i have decided that my new favorite herb is cilantro. now, some people absolutely despise it - "it tastes like soap" you'll hear folks declare. but, i lurrrveee it, and KP has planted lots and lots of it in our little garden this summer and i will be putting it in everything.
well, i came to this realization today as i literally inhaled my leftovers at lunch today. leftovers from one of my favorite little mexican dives, la paloma. no, of course you've never heard of it. it's not famous. but it's up there in my books. you know how people ask all the time, "what's your favorite restaurant?" and i have to edit that one out all the time. how can you justify a little hole in the wall in hells kitchen that doesn't serve any alcohol but cooks up a mean mexican pizza and cheese enchiladas with salsa verde for a mere $6. does it get any better than that in nyc? i don't think so. this little place my good friends queenie and jermand found when they were living on 45th and 9th back in the day. we ordered it more times that we can count, and it was just perfect for us girls on a budget.
so yesterday it occurs to me that i haven't been in god knows how long. and i text jermand and recommend we make a little pit stop on the way home. i could hear her squeal (well not literally - it was a text!). forget that the sky was about to open up on us; we braved the elements to get that little taste of heaven that is la paloma. well, i'll be damned if a chipotle hasn't cropped up just across the way... stealin business from my little mexican dive i'll betcha. ugh. hope it hasn't hurt them too much. i suppose the loyals know they're getting a better deal and better food at the paloma. anyhoo. jermand and i had a grand ol time reminiscing about when we lived in the hood and were babies in NYC, etc. etc. etc. my mexican pizza was delish - oozy cheese, salty beans, thick sour cream and spicy pico de gallo with ALOT of cilantro. and there was enough for me to bring leftovers to work. yummmminess.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
birthday blow-out
here's how NOT how to spend your 28th birthday. cook for 28 guests but don't eat dinner. after all guests are served, immediately begin pounding champagne. switch to beer. stuff half a piece of birthday cake your friends have made and presented in your honor in your mouth to take the edge off. then, before leaving the house for the club downtown, down a shot of patron - i mean, how else are you going to catch up to all your friends who have been drinking for hours? take a to-go cup of beer for the cab-ride down. when you arrive at your destination, wait patiently for the waitress to stock your table. cautiously approach the vodka bottle that's been placed before you. but don't hesitate - you are the birthday girl and you damn well better drink it because the bottle's been comped! proceed to mix a very strong vodka cranberry. have another. dance with your friends and make new ones. have another drink. by the time the second bottle comes, it's starting to taste like it's just cranberry juice, right? yeah, that's right.
then, black out. learn later of course that at this point you tell your boyfriend it's time to go. like NOW. leave your friends without saying goodbye. your boyfriend takes you home and you decide you must eat. you grab whatever you can find in the fridge. some chicken wingettes will do just fine. eat as many as you can and then try to get downstairs. shed your jeans on the stairs because they are uncomfortable or...whatever. then, yak up the entire contents of your stomach. but not before falling on the floor, tripping over god knows what, and hitting your head.
sigh....kids, it's time to grow up.
i mean, the thought of any type of liquid this week, and i mean, any, is nauseating to me. and this is just sad, sad, sad. surely my parents would be disappointed. not that i'd recount my adventure to them. to say i'm ashamed would be the understatement of the year.
so why bother to publish this debacle? well i suppose i need some kind of record, and to be held accountable to the 4 people who read this blog. lest i be doomed to repeat my stupid antics this time around next year. oy.
highlight of my week: eating that birthday cake every day for breakfast and dessert after dinner. it's white cake with lemon curd and lemon buttercream frosting. i know your mouth is watering, i just know it. cause mine is and i can't wait to get home to have the little bit that's left in the fridge.
then, black out. learn later of course that at this point you tell your boyfriend it's time to go. like NOW. leave your friends without saying goodbye. your boyfriend takes you home and you decide you must eat. you grab whatever you can find in the fridge. some chicken wingettes will do just fine. eat as many as you can and then try to get downstairs. shed your jeans on the stairs because they are uncomfortable or...whatever. then, yak up the entire contents of your stomach. but not before falling on the floor, tripping over god knows what, and hitting your head.
sigh....kids, it's time to grow up.
i mean, the thought of any type of liquid this week, and i mean, any, is nauseating to me. and this is just sad, sad, sad. surely my parents would be disappointed. not that i'd recount my adventure to them. to say i'm ashamed would be the understatement of the year.
so why bother to publish this debacle? well i suppose i need some kind of record, and to be held accountable to the 4 people who read this blog. lest i be doomed to repeat my stupid antics this time around next year. oy.
highlight of my week: eating that birthday cake every day for breakfast and dessert after dinner. it's white cake with lemon curd and lemon buttercream frosting. i know your mouth is watering, i just know it. cause mine is and i can't wait to get home to have the little bit that's left in the fridge.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Hey ya'll
Now, this really is pathetic. I'm sorry to say that all three of the people who have been to my blog have been disappointed there are no updates, no new posts, no nuthin!
Well, folks, I am trying to hold down a job AND pursue my passion. Not to mention keep my perfect prince of a boyfriend (and for those of you who know him, isn't he such a special one!?) happy, and actually maintain real friendships (most importantly with buttercup, fashionslave, queenan, kp, redvelvet, neesie and lala). Thankfully, the burgeoning little biz I run w/ a close friend of mine, Xeb, so at least I get to see her quite frequently! And I haven't decided if I will continue this blog (please, don't cry) as we will be formalizing a blog on our biz' site.
Alas, I must tell you about the most fabulous dessert I have EVER made. Hmm, maybe that's a strong statement. But, I have a fondness for the red velvet cake and have ever since Steel Magnolias. Something about that deep red color plus the cream cheese frosting, yum yum yum!
And this time, it was with the help of my dear friend queenan who supplied the not-so-specific "guidelines" for pralines, and miss fashionslave who gave me the most fabulous cookbook that I've so mistakenly underutilized (my regrets for this one - seriously! -what have I been missing?? though i am making right by making you crepes this weekend, k?). The result was a triple layered gorgeous red mini cake thing, with globs of cream cheese frosting and pralines (pronounced praw-lines in some parts) in between, and a heaping of praline mousse on the top (sprinkled w/ more pralines of course). perfect prince nearly died! I went to bed with a stomach ache from eating too much, (cause you know I can't stop with a good thing) a common occurance I must admit.
Also of note, I visited my alma mater this weekend and noshed on the food of my college days. I didn't make it to armadillo grill (sadness), but I did have my favorite brueggers bagel sandwich with a He's Not blue cup. Delishioso! But, the food/drink climax of the weekend was at Buttercup's house. We'd gone for a long walk in the neighborhood (I do very much miss the 'burbs, especially the NC 'burbs, this time of year when they're all lush and springy and smelling pretty). She fixes us strawberry dacqueries (a beautiful blend of fresh strawberries, raspberry vodka, champagne, strawberry d. mix and ice with a healthy dollop of whipped cream) and we go relax on the back porch in the sun and listen to beach music. Honestly, does it get any better than that?? These are the moments when I seriously consider life in the south (again). Well, we will just have to see about that...
It is the mum's birthday this week and I am making her a big birthday cake. Contenders are coconut w/ meyer lemon - a concept Xeb and I've been talking about doing for awhile. Also might have to do a carrot cake. I've never done a carrot cake (i know! shhhh...don't tell anyone!), and I feel that this is something I need to have under my belt. Little bro is also expected to do lobster for the occasion. Delightful!! And will have to concoct some treats for the festivities on Saturday - Derby and Cinco de Mayo. Fun!
Lastly, I am reading HEAT, about Mario Batali and the like. And I was very much enjoying it - especially as Bill, the author, makes his way through the kitchen and learns all sorts of stuff that I probably will never learn or experience (although my brother Stalmo will, lucky duck). Fascinating really. Well, it's getting a little dry now. Bill's in Italy, and I'm struggling. This was Xeb's favorite part, so I'm trying to keep an open mind. Will have to give it an honest to god effort to push on through the remainder of the book. But if I have to make it through another chapter that goes into great detail about something as boring as why this man bill is obsessed with how eggs came to be a critical ingredient in pasta, I will have to pitch the book into the subway tracks at 72nd street.
Ya'll have a great weekend!
CN
Well, folks, I am trying to hold down a job AND pursue my passion. Not to mention keep my perfect prince of a boyfriend (and for those of you who know him, isn't he such a special one!?) happy, and actually maintain real friendships (most importantly with buttercup, fashionslave, queenan, kp, redvelvet, neesie and lala). Thankfully, the burgeoning little biz I run w/ a close friend of mine, Xeb, so at least I get to see her quite frequently! And I haven't decided if I will continue this blog (please, don't cry) as we will be formalizing a blog on our biz' site.
Alas, I must tell you about the most fabulous dessert I have EVER made. Hmm, maybe that's a strong statement. But, I have a fondness for the red velvet cake and have ever since Steel Magnolias. Something about that deep red color plus the cream cheese frosting, yum yum yum!
And this time, it was with the help of my dear friend queenan who supplied the not-so-specific "guidelines" for pralines, and miss fashionslave who gave me the most fabulous cookbook that I've so mistakenly underutilized (my regrets for this one - seriously! -what have I been missing?? though i am making right by making you crepes this weekend, k?). The result was a triple layered gorgeous red mini cake thing, with globs of cream cheese frosting and pralines (pronounced praw-lines in some parts) in between, and a heaping of praline mousse on the top (sprinkled w/ more pralines of course). perfect prince nearly died! I went to bed with a stomach ache from eating too much, (cause you know I can't stop with a good thing) a common occurance I must admit.
Also of note, I visited my alma mater this weekend and noshed on the food of my college days. I didn't make it to armadillo grill (sadness), but I did have my favorite brueggers bagel sandwich with a He's Not blue cup. Delishioso! But, the food/drink climax of the weekend was at Buttercup's house. We'd gone for a long walk in the neighborhood (I do very much miss the 'burbs, especially the NC 'burbs, this time of year when they're all lush and springy and smelling pretty). She fixes us strawberry dacqueries (a beautiful blend of fresh strawberries, raspberry vodka, champagne, strawberry d. mix and ice with a healthy dollop of whipped cream) and we go relax on the back porch in the sun and listen to beach music. Honestly, does it get any better than that?? These are the moments when I seriously consider life in the south (again). Well, we will just have to see about that...
It is the mum's birthday this week and I am making her a big birthday cake. Contenders are coconut w/ meyer lemon - a concept Xeb and I've been talking about doing for awhile. Also might have to do a carrot cake. I've never done a carrot cake (i know! shhhh...don't tell anyone!), and I feel that this is something I need to have under my belt. Little bro is also expected to do lobster for the occasion. Delightful!! And will have to concoct some treats for the festivities on Saturday - Derby and Cinco de Mayo. Fun!
Lastly, I am reading HEAT, about Mario Batali and the like. And I was very much enjoying it - especially as Bill, the author, makes his way through the kitchen and learns all sorts of stuff that I probably will never learn or experience (although my brother Stalmo will, lucky duck). Fascinating really. Well, it's getting a little dry now. Bill's in Italy, and I'm struggling. This was Xeb's favorite part, so I'm trying to keep an open mind. Will have to give it an honest to god effort to push on through the remainder of the book. But if I have to make it through another chapter that goes into great detail about something as boring as why this man bill is obsessed with how eggs came to be a critical ingredient in pasta, I will have to pitch the book into the subway tracks at 72nd street.
Ya'll have a great weekend!
CN
Thursday, January 25, 2007
This is a little scary
it started with myspace. i was bored at work and signed up. couldn't even commit to a headline. and my page is truly dull. i never update it and i don't really ever use it. whatever. we'll see how things go here.
my purpose in beginning this though, is to post about food. now, there are a lot of foodies out there - i supposed i consider myself one, as i call myself a chef in the off hours. no, i don't work for a restaurant, but i do cook food, and charge folks for it. more on that later... if i decide so, anyway.
so, not sure what shape or path this will take. might chose to post about restaurants, recipes i try, conversations i have. but i'll try to keep it to the food. now, i realize that's not interesting to everyone, but isn't that the beauty of blogging (i'm still getting used to this - is that a verb? god things change so quickly...)? if you happen to live from meal to meal like me - as in dreaming of what you'll have for lunch, dinner, breakfast, snack, etc., than you may enjoy this. maybe i'll even sprinkle this with some personal diddies from time to time. but you never know about that with these things. a good friend of mine disclosed some pretty sensitive information in her blog and it got into the wrong hands. so, at her expense i've learned that lesson and try to keep it light.
but i realized last night over dinner (which i'll get to in a minute), that i simply must cease and desist with the commenting on, critiqueing or oooing and aaahhing over each and everything put in front of me, because i am annoying the shit out of people who would rather experience it for themselves first before the gauntlet's thrown down. this is my attempt at an outlet for such utterances. sorry, again, KP. i'm doing this one for you.
last night i went to bluewater grille for restaurant week. now, i know the draw is that you get a $35 meal that you would otherwise pay $80 for. but, as friend of mine and i were discussing beforehand, it's not likely i'm going to order myself a 3 course meal on a regular night at one of these places. so i should have just resigned myself to spending the $70 i did. and i should have been prepared for the food not to be so good (which it wasn't). not sure how BG got a 24 rating in zaagat because what i had left much to be desired.
i chose the arugula salad from the price fixed menu, mostly because i lurrrvvee cheese and it boasted pistacio-crusted gorgonzola and grapefruit. well, the piece of cheese was about the size of my thumbnail. are you kidding me? the arugula leaves were small and not leafy the way i like them. i hate to complain, but seriously. this restaurant has been around FOREVER and should know by now to be a little more liberal with the fixins. Everyone knows that's the best part.
My main was "ok" - the corvina was pretty good, though the coconut didn't come through in the sauce like I expected. But I suppose I'll give 'em that; not everyone likes coconut. The hash, if you can call it that, meant to accompany the fish, was cold. When the menu describes it as "plantain and crab meat hash" you would think there might be a little something more than just that - diced plantain and 2 -3 crab chunks. A little seasoning perhaps? Maybe something to bind the two? Nyet. Bummer. My friend's short ribs were 10x better.
I always get pumped up for the dessert, and this one promised brittle! Yum, my favorite! "cinnamon oat crunch" was really just sugared and roasted granola bar bits. The cake bed was thin, flavorless and unnecessary. caramelized bananas are not exotic, and not difficult. where's your invention here people!!?
ok, stepping off the high horse now. i really have no business being up there. but i'm entitled to my own opinions, and i can't help but compare to what goes on in MY kitchen.
would just like to say i have just polished off fries and chicken selects from mcdonalds and it was D-LISH. i can see your smirks right now, but being from the south (and having had probably a few too many glasses of wine last night), i needed my grease.
my purpose in beginning this though, is to post about food. now, there are a lot of foodies out there - i supposed i consider myself one, as i call myself a chef in the off hours. no, i don't work for a restaurant, but i do cook food, and charge folks for it. more on that later... if i decide so, anyway.
so, not sure what shape or path this will take. might chose to post about restaurants, recipes i try, conversations i have. but i'll try to keep it to the food. now, i realize that's not interesting to everyone, but isn't that the beauty of blogging (i'm still getting used to this - is that a verb? god things change so quickly...)? if you happen to live from meal to meal like me - as in dreaming of what you'll have for lunch, dinner, breakfast, snack, etc., than you may enjoy this. maybe i'll even sprinkle this with some personal diddies from time to time. but you never know about that with these things. a good friend of mine disclosed some pretty sensitive information in her blog and it got into the wrong hands. so, at her expense i've learned that lesson and try to keep it light.
but i realized last night over dinner (which i'll get to in a minute), that i simply must cease and desist with the commenting on, critiqueing or oooing and aaahhing over each and everything put in front of me, because i am annoying the shit out of people who would rather experience it for themselves first before the gauntlet's thrown down. this is my attempt at an outlet for such utterances. sorry, again, KP. i'm doing this one for you.
last night i went to bluewater grille for restaurant week. now, i know the draw is that you get a $35 meal that you would otherwise pay $80 for. but, as friend of mine and i were discussing beforehand, it's not likely i'm going to order myself a 3 course meal on a regular night at one of these places. so i should have just resigned myself to spending the $70 i did. and i should have been prepared for the food not to be so good (which it wasn't). not sure how BG got a 24 rating in zaagat because what i had left much to be desired.
i chose the arugula salad from the price fixed menu, mostly because i lurrrvvee cheese and it boasted pistacio-crusted gorgonzola and grapefruit. well, the piece of cheese was about the size of my thumbnail. are you kidding me? the arugula leaves were small and not leafy the way i like them. i hate to complain, but seriously. this restaurant has been around FOREVER and should know by now to be a little more liberal with the fixins. Everyone knows that's the best part.
My main was "ok" - the corvina was pretty good, though the coconut didn't come through in the sauce like I expected. But I suppose I'll give 'em that; not everyone likes coconut. The hash, if you can call it that, meant to accompany the fish, was cold. When the menu describes it as "plantain and crab meat hash" you would think there might be a little something more than just that - diced plantain and 2 -3 crab chunks. A little seasoning perhaps? Maybe something to bind the two? Nyet. Bummer. My friend's short ribs were 10x better.
I always get pumped up for the dessert, and this one promised brittle! Yum, my favorite! "cinnamon oat crunch" was really just sugared and roasted granola bar bits. The cake bed was thin, flavorless and unnecessary. caramelized bananas are not exotic, and not difficult. where's your invention here people!!?
ok, stepping off the high horse now. i really have no business being up there. but i'm entitled to my own opinions, and i can't help but compare to what goes on in MY kitchen.
would just like to say i have just polished off fries and chicken selects from mcdonalds and it was D-LISH. i can see your smirks right now, but being from the south (and having had probably a few too many glasses of wine last night), i needed my grease.
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