Nice Rack

How funny is this? Some genius took the concept of a CamelBak (the contraption that you fill with water and strap to your backpack when you go hiking) and transformed it into a hysterical way to sneak alcohol into venues. This could be very useful in NYC in the summer when everything fun is outdoors, yet you can’t drink anywhere. For men, there’s The Beer Belly, and even funnier, for women, is the WineRack. I don’t think I’d have the guts to strap a canister of wine to my chest, but I still think it’s amazingly funny. What do you think?

Iron Chef Holiday Special

I have a bit of a shameful confession: I think I fell in love with Paula Deen. Normally, I find her high-pitch squeals annoying, her southern accent unbearable, and the food she makes disgusting, but she stole my heart on the All-Star Holiday Dessert Battle. I watched that entire episode thinking… man, she’s kinda funny. I even forced J to watch a little bit of it last night on DVR.

If you missed it, the show pitted Food Network stars Cat Cora and Paula Deen against Tyler Florence and Robert Irvine. And the special ingredient was SUGAR! Cora and Deen took a really whimsical approach to their dishes, putting cookies in a faux-mailbox for Santa and making a Candy Cane cocktail. Only when it comes to Christmas does this sugary-sweet approach to food really get to me, I swear! Florence sort of dropped the ball in an unsuccessful attempt at making a Buche de Noel in under 60 minutes. But, there was an amazingly awesome moment when Paula chomped down on Robert’s index finger and wouldn’t let go. When she finally did, she yelled, “Watch out! I’m a snapping turtle.” And I died of laughter. And I’m mildly ashamed at the cheesiness of it all. But YumSugar did a poll, and most people agreed that the episode was fantastic! So at least I’m not alone.

And oh yeah—Tiny Fey was a judge, so at least that increases the cool factor.

Tips for Denver?

 

I haven’t been posting about going out to restaurants recently—and that’s because I’ve been trying to save some money for a change. J and I are going to Denver next week (wahoo!), and I needed to build up a nice little vacation fund for the trip. Does anyone have any good tips for Denver: restaurants, bars, fun things to do?  Let me know in the comments!

Photo via.

Best Book Swap EVER!

A while back, Laura hooked me up with a fantastic book swap partner: Erica’s Bloggity Blog. She’s a lovely blogger and photographer and mother of 2 adorable little kids. So, I sent her a tried and true book of healthy recipes and a brand-new chocolate cookbook to even out the healthy factor. Then I threw in a few books for her kids to play with and read. I felt great when I sent my package! And then… I got my amazing box of books in the mail. Erica sent me the brand-new book by Nigella Lawson, How to Eat: The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food. I got so excited by this book that I actually took it out and started reading it on the subway home—the first time I’ve ever done that with a cookbook. Haven’t actually made anything yet, but I’ll post as soon as I do. Other goodies that Erica sent me: Trinny and Susannah: What You Wear Can Change Your Life (from the British show What Not to Wear which I hardcore heart); Better Homes and Gardens Big Book of 30-Minute Dinners; Light Cooking: Pasta; Light Cooking: Chicken; and a novel called Labyrinth that I’m already 60 pages into. What a successful swap, right?!?! Thanks Laura and Erica! But I immediately felt guilty that I didn’t include any fun reading in the package I sent, so I’m going to stick an addendum in the mail. Something that’s weighing down my bookshelf and needing to be read!

Happy Birthday to Jo the MasterBaker!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Over at GoodyBlog, we posted the Slashfood feed about Thanksgiving leftovers. I am still (4 days later) eating leftovers, and I’m about to burst from too much turkey, stuffing, and mashed sweet potatoes. But I’m kind of obsessed with the Slashfood feed about how to use leftovers to make the perfect turkey sandwich. I have my own genius recipe for a Cran-Gravy Turkey Stuffed sandwich. Here’s how it goes: toast 2 pieces of whole wheat bread, spread cold cranberry sauce onto the bread like jelly, warm some turkey and stuffing with a small amount of gravy in the microwave, and then layer the stuffing and turkey onto the bread. Delicious. What’s your favorite Thanksgiving leftover recipe?

Photo via.

I Is Smart

I guess I should start using some bigger words… (via BB-Blog, who has a high school reading level)

Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner

Last night was our annual pre-Thanksgiving dinner at Eric’s, and he made the most amazing turkey. Click here for the recipe from Epicurious for a delicious Herb-Roasted Turkey with Apple Cider Gravy… it got 2 thumbs up from the entire party. Eric’s turkey looked much prettier than this photo, but everyone was too hungry to stop and take a photo. Sorta a bummer, but believe me when I say it looked and tasted sooooo good.

Also, the night featured a heated debate about which is better: canned cranberry sauce or homemade. I fought steadfastly for canned, but apparently I’m outnumbered according to this vote.

Thanksgiving Recipes Galore

In case you haven’t clicked over yet, GoodyBlog is doing a 2-week-long recipe fest with tons of great ideas for Thanksgiving. I posted Jo the MasterBaker’s Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake, and it’s been a huge hit! There’s everything from pie, to Irish cheesecake, to deep-fried turkey, and there will be more coming every day until Thanksgiving.

Also, in case you missed it, the NY Times did a huge round-up of Thanksgiving recipes that all sound amazing.

I can’t wait for turkey-day! I love stuffing so much.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I know we’re getting close to the holidays because I just drank my first Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks. (I know, Starbucks is the devil… yada yada.) But this drink, to me, tastes like Xmas in a cup—warm, comforting, and just a hint of my favorite Xmas flavors. I even get it with whipped cream on top—how scandalous, I know. If you really hate Starbucks, here’s a recipe to make your own.

Sidenote: I also spilled this all down the front of my cute dress. Score.

Win a Turkey!

And then deep fry it if you’re really a badass! Serious Eats is giving away one turkey a day until (and including) Sunday, Nov. 18. I don’t know why I want to win this so badly, but I do. I want that turkey! They’re giving away a D’Artagnan certified organic bird that’s fed organic grains and pure spring water—no protein supplements, added poultry or fish byproducts, pesticides or herbicides. Additionally no antibiotics, no growth hormones. “The result is a poultry with great flavor, tenderness, and a 25 percent lower fat content than standard commercially raised turkey,” says S.E. Come on baby—momma needs a new turkey.

Photo via.

Typography is Delicious

If J didn’t already tell me what he wants for Christmas, this would definitely be a part of his gift (via SwissMiss). Except… I really can’t read German.

I Finally Finished “Heat”

I’ve been reading Heat, by Bill Buford, for some time now (I know, I know… I’m like the last person on earth to read it). It had its moments of being a page-turner when I’d try to read while walking down the long hallway at work. But it also had it’s moments where I thought, “Is he really STILL talking about when the egg replaced water in pasta making? Ugh… skip these pages!” All in all, very happy I read it. It was a funny and in-depth look at the secret world of restaurants (and a funny, in-depth look at Mario Batali about whom I have a strange fascination). My biggest revelation from the book was about restaurant “specials.” You know when you go to a restaurant and they say, “Tonight’s special is the halibut with…” and you think, “Oh, it must be amazing if it’s a special!” Well, I learned that a lot of the time, the night’s special is basically whatever the restaurant has too much of or needs to get rid of before it goes bad. Which, in business terms, makes total sense. But I had no idea and I felt duped.

I’m also always really impressed at how Bill Buford completely embeds himself in these projects—and I’m really jealous at how he can do this. When can I quit my desk-job to live in Italy and work for free at a butcher’s shop?

So what to read next?

Happy to Have a Case of the Mondays

Last night I went to an event at the Monday Room—it’s a small, intimate room attached to Public restaurant in Nolita. It’s got a few comfy couches and chairs, and it reminds me of an old-school, high-end cigar room for rich men. And… I loved it. The PR info calls it “A wine bar without a bar.” It’s an amazing concept in the city—you can go and get a 5-course menu paired with wines for $75. Or, if you don’t want to do the prix-fix, you can just try out a few of their 60 or so wines and some small plates. It’s a really luxurious spot, and probably the most swank I’ve ever felt in NYC. Plus, the food was absolutely amazing. Chef Farmerie came out and spoke to us for a bit (he’s super cute btw), and everything he created for us was delicious: Mushroom ceviche with miso aubergines and ginger ponzu sauce, grilled Australian lamb chop with saffron baby vegetables, goats cheese polenta and harissa aioli, and spiced apple crumble with miso ice cream. Plus, each wine that was paired with the dish was different and unique. It was such a great experience! If you’ve got the funds, it would be a great place for a birthday party.

Go Fish!

 
Got any crackers? Go fish! Check out this glass, Goldfish Candy Dish from Home Wet Bar (via YumSugar).