Last night was the third gathering of the Unclevery Named Eating Society.
On the menu:
Salad:
Mesclun, cherry tomatoes, pepitas, cucumbers, cotija in a chipotle-lime vinaigrette
Build your own tacos!
Cuban style black beans with sherry vinegar
Chile lime shrimp
Rice
Cotija
Grilled Zucchini
Dessert:
Vanilla bean creme brulee w fresh cherries
I blew my own mind with the creme brulee, no lie. It would have been perfect if I would have purchased butane for my torch, but we used the broiler and it worked just fine. Juuuuuuust fine. I still have two in my fridge. Not for long! I've never been a dessert maker, but I'm learning that I can actually pull it off! Will wonders ever cease?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Whew
Life is starting to feel a little more normal now. Just got back from a much needed vacation. Tomorrow is the first day back to work. However, what I noticed that I missed the most lately, (besides Brooklyn in general) was my kitchen. Sure, I cooked while I was in Florida....but it wasn't MY kitchen, with ingredients that I picked, and no ingredient restrictions. And it's been years since I cooked on a regular stove. Literally, about 6 years. How does one cook properly on a non gas stove? Egads.
I also realized how spoiled I am with food. I had to give up and not think about where my food was coming from, or what it was cooked in, and how it was going to ravage my body. I hated it. After living in Miami for 26 years, and thinking I was so healthy and eating so fresh, then coming to New York and discovering what it was like to really eat, and what was really fresh, and what really mattered, it was jarring. Not to say, that you can't find fresh food in Miami. You can, of course. But you have to dig like all bloody hell. It's not like there's a farmer's market in every neighborhood. Going to Publix, an event that I used to look forward to so much, made me so sad. Sure, they have an "organic" section, but, ew, really? That's what you call asparagus? That's what you call fennel? That's an heirloom tomato?
Needless to say, I cooked a lot today. I made dinner, and then a vat of wheatberries w cinammon and cranberries for breakfasts throughout the week, and I also made a spicy lentil soup for lunch and dinner. I have some Satur Farms bok choy that could use a little flash saute and would be fab on top of the soup. I'm thinking of a zucchini torte, a fingerling gratin, key lime creme brulee....the mind reels. Oh, to have real food again, what bliss.
I also realized how spoiled I am with food. I had to give up and not think about where my food was coming from, or what it was cooked in, and how it was going to ravage my body. I hated it. After living in Miami for 26 years, and thinking I was so healthy and eating so fresh, then coming to New York and discovering what it was like to really eat, and what was really fresh, and what really mattered, it was jarring. Not to say, that you can't find fresh food in Miami. You can, of course. But you have to dig like all bloody hell. It's not like there's a farmer's market in every neighborhood. Going to Publix, an event that I used to look forward to so much, made me so sad. Sure, they have an "organic" section, but, ew, really? That's what you call asparagus? That's what you call fennel? That's an heirloom tomato?
Needless to say, I cooked a lot today. I made dinner, and then a vat of wheatberries w cinammon and cranberries for breakfasts throughout the week, and I also made a spicy lentil soup for lunch and dinner. I have some Satur Farms bok choy that could use a little flash saute and would be fab on top of the soup. I'm thinking of a zucchini torte, a fingerling gratin, key lime creme brulee....the mind reels. Oh, to have real food again, what bliss.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Red Lentil Soup w Fried Radishes and Snap Peas
Today is Father's Day, and while all my dear sweet husband wanted today was just to relax, I wanted to at least make him a special dinner.
I had a few left over things from our first CSA share pick up yesterday, and some gigantic radishes from the market earlier in the week and a shitload of lentils, so I decided on soup. I didn't have any vegetable stock or bouillon handy, so I had to improvise. God knows I love some MacGuyver cooking. I kept evolving the recipe in my head as I was cooking, adding a little of this and a little of that. I was ecstatic with my results
All ingredient amounts are approximate, as I do not measure and prefer to eyeball it.
2 shallots
5 cloves of garlic
1 1/2 cup of red lentils
pinch of cumin
sherry vinegar
chili oil
4 cups of water
1 cup of wine
4 jumbo radishes
handful of snap peas
olive oil
salt
pepper
splash of milk
Roughly chop the shallots and garlic in oil, pepper, and cumin. When they're nice and brownish add the lentils and stir around for about a minute or two. Add the water and wine and bring to a boil. After about 20 minutes check for tenderness. If they're soft enough, go ahead and add the salt, sherry vinegar and chili oil. I use piri piri which is a Portuguese chili that I am obsessed with. Use a hand blender to thicken the soup, adding a splash of milk if necessary.
Seperately, slice the radishes into discs, but not too thin. In a heated pan with oil, add the radishes with salt and pepper. Let the radishes caramelize a bit on each side. When radishes start to brown, add the snap peas and maybe a splash of chili oil too for fun. Once the radishes are fully cooked, serve on top of yr soup.
Surprisingly amaaaaazing.
I had a few left over things from our first CSA share pick up yesterday, and some gigantic radishes from the market earlier in the week and a shitload of lentils, so I decided on soup. I didn't have any vegetable stock or bouillon handy, so I had to improvise. God knows I love some MacGuyver cooking. I kept evolving the recipe in my head as I was cooking, adding a little of this and a little of that. I was ecstatic with my results
All ingredient amounts are approximate, as I do not measure and prefer to eyeball it.
2 shallots
5 cloves of garlic
1 1/2 cup of red lentils
pinch of cumin
sherry vinegar
chili oil
4 cups of water
1 cup of wine
4 jumbo radishes
handful of snap peas
olive oil
salt
pepper
splash of milk
Roughly chop the shallots and garlic in oil, pepper, and cumin. When they're nice and brownish add the lentils and stir around for about a minute or two. Add the water and wine and bring to a boil. After about 20 minutes check for tenderness. If they're soft enough, go ahead and add the salt, sherry vinegar and chili oil. I use piri piri which is a Portuguese chili that I am obsessed with. Use a hand blender to thicken the soup, adding a splash of milk if necessary.
Seperately, slice the radishes into discs, but not too thin. In a heated pan with oil, add the radishes with salt and pepper. Let the radishes caramelize a bit on each side. When radishes start to brown, add the snap peas and maybe a splash of chili oil too for fun. Once the radishes are fully cooked, serve on top of yr soup.
Surprisingly amaaaaazing.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Coming Attractions
Part of the reason why the blog is so wordy and not so picture-y, is because I have an unfortunate computer. It tries my patience, and it wins daily. However! I will be rectifying that situation soonish. So there's that.
Hazard as a Blog is going to also get a facelift. I keep experimenting with this and that, but it's still not quite the way I'd love it to look.....so I've got some creativey types working on some more aesthetically pleasing situations.
Finally, I'm contemplating changing the name of this blog. When I first started, I intended this to be more of a mommy-centric blog. However, as much as I love motherhood and as much as I love my son, this blog has grown to be more about my selfish goodies...more of what mommy wants, less of what other mommies should do. It has evolved, as I have, into something a little more organic and substantial. I'll always fondly recall my days as a Hazard, (and yes, sometimes she does magically reappear after a few too many martinis) but Hazard is all grown up now.
Got a name suggestion? Holler at your girl.
xoxo
Hazard as a Blog is going to also get a facelift. I keep experimenting with this and that, but it's still not quite the way I'd love it to look.....so I've got some creativey types working on some more aesthetically pleasing situations.
Finally, I'm contemplating changing the name of this blog. When I first started, I intended this to be more of a mommy-centric blog. However, as much as I love motherhood and as much as I love my son, this blog has grown to be more about my selfish goodies...more of what mommy wants, less of what other mommies should do. It has evolved, as I have, into something a little more organic and substantial. I'll always fondly recall my days as a Hazard, (and yes, sometimes she does magically reappear after a few too many martinis) but Hazard is all grown up now.
Got a name suggestion? Holler at your girl.
xoxo
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Inspired
Lately, I've been doing a whole lot more reading than writing. Good news is, I'm so inspired and have so many ideas wandering around in my head. Bad news is, I have no time and I'm a bad blogger.
I've decided to share some of what's been moving me....hopefully, it will do the same for you!
Blogs:
Simply Photo - my friend Jen's blog. Her pictures make me weepy. No lie.
Simply Breakfast - I want to eat breakfast like Jen.
Not Eating Out in NY - I wish I had time to not eat out.
Pink of Perfection - So cute!
101 cookbooks - Everything I've ever made by her is amazing!
Smitten Kitchen - You can make brilliant food in tiny kitchens. Highly recommended!
Books:
Alice Waters and Chez Panisse - Astonishing how much of an impact one person can make.
Super Natural Cooking - Heidi Swanson's physical counterpart to her website, 101cookbooks.com
TV:
Spain...On The Road Again - Full confession, this show has made me stop hating Gwenyth.
I'll be going crazy for the next few weeks, but soon I'll be posting pics from our last Uncleverly Named Eating Society meal, and letting you know what's on the next menu.
xoxo
I've decided to share some of what's been moving me....hopefully, it will do the same for you!
Blogs:
Simply Photo - my friend Jen's blog. Her pictures make me weepy. No lie.
Simply Breakfast - I want to eat breakfast like Jen.
Not Eating Out in NY - I wish I had time to not eat out.
Pink of Perfection - So cute!
101 cookbooks - Everything I've ever made by her is amazing!
Smitten Kitchen - You can make brilliant food in tiny kitchens. Highly recommended!
Books:
Alice Waters and Chez Panisse - Astonishing how much of an impact one person can make.
Super Natural Cooking - Heidi Swanson's physical counterpart to her website, 101cookbooks.com
TV:
Spain...On The Road Again - Full confession, this show has made me stop hating Gwenyth.
I'll be going crazy for the next few weeks, but soon I'll be posting pics from our last Uncleverly Named Eating Society meal, and letting you know what's on the next menu.
xoxo
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Second Supper
Yeah, that whole part about me posting the menu and letting you know and what not? *ahem*
Well, dinner was great. Here is what we ate:
Radishes w Rosemary and Cilantro Butters and Fresh Bread
Sauteed Ramps and Fiddlehead Ferns w Roasted Garlic
on Gnocchi w Shaved Pecorino
Baked Apples in a Buttery Prosecco Sauce w Cinammon
I usually hate everything I make. Total hater. Not this. This shit was the jam. It was simple. It was tasty. It wasn't too much. It wasn't too little. It was comforting. But it made you say "Wtf is this green thing? A fiddlehead fern? WTF IS THAT?" all while loving the flavor. And how.
Needless to say, the first gathering of the Uncleverly Named Eating Society went well. And, since I'm organized this time, I can officially announce this Friday's upcoming menu. You excited? Me too, cos it's GORGE!
appetizer:
grilled asparagus and fiddlehead ferns w a dijon hollandaise.
salad:
mesclun, radish, pan fried manchego and pignoli w fennel seed vinaigrette
1st plate:
mussels in a garlic wine sauce
2nd plate:
quinoa croquette, cucumber dill relish w feta and greek yogurt sauce
dessert:
rhubarb cobbler w mint ice cream
and always: bread. herbed butter. olives.
As much as possible, I'm going local. Even my gnocchi was local. So local it was from 3 blocks away. As much as I'd like it to be, I doubt that my local gnocchi was organic. You give and take. You can't have it all.
Hopefully, dinner pics will come soon. However, the midget did steal the camera in the middle of dinner, so I only have 1 picture from that night, and really, it's half a picture. If you were there, send me yr pics. I'd love some food porn.
Meanwhile, this week....it's all about foraging for the feast ahead. If you have any brilliant ingredient ideas, lemme know. I'm game....I have another dinner party in 3 weeks to think about.
xoxo.
Well, dinner was great. Here is what we ate:
Radishes w Rosemary and Cilantro Butters and Fresh Bread
Sauteed Ramps and Fiddlehead Ferns w Roasted Garlic
on Gnocchi w Shaved Pecorino
Baked Apples in a Buttery Prosecco Sauce w Cinammon
I usually hate everything I make. Total hater. Not this. This shit was the jam. It was simple. It was tasty. It wasn't too much. It wasn't too little. It was comforting. But it made you say "Wtf is this green thing? A fiddlehead fern? WTF IS THAT?" all while loving the flavor. And how.
Needless to say, the first gathering of the Uncleverly Named Eating Society went well. And, since I'm organized this time, I can officially announce this Friday's upcoming menu. You excited? Me too, cos it's GORGE!
appetizer:
grilled asparagus and fiddlehead ferns w a dijon hollandaise.
salad:
mesclun, radish, pan fried manchego and pignoli w fennel seed vinaigrette
1st plate:
mussels in a garlic wine sauce
2nd plate:
quinoa croquette, cucumber dill relish w feta and greek yogurt sauce
dessert:
rhubarb cobbler w mint ice cream
and always: bread. herbed butter. olives.
As much as possible, I'm going local. Even my gnocchi was local. So local it was from 3 blocks away. As much as I'd like it to be, I doubt that my local gnocchi was organic. You give and take. You can't have it all.
Hopefully, dinner pics will come soon. However, the midget did steal the camera in the middle of dinner, so I only have 1 picture from that night, and really, it's half a picture. If you were there, send me yr pics. I'd love some food porn.
Meanwhile, this week....it's all about foraging for the feast ahead. If you have any brilliant ingredient ideas, lemme know. I'm game....I have another dinner party in 3 weeks to think about.
xoxo.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Uncleverly Named Eating Society
I've been a little slacky. Well, not really. I've been busy!
Let's see... I got promoted, moved to a new store. (Yeay, me!)
I started working out with a personal trainer, and then, when I moved to the new store, ended up gaining 6 lbs. (Eff you, baked goods)
Most importantly and exciting though, I came up with a tremendous idea on how to keep in touch with my friends. But still cook. And be social. And drink wine.
I've created The Uncleverly Named Eating Society. No, I'm not kidding, I really named it that. Eventually, if I do find a clever name, then mayhaps I'll change it. But for now, I'm totally okay with that moniker. I've been dying to go to one of these underground supper club situations, but don't have time, and the majority, (save for 4 Course Vegan) are all a little too carcass-arrific. I figured this would be a great way to see all the friends that I have the "OMG, we need to hang out, for real. Let's do dinner/brunch. It's been too long. Yadda yadda" conversation with way too often. This, coupled with my overwhelming love of cooking and want to experiment with even more seasonal and local ingredients, allows me to kill several metaphorical birds with one stone. Just like one of the supper clubs, I send the menu out early in the week, ppl RSVP, and voila, a dinner party is born!
Wanna get all up in it? Join the Uncleverly Named Eating Society group on Facebook. If I don't know you, give me a valid reason why you should be allowed entry. Or woo me with what treats you'll bring me.
First one is this Friday. Menu comes out tomorrow. Will post it here and on the group's page. Off I go to menu plan!!
xoxo
Let's see... I got promoted, moved to a new store. (Yeay, me!)
I started working out with a personal trainer, and then, when I moved to the new store, ended up gaining 6 lbs. (Eff you, baked goods)
Most importantly and exciting though, I came up with a tremendous idea on how to keep in touch with my friends. But still cook. And be social. And drink wine.
I've created The Uncleverly Named Eating Society. No, I'm not kidding, I really named it that. Eventually, if I do find a clever name, then mayhaps I'll change it. But for now, I'm totally okay with that moniker. I've been dying to go to one of these underground supper club situations, but don't have time, and the majority, (save for 4 Course Vegan) are all a little too carcass-arrific. I figured this would be a great way to see all the friends that I have the "OMG, we need to hang out, for real. Let's do dinner/brunch. It's been too long. Yadda yadda" conversation with way too often. This, coupled with my overwhelming love of cooking and want to experiment with even more seasonal and local ingredients, allows me to kill several metaphorical birds with one stone. Just like one of the supper clubs, I send the menu out early in the week, ppl RSVP, and voila, a dinner party is born!
Wanna get all up in it? Join the Uncleverly Named Eating Society group on Facebook. If I don't know you, give me a valid reason why you should be allowed entry. Or woo me with what treats you'll bring me.
First one is this Friday. Menu comes out tomorrow. Will post it here and on the group's page. Off I go to menu plan!!
xoxo
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