Donut Plant

Happy March (well, um it was March)! And its time for Brians birthday. What better way to celebrate than kicking it off with a visit to the Donut Plant in NYC? Mr. Brian is the king of baked goods and holds a special place in his heart or um gut, for donuts, crumb cake, red velvet cake,sticky buns, girl scout cookies and well whatever else can be baked! I usually roll my eyes when it comes to this, but Donut Plant is no joke. Tres Leches is amazing, and even the pistachio donut was fab! And I am not a fan of pistachio...Get there early because as we found, they run out!

Salmon with Blueberries

So I am not the biggest fan of salmon and I was really afraid to make it! I feel like its real easy to ruin or over cook fish. But Brian likes and I know its super healthy for you. So, recently I decided to try a recipe from one of my favorite food magazines, Bon Apetit. I am a food magazine junkie and will always mourn the loss of my favorite, Gourmet. I will never throw any of those magazines away!

Anyways here is the recipe I used, and it came out really good! Surprisingly, super easy!

Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon olive oil plus additional for brushing
* 3/4 cup sliced shallots
* 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
* 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt plus additional for seasoning
* 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme plus additional for seasoning
* 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice plus additional for seasoning
* 1 cup fresh blueberries
* 1/4 cup water
* 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
* 4 7-ounce salmon steaks or fillets with skin (each about 3/4 inch thick)
* 3 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint, divided

Preparation

*
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/4 teaspoon thyme, and 1/8 teaspoon allspice. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add blueberries, 1/4 cup water, and vinegar. Stir to blend. Mash berries with potato masher or back of fork and cook until sauce thickens, stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm before using.
*
Brush grill rack with oil. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush salmon on both sides with oil; sprinkle with coarse salt, thyme, allspice, and black pepper.
*
Grill salmon until just opaque in center, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plates. Stir 2 tablespoons sliced mint into warm blueberry sauce. Spoon sauce over salmon and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon mint. Serve immediately.


Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2010/08/grilled_salmon_with_quick_blueberry_pan_sauce#ixzz1K1AreTH3

Chickens

So I have been traveling to Dallas Texas to visit my sister. Not exactly BBQ land like you think, but I found some great fried chicken! This place is no joke, no frills and alotta comfort food. They serve everything family style which I love. You get a simple iceberg lettuce salad that has a unique dressing. I detect some suger in it, its good trust me! Then some great biscuits with gravy or honey. Love the honey! Corn, mashed potatoes, and all that jazz. Then the main event! Some awesome fried chicken. Great seasoning and a perfect crunchy exterior complemented by some juicy chicken!

If you check out Babes in Dallas go like two stores down and there is an old fashion candy shop selling some great pieces of pie! :) Yee-Haw!

http://www.babeschicken.com/

Like Britney Said "Its been awhile"

Its been almost a year since my last blog. And its been quite the year. Although I did not write that doesn't mean I stopped eating and taking pictures of what I ate!

I really hope to start writing more often....FOR REAL THIS TIME! Even if I am writing to myself. Let me remind you that I have bad grammar, and I don't know the rules of punctuation. Can't say I didn't warn you! Again!

There are a million posts I could make right now. But off the top of my head I will list some GREAT places I have been with the promise to start blogging as I visit them. Rather than a year later :)

1. Eds Lobster Bar-NYC
Everything is amazing here! The vibe you get from this place with the chalkboards, bright lighting and white paneled walls is amazing! You must try the Blueberry Margarita and the Spiked Ade! Really up there with the best drinks I have ever had. They have a great lobster roll here and an awesome selection of oysters. Which by the way are one of my new favorite things. I am having so much fun exploring the different types! Of course I like blue points but here I was introduced to Island Creek oysters...clearly never forgot them!

2. Grand Central Oyster Bar-NYC
Brian and I have a cute little tradition we call out Christmas date. Brian does a great job of setting up an old fashioned date for us. Cute right? I think so, although maybe its not so good I have to request an actual date for Christmas but we will talk about that later. Apparently this place is famous but this was my first introduction. This place is really no frills but the largest menu of seafood I have ever seen!

3. Le Relais de Venise- NYC
What is so amazing about this steak place is its $25 all you can eat. Yes you heard me! And its a classy joint! So there is no menu and don't be asking for steak sauces or ketchup. Yes, it is THAT type of place. But you aren't going to care one bit when you are stuffing your face with plate after plate of meat with shoestring fries, and drowning it in thier "secret sauce." Don't forget the green salad with mustard vinaigrette, even my picky sister loves it! I would say this is a great way to take a date to a dinner in the city without having to save for weeks. Or in Brian and I's case when you buy a house and have ten dollars left over a week at least you can get out of the house once a month :)

Alright, so clearly I have no been starving myself incase you were concerned. But there is more to come for real this time!!!!

Mac and Cheese

Everybody loves cheese. It seems the more melted gooey cheese the more rave reviews. I have had many boxes of Velveeta and Kraft but I was wondering what does the REAL thing taste like? One day while watching Barefoot Contessa early Saturday morning, yes thats what I do because the Muppet babies aren't on anymore, I saw her make what seemed to be the perfect recipe! I find that Ina Garten (yes that's her name, I thought it was fake too!)has a great knack for comfort foods. So I decided to use her recipe this Easter although from researching Mac and Cheese recipes I picked up some tips from Martha Stewart.

PS- Cheese is good way into any familys heart! Especially your fiances!

1. Use white sharp cheddar as opposed to the orange color. It gives a smoother consistency while the orange one can leave the consistency grainy. Although after I mixed the mac and cheese and layered it in the pyrex I did put a layer of shredded orange cheddar in between.

2. After cooking and draining the macaroni rinse it with cold water to get the extra starch off.

Ingredients


* Kosher salt
* Vegetable oil
* 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
* 1 quart milk
* 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
* 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
* 1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

Brooklyn Flea Market!

http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/55983/

I have wanted to go to the Brooklyn Flea Market for awhile now. Obviously mostly for the food vendors! And now I have just been confirmed with this New York Magazine Article. I need to get there!

Stay tuned for Easter postings on Pizza Rustica, and Homemade Mac & Cheese!

Its Been Awhile...AGAIN!

So as usual I lack in a consistent writing pattern. Whatever its not like you really care! But in my absence I have checked out some great places, and tried some amazing food! So instead of long drawn out blog about everything I am cutting to the chase. Here are some dishes and places you must try!

La Fonda Del Sol- NYC
Great tapas place! Very bright colors! Its a fun, sexy, and trendy atmosphere. The food is definitely awesome! You need to try the tuna tacos they are amazing! And I am not just saying that because I modeled for some of their press shots. No I am not really a model just have some friends in PR! The short ribs of beef and crispy friend shrimp also great choices!

China Grill-NYC

This was a pick for restaurant week. I almost killed my now fiance, a Chinese food restaurant for restaurant week? But it was awesome and I have to publicly apologize to him and the China Grill. It is NOT just a Chinese restaurant. Which I have no problem with Chinese restaurants that's another post for another time!

Its like an Asian Fusion version of Carmines. Its family style which I always think is fun. We tried the crackling calamari salad. And usually I am partial to Italian style calamari but this salad was amazing with its salty fried calamari with hints of lime. Then we did lamb spare ribs and I can just say if you die without trying these you didn't live! For entrees we did the drunken chicken which was a good piece of chicken nothing too special,and marinated skirt steak. Both were good but nothing I haven't had before. Then we also splurged for the seared spicy tuna. Total disappointment. I feel like it tasted like windex. But the appetizers made up for it and the great wine pairings they offered. I definitely dream of those ribs and have nightmares about the tuna.

Whitehouse Subs- AC

Okay now this place is super famous and it seems many people swear by it. I mean when I got there the line was out the door and we waited like an hour to get our subs. We were dying for some great italian subs and this was the place to go we were told. It seems legit when you walk in, crazy old with pictures of famous people lining the walls. I had a good feeling. Until I started seeing these sandwiches come out with what looked like sloppy to think cut meat...I was thinking hmmm this might not be my deal. Then when the guy tells me its their trademark NOT to put vinegar on the subs it was over. I almost threw it back at him. Don't tell me this is a famous sub place thats famous for no vinegar. I will say the bread is good but its from the bakery down the street. And I guess its not my thing to have the cold cuts sliced like an inch thick yuck. But I guess I am the only person who doesn't like their famous original Italian sub! WHATEVER!