Artichoke Salad with Shaved Parmesan

 

Artichokes are another one of those things that took me a while to really like to eat, along with asparagus, mushrooms, and a few other foods.  Then, a few years back, I had them raw and thinly sliced dressed with olive oil and parmesan cheese.  I think I kind of fell in love with them then.  The creamy nuttiness of the cheese went along perfectly with the crunchy vegetable which picked up the fruitiness of the oil and the slight tang from the lemon juice and carried it along in delicious harmony.

Panel on “Markets 2.0 – The Resurgence of Traditional Markets in New York City”

One of my favorite things about living in New York City is the various and varied markets that exist here.  I’d fallen in love with shopping for local food from small-scale vendors when I lived overseas and have been delighted that I could continue to buy that way back here.  I’ve also always been a big fan of knickknacks and antiques fairs just bursting with treasures to find.  Add to that all the creative and delicious things to discover at the artisan food markets.  Last year, Karen Seiger put together a book called Markets of New York City about all the wonderful items that could be found at these venues in each of the five boroughs.

Sausage-Tomato Pasta Dish

With Hurricane Irene rapidly approaching New York City and getting ready to dump lots of rain on us, it was bound to be an indoor weekend anyway.  Then, the mayor announced that the public transportation would be shut down by noon today.  With friends being told that they had to leave their homes as they live in the lowest lying areas of the city, I ended up hosting one of them to ride out the storm in my neighborhood.

New Amsterdam Market’s Second Annual Ice Cream Sunday

For days, heck, weeks, I’ve been waiting for this particular food festival.  That’s not just because, as someone else put it to me today, “Ice cream is my favorite food group.”  So, of course, I planned my whole day around getting to the New Amsterdam Market‘s Second Annual Ice Cream Sunday and fundraiser.  With my precious ten tasting tickets in hand, I scoped out the scene to work on my strategy.  I opted for one cool sample per stand of the ten vendors who were there, although it was a tough challenge to pick just a single flavor from many of them.

Wok+Wine and Foodspotting Event in New York

 

Wok+Wine signage photo

Last night, in the Tribeca offices of Luminary Labs, Wok+Wine teamed up with Foodspotting to host one of their dynamic, seafood-fueled events.  I was one of the 40 folks who helped consume some of the “40 pounds of jumbo shrimp and 40 bottles of delicious wine” that they had laid on for us.  It was definitely one of the more unique and napkin-worthy food get-togethers I’ve ever attended.

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

When people ask me about this website, I explain that the name comes from a love of eating – the Gourmand part – and a love of trying new things – the Experimental part.  Both of these are combined in this post about making Vietnamese Spring Rolls.  I don’t remember the first time that I ate them, but they are one of my favorite things to order at Vietnamese restaurants.

Flushing Queens Food Crawl

Yesterday, I got to take part in something that I’ve been dying to do for ages.  I went on a food/eating tour of Flushing, New York, a dynamic and diverse part of Queens.  What was nice was that I was part of a group of folks organized by the New York Social Network, so we had a good guide, and I got to check out what everyone else was eating as well.

Vietnamese Summer Rolls

For the past few weeks, I’ve been on a big Asian food kick.  It stems partly from the course that I took back in early July at the Institute of Culinary Education.  The other driving factor has been the steamy weather, which hasn’t inspired me to turn on the oven to cook a huge, big meal.  Quick, flavorful bites like the Coconut-Citrus Chicken Skewers have been more up my alley.  These Vietnamese Summer Rolls are much the same type of small-bite meal.  Cool, crisp, minimal cooking over a hot surface, and easy to prepare, they are the ideal starter or even an entire a dinner with several of them.

Smorgasburg Return Trip

Today, a friend of mine and I went to check out Smorgasburg.  For me, it was a chance to meet some great new vendors.  She’d never been there.  She’s been my food and wine wing person on several excursions, so I knew that she’d let me drag her around the market to check out the wares on display.  The pile of stuff in the top photo is an indication of what a great shopping day I had.

Coconut-Citrus Chicken Skewers

Last month, when I was at the Fancy Food Show, I had a chance to check out a few new products in Schoolhouse Kitchen‘s range.  Their new Coconut Citrus Vinaigrette is a fantastic addition to their product line.  It is deeply flavorful with a smooth texture from the coconut milk, a dash of spice from the curry, and a zing of citrus shining throughout.  The tastes are all so well balanced and would be perfect for drizzling over a salad of seasonal summer greens.  For me, this brought back memories of eating Thai Chicken Skewers when out with friends. 

Dekalb Market in Brooklyn

You’ve probably never wondered what happens to the old shipping containers once they’ve outlived the uses for which they were built?  For Urban Space, the organizers of several of the markets in New York City, it meant launching a design competition using shipping containers as the storefronts for its newest location, the Dekalb Market in Brooklyn.  Yesterday, I dropped by to check it out and to see what was going on over there.

Food. curated with Liza De Guia - Season 2 Sneak Peek

Have you ever wondered about the people behind your favorite artisan and local foods? Liza de Guia does, too, and brings their stories to us via video on her terrific (and James Beard Award-nominated) site Food. curated.  Through this medium, she captures the passion, dedication, and artistry of the people who make delicious things for all of us to eat.  I’m always in anticipation of another installment the minute the one that I’m watching is finished, so that I can see what is the next amazing thing that she’s picked to portray.

Ice Cream Beer Social at Jimmy’s No. 43

A rainy Monday night after a scorching weekend is the perfect excuse to visit Jimmy’s No. 43 for a free Ice Cream Beer Social (part of their Homemade Fare series).  The fact that the website mentioned beer floats being served was enough of a reason to venture out in stormy weather.  As an added bonus, I got to catch up with some really wonderful food folks who make great products that are usually found at the markets around town.

Carrot-Date-Almond Salad with Cumin Dressing

There’s a series of gloppy, mayonnaise-laden salads which date from my 1970s childhood (separate from the sequence of equally disliked Jello salads) which still haunt my culinary memories.  Ambrosia Salad, Waldorf Salad, and the one that I probably despise most of all, although it is tough to pick just one, Carrot Salad.  Part of my dislike is that I’m not a big fan of raisins in things, which I now know is not that uncommon.  Then, there’s the whole globs of industrial mayonnaise, which I also can’t stand as I’ve mentioned previously.  So, put those two things together alone and the dish is not likely to be a hit with me.  Carrots, I think, are the innocent bystander in all of this, as I like those raw or cooked.

Fairway Grocery opens on the Upper East Side

I know, you’re asking, “Seriously?  Really?  The opening of a grocery store is worthy of a blog post?”  My response is, “You betcha!”  Living in New York has its culinary benefits, no doubt, especially when it comes to being able to eat at the top, most innovative restaurants or find the latest hot whatever cuisine.  The most recent food fad either starts here or makes its way here very soon.  Turn the conversation to where folks actually go to by the food that they keep at home, however, and you’ve opened a whole other can of worms.

Visit to Northside Market in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

 

Even the creeping crawl of the downtown Lexington Avenue subway lines and the L line rerouting couldn’t keep folks away from checking out the new Northside Market and taking in the Ice Cream Day at Smorgasburg today.  The hot weather was a perfect excuse to indulge in some creamy treats and to check out some great food vendors.  I came home with a whole bag full of goodies to cook with this week from both markets, well if the next heat wave doesn’t hit us that is.

“Liguria: Flavors between Sea and Sky” at The International Culinary Center

This photo is a bit faded, as it is more than a decade old, but the sentiment it represents, the beauty of Italy and the culinary riches of one of its provinces, Liguria, are registered in my memories forever.  A couple of weeks ago, I was able to attend a seminar called “Liguria: Flavors between the Sea and Sky” about this region sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission and the Regione Liguria.  For a few short hours, as the speakers walked us through the history of the area and gave us olive and olive oil tastings, I was transported back to this stunningly beautiful land where the sea rolls out its welcoming deep aqua carpet while the mountains snuggly embrace the towns along the coastline.

Baked Zucchini & Orzo or Courgette & Orzo Baked Dish

 

 

With the holiday weekend approaching, it was time for me to start making those grocery shopping lists to prepare for the barbecue or whatever plans are on tap.  Although I love the stand-bys like potato salad and s’mores, sometimes I feel like we fall into the usual rut of side dishes.  With so much fresh produce coming into season, it seemed appropriate to try to find something new to make.

 

Fulton Stall Market Visit

 

This summer has not only meant the reopening of the New Amsterdam Market on a weekly basis, it has also given us the revived Fulton Stall Market.  I’d written about this historic market (there’s been a version of it more or less in the same place since the 1820s) back in 2009.  Last summer, I noticed that the area where it usually took place was empty.  I don’t really know the whole story behind its absence, but I’m glad to see this market back in action again.

The juices from Red Jacket Orchards were perfect to combat the heat from a day walking around the markets.

as were these gorgeous strawberries

They also sell these yummy jams and preserves

Sisterhands Syrups was another beverage option

Brewla Bars (at Smorgasburg too) had several refreshing options to cool you down

I went with the Root Beer Pop – sort of like a really great root beer float in frozen form

Another option would have been to go with Coolhaus and their ice cream sandwiches

Eating choices included this collaboration between two of the market’s vendors:

NY Farm 2 Door‘s meats and cheeses

plus Sour Puss Pickles wonderful preserved items

There were also sandwiches by GranDaisy Bakery

and these great-tasting, flavorful pizza squares, which I’ve enjoyed on several occasions.

To keep you going on your visit, Yummy Coffee had samples to try.

Before you leave, however, don’t forget to grab a jar of hearty-tangy, delicious Sunday Gravy

They had this great meal pack, pasta and cheese included, on offer today

Perhaps to pair with a salad or some veggies from Migliorelli Farm

Accompanied by a bottle of wine from Brooklyn Winery‘s own label, maybe?

and finished up with some sweet treats from The Groovy Baker

Don’t forget this cute bag (there are others, too) from Bugged Out in which to take it all home!

Buon appetito!

Arugula Salad with Cremini Mushrooms and Grana Padano

I first had this salad when I was a student in Bologna, Italy.  Scaccomatto, one of the restaurants that we would treat ourselves to sometimes, had many traditional dishes on the menu but, boldly, for this town, often had more imaginative fare, all made with top-quality ingredients that could easily stand out on their own.  This Insalata di rucola con funghi e Grana Padano (Arugula Salad with Cremini Mushrooms and Grana Padano) has a bit of snap and bite to it and is the perfect kick-off to a great meal or can stand as a light lunch or dinner all by itself. 

A Visit to The Brooklyn Flea’s Smorgasburg

Smorgasburg!

It was a long overdue trip, I know, but I’ve either been out of town or just plain busy every Saturday since Smorgasburg, the food fair put together by the folks who also run the Brooklyn Flea, kicked off.  Knowing several vendors who sell at this Williamsburg, Brooklyn waterfront location, I was keen to get out there to support their efforts at this new market venture.  Today, with sunny skies and the free ferry service running between Manhattan and the landing dock right near Smorgasburg, I didn’t have any more excuses not to visit it.

Sweet Potato Cakes from Ottolenghi’s “Plenty”

After I made the Endive with Sweet Potatoes, Bacon, Chives, and Sour Cream a week ago, I still had one uncooked sweet potato left over.  So, I cracked open Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbook “Plenty”, for which I’d been at a book signing last week, and started reading the directions.  I had the pleasure of eating at his Notting Hill restaurant when I was in London earlier this year, thoroughly enjoyed it, and wanted to try my hand at making one of his recipes at home.

Hester Street Fair Sunday Picnic and Egg Rolls & Egg Creams

 

This year, the Hester Street Fair is only on Saturdays, so the Sunday Picnic theme of today’s event was built around local food, games (ping pong, badminton), and lively music, with tables down the center of the market space to encourage hanging out and enjoying being outside while eating some great treats.

After that, a few short blocks away, the folks at the Museum at Eldridge Street were holding their annual Egg Rolls & Egg Creams festival, which celebrates the cultural diversity of the neighborhood.  Chinese and Jewish foods, games, and activities were available for families along with tours of the museum itself.  Seeing an egg cream on the side of a table of folks who were playing Mah Jong, just reinforced how amazing it is that all of these groups of various immigrants were thrown together over time and have created their own traditions.

“The Food of Spain” by Claudia Roden

When I saw that Claudia Roden would be coming to talk to the Culinary Historians of New York about her new book The Food of Spain, I blocked off my calendar immediately.  I’ve been an enormous fan of her work ever since I was introduced to Italian cooking via The Food of Italy back in the mid-1990s.  Her Bolognese sauce recipe is my go-to version and the cornerstone of my lasagna bolognese.

Endive with Sweet Potatoes, Bacon, Chives, and Sour Cream

One of the sponsors at the Eat, Write, Retreat conference I attended last month in Washington, DC, was the Discover Endive! folks.  At the reception that opened this weekend event, they served tasty bites of Endive with Sweet Potatoes, Bacon, Chives, and Sour Cream.  These were a delicious balance of crunchy, chewy, sweet, salty, meaty, and creamy.  With the hand-held leaf serving as an edible platter, they were a perfectly sized nibble and easy-to-serve appetizer.

Shortbread, Strawberries, and Cream for Teatime

“The best ideas always arrive after a glass of wine or two …”

This was said to me in response to an email that I’d sent to a friend in England, after telling him that I’d made my first-ever batch of shortbread.  Last night, I’d met up with a friend who now lives in New Jersey at a Greek restaurant in Midtown for wine and mezze.  As we were parting ways after said eats and drinks, I invited her for tea today to continue our catch-up session.  The crazier part of this story is that I also had a former roommate coming in for a visit this afternoon.  What would I serve everyone?

Granola-Yogurt Parfaits

 

I almost clicked on the “Weeknight Suppers” category for this post featuring Granola-Yogurt Parfaits because, to be completely honest, this is one of those breakfast meals that I’ve had more than a few times for dinner.  It is light, refreshing, and reasonably healthy so it makes a quick evening meal.  Of course, it is a wonderful breakfast, too, especially with all the gorgeous, ripe summertime fruit and berries coming into season.

Madison Square Eats

 On a tiny sliver of pavement and park between Fifth Avenue and Broadway near 24th Street, about a dozen and half food vendors and a few craft stalls have been making their home and feeding the hungry local hoards for about the past month.  I stopped by Madison Square Eats yesterday to check out some of the delicious treats being sold there.  It wraps up this coming Friday, June 3rd, in time for Madison Square Park to turn itself over to the masses for the 9th annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party next weekend.

Eat, Write, Retreat 2011 Conference Recap

 

This past weekend, I attended the Eat, Write, Retreat food bloggers conference in my hometown area of Washington, DC.  It was an amazing experience filled with great food to eat, informative and dynamic lectures and workshops, and really nice and wonderful fellow food writers.  Having never been to one of these events before, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect, and I walked away feeling completely reinvigorated about the writing on my own blog as well as being totally inspired by my fellow attendees.

“Tanzen Dame” Label from Bloomer Creek Wines

While I’m Washington, DC for the “Eat, Write, Retreat” food bloggers conference, I wanted to share with you an article I wrote last September about a great New York State wine that I discovered at their label release party. Recently, I was reintroduced to it at a wine tasting.  

Just moments prior to the massive storm that ripped through the New York area last Thursday evening, I was speaking to Kim Engle of Bloomer Creek Wines in the Finger Lakes region about his new wine label Tanzen Dame (“Dance, Lady?”) while at a tasting on the Lower East Side. The Rieslings and Gerwürtraminer that we had the opportunity to sample that evening were ones he had created as an homage to the wines of Germany and Alsace. With just one sip of the refreshing and semi-sweet 2008 Second Harvest Riesling, I was transported away from the steamy city.

Product Spotlight – Nuts+Nuts – Farm-direct Gourmet Cashews

Cashews are one of those things that I grew up with as a luxury item.  I like them so much that I usually pick them out of the mixed nuts tray, leaving behind the peanuts, walnuts, and Brazil nuts for everyone else.  So, when I first saw this display of different cashew flavor combinations, I picked up one of each to try.  I first got to know Cyrilla Suwarsa, co-founder of Nuts+Nuts, at the New Amsterdam Holiday Market back in December.  She was there selling the farm-direct gourmet cashews that her company imports from farmers in Indonesia, her home country.  Cyrilla met me for a coffee a few months back to talk to me about her company and the inspiration behind it and its product line.

9th Avenue International Food Festival

The 9th Avenue International Food Festival held today, which stretched over 15 blocks on the West Side of Manhattan, brought out folks from the neighborhood, tourists, other locals, and food folks like me.  Covering the area known as Hell’s Kitchen, restaurants, street, vendors, churches, and others served up a dizzying array of foods that showcase some of the variety of cuisines available in New York. I’ve wrapped it up into a gallery, as there was just too much to process in one afternoon.  

Asparagus and Scrambled Eggs with Tarragon-Shallot Butter

 

Asparagus are now really in season in New York, as are eggs (they have great flavor and color in the springtime), so this is a perfect meal to make at this time of year.  Fluffy, golden eggs, given extra flavor due to the herb compound butter, just melt in your mouth.  The puff pastry is an extra decorative touch that also gives a crunchy and light side note to the creaminess of the eggs and the woodsie-ness of the asparagus.  Coating the vegetables in the same seasoning as the eggs pulls the dish together even more tightly. I’d originally thought of this as a Mother’s Day Brunch dish, hence the hearts, but it could just as well be a weeknight supper or anytime meal, it is so easy to put together

Brooklyn Uncorked 2011 by Edible Magazine

So much wine, so little time.  That’s a bit what it felt like walking in to the Brooklyn Academy of Music last night for the Brooklyn Uncorked festival put together by Edible Magazine (Manhattan, Brooklyn, and East End).  With 26 tables of wines and 14 food options (according to the website), this was a cornucopia of eating and drinking options showcasing the variety of Long Island wines as well as displaying culinary talents from Brooklyn and Manhattan.  My friend who went with me and I did our best to try to sample something from everyone, with apologies to those whom we missed.

Hester Street Fair Lower Feast Side Food Festival

Today was opening day for the Hester Street Fair which featured a Lower Feast Side Food Festival in conjunction with the other events going on for the New Museum’s Festival of Ideas, which wrapped further west on the Lower East Side around the Bowery.   In a slender space at the intersection of Hester Streets and Essex Streets was a varied collection of crafts vendors with adorable stuffed toys, handmade purses, terrariums, and bath and beauty products as well as some terrific food vendors.  Bringing a bright ray of sunshine into the lives of New Yorkers after a particularly brutal winter this year, people came out with dogs, strollers, babies, and friends to chat with the merchants, pick up some things, and enjoy a sunshine-filled day outdoors.

Colonie Restaurant in Brooklyn

Colonie, a newish restaurant in Brooklyn Heights, has been on the radar of my friends and I since before it even opened, due to the fact that one of them lives around the corner from the spot and had seen it under construction.  Last night, we paid another visit there after hitting a few wine tastings in the neighborhood (checking out Heights Chateau and Brooklyn Wine Exchange).  Interestingly enough, it had also been on Sam Sifton’s radar and profiled in The New York Times this week.

New Amsterdam Market Floralia Celebration

Sunday, on a glorious, bright sunshiny day, the New Amsterdam Market held a celebration for May Day called Floralia, complete with Maypole (above). I’ve never been much for recognizing this pagan feast day or the communist-era counterpart. I’ve always been envious, however, of my European friends when they had this day off, as it seemed a bit random. Of course, we have our Labor Day in September instead, so I guess that counts.

This was a great chance to catch up with vendors that I hadn’t seen in a while (Liddabit Sweets, Nordic Breads), discover some new delicious treats (Pie Corps), and even to run into a friend and her husband (Karen of Markets of NYC). Everyone seemed to be enjoying checking out the different products, eating the offerings from the prepared food vendors, and generally just hanging out in the city on a really nice day.  As I told Robert LaValva, the market manager, I’d seen several food folks over the course of the previous week who had chimed, “See you at the market on Sunday,” when we all realized we’d be convening at the event, so there was definitely buzz about the day.

Here’s a photo tour of some of what was available in the market today:

Now at www.theexperimentalgourmand.com

The Experimental Gourmand has moved!  After more than 5 years on Blogger, I decided to move to its own domain name.  Please save this bookmark: http://www.theexperimentalgourmand.com to keep up with all the Food Events, Market Trips, and Recipes that are the features of this site.

Please update your RSS feed to the new site.  What about liking The Experimental Gourmand on Facebook to keep up with the latest posts news and about events?  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Buon appetito!

Rolling in Dough or No at The Brooklyn Brewery

On Wednesday night, I crossed the river again to head to the Brooklyn Brewery for an event organized by Brooklyn Based, a website and newsletter about the borough and its activities, called "Rolling in the Dough or No?".  Featuring several favorite and well-known local food entrepreneurs, the setting for the evening was a panel about what it is like to start a food business in the city and what might be some of the pitfalls, hurdles, and aspects that anyone who is interested in pursuing this should consider.  There were also some tasty treats to try as well.

A Royal Wedding Tea Party

I've always loved tea parties.  When I was little, my aunt gave me a miniature tea set in porcelain, and I played with it for hours.  I had to hide it from my younger siblings to keep it from being destroyed.  My mom and I used to make a slot in our travels to have tea and for my parents' 25th wedding anniversary, we kids surprised them with a formal tea to welcome them home from their trip to Paris.

Easter Brunch 2011

Ah, the gentle hum of the dishwasher.  What a great sound.  I had a few friends over for Easter Brunch today.  I really enjoy entertaining, but what I also like is that satisfying feeling after putting my home back in order when it is all done.  Thankfully, too, I have friends who are willing to trek all the way to the Upper East Side on a weekend when the MTA has decided that the one subway line to my neighborhood has to be completely re-configured for repairs.  I hope that the food I served was worth it.

How to Tell A Good Egg vs. A Bad Egg

Eggs.  Eaten at this time of year, they symbolize rebirth, the Resurrection, spring, fertility, and one of the most basic human foods.  We use terms like, "Last one in is a rotten egg" and "He/she is a 'Good Egg'" to describe people.  Eggs, in many forms, are a fundamental part our life and vocabulary.  When I looked at my Recipes, I have more posts about Brunch than I do about almost any other single food category aside from Desserts and Vegetable Dishes, and most of those are egg dishes like the ones that will be on my table this Sunday afternoon.

We Have a Royal Wedding Giveaway Winner!!!

Congratulations to Turboterp whom the Randomizer selected as the winner for this prize!!!! 

No, Hogwarts was not the answer to where Prince William and Catherine Middleton first met, no matter how many of you wanted it to be that way.  They met at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, founded in 1413.  It is the third oldest university in the English-speaking world, according to their website.  It is also the alma mater of some of my friends, so I was glad to give the school a chance to make an appearance on this website.

It was great to see the enthusiasm for this prize pack.  Thank you so much to Schoolhouse Kitchen, Lush Candy, Sugar Flower Cake Shop, and MitchMallows for their generosity in providing these items.  You can reach their websites by clicking on the links above to find out how to order these great products for yourself or to see where you can buy them at your local markets, where available.

The Royal Wedding Week will continue next week after Easter with some new recipes and some more ideas for hosting your own viewing party.  

Buon appetito

Product Giveaways - William & Kate Royal Wedding Edition

All the press has been aflutter with the preparations for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, especially as we are now 11 days away from their nuptials.  Knowing how crazy the UK souvenir hawkers and general public can get about these big events, I sort of wish I was there to see how all this will unfold.  When I was in London a couple of months back, there were only a few items that I could see picking up to commemorate this occasion.

Product Spotlight - MitchMallows

I have to confess, I'm not a fan of marshmallows.  To me, they are overly sugary, powdery dense blobs of fluff with little flavor.  That's why it was such a revelation to come across MitchMallows by Mitch Greenberg one Sunday at the Foodshed Market at the Brooklyn Commons.  One taste of his Maple Syrup Pancake creation with its lighter-than-air texture and rich, sweet, buttery flavor and I was hooked.

"Starving the South" at the Culinary Historians of New York

On the day 150 years ago when the Battle of Fort Sumter started, kicking off the conflict that almost ripped the United States into shreds, Andrew F. Smith introduced his book "Starving the South: How the North Won the Civil War" at an event hosted by the Culinary Historians of New York.  Appropriately, this gathering was held with dishes featuring foods of the South provided by the members of the organization.  61 Local, which opened fairly recently in Brooklyn, was the meeting site.

Duck-off at Jimmy’s No. 43 to Benefit Food Systems Network NYC

A Duck Cookoff?  Really?  Yep.  That’s where I was yesterday, indoors at Jimmy’s No. 43 while other New Yorkers were enjoying a very bright sunshiny day out of doors.  All proceeds of this event went to Food Systems Network NYC, a non-profit organization that seeks to bring together stakeholders across the systems of food production and consumption.  As was mentioned by a few folks to whom I spoke and the judges as well, it was really interesting to see the variety of dishes that the contestants (both pro chefs and amateur competitors) came up with using this one protein as their base.  

Tasting Brooklyn Event by Brooklyn Exposed

Last night I ventured over the river to a loft in DUMBO for the first Tasting Brooklyn event by Brooklyn Exposed to try specialities prepared by more than 20 food and drink vendors.  The evening was sponsored by Bao Fresh Kombucha and Fairway Market (opening this summer on the Upper East Side!).  This was a great opportunity to try dishes from some places I've never visited as well as to see some food folks whom I hadn't run into in a while.

Bakesale for Japan at the Brooklyn Flea

Today was another one of those glorious springtime days that you just want to bottle up to save for when the next wave of winter weather gives us a sock in the gut.  Bright sunshine, people eating brunch at outdoor tables, couples laughing while strolling arm-in-arm, and, that sure sign of the change of seasons: The Brooklyn Flea's first Saturday market having moved outside. Released from their wintertime abode at the old Williamsburgh Savings Bank, the Flea today was also the site of a fundraising Bakesale for Japan.

Mussels in Spicy Thai Coconut Broth

Mother Nature has decided that Winter gets to have one last blow at us before Spring can take over again.  This change in the weather, combined with a stint baby-sitting my nieces and nephews, prompted a return of the cold I'd had back in November.  Fortunately, I'd been given a recipe last week for Mussels in Spicy Thai Coconut Broth in the cooking class* that I took at the Institute of Culinary Education that could chase the chill and the sniffles away.

Great American Bake Sale to benefit Food Bank for New York at Grand Central Terminal

This afternoon I had to run an errand in the area around Grand Central Terminal.  How convenient, I thought, now, I can find an excuse to check out Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale taking place today to benefit the Food Bank for New York.  I checked out on their Facebook page just before watching the evening news, and the GCT folks announced 50 minutes ago that the bake sale, which was supposed to go on until 7:00 p.m. tonight, was all sold out and had shut down.  I managed to get over there around 1:30 p.m. and at least two places had already been wiped out with several other vendors not far behind.  What a great result for a fundraiser for such a worthy cause.  Hopefully, our sweet tooths (teeth?) will assist many families to put food on the table, especially during these tough times.

A-Brisket A-Brasket at Jimmy’s No. 43 for New Amsterdam Market

Ah, what to do on a gorgeous, sunny, crisp early spring Saturday in New York City?  Head to the East Village to a food-related fundraiser, of course.  Yesterday at Jimmy’s No. 43, Jimmy Carbone hosted a Brisket Cook-off, the proceeds of which went to support the New Amsterdam Market.  Several local chefs came together along with some other special guests to show what they could do with this cut of meat.