:</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 jalepeno pepper</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/2 yellow onion, chunked up</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">6 cloves garlic, un-peeled</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/4 cup apple cider vinegar</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">4 tbsp brown sugar</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">good pinch of salt and pepper</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In a nonstick pan cook the whole pepper, onion and garlic (un-peeled) till they are nicely charred, about 7 minutes. Remove the pepper and place into a ziploc bag for at least 5 minutes. Let the onion and garlic cool. Remove the skin, seeds and stem from pepper and skin from the garlic cloves and add to blender or food processor. Add the onion, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper and blend. Reserve for skewers.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>For the dip:</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">To one container of creme fraiche add the zest and juice of 1 lime along with a handful of chopped cilantro. Place in fridge till ready to serve.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>For the skewers:</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 pound salmon </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 pineapple</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">8 metal skewers (if you use wood make sure to soak them for at least 30 minutes prior to threading)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cube up the salmon and pineapple into 1" chunks. Thread pineapple and salmon onto the skewers and brush with the paste. Spray your BBQ with oil and head to medium high. Cook the skewers until the salmon turns pink. Serve with the lime creme fraiche.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhSjq9GHwyQg7H5A9L0VNBIlRqyqdwHBaZ_MStUpt2KBoR8xJOXUBYfICAWkc_36bprREPHD0WBAW-ePG2XvXv2AWaiiLUmDQPlpUrvUavB-0RnNh9VF0MghupNrklXoKffT2a1VwR-iG/s1600/IMG_8754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhSjq9GHwyQg7H5A9L0VNBIlRqyqdwHBaZ_MStUpt2KBoR8xJOXUBYfICAWkc_36bprREPHD0WBAW-ePG2XvXv2AWaiiLUmDQPlpUrvUavB-0RnNh9VF0MghupNrklXoKffT2a1VwR-iG/s200/IMG_8754.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcmXKE3aOzcxP2Gq8Kca8kQohL94wRst90DVqLxJeWzZatkvDOPqU1AnJgFOV5eoZ-VGcER9t7EQcmtqSpR9my88flrXV_UHYGiNdfTnV9r3JHIxGzkT59I6vSmDRFSm4-v7NOAVylsnj/s1600/IMG_8770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcmXKE3aOzcxP2Gq8Kca8kQohL94wRst90DVqLxJeWzZatkvDOPqU1AnJgFOV5eoZ-VGcER9t7EQcmtqSpR9my88flrXV_UHYGiNdfTnV9r3JHIxGzkT59I6vSmDRFSm4-v7NOAVylsnj/s200/IMG_8770.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/339717/grilled-shrimp-with-cilantro-lime-and-pe">Grilled shrimp with cilantro, lime and peanuts</a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/341841/grilled-zucchini-spears-with-mint">Grilled zucchini</a></div><br />
<div>*didn't change these recipes - took right from Martha Stewart's website. </div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Cumin baked sweet potatoes</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut 2-3 sweet potatoes into wedges and place on a baking sheet. Cover with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with cumin seeds. Bake for 30-40 minutes.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-77051832420322624112011-06-22T21:30:00.001-07:002011-06-22T21:47:10.417-07:00Perfect porkAfter a long day of working and errands plus throw in some gardening…I thought I'd try my hand at a super easy but delicious sounding recipe. Well, that's just what it was. Easy + delicious. And as always, I have Martha to thank.<div><br />
</div><div>I went to my butcher out east, who I frequent quite often and I adore, and asked for some bone in pork chops. He said no problem…and came back from the industrial size fridge with basically…a pig. It had to be the freshest, tastiest piggy I've ever eaten. I don't make pork often because I typically over cook it. But not this time…the pork turned out to be perfectly seasoned and incredibly juicy.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Follow this recipe to a tee and you will not be disappointed….I paired with a butter lettuce salad and some simple Jasmine rice.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/316323/grilled-pork-chops-with-spice-paste?czone=food%2Fbest-grilling-recipes%2Fgrilling-recipes">Grilled pork chops with spice paste recipe ~</a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5a57; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px;"><div class="ingredients recipe-section" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal 100 20px/23px museo-slab-1, museo-slab-2, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ingredients</span></span></h2><div class="item-list" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul class="content-multigroup-group-ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="ingredient first" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 garlic cloves, minced</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for grates</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 tablespoons light-brown sugar</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 tablespoons coarse salt</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2 teaspoons paprika</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon ground pepper</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient last" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 bone-in pork loin chops (3 pounds total)</span></span></li>
</ul></div></div><div class="recipe-section instructions" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="color: #222222; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal 100 20px/23px museo-slab-1, museo-slab-2, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Directions</span></span></h2><div class="item-list" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ol class="content-multigroup-group-steps" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="step first" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.38em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In a bowl, mix together garlic, oil, sugar, salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne until a paste forms. Coat pork chops with paste and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour (or up to 3).</span></span></div></li>
<li class="step last" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.38em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Heat grill to medium-high; clean and lightly oil hot grates. Grill pork, covered, 5 minutes per side for medium. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMojBasXUi7tQGmxMvSXfcA4P7GfyI3bX-7MkrmyNo6rins1jq2H5bYS5VuXXyv19CiJ9IJChaLR5-7tpNSlkcU0Cj2tsczsHBnkx5g5oLPYUPFq4hi8-MFvNhi8SjfxW7VioVlrVJUJ4y/s1600/IMG_8703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMojBasXUi7tQGmxMvSXfcA4P7GfyI3bX-7MkrmyNo6rins1jq2H5bYS5VuXXyv19CiJ9IJChaLR5-7tpNSlkcU0Cj2tsczsHBnkx5g5oLPYUPFq4hi8-MFvNhi8SjfxW7VioVlrVJUJ4y/s200/IMG_8703.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML5BiGJjRZoSnzS9AYp7gJeWTVCDdgfxyijDtORdk_HCFS6oBDQIXwR0BE7e8rLB-SSGhxncvDCJsho3PHcTfZXyGQoVGBswQiMxsSC1ru6IIWI2VkNCOR5nCJI1InXvpeVqTBYsObP-5/s1600/IMG_8716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML5BiGJjRZoSnzS9AYp7gJeWTVCDdgfxyijDtORdk_HCFS6oBDQIXwR0BE7e8rLB-SSGhxncvDCJsho3PHcTfZXyGQoVGBswQiMxsSC1ru6IIWI2VkNCOR5nCJI1InXvpeVqTBYsObP-5/s200/IMG_8716.JPG" width="200" /></a></div></li>
</ol></div></div></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-79415561029748068302011-06-21T18:54:00.000-07:002011-06-22T06:38:59.845-07:00The big black hat….and a wedding where the served the best damn green beans I've EVER eaten…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bi0Fhmo4VI4Boq2Po-GI8FSIH7sRedEJ9wV2UedRkTIpS4nYKPKOdYQqsFdEbwMsk1uQ0gaB-OQaR1CUDOdaRrdQCfOkd99Xgde1k8FZbrg3_OlVe81ETBdCwYULas3FwZNhZie9egiR/s1600/IMG_8127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bi0Fhmo4VI4Boq2Po-GI8FSIH7sRedEJ9wV2UedRkTIpS4nYKPKOdYQqsFdEbwMsk1uQ0gaB-OQaR1CUDOdaRrdQCfOkd99Xgde1k8FZbrg3_OlVe81ETBdCwYULas3FwZNhZie9egiR/s200/IMG_8127.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9B3zbY5RQhjdW6fE3VIVpN_EE1kJ_yR6KGBEbEhdU6qTMD0rpdfYcx2Ia5cLG0G_VZgwvH53w6pBDZzX0C354xitvk-Wd3zjaetkj3fg54hPDp2J8rFqSKQ5sSiusSdlhDLFm3kt8znhD/s1600/IMG_8128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9B3zbY5RQhjdW6fE3VIVpN_EE1kJ_yR6KGBEbEhdU6qTMD0rpdfYcx2Ia5cLG0G_VZgwvH53w6pBDZzX0C354xitvk-Wd3zjaetkj3fg54hPDp2J8rFqSKQ5sSiusSdlhDLFm3kt8znhD/s200/IMG_8128.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0cIJ9xk9tySLJSuA6s-oRx0Awj5SEGF-3PYDkSHQ4nAOxnteAawEqH4RcWW40m2J0I6mt_zpNIqQ0RYX-I1LMY_qmrRwcXmtagHV24HxDFIdwd7bZTElJMQrP-p82Qzr8vbPiDDRGlls/s200/rachie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlrk8RN2QSxDxgGpj9dmQqJzmVW4SpnpO-g0XRN_jcKlNn5-0HL7F54uR-i3FWoIwLYzECY0_hZTcwDNR7QnOKOCcAQFou0UwhSrqVLwDT9K_BJ24cMpZfqRNGKeS5Jcc1ioPuexxqlW5/s1600/timbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlrk8RN2QSxDxgGpj9dmQqJzmVW4SpnpO-g0XRN_jcKlNn5-0HL7F54uR-i3FWoIwLYzECY0_hZTcwDNR7QnOKOCcAQFou0UwhSrqVLwDT9K_BJ24cMpZfqRNGKeS5Jcc1ioPuexxqlW5/s200/timbo.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-GOWloej0F8zaPUHR0hKL9BxXPMLJzXg-0lnsnDjZvn4v_q_YhsFk8_7l5u9rykDTIz8gz0tjVfuQmred64UN5lWQYEch7MQTSZATnoo9XV8Hn23iXLukI0GPHfdKqE112PSqZGyb6b2/s1600/timbo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-GOWloej0F8zaPUHR0hKL9BxXPMLJzXg-0lnsnDjZvn4v_q_YhsFk8_7l5u9rykDTIz8gz0tjVfuQmred64UN5lWQYEch7MQTSZATnoo9XV8Hn23iXLukI0GPHfdKqE112PSqZGyb6b2/s200/timbo2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bkJCYK_vCTKNJLsZLz0_sBFiOVcpZZOkCt8ZvnP0tL5ZWNgv8TG5btjZhr5MZbSFEzzzX86Qd21U0lsXV9j-Orox7umn9_rrUXrXN6WkSENWaDHTfUyxqKjCKQhmA2nUXO4Qiu75TGbt/s1600/timbo+and+lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bkJCYK_vCTKNJLsZLz0_sBFiOVcpZZOkCt8ZvnP0tL5ZWNgv8TG5btjZhr5MZbSFEzzzX86Qd21U0lsXV9j-Orox7umn9_rrUXrXN6WkSENWaDHTfUyxqKjCKQhmA2nUXO4Qiu75TGbt/s200/timbo+and+lisa.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5AKsRHKHY4A37Mas8ZVC7qAPOlKw6oJrxicHd54FJg_AAynPNp_rwaNZT-M24OeaxIQ_9gyt9h9S3-YftP6AN40FRRMki-THfzRuUzLzyh5nzHQTEC5A5FPV8E7FncdU1auHtSLR-Ko8/s1600/IMG_8115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5AKsRHKHY4A37Mas8ZVC7qAPOlKw6oJrxicHd54FJg_AAynPNp_rwaNZT-M24OeaxIQ_9gyt9h9S3-YftP6AN40FRRMki-THfzRuUzLzyh5nzHQTEC5A5FPV8E7FncdU1auHtSLR-Ko8/s200/IMG_8115.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYBqJrlT9rZOxhLRTcf54grNJYP8ixJO1GixyecytgG8pncCZKk1E5sqmXbOjM6GBZQKxu5pX_mTjOusKTfxZzvnEfx3pwg-GEjKSOzyLs3RfSAEvNbDpunLk2xS1SGyfeet2E_0pfrGq/s1600/IMG_8141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYBqJrlT9rZOxhLRTcf54grNJYP8ixJO1GixyecytgG8pncCZKk1E5sqmXbOjM6GBZQKxu5pX_mTjOusKTfxZzvnEfx3pwg-GEjKSOzyLs3RfSAEvNbDpunLk2xS1SGyfeet2E_0pfrGq/s200/IMG_8141.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6fWlxBb_qBUM6DjYBHOcH3YgKGosDsLyofB29vTB4dXV5Ns4YHZQpxwpdzYksxCw9jZQku9cNSpVvVs8xgdHwg5mhW-FjluWuvB8ko2PGtJ8OV9hUAecvuwwgFDyJ-G0rrepW4eSBGd1/s1600/edward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6fWlxBb_qBUM6DjYBHOcH3YgKGosDsLyofB29vTB4dXV5Ns4YHZQpxwpdzYksxCw9jZQku9cNSpVvVs8xgdHwg5mhW-FjluWuvB8ko2PGtJ8OV9hUAecvuwwgFDyJ-G0rrepW4eSBGd1/s200/edward.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-48745832004689552192011-06-15T19:14:00.001-07:002011-06-16T10:29:44.956-07:00The Little Miss Hit List: Restaurants<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Friends are always asking me for restaurant advice and honestly, I really enjoy giving it to them. It always inspires me to try a new meal or have a fun night out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Typical email:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hey Seri - I have friends and/or family going to NYC and they are looking for some great spots to eat…</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So over the past 10 years I’ve come up with several repeats. Repeats are restaurants that I go back to over and over again because I cannot live life without them. Sounds dramatic, but that’s how I feel about food. I just love it…when it’s really good. Oh…and these are all downtown. Sorry, I’m biased.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In no particular order…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><b><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">LMP favorite restaurants:</span></u></i></b><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></u></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1.) </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1646551820"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">NOBU</span></span></a><a href="http://www.noburestaurants.com/new-york/experience/introduction/"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> (Tribeca)</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> – I'm addicted to their sashimi. I often order the yellowtail with jalapeño as an appetizer AND for dessert. I’m sick in the head, I know. You need a reservation OR you can walk into Nobu next door without one. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Alternately, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sushi Yasuda</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> has by far the best sushi in town. No scene here, just biz men and fresh, incredible food.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2.) </span><a href="http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/11351801/new_york_ny/strip_house.html"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Strip house</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> – my favorite for steak + scene. I go annually for a holiday dinner with my friends from J.Crew and look forward to it year after year. For just steak I recommend </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Peter Lugars</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> in Brooklyn where the steak is buttery, juicy and to die for. Make sure you get the "schlag" with your “hot fudge Sunday” for dessert…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3.) </span><a href="http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/41788893/new_york_ny/buddakan_new_york.html"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Budakkan</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> – trendy, Asian/fusion. I wouldn't have otherwise suggested this except my friends were in from Toronto this weekend and asked me if they should go there. I said it's ok and it wouldn't be my first suggestion but they would like the menu if they did go. Well they went and loved it. So you know I thought for out-of-towners, this place is pretty great. It's a total scene with extravagant decor in a space so big you'll get lost looking for the bathrooms. The food is tasty and the people dining around you are typically gorgeous. Not a bad combo for a night out on the town.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPtrmXuaCyVtKloraL0CIWQbVSpUsDN_0NB5m-gxSeZpIm81FveAbrmH78ZYfMRnWyjPnLmNe5nv-x0tK6WyHMufwrL333BDPN-HM2cff9b_mNz04kb-RsCNoaJaTU97RT-_gU2jLz0Cd/s1600/La+esquina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPtrmXuaCyVtKloraL0CIWQbVSpUsDN_0NB5m-gxSeZpIm81FveAbrmH78ZYfMRnWyjPnLmNe5nv-x0tK6WyHMufwrL333BDPN-HM2cff9b_mNz04kb-RsCNoaJaTU97RT-_gU2jLz0Cd/s200/La+esquina.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4.) </span><a href="http://esquinanyc.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">La Esquina</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> – probably the coolest Mexican spot in NY to date – very hard to get a reservation so if you do, don't screw it up. You enter through their take out store front which looks like a greasy dump. You head through an unmarked door to find the host and as long as your name is on that list you're as good as in. A real hot spot where the food is terrific and the scene is uber cool. Check out Southside for some dancing afterwards…right next door.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">5.) </span><a href="http://www.thelittleowlnyc.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Little Owl</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> – AMAZING comfort food here. The meatballs are a MUST. The guys who started this restaurant are on a total boom right now. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Fedora, Jeffrey's grocery market & oyster bar and Joseph Leonard</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> are all on their list of phenomenal restaurants. Each is very tough to get into…give a call to get their policies and then schedule accordingly. Whether you make a reservation a couple months in advance or go early or knowing you’ll have to wait for an hour during which time you could enjoy drinks at the bar! Last time a friend of mine dined at Joseph Leonard Madonna was eating there. Sorry, I had to tell you that because I think that’s pretty cool.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">6.) </span><a href="http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/35693163/new_york_ny/lil_frankie_s_pizza.html"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lil Frankies</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> – this east village cash only place is wonderful, cheap, serves wood burning oven pizza and a few pastas along side many delicious wines. They don’t take reservations…so go early or late…we last went after seeing American Idiot on Broadway around 10:30pm which was a perfectly quiet time there to chow down there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">7.) </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="http://www.flexmusselsny.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Flex Mussels</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">– friends of ours took us to this eatery a little while back at the location uptown. About two weeks after they opened up right by our apartment on 14th street. I was quite excited. A slew of mussel dishes to choose from each one better then the next. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">LMP pick dish: Arcadian gumbo sauce, shrimp, andouille.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">8.) </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1459996682"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Schiller’s</span></a><a href="http://www.schillersny.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">– always a cool vibe and good time at this place for any meal breakfast, lunch or dinner. French bistro food where they serve fantastic steak frites in the lower east side. Genius restaurateur Keith McNally is the man behind this goldmine along with a few other of my favorites: Baltahazaar (for an incredible brunch), Pastis (for afternoon wine, oysters and celeb watching), Pulino's (his latest pizza hang out) and Minetta Tavern (for any time you can get in). Um…and Pravda…I love this vodka bar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF_SZZJ0fIGEZF0JfPvKPVp7VS3hgIdibu6L3RC1ZDbAuxldIimen4whJrhgXcE44xyxxDqd8IbyWavsuk_dOWtkzbdOE0PeaS4skx5QoniR71P4hMfCN_uAKlimNdlSHxsqrlOqtjAAP/s1600/schillers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF_SZZJ0fIGEZF0JfPvKPVp7VS3hgIdibu6L3RC1ZDbAuxldIimen4whJrhgXcE44xyxxDqd8IbyWavsuk_dOWtkzbdOE0PeaS4skx5QoniR71P4hMfCN_uAKlimNdlSHxsqrlOqtjAAP/s200/schillers.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9.) </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1459996686"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">La Bottega</span></a><a href="http://www.themaritimehotel.com/labottega.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">- for the summer time. This place is the best possible spot in town for dining and/or drinking al fresco. Huge Chinese lanterns fill the sky at this Maritime Hotel oasis of a restaurant. I love every item on the antipasti menu which are great for sharing with some bottles of wine. If you're out for the night and starting here…check out the Cabanas upstairs for a cocktail after dinner…before hitting Hiro in the basement for some dancing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86fnsuZ6b7gau2fDVz6MMRw66lgeQ4WN46f0TziF-7Ey7wl7B18WQs-ZCj3e38smkyTqvIT9NBHMf3OAAbzmptRTgb2waI0GxGekCWkA3sq6fd9pGEi8478Ewm5mh7WRM-pfm4FJjPXEr/s1600/la+bottega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86fnsuZ6b7gau2fDVz6MMRw66lgeQ4WN46f0TziF-7Ey7wl7B18WQs-ZCj3e38smkyTqvIT9NBHMf3OAAbzmptRTgb2waI0GxGekCWkA3sq6fd9pGEi8478Ewm5mh7WRM-pfm4FJjPXEr/s320/la+bottega.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">10.) </span><a href="http://www.marysfishcamp.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mary’s Fish camp</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> – BEST lobster roll in town. You cannot make reservations and this restaurant is TINY. So I suggest you go at an off time like 4pm on a Saturday or better yet during the week in the late afternoon if you can...otherwise you’ll wait forever. But seriously, you've gotta go. Their shoestring fries are too, unreal.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkxmS9xDI5fd0VfuWmT1vIVxChpFCev4Oy9n2vucdwqo6Dnb94e0F0H_3H43fyKW8cFV07WOGqCiotV80tZpzXUC_z1mciNJHSsubqplRoIIIT8Ly2qR5b3dQohJlQRxEr7qmZbmXEeYn/s1600/marys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkxmS9xDI5fd0VfuWmT1vIVxChpFCev4Oy9n2vucdwqo6Dnb94e0F0H_3H43fyKW8cFV07WOGqCiotV80tZpzXUC_z1mciNJHSsubqplRoIIIT8Ly2qR5b3dQohJlQRxEr7qmZbmXEeYn/s200/marys.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">11.) </span><a href="http://www.shakeshack.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Shake Shack</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> – my personal favorite burgers in town. I so love this place but forget going here on a nice day...the trick is to go when it’s rainy and/or gloomy...sounds weird but it’s the only time you won’t have to wait (for an hour minimum). You can also try off hours like 3pm during the week if you can and/or go later at night. They are open year round and have heat lamps when it gets cold out. The shack burger is fantabulous but my fave is the shroom burger. It's a Portobello mushroom stuffed with cheese and fried. The cheese literally oozes out when you bite in. Heaven on a bun. The bird dog (think that's what it's called) is a souped up chicken dog topped with lots of goodies like cucumbers and tomatoes. I always order this bad boy for my LM.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">12.) </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1459996713"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></a><a href="http://bluesmoke.com/blue/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Blue Smoke</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> – my favorite for good ol' Texas BBQ. Great for groups and family dinners. Also a Danny Meyer restaurant (forgot to point him out for Shake Shack…) who is another great restaurant guru running his empire all over town.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">13.) </span><a href="http://www.hillcountrychicken.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hill Country Chicken</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> - so this place recently opened and my first time there was like a dream. Fried chicken ONLY. There are no other options for your protein. Literally. So be prepared and don’t say I didn’t warn you. With some really delish sides (such as cheesy fried mashed potatoes) this place is totally a heart attack in a basket but so gosh darn good. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">14.) </span><a href="http://www.themeatballshop.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Meatball Shoppe</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> - Though I have yet to eat at this establishment I know their balls are top notch because I have a friend who had the most brilliant idea of hiring them to cater for her hubby's birthday. It's supposedly a causal spot and the food is truly delicious.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">15.) </span><a href="http://www.blueribbonrestaurants.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Blue Ribbon</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> - a classic for me. I have been frequenting this restaurant since I moved to NYC in 2001. This restaurant is just so good. And I have been forever going for their PuPu platter. It's a shmorgis board of things such as chicken lollipops, pierogies and ribs which come served on a platter with a little grill on top so you can add some extra char if you'd like to. It's a cozy place and gets packed so again you'll have to go early, late or at prime time when you'll have to be prepared to wait at least an hour…so what? Just have a few glasses of wine. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">*I also love Blue Ribbon Bakery for brunch. Very similar menu just a different scene with a very warm and neighborhoodly type feel. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My hubby's favorite here: The duck club sandwich. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He gets me to BRB almost once a month by 11am so we can wait in line for the 11:30 opening and be the first ones in to avoid the line…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">16.) </span><a href="http://www.boquerianyc.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Boqueria</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> - The most fantastic Spanish tapas. I always love this place for a meat + cheese board and a bottle of Rioja. They have a location in Soho that I love for meeting up in the evening and they have another locale on 19th between 5</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> & 6</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> which I love going to if shopping on lower 5</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th Ave</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> and need to fuel up to get back out there… </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR1_DfPlg6p3iEDh0dmdunevhUpKHEgzNoehhWZfmnjlNsckV0C3h8omyOGlwmrEn3CUiyh2GOKAhNVKvIsk4C9DI-7-VYiz0klI-lCyQV_QASyWDkaZjMA8a4aCY52k6VRsWbuSA5DqT/s1600/joes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR1_DfPlg6p3iEDh0dmdunevhUpKHEgzNoehhWZfmnjlNsckV0C3h8omyOGlwmrEn3CUiyh2GOKAhNVKvIsk4C9DI-7-VYiz0klI-lCyQV_QASyWDkaZjMA8a4aCY52k6VRsWbuSA5DqT/s200/joes.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">17.) </span><a href="http://www.joeshanghairestaurants.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Joe's Shanghai:</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Downtown Chinatown. </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGwtCAVByRY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The best Jerry. The best. </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">They are known for their soup dumplings which are out of this world BUT you need to know how to eat them. If you're a rookie then please ask for assistance when they arrive at your table. If eaten incorrectly you will burn your mouth when the soup breaks through and you will ruin the rest of your meal. The other dishes that are a must have: sesame chicken, string beans with beef, shrimp with meat sauce and I love their spring rolls.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">18.) </span><a href="http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/dim-sum-go-go/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Dim Sum Go Go</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> - I live for dim sum. Particularly on lazy Sunday mornings for brunch. Totally looks like a commercial place but it's nice and clean inside and you get to order off a menu so they are not overcrowded with the push carts. My favorite dish is the pan-fried noodles with beef, oh and the pork buns…steamed and/or roasted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySEY50NhZbz6r5-ago4tFc6IzxXFGmhKzF_HdbupQyByvaNRe0UAHvk2LPbBz8r9PcaGBPNfuod5Ar15fNFR2enBina_xAObtCUZAOtMluylpOGFnZcSZc8bG5n89pPVr4sKtOpwSF9hF/s1600/mer1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySEY50NhZbz6r5-ago4tFc6IzxXFGmhKzF_HdbupQyByvaNRe0UAHvk2LPbBz8r9PcaGBPNfuod5Ar15fNFR2enBina_xAObtCUZAOtMluylpOGFnZcSZc8bG5n89pPVr4sKtOpwSF9hF/s200/mer1.png" width="93" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">19.) </span><a href="http://www.themermaidnyc.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mermaid Inn</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> - I like seafood but it's not the top of my list…ya know? But sometimes I still want to eat it. So when I’m looking for a light fishy meal, this place is perfection for dining from the sea. They have the freshest and tastiest seafood dishes. They actually serve the next best lobster roll in the city (well not according to my husband…theirs is the best to him!) next to MFC. And now have locations that have popped up all over the city. I am still true to the original in the East Village…especially when the weather is warm and the back garden is open.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">20.) </span><a href="http://www.locandaverdenyc.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Locande Verde</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> - so I finally got to this restaurant back in February with some friends who were visiting from Toronto. I had been dying to go but it was impossible to get a reservation. I finally got one through American Express but think I had called three months in advance to arrange. Bleck. But boy was it worth it. The food was great and I loved the scene. Truly lived up to the hype.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><b><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Also to make note of…</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mario Batalli: I admire this man so incredibly much. He's brilliant. Just brilliant.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So let me give a brief recap of a few of my faves here…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">* Babbo - My hubby and I almost always hit this place for a special occasion. The food is off the charts, the service is top notch and the wine is spectacular. My favorite dish is the squid ink pasta. Also…very challenging to get a reservation so plan in advance.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">* Eataly - have you heard of this place? It just opened this year and is not normal actually. I don't feel like life is real when I'm in there. It's a massive space where they have markets full of fresh seafood, meat, veggies + fruit, wine, you name it. As well as 3 full service restaurants (pizza, fish, meat) and a rooftop beer bar. Um, hello?! UNREAL! The LM and I frequent this place together…quite a lot because you must go at off times…otherwise it’s literally like being in the central park zoo. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">* Lupa - so my husband is totally in love with the food at this place. There was a short while when we were going every other weekend and I OD'd on the food there so I haven't been able to go back for about a year now. But it is indeed, truly amazing there. Dim lit, great for a date, rustic, Italian delights that will not disappoint.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">* Otto - my all time favorite local spot. Literally down the street from my apartment I've been going to this restaurant for over 5 years consistently for their antipasti specials, pizzas and olive oil gelato…which sometimes I just order for delivery…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><b><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A very special place - </span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So the most extraordinary restaurant that I've been to in NY, actually in my life, is </span><a href="http://www.bluehillfarm.com/food/blue-hill-stone-barns"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Blue Hill at Stone Barns</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. Chef Dan Barber is behind this farm to table treasure. Involving a fancy night out, this place is for those who enjoy adventurous dining and who don't mind driving 45 minutes outside the city to eat here. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><b><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">To try…here's my list of places other people have recommended to me…or that I've walked by and want to check out…</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Brooklyn Fare - a chef's table that is supposedly off the hook delish. And you can BYOB! Which I love because we enjoy drinking good wine and these restaurants mark it up so much…so to bring your own…bingo! Note…they only take reservations on Monday's at 10:30 for the next 6 weeks out…you've gotta be on your game to get in here.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Highliner</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Buvette</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Fat Radish</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Balboosta (Mediterranean in the west village)</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Veneiros (for dessert)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt;"><b><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For up to the minute hot spots check out </span><a href="http://www.urbandaddy.com/home/nyc"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Urban Daddy</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. I subscribe and am constantly finding new places that I want to try like…</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Salina's - indoor/outdoor tapas in Chelsea. Looks beautiful and delicious</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">STK Rooftop – steak + outdoors.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0px 0px 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Mussel Pot - supposedly they have a nice brunch.</span><br />
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<a href="mailto:seri@littlemisspartyplanner.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Have a favorite restaurant you want to tell LMP about? Let me know...</span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-90228638846382212602011-06-10T21:40:00.000-07:002011-06-10T22:14:24.228-07:00Family dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tonight we had a house full of family and a close friend. The weather was lovely today, perfect for drinking a crisp bottle of white wine while munching on some lobster dip. We used lobster leftover from last night's dinner to make the <a href="http://www.mademan.com/mm/5-easy-leftover-lobster-recipes.html">following recipe that was inspired through a site I found by doing a quick Google Search</a>. I added a teaspoon of each: horseradish and dijon and voila! Perfection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzrimRXujxAtfmJPkUKLvCYOK_miJywkvuE3l296OKaHPp-amAO6pZakya_GSoZrlAvzrtut-4PdcX4wr9joCZcrmt9HL9vfCixGrewiEV_BzMdkEBDofJwLaCaYgLTkieJC8V9VNb_9P/s1600/IMG_8588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzrimRXujxAtfmJPkUKLvCYOK_miJywkvuE3l296OKaHPp-amAO6pZakya_GSoZrlAvzrtut-4PdcX4wr9joCZcrmt9HL9vfCixGrewiEV_BzMdkEBDofJwLaCaYgLTkieJC8V9VNb_9P/s320/IMG_8588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the dinner menu:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jalepeno, garlic & lime grilled skirt steak</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/331722/mexican-grilled-corn">Mexican grilled corn</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heirloom, watermelon & red onion salad</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/313066/grilled-potato-slices-with-salt-and-vine">Grilled potato slices with salt & vinegar</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/314662/red-white-and-blueberry-trifle">Red, white and blueberry trifle</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9JTNAC91iAM7x4BqV7IOnAKSHci4V4avwOHmKkyiZoYFRdRSXt_FSg7S62AIUJFC1_TY48CUy3VdkRKP2Oo9o6bWH_duB8qqT7Rd2pEsmodydignc0YDuosFZDC_HRyMfhR5vC53gdSh/s1600/IMG_8641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9JTNAC91iAM7x4BqV7IOnAKSHci4V4avwOHmKkyiZoYFRdRSXt_FSg7S62AIUJFC1_TY48CUy3VdkRKP2Oo9o6bWH_duB8qqT7Rd2pEsmodydignc0YDuosFZDC_HRyMfhR5vC53gdSh/s200/IMG_8641.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_dqEa-LnPexSNQnWUs0Rc5DHiUKIYd2qejoE7cD0lBhEUKYYmxxqsu_fiFKNmzR9IxjDQvIw8oQ6-w97Zbs3YZlc5yBo-X_CNCzMGL0M2Igyvqw4YMpW3XaHZrrMnEQGZCLzHe6R_b3m/s1600/IMG_8649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_dqEa-LnPexSNQnWUs0Rc5DHiUKIYd2qejoE7cD0lBhEUKYYmxxqsu_fiFKNmzR9IxjDQvIw8oQ6-w97Zbs3YZlc5yBo-X_CNCzMGL0M2Igyvqw4YMpW3XaHZrrMnEQGZCLzHe6R_b3m/s200/IMG_8649.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwk6SGIZ9tCHvU9n5xjA01l7uooyQRROWcrsRM5tvorOZjmSgoVedeTmPratV6QFjgMb90mRoWW3q0i6ZnhbOIzOZVGNO8dvwsQkzvKtxnCC3Gw9wJdcZZzhVFMzTVQeaHIirdv5LEI0e/s1600/IMG_8644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwk6SGIZ9tCHvU9n5xjA01l7uooyQRROWcrsRM5tvorOZjmSgoVedeTmPratV6QFjgMb90mRoWW3q0i6ZnhbOIzOZVGNO8dvwsQkzvKtxnCC3Gw9wJdcZZzhVFMzTVQeaHIirdv5LEI0e/s200/IMG_8644.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5hEee5_JPKg_71Q-xI7cYZEKoQqjlPSoOuj07glaVhkHPlQPv0iMnIS9Jue1qtc1uSiZ9AJoNiZrqw4cwbplZU_s87GHSEGz9mIFa1Vy9iNgJzyJA2U36rXrs74KnASoDjgKmJjasufC/s1600/IMG_8650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5hEee5_JPKg_71Q-xI7cYZEKoQqjlPSoOuj07glaVhkHPlQPv0iMnIS9Jue1qtc1uSiZ9AJoNiZrqw4cwbplZU_s87GHSEGz9mIFa1Vy9iNgJzyJA2U36rXrs74KnASoDjgKmJjasufC/s200/IMG_8650.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPB4SS70-XJIZKIdDGtCL591muXsa1eEHihxI3BfN-wie2FuPRqR2J6ll69dbNQS9tj98Dft0fHcmHxrLxYuRfds8ppa_6-xhTVenNSO4A0TwTytkyftJmWiNepSMgkq6fK4QXNiQxjUt/s1600/IMG_8668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPB4SS70-XJIZKIdDGtCL591muXsa1eEHihxI3BfN-wie2FuPRqR2J6ll69dbNQS9tj98Dft0fHcmHxrLxYuRfds8ppa_6-xhTVenNSO4A0TwTytkyftJmWiNepSMgkq6fK4QXNiQxjUt/s200/IMG_8668.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Divine. Simply divine. A terrific summer's meal.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-24077758876543878602011-06-09T20:26:00.001-07:002011-06-09T20:42:56.763-07:00Tails & TomatoesTonight's menu inspired by Martha Stewart's latest Living Magazine summer issue…Perfect meal for the high heat outside:<br />
Hot wheels (grilled brie wrapped with bacon and sage) & sliced baguette<br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/353742/peaches-basil-and-red-onion">Peaches, basil & red onion salad</a><br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/263363/lobster-with-red-and-yellow-tomatoes">Lobster & red + yellow tomatoes</a><br />
Slow baked potato with butter and sour cream<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4gmD8fiQUo60re55oUBkzQc3m3nnL1Bkn0mgvU0B-zkCAnoJI63r-4B8r7DXbIcL7grp-gX7THs08cLMp-rdpG05J_Ha3qLALhbZtprcUm5pmalEq5mBraMfu8Q0Ggm9Q1koOLhTG_91/s1600/IMG_8541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4gmD8fiQUo60re55oUBkzQc3m3nnL1Bkn0mgvU0B-zkCAnoJI63r-4B8r7DXbIcL7grp-gX7THs08cLMp-rdpG05J_Ha3qLALhbZtprcUm5pmalEq5mBraMfu8Q0Ggm9Q1koOLhTG_91/s200/IMG_8541.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I went to <a href="http://eatalyny.com/">Eataly</a> today to pick up some new place mats and treated myself to a grocery shop there. That's got to be once and a very little while because boy it costs a pretty penny! But damn, their produce is good and if you love to cook and eat - then it's so worth it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkOQu1HxelRQSQ0lwCELwhv8jRNquJgCO-6Na1WnUtezEoriI8Uut5ZCA_j8YMP3M2PgSlm-_Js8im-hirj2g1wJaWUw4oehHmSo5X0jgkzOVOp5-gynYoRWbpsZ4V2Zm0FTq7u_xbKUU/s1600/IMG_8523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkOQu1HxelRQSQ0lwCELwhv8jRNquJgCO-6Na1WnUtezEoriI8Uut5ZCA_j8YMP3M2PgSlm-_Js8im-hirj2g1wJaWUw4oehHmSo5X0jgkzOVOp5-gynYoRWbpsZ4V2Zm0FTq7u_xbKUU/s200/IMG_8523.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q57JG3i1guf7On75gM34PPgUYQiiSaDNSQx5rswm27ux3gaq4nRCChiZceifikmLBkFTIz6CoFTdkbzVAov5l9CUDF-VK-RmX3SlN2f4n3GdKE1iV-MXWwdE935VMFaM0_MowEc_XRiz/s1600/IMG_8526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q57JG3i1guf7On75gM34PPgUYQiiSaDNSQx5rswm27ux3gaq4nRCChiZceifikmLBkFTIz6CoFTdkbzVAov5l9CUDF-VK-RmX3SlN2f4n3GdKE1iV-MXWwdE935VMFaM0_MowEc_XRiz/s200/IMG_8526.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I used white peaches which were crisp and crunched perfectly together with the red onion. I had the lobster cooked at the seafood market for me so all I had to do was make the tomato topping. The recipe calls for a simple vinaigrette that was a great dressing for both the salsa and lobster. And the watercress which I dressed with a lemon, salt & pepper was a nice added touch. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBzcj_pZuxgJWqMeuOKxiUB7lxNTQrVOkpINZxbsSGpHIKT14Mw5_rhuejqL65ePG2PxqpygUJAjaHKQC837GT4z1SlBLOSAz_Npl4vjA1fQIZjIAZ0puKoxOfITuwLP4hdwbTe4wIhw6/s1600/IMG_8536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBzcj_pZuxgJWqMeuOKxiUB7lxNTQrVOkpINZxbsSGpHIKT14Mw5_rhuejqL65ePG2PxqpygUJAjaHKQC837GT4z1SlBLOSAz_Npl4vjA1fQIZjIAZ0puKoxOfITuwLP4hdwbTe4wIhw6/s200/IMG_8536.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>A very fresh, healthy, bright and delicious meal. I highly suggest it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-91475142020855233622011-06-08T23:42:00.000-07:002011-06-09T20:24:56.551-07:00F F FYup. F. You know what I mean. Well my sister is in town and tonight we saw <a href="http://themfwiththehat.com/">the Mother F'r with the hat </a>starring Chris Rock. I need that hour and a half of my life back. Ok, don't take this too literally because what do I know from good plays? But the two people I saw it with agreed. It was terribly boring with a slow and pointless story line. At one point maybe 45 minutes in I turned to my sister and asked "should we play angry birds"? Chris Rock was funny at a few different times, but not funny enough to keep me interested in this show. Shame because I do really think he's a terrific actor…<br />
Backtrack to pre-show…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGJTpPOTJtaMKzrxlVHdn69urbXSR7b9ODMHqTrKLLirai0pzsc9Ow0hUuhliYIbmRQ5ZhfN4Yu0zrMazyxd79RE7R8It7REEgS_wZa47njUoGKeUgevlJB6UbGLrq4E_byrFT50AOuqK/s1600/pork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGJTpPOTJtaMKzrxlVHdn69urbXSR7b9ODMHqTrKLLirai0pzsc9Ow0hUuhliYIbmRQ5ZhfN4Yu0zrMazyxd79RE7R8It7REEgS_wZa47njUoGKeUgevlJB6UbGLrq4E_byrFT50AOuqK/s200/pork.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>It was about 4,000 degrees outside, felt somewhat like walking through an outdoor sauna, and my sister and I were decked for Broadway. After the brutally long winter we had it's been hard not to crave eating al fresco. So we started with a drink at <a href="http://littlemissmother.blogspot.com/2011/04/few-of-my-favorites.html">the Standard Hotel's Biergarten</a>. An absolute fave of mine. We shared a cheddar and pork sausage that was so delicious I couldn't stand it. The cheddar just oozed out while the sausage was perfectly juicy. Though we had a ball and my sis loved this place…it was NOT the right choice for the weather and attire we were sporting. Next time I'd suggest something like the <a href="http://www.fryingpan.com/">Frying Pan</a> which is always fun and on the water and surely much breezier.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSU1jKjOyFXrr0qOvcQIob1hbazQ-ontnEFQAHzKiOgVCEm4MEmbDu9XKmfzydJcaPbfMKALrvz09ffInYMNxzNS7q5kTQxEb9h9II10KcscG2I-eg8mrD9saSOir_M4DlsAlCT6wEhjo/s1600/foodparc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSU1jKjOyFXrr0qOvcQIob1hbazQ-ontnEFQAHzKiOgVCEm4MEmbDu9XKmfzydJcaPbfMKALrvz09ffInYMNxzNS7q5kTQxEb9h9II10KcscG2I-eg8mrD9saSOir_M4DlsAlCT6wEhjo/s200/foodparc.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-oZ6S_Ci3pL0CaAuU9PNIFNa7WR3S4-RRJVdfqcuf0DDF9h1tPtiXHK80bqHOh-Ufj7bpK4p1g3q0alpBWANvGOOsa-_LKlREPrq_p-pJWT7nsb55Va2EaAwgMD1wJAIJ-hCE0XWnKbJ/s1600/mandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-oZ6S_Ci3pL0CaAuU9PNIFNa7WR3S4-RRJVdfqcuf0DDF9h1tPtiXHK80bqHOh-Ufj7bpK4p1g3q0alpBWANvGOOsa-_LKlREPrq_p-pJWT7nsb55Va2EaAwgMD1wJAIJ-hCE0XWnKbJ/s200/mandy.jpg" width="200" /></a>We moved onward to meet up with a friend at the <a href="http://www.foodparc.com/">Foodparc</a>. A new venue that has opened in Chelsea and is quite literally like a food park. With four different stations you can mix and match or pick just one to order from. You walk in and feel sort of like you're in the Jetsons. Very white, bright and technical…you need to go to a computer to place your order and then can enter your cell phone to get a text when the order is ready. Unfortunately our phones did not buzz so we went to check on the orders ourselves and sure enough they were ready when we went in to check. The seating is in a court yard out back and felt very much like a place where you would go for a quick work lunch. We later found out that there was seating upstairs in the air conditioning but too little too late.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYO1B6pwECdcyHBPJzqegVSZDbJehA6OAy3NYN5ITL828seQkQPRPtm8Bd1v9fzgiL_X921tiYtZQte3vaBfDO0XVyZ3mNxk9_UdPPyIBEa0xpeaV8hyWuPamwGXN_NnaZJxSGBpBj3rV3/s1600/foodparc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYO1B6pwECdcyHBPJzqegVSZDbJehA6OAy3NYN5ITL828seQkQPRPtm8Bd1v9fzgiL_X921tiYtZQte3vaBfDO0XVyZ3mNxk9_UdPPyIBEa0xpeaV8hyWuPamwGXN_NnaZJxSGBpBj3rV3/s200/foodparc.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>The food was actually delicious. I ordered dumplings and chicken skewers from the Red Farm stand and both dishes were incredibly tasty. But…not worth the trouble. Not when we're dressed up and sweaty! I'd say it would be more enjoyable for lunch. OR to order in! It's all take out anyway and they deliver! Also to note, there is no wine served. Beer only. You can go upstairs (which we did after our dinner) and grab a drink from a top shelf full service bar. There was a private party for Lil' Wayne going on so we were unable to hang on the balcony but did get to check out the rest of the bar. Very dim lighting in this huge space that wrapped around and had several different areas for large parties. Overall I was not a huge fan but given the circumstances I'd be willing to go back and try it again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-59339599894781017202011-05-29T20:52:00.000-07:002011-06-05T20:03:17.323-07:00Memorial day: The last hours.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Menu: project leftovers</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shrimp cocktail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Watermelon & Feta salad</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Roasted corn with parsley butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grilled pineapple with honey & mint</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Diana sauce BBQ (on the big green egg) ribs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Strawberry shortcake</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yum.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We used leftover clam baked shrimp to make shrimp cocktail. How gorgeous is this?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCUYJymT8s-wwa8oZuMt2adhJyfUPyLiAuQ5VQm-jn8bPrRQg_oQV_JwUDKau0-EoUuscBJ5C2GBwhD2U5inlV2Qgn3eF6EeNLEMFPqnMXBPb6bmXLzo2i0mSYBbpfeRB7uuXDYdlOsAO/s1600/IMG_8395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCUYJymT8s-wwa8oZuMt2adhJyfUPyLiAuQ5VQm-jn8bPrRQg_oQV_JwUDKau0-EoUuscBJ5C2GBwhD2U5inlV2Qgn3eF6EeNLEMFPqnMXBPb6bmXLzo2i0mSYBbpfeRB7uuXDYdlOsAO/s320/IMG_8395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friend Eleia did all of the photography for these dishes…and did a wonderful job for a novice photographer! She's going to be a first time Mama this July…cannot wait to meet this new lil one! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa2fnMgoPFGjaCS8IH9EkVAdUxAST34eTd-ctrTsZIhzG2PkoBTZM1wcUSoBYX3B2EMm9tXfX9PaPNVRN0BGnjrsReJhyphenhyphenHqoa3uXE_UOJNtJtAgmqKQn4SEuJjRZ1UuEJVf4FaCp4nqux/s1600/IMG_8397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa2fnMgoPFGjaCS8IH9EkVAdUxAST34eTd-ctrTsZIhzG2PkoBTZM1wcUSoBYX3B2EMm9tXfX9PaPNVRN0BGnjrsReJhyphenhyphenHqoa3uXE_UOJNtJtAgmqKQn4SEuJjRZ1UuEJVf4FaCp4nqux/s320/IMG_8397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bought a fresh mini seedless watermelon and combined with feta that was leftover from the dip we made yesterday afternoon. Added a cucumber that was left in the fridge and a small handful of chopped mint. I simply combined everything with a couple tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette, a couple turns of the bowl with grape seed oil, salt and pepper. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX6XzYKlel958tE3QG84qsHz8hjwjtVdf99pIvnMu5SGZUCJczT4RWTWPQ9D1lRBCoRFgoOw-kd6yS50qE4qoxIhxarpc5_-WdHmEoDAs_qqEuKBMyzwzEuIROHqABQAMrjriiDIFq1WE/s1600/IMG_8453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX6XzYKlel958tE3QG84qsHz8hjwjtVdf99pIvnMu5SGZUCJczT4RWTWPQ9D1lRBCoRFgoOw-kd6yS50qE4qoxIhxarpc5_-WdHmEoDAs_qqEuKBMyzwzEuIROHqABQAMrjriiDIFq1WE/s320/IMG_8453.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>Corn was leftover from the clam bake and grilled. To serve alongside we simmered up some butter and added a handful of chopped parsley. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshtgySA3ienPu3ma4N3AB0SrlpvuSNCC0wF5axVXmkoE51TW3bNuSSByrd7reU48hbpDkjseMr5bR2MwubMv4Q2nRAj3Vy9aCS_i-vAR42Y8BrxmHojoIXVQvVstSIEVzooupOgXSmtsL/s1600/IMG_8468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshtgySA3ienPu3ma4N3AB0SrlpvuSNCC0wF5axVXmkoE51TW3bNuSSByrd7reU48hbpDkjseMr5bR2MwubMv4Q2nRAj3Vy9aCS_i-vAR42Y8BrxmHojoIXVQvVstSIEVzooupOgXSmtsL/s320/IMG_8468.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div>Had a pineapple that we didn't end up using so we cut it up, grilled and then drizzled with honey.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudFn2OVmHaFdUWePmAbLSiesq3dDtP2cw3BkNjwEXe41g516saIXjPpV6JP36Vn22FsbX3oPEMTSIyGPP5rELA7-h45i7SvEiAPnTQ_UqY44ZjDlevWoPNIhyphenhyphen6I1_aB5lJryEY2YFcmY7/s1600/IMG_8473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudFn2OVmHaFdUWePmAbLSiesq3dDtP2cw3BkNjwEXe41g516saIXjPpV6JP36Vn22FsbX3oPEMTSIyGPP5rELA7-h45i7SvEiAPnTQ_UqY44ZjDlevWoPNIhyphenhyphen6I1_aB5lJryEY2YFcmY7/s320/IMG_8473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ribs: My hubby's famous summer time dish…grilled on the <a href="http://www.biggreenegg.com/eggs_XL.html">big green egg</a> which is his prize smoker. Pretty out of this world.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuHoVQB5J4JJAaW-XwxNaElFrj_t9AGoHSaQY0DcPBEAcWuD1R3HTCRaTaVXdgrCI6lrmjiytn-kYnVoUTYmoCphJjAE4VpnYdBHAvnbQ6BvxPQXNKWcC4K7E6HHV9cfl3Q9qYvVJTusi/s1600/IMG_8475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuHoVQB5J4JJAaW-XwxNaElFrj_t9AGoHSaQY0DcPBEAcWuD1R3HTCRaTaVXdgrCI6lrmjiytn-kYnVoUTYmoCphJjAE4VpnYdBHAvnbQ6BvxPQXNKWcC4K7E6HHV9cfl3Q9qYvVJTusi/s320/IMG_8475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPINBX-HSIg7QwmX1LUGh9B8b55p4EVnqefOpKxVu9N9ia24PmWP5VD6AQHUtvWua1gpOonWCUA6LcKvUkCZKg9cpgDgQfAMVjREOpNoMMSuxZnxpl8VrZNFbb3UfI36ABm5Ss5Tsv2Zti/s1600/IMG_8479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPINBX-HSIg7QwmX1LUGh9B8b55p4EVnqefOpKxVu9N9ia24PmWP5VD6AQHUtvWua1gpOonWCUA6LcKvUkCZKg9cpgDgQfAMVjREOpNoMMSuxZnxpl8VrZNFbb3UfI36ABm5Ss5Tsv2Zti/s320/IMG_8479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eleia made the strawberry shortcake and I couldn't have loved this flaky, fruit and whip creamy dessert more. <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/classic-strawberry-shortcakes/370099a9-c927-4eae-93ba-ab66a455b996">This recipe is off the back of the Bisquick box</a>…and is a MUST.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73m8ARe4-yL23T3xUqklarHgTK-xxAcs_rV-dkLDtTpypXA9YoEXybcygxJu3G4iyKoUgOcZyrOWRug8BcMCMJOpA9_KJoQCG8IujUvAy32-MBG3PO3TJ9YOjjuhc_B_ZsMvXcouGXpd8/s1600/IMG_8449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73m8ARe4-yL23T3xUqklarHgTK-xxAcs_rV-dkLDtTpypXA9YoEXybcygxJu3G4iyKoUgOcZyrOWRug8BcMCMJOpA9_KJoQCG8IujUvAy32-MBG3PO3TJ9YOjjuhc_B_ZsMvXcouGXpd8/s320/IMG_8449.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jdWmIdy1gAVT6dEkMuWOQ6yzDZcsGiae1_HkMpPLgYFn09FOW0fmEr1mAQlpN-jmuP0nbfE2qX4czGpxJhNTjTOrtGEQQZCfaFXb0gUrpe7agPgBfFlMRM4cobac7e92L62_RmDYbXHy/s1600/IMG_8450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jdWmIdy1gAVT6dEkMuWOQ6yzDZcsGiae1_HkMpPLgYFn09FOW0fmEr1mAQlpN-jmuP0nbfE2qX4czGpxJhNTjTOrtGEQQZCfaFXb0gUrpe7agPgBfFlMRM4cobac7e92L62_RmDYbXHy/s320/IMG_8450.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-18175685910617666632011-05-28T19:24:00.000-07:002011-06-05T19:59:06.278-07:00Memorial day, part deux.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Tonight's menu…<u>The Maine man's bake</u></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Garbanzo & pomegranate dip with pita chips</div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Tomato & ginger soup with spiced oil</div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Jeff's famous outdoor bbq clam bake</div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Crusty bread for dipping</div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So the boys played golf while E and I hung by the pool with the LM. To welcome the golfers back home we kicked the late afternoon off with this incredibly healthy, bright and delicious garbanzo & pomegranate dip with pita chips. </div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Puritan; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Small-Bites-Jennifer-Joyce/dp/0756613477" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">recipe adapted from small bites by jennifer joyce</span></a></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgqFsZYSgRzJIkPn5G5hzoA04_Xb-jmQOaqDIVW66t-jM091i2CRcWfJR-65Rq1zi-dpG30FJ3gr_zC3A7vnlxNzTFeOVvj3FhKLQGl4N5rQutC7yLxx34M44-9XVBrcZGoXtu-Yo6dHs/s1600/IMG_8303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgqFsZYSgRzJIkPn5G5hzoA04_Xb-jmQOaqDIVW66t-jM091i2CRcWfJR-65Rq1zi-dpG30FJ3gr_zC3A7vnlxNzTFeOVvj3FhKLQGl4N5rQutC7yLxx34M44-9XVBrcZGoXtu-Yo6dHs/s320/IMG_8303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Time for dinner prep, the sun has set and the wine has been cracked…so please excuse the dark and not so perfectly food styled pics ;)<br />
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<div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Shown here…the tomato & ginger soup with spiced oil.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Puritan; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Small-Bites-Jennifer-Joyce/dp/0756613477" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">recipe adapted from small bites by jennifer joyce</span></a></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1ggGiPD5YD_6YDPxSY_wjKiHKnFWTGMC58flraRMKxTa4B_aKuCREYOjUy64ZueMF1gbONlU_YOEiQgMJTsQkL7DonB-NlfWrZ1rmkmn-MciGA7Z6tVf-jpm5UmE7OFJuu1WnSvD0QrM/s1600/IMG_8309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1ggGiPD5YD_6YDPxSY_wjKiHKnFWTGMC58flraRMKxTa4B_aKuCREYOjUy64ZueMF1gbONlU_YOEiQgMJTsQkL7DonB-NlfWrZ1rmkmn-MciGA7Z6tVf-jpm5UmE7OFJuu1WnSvD0QrM/s320/IMG_8309.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE_9ihXJlNn5wAd17nkVfkSAgYvN0RblmngjZrrHVyMWPHVUoopZ-diCHXrxrIgzRiqbt6qFBQL5t2ZcF4ZOaXKCzHFYwIblDXwBhnF1UhXTABy_nsHEr6pDYKaIthc6asqoFfXLF2gR-/s1600/IMG_8324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE_9ihXJlNn5wAd17nkVfkSAgYvN0RblmngjZrrHVyMWPHVUoopZ-diCHXrxrIgzRiqbt6qFBQL5t2ZcF4ZOaXKCzHFYwIblDXwBhnF1UhXTABy_nsHEr6pDYKaIthc6asqoFfXLF2gR-/s320/IMG_8324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL6L11I2BzCjOIsVCQUzEbxw3RM3-PxKxWwRGfs64LMe1Fe3wSkRZUBqeFRmjLi9Vh2BCz4ICYkQryQIpqTe0NTeZVI4VEOM3NOXfrbuignvIzzztPmXcCbcQYaFgPxk06hLSUvp9gLlT/s1600/IMG_8332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL6L11I2BzCjOIsVCQUzEbxw3RM3-PxKxWwRGfs64LMe1Fe3wSkRZUBqeFRmjLi9Vh2BCz4ICYkQryQIpqTe0NTeZVI4VEOM3NOXfrbuignvIzzztPmXcCbcQYaFgPxk06hLSUvp9gLlT/s320/IMG_8332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Served in margarita glasses.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO8GBUu8wmBq3xaN-eawfhvxm7AOle76oNe6eoH2mdhSFVFrCCDiOL9Fv7K-83VULBnEsPdgr0PqOZcE2hxBg70aPXZ-QU6DKULzV2M_2492ie9yaNkBuRhHsynTH5LWwAHuiafLUGiNf/s1600/IMG_8366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO8GBUu8wmBq3xaN-eawfhvxm7AOle76oNe6eoH2mdhSFVFrCCDiOL9Fv7K-83VULBnEsPdgr0PqOZcE2hxBg70aPXZ-QU6DKULzV2M_2492ie9yaNkBuRhHsynTH5LWwAHuiafLUGiNf/s320/IMG_8366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The table: Soft candle lighting, new dishes from the Calypso for Target line (god did I love their stuff.) and leftover herbs (cilantro and parsley) in mason jars for flowers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTLA7xgMNBJTpHXF-R2IDmouFPL_QxRAoTX7bR0cuwnci0e-juvWfkiWcWngsX7HJdhtEfaHmcQgQknQXKhxPLWXw5XCri5b0bnDtJOWbO_iOXm6m0u0Nx5Q8UZKKlNRBmzX6zxtir3ZC/s1600/IMG_8342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTLA7xgMNBJTpHXF-R2IDmouFPL_QxRAoTX7bR0cuwnci0e-juvWfkiWcWngsX7HJdhtEfaHmcQgQknQXKhxPLWXw5XCri5b0bnDtJOWbO_iOXm6m0u0Nx5Q8UZKKlNRBmzX6zxtir3ZC/s320/IMG_8342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Finally...Ta da! The best shot of our friend Jeff's clambake. He says…"I just follow the recipe". It's super easy, with a boy from Maine's magic touch. <a href="http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/dinner-recipes/backyard-clambake">See recipe here on Rachael Ray's site.</a><br />
You don't want to miss out this summer…give it a whirl. And make sure to use the freshest ingredients. We shop at Cor-J's in the Hampton Bays…right on the water where you'll find the best fish out east.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgNHiV2yRq7O2DqrjlyheDQSZHxXIhlWz5e2g9dvl-HS4825fQ06qdPpIy9wkeoA1KTrLvKq58ldkTbxDm9ebr4rQ0WxFB6AZxRhMiwt-XOwb2FO16liMA2jIbpWjZ46CJ4qVpNjW1CdO/s1600/Clam+bake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgNHiV2yRq7O2DqrjlyheDQSZHxXIhlWz5e2g9dvl-HS4825fQ06qdPpIy9wkeoA1KTrLvKq58ldkTbxDm9ebr4rQ0WxFB6AZxRhMiwt-XOwb2FO16liMA2jIbpWjZ46CJ4qVpNjW1CdO/s320/Clam+bake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>*Cor-J's Seafood Corp is located at 36 Lighthouse Road, Hampton Bays, NY 11946 (631) 728-5186Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-44290370696050927442011-05-27T23:09:00.000-07:002011-05-29T20:47:41.283-07:00Memorial day…finally.It's been a super drawn out, wet, long, and super cold winter. No spring…well not much at least and finally, the heat is on. Though not consistently.<br />
<br />
For the long Memorial day weekend, we went out to the house and started the initial summer set up. Brought up the patio furniture, lounge chairs and got out some summer toys for the LM. On the to do list for the next weekend out: Power spray and oxiclean clean the outdoor loungewear. <br />
<br />
As per the usual routine, cooking and eating were our number 1 priorities. <br />
Here's what we dined on for our Memorial day weekend, evening #1:<br />
<br />
<u><i>Dinner for 4 ~</i></u><br />
Fresh tomato & red onion salsa w/chips<br />
Chili & lime avocado boats<br />
Jalepeno skirt steak w/salsa verde<br />
Crispy chorizo quesadillas w/guacamole<br />
Crab & gruyere nachos w/charred tomato salso<br />
Farmer's market blueberry pie<br />
<br />
<i><u>Recipes ~</u></i><br />
<b>Fresh tomato & red onion salsa w/chips</b><br />
<i>*recipe adapted from 500 recipes by Susannah Blake</i><br />
3 tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped<br />
1 red onion, quartered and finely sliced<br />
1 green chili pepper, seeded and finely chopped<br />
3 good pinches of ground cumin<br />
1 tsp. red wine vinegar<br />
1 tbsp. olive oil<br />
salt<br />
2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro<br />
Put the tomatoes, onion, chili pepper, cumin, vinegar and oil in a bowl. Season with salt and toss to combine. Add the cilantro and toss again. Serve or chill. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd-rnkDbyBRrLGGVNtwcAv2ehMO59RWg7Uc2_5IlH7s2JQVvdG7UOlXGMEII31FIXCfyM7WubnkelnZyxil12avY3Ysy0Izb-PTS1uChPEyme3OE8-YMcSTdkqfim0QYea2EfY3JaA15k/s1600/IMG_8177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd-rnkDbyBRrLGGVNtwcAv2ehMO59RWg7Uc2_5IlH7s2JQVvdG7UOlXGMEII31FIXCfyM7WubnkelnZyxil12avY3Ysy0Izb-PTS1uChPEyme3OE8-YMcSTdkqfim0QYea2EfY3JaA15k/s200/IMG_8177.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><b>Chili & Lime avocado boats </b><br />
*recipe adapted from <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chili-lime-avocados-recipe/index.html">Rachael Ray</a> with an LMP twist:<br />
1 ear of corn, cut off the husk and sauteed with salt + pepper<br />
1 plum tomato, seeded and chopped<br />
2 scallions sliced on an angle<br />
handful of cilantro, finely chopped<br />
small palmful of cumin<br />
pinch of salt + pepper<br />
Mix everything together well and taste. Add salt + pepper if needed to taste. Pile on top of the avocados and enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAe8TaypJxCtKLmfcCHJsjW1oeNIChYgw2MC171bHa74hYxPfNeBzVHqMCKhl140li_-HROWnrzxonhyphenhyphenBdZpkHJRYJ3CoaKSniDR7cPG0whozFnvqiZ2dleMqnGaW1NeKjkBqMNMNmfAQ/s1600/IMG_8205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAe8TaypJxCtKLmfcCHJsjW1oeNIChYgw2MC171bHa74hYxPfNeBzVHqMCKhl140li_-HROWnrzxonhyphenhyphenBdZpkHJRYJ3CoaKSniDR7cPG0whozFnvqiZ2dleMqnGaW1NeKjkBqMNMNmfAQ/s200/IMG_8205.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><b>Skirt steak w/salsa verde</b><br />
*Recipe from my friend Melanie (double recipe for 4 people)<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">1/3 cup lime juice</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">1/3 cup olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">2 cloves minced garlic<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">2 tablespoons minced jalapeno <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">1 pound skirt steak, trimmed <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">In a bowl, combine the lime juice, olive oil, garlic and jalapeno. Add steak to the marinade and refrigerate.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Remove the steak from the marinade and scrape off any remaining marinade. Heat a grill pan until very hot. Add the steak and cook about 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Serve with salsa verde.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">Salsa Verde</span><u><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> ½ pound tomatillos, husked and roasted<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> 1/4 cup white onion, coarsely chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> 2 serranos, seeded and chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;">1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> 1 clove garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> 1/4 cup cilantro leaves<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Combine the ingredients in a blender or food processor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6xbRiorCjMxSruVkBFUHvkJcku5DnStPt8j636iYpXDL6MIjJAjCfgy05nPg4CZZEueO1Q5M_LIMn7P-cv9JO8gIRQBWBintY8rHUuEeZyn9ZDGHoD_tF6YIGOZmw8aC9FpM6cu6TdBH/s1600/IMG_8231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6xbRiorCjMxSruVkBFUHvkJcku5DnStPt8j636iYpXDL6MIjJAjCfgy05nPg4CZZEueO1Q5M_LIMn7P-cv9JO8gIRQBWBintY8rHUuEeZyn9ZDGHoD_tF6YIGOZmw8aC9FpM6cu6TdBH/s200/IMG_8231.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><b>Crispy chorizo quesadillas with guacamole</b><br />
<b>Crab & Gruyere nachos with charred tomato salsa</b><br />
*<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Small-Bites-Jennifer-Joyce/dp/0756613477">recipes adapted from small bites by jennifer joyce</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVbcZZgYf-Lt8onIa4bRZVEka-TY-DjKBADI_vj65qIY5StW_qJaO5T696XQw1JfZO1GE65_nAd9UaIY7be0sUI9o4BB2Dd2RyohCq9iIcS_trck37EGs5lf-sP1hk2MOss6_ye0LZhpb/s1600/IMG_8198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVbcZZgYf-Lt8onIa4bRZVEka-TY-DjKBADI_vj65qIY5StW_qJaO5T696XQw1JfZO1GE65_nAd9UaIY7be0sUI9o4BB2Dd2RyohCq9iIcS_trck37EGs5lf-sP1hk2MOss6_ye0LZhpb/s200/IMG_8198.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b>Blueberry pie</b> from <a href="http://www.briermere.com/">Briermere Farms in Riverhead </a>with vanilla bean ice cream.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-48374192608318294202011-05-26T19:53:00.000-07:002011-05-26T19:54:01.765-07:00baking + baking = challah & muffinsSo I'm not a baker. I don't have the patience for it. You'll see from my creations where I go wrong. And I know flat out what my problem is...I get lazy! I don't have the attention span for fine detail when it comes to the exact measurements required for this task, I'm too busy! BUT I do love the taste & smell of freshly baked goods <u>and</u> I want to learn how to bake and make my goodies look pretty. Practice makes perfect…I hope.<br />
SO - I give it a run and have some fun…today we make:<br />
<i>Challah </i>- a family fave. My mom used to make this when we were growing up and every time I smell that challah in the oven I feel like I'm 5 again. I've been making this recipe quite a lot lately. I mean, do you know how good it is to wake up on a Saturday morning and have some sunny side up eggs + a fresh peice of challah? It's pretty unreal. And once it starts to get stale…go French toast on it. A-mazing.<br />
<b><u>Challah</u></b><br />
(Prize winning recipe) <br />
1 tsp. sugar<br />
1/2 c. warm water<br />
1 pkg. yeast<br />
1/2 c. oil<br />
1/2 c. warm water<br />
1/4 c. sugar<br />
2 tsp. salt<br />
2 eggs<br />
3 1/4 - 4 c. flour<br />
poppy or sesame seeds<br />
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tsp water<br />
Dissolve sugar in 1/2 c. warm water in a large mixing bowl which has first been rinsed with hot water. Sprinkle yeast on top and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir to dissolve. Combine with oil, water, sugar, eggs and half of flour. Beat well. Stir in remaining flour. Dough should be sticky. Cover dough and let rest for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a floured board and knead for 10 minutes*, adding flour as needed. Round up in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Punch down, cover and let rise again until double, about 45 minutes. Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Shape into strands. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and braid loosely. Fasten ends securely. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until double. Brush with beaten egg yolk (and water) and sprinkle with seeds. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes, until golden brown. <br />
<br />
Seriously, crusty on outside, fluffy and soft on the inside: yum. Now again, please excuse my ugly pics (yes I'm my own worst critic)…I didn't have Scott here to shoot for me today ;)<br />
*regarding the kneading…damn it's a bizz. It will kill your arms but woah, what a work out! You must do it for the full 10 minutes. Set a timer if you have to. You can't skimp. Here's what the dough should look like (though it should be smoother then mine) after your kneading is complete.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xeWKt3hcrdl1wN-zfZSTUYbF0QbwfzpibNCI8nhUW21jxiFeu6WDqi-mP75rLUQY80gkdFP7G6qIGpdPq3mXrYPTln7lU2OfPqX4De_q8L44TYxMHo0rDW8BldQmsPzVe5_oHkFUJP1x/s1600/IMG_8155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xeWKt3hcrdl1wN-zfZSTUYbF0QbwfzpibNCI8nhUW21jxiFeu6WDqi-mP75rLUQY80gkdFP7G6qIGpdPq3mXrYPTln7lU2OfPqX4De_q8L44TYxMHo0rDW8BldQmsPzVe5_oHkFUJP1x/s200/IMG_8155.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGLXgyA1yvR1NN4eA3bN7ENSbUXNTf5eNBTWUGNIjjPFamO9tEE8joxi2FiD2_SyWOBTudF4S-NtSMA_0zBtFQJ2fWe_Fg_DCVOZFhDyxDWQlwYBO9RhtoCcfbdts1IyV-7P0c6YpU5hM/s1600/IMG_8170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGLXgyA1yvR1NN4eA3bN7ENSbUXNTf5eNBTWUGNIjjPFamO9tEE8joxi2FiD2_SyWOBTudF4S-NtSMA_0zBtFQJ2fWe_Fg_DCVOZFhDyxDWQlwYBO9RhtoCcfbdts1IyV-7P0c6YpU5hM/s200/IMG_8170.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Now…onto <b>Zucchini & Carrot muffins</b>. These came about because of a few things…<br />
1.) I had <a href="http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2011/01/gluten-free-carrot-muffins.html">gluten free carrot muffins</a> made for the brunch I did last Sunday…and from these I had leftover organic shredded carrots that I wanted to use up…<br />
2.) LM had a party for his last day of a class that he takes…and I wanted to bake a little treat that he could share. <br />
So I thought, why not make muffins. Easy, healthy and delicious.<br />
I went on ol' Google and found a new site that is awesome! Its called<a href="http://realmomkitchen.com/"> Real Mom Kitchen</a>. I'm always looking for new recipes to cook for my family and that's just what you'll find on this site. I followed her recipe to a tee and my mini <a href="http://realmomkitchen.com/3377/zucchini-carrot-muffins/">zucchini & carrot muffins</a> turned out so great…I ate a dozen of them today. Actually, I'm not kidding. I ate 12 little muffins today. Is that acceptable?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn_l2j-yu5_F16iLGYktH1PKMsnteqXP-VKv6vG8csdqudlWsUKiTEL_Hd9dQSHxT8U5dlCvJeqGBQlg8yZY9qLkPX0YYhMSEXmpfCsuOQZzWsPbM2zEX0kPlgu-xFgE5jf9LgcK2O3GL/s1600/IMG_8151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn_l2j-yu5_F16iLGYktH1PKMsnteqXP-VKv6vG8csdqudlWsUKiTEL_Hd9dQSHxT8U5dlCvJeqGBQlg8yZY9qLkPX0YYhMSEXmpfCsuOQZzWsPbM2zEX0kPlgu-xFgE5jf9LgcK2O3GL/s200/IMG_8151.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkpXfRS23JrmnWXa0piolXMrjMBmtpbofYMjBfuu-AhMwFieRzBk8DWNF9e3I5tCwD7XbOIMTOpn1m2WKQQ3N_UjGmpb9E70tJDiSDW8q6NxmALqXEJn2pGcSmkorTwHGuqTDiJBEqsqp/s1600/IMG_8154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkpXfRS23JrmnWXa0piolXMrjMBmtpbofYMjBfuu-AhMwFieRzBk8DWNF9e3I5tCwD7XbOIMTOpn1m2WKQQ3N_UjGmpb9E70tJDiSDW8q6NxmALqXEJn2pGcSmkorTwHGuqTDiJBEqsqp/s200/IMG_8154.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Stay tuned for postings to come from the memorial day weekend. Dear friends of ours are coming out and we have a lot of cooking to do…should be fun and super tasty. To all my pals livin in the usa…have a great long weekend! And to all of my canadian friends + family…sorry I didn't say earlier…happy may 2-4! xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-29085956296022401202011-05-24T21:42:00.000-07:002011-05-25T05:14:03.098-07:00Dinner and a Movie: East VillageI had plans to see Bridesmaids with a friend tonight. What a hoot this movie was. A must see!<br />
<div>We wanted to grab dinner prior to catching the show and I was on the case. So I asked my neighbor who like me loves food, if she had any suggestions. I wanted east village location, outdoor seating (because we finally got a decent day) and delicious food. Here's what she gave me…</div><div>* Barbone</div><div>* Back Forty</div><div>* Moustache</div><div>* Frank</div><div>* Tree</div><div>* Candela</div><div>* Mermaid Inn</div><div>I've been to Frank 100 times and wanted to try something new. Mermaid Inn is a classic favorite of mine and always will be. Been to Back Forty and didn't love the menu. Dying to try the rest. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Decisions, decisions. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I had heard great things about Moustache so I figured we'd give is a try. When we arrived we were very disappointed when sent to the garden in the back as it was fully closed in. And it was HOT! I mean really hot, I started to sweat. Not a great start to the meal.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We started off with a Greek salad with feta and a hummus platter. The salad had artichokes and mushrooms in it. Odd for a Greek salad, no? I hated both additions. The dressing was bland and the tomatoes were mushy which is a major pet peeve of mine. Think it may have been the grossest Greek salad I've ever eaten. The hummus was missing something…maybe some salt? For our mains we shared grilled chicken kebabs and lamb ribs. Both were outstanding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF0OO8Mbr1HaiJammoWVBjrMXXpxssF6SboU_6sfIQRzZ34DDFYdzJAzxVmY_Zzf4v2reiI53k-IB_91Nm8XnGL469pPchkyM1TDMfmHbLDKC_tMCKptwn2w66-kBtrTBSniLgGtbQYcJ/s1600/moustache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF0OO8Mbr1HaiJammoWVBjrMXXpxssF6SboU_6sfIQRzZ34DDFYdzJAzxVmY_Zzf4v2reiI53k-IB_91Nm8XnGL469pPchkyM1TDMfmHbLDKC_tMCKptwn2w66-kBtrTBSniLgGtbQYcJ/s320/moustache.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>I was happy to at least have had a couple of tasty dishes not to mention the service was pretty good as we told them we were in a rush to see a movie and they were very accommodating.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Overall, I cannot recommend this restaurant…BUT I so appreciate the suggestion from my pal down the hall and am certainly looking forward to trying the rest of the pending list above.</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.moustachepitza.com/">Moustache </a></div><div>265 East 10th Street (between 1st and Avenue A)</div><div>212-228-2022</div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-60809005615866766112011-05-22T20:54:00.000-07:002011-05-27T05:23:07.421-07:00A Spring time birthday brunchToday I put on a little miss party affair to remember. A dear friend of ours turned 40 and I got the pleasure of working with her husband to surprise her with a weekend she'd never forget…<br />
This hubby of the year planned a birthday party at the <a href="http://www.italianwinemerchants.com/Default.asp">Italian Wine Merchants</a> on Saturday night. Friends from all over traveled to town to be a part of the suprise celebration and a true surprise it was! It was a fabulous venue where they served a wide variety of wines and delectable Italian food.<br />
<br />
The next day was my opportunity to shine as the little miss party planner. In their home, I took my wonderful staff and went in to set up a brunch for 20 adults and 10 kids. Inspired by the green leaves that finally started to bloom, seasonally fragrant and bushy lilacs, and the farms that are back in business after the winter's frost, I put together a beautifully delicious spread. The menu was as follows ---<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For the kids:</b><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Crudités shaped as a large flower with ranch for dipping</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Mini frittatas</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Mini bagels</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Homemade veggie cream cheese</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Assortment of cubed cheese, grapes and crackers</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For the Adults:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Strawberry balsamic green salad</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Assortment of sliced fresh bagels from <a href="http://www.murraysbagels.com/index2.htm">Murrays Bagels</a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> </span></span></span>Lox, dill & lemons </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWkZJBZBOPBzMvQnvx6F7FAraLB4roPD20aydh40t2OmDMo16FfXW9VWCrvbh94wIgh3UzlWU_wnSr_s1ruzJCpyiCd2qqUbkIlsoSQaj5ZPLKsVr66WukJyP-DX39TOcOYf-QGxH-FqO/s1600/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWkZJBZBOPBzMvQnvx6F7FAraLB4roPD20aydh40t2OmDMo16FfXW9VWCrvbh94wIgh3UzlWU_wnSr_s1ruzJCpyiCd2qqUbkIlsoSQaj5ZPLKsVr66WukJyP-DX39TOcOYf-QGxH-FqO/s200/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1321.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Homemade veggie cream cheese & plain cream cheese</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Tuna salad stuffed vine ripened tomatoes<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE3epziVQkVQjgCc2EcqNph7hnljLqJC5Vwxik9_msZhTtKkjj85ZVUM7P2YIZQoTGAC9mlPcbfZ6LaJ76XAEzkED2QnocIojVxblMEEoXoxi2Fex3EGnpX38SNPzTiX4F007DKqZuz86/s1600/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE3epziVQkVQjgCc2EcqNph7hnljLqJC5Vwxik9_msZhTtKkjj85ZVUM7P2YIZQoTGAC9mlPcbfZ6LaJ76XAEzkED2QnocIojVxblMEEoXoxi2Fex3EGnpX38SNPzTiX4F007DKqZuz86/s200/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1244.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Mini veggie & cheese frittatas<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rb9_epPyrNiuIS47hPzzh4MyYSylke0xeFruNR2ftZGQeUzi2JtuvxFpHt58akGiRzHNEuTv7y08uPqeGsH5q1xK6MKf08vOjo3EhSPzFMNmHHb-31bq6C8JuvLCF9fop1GXtWO96EWc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-25+at+12.10.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rb9_epPyrNiuIS47hPzzh4MyYSylke0xeFruNR2ftZGQeUzi2JtuvxFpHt58akGiRzHNEuTv7y08uPqeGsH5q1xK6MKf08vOjo3EhSPzFMNmHHb-31bq6C8JuvLCF9fop1GXtWO96EWc/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-25+at+12.10.21+AM.png" width="134" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Turkey bacon skewers</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>French toast bites in cups of syrup (inspired by the <a href="http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/05/farmhouse-brunch-baby-shower/">Hostess with the Mostess</a>)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdtnX3xcc11gG-jQn9noZ8Gdruae-y0Qn6TrgFX9pBgmXlP4qyJKn6pGrKmHx5eoGbYWWX0LltKLfhCpFdnlJ2hR33A1i2hjzZO_rfvYk1AP1oFVk1_VaqebF9GcJoVXeWHxpHis6GKA0/s1600/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdtnX3xcc11gG-jQn9noZ8Gdruae-y0Qn6TrgFX9pBgmXlP4qyJKn6pGrKmHx5eoGbYWWX0LltKLfhCpFdnlJ2hR33A1i2hjzZO_rfvYk1AP1oFVk1_VaqebF9GcJoVXeWHxpHis6GKA0/s200/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1332.jpg" width="133" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Carrot muffins (gluten free special for our client)</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dessert table:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">K-Pops (</span><a href="http://www.kreatedbykristan.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kreated by Kristan</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrg94q19iH9sw2lZqjfY-_5GguHwgww5po5SZ52YCYizNPEjhCQv5C9jRR5tmi_nYrWpxm7os72HGs5kTbg8anj7jDS1a7USsWbPxVoB66MAlvYW0JypKLaxMhQcw6AQwBYPgySZDtA50/s1600/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrg94q19iH9sw2lZqjfY-_5GguHwgww5po5SZ52YCYizNPEjhCQv5C9jRR5tmi_nYrWpxm7os72HGs5kTbg8anj7jDS1a7USsWbPxVoB66MAlvYW0JypKLaxMhQcw6AQwBYPgySZDtA50/s200/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1360.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">Banana Pops</span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> (gluten free - a first for LMP by (</span><a href="http://www.kreatedbykristan.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Kreated by Kristan</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmb1lam1an5UUkDPEKwPKwpnCUzH-eqEfJ6nihs3MEBEE3zqHQQq_Jg6f3rbzjxv-liuxe8JYOvspnNuTH92Xw_PQjbyPSDPJvmZ53_j0QKptSSh9DufiRaXCZptLdT4N3Yc4g7OA9yDc/s1600/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmb1lam1an5UUkDPEKwPKwpnCUzH-eqEfJ6nihs3MEBEE3zqHQQq_Jg6f3rbzjxv-liuxe8JYOvspnNuTH92Xw_PQjbyPSDPJvmZ53_j0QKptSSh9DufiRaXCZptLdT4N3Yc4g7OA9yDc/s200/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1335.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"></span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Ice cream cone cupcakes (inspired by my friend who just recently bought an ice cream maker…)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PTpsgDuIIVk49kLnNDcn30IH6a1V_KTujMZKBcTkcVmyCygAsccn9y05wIwLTPc7tuZdtarav4Z30NWVW5GoJiTDn4Zj9XNOGnbP3BjWR90Ko_2E7QZNTRNdRQN_dODuhriihIpdfO1W/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.50.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PTpsgDuIIVk49kLnNDcn30IH6a1V_KTujMZKBcTkcVmyCygAsccn9y05wIwLTPc7tuZdtarav4Z30NWVW5GoJiTDn4Zj9XNOGnbP3BjWR90Ko_2E7QZNTRNdRQN_dODuhriihIpdfO1W/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.50.39+AM.png" width="136" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chocolate covered pretzels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8c7i9aReaE9mzeoOz8P4TmYgnh7kev-0h264Tp47mDWFiU7eOkfGGCUjDRqyV83NstslfC2E5MCsT8XpVRQfUCWyMk6wIoULQ9Vl3pmlUc2zJGMsUmfO2LROg0eXwVHTmESHEhOwbXyBL/s1600/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8c7i9aReaE9mzeoOz8P4TmYgnh7kev-0h264Tp47mDWFiU7eOkfGGCUjDRqyV83NstslfC2E5MCsT8XpVRQfUCWyMk6wIoULQ9Vl3pmlUc2zJGMsUmfO2LROg0eXwVHTmESHEhOwbXyBL/s200/VIK_BDAY_IMG_1323.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSeWzZkmfGSnViyGHCmVEbA471e4fRNP6bzHYm5ifsT8K0TcUqwjt0PeKQZ3PcUXzdpRcRUMSjE-W8U4wPf2spPW_nvjIjsQPEPeajJpwRDNfT3bnI6_homh40RnRWC4lgjSq6pxwYK8J/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.50.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSeWzZkmfGSnViyGHCmVEbA471e4fRNP6bzHYm5ifsT8K0TcUqwjt0PeKQZ3PcUXzdpRcRUMSjE-W8U4wPf2spPW_nvjIjsQPEPeajJpwRDNfT3bnI6_homh40RnRWC4lgjSq6pxwYK8J/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.50.23+AM.png" width="130" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Mini fudge brownies (gluten free)</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Fruit skewers<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucqP3NsCnDCwVgJGAPiGSINTg8r-kYk1PZQL6ZeGs5UV1CigsYY-LMyZE-73F49xD8K4t-RxZQ8jQuqgANUEGpxADwTmAmUy82i-25qMevUJenZGMqDkKTjpdiv8D_JsdDrl0ezRphS5B/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.51.49+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucqP3NsCnDCwVgJGAPiGSINTg8r-kYk1PZQL6ZeGs5UV1CigsYY-LMyZE-73F49xD8K4t-RxZQ8jQuqgANUEGpxADwTmAmUy82i-25qMevUJenZGMqDkKTjpdiv8D_JsdDrl0ezRphS5B/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.51.49+AM.png" width="138" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drinks:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Lemonade with fresh mint</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Pomegranate mimosas</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Sparkling water with lemons & limes</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Personalized bottles of water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjjBj5UgffPJrdzuN6wGQMF0XE5jJHSVMHepgaxfYJind_qSeL6NjlwN0leqe6ym0J8FOKLq9rAGchqishydXl716ERDEs2VpdY8XF0ToVcgRmqBRYYaTzLk4CwvuYp1gfFa-J7Q8qinQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.50.51+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjjBj5UgffPJrdzuN6wGQMF0XE5jJHSVMHepgaxfYJind_qSeL6NjlwN0leqe6ym0J8FOKLq9rAGchqishydXl716ERDEs2VpdY8XF0ToVcgRmqBRYYaTzLk4CwvuYp1gfFa-J7Q8qinQ/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.50.51+AM.png" width="138" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOyaLEII21uzoBft4NMlXBr6Yhvhs4G1DCHB7pf9w2z9S5B102ALLHw7v4NjPkXm3Sk5bYuCDXrHZ6KSMoXSz1uXDifMB_40sdbLFeKuTsNmpvfd8M4GoS-gEszg7AO3l4B5uUkJOUVkZ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.51.02+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOyaLEII21uzoBft4NMlXBr6Yhvhs4G1DCHB7pf9w2z9S5B102ALLHw7v4NjPkXm3Sk5bYuCDXrHZ6KSMoXSz1uXDifMB_40sdbLFeKuTsNmpvfd8M4GoS-gEszg7AO3l4B5uUkJOUVkZ/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.51.02+AM.png" width="136" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyByviup76CTLjZ2AM8XKbDEPNcsPw_ikSHqATahwL8xPAv23CHEKVHxgjF3CvUD_qXHBEKkU_DJFqEviRSKhZ8M1OoduC2Vr6JkeDwq48qXY1czrw61jKFzts7qB-q4fFup96yimbBmE0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.51.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyByviup76CTLjZ2AM8XKbDEPNcsPw_ikSHqATahwL8xPAv23CHEKVHxgjF3CvUD_qXHBEKkU_DJFqEviRSKhZ8M1OoduC2Vr6JkeDwq48qXY1czrw61jKFzts7qB-q4fFup96yimbBmE0/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.51.08+AM.png" width="136" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq9Z-XkpjMLcIL1E4bUpKRHFno-ACMOdKg15zxqaRndDs97KCbfS3P6niDU1zdR6DuidDJkill4M3fqQxP310VFNVgNzXH72CIdVrk2XAp4NYME-PZ1zjOd6C9LdHHujad3_0MR78PuS0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.52.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq9Z-XkpjMLcIL1E4bUpKRHFno-ACMOdKg15zxqaRndDs97KCbfS3P6niDU1zdR6DuidDJkill4M3fqQxP310VFNVgNzXH72CIdVrk2XAp4NYME-PZ1zjOd6C9LdHHujad3_0MR78PuS0/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.52.13+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"> And finally, I used yogurt covered pretzels from Whole Foods to fill small mason jars tied with ribbon to giveaway to each guest as a thank you for celebrating the morning after…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP55BC7Jdw6ofAokfZXXWKpsfoAsVmVoyx8_2u-XH_zcw3BpjY2l0wPOmMCS0fNuefh6KuGTd3fJ8GafrRCxwdHKC5FlbmOYGCxXIigmsv8NhFPAFyuHkrCJyBwghU9oOlUwgJGsdpGBw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.52.10+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP55BC7Jdw6ofAokfZXXWKpsfoAsVmVoyx8_2u-XH_zcw3BpjY2l0wPOmMCS0fNuefh6KuGTd3fJ8GafrRCxwdHKC5FlbmOYGCxXIigmsv8NhFPAFyuHkrCJyBwghU9oOlUwgJGsdpGBw/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-24+at+11.52.10+AM.png" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"> Thanks again to <a href="http://scottclarkphoto.wordpress.com/">Scott Clark</a> for the most wonderful pictures. It's a pleasure working with such a talented photographer.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-58116545334557550582011-05-20T20:51:00.001-07:002011-05-21T04:59:08.796-07:00Dinner in the hoodMy hubby and I went to dinner with our new friends tonight: our neighbors who live down the hall. It was basically a first date and was without Mac & LM. Translation: their dog and our son (who are BFF's and hang out in the hallway once a day, at least).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaTHOKN3R-nePYOu17qwLAu2Fx3zk49m9eGRY9uGRz7EQ77qM8qtSmH-CqozkvdupwHdDyqQAC_HmTB9VzLUBqvSELsh-d3IEWPg9AknhUGfDRy2oXq1WvBbnh0RdhKS7M2sbjYEXDMM1/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-20+at+11.44.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaTHOKN3R-nePYOu17qwLAu2Fx3zk49m9eGRY9uGRz7EQ77qM8qtSmH-CqozkvdupwHdDyqQAC_HmTB9VzLUBqvSELsh-d3IEWPg9AknhUGfDRy2oXq1WvBbnh0RdhKS7M2sbjYEXDMM1/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-20+at+11.44.47+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div><div>It was nice to have some adult time and even nicer to try this fabulous new restaurant a few blocks from our apartment called Osteria Morini. A traditional Italian menu with a selection of dishes that was more then enticing. We shared a whole bunch of plates starting with a meat platter that was served with homemade garlic butter (heaven). We also got the grilled calamari which was beyond delicious, the prosciutto and mortadella meatballs baked in tomato sauce (divine) and the stracci pasta (also a hit). Really a great way to start off the meal. Our main course, which we also shared amongst the table was a mixed grill of side pork, sweet sausage, lamb chop and skirt steak. Out of this world. Each meat was better then the next. Well except for the pork. I actually loved it but it was insanely fatty and skeeved me out a little bit…but again, I ate it all. HA! </div><div>We topped the meal off with fresh strawberry and apricot gelato with whip cream. Very refreshing after this heavy but tasty meal.</div><div>We also left with a sighting of the Counting Crow's Adam Duritz. Doesn't float my boat but did for my pal with whom we were dining…</div><div>Overall, major props to this new joint. It's close to the apartment, really cozy inside and the menu is out of this world. You've gotta try it.</div><div><a href="http://www.osteriamorini.com/">Osteria Morini</a></div><div>218 Lafayette Street (just south of Spring)</div><div>212-965-8777</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-9056905745270912512011-05-14T20:08:00.000-07:002011-05-17T15:20:42.149-07:00A Gedding in MexicoA Gedding: A gay wedding. <br />
My dear friends just tied the knot in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. What a trip! <br />
My LM walked down the aisle as the ring boy, with the help of his papa...and I was honored as one of the bridesmaids. The wedding was basically like a fashion show. One of the grooms is VP of production for <a href="http://aliceandolivia.com/#/welcome-home">Alice + Olivia</a> (my fave) and the other is a designer for DKNY. So I'm sure you can imagine...this dream team put on quite the show! They had the most amazing outfits themselves...gorgeous tux's & shoes and had the gals in the bridal party dolled up as if we were going to walk the tents at Bryant Park for fashion week. Each of us glammed up in our own one of kind black Alice + Olivia dress. Amazing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZcu0IdRJ_e6uoEJxJMGzlBhrt2IbAOzpDzTm-NRC_lCCrEJgwK_kjMg4wMp9RUhW-Z6-GjaspGW7PxZrbY31iX6_POMoKR04yajDaB2rtkiTBW4COGowgtPQShhJQBkxiWmya2dwSYl1/s1600/IMG_7797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZcu0IdRJ_e6uoEJxJMGzlBhrt2IbAOzpDzTm-NRC_lCCrEJgwK_kjMg4wMp9RUhW-Z6-GjaspGW7PxZrbY31iX6_POMoKR04yajDaB2rtkiTBW4COGowgtPQShhJQBkxiWmya2dwSYl1/s200/IMG_7797.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32JSLjvZSkEvHZp_a4cB7nquYqo4eSLgkNzsbHgwz0p3OvAWZ3HmqZ0HzrdUaWHD5hl6E2skxpA3wdcRfi-3lOG81586y0_H_AZHy4JppF_DnjjgQvqq7etxRSRkCw821Jf3_dQj8DeHY/s1600/IMG_7783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we all got ready in the presidential suite we noshed on Mexico pizza, nachos + guacamole and salads. Everything was delish and much needed for fueling up prior to the long night we had ahead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32JSLjvZSkEvHZp_a4cB7nquYqo4eSLgkNzsbHgwz0p3OvAWZ3HmqZ0HzrdUaWHD5hl6E2skxpA3wdcRfi-3lOG81586y0_H_AZHy4JppF_DnjjgQvqq7etxRSRkCw821Jf3_dQj8DeHY/s1600/IMG_7783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32JSLjvZSkEvHZp_a4cB7nquYqo4eSLgkNzsbHgwz0p3OvAWZ3HmqZ0HzrdUaWHD5hl6E2skxpA3wdcRfi-3lOG81586y0_H_AZHy4JppF_DnjjgQvqq7etxRSRkCw821Jf3_dQj8DeHY/s200/IMG_7783.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for the wedding, it was beautiful. From the touching commitment ceremony on the beach to the gorgeous ocean backdrop, everything was just perfect. I especially loved the personalized shot glasses that the boys had made up as give aways...as well as the beautiful tables under the pergolas that were right on the beach. Not to mention the DJ was fantastic, the cake was gorge and there were fireworks! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBQ70Y3LrBw-X8i8xbtV0VLltKG5pCNjuXmX-K0FwdjF2x-xKlFuiBxxw2zHTm4aXfB6q3ExwA21SmKD-8LFLuM50EA3Rq7Viroq5dPlN_gud2FAAZPh4hdpWy3gTrcdYaeydM5pzMkkk/s1600/IMG_7845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBQ70Y3LrBw-X8i8xbtV0VLltKG5pCNjuXmX-K0FwdjF2x-xKlFuiBxxw2zHTm4aXfB6q3ExwA21SmKD-8LFLuM50EA3Rq7Viroq5dPlN_gud2FAAZPh4hdpWy3gTrcdYaeydM5pzMkkk/s200/IMG_7845.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOgYV40YBS3PLN7bNmUvUQRGJ7eTOyw4vgMClGkEuMMobT3NZ0qsQncOOti3HHvHhYPRpWjypcjt6xhdq5PTZG2Lp3Fj0EScOUfXSksK2COD84UQ7YvSGSQtbpMfFnKoVm6SBns-uBdTs/s1600/IMG_7842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOgYV40YBS3PLN7bNmUvUQRGJ7eTOyw4vgMClGkEuMMobT3NZ0qsQncOOti3HHvHhYPRpWjypcjt6xhdq5PTZG2Lp3Fj0EScOUfXSksK2COD84UQ7YvSGSQtbpMfFnKoVm6SBns-uBdTs/s200/IMG_7842.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjDJq_FIyov3XyA4hU1GofzpR5yiOa-ywaRuUks8aMuq5Xi1AY_rClpZT1y_913M_PsOCFpJWBhmfzmucSa77UpYDRM1Tu8dknZ9sowiQlB6ePRlbI1wxBA-Fc-Xo3do6rpVFDyieOmkv/s1600/IMG_7843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjDJq_FIyov3XyA4hU1GofzpR5yiOa-ywaRuUks8aMuq5Xi1AY_rClpZT1y_913M_PsOCFpJWBhmfzmucSa77UpYDRM1Tu8dknZ9sowiQlB6ePRlbI1wxBA-Fc-Xo3do6rpVFDyieOmkv/s200/IMG_7843.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoBWT6GyO7BPzkjKWExV7JQM2RQ7MwQU4bIRm1k7SMQP26QO6tlMPG50KZVr46qQnf5FZo9RghgfnI4VmP7AziCA2E38IMPqS-F2nKTV8FJ5zQgda3SxlsqPDIsexbp0eH9DqhUm8-LJJ/s1600/IMG_7844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoBWT6GyO7BPzkjKWExV7JQM2RQ7MwQU4bIRm1k7SMQP26QO6tlMPG50KZVr46qQnf5FZo9RghgfnI4VmP7AziCA2E38IMPqS-F2nKTV8FJ5zQgda3SxlsqPDIsexbp0eH9DqhUm8-LJJ/s200/IMG_7844.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ci7xvfkGfaVWZNybWpXfVpptQJMMFWmURrinF8nIYGECtgBYsBSNE2AuJ2YU_Ujq9q1UdBPBboyvZHIOKl5g9vghKUrccUTojWjdMhEnxuxCYI6z9PePs3nbmO8mEQzA-BN_O3Q5Yizk/s1600/IMG_7873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ci7xvfkGfaVWZNybWpXfVpptQJMMFWmURrinF8nIYGECtgBYsBSNE2AuJ2YU_Ujq9q1UdBPBboyvZHIOKl5g9vghKUrccUTojWjdMhEnxuxCYI6z9PePs3nbmO8mEQzA-BN_O3Q5Yizk/s200/IMG_7873.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWi8Tc2FCEYzPYUqYnQOda6cmM4dQKDlMfuhnSPb8MbdbDuzsH9j4h9gJCbtuaHUjXgfLhO41osQmY2sVTKpsPYJ_Sw-cfp0rC5C5YkBpwrRgbyWWTK8TPkFfiuZKM3I28YR3MTnTqPU4/s1600/IMG_7875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWi8Tc2FCEYzPYUqYnQOda6cmM4dQKDlMfuhnSPb8MbdbDuzsH9j4h9gJCbtuaHUjXgfLhO41osQmY2sVTKpsPYJ_Sw-cfp0rC5C5YkBpwrRgbyWWTK8TPkFfiuZKM3I28YR3MTnTqPU4/s200/IMG_7875.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0le2LsJsKX9_oLl5uSc-fFq8P77aCY7AjsHdpVkRiDHivnmBCfEHNN95q3su8EFSp9VV5iCyFIaWf8XJ4IFg2obCOpshLmPkMwXcdlu0y-DhU-pTpoSTUhp7fWkoGeqPXU0uaRf_WDEAa/s1600/IMG_7899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0le2LsJsKX9_oLl5uSc-fFq8P77aCY7AjsHdpVkRiDHivnmBCfEHNN95q3su8EFSp9VV5iCyFIaWf8XJ4IFg2obCOpshLmPkMwXcdlu0y-DhU-pTpoSTUhp7fWkoGeqPXU0uaRf_WDEAa/s200/IMG_7899.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>It was the best gay wedding I've ever attended, also the first. And I couldn't be happier for my pals who got hitched. I wish them nothing but happiness together forever. xoxoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-87201060281136592232011-05-07T19:53:00.000-07:002011-05-16T20:07:07.286-07:00A mother's day for fourMy husband had a bachelor party to attend to today which consisted of go-carting and partying late into the night. So I invited over a few fellow moms who are good pals for an afternoon of good food and chatter while the boys were out having their fun.<br />
The brunch that I put on as a toast to us mom's consisted of...<br />
Mimosas & Strawberry mango smoothies<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjiIUdsbX0YMJIflSXgtLN7jjC2bTB-wYpllJiTvPZGtts_kmTaArF8XvgnssJBE6yZEy-hlkoeYqE7tc5sxE1EMb2WH2BVcWQfghW5tPcs4Cy3N2odVXdYaE0QABi8el3npcP-oAyp8y/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjiIUdsbX0YMJIflSXgtLN7jjC2bTB-wYpllJiTvPZGtts_kmTaArF8XvgnssJBE6yZEy-hlkoeYqE7tc5sxE1EMb2WH2BVcWQfghW5tPcs4Cy3N2odVXdYaE0QABi8el3npcP-oAyp8y/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.22+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>Citrus salad drizzled with honey and topped with mint<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2JWVGRANdqn3WIlk5__tmtUxxHeIK_0iRz9dmEsFDBBdM7qgmdnSC8mKzwCs_6P6rloNkvC_cRgQNO9PM80jzguEcECOq4DTnlYWwRYyucwO6Ir8FMT1PFb-F1aAQNmhOgS5k-g2j_eH/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2JWVGRANdqn3WIlk5__tmtUxxHeIK_0iRz9dmEsFDBBdM7qgmdnSC8mKzwCs_6P6rloNkvC_cRgQNO9PM80jzguEcECOq4DTnlYWwRYyucwO6Ir8FMT1PFb-F1aAQNmhOgS5k-g2j_eH/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.03+PM.png" width="133" /></a></div>Yogurt parfaits<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6AhnRWf8s8ZnCg6XtneTK0YH_KfHfXVYQrAhDSgungil92jvxC6CO4eL52H0nwAIKL-mXh0S1vTplsdviyocBuugVxY3BRXdv6mPMTvuZXszKWbtGbrtfSx1b8HUM4QlRz1xXnO0qtro/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6AhnRWf8s8ZnCg6XtneTK0YH_KfHfXVYQrAhDSgungil92jvxC6CO4eL52H0nwAIKL-mXh0S1vTplsdviyocBuugVxY3BRXdv6mPMTvuZXszKWbtGbrtfSx1b8HUM4QlRz1xXnO0qtro/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.08+PM.png" width="131" /></a></div>Bacon wrapped figs stuffed with mascarpone<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwIyRO_2SLm95s4X9dg5QVReWmHhihvxfIzh4lfyn6bYjtZo1WEs4OZXWUap1i-A6w6LCGLv69231of5knPpGnSyiEoGtHf6hhzcEiX5st7ZMtfoAqtoDmBTV-NFIavljCDk-SuHeAmdW/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwIyRO_2SLm95s4X9dg5QVReWmHhihvxfIzh4lfyn6bYjtZo1WEs4OZXWUap1i-A6w6LCGLv69231of5knPpGnSyiEoGtHf6hhzcEiX5st7ZMtfoAqtoDmBTV-NFIavljCDk-SuHeAmdW/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.12+PM.png" width="131" /></a></div>Scrambled eggs on crescent rolls topped with avocado<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2rKJgs3HVPbjrNR9UIOXqFzvsJUtWLVaw5Bggg54alyhhVfn2C8h8ugK63lnCSd9pGzyNmUk7yCGBTJPhRiiHJVvNzXYb6tVNdrfkYQzD9Xo_306r_7al3OyVOUCgAcmHdve7fwC5mQ1/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.48.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2rKJgs3HVPbjrNR9UIOXqFzvsJUtWLVaw5Bggg54alyhhVfn2C8h8ugK63lnCSd9pGzyNmUk7yCGBTJPhRiiHJVvNzXYb6tVNdrfkYQzD9Xo_306r_7al3OyVOUCgAcmHdve7fwC5mQ1/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.48.43+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>Banana muffins spread with buttercream frosting<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimG8BLSCw8NMmR3buV3OD1sH4uRfOKnqlkLq2Y5S7D2ye5McneA879NBQVmvbeq2Gw51Aaokvi36RbWSig9r3q7FmWGTTEXmp-sCYE7hO1HSfBgAiz3Hn6Ei0fUuemOrG0eU0Z1XQ6h1ZO/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimG8BLSCw8NMmR3buV3OD1sH4uRfOKnqlkLq2Y5S7D2ye5McneA879NBQVmvbeq2Gw51Aaokvi36RbWSig9r3q7FmWGTTEXmp-sCYE7hO1HSfBgAiz3Hn6Ei0fUuemOrG0eU0Z1XQ6h1ZO/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.42+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>Everything was beautiful and delicious and once again photographed by new favorite pal Scott Clark. <br />
To see all of the stunning shots taken at brunch this afternoon <a href="http://scottclarkphoto.com/SeriMothersDay/">click here</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IbcxGGW0Fmejjf8V7Q4wXqp7ZuP6U6rzyxHxq8ehvX7HvOOitGcZnTdUIFtEFW1D4aoHmuiHzh0jqP1i6fYoDP9DNZ38sjthFBCbt2-bHTPBeSfXmz3k_XiCwJRVESCeLrT6ZCmGR23P/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IbcxGGW0Fmejjf8V7Q4wXqp7ZuP6U6rzyxHxq8ehvX7HvOOitGcZnTdUIFtEFW1D4aoHmuiHzh0jqP1i6fYoDP9DNZ38sjthFBCbt2-bHTPBeSfXmz3k_XiCwJRVESCeLrT6ZCmGR23P/s200/Screen+shot+2011-05-16+at+10.47.15+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-83957769088552598412011-05-05T21:34:00.000-07:002011-05-05T21:34:18.419-07:00Hawaiian pulled chicken<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My Aunt is always sending me fast and easy recipes. She's like the Sandra Lee of Toronto...she takes fresh base ingredients and adds pantry items to cut down on chopping and "patchka'ing" in the kitchen. She's got three boys, a husband and 2 cats to feed...not to mention works a full time job for the government. So she does not have time to waste time in the kitchen!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">She just sent me this recipe for Hawaiian pulled chicken and I just had to try it. This recipe takes 8 hours to make...not sure how she found the time to do it...she must have had a day off. I put it up around 1pm and ate a bit late to get it perfectly cooked. Since the chicken had been cooking for 6 hours come time for LM to eat I just pulled a bit out for him and boy did he love it...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sweet, insanely tangy and melts in your mouth. This recipe is a must for family dinner! Here's the recipe...I chopped up some pickles to top my sammy and made a side salad. Thanks Aunt D!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxzBG1JyUBIqN7YYgi73EuxNk_HboItco5uribivktXDC43jGOyFpriUvobn6odt8se204SuwF-Zpl-7dLNpXja30XhDwWEOu5_knefRKsc7gGqvdr6nDPKKu-hRq1gZB6rVg4OBMCLlJ/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxzBG1JyUBIqN7YYgi73EuxNk_HboItco5uribivktXDC43jGOyFpriUvobn6odt8se204SuwF-Zpl-7dLNpXja30XhDwWEOu5_knefRKsc7gGqvdr6nDPKKu-hRq1gZB6rVg4OBMCLlJ/s200/IMG_8124.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPr16TXYDRX87WICBy3PW_c6WF1sAgzGtMsprOGGFQrWZ0_JLSuk1Wu6Yt2PqEJMwvC9idkU5-sIziDlOMLU9lZaYA86TL2nA6z2aqvBmGKC1odXj-mkQ6p2-HoXaSgA9k2Z_1RspOTK20/s1600/IMG_8142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPr16TXYDRX87WICBy3PW_c6WF1sAgzGtMsprOGGFQrWZ0_JLSuk1Wu6Yt2PqEJMwvC9idkU5-sIziDlOMLU9lZaYA86TL2nA6z2aqvBmGKC1odXj-mkQ6p2-HoXaSgA9k2Z_1RspOTK20/s200/IMG_8142.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For 5 people I used:</span><br />
<div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> boneless breasts</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">6 boneless and skinless thighs</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 20 oz can of crushed pineapple</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 onion sliced in chunks</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 bottle of your favorite bbq sauce (I used a Diana Chicken and Rib sauce)</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Soft Rolls or Hamburger buns</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Use a Crock Pot (or dutch oven)</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Place your washed chicken in the pot. Top with onions. Then Pineapple (well drained) and the entire bottle of bbq sauce.</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Slow cook for 4 - 6 hours. One or two hours before serving take out the chicken and PULL apart with two forks. Place back in pot and cook for another one to two hours to absorb sauce.</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px 'Century Gothic'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Serve on buns! Enjoy!!!</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009486530542824305.post-52192331923172887512011-05-04T21:06:00.000-07:002011-05-05T21:25:47.461-07:00Mac & PeasLM and I escaped to the house today while the big guy was in London for biz. The rain wouldn't let up and the traffic was awful so it took us longer then planned to drive out. I was going to either run to the grocery store to make dinner or just go out with LM. But neither ended up happening...<br />
By the time we got in it was late and I was exhausted and thought I'd rummage through the pantry to see what I could come up with.<br />
Well the best I could do was Kraft (spiral) Macaroni & Cheese. That's right. A classic.<br />
I whipped up a box and steamed some peas and fed LM his dinner. After BBB (bath, book and bedtime) it was time for me to eat...but I figured, let's play Top Chef here and step it up a notch. So I took a slab of butter and melted it over medium high heat in a non stick skillet. Added the cooked mac & cheese & the peas and crisped them up for a few minutes in the pan. To make it even more exciting I added a poached egg which I've recently been working on mastering because I love them so much. Big thanks to <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/how-to-poach-an-egg-smitten-kitchen-style/">Smitten Kitchen</a> for the most amazing instructions that were super easy to follow and had pictures along the way - huge bonus! <br />
I added a few drops of hot sauce to finish the dish off and voila. The egg was perfect and the mac & peas were an incredible compliment.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvclFgVW3AI1O1nuj6SefZ8YiQIGh-Qd_NU-bpHxH5keGnL-KD2dQxuFL8mD2cMPuRvAfMVBb3nOTwxQcrFuwoHm7NPMbp6EGQPVG3exdle9pNvvIPFgb-UaZOwP5vNM292MN9sJBKmJr/s1600/IMG_8056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvclFgVW3AI1O1nuj6SefZ8YiQIGh-Qd_NU-bpHxH5keGnL-KD2dQxuFL8mD2cMPuRvAfMVBb3nOTwxQcrFuwoHm7NPMbp6EGQPVG3exdle9pNvvIPFgb-UaZOwP5vNM292MN9sJBKmJr/s200/IMG_8056.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> Not to mention...my egg was perfect and oozed with yolky goodness upon breaking...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRKxzOelYnO5J-JoncXdQcXMSiPR0ezj4bZ3lgHgPVrVc1LVdtg9iaDU-kztRwauiUin_RNf7Rr_4AAaB-G1l5lNA3gciWYC4K6BvvsIvT6_MI0JHKLdKJEVDVUIhtS6IvTQTmPWNiofB/s1600/IMG_8063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRKxzOelYnO5J-JoncXdQcXMSiPR0ezj4bZ3lgHgPVrVc1LVdtg9iaDU-kztRwauiUin_RNf7Rr_4AAaB-G1l5lNA3gciWYC4K6BvvsIvT6_MI0JHKLdKJEVDVUIhtS6IvTQTmPWNiofB/s200/IMG_8063.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com