These shrimp, leftover from a holiday cocktail platter, were crying out for creative employment. So shrimp bisque it was! This preparation also made use of some leftover poaching liquid we had in the fridge – a mix of clam juice, white wine, herbs, pink peppercorns, leeks, and salmon juices. It all made for an incredibly [...]
Archive for December, 2008
Shrimp Bisque
Posted in Recipes, Recommended Meals, tagged brandy, carrot, celery, lemon peel, onion, Shrimp, shrimp bisque, tarragon, white wine on December 30, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Flaxseed Oat Bran Bread
Posted in Baking, Recipes, tagged bread, flaxseed, oat bran on December 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I’m still a yeast-bread rookie, but this loaf turned out marvelously well. Made from a pre-blended mix of specialty flours by King Arthur Flour, the bread was nutty and modestly dense with a crisp crust. Total prep/bake time was about three and a half hours.
One interesting tidbit regarding the yeast: I blended the yeast [...]
112 Eatery Minneapolis
Posted in Restaurants, tagged 112 Eatery, cauliflower, gnocci, Minneapolis, pasta, Restaurants, steak tartare on December 27, 2008 | 3 Comments »
Getting a table at this popular bistro in Minneapolis’ historic warehouse district is akin, I would imagine, to fighting off a posse of teenage girls stampeeding for tickets to Hannah Montana, though thankfully I’ve never actually had to do the latter. It was impossible to get a reservation less than a week in advance, and [...]
French Baguettes
Posted in Recipes, tagged bread, french baguette, yeast on December 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Baking bread can be one of the most satisfying kitchen experiences. Forget the non-yeast “quick breads” or leaving the dirty work to a robotic bread machine, putting your hands on raw, yeasty dough is a fun and rewarding process that appeals to the senses. The kneading and crafting; the ritual of preparing the yeast [...]
Peanutbutter Honey Granola
Posted in Breakfast, Recipes, tagged almonds, cranberries, granola, honey, lafayette inn, oats, peanut butter, pecans, walnuts on December 23, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Store-bought granolas are often high in sugar, oil and fat not to mention price. They vary widely in terms flavor, consistency, and crunchy/chewiness. But making granola at home is surprisingly easy and the best way to ensure a wholesome cereal that suits your taste. The key is fresh, quality raw materials — whole oats, raw [...]
Little Pie Company bakes big
Posted in Desserts, Restaurants, tagged chocolate cake, Desserts, Grand Central, New York on December 19, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Yes, this chocolate cake tastes as good as it looks. The Little Pie Company of the Big Apple knows how to bake a moist, rich and fluffy dessert that is truly wonderful. If you’re a fan of the famous Magnolia Bakery cupcakes, I’d say this cake-and-frosting combo ranks right up there.
Even though their pies get [...]
Japanese BBQ at Gyu-Kaku NYC
Posted in Asian, Restaurants, tagged bbq, chicken, garlic, gyu-kaku, Japanese, miso, Restaurants, rice, skirt steak on December 16, 2008 | 1 Comment »
It’s mid-December and your Weber BBQ is probably hidden away in the garage or buried outside under snow and ice. But at Gyu-Kaku (34 Cooper Square) in the East Village, you can still enjoy the flavor — and the fun — of grilling marinated meats, seafood and vegetables right at your table.
A friendly and attentive [...]
Easy Orange Soufflé
Posted in Desserts, Recipes, Tips, Uncategorized, tagged dessert, eggs, lemon, orange, souffle on December 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
At this time of year, grocery store produce aisles are stocked with mounds of bright orange navel oranges and tangerines. The citrusy fruit inspired this take on a soufflé, which is delicately cakey and firm on top and creamy and custard-like on the bottom. The flavor is incredibly light, with a hint of sweetness and [...]
Sausage-Mushroom Penne
Posted in Italian, Recipes, Recommended Meals, tagged mozzarella, mushrooms, parmesan, penne, sausage on December 15, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Bubbly, brown melted cheese is always a crowd pleaser, and there’s plenty of it atop this dish with Parmigiano-Reggiano and whole-milk mozzarella. This so-called penne “gratin” is creamy but not cloying. The pasta is tossed with chunks of sweet Italian sausage, sliced sauteed mushrooms and an easy garlic-cream sauce. It’s topped with grated mozzarella and [...]
A taste of Baghdad in NYC
Posted in Middle Eastern, Restaurants, Video, tagged Iraqi, kabobs, La Kabbr, lamb, masgoof, New York on December 11, 2008 | 3 Comments »
La Kabbr, on 9th Ave between W 47th and 48th, is known as New York’s only Iraqi restaurant, dishing up traditional Baghdad fare and other Middle Eastern classics. Inside, eclectic artifacts decorate the walls, including several Iraqi flags hanging between hookahs, Christmas lights and framed restaurant reviews.
The menu features Masgoof, Iraq’s national dish of roasted [...]
