New York ♥.

Today I thought I'd show a little New York ♥. I come across all sorts of items relating to my fondness of The Big Apple. Here are a few of them.

This image is one I've admired for a while but just haven't gotten around to purchasing. I don't really have room for it presently so I might a wait a while. But it's real cute. I may have recolored it the way I want it to be.. 

Somewhere I really love in Manhattan is Chelsea Market (a whole other post on how much I love this place). In Chelsea Market is a yummy place called Fat Witch Bakery which makes brownies. Like, the best brownies you've ever had in you life. Holy moly. Luckily one can buy these brownies online by either having the finished product sent to you or by buying the mix. I have made the mix before and they do turn out wonderfully. However, there is something to receiving an individually wrapped parcel of deliciousness. I want one right now.

This vintage NYC/MTA subway token necklace is really cool (I'd request a longer chain). I love the retention of the old token and the asymmetry of the bead addition. Very cute!

hasta pronto,

jayteewo.  

Winter Park Farmers' Market.

I've lived in Orlando for almost six months and stupidly (and lazily) have not visited the Winter Park Farmers' Market. At last I went yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. I returned with a bevy of wonderful foodstuffs and some special treasures, too. I indulged in an on-the-go breakfast of a warm raspberry/cream cheese croissant and fresh squeezed lemonade. From now on I will be going each Saturday because it's silly not to. I left with a big smile in my heart and probably on my face, though I couldn't tell you for sure because I didn't have a mirror.

Presently I am having a tawdry love affair with two of the treasures I got yesterday. 1) Bleu Cheese from Winter Park Dairy (Florida's first raw milk cheesemaker) and 2) Peach Lavender Jam from Sunchowder's Emporia. Whoa, now. This is some good shit. I should probably have someone watch over me or call to check in periodically to monitor my addiction. I am eating this stuff like it's my business, and they don't exactly go well together by the way, as you might imagine.. These two items are particularly notable because if you know me, and I doubt you do, I'm not a big jam or bleu person. In fact, I never eat either. But I felt like being naughty and experimental (or maybe it was the scorching sun that affected my judgment) so I was compelled to taste-test everything. Now I'm into it in a BIG way. Just wanted to let you know. You can visit the dairy and buy the jams online. Today I'll be listening to Edith Piaf and painting (and eating peach jam and Bleu cheese, eu). How wonderful. See ya.


au revoir,
jayteewo.

In defense of eggplant.

Eggplant gets a bad rap because no one knows how to cook it right. Or maybe they just like it all mooshy and gross.. could be.

Here's the deal, it needs to be baked or cooked quickly because it is very porous and vulnerable to mooshiness due to it's moisture content. But it is very delish, you guys! Trust me. Here's a little snack that my dad has been making for years. It's very simple, as all of the recipes I post are. All it is is breaded eggplant that you bake and eat later with marinara. My dad also makes a tasty composed eggplant parmesan, but I'll leave it to him to blog about that (on his blog that he doesn't have).

What you need:

• 1 Eggplant
• 1 Egg
• Italian Breadcrumbs
• 1/8 Cup of Milk (I use soy)
• Salt
• Cooking Spray
• Marinara 

1. Slice your eggplant into discs about 1/3 inch thick. 

2. Set up a station (as seen above): one plate with the eggwash (egg + milk).

3. Dredge each slice of eggplant in eggwash and then cover both sides in breadcrumbs. 

4. Place on a cookie sheet that's been doused with cooking spray.

5. Repeat until all eggplant discs have been through the process.

6. Sprinkle with salt.

7. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes each side.

8. Dip in a ramekin of marinara and gobble 'em up.

Might not look perty but it shore tastes good. Plus, it's a much healthier snack than a lot of other things (I can't tell you what those things are.. it's embarrassing). 

Buen provecho,

jayteewo.

Make this sandwich.

I made this delicious and very simple sandwich the other day and it was yummm. I suggest you try it. Here's what you need:

2 slices of multi-grain bread
1 boiled, shredded boneless/skinless chicken breast
a few slices of smoked cheddar
1/2 of a sliced avocado
butter
salt & pepper

Then do this:

1. butter one side of each slice of bread (as though you're making a grilled cheese)
2. assemble as seen above
3. salt & pepper (and by S&P, I mean just salt but my mom said to never separate the two)
4. grill on a panini press (I used my Le Creuset panini set in Caribbean)
5. eat it.


buen provecho,
jayteewo.

NY, I miss you.

Since I don't feel like dropping a lot of dough on hardware recovery right now, I am presently without any photos taken before July 2011. F. So that means I have nothing in my Keep NY weird folder :( Instead I thought I'd drop some knowledge on you and divulge some of the restaurants in the city that I daydream about. I'll just tell you about three for now; three restaurants and one bakery, actually.

The first is called Five Points. Ohhhhh yeahhhhh.. Um, what? I LOVE brunch at Five Points. FANTASTIC smoked salmon benedict and mimosas with fresh squeezed orange juice. I have a hell of a time at that place. I took all of my guests who visited when I lived in NYC and never had a bad experience.

At one time I lived in Murray Hill (I know) so I was right around the corner from Madison Square Park AND Shake Shack. God almighty, I love me a Shack Stack (see menu) and some frozen custard, possibly of the flavor of the day. It's so good. Now they have more locations and even one in Miami, not far from me, but it's not the same. Truly worth the mile-long line one must wait in nearly every single time you go no matter what day/hour/time of year. Luckily, they have a Shack Cam so you can plan ahead!

The best grilled cheese of my life is from Westville on W. 10th in the West Village. Gouda and a Portuguese muffin are involved. Sure it's a hole in the wall and kind of a rip off, but they know their way around a grilled cheese (I've also heard their other food is great, too). They've got a few locations in the city and a new one in Chelsea. Yum! 

City Bakery is muy delicioso (y caro). Personally I'm into their homemade marshmallows and killer hot chocolate. They always have a variety of flavors. I ain't mad at their cookies, either. Easy to spend a pretty penny at this joint but it's worth treating yourself every now and again. Mac & cheese!

I'm hungry,

jayteewo.

Baked apples.

Baked apples are something my dad used to make my younger sister and I before school back in the day. Waking up to that smell ain't nothin to scoff at, in fact, it's great. Maybe the greatest. One might argue that baked apples are more of a fall/winter thing, but I'd counter-argue that they are more of an 'all the time' thing.
Here's what you need:

an apple (I use Gala)
1T butter
brown sugar or maple syrup to taste

-preheat oven to 375°

-cut vertically & core an apple
-poke a few fork holes in there for heat to escape
-put around a 1/2T of butter in what is now the apple valley (duh)
-fill up the remaining space with either brown sugar or maple syrup (or both, holla!)
-place in baking receptacle & bake for 45 min (it's not an exact science- I like my baked apples kind of soft)
-eat!

They should be bubbling and smelling delish. Be careful: apples retain a lot of heat for a lot of time. More than once I've eaten through the pain. I'm not proud of it.* Put as much or as little (don't be a puss) topping as you want.

*yes I am.


yum,
jayteewo.

Independence day weekend.

I went out of town. Did you notice? I thought not. I would've let you know ahead of time if anyone read this damn thing.

ANYway, I live in the south and I went (drove) up north for five days (not enough) to cook homemade eggrolls and bask in the calm and quiet. It was nice to have a relief from the humidity and I got to read a bunch of vintage magazines, which I love. A lot of my family lives in Hillsdale, MI and I like it there. My gramma (dad's mom) is an artist in the kitchen. Each meal is a production. My other gramma (mom's mom) doesn't play with the delicious homemade white bread. I like to soak it with a little (lottle) too much butter. Mmm. GB toast, represent.

turtle pie (sooo so good)

Rosalie's Roadhouse

pb cookies sandwiching chocolate ganache

GB's toast

this I've admired on my gramma's dresser since I was little

magazines from 1942 & 1943

watercolors by a local artist & professor

what my aunt looks like in chair form

June seemed to fly by, didn't it?


byebye,
jayteewo.

Champagne party.

Have I mentioned I love champagne? I looooove champagne. I was watching Barefoot Contessa today and it was an episode entitled "French Made Easy." Another thing I love: French food (French men, French countryside, French culture..). In this episode, Ina conducts the same party both in Paris and East Hampton. First of all, wouldn't that be just fabulous? to have not only a place to stay in either of those places but also to hold champagne parties at one or both places? You'd be set. Anyway, Ina hops over to the French market to buy the most expensive, seasonal items available, of course. She has a cocktail party serving champagne with the following hors d'oeuvres: olive tapenade, pâté, cucumbers, black and green olives, french baguette, cashews, grape tomatoes, herbed goat cheese, and salami (or other cured meats). I think that sounds lovely, don't you? Such a nice flow of details and subtle strategizing for a summer soirée. I'd totally go.

I intend to hold a party like this in the next month. It's just a matter of getting everyone together. I like to use this website called Paperless Post for occasions like that. They do awesome virtual invitations. It looks like a tangible invitation and it has a lot of details. If it costs you anything it's not much. In the end you have a sweet customized virtual invitation on short notice.


best,
jayteewo.

Maple syrup.

I am a self-proclaimed maple syrup snob and proud of it. And I'm not the only one: there are literally dozens of us. Maple syrup is a wonderful, delicious treasure that should be cherished. I will judge you if you aren't one to insist upon legit syrup. There's nothing that annoys me more than if I'm at a restaurant and order "real maple syrup" and I get Mrs. Butterworth's. You can bet your sweet ass I'll be sending that shit right back and making a scene. It's like if I order fresh-squeezed orange juice and receive what is clearly Tropicana. I will notice. There is a HUGE difference in taste between the authentic stuff and the fake stuff. I shouldn't have to ask if it is what it says it is.

Being of Michigander descent, I know where to get the good shit. Particularly if there is some independent farm out in the boonies (see Sugarbush), you can find fantastic maple syrup deliciousness just about anywhere up north. Throw in some Amish butter while you're at it. The Canadians aren't bad at makin maple syrup either. I've never turned my nose up at a Canadian syrup. Not once. And they do sell it at Publix or whatever grocery store you shop at, so there's really no excuse. It just costs a little more. Worth. every. penny.

I'm serious.

jayteewo.

These things are delish.

1) ZenSoy makes, hands down, the best chocolate soy milk. As a regular soy milk drinker I really get screwed on the chocolate option. Of course one can rarely find this brand and this time (at the illustrious Whole Foods) only the small size was available.

2) I'm a big supporter of Newman's Own and this chocolate does not disappoint. Dark chocolate is my fave and I personally think the ideal percentage is between 54% and 65%. The addition of espresso "nibs" (what a gross word) in this bar is yum. I also very much enjoy their pineapple salsa.

3) Luna bars are a staple in my diet and this is a new flavor. Being of coconut and me liking anything with coconut in it, I'm loving it! Again, I can never find it but I hit the jackpot at WF today. Thank heaven.

4) Fruit leather is a healthy little snack you should check out. I do think that all of the flavors kinda taste the same though.


later,
jayteewo.

This is the best brownie mix.

Hands down. Believe me, I've done my research.


yours,
jayteewo.

Goat cheese & prosciutto bruschetta.

I made goat cheese and prosciutto bruschetta (tongue twister) on Memorial Day. (Pretty sure that makes me thankful to our veterans. What I am not sure of is how to make the connection.) Anyway, it was delicious. Here's how:

1 small multi-grain baguette
1 clove of garlic
olive oil
1/2 lb thinly sliced prosciutto
1 clove of garlic
4 oz goat cheese
1 t rosemary
1/2 C balsamic vinegar
2 t sugar

-preheat oven to 400 degrees
-slice baguette (I used 12 slices for this recipe), rub garlic on each slice, place on cookie sheet
-drizzle olive oil on slices, put in oven for 10 min
-combine sugar & balsamic in small sauce pan, stir on high for.. a long time. Maybe around 10 minutes
-remove reduction from heat & place in a container of some kind to stop cooking & allow to cool & thicken
-remove toast, reduce heat to 375
-combine rosemary & goat cheese & slather (I wish I could think of a better word, because slather is grossing me out) on toast
-place a single slice of prosciutto on each piece of toast
-heat in oven for 10 minutes
-plate & drizzle with balsamic reduction.


buen provecho,
jayteewo.