Jesse and I drove up yesterday. He's squared away in Cortland and I am enjoy peace and quiet in Ithaca. Last night Chysalis and I made dinner: Lasagna, with ground turkey, onion and garlic; mozzarella and ricotta mixed with egg, salt and pepper; marinara sauce and fresh lasagna noodles that cooked in 4 minutes. We even used a throw away pan so there was no clean up. We added salad with chopped veggies and homemade vinaigrette and a loaf of soft Italian bread. Yummy and so great to have assistance.
Not sure about tonight maybe Japanese or maybe not. Doesn't matter. I am on a 2 day vacation. I will take the bus home Friday and hopefully Michael and I will go to El Quijote for garlic soup, salad, lobster and arroz con pollo!!
Baby it's cold outside. Keep warm!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Quickly...
Received my second vegetable share and this one came with beans too (separately ordered). I got organic black beans and pinto beans, one pound of each. Black beans are cooking on the stove as I am typing this. I added: Jalapeno (from my summer garden), green pepper, celery, carrots, onion, garlic, can of organic roma tomatoes and two containers of organic chicken stock. It should simmer for about 4-6 hours. Yum!
I have also recently made: Farfalle with peas in a pink sauce and salad when Joe and Denise came for dinner and ham, macaroni and cheese and salad when Jill, Lenny and Brett were here for dinner.
I made split pea soup and used the ham bone. I also pureed it in the pot with my new hand blender Michael gave me for Christmas. Worked really well. I also made a pot of straciatella soup. Seems soup-like weather lately.
I will be in Ithaca soon for a few days. Keep warm!
I have also recently made: Farfalle with peas in a pink sauce and salad when Joe and Denise came for dinner and ham, macaroni and cheese and salad when Jill, Lenny and Brett were here for dinner.
I made split pea soup and used the ham bone. I also pureed it in the pot with my new hand blender Michael gave me for Christmas. Worked really well. I also made a pot of straciatella soup. Seems soup-like weather lately.
I will be in Ithaca soon for a few days. Keep warm!
Friday, January 11, 2013
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!
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!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Cooking and not...
So I've been cooking, and not...
Michael and I have been to The Village Grill, Joe's Shanghai and The Blackwater Inn. The grill is on Yellowstone Boulevard near the Little League fields. We had gyros and soup. Average, nothing to write home about, certainly not overflowing like Fontana, nor as tasty. But local and easy to sit and eat and leave. We went to Joe's Shanghai in Flushing with Jill and Lenny. Soup dumplings of course; just pork and pork and crab; young chow rice; pork and string beans in black bean sauce and prawns and scallops in garlic sauce. Yum! And because we went early, we just walked in and sat down...priceless :) Michael and I also went to The Blackwater Inn last week (used to be called The Old Brog) on Metropolitan Avenue. Beers; shepherd's pie and chicken Caesar. Their shepherd's pie used to be better, but you can walk in and sit down.
Lately I have a thing about waiting for a table. Pisses me off.
Jesse is home and I have also been cooking: Chicken soup, chicken cutlets, shrimp in a garlicky marinara over linguine. Tomorrow is pork roast with sauerkraut; salt potatoes (small white potatoes, boiled in a pot of water with a TON of salt) and Brussels sprouts.
Saturday is Glenn and Eileen's annual ornament exchange party and I am bringing Old Bay wings.
Sunday I am doing nothing :)
Michael and I have been to The Village Grill, Joe's Shanghai and The Blackwater Inn. The grill is on Yellowstone Boulevard near the Little League fields. We had gyros and soup. Average, nothing to write home about, certainly not overflowing like Fontana, nor as tasty. But local and easy to sit and eat and leave. We went to Joe's Shanghai in Flushing with Jill and Lenny. Soup dumplings of course; just pork and pork and crab; young chow rice; pork and string beans in black bean sauce and prawns and scallops in garlic sauce. Yum! And because we went early, we just walked in and sat down...priceless :) Michael and I also went to The Blackwater Inn last week (used to be called The Old Brog) on Metropolitan Avenue. Beers; shepherd's pie and chicken Caesar. Their shepherd's pie used to be better, but you can walk in and sit down.
Lately I have a thing about waiting for a table. Pisses me off.
Jesse is home and I have also been cooking: Chicken soup, chicken cutlets, shrimp in a garlicky marinara over linguine. Tomorrow is pork roast with sauerkraut; salt potatoes (small white potatoes, boiled in a pot of water with a TON of salt) and Brussels sprouts.
Saturday is Glenn and Eileen's annual ornament exchange party and I am bringing Old Bay wings.
Sunday I am doing nothing :)
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Good Life Ain't so Good
Saturday night, Steve and Lori called and asked us to eat dinner with them. It was such treat for the four of us to go out with kids. We went over to their house first for wine and apps (Iavarone...YUM) and then decided on going to The Good Life in Masspequa Park. We called at 7, they told us to come on down, showed up at 8, seated at 9. Not so good so far. It's 9:30 no food. Beer flight spilled on our lap! Bus boy who cleaned up with a wad of napkins NEVER washed his hands afterwards! Patty melt cold. French onion soup cold. Shepherds pie was a salty soup. We ordered a bottle of wine and it took over 20 minutes. The waitress said she asked for someone to go get her the bottle twice. The manager couldn't give a shit. Wish the owner knew what was going on here. We wanted to like this place so much and it was such a disappointment.
But as always, it's the company you keep, so the evening was worth it!
On the other hand, Friday night we went out with Dina and Dmitry to Jack and Nellie's on Ascan Avenue. It was Great! From the hostess to the service to the food. The only not so great thing was the apple tart for dessert. It was cold and semi-tasteless. However, we would go back in a minute. Love this place!
We had: A 3 cheese board; shrimp quesadilla; lamb meatballs over pureed cauliflower; short rib sliders with caramelized onions (Michael said the rolls were dry); warm olives; artichoke cheese dip (holy crap, it's good) sweet pea bruschetta and the apple tart. Coffee was good too. And even better, we got there at happy hour so the wine bottles were $24 each, so we ordered two at the same time (a Malbec). We we very happy!
Another night with friends. What could be better!
But as always, it's the company you keep, so the evening was worth it!
On the other hand, Friday night we went out with Dina and Dmitry to Jack and Nellie's on Ascan Avenue. It was Great! From the hostess to the service to the food. The only not so great thing was the apple tart for dessert. It was cold and semi-tasteless. However, we would go back in a minute. Love this place!
We had: A 3 cheese board; shrimp quesadilla; lamb meatballs over pureed cauliflower; short rib sliders with caramelized onions (Michael said the rolls were dry); warm olives; artichoke cheese dip (holy crap, it's good) sweet pea bruschetta and the apple tart. Coffee was good too. And even better, we got there at happy hour so the wine bottles were $24 each, so we ordered two at the same time (a Malbec). We we very happy!
Another night with friends. What could be better!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The Irish Ivy
Tuesday night I met Barbara, Jennie and Jackie for our annual Christmas trek. We began at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue. Into Bryant Park for the one hundred holiday and food kiosks surrounding the skating rink and big, blue, beautiful Christmas tree. Then we walked to Grand Central for their Holiday boutique. More upscale in quality and price. Afterwards we wandered for dinner, passed by several very expensive restaurants and settled upon The Irish Ivy (http://www.theirishivy.com/).
We had a few beers and cocktails, then ate: Shepherd's pie; beef sliders; Buffalo chicken nachos and a turkey club. Everything was good and the waiter was sooooo cute, and had a great Irish accent. Always great company and tonight made better by a taste of Ireland :)
We had a few beers and cocktails, then ate: Shepherd's pie; beef sliders; Buffalo chicken nachos and a turkey club. Everything was good and the waiter was sooooo cute, and had a great Irish accent. Always great company and tonight made better by a taste of Ireland :)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Arcane
Last Thursday night I went with Barbara, Paul, Jackie, Andrew, Kenny and Joyce to see Katie play acoustic guitar and sing at a special lesbian night at the Alphabet Lounge. Afterwards we went to eat dinner at Arcane (http://www.arcanebistro.com/Arcane/Main.html) on Avenue C, across the street from the Alphabet Lounge.
They were very accommodating when we first told them our party would be 12 people, they actually moved a couple from their seats for us. Then when we were ultimately only 7, they were gracious about it. They bill themselves as Creole-Caribbean-French. I can see why, but I did not find their food selection to be out of the ordinary. Their website mentions conch, for instance, and there wasn't any on the menu. I understand that their menu changes not only seasonally, but with what's freshest and most available. We had: Sweet potato soup (not really sweet potato-y, but with a hint of spice); salad with shrimp and avocado (no flavor at all); french fries (really good); beef empanadas (they liked them, but nothing special-should have been more impressive-not like Tower Isles) although the spicy sauce accompanying them was really good; Chicken was good and fresh shucked oysters were a BIG hit. Nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either.
As always, the company makes the meal!!!
Lately I have been cooking: Garlic soup with homemade croutons; Tortellini soup with spinach; Broiled shrimp with horseradish sauce; The Best Blueberry Pancakes (recipe to follow).
We've also been to Dani's for dinner and Fairway for shopping.
Tonight begins my Christmas season. I have already hung the stockings, put out the electric candles on the windowsill (just 3, 1 in each window in the living room) and addressed and stamped our Christmas cards. Tonight Barbara and I and maybe Jennie, will go to Bryant Park at 42nd Street to browse the many quaint gift kiosks that they put up every year around this time. The skaters are on the ice and Christmas is in the air. Afterwards, we go to Grand Central to their Holiday boutique-also very nice, interesting gifts. Then dinner, of course, anywhere we end up. Each year is different, but this annual trek is one of my favorites!
They were very accommodating when we first told them our party would be 12 people, they actually moved a couple from their seats for us. Then when we were ultimately only 7, they were gracious about it. They bill themselves as Creole-Caribbean-French. I can see why, but I did not find their food selection to be out of the ordinary. Their website mentions conch, for instance, and there wasn't any on the menu. I understand that their menu changes not only seasonally, but with what's freshest and most available. We had: Sweet potato soup (not really sweet potato-y, but with a hint of spice); salad with shrimp and avocado (no flavor at all); french fries (really good); beef empanadas (they liked them, but nothing special-should have been more impressive-not like Tower Isles) although the spicy sauce accompanying them was really good; Chicken was good and fresh shucked oysters were a BIG hit. Nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either.
As always, the company makes the meal!!!
Lately I have been cooking: Garlic soup with homemade croutons; Tortellini soup with spinach; Broiled shrimp with horseradish sauce; The Best Blueberry Pancakes (recipe to follow).
We've also been to Dani's for dinner and Fairway for shopping.
Tonight begins my Christmas season. I have already hung the stockings, put out the electric candles on the windowsill (just 3, 1 in each window in the living room) and addressed and stamped our Christmas cards. Tonight Barbara and I and maybe Jennie, will go to Bryant Park at 42nd Street to browse the many quaint gift kiosks that they put up every year around this time. The skaters are on the ice and Christmas is in the air. Afterwards, we go to Grand Central to their Holiday boutique-also very nice, interesting gifts. Then dinner, of course, anywhere we end up. Each year is different, but this annual trek is one of my favorites!
Buttermilk Pancakes
2 cups flour
¼ cup sugar
2 & ¼ teasp. Baking
powder
½ teasp. Baking soda
½ teasp. Salt
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
¼ cup melted butter
(blueberries if you want)
Combine flour, sugar, baking
powder and soda, and salt.
Beat eggs with buttermilk and
butter.
Combine wet and dry into
lumpy batter.
Fry in butter. Add
blueberries to pancakes just after pouring onto pan, sprinkle a few.
Mangia!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.PNG){kind=small}