eatmywords

A Confession

2009-07-07T12:28:00.004-04:00

Red hasn't posted about herself in quite some time. All this blogging about food and fun stuff has been way more exciting than the posts that frequented this site a good year ago--all that job hunting feels oh-so-distant. But Red was always acutely aware that the tagline of the blog was all about getting into magazine publishing, and that she hassn't quite gotten there yet.

...But what now?

Well, you see, Red has been doing a lot of interesting work in the hours of the day that are not 9-6 (and sometimes, just sometimes, on lunch breaks too). And much of it, she's happy to admit, is magazine related. There's plenty of good news to share, but she'll reveal it slowly... when the time is right.

For now, this is what you might want to know. All this break time Red's been taking from this here blog has been well justified (or so she hopes)--those few "free" hours in the day have one towards something big and exciting, something oh-so-magazine-y. It's an annual publication that a kind someone put her in charge of--a magazine for magazine folk, if you will--and the work has been gearing up to something really magnetic. It's a killer project--just what Red loves to do, knows how to do, and is still just a *teeny weeny bit* intimidated by. But what's the fun if it's not a challenge?

So where does that leave us? Newly-turned Editor-in-Chief Red has lots of work on her plate, but she loves getting the love from all of you. She'll be popping in regularly, in any and every minute that time permits her to, but maybe not every single day.

Is that OK with you? Your blessing would make her feel so much better.

In the meantime, while you think about it, maybe you should go over here... this recipe for nectarine scones sounds like summer in a bun.

Birthday!

2009-07-01T13:37:00.002-04:00

If you hadn't noticed, Red's taking the week off. Why? It's her birthday today! And with a short week for the Fourth, things are a little busy. Stick around--big news is on the way!

Decor Porn

2009-06-26T14:23:00.003-04:00

Since things have been rather food-centric around here, I thought I'd shake it up with some decor porn to close out the week. These hand-polished acrylic tables by Decorati are absolutely driving me insane--they're the perfect intersection between Moorish shape and modern design. I've never been one to hide my complete obsession with Moroccan- and Middle Eastern-inspired design, and this is exactly the kind of product that speaks to those passions. These can tie together a room, merging the ethnic with the contemporary and creating something that's ultimately very chic. Let's face it, it's love at first sight.

Tangier Tables and more available here, price on request.

Link of the Day

2009-06-25T17:08:00.003-04:00

Red's swamped this week, so this will be a short one. Today's link comes via eat me daily, where Kaci Beeler's food-themed paintings are taking front seat. They're really well done, with lots of great detail and color work--to be honest, I'm surprised I haven't seen more people doing still life paintings of great food, when still life paintings of fruits and vegetables have always been so prominent. Here's the link to some great shots, and more info on the artist. Bon appetit!

Budget Finds -- Calf and Half Creamer

2009-06-24T12:40:00.003-04:00

Nearly everyone in my extended family has a porcelain white cow creamer that looks exactly the same (like the one above), and somehow we were always convinced that ours was the original, the first one to be handed down from my grandparents--the rest were just copycats. It was with that in mind that I found such utter delight (excuse the pun) in this creamer, an unintentional allusion to my childhood kitchen memories. I've always enjoyed the design of glass within glass, such as with these double wall glasses, and thought this udder-shaped creamer was just perfectly up that alley.

Calf and Half Creamer, $19.95, available right here.

Geek or Chic -- Big Moai Tissue Dispenser

2009-06-23T20:51:00.002-04:00

It's been a while since we've had a geek or chic entry around these parts, so it was in good time that I found this crazy product. It may not fit in a kitchen, but would it fit in your bathroom? Perhaps this says more about you than you think. I'm not sure much more needs to be said, but what do you think? Geek or chic?

Big Moai Tissue Dispenser available right here for about $42.

Recipe Lust: Carrot Cake Cookies

2009-06-22T19:16:00.003-04:00

I've been feeling really guilty about all of the intense eating that I've had to do over the last few weeks (poor, poor Red, right?). That may be why this particular recipe for carrot cake cookies at The Kitchn called out at me--not only does it satiate the sweet tooth but it naturally does away with much of what's unhealthy about cookies and sweets. Butter is kept to a minimum, some likely replaced with the applesauce; meanwhile, cream cheese frosting is substituted with a blend of yogurt, honey, and cinnamon. I'm not one to skimp on the fatty ingredients usually--I figure if I'm going to treat myself, I may as well do it right--but this actually looks really tasty, and inconsequential.

Food Porn

2009-06-19T17:05:00.003-04:00

I know I've been a little food centric (and even sweet-centric) lately, but can ya blame me? This week, a new branch of my newly-favorite bakery is opening up in Tribeca, and though that doesn't particularly convenience me all that much, it does make me want some goods! Billy's bakery is pretty well known for its icebox and banana cakes (above), but their cupcakes are pretty darn impressive too. Banana must be a thing for Billy's (is alliteration?) because their banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are the most unexpectedly delicious confections I've had in quite a while. If these pictures don't do it for you, I highly suggest you try them for yourselves!

Billy's Bakery is now officially located at:

184 9th Avenue
Between 21st and 22nd Street

and

75 Franklin Street
Between Broadway and Church Street

Link of the Day -- Threadcakes

2009-06-18T14:23:00.003-04:00

I'd say a good 3/4 of my friends have a strange appreciation for the t-shirts from Threadless, and frankly, if I wore t-shirts more often, I probably would too. They're always cleverly designed and have a strong presence of adorable animals. What more could you want? Well, it turns out that Threadless has launched a competition for its foodiest fans--Threadcakes! It's a challenge to see who can best represent a Threadless shirt on a cake, and people have done some pretty awesome stuff. The winner is based off one of my favorite designs, one that a friend of mine used to wear on a regular basis. Check it out here, as well as all the runners up!

[via Serious Eats]

Budget Finds -- Cheese Accessories under $25

2009-06-17T13:41:00.003-04:00

The weather wouldn't be a good indicator of it around here, but we're making swift strides towards July 1. In any other sphere but this one, July 1 may not mean more than Canada pride, but the strange maple-infused day also happens to be Red's birthday! And what does Red's birthday bear if not a wonderful gathering filled with wine and cheese? With only a weekend in between now and the tentative partay, I've got cheese accessories on the brain!

These adorable porcelain flags can be stuck into cheese--beginners will use fat erasable markers to scribble names of cheeses, while advanced eaters can use the back side to supplement names with tasting notes (how fancy!). At under $12 for a set of 6 right over here, it's a pretty good deal, too. (The DIY version I usually rely on is even cheaper, but not as pretty--two blank squares of thick paper, like cut down index cards, taped around a toothpick.)

But what cheese party is complete without great serveware? When my friend Q bought me individual cheese boards complete with wine-glass carrying indentations, I knew the parties would elevate to whole new levels of cheesiness (meant only in the best of ways, of course!). For something really cheesy, though, try these--a funny little set from Target that's selling for a reduced price of $22.49.

With all this money saved on accessories, you can feel free to splurge on the cheese!

Good Enough to Eat... Again! -- Super Fast Crab Salad

2009-06-15T19:34:00.004-04:00

I walked up and down the aisles at Trader Joe's yesterday looking for just the right thing to stock my lunch supply this week--anything but cold cuts! Disparaged, I came home with plenty of dinner and snack options (pomegranate greek yogurt, anyone?) but nothing for the lunches. I had brunch leftovers to tide me over for a day while I regained some inspiration. With the pressure on, I hit the stores again today, and alas, came up with a new idea. But then there's the problem--my ideas are always generated mid-store, and with no internet in my pocket, the recipes can only be generated in my head as far as memory can take me. That's how I came up with the simplest crab salad.

Red's Super Fast (And Not Unhealthy) Crab Salad

What You Need
1 package of imitation crab meat (if you're not on a budget, splurge!)
1 package of slaw mix (shredded carrots and cabbage)
3 tbsp light mayo (I used the Smart Balance kind that's actually good for you)
1 lemon, juiced
1 tsp. cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Approximated total cost........$7.00
Cost per serving.....................$3.50

What You Do
1. Cut crab into smaller, more manageable pieces.
2. Add mayo, slaw mix.
3. Add lemon juice and spices. It's really that easy.

Next time, I'll get a little fancier and try the pictured version by Gina, a healthy Latin-inspired recipe with avocado, right here. And if I'm really feeling fancy, I'll throw in some julienne mango as well!

Design Porn: Alphabet Drawers

2009-06-12T16:40:00.003-04:00

Earlier today, a friend left some love on the blog that she herself said was no budget find. What it turned out to be was perfect decor porn, worthy of being shared with all of you. Not only does this beautiful handmade chest of drawers feature my fervent love of typography, but it's inspired by the very printing blocks that I've blogged about (and gushed over) on eatmywords. I question its ergonomic function, but I have no doubt that this would be the perfect centerpiece for an uber-organized home office. Let's just not look at the price tag.

Alphabet Drawers by Kent and London, available for purchase (for the lucky and wealthy) right over here.

PS. Thanks for sharing, Alison!

The Bubble Battle Returns!

2009-06-11T14:48:00.003-04:00

I haven't posted about NYC goings on in quite a while, perhaps because of the ever-lasting gloomy weather, perhaps because I've been too busy to notice! Either way, one of my favorite annual events is happening tomorrow, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to share the secret with all of you. Each year, a collective called Newmindspace puts together a series of crazy, wacky, out-of-the-box events that get great turnouts all over the city. They include the massive yearly pillow fight, light saber battles, and this--my absolute favorite. The annual Bubble Battle! Thousands gather in Times Square to blow bubbles at one another, reliving a little bit of our collective youths and remembering what it feels like to be 6 years old again. It's tomorrow at 6:15--and I hope to see some of you there!

Budget Finds -- Three Tiered Pedestal Plates

2009-06-10T16:00:00.006-04:00

I wrote not too long ago about the simplest ways of effortless entertaining, and how utterly charming they can be. It's a thought that's stuck in my mind, and a goal that I'm setting for the future (in whatever period of time it may imply)--I'd love to develop sets of pretty, pseudo-coordinated dishes, ones that sort-of kind-of match my serving wares, but only just so. And anchoring the whole thing will be a two-tiered dessert tray, where I can display my dainty mini tarts and brownie bites. (Who knew so much effort went into being effortless!)

After spotting a tiered white and green plaid tray at Kmart for just $6 earlier today, I was curious to see what other budget options were in the spectrum. (Had the darn thing been in a more aesthetic color/pattern, it would have been mine!) The extra $16 go a long way for this option, leading me to a clear glass triple-decker that can be taken apart and re-stacked in a few different configurations. Seeing as that it can function as two mini-stackers and a cake tray, I think it's a marvelous purchase. And to be frank, I'm having a much harder time resisting this one than the $6 plaid set!

Three-tiered Pedestal Serving Plates at Target, $22.49, available here.

(By the by, apologies for my disappearing act yesterday! Red's been beyond swamped. Sad face!)

Recipe Lust -- Pasta Salads Galore

2009-06-08T14:15:00.002-04:00

A few months into work with little semblance of a cafeteria or reasonably priced lunch options to rely on, I've started to hit a wall when it comes to packing lunch. I'm not the kind of person who can just eat a sandwich every day, and I've met my limit for hummus and veggies as well. (The last time I did that was after a summer spent in Israel--didn't eat anything that resembled chickpea spread for literally three years.)

The biggest problem for me is that my office, believe it or not, lacks a refrigerator, which means that lunch options diminish rather quickly (and that my new-found obsession with yogurt doesn't translate well for office lunch, rats). When I found a "Bombay Salad" at my local supermarket (pasta, chicken, mango chutney, curry, raisins, and celery), I got hooked to the idea of making inventive, unique pasta salads as a solid lunch option with nearly endless variations. My first attempt to recreate the Bombay was only semi-successful, but I think I've now found some recipes that will require a little less guess work. Here's the short list, for your experimentation and enjoyment!

Greek Orzo and Shrimp, via Bon Appetit
Grilled Lemongrass Beef and Noodle, via Gourmet
Noodle Salas with Mango and Gingered Cucumber, also via Gourmet

[photo via taste.com.au]

Link of the Day -- Ice Cream Pudding at Coldstone

2009-06-04T14:27:00.006-04:00

Just when you thought you'd heard it all, some weirdo in marketing comes up with a nutty idea that a bigwig CEO decides to run with. Take, for instance, Coldstone's new product, an ice cream concoction that somehow melts into such thick ice cream soup they're calling it pudding. Apparently, it's part of a collaboration between Coldstone and JELL-O, which I don't even want to know what kinds of chemicals would make that possible, and I can't say I'm interested in trying it, but it's just strange enough to post over here. But perhaps I'm being closed-minded. Sometimes these things end up being much better than they sound! Thoughts, anyone?

[via Metromix]

Budget Finds -- Bottletop Basting Brush

2009-06-03T16:04:00.003-04:00

We've been talking BBQ a lot around the office, be it because of the up-turning weather, the fact that we may be getting some BBQ clients on the roster, or the sheer love that everyone in this office has for all things BBQ. Regardless, it seemed like perfect timing to stumble upon this little gadget, a bottletop basting brush that helps sauce up those ribs without the mess. I recently read that it's not worth owning kitchen gadgets that serve just one purpose, but when they cost less than $5 a pop, I see no problem with breaking that rule. This little baby is only $3.99 right here, which makes it a seriously budget-friendly grilling accessory. Enjoy!

Link of the Day -- In-Pool Pong

2009-06-02T14:12:00.003-04:00

On the one hand, I wish I could say I was too classy for beer pong. But on the other, I've always been the split personality foodie--as much as I love upscale fine dining, my favorite kind of food has always been down n' dirty BBQ, and I can't ignore the side of me that really loves simple, lowbrow drink and dining. Beer pong falls into precisely that category--even though I don't partake on too regular an occasion, it's always a welcome way to unwind with friends in the most casual of ways. When I saw a short blurb on inflatable beer pong tables for in-pool summer play in amNY this morning, I knew it would make the perfect link of the day. Now to find an appropriate pool!

Want your own portable beer pong table? Check out this site, but be warned--they don't exactly have a classy side ;)

Recipe Lust -- Chili Lime Peanuts

2009-06-01T16:07:00.003-04:00

Last night I met with a talented group to start piecing together a magazine that I'm working on in my spare time. You'll hear more about that some other day, but what I really wanted to share was the idea of simple entertaining. Our gracious host has an apartment that's plenty of space for one, but perhaps not so much space for a group of 6. She made great use of her tiny 2 person table by serving lots of small appetizers--cheese and crackers, tappenade, edamame, and so on. It was a beautiful way to entertain, and easy at that! In thinking about the possibilities of small scale/big impression entertaining, I came across this wonderful recipe for Chili-Lime Peanuts--seems like a great way to pack a filling snack into a small bowl. I'm guessing multiple batches may be necessary, though!

See the full recipe here. Enjoy!
[photo via learninghowtocook.com]

Food Porn

2009-05-29T16:11:00.002-04:00

This weekend marks the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the gift of the Torah. It's a beautiful holiday--Jews sing and dance with the Torah and it's one of our most upbeat holidays (nobody dies, nobody mourns, nobody fasts, nobody is persecuted, woo!) which makes it great fun all around. What I never really knew until this year is that the holiday is also marked by eating lots of dairy (none of the commentary I've read really explains why) and in the States, this tends to take two forms: blintzes and cheesecake. I have a soft spot for good homemade blintzes, but let's face it--cheesecake is even tastier and way easier to find/make. Today's food porn takes us to the reliable Jew-spot, Carnegie Deli, home of New York's best cheesecake (in my book, at least!) --if this doesn't whet your appetite for a dairy-crazy weekend, I'm not sure what will! Happy feasting, and as we say, Chag Sameach!

[photo via flickr]

Link of the Day

2009-05-28T16:32:00.003-04:00

I've never been shy about the fact that I love myself a good, cheap meal--especially one that comes straight off the streets. And though Manhattan definitely offers a solid array of street food, traveling the world always shows how many cultures have yet to bring their mobile eats to the big apple. This article in the New York Times dining section yesterday brings a temporary solution, with several street fairs that are centered around celebrating less explored ethnic cuisines like Burmese, Indonesian, and Swedish. For more of a preview, see the full article here, but be sure to have a calendar handy--you'll certainly want to write some of these dates down!

[via NYT]

Budget Finds -- Mustache Napkin Rings

2009-05-27T13:10:00.003-04:00

As I was grazing on Serious Eats this morning, the perfect Budget Finds popped up on my screen. It's been a rough (read: sleepless) return to reality after the long weekend, and a few laughs were just the remedy. Anyhow, these adorable napkin rings shaped like handlebar mustaches come in sets of 4 for $24, and they're so cheeky I just can't stand it. Who doesn't smile at the sight of a big furry mustache, much less one with your name on it on your dinner plate? That's right, with chalkboard paint, they're customizable and reusable, which makes them as practical as they are hysterical. Talk about a great dinner party ice breaker--I just love it.

Mustache napkin rings by Modern Dose available right here. [via Serious Eats]

Vacation Porn!

2009-05-22T13:13:00.004-04:00

Dear lovely, lovely readers,

Red is off to sunny Miami for the long weekend, and she's so excited she can hardly contain it. Since she really, really, desperately, horribly, tremendously needs a vacation, eatmywords is taking a short break for the holiday. See you on Wednesday for a return to our regular schedule, and until then, think of me! I'll be right over here....

Love,

Red

Link of the Day -- Inner Messages

2009-05-21T13:45:00.002-04:00

Today I randomly came across this fantastic site by Yoon Jung Yun, a Korean jewelry designer making "inner message" rings. The rings look like ordinary wedding bands (though they don't necessarily need to be used as such), but on the inside, they contain secret messages printed backwards in raised text, causing it to be imprinted on the wearer's finger after a few hours of wear. It's a really adorable idea--certainly very private, subtle, and intimate--and I love that the bands can be purchased as singles rather than pairs, making for a great romantic gift. Ready-to-wear designs with "always" and "marry me" imprinted in them start at $120, with custom messages available for some more. It's may not be super budget-friendly, but it gets across a clear point!

Inner Message rings by Yoon Jung Yun, available right over here.

Budget Finds -- Cupcake Accessories!

2009-05-20T14:00:00.003-04:00

Red has been so swamped she's practically been eaten by alligators. It's not a pretty sight, but she's excited about rewarding herself with some sweet treats when it's all over--maybe a cupcake?

Ahh, if someone wanted to bake Red a cupcake, they would instantly become her favorite. And better yet would be if they decided to use these beyond-adorable cupcake wrappers, on sale at Cupcake Social's Etsy shop right here. (Anyone else think Etsy should spell "shop" with the extra "pe" at the end? "Shoppe" seems so much more appropriate for Etsy.)

One pattern is cuter than the next--tulip, plaid, even animal print? It's almost too good to be true. And clocking in at under $5.00, this is one of the most affordable ways to make someone feel like they're seriously special.

Click here to check out Cupcake Social's Shop, filled with many, many more adorable goodies!

Recipe Lust: Coconut Shrimp

2009-05-18T19:07:00.002-04:00

Since making arancini last weekend, I've been finding different ways to use the remainder of my panko bread crumbs. Suffice it to say, it's not a difficult ingredient to use. Coat anything in panko and it's instantly crunchy and delicious. And the shrimp in my freezer are looking like the next logical option, which made me instantly think of this recipe for panko-crusted Coconut Shrimp. Easy, quick, and requiring a short list of mostly pantry-staple ingredients, it looks as budget friendly as it does crave-worthy, and that's something we can all stomach!

Click here for the full recipe, with photo step by steps and all!

Design Porn -- Handpainted Coral Dishes

2009-05-15T22:51:00.002-04:00

It's been a long week for Red, so apologies for the late posting! To balance out all the food content this week, I thought I'd close out with a little design porn. These dishes by Modern Goods are simply irresistible, drawing on one of my favorite color palettes and beachy (read: summery!) illustrations. They're all hand painted, and unfortunately that translates to "very expensive," but that doesn't mean I can't stare in awe until I feel confident enough to reproduce the patterns on my own at the local pottery painting studio! (Shhh... I would never advocate such a thing!)

Other patterns are available right here--they're all pretty exquisite. Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Sad News for Foodies

2009-05-14T13:36:00.003-04:00

I had plans to run a restaurant review today, but my appetite for writing has crashed with the news that NYTimes restaurant critic Frank Bruni will be stepping down from his role in August when his memoirs, "Born Round: the Secret History of a Full-Time Eater" debuts in bookstores across the country. Apparently he feels the book will create a conflict with his ability to produce anonymous reviews--this intrigues me! But the fact that we will no longer be privy to his writing on a weekly basis (his pieces will still run in the NYT Magazine every now and then) is a sad piece of news for foodies far and wide.

For that, I'm holding on to my review until next week. Frank, you'll be missed! [via Gawker]

Budget Finds -- Andy Pratt's Colorful Citiscapes

2009-05-13T17:40:00.002-04:00

Today, I'm absolutely digging the work of Andy Pratt, whose gorgeous illustrations are selling for a mere $20 right here. They're colorful, vivid, and purely joyful, a celebration of various cities around the country including my own (NYC), the one where I was born (San Francisco), and the one that currently houses TWB (Boston). $20 buys you an 8 x 10, but framing one of these in an 11 x 14 frame with an 8 x 10 opening will make these babies look like they're worth millions.

[all photos via andypratt.net]

Geek or Chic? Pipette Tableware

2009-05-12T11:41:00.000-04:00

Things that find an intersection between scientific labware and dinnertime place settings always seem to catch my eye--perhaps not so much for my own interest, but because I spent a good chunk of the last 6 years either doing science or surrounding myself with scientists and engineers. Regardless of reason, I'm drawn to these interesting oil and vinegar bottles over at Design House Stockholm, which are modeled after lab pipettes. At the very least, they're probably fun for making beautiful presentations when entertaining! I think I may be more prone to gift them to some of the aforementioned engineer friends that put them on my own table, but they're certainly not lacking in either geekness or chicness. What do you think?

Pipette Oil and Vinegar Bottles by Camilla Kropp, $59

Good Enough to Eat... Again! -- Arancini, AKA Deep Fried Risotto Goodness

2009-05-10T21:50:00.005-04:00

Several months back, I had a terrific meal at a restaurant in Boston called Stella that started with arancini, fried risotto balls stuffed with cheese. I ate them perplexed, wondering how the risotto could hold together in a perfect ball while being deep fried. There's nothing more disappointing than deep frying something and having it come apart in the oil, just to go to waste, so I'd dreamed about the appetizer wistfully without really mustering the courage to take a stab at it myself. That is, until this weekend. After doing my due diligence and finding a few recipes that agreed upon a method, I made my first attempt, only to realize that the process is a whole lot easier than I'd thought.

Arancini, AKA Deep Fried Risotto Goodness
makes 10-12 balls

What You'll Need

1 packet of quick risotto mix*................$2.00
Anywhere between 1 tbsp and 1/3 cup parmesan, depending on your taste...........$1.50
Panko bread crumbs..............................$2.00
2 eggs......................................................$0.50
1 cup flour...............................................$0.50
1 stick string cheese................................$0.50
Oil for frying

Total Cost......................................$7.00
Total Cost Per Serving....................$2.33

What You Do

1. Follow the directions on the packet to make your risotto.
2. Add parmesan cheese, to taste, and stir until it's well combined. Cheese will not only boost the flavor, it will also act as a great binder to keep your arancini together.
3. Transfer the risotto into a container to cool in the fridge. The cooler the risotto, the easier it will bind into balls.
4. Set up the flour, eggs (whipped), and panko in three separate bowls, in that order. Cut the mozzarella stick into small chunks (about 1 cm square)
5. Use a heaping tablespoon to measure out how much risotto to use for each ball. Roll it up and then use your finger to make an indentation. Stick in a square of cheese and fill the rest of the indentation with more risotto.
6. Coat the ball with flour, then egg, then bread crumbs, and fry to golden perfection. Enjoy!

*Note: you can make your risotto from scratch, as I often do, but the mixes yeild just the right amount for an appetizer portion while cutting down on the time you spend stirring the pot. Plus, you don't have to spend $7 on a big container of Arborio rice!

Design Porn: Domino Shopping Spree

2009-05-08T14:33:00.002-04:00

I had so many ideas for today's porn section, but they were all upstaged by a rather last-minute announcement made by former domino editors, Dara Caponigro and Tom Delevan. According to this article and this article, the pair decided that, after amassing over 1,500 square feet of swagged home goods from the magazine's glory days, it might be a good idea to clear some space--and make a much needed buck in the process. Designer goods previously featured in the dearly deparated shelter title will be on sale for a fraction of their price--of the quoted items, it seems that even larger home accessories will be falling in the $40 range--with a selection of clothing items on the side as well. The whole sale promises to be, at worst, a great chance to meet former domino staffers (can we point out for once and for all that the title was never capitalized? Just sayin') and maybe pick up a fun gift along the way.

Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 13 West Ninth Street (Fifth Avenue), garden apartment; cash only. [photo via NYTimes]

Link of the Day -- Student Cooks

2009-05-07T15:39:00.004-04:00

As the weather continues to grate on me (we haven't seen the sun in how many days??) I'm happy to find little bits of happiness over the course of my daily reading. This particular article in the NY Daily News was one of those--it's about a high school in Queens (no, not the one affected by swine flu!) that has taken a heavy initiative to open its own restaurant. It's the first such project of its kind (at least in NYC), with the high school students acting as business management, chefs, and recipe developers to feed their staff and faculty. The result? Students with a better understanding of what it takes to run a business, what it's like to work in the culinary world, how to feed themselves nutritiously, and--perhaps most importantly--how to make a killer meal for Mom this Mother's Day. See the whole article here--it's a great read!

(Photo via NY Daily News)

Budget Finds -- Umbrella For Two

2009-05-06T14:35:00.000-04:00

It's been a rainy week here in the city, and usually that's not a very inspiring thing. No, no, it's quite the opposite. The kind of rain we've had--dark, gloomy mornings leading to endless hours of cold, rainy disgustingness--makes you want to do nothing more than sit in bed and sleep the day away. But as I walked to work this morning, I saw something that pulled my attention away from all that bed-longing for just a minute. You see, this young father, and his young just-barely-walking-and-super-adorable little boy, were walking down the street with the funkiest umbrella that covered both their heads. I'd never seen a contraption like it before, but I found it utterly brilliant!

Better yet, it's available here at a budget-conscious price of $20--enough to forgo splitting the cost with your significant other, or whoever is worthy or sharing your umbrella. Please, though--let's all refrain from the Rihanna allusions before the cutesy factor is entirely mutilated. (Oops.)

Restaurant Review: Scarpetta

2009-05-05T17:48:00.002-04:00

Last week, I mentioned how lucky I was to snag a table at Scarpetta to help them celebrate their 1-year anniversary with a special prix fixe menu--$50 for 4 courses with wine pairings. The celebration (for me) was last night, and I thought I'd fill you in on my thoughts.

Let's start by saying this: Scarpetta has been given an endless stream of praise from the food press. With three stars in the New York Times, Michelin nods, James Beard noms, and much much more, it's one of those restaurants that may as well have paid off (or Mafia-style threatened) every critic into showering them with compliment after compliment. With not a stitch of bad press, you have to wonder--can any dining experience live up to this kind of press? The answer: yes. Yes, yes and yes.

I won't fill you in on every detail--this would be far too long. But I'll share my favorite moments. Among them, the bread basket, which came piled high in a nest-like black metal bowl, served with three different dipping options: whipped butter mixed with ricotta, a sweet red pepper tapenade, and the sweetest olive oil I've ever tasted. The herbed roll went great with the first two, while a sliced loaf with proscuitto and cheese paired wonderfully with the sweet oil. By my first bites, I was sold.

The style of Scarpetta, for those who stay away from food press, is haute Italian, with all the pastas made fresh in house. It's no surprise that the risotto that came under my braised short rib appetizer was actually pastina-like bits of pasta mixed with finely chopped vegetables--even still, the misnomer had me expecting something thicker and more decadent. The creaminess craving was easily fulfilled by what was one of my two favorite dishes--a perfect version of truffled polenta topped with mushrooms. I've never tasted anything quite so smooth and rich and indulgent. I can only wonder what they could have done with true risotto.

Scott Conant, the chef, jokes that his customers often gripe about the price of his signature dish, spaghetti with tomato and basil ($26, if I noted correctly), but with one bite it's apparent how much love and hard work goes into making these simple ingredients shine. It's mindblowing, really--there's no real sense of a sauce, rather, everything is coated in aromas and perfectly manipulated textures. From the thick, hearty bite of the noodles to the tender acidity of the tomato and the heady nose of the basil, this dish is a melange of common flavors brought to their best selves. I left wishing for more, and wondering what on earth I could do to replicate it at home. Just tomato and basil, right? Duh.

The capretto, another signature dish, was forgettable--a bit on the dry side, and lacking in any memorable flavors. A sirloin steak, not usually on the menu, was tender and buttery, with a light sauce borrowing flavors from this season's favorite vegetable: the ramp. Desserts were solid, with a chocolate-based parfait and a banana budino served with pecan gelatto. My recommendation? Just go for an appetizer (polenta, preferably) and a bowl of pasta--no matter how good the rest is, it's what you'll come away remembering and savoring regardless of what else you decide to eat with it.

Scarpetta is located at 355 W 14 St., near 9th Ave. Click here for more info.

Recipe Lust -- Flavors of South America

2009-05-04T17:02:00.002-04:00

Probably since February, when I took a single day off (unpaid) to celebrate Valentine's Day with TWB, I've been waiting and waiting for my first paid vacation. After more than six months of working, I finally decided to take it over Memorial Day, so that my 1 vacation day can combine with my 1 holiday day for what will feel like an uber special treat. It's not a lot, but it's what we have to work with in this new "real" world. What I'm getting at is that I've been thinking about the comforts of home quite a bit in anticipation of my trip, and even the slightest references to Miami or Latin cooking get me started. Maybe that's why this recipe was just shouting out at me this week--it looks healthy and cost-effective (especially when considering that I have pre-marinated chicken from TJ's to fit the bill), and it really reminds me of the flavors of home--especially because I'm imagining it served with a big ol' hunk of avocado.

Click here for the full recipe, and enjoy!

Food Porn

2009-05-01T15:38:00.003-04:00

It's official--forget the bahn mi, forget swine flu, forget bacon! It's ice cream season! The blogs are abuzz with recipes for the first batches of the season, and though I've already dug up articles on how to make ice cream sans a machine (see here), I'm just dying to save myself the trouble (and find some extra storage space somewhere! anywhere! maybe under the bed?) by getting one of these:
a Cuisinart Flavor Duo Ice Cream and Sorbet Maker... Swoooooon.

But since that's not in the cards right now, here are some old and charming photos of my favorite ice cream parlor, Jaxson's, in Dania Beach, FL... I'm craving a kitchen sink (or something like it) bigtime!

Reversible Type

2009-04-30T12:34:00.003-04:00

I was reading this month's issue of Wired with a friend when we came across a small piece on Ambigrams, a new trend in typography that involves lettering which can be flipped and reversed while maintaining its message. Here's an example that I really like:

As cool a concept as this is, Ambigrams have been largely contained within the graffiti style, sticking to street lettering (perhaps a bit more flexible to work with). I'm looking forward to seeing how Ambigrams are used creatively for design purposes--and in different styles, perhaps more modern and glam. I can see restaurants using them creatively on interesting menus, and this site has started combining couples' names into a single Ambigram which has some interesting potential as well. Call it an early trend-spot, but I have a feeling these will become a bit more mainstream in the months ahead.

Budget Finds: Scarpetta Special

2009-04-29T15:45:00.003-04:00

It takes a special occasion for me to break the Budget Finds $25 budget, but today that occasion takes the shape of Scarpetta's 1 Year Anniversary. For those of you who don't spend your whole day reading food news, Scarpetta is one of NYC's biggest, most recognized, most sought-after restaurants of 2008--and even a year later, its tables are often fully booked a month in advance. However, it seems a few lucky diners may be able to score a table next week, from May 4-8, when Scarpetta will be celebrating its first birthday with a special $50 4-course menu with wine pairings. If Restaurant Week is supposed to be a budget find, think about it this way: for $15 extra, you get an extra full course and four glasses of wine. I'm thinking that in itself is good cause for celebration.

Make your reservation (with an open mind for late dinners, of course) by calling 212-691-0555. (Ask nicely and make sweet conversation as I did to shoot for better seatings!)

Link of the Day

2009-04-28T12:19:00.003-04:00

There may have been confusion recently about why Ruth Reichl (personal hero and editrex of Gourmet) had been dressed up as Gene Simmons at the Four Seasons a few weeks ago, but all that was cleared up today when the eds at the glorified food pub released this quirky little video. Whether they're trying to appeal to a younger crowd or simply trying to get a few laughs, I'm not sure. But this is too great not to share with all you!

I'm not able to embed the video here, but hit this little link to see the 2 minute clip--it's a good laugh, foodie or not.

Recipe Lust -- Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

2009-04-27T16:42:00.002-04:00

Didja miss me? It's been a few days... and I'm sorry! Coming down with nasty head colds really takes away Red's appetite. But thankfully that's been restored over the short little break. Given the weather (topping 90 before May??), I think everyone's thinking about ice cream, but I'm thinking about something a little different--Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes! No recipe here, just a pretty picture and some tasty ideas for you to play with this beautiful spring week...

To make your own, whip up your favorite cake batter and pour it into flat-bottomed cones. Bake as usual, and frost! I'm thinking red velvet with raspberry-laced creamcheese icing and dusting of cocoa or vanilla cake with strawberry buttercream and sprinkles. What can I say? I've got berries on my mind. But be warned--you won't want to fill those cones all the way or they'll spill over!

Budget Finds: Eco-Friendly Aluminum Water Bottles

2009-04-22T15:16:00.003-04:00

Every day, one of the first things I do when I get to the office is refill my 1L Poland Springs water bottle and plop it on my desk, with every intention of finishing it by noon. While my coworkers tend to buy new bottles on a near daily basis, mine is reused over and over again--up until the point that the label starts falling off and the poor thing can no longer withstand my constant use. Seeing as that it's Earth Day, I'm thinking about taking my recycling to the next step--eliminating the damn plastic thing for once and for all (and hopefully convincing my coworkers to do the same).

These aluminum bottles from SIGG are designed with both aesthetic and functionality in mind, but they're at the very top of my Budget Finds price range, clocking in at 21.99 for 0.6L bottles and $24.99 for 1L ones.

Though the SIGG ones are really quite beautiful, this one from Muji does the trick just fine at a far cheaper price--just under $6.

Free Stuff!

2009-04-21T10:17:00.002-04:00

Good morning, readers! I wanted to get to you bright and early today to make sure you could take advantage of two treats that spring is bearing! Starting at noon at most locations today, Ben and Jerry's will be giving away a free scoop of ice cream! Dunkin Donuts, too, is in on the fun, with 50-cent iced coffee day! Notice the exclamation marks people, this is big news. Enjoy!

Recipe Lust -- Shells with Creamy Basil-Tarragon Pistou

2009-04-20T16:02:00.003-04:00

With the sudden arrival (and equally sudden, albeit fleeting, disappearing) of Spring, the food media has bombarded me with things that I should be excited about: RAMPS! RAMPS! RAMPS!

But there's something else I'm really eager to play with--something I've been thinking about since Carla's highest moment of accomplishment on Top Chef last season--fresh peas.

This recipe makes great use of our newly arrived spring vegetable du jour, and seeing as that I still haven't eaten pasta since Passover, this may be due its turn in my kitchen sometime real soon.

Click here for a beautiful springy recipe for Shells with Creamy Basil-Tarragon Pistou and Sweet Peas, but be warned--you might end up hungry!

Design Porn: Treeprints by Bryan Nash

2009-04-17T17:21:00.004-04:00

I'm absolutely head over heels in crazy love with these prints by artist Bryan Nash. With a huge respect for printmaking cultivated by years in the shop, I'm fascinated by Nash's ability to preserve a dead tree through art--and such striking art at that. The connection between the rings of the tree and fingerprints and printmaking--never two of the same, all intricate lines--are absolutely fascinating to me and are exactly the kinds of traits that I think make pieces most special. It's a steep price ($4,000) for one of 12 prints (a very limited edition indeed!) but if I had the money to throw around, I'd do it in a heartbeat. After all, every single ring of the tree needs to be imprinted by hand--and getting a print this complicated to look this clean is no small feat.

On that note, enjoy the beautifully springy weekend! I sure will!

Dining in the Sky

2009-04-16T16:47:00.005-04:00

If you remember, I blogged about treetop dining a few months ago--those treehouse-style dining rooms were pretty fantastic, but similar as this new concept is, this is downright weird. An international "chain" concept currently making its US debut in Las Vegas and FL, Dinner in the Sky isn't about airplane food--it's about eating a meal while suspended in mid air. Strapped into your seat, which is connected to the table, you're whisked up to an altitude of 150 ft. by a standard crane, where you're meant to enjoy your meal (and whatever sights may surround you). How this works for the kitchen, I don't know, but I'm guessing that this isn't really meant to be a culinary experience as much as it is meant to be a bragging right. If you ask me, it looks like a pretty strange gimmick, but it's definitely something different for the food world.

See more here, and leave me your thoughts!

Budget Finds: New Kam Man Dumplings

2009-04-15T17:41:00.004-04:00

As Passover nears its end, I'm thinking about all the starches that I'm missing and craving. With a friend coming into town this weekend, it's the perfect time to plan a trip for some quality dim sum. Needless to say, I've got dumplings on my mind. That's why today's Budget Finds is all about cheap, cheap Chinese. Because, of course, sometimes the cheap stuff is the best stuff!

I've been hearing particularly good things about the frozen dumplings over at New Kam Man Food, a fairly prominent Asian grocer in Chinatown located at 200 Canal St. (at Mulberry). For just $9.95 you get 50 dumplings, and if you have a normally sized appetite then you should be able to get 5 meals out of that for $2 apiece. Is that a budget find or what?

PS. Thank you, NYMag, for supplying images in times of need!

Geek or Chic? Calendar Tape

2009-04-14T12:26:00.004-04:00

My most recent Geek or Chic--the twittering plants--came to some very mixed reviews, with many writing in to express simultaneous amusement of the concept and dismay at the exceedingly ridiculous $100 pricetag. However, today's Geek or Chic rings in at a budget friendly $12 for ultra organizational power!

A rather clever little invention, this calendar tape comes in two rolls--one for days and one for dates. Aligned to create an accurate calendar, they can be stuck onto basically any surface, such as notebooks, planners, refrigerators, recipe books, or even perishable goods. $12 buys both rolls of tape and a smudge-proof marker, which definitely isn't bad, but I'm not 100% sold on the aesthetic here. A customizable color palette (I'm thinking neon pink or turquoise) would be a nice future feature, but for now, what do you say? Geek or Chic?

Good Enough to Eat... Again! -- Mom's Cauliflower Cake

2009-04-13T16:23:00.004-04:00

When I hosted a small Passover Seder in my apartment last week, I had a last minute mixup that I really should have expected. No matter how much you plan (even if you have a schedule set up three weeks in advance!) it's impossible to cater an event without a hitch. Mine was a general lack of kosher for passover egg noodles, which threw off my attempt to make Passover kugel, a yearly favorite. But at the end of the day, kugel without noodles is, well, nothing, so I had to resort to a quick and easy alternative. After a quick call to my ever resourceful mom, I decided to make what's known in my family as "Cauliflower Cake." It was a great decision--it was ready in no time, cost hardly anything, and disappeared before I could remember to take a photo. Had there been leftovers, I gladly would have eaten them again and again.

Mom's Cauliflower Cake

What You'll Need

1 head of cauliflower (or 1 large bag frozen)......... $2.00
1 block of mozzarella cheese, shredded................. $3.00
1/4 fresh paremsan................................................ $1.50
2 eggs...................................................................... $0.50
Salt and pepper to taste
Total Cost.................................................. $7.00
Note: This fed eight as a side dish, but it would easily make two to three full vegetarian meals!
Total Cost per Meal................................... $2.33

What You Do

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If using fresh cauliflower, cut stems and discard, leaving just the little florets. Place florets, frozen or fresh, in boiling water until they are soft, about 8 minutes.

2. Strain and transfer cauliflower to a large bowl. Mash with a fork or potato masher, and add two eggs. Mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Spray a small baking dish with non-stick spray, and use about half the cauliflower to create a first layer. Cover with half the shredded mozzarella, and repeat. Top with parmesan and place in preheated oven for about 30-45 minutes or until golden on top. Enjoy!

Friday Food Porn

2009-04-10T13:27:00.002-04:00

Before I go too far, let me explain: I'd gotten real sick of the whole pork belly/bacon overload in food media for a while, and then, all of the sudden, it all came back to me. I realized the reason why I'd initially been part of the bacon afficionados club, and why it's still going strong--bacon is freaking tasty. And cheap. Especially the Niman Applewood Smoked Bacon that I had for dinner with eggs last night (don't judge me--it's Passover!). And the more you eat it, the more you want it. Beware--it's dangerous.

Anyhow, today's food porn is courtesy of Apartment Therapy--these bacon wrapped potato bites make optimal use of several ingredients that are waiting in my fridge, and I think it's in good order that I try these myself. For some extra fun, check out this article on new Ikea kitchen treats--it's like a budget find and decor porn thrown into one!

Happy Easter, everyone!

Link of the Day

2009-04-09T16:26:00.000-04:00

After yesterday's Seder, Red is feeling le tired. To keep it brief today, I found this fun little link for those of you interested in dining deals around the city. $30 all you can eat BBQ and $35 omakases and four course meals abound, so look closely! There's something for nearly everyone and the list can be found here.

Budget Finds: Inflatable Art

2009-04-08T14:30:00.002-04:00

Since last fall, I've been really craving some artwork to go on my one white wall. I'll clarify--I don't actually want artwork. I want frames. I want empty, beautiful frames. But in an effort to conserve funds, I decided to buy some brown mural paper that I could draw on, cut out, and put up in interesting arrangements. A constant fan of paper art (shock? I think not.), it seemed like the ideal route. Here's another idea from Fred Flare, though. This inflatable frame/masterpiece screams silly summer chic, and at just $4.99, I'm totally digging it.

DIY Madness--Seder Plate

2009-04-07T21:09:00.002-04:00

I promised you a late post tonight, but I didn't think it would be this late! Anyhow, I've spent the last few days cooking tirelessly for what I hope will be a beautiful Passover Seder tomorrow, and it occurred to me early on that I couldn't cook up some specific Passover essentials--namely, the Seder Plate and Elijah's Cup. One of those is being solved in a comical way (who said Elijah can't drink out of a Tiki Cup?) but the other required a real simple DIY project.

Cut up a cardboard box, wrap it in some foil, and glue on some cutouts, and you've got a basic Seder Plate. The aluminum tart trays finish it off at a mere $0.29 apiece, and I'm pretty happy with the final product, even if it reminds me of a grade school project!

Recipe Lust -- Carb Overload

2009-04-06T14:09:00.002-04:00

I'm back and in full motion, and thinking a whole lot about Passover as I'm throwing a Seder this Wednesday. With so much matzo-infused thinking, I can't help but overload on carbs to prepare for the week of flourless eating ahead. I have lots of pasta to kill, and this is a pretty ideal way to do just that:

This recipe from Bon Appetit for Pasta with Favas, Tomato, and Sausage hits the carb-happy notes as well as the springy and hearty ones. Get the recipe right here. Happy pre-Passover!

From the Management

2009-04-02T19:11:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,

Red is away attending to a family emergency and is unable to post until Monday. Please forgive her, and keep her family in your thoughts. Thanks!

Until Monday,
Your Neighborhood Blogger

Budget Finds: Three Buck Bites

2009-04-01T18:47:00.003-04:00

As much as I'm not a huge fan of Citysearch's layout and functionality, they recently debuted a sister site that I'm digging on all accounts--design definitely included. It's called Three Buck Bites, and it's devoted to scouring the cheapest eats around the country--all under $3.99. The things people find are pretty impressive, such as today's homepage hit of 16 dumplings for$3.99 in Texas, or four ribs and a side salad for just as much in CA. No matter where in the country you might be, there's likely something you can try--if you're up for it, of course!

Click here to explore the site and contribute your own cheap eats.

Link of the Day -- April Fools?

2009-04-01T11:15:00.002-04:00

I stumbled upon this article this morning and got quite the laugh. Then I made a double take--is this for real? April Fools? I'm not sure, actually! Either way, I thought it would provide some quality humor to kick off the day.

Headline: Mothers Against Drunkenly Driving a Motorized Barstool

PS. Stay posted for a fun foodie-related Budget Finds coming up later today!

Geek or Chic? Twittering Plants

2009-03-31T14:08:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since we've had a viable candidate for Geek or Chic around here, but my friend Q sent a great tip along today that fit the bill perfectly. This little gadget has a spoke the gets dug into your potted plants, recording their water levels and other vitals. With its uber-geeky component, it creates a Twitter identity for the plant and sends updates depending on its needs--"water me, please!" or "give me sunlight!" might be silly Tweets, but they're mighty useful when you're stuck in an office looking at a computer all day.

So, what do you say? Geek or chic?

Recipe Lust: Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

2009-03-30T18:17:00.003-04:00

Welcome to a new week, everyone. Today was the kind of Monday that felt like an entire week. Office tension made the day feel overly heavy, even if it was cut an hour short. It's days like these when I'm demanding to meet the person who decided we should work 5 days and get off 2. Really? The 4 to 3 ratio is so much more pleasant.

I digress. I came home wanting one of two things: a nap, or something like it. If an alcoholic cupcake is anything like a nap, which, in my mind it is in many ways (therapeutic on two counts!) then this is the recipe I'm turning to. I'm not sure how these Irish Car Bomb cupcakes would go over with whiskey haters like myself, so if I make these consider the whiskey nixed and the Bailey's doubled.

Happy Monday, everyone! To make your own Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes, click here.

Design Porn: Post #200

2009-03-27T16:59:00.003-04:00

Earlier this week, I found these beautiful images of Matthew Williamson's new rug collection, being sold through London-based The Rug Company. The patterns remind me of Moroccan and Persian rugs, but modernized and with a brighter, splashier color palette. I'm crazy about this one:

but these are pretty fantastic, too:

Check out the collection here, or click here for more of Williamson's work.

Have a great week, and if you go out, have a toast for eatmyword's 200th post :)

DIY Project -- Fanciful Modern Chandelier

2009-03-26T13:23:00.003-04:00

I'm surprised that I somehow managed to miss this in last week's issue of Time Out New York, but I'm almost glad I did (this week's letters to the editors had some crucial clarification on the project!).

Either way, this funky chandelier made entirely out of splitters is a great project that likely costs peanuts (I mean, really, peanuts can even be kind of expensive these days. Is it an apt metaphor?). I'm going to go the extra mile to say that this project costs ramen. How about that? And it looks damn cool too. I'm envisioning it over a Eames chair in a comfy corner devoted to late-night reading, or the breakfast nook in my dream kitchen with tons of white and colorful accents. I think I've told you about it before?

Here's the finished product, and for the steps, click here. That letter to the editor asked about the light bulbs you'd want to use, and the important answer is eight-watters. They create that signature hazy glow. Love it!

Budget Finds: Pretty Pink Disposable Cutlery

2009-03-25T13:40:00.004-04:00

I can't believe it, but I'm starting to plan my first Passover Seder without the help of another cook in the kitchen. Since the holiday will fall on a Wednesday night this year, efficiency is going to be key--and plastic forks and knives would most definitely be in order if they weren't flimsy (or if I didn't have a dishwasher). If I were choosing, I'd pick there--and reuse them. Too pretty to throw away, and too stylish to resist, $18 doesn't seem so terrible.

Check them out here, along with all sorts of other great home goods like these below:

Link of the Day

2009-03-24T16:06:00.001-04:00

If I titled this post, "On Mussels and Medicine," you'd probably think I'd made a typo. "Muscles and Medicine" makes a lot more sense, but this article here might change your mind. As a seafood lover, I tend to fight a few close friends who hate the thought of eating mussels and clams (especially razor clams, which I ate for the first time this weekend!). However, I'm pretty sure everyone will think this is a pretty nifty development, regardless of seafood preferences. Check it out and let me know your thoughts!

Good Enough To Eat... Again! Red's Mediterranean Salad

2009-03-23T15:50:00.004-04:00

This weather has been crazy--hot, cold, hot, cold. Even if I only win 50% of the time, my mind refuses to give in to the cold weather on the less pleasant days. I'm still wearing a lighter coat, I've worn skirts and open-toed shoes, and I'm even making springy salads for lunch. The one I'm toting today was kind of a random stroke of frugal inspiration, so I figured I'd share it with you.

Red's Mediterranean Salad

What You'll Need

1 cucumber, chopped....................................$0.80
2 small or medium tomatoes, chopped........$1.00
1 small red onion, finely chopped.................$0.75
juice of 1 lemon..............................................$0.25
about 5 ounces marinated feta, crumbled....$3.00
salt
pepper

Total Cost...........................................$5.80
Cost Per Serving.................................$1.93

What To Do

1. Chop all vegetables to desired chunkiness and combine
2. Add in crumbled feta, as well as some of the oil and spices it has been marinated in
3. Squeeze in some juice, add salt and pepper to taste, and viola! You're done!

Optional: Add olives, parsley, basil, or whatever additional seasoning you may be craving!

By the way, this is a great way to get rid of extra stuff in your fridge! Enjoy!

The Amazing (Foodie) Race!

2009-03-19T14:06:00.002-04:00

Lately one of my favorite TV shows has been The Amazing Race, where a bunch of couples travel the world completing a series of challenging activities that explore the cultures of the exotic locales they explore. TWB and I joke that we'd be a great couple on the show, except for my complete and utter lack of physical ability, which would quickly frustrate him and drive us out of the running.

However!

I recently stumbled upon a casting notice for a show very much like the Amazing Race that would use my finest talent--my constantly expanding appetite--as its main component.

The notice reads:

"Are you are a connoisseur, critic, chef, aficionado, restaurant owner or are just in a serious love affair with food?

The Food Network is currently casting foodies of all kinds in the New York area to be a part of a fun and exciting new TV series! The show focuses on two teams who race through many of NY’s culinary hot spots competing in challenges in the ultimate chowhound smack down against two Food Network chefs!

It’s an amazing “food-adventure” race!"

Oh. My. God.

Click here for more info, or just swoon at it and wish for a few months of vacation time, like me!

Budget Finds: $10 BBQ Ribs

2009-03-18T14:12:00.004-04:00

Last summer, a friend and I embarked upon a grandiose mission: to unearth the best BBQ in NYC. I had a small side mission in mind--not only did I want the best tasting BBQ, but I wanted the most cost-efficient. Specifically, I wanted an A+ rack of baby back ribs at less than $20 that I could always rely on. Dallas BBQ is always there for me, but a little variety couldn't hurt.

The mission was successful in many ways, but cost efficiency proved difficult with the ribs. A brisket or pulled pork sandwich is easy to find for less than $15, but a rack? Not so much. Until now, at least. The former location of Dallas BBQ on University and 8th has shuffled a bit, reopening this week not as Dallas but simply as BBQ, and with a suspiciously similar logo. However, the prices will be even lower than at my staple favorite, with $10 buying you a rack of ribs and a side. Non-rib-lovers can rejoice, too--a mere $5 buys a quarter chicken with a side. Now that's what I call a budget find.

Link of the Day

2009-03-17T11:48:00.004-04:00

I couldn't resist sharing this adorable little find that I stumbled upon while reading Serious Eats earlier this morning. Let me clarify a few things first, though. Both Beetlejuice and the Beatles hold very special places in my heart, even though they have nothing in common. I always have to resist the Mott's Apple Juice boxes because there's nothing more wonderful that a cold juice box slowly enjoyed from a teeny-tiny straw on a hot summer day. And as a kid, I hated apple juice, which means that I've had the kid-favorite obsession a little later in life.

With all that in mind, I introduce you to the best juice boxes ever:

In case you can't quite make it out, the flavors are: Apple McCartney, John Lemon, George Pearrison, and Mango Starr. John Lemon aside, these sound delish and feature the coolest design while hitting like a million soft spots all at once. Genius? I think so.

Spring is coming!

2009-03-15T21:43:00.005-04:00

Spring is finally among us--even though it's still five days away in all technicality, the 50 degree weather and sunshine are clear indicators that we've finally survived another winter. I celebrated this weekend with a few key purchases for the upcoming season--two beautiful scarves from Madewell discounted from about $70 to the $15-20 range. What a steal! Worn over a bright cardigan (like kelly green, which I picked up on sale as well!) these scarves make a strong statement to dress up the most casual outfit.

Also note the dandelions--another steal at less than $2 a bunch at Trader Joe's. TGI-Spring.

(edit: Oops! They're daffodils. Why do I keep doing that?!)

The Foodie Scavenger Hunt!

2009-03-13T17:00:00.002-04:00

It's no Friday afternoon porn, but I thought since we'd been shaking things up all week this would be a great week to bring all the craziness to a close. Now, by no means am I imploring you to go out and pursue the following opportunity. In its current shape, it doesn't exactly make sense.

See, this is a scavenger hunt for NYC foodies--the more food items you photograph yourself eating, the more points you get, and the person with the most points gets two tickets to Tom Collichio's "Toast to the Children" event. Sounds easy, until you add up the inevitable cost of both money and time that these tasks would take. However, it's a great list, and if anything, would make a fabulous checklist of foodie adventures to undertake throughout the city. Make it a mid-year resolution, maybe, or just a personal challenge--many of these just shouldn't be missed.

With that, happy weekend!

Budget Finds -- Skeleton Key Key Holder

2009-03-12T17:19:00.006-04:00

There are lots of decor-centric websites out there that I love to look at with a "look-but-don't-touch" kind of mindset. Three Potato Four is sometimes one of those, but sometimes it ventures into my price range with the most dainty and beautiful pieces, often in the "I-look-super-old-but-still-super-stylish" kind of vein. I majorly covet these old typewriters (an instance of look-but-don't-touch, at something like $500 a piece), but while drooling over them this week I found something smaller both in size and price.

These skeleton key key holders are dainty and chic in that really effortless "it's just an old key" kind of way. (I've got to stop it with the little catch phrases today.) Part of the charm here probably has to do with my fixation on the vintage keys sold all over Moroccan souks, which, counter-intuitively, were somewhat expensive by local standards. Anyhow, it's only $16 right here, and I'm seriously tempted...

But like usual, I'll live vicariously through the beauty of these pictures, pinching my pennies (and maybe saving up for one of those typewriters!)

Homemade Hamentashen

2009-03-11T11:06:00.004-04:00

I owe you guys. Due to a series of technological failures yesterday, the gorgeous recipe for homemade hamentashen didn't make it online as planned. You see, yesterday was Purim, the Jewish cross between St. Patrick's Day and Halloween, and the holiday that warrants triangular cookies that are like little bites of heaven (that is, if heaven were dense and buttery and filled with jam). However, today is Purim in Jerusalem (weird scheduling things all around!) so the timeliness isn't entirely lost here.

Homemade Hamentashen

What You Need

3 cups flour

1 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2/3 cup (1 1/3 sticks) cold butter or

margarine, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

2 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large egg whites beaten with 2 tsp

sugar

Jam (for the filling)

What You Do

Place flour, sugar, baking powder, salt in a food processor fitted with steel blades and pulse two or three times. Add butter and pulse to form crumbs. Combine eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla. Pour mixture into processor and pulse until dough clumps together. Put dough onto lightly floured surface and form into 2 disks. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to three days.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, positioning the shelves in the lower and upper thirds. Line cookie sheets with parchment. Roll dough on a floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Using a three-inch cookie cutter, cut circles of dough and place on cookie sheets. Place about 1/2 tsp of filling in the center of each circle. Brush the perimeter of the circle with the egg white wash, and lift the dough, partially covering the filling to form a triangular shape. Brush the formed cookies with the egg wash and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown. To ensure even baking, rotate the sheets back to front and top to bottom. Remove from the oven and let cool before eating.

Tune in tomorrow for a similarly belated budget finds--we'll be back on schedule shortly!

Delays in the System

2009-03-10T13:54:00.002-04:00

Due to technical difficulties, Red will be posting late tonight. Please stand by and try again!

Recipe Lust -- Homemade Corn Dogs

2009-03-09T12:42:00.002-04:00

Welcome to a new week, and a new feature here on Eat My Words!

Recipe Lust will bring you the latest recipe that I'm dying to try--usually found somewhere along the long list of food blogs that I read as an oh-so-tedious part of my job (seriously, my life is so tough). Generally weeded out for a short ingredient list, affordability, practicality, and comfort value, these are recipes that I may not have gotten to yet, but already trust are worthy of sharing.

First up today, home made corn dogs. When I think of corn dogs I think of the county fair, twisting rides, and funnel cake. It was a soft spot for me growing up, and my mom decided to buy frozen corn dogs for a short while to fill that spot. The frozen kind were alright, but these look downright delish.

Find the recipe here, and if you get to it before me, let me know how it goes!

Food Porn

2009-03-06T16:20:00.002-05:00

In a week light on food coverage, I thought I'd leave you with some super scrumptious food porn. This new blog, Scanwiches, is full of food porn, so scroll down to check out some of my favorites and click here to find your own!

The ANTM House Next Door!

2009-03-05T11:56:00.002-05:00

I realize I've done my fair share of TV discussion this week, although the topic doesn't generally fall privy to the pages of this little blog. However, as I watched the premiere of America's Next Top Model last night, something interesting happened. Here's the recap:

Tyra: You gorgeous goddesses are going to be living on the Upper East Side!

Catty Models scream at the top of their lungs, annoyingly.

Shots in all the obvious places around the city: Times Square, Empire State Building, NY Public Library...

...and then, a more surprising shot: one from just around the corner from Red's apt!

Key in hand, the models enter the one house Red had been passing on her walk to work every day, the house Red had noticed had strange activity and a regular film crew but no actors' trailers...

The mysterious house around the corner, it seems, was the ANTM house this season! And since I'm still excited about it, you get to hear all about it today. Check out the Google street view for a glimpse of the house, above.

Budget Finds -- Orla Kiely for Target

2009-03-04T13:51:00.004-05:00

Not all that long ago I shared with you a special line of home goods being launched by H&M sometime later this year. It seems that this would be a new trend in the making--designer inspired or created home goods at major (non home goods specific) stores--seeing as that Target is following suit. Some of my favorite finds, below, will be hitting shelves quite soon (they may be available at some stores already).

See more here--almost everything is under our $25 budget!

Perpetual Kid

2009-03-03T12:26:00.000-05:00

Yes, yes. It's nice when things are nice and pretty and wrapped with a bow. And it's also nice when things coordinate just so and come together to form the most perfect, most put-together look. But sometimes it's nice to break out and have a little fun. Any room without its humorous, quirky touches is a room without personality--or simply a room with too boring or too fancy a personality for my taste.

That's why I'm loving this site I recently discovered, called Perpetual Kid. It's filled with all sorts of cheeky (sometimes plain silly) accessories for the kitchen and home--and most of them are quite budget-friendly, too.

This cheese board, for instance, is one of my favorites. I like to host regular wine and cheese parties, and though the wine is usually enough to get us all laughing, I think this would really start the party on a pretty entertaining note. At $18, it's not too pricey either.

Doing dishes wouldn't be as much of a chore if I had one of these--blowing bubbles is one of life's most underrated pleasures and I'd be happy to bring more bubbles into my everyday routine. Not so sure how my floors would feel after a week of this, but hey! It's a fun a thought.

Since I generally like to leave you with three items of choice, I'll round out my list of fun finds with these super cute S+P shakers. There's a big kitsch and nostalgia factor here, which I think makes them more than worth the $8.49. I'm constructing an entire breakfast nook in my head around these little guys--bright walls, mod chairs, and a bunch of cool prints in frames on a single, perfectly cluttered wall. Love it.

Anyway, find all these cute things and more over at Perpetual Kid by clicking this little link. Enjoy!

The Girls No Longer Next Door

2009-03-02T18:46:00.004-05:00

There's a reason I'm very late with the blogging today. I'll tell you, but please promise not to laugh at me?

Promise?

...okay.

You see, it's only recently that I've become a fan of perching in front of the TV for extended amounts of time. To justify, it's generally the backdrop while I work from home, but still. Before this recent spurt of tv-overload, there were only one or two shows that I was constantly devoted to. And one of them, I hate to say, died yesterday.

To be fair, the show will go on, but it just won't be the same. See, the star characters are all leaving, and some obnoxious ugly twins are taking over. I'm sad to see them go, and it was important to give them my full attention on their way out. No working while watching this time. Since sleep and work necessitated that I watch on tivo, that is what I did instead of blog today. Can you forgive me for that?

That said, I'm making my official teary-eyed goodbyes. Girls Next Door, you will be missed.

But Kendra, a new show?? This should be entertaining! I can't wait.

Design Porn: Hilarious Sleeping Bag

2009-02-27T14:15:00.003-05:00

This week's end note isn't so much design porn as it is design hilarity. I think the pictures say it all, so I'm not going to bother even trying to discuss this one!

See more of artist Eiko Ishizawa's work here. It's cool stuff. Happy weekend!

Miracle Berries for Taste Tripping Parties -- Madness!

2009-02-26T12:43:00.000-05:00

Today I bring you something that will revolutionize the way you think of tripping. And no, I'm not talking about drugs, per se--I am, however, talking about totally distorting your senses. But in a completely natural, completely legal way. And by distorting all your senses, I really mean, distorting your taste buds. I'm almost in disbelief at home something this cool could be so closely within my reach for so long without my knowing it.

See, these "miracle berries" are farmed in few places around the world, but one of the main farmers shares an area code with me. That's right, the taste altering berries are harvested right in my home county. But alas, the only website selling fresh miracle fruit I've found (the Miami farmer only sells by phone order) takes orders from the UK.

So what do the miracle berries do? Eat one and everything sour will suddenly taste sweet. Everything sweet will suddenly be sweeter! Eat a lime whole, you won't squirm. Even if you're not like me and hate eating sour fruits. People talk about "tasting parties" where you buy a bunch of these and have everyone bring foods whose tastes can be significantly altered by the magic. Sounds like a crazy time!

If you don't want to order the fruit from a random farm, click here for miracle berry dust, which has the same effects in powder form. It's madness, madness I tell you!!

Budget Finds: Glass Water Bottles

2009-02-25T11:36:00.000-05:00

My office, in its entirety, is a blank canvas waiting to be turned into some chic and fierce. We're all pretty stylish people in the office (at least I'd like to think we are) and the space has yet to really reflect that. One step at a time, we make plans. But until then, I realize that I can start by making my desk a little bit more chic too, and on my own agenda. Now that the clippings from our Christmas tree have long turned yellow and no longer look handsome in my pewter pen holder, I need something else.

I'm completely charmed by these glass water bottles from Crate and Barrel and think they might be the kind of thing that I'm looking for. Let's face it--they're environmentally friendly, really cool looking, will keep my water colder, and will let me get of that ugly Poland Springs bottle that never leaves my desk. From just 7.95 to 15.95, they don't break the bank either!

Link of the Day

2009-02-24T17:20:00.003-05:00

Today's link of the day gets you more of a value lunch than even the ramen quiche below. Yes, we're talking cheaper than $0.85. What could be cheaper than $0.85? A free lunch at Quiznos, that's what. Click here to get yours!

Good Enough to Eat... Again! -- Ramen Quiche

2009-02-24T12:41:00.001-05:00

I know Good Enough to Eat is usually a Monday thing (every other Monday, at that), but I've decided to switch it up a bit for my own sanity and convenience this week.

Honestly, this week has been more hectic than I could have imagined, and it's only Tuesday. But my workload has literally doubled and with a new freelance project to eat away at my free time, I have less and less time to devote to glorious weeknight meals. It's a good thing I found incredibly cheap already-marinated meats at my gourmet grocer yesterday (like ginger-teriyaki spare ribs for $4 a pound!) but it's also quite fortunate that I found this super dirt cheap recipe, which can easily feed me lunch for an entire week and save me oodles (noodles?) of morning time.

Ramen Quiche
adapted from the Food Network Magazine

What You'll Need...

1 package ramen.........................$0.25
1/2 bunch leafy green.................$1.00
3 eggs...........................................$0.75
1 cup mushrooms, chopped........$1.00
1/2 cup grated parmesan............$2.00
1-2 tbsp. Italian Seasoning
3 tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper

Total Cost............................$5.00
Cost Per Serving..................$0.84

What You Do

1. Remove seasoning packet from ramen and soak noodles in a big bowl of hot water to soften. After about 5 to 7 minutes, gently pull apart the noodles and strain.

2. Toss noodles with salt and pepper to taste and 1 tbsp. olive oil. Add in veggies and seasoning, and toss.

3. Beat the eggs and add to the mix. Blend all ingredients together until evenly dispersed.

4. Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet (medium heat) and pour the mixture in to cook. Press down with spatula if it doesn't seem like it's quite coming together. After about 8 minutes, flip the quiche onto a plate and slide it back onto the skillet so that the opposite side cooks through. Wait 5 to 10 minutes, cut into slices and enjoy!

Write Prettily, Be Happy.. Or Something Like That

2009-02-23T14:41:00.004-05:00

It's Monday again, and when I'm lagging on sleep and wishing for an extra day to my weekend, I realize I should count my blessings: I'm a lucky gal being able to incorporate so much of what I love into my workday. I'm always advocating that people follow their gut and do what they love, and to get creative when your passions don't seem to be lucrative in any way. Jenna of the blog Love, Jenna is one of those kinds of people. I love pretty handwriting, but who on earth could think of ways to put that to creative, business-minded use? Well, Jenna did.

Look at these gorgeous images and check out her blog here. And, if you're in a pickle about turning your life around during this hideous economic crisis, think of me and Jenna and the rest of us who are finding ways to just do what we love--eat, write, write prettily, whatever. It's always possible.

Design Porn -- Mad Hatter Tea Set

2009-02-20T12:19:00.000-05:00

I do wayyy too much internet strolling to ever remember how I find the things that I find, which is particularly sad in the case of these "mad hatters." If the lead led to other equally adorable trinkets... well, I suppose it could have been damaging. Perhaps this is for the best.

Anyhow, these so-called "mad hatters" are a really precious take on the much-loved Alice in Wonderland tea party. If there's one scene in one movie that would spark a food lover's imagination, it could just be that one. It was with that in mind that Jorine Oosterhoff made these teacups, each with their own protective lid. Why the lid? Perhaps to keep your tea from getting cold. Or perhaps to protect candies from being found by the wrong eaters. But really, I think they're just for cuteness. Expensive cuteness, at that--this set of three is on sale for a rather exorbitant $595.00 right here.

What The World Eats

2009-02-19T11:20:00.005-05:00

Ever since TIME captured Obama's charisma through their brilliant behind-the-scenes photography on the campaign trail, I've been really impressed by the consistently provocative images their photographers manage to capture.

That's probably more true than ever this week, given the first set of photographs by Peter Menzel that form the multi-part project entitled "What the World Eats."

The e-exhibit goes around the world positioning families in front of a spread of food consisting of their weekly intake, providing the total cost and country below. Not only are the products and nutritional values staggeringly different from country to country, but food costs and presumptive breakdowns are fascinating as well.

Take a look at which countries drink more soda. Notice that although the Japanese families eat far more packaged food than expected--interesting, no? If I had to choose, I'd be torn between Italy and Mexico--so many fruits and vegetables (and let's not even mention all that delicious bread in the Italy picture!).

Perhaps my favorite observation--Nissin Cup Noodles in Japan. Aren't those made in the States? And Kosher? They're outsourcing ramen from us??? Click here to find out which photos belong where, check out some more great photos, and see the full stats.

Correction: Turns out this project wasn't done specifically by Time. Rather, Time ran the photos which were created for this book, called Hungry Planet: What the World Eats. Check out that book here, or check here for some more info. The kind folks with Peter Menzel request that if you continue to share these photos, that you please credit with "Photographs by Peter Menzel from the book 'Hungry Planet.'" Thanks!

Budget Finds: Foodzie, AKA Food Lover's Paradise

2009-02-18T11:40:00.000-05:00

I'm particularly excited about Budget Finds this week because this wonderful little gem is a whole collection of budget purchases just waiting to be made! Many of you are probably already familiar with one of my favorite sites, etsy, and the wonderful collection of homemade and budget-friendly everythings that it has to share. The one thing etsy is really missing? Food. Sure, they have a food section, and sometimes the offerings are tempting. But searching for food on etsy is nothing like, say, searching for vintage clothing or handmade jewelry on etsy.

That's where Foodzie comes in. Modeled after the super-success of etsy, Foodzie shares both a cutesy name and business model with its predecessor. Search through the various categories--bakery, cheese, olive oils and vinegars--and find a plethora of edible bargains right at your fingertips (er, keyboard keys?).

My favorites? These passionfruit marshmallows combine one of my most constant loves (passionfruit) with one of my obsessions du jour (homemade marshmallows), ringing in at a ridiculously inexpensive $6.00 a dozen with an endorsement from my oh-so-esteemed pseudo-mentor, Ruth Reichl. That's 50 cents a piece, people!!

This pomegranate teriyaki sauce looks absolutely delicious. Without having tasted anything like this before, I can only speculate as to how the sweetness and acidity from the pomegranate would play off of the familiar saltiness of soy. Talk about a complex marinade that'll keep guests guessing--and just for $7.99 right here.

My last pick takes me back to my childhood. It's a blend of multi-colored popcorn, except I'm fairly sure that the only colorful popcorn I had as a kid was artificially colored. I could be wrong. Either way, this cool blend lends its colors to heirloom corn varieties rather than food coloring, and it clocks in at just $4.95 for a pound and a half.

And that's without even touching the chocolate and cheese sections. Trust me, this is one budget find you really won't want to miss!

pssst! Missed the link? Check out Foodzie right here.

Hearts Made of Hearts, Just For You...

2009-02-17T16:10:00.003-05:00

I have to get something off my conscience--I had no intention to leave you all alone for the long weekend! With internet gripes beyond my control, though, I had no choice. I'm sorry, but not terribly so--the ski trip and family visit made the sacrifice very worthwhile!

To make it up to you, I give you a little bit of love leftover from V-day. Tipped over from a friend, I couldn't resist this cheeky anatomical heart made of little candy hearts.

I'm not sure what kind of person has the time to come up with something like this, but thank you Nathan Sawaya for your diligent and amusing efforts. If only this was for purchase, it would be the most perfect gift for TWB...

I hope, dear readers, that you'll accept this belated token of my love and appreciation for you. Check back in tomorrow for some great Budget Finds coverage!

An Encounter With Blowfish, Part Two

2009-02-12T12:08:00.002-05:00

So finally the chance to eat blowfish was upon us once again. And this time it was no joke—the blowfish was available and about to make its dangerous journey into my tummy. I can’t say I was nervous—I knew I was in good hands. My expectations were tempered by the stories circulating my office—“it doesn’t have any flavor, really,” my one coworker said. Flavor or not, I was there for at least one thing—foodie street cred. And thus our adventure began.

Out came a small hunk of white fish which Suzuki began slicing not too thinly and not too thickly. Topped with a mysterious orange sauce and chopped baby scallions, it really didn’t look intimidating at all. Don’t poisonous things usually look poisonous? I guess that was a good sign.

My fellow foodie and I braced ourselves and, with a quick dip of soy, took what could have been our last bites. (Am I being sufficiently dramatic about this experience? No?? Just wait.) I’d been fairly warned—the taste was… rather absent all together. I’d also been warned about a tingling sensation in the throat… but that was absent too. Did I just ingest a piece of blowfish without tasting or feeling a thing?

I looked over at my friend, who was freaking out way more than me. “My throat is tingling!” she said, but I still felt nothing. “Maybe my lips are a little numb,” I thought, and realized that blowfish toxins would never make my lip numb. It’s not how it works. And so the psychosomatic symptoms came on. Half an hour later I thought maybe my throat was closing up. Could exhaustion be a side effect of blowfish?

Two days later I’m still alive, and still wondering what all the fuss is all about. But at least I met my match—and won! Any other takes better get in line fast—blowfish season only lasts two more weeks!

Budget Finds: Last Minute Valentine

2009-02-11T12:39:00.001-05:00

I'm a firm believer that sometimes the best presents are the most cost-effective. The first few presents I ever exchanged with TWB could easily fit Budget Finds, and they still remain incredibly memorable years later.

This pretty little key chain from Urban Outfitters has a real aesthetic charm--I love that you can personalize the initial, and the variety of charms from vintage-y and delicate to chunky and glitzy strikes a fun and playful balance. Too many pairs there? That's Valentines Day for ya.

Anyhow, imagine how nice it would be to get one of these with your initial on it... and a key... to your newly-serious boyfriend's apartment... what a moment it would be! A seriously romantic gesture and practical gift all rolled into one!

Key Locket Charm Ring, Urban Outfitters, available at their gazillion stores or right here for $18.

Link of the Day

2009-02-10T12:10:00.003-05:00

For all those times that I wondered where the good food was in the Fashion Week tents, here's a lesson to be learned. Even when great food itself is not around, the possibilities still abound. That's a message that Bergdorf Goodman is putting into good practice with their new Fashion Week Tea Service, which is serving up treats inspired by the runway throughout the duration of this season's shows. The Times claims that it's a great idea to eat lookalikes when the real deal isn't in the cards, but at $45-60 for tea service, this may just be another thing to add to the list of "unaffordable beauties."

See more pics and info here.

Neither Fingers not Limes.... Discuss!

2009-02-10T11:31:00.002-05:00

I've been eating a lot of limes lately. My boss mentioned that they were good for breaking up phlegm one day and, realizing that I love eating limes anyway, took that as a good excuse to do so. More info than you wanted to hear? Sorry.

But yes, I have a strange but true love for naturally sour and acidic fruits--limes, lemons, passion fruit, you name it. And that's only one of the reasons that these cool new fruits caught my eye....

These, my friends, are called finger limes. The flesh comes in little pebbles rather than segments--they're the caviar of the citrus world, if you will.

Finger limes are produced exclusively in Australia, where they grow in about five common varieties (about 75 supposedly exist, and they range in color from clear to green to purple). Discovered only in the last decade, they're still difficult to find outside of Oz, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my dear Food Emporium will one day stock them alongside their myriad options of bizarre worldly eats. But please, if you happen to see limes masquerading as mini-cucumbers with raspberry-colored insides, let me know?

Good Enough to Eat... Again! -- Pringles Chicken

2009-02-09T12:29:00.001-05:00

Well friends, I'm back. The power of antibiotics is a wonderful one :)

I must admit, however, that it's a bit difficult to enjoy food as much as usual when the drugs make your stomach achy and the lingering congestion makes things difficult to taste. I only realized the appropriateness of this recipe in hindsight, but this is a great dish when you want something that's boldly flavorful yet not too heavy on the stomach. The secret lies with a surprising ingredient... Pringles!

Red's Pringles Chicken

What You'll Need

2 Chicken Breasts....................................................... about $4.00
1 short can of Sour Cream and Onion Pringles.........$0.79
1 egg.............................................................................$0.25

Total Cost.....................................................$5.04
Cost per serving............................................$2.52

What You Do

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Clean chicken breasts and trim off excess fat. Crack the egg into a bowl and whisk it.

2. Put all the Pringles in a ziplock baggy, leave a little bit of an opening, and mash up the chips so they reach the size of flaky bread crumbs. Don't pulverize them!

3. Coat the chicken in egg, then dip in the Pringles. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden. No seasoning is necessary as the chips have all the flavor you'll need! Enjoy!

PS. The photograph is pre-bake so you can see the texture of the Pringles before baking... the end product is a surprise for you to discover!

Sick Leave

2009-02-02T15:57:00.002-05:00

I hate to inform you that after having a camera stuck up my nose and down my throat, it has been determined that your dear friend Red has come down with pneumonia. Until the antibiotics kick in, I'll be neglecting you. Will you please accept my apologies?

...Thanks :)

Design Porn: Blue Potato Parchment Bowls

2009-01-30T10:28:00.000-05:00

These. Are. The. Coolest. Things. I. Have. Ever. Seen.

I have a feeling most of you wouldn't believe me if I said the gorgeous bowl pictured above was made out of potatoes. But it's not made of ordinary potatoes, you see--it's made of really gorgeous (and completely edible) purple potatoes. Artist Margaret Dorfman has taken the pretty chip an extra step though, by curing, pressing, and aging potato slivers and artfully layering them one by one to form these exquisite looking bowls. And it's not just potatoes she works with--Margaret is making bowls out of all kinds of vegetables, one more beautiful that the next. Other than the purple potato, I'm particularly digging the thai papaya, beet, and white raddish versions pictured below.

Something tells me this isn't your traditional DIY project, but surprisingly the bowls are fairly affordable, ranging from $28 to $54 for the purple potato, available here, and just $34 for the other varieties that can be found on her site right here. And please, whatever you do, don't try eating them.

RIP domino

2009-01-29T11:42:00.000-05:00

Today I'm really sad to report a tragic, tragic loss in the magazine community. Yesterday brought us the closing of domino, which is--nay, was--my very favorite magazine, whose delivery constantly made my month a little brighter and my space a little warmer.

Conde Nast blames the economy, but for some this was a long time coming. The magazine had its flaws, but the design porn was always too irresistible to pass up. And, let's face it, any mag that's devoted to making all aspects of your life pretty is a winner in my book. Scatterbrained as it was from time to time, domino was a great read while it lasted. I'll miss you, domino :(

Budget Finds: Elephant Poo Roses

2009-01-28T11:56:00.002-05:00

I can't believe how close we're getting to Valentine's Day. With only about two weeks left, it's time for some budget-friendly gift planning. You might remember that a while back, when this little blog was making its first itsy-bitsy steps, I blogged about Poo Poo Paper, a wonderfully eco-friendly line of pretty stationery made from elephant dung. Well, apparently the trend has caught on, because these guys are now selling elephant poo roses at a half dozen for $25--just at the budget finds limit.

I'm not sure I'd want to stop and smell these roses per se, but I'll definitely look at them all day long! Click here for more info.

An Encounter with Blowfish, Part One

2009-01-27T11:22:00.000-05:00

In Japan, eating blowfish is a big-time delicacy. Flavor aside, the fish contains severe toxins that can kill you if the fish isn't prepared properly. It's part of the appeal, if not the appeal in itself, and I'm not entirely positive of why that is. But either way, blowfish, or fugu, as it's called in Japanese, is a big deal.

Last night I made my first strides towards eating fugu. It had been a month or so since one of my clients started serving it up in his restaurant, and though it didn't warrant a tasting of it's own, I'd been the one nominated to write it up and ensure that the glories of fugu were properly extolled. Every chance that came about, I'd cross my fingers in hopes that I could partake in the excitement--all to no avail.

Why did I want to eat blowfish so badly? It's a foodie's purple heart and gold medal rolled all into one--yes, I'm that badass that I had the guts to try this. And I survived. (After all, fugu is not that dangerous. As bad as the toxins can be, a special liscense is required to even purchase the fish, and you have to prove you're not going to kill anyone.) Only 12 chefs in New York are certified. If I'm lucky enough to work with one, I'd better take my chance while it's safe.

So finally the opportunity came last night. And in the first course of my tasting appeared little bits of blowfish in a square of soy gelatin. It may not sound tasty, but it was--as much as I hate gelatin, it imparted a sweetness that was just right while it gently melted to reveal the crunchy, chewy fish. A great mixture of flavors (in quite unexpected form), it was my first encounter with blowfish.

But what does blowfish taste like, exactly? I couldn't tell you, because the chef ran out of the good stuff before I could try it on its own. At least I survived part one -- here's hoping to a part two, and soon!

A Sticky (Bun) Situation

2009-01-26T12:14:00.002-05:00

About two months ago, one of the restaurants that I work with introduced brunch, and with it, an array of freshly baked breads, biscuits and cinnamon rolls—yes, freshly baked cinnamon rolls. They were every bit as delicious as I’d hoped for, and then some. After raving to TWB, I brought him along on my next visit to try them for himself. “Good, very good,” he said, “but not as good as Flour’s.”

You see, TWB has an unfair advantage. Living a block away from Boston’s favorite bakery has spoiled him rotten, and there are some things in Boston that New York’s finest doesn’t beat. It’s a rare occurrence—trust me, I hate to admit that the city would be shy of #1 for anything, ever—but this weekend I found the proof for myself.

But back to those cinnamon buns. Having woken up at 10 AM, I thought we’d be in good shape to get some of the highly sought-after treats. TWB warned me and we called in advance so that two could be set aside. An hour later, they were ours. And my, my, my! It was true! Sticky and sweet without being cloying or sugary, these buns are of a whole other caliber. Little bits of crushed walnuts hid between the fluffy layers, creating a subtle balance of flavors. I was immediately convinced (and addicted). The good news? Flour ships their sticky buns overnight! So no matter where you are, there’s still a way to taste these magical little treats.

Food Iconography and Evolution -- Super Cool!

2009-01-23T11:16:00.000-05:00

This morning I found a little bit of a treasure trove. I realize that this may not be as thrilling for you as it is for me, but maybe, just maybe, there are some crazies out there who love this stuff as much as I do. There, you have your disclaimer.

Anyway, I'm loving this article on neat-o-rama about the evolution of classic food logos. The Morton salt girl, the Laughing Cow (whose French likeness was strangely pervasive in Morocco), even Aunt Jemima--these are icons that we've grown up with, but what are the stories? Where did they come from? How have they changed and why didn't they continue to evolve past the 1940's?

Whether you want to read those stories or not, you have to check out the incredible montages of images available over here. Did you know that there have been 6 different Aunt Jemimas and that Betty Crocker isn't a real person? If you read, at least you'll score some super oddball food trivia, and you'll win some points in my book!