June

I've cooked some...Asian pork burgers with corn cole slaw.  Burgers were ground pork (very underrated, even if i don't eat it much), scallions, ginger and rice vinegar.  Slaw was green cabbage, carrots, leftover corn on the cob (cut off, of course), mayo, sour cream, sugar and vinegar.

Also summer chili and corn bread.  Chili had no meat.  Pinto beans, frozen corn, stewed tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, onions, garlic, jalapeno peppers and 3 tablespoons of homemade adobo seasoning.  Cornbread had scallions and jalapenos.

Tried my hand at oatmeal raisin cookies from scratch.  Not bad :)

Made ham dinner for Brett.  Spiral ham, just gets warmed, ziti with pink sauce and mesclun salad with goat cheese, beets and bacon.

Went to Ithaca/Cortland for orientation.  Had a nice time.

Since home, been to Dani's, Don Peppe's and Barosa.

Almost 4th of July!!!!

Barosa with Joe and Denise

Wednesday night we went to Barosa with Joe and Denise.

Always good company!

We had:  Calamari Barosa in red sauce baked in a pizza crust; chopped salad, seafood salad in avocado; chicken scarpariello with cherry peppers; shrimp scampi; soft shelled crabs and chicken with chopped tomatoes and mozzarella.  Dessert was zabaglione with strawberries and an Italian Iced Coffee!  Coffee was great.  I must remember to order one every time I go.

OMG

I have been royally slacking off! Sorry.

Since December 18 (ouch) we have had many a gastronomic event.  Details aside, we have had dinner and holiday parties at the Creutz', the Carbones and the Figliolias.  We have had dinner and holidays with the Wisners and Brennans too.

We have been to El Quijote, Pio Pio, Dani's, Barosa, Artichoke Basille's, Blackwater Inn, Dee's and Katz' Deli. Whew.....

I have made chicken soup, pasta fagioli, gazpacho (summer I know, but Michael made a special request), lamb chops with rosemary, sweet potatoes, linguine with langostines, pork roast with sauerkraut, a pot of sauce, cookies, stuffed cabbage and other things I just can't remember now.

I have also received the first 2 of my vegetable shares.  I joined a food cooperative out of the Forest Hills Jewish Center.  Every 3 weeks organic veggies come from upstate to the center.  I go pick up our share.  So far we've gotten sweet potatoes, creamer potatoes, rutabaga, beets, carrots, parsnips, watermelon radish, leeks, white and green cabbage.  I also bought an organic bean share and so far I have black beans and pinto beans.  It's really too much food for me to use so I have been parceling out to Sue, Jill and my mother in law.  I love the idea and the freshness, etc...but I think I will not do this again next year.  Maybe I will try the summer share instead.

Anywho....Happy New Year to all and to all good health and happiness!

Bare, Press, Agora and Barosa

Recently we've been dining out frequently:

We've been to Bare Burger (http://www.bareburger.com/) twice.  The first time it was just Michael and I.  We had: The Big Blue Bacon-danish blue cheese, bourbon sauteed mushrooms, apple smoked onions, blackened maple bacon, lettuce and apple chutney with a bison burger on a wheat flour wrap.  Also a Maple Bacon Cheesebareburger-sharp cheddar, blackened maple bacon (one tiny slice), lettuce, tomato and mayo on a brioche bun.  Along with a side of onion rings-really good.  We asked that they not be fried in peanut oil.  The service was good and the burgers were fine.  Nothing to write home about.  The next time we went with Barbara and Paul after seeing Rear Window at the Midway Theater in honor of it's 70th anniversary-great show on the big screen!  We had:  The Western-pepper jack, blackened maple bacon, fried onions, house-made coleslaw and peppercorn steak sauce with a turkey burger on a wheat flour wrap.  Also a Pesto Red Pepper Burger-smoked mozzarella, roasted red peppers, baby spinach and pesto mayo on a brioche bun with a portobello mushroom cap. Also Ostrich sliders and a House salad along with assorted pickles and cole slaw-very good slaw!  So the company was good and that makes the meal, but the food was again, just average. 

Press 195 on Bell Boulevard in Bayside is a great place for friends and sandwiches.  We went with Dina and Dmitry and we had: Baby beet salad and an order of Belgian frite.  Then  The Bell BBQ Classic-grilled warm bbq chicken with fresh sliced avocado, melted Vermont cheddar, cilantro, melted Monterrey jack and creamy cilantro-lime dressing.  Also a grilled portabello mushrooms, fresh baby arugala and goat cheese with roasted garlic and black olive spread.  Also a spicy Buffalo chicken fingers, chunky blue cheese dressing and julienne carrots and celery.  And a classic burger.  A few beers, a few glasses of wine and good friends!  Always a pleasure!

We went to Agora taverna on Austin Street for my birthday with Jill and Lenny.  We got a table outside and watched a few people argue over a parking spot :)  We had a bottle of Greek wine (Stag's Head) and a Horiatiki salad-tomatoes, feta, cucumbers, olives, green peppers, oil and vinegar.  Grilled octopus-so yummy with capers and the mixed spread platter.  Dinner was grilled shrimp, chicken and pasta with meat sauce.  Dessert was yogurt with sour cherries and a chocolate souffle with ice cream.  Add ouzo and Greek coffee and it was a fun night with great friends!

Once again, for my birthday, which seems to have lasted a long time...We went to Barosa with Denise and Joe:  Fried calamari arrabiata-yum! Stuffed artichoke-yum! Arugala salad. Linguine with seafood in a champagne sauce; penne vodka without prosciutto; chicken scarpariello and rigatoni Barosa with broccoli rabe, sausage and cherry peppers.  They were out of zabaglione and for the life of me I cannot remember dessert.  Anyway, another evening with great friends! 

What a life!!!

Barosa

Last night we went to Barosa with the Wisners, the Melendez' and the Boyles.  Always so accommodating and with good service at the bar and at the table, we had a really good time.  Lots of chatting and catching up since summer baseball finished.  Where all the kids are, what they are doing and planning and what we are doing and planning for Jill's 50th coming up in June :)

We had:  Chopped salad (my favorite); Calamari Barosa in red sauce; Seafood salad in half an avocado and a stuffed artichoke.  Dinner was:  Lasagna Bolognese; Penne Pomodoro; Risotto; Chicken Scarpariello; Veal chop Milanese; Mixed Grill and Linguine Frutti de Mar.  Dessert was a cannoli and zabaglione with strawberries, a few cappuccinos and espressos and all was well.

Brine! And so much More!

I have recently discovered the goodness of brining.  http://www.howtocookmeat.com/briningmeat.htm is a great site to learn not just about brining but how to cook all sorts of meats.  Clear instructions and quantities.

I brined pork chops that Michael said were the best pork chops I have ever made :) 2 C chicken stock, ¼ C kosher salt, ¼ C brown cane sugar, ½ tsp black peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, ½ Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 C ice water is the basic recipe.  I let them sit turning once for about 6 hours in the fridge.  Then I broiled them to almost complete the cooking, then I added balsamic vinegar to make a glaze and seared them in a very hot pan.  Maybe a bit labor intensive, but obviously worth it.

Denise and Joe and Tom and Monica were here for dinner last Friday night and I brined Turkey tenderloins for about 4 hours, turning once, covering them in brown mustard, then with strips of black pepper bacon, then roasting them in the oven with fingerling potatoes, pearl onions and whole garlic cloves.  They remained really moist.  I served them with mesclun salad with thinly sliced red onion and crumbled French Feta cheese with garlic vinegar and olive oil.  Also, Brussels sprouts sauteed with pancetta and garlic.  Monica brought a yummy dessert of raspberry whipped cream in a chocolate cookie crumb crust.

Saturday night Michael and I went to a BBQ at the little league fields.  Peggy made great chili, Carl was the pit master grilling hot dogs, hamburgers and sausage.  It was a fun night under the stars!

Sunday afternoon Michael and I went into the city with Brett and Lenny to meet Jill after the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.  She is a ten year survivor this year!!!!!!!!!!  We also met her sister Karen and their cousins Vince and Patty.  We all went to Dinosaur BBQ for a yummy dinner:  Hot wings with garlic chipotle sauce, fried green tomatoes (which were $8.95 for 5 slices-WAY too pricey, but good. However, I will not order them again on principle), chicken, ribs, brisket, portobello, corn bread, collard greens, rice, baked beans, a few beers and cosmos and we were stuffed and happy!

This past week I made borscht with meat and matzoh balls.  Borscht, if you like beets, and I do, is so yummy.  My grandmother and mother used to make it for holidays, but I make it just because.  I also made turkey chili with my homemade adobo spice. 

Thursday night, Jennie and I took Barbara out for her birthday to Barosa.  We shared a few glasses of wine and a chopped salad.  I had shrimp parmigiana with spaghetti (it's be sooo long since I had that).  Jennie had sausage and broccoli rabe (her favorite) and Barbara had linguine carbonara that was fantastic.  We shared a creme brulee for dessert with no singing of Happy Birthday and it was a great evening with friends!

Last night, Michael and I went to Ariana's Sweet 16 at Larkfield Manor.  The DJ was fun, everyone was dancing, all night (my feet are crippled).  There was all sorts of food on the buffet and all sorts of drinks at the bar.  We got home at 1am.  Way past my bedtime, but we had so much fun with our friends.

Tonight we are going to Glenn and Eileen's for Sarah's 17th birthday party.  Eileen is making a big pot of turkey chili with all the fixings and I know we will have a great time with our friends!  We are very lucky to have such a wonderful "framily."

I will try to write more often, I have no idea where I've been lately.  xo

Barosa with Friends

Michael and I were joined by Joe and Denise and Jill and Lenny for a 50th birthday celebration dinner for Michael at Barosa on Saturday night August 6.

Joe chose good wine for us to share. We also had:  Seafood stuffed avocados, Fried calamari Arrabiata (with yummy cherry peppers) and Barosa chopped salad.  Dinners were:  Sea bass Oreganata; Spinach risotto; Chicken Scarpariello; Rigatoni Barosa (with sausage and broccoli rabe) and Chicken cutlet Milanese (covered in chopped tomatoes and mozzarella chesse). Dessert was my homemade Tiramisu (which was really good-if I do say so myself).  Some cappucino and sambuca and we all had a good time.

Tonight Michael and I with Jesse, Michael's mom Chris and our nephew Ryan are going to El Quijote for...you guessed it...garlic soup, arroz con pollo and lobster.  Wait, I forgot the pitchers of red sangria. Can't forget that :)

And, as usual, we will peruse Eataly afterwards because we are 1) creatures of habit and 2) love that place.

Jesse's 19th birthday is tomorrow! Happy day Jesse!

Tonight at Barosa

 Barosa (http://www.barosas.com/) is one of our favorite restaurants in Queens.  Vinny the host is always cordial and our waiter Charles is exceptional.  Water glasses refilled, bread basket replenished, dishes cleared appropriately.

Tonight we were there for Jill's 49th birthday.  We went with Jill and Lenny and Steve and Sue.  We shared:   Two Chopped salads - lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pimientos, black and green olives, salami and provolone; Calamari Barosa - Calamari in red sauce baked in a bread bowl; Seafood salad in half an avocado; Two carafes of house Montepulciano, Margaritas; Ketel one on ice; Captain Morgan with diet coke.  Dinner was:  Chilean Sea Bass Oreganata; Shrimp Oreganata; Chicken Scarpariello; Veal chop parmigiana; Seafood risotto.

Dessert was:  My homemade Carrot Cake, which everyone liked, even those in the kitchen!  Coffee and Sambuca rounded out the evening.

Happy Birthday Jill!

Carrot Cake for Jilly

Yesterday was Jill's  birthday and I made her a carrot cake, as it is her favorite.  I have made this cake only on Thanksgiving in the past, but it was fun to do on a rainy Thursday.  We will share the cake with Jill, Lenny, Steve and Sue tonight after eating/celebrating at Barosa.  I use the recipe from Silver Palate and it is outstanding (if I do say so myself):

Butter, for greasing the pan
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1-1⁄2 cups corn oil
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups shelled walnuts, chopped
1-1/2 cups shredded coconut
1-1/3 cups puréed cooked carrots
3/4 cup drained crushed pineapple

Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch springform pans.

2. Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl. Add the oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat well. Fold in the walnuts, coconut, carrots, and pineapple.

3. Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Set on the center rack of the oven and bake until the edges have pulled away from the sides and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 minutes.

4. Cool on a cake rack for 3 hours. Fill and frost the cake with the cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

1. Cream together the cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl.

2. Slowly sift in the confectioners' sugar and continue beating until fully incorporated. The mixture should be free of lumps.

3. Stir in the vanilla, and lemon juice if desired.

Frosting for a 2-layer cake

Memorial Day Weekend

Friday night Michael and I went to Sarah's dance recital at the Patchogue Theatre.  We each had a quick slice of pizza before the show (1 margarita and 1 bbq chicken).  It took us over two hours to get out there in Memorial Day heading-out-east-traffic and we were starving.  Sarah was as cute as ever. We took some photos and video (even though they are prohibited).  Afterwards we said our goodbyes and headed back to Queens where we ended up at Dani's for more slices, soup and salad.  Their straciatella is still the best!

Saturday we were at the beach even though it was breezy and kinda cold.  Afterwards we went to Barosa with Jill and Lenny:  Chopped salad, stuffed artichoke, seafood salad in an avocado.  Then: Soft shelled crab, chicken scarpariello and a pork chop milanese.  1/2 carafe of chardonnay, 1/2 carafe of montepulciano. Dessert was a completely tasteless red velvet cake (it was like chewing on nothing-very odd) and zabaglione with strawberries that was ok, but missing the Marsala.  The girl at the next table had quite the cleavage and when she spoke sounded like Rosie Perez, so that was interesting...

Sunday we were back at the beach and it was warmer but still chilly for me.  We went to dinner with Jill, Lenny and Brett at ...you guessed it...Dani's.  Shrimp parm, eggplant parm, chicken with peppers, onions and broccoli in marinara, salad and ziti.  Yum!

Monday, yes, back at the beach, finally a real beach day.  Lenny had extra Mets tickets for the night game, so Michael and I went to the game, had great seats on the third base line, nine rows up from the field.  It was a beautiful evening and the Mets won.  It was a really good weekend!

Surprise!

Last night I went to a surprise 50th birthday party for Monica at Barosa. Her daughter Emily planned the event and it all went very well. We had carafes of white and red, appetizers of clams, mussels, caprese and antipasto. Everyone ordered their own main dishes: soft shelled crab francese; penne arrabiata; sausage and broccoli rabe; seafood risotto; filet of sole...We sang happy birthday over dessert: cheese cake; profiterols and tiramisu. It was the first time sitting downstairs and it is a bit cramped and gets noisy, but no real problems. It was a nice ladies night out!

Focaccia

Well, after three tries, I think I finally got it right, or nearly right. I made focaccia on Friday afternoon. Michael, Jill, Lenny and Brett were the usual guinea pigs/testers. They all approved!

Next time, I'll experiment by adding more onions and garlic, or also trying the focaccia as a pizza crust.

Friday night we went to Barosa with Jill and Lenny and Steve and Sue Boyle. We had our usuals: Calamari Barosa, chopped salad, stuffed artichoke. Michael had chicken scarpariello, Lenny had veal francese, Steve had veal Marsala and Sue, Jill and I shared seafood fra diavlo over linguine (I ate half a lobster tail). After all the appetizers, I cannot eat a meal. We all shared wine, dessert and coffee too. It was a very nice evening, made even nicer by Jill and I walking home. There is nothing like a good walk after a big meal.

Today, Michael is riding his bike to Wantagh (to Steve and Lori's) and I am driving there.

Have a nice weekend, before it rains again...

Chrysalis and Ryan

The best niece and nephew in the world visited us this weekend! Michael calls them "my friends", because we hang out so well together and have a really good time, every time!

They arrived very late Friday night (or very early Saturday morning, depending upon your interpretation of the time) @ 1:30am...

We spent all day Saturday with the angels. First we went to Yumiko (http://www.yumiko-online.com/en/about2.php) a dance store on the upper west side that produces hand made dance leotards, etc. Ryan needed to visit a dance store for his class. So he modeled a few items, then bought what he needed.

Afterwards, we were all very hungry...all that dance activity...so we went to Carmine's (http://www.carminesnyc.com/) for lunch for the BEST baked clams and linguine with white clam sauce-we also shared 2 stuffed artichokes.

Following lunch, we went down to Soho to walk and explore and shop! Then we got hungry again :) so we came back to Forest Hills and went to Barosa (http://www.barosas.com/) for dinner. No, too much Italian food is not a bad thing (not in NYC anyway). We shared Barosa Calamari (yum) and chopped salad (yum). Chrysalis and I shared Chilean sea bass oreganata (yum), Michael had chicken scarpariello and Ryan had a personal pizza with mozzarella, ricotta and onions (yum). Can't complain about anything!

We all came home and fell asleep :)

They are gone and I've been doing laundry. Michael went for a bike ride with Jill this morning (so good for them!!!). And then I decided to make spaghetti all'amatriciana: tomato sauce with pancetta and onions and red pepper flake (thanks Steve). Michael helped roll out the dough.

Jesse is happy at school and with his roommates and friends. We are happy at home. Hope I didn't speak too soon...

xo

Friday Night

Friday night we went to Dumont (http://www.dumontrestaurant.com/) with Joe and Denise and Tom and Monica.

Service is friendly, wine list a bit pricey but we found a Cal Siscon 2004 Monstant -Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Cariñenanice cabernet-for $44 and had 2 bottles.

We had: Marinated beet salad with Greek yogurt, roasted red pepper, feta, arugula and a sherry vinaigrette; Crispy baby artichokes with preserved lemon, herbs, Parmesan, arugula and garlic dressing; DuMont salad with Danish blue, radish, haricots vert, pecans and balsamic vinaigrette; Peekytoe crab cake with tomatillo, avocado salad and cilantro; Smoked barbecued spare ribs St. Louis-style with ginger molasses; Dayboat cod with sweet corn, fava bean, cherry tomato and pancetta; Rock shrimp & cavatelli with stewed heirloom cherry tomato, arugula and aioli; DuMac & cheese made with cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, bacon and radiatore pasta; The Dumont burger; and a side of sauteed spinach. Dessert was: Blueberry Crumble made with blueberry compote, streusel topping and mascarpone ice cream and Vanilla Panna Cotta made with rhubarb & strawberry compote and candied pistachios.

The big hits were the Mac & Cheese and the Blueberry Crumble (in my opinion). Every thing was good. There was only one problem and it was very telling (in my opinion): Michael asked for sauteed onions on his Dumont burger and the chef said NO. What the fuck is that about?

Anywho...Saturday was our last beautiful day at the beach :( Later we went to Barosa for one of our favorite meals: First, their bread basket is out of this world, then we shared a chopped salad, a stuffed artichoke and a Barosa calamari. Michael finished with chicken scarpariello. If the 2 women sitting next to us at the bar and (because there's a conspiracy) also sitting behind us at dinner could have shut up for at least five seconds, it would have been a better meal!

Sunday we cleaned out the cabana with Roy and Laurie and came home for all of our leftovers in the fridge for dinner.

Last night I made Michael Chicken Marsala. Photo to come :)

Tonight is Spanakopita, tomorrow Arroz con Pollo. Then cooking is finished until next Monday...

Quickly

Friday night Michael played softball and they had a BBQ. I made and brought Caesar salad and Greek pasta salad and ate a turkey burger (surprise).

Saturday was Michael's birthday. He went for an early bike ride with Jill, then we went to the beach and later had dinner with Lenny at Barosa. I had the appetizers: stuffed artichoke, chopped salad and calamari. Michael had that and chicken scarpariello and Lenny had veal milanese. No dessert, no coffee. Too stuffed. Good food!

Sunday we were at the beach for a short time, then went to Monica and Tom's for a BBQ with Joe, Denise and all our boys! Good food, good company. Nice little going away dinner for the boys!

Tonight I am making mushrooms and onions in cream sauce over pappardelle with grilled chicken and tomato and mozzarella salad. That's if anyone comes home for dinner. Otherwise I'll eat soup :)

Spring, Please!

WHERE is the warm weather? This is black turtleneck weather and it's freakin' May! I'm a little tired of it.

On other topics...yesterday was Mother's Day. Can't say it's the best day of the year for me. Expectations on all sides, doesn't really work for anyone. However, we spent the early evening with our very good friends Joe and Denise and their friends Chuck and Dominick. Michael and Joe ordered from Barosa, then went to pick it up: Calamari Barosa, chopped salad, pizza and foccacia sticks. All very yummy along with good red wine and conversation and friends.

Saturday night, Michael picked up from Fontana Gyros: Greek salad with chicken souvlaki and gyro and avgolemeno soup. Always good.

Friday night Jill and I went to Sato and drank tons of sake :) and ate yummy sushi!!!

Thursday night, Jesse and I were in Ithaca and we had Thai food with our family. They are very accommodating and generous whenever we appear on their doorstep and we love them for it and for myriad other reasons as well!!!

Quickly

Today Michael and I wandered Chinatown for a few hours. Great vegetables, fruits and fish all over the place.

We had lunch at Joe's Shanghai on Pell Street: Soup dumplings, fresh spinach with garlic, moo shu pork and clams with black bean sauce. We sat at a communal table with a guy who looked like a young Donny Osmond and three women visiting NYC for the weekend from Texas.

Tonight we went over to Barosa, but the wait for a table was too long so a few doors down they have their own take-out place. So we placed our order and took it home: Calamari Barosa (calamari in red sauce in a baked pizza dough-fantastic) and Barosa chopped salad (an all time favorite).

Hoping the warmth will stay but reality says no.

Looking forward to Spring and planting on my terrace: Tomatoes, fresh herbs, flowers (that have no scent). It's a great thing!