J-E-L-L-O is F-U-N-N-Y

I’m sorry, but this is just too silly not to share. Click here and thank me later for the giggle. (link via BB-Blog)

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Anyone Know a Great Food Stylist?

This is random—but I’m in a bit of a pinch. I need to find a new recipe developer/food stylist who’s great at things like cookies and cupcakes. If anyone knows someone… please email me!

Healthy Treats on the LES

Or has the war just begun?? I was very sad when I found out Chubo, one of my beloved LES restaurants, had closed shop. It was my go-to spot when my parents were in town: a nice restaurant, with good (but not too weird) food, and it wasn’t loud or sceney. (Btw, if you can name anywhere like this on the LES please let me know for the next parental visit.) But according to Strong Buzz, the former Chubo space is going to become Luxee, a new dessert cafe run by an all-Japanese staff from Tokyo. They use natural and organic ingredients to create desserts that are healthy and good for your body. Interesting… and right across the street from Cocoa Bar. (Um… and next door-ish to Clinton Street Baking Company.) I smell a baking war!

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Design Star, Come to My Kitchen

I have a confession: I watch HGTV’s Design Star. I don’t remember how or why I happened upon this show, but I did… and ever since it has been a staple on my DVR and it’s one my favorite things to watch on slow Sunday nights. Last night was the big finale episode, and the two remaining designers had to do a kitchen, dining room, and living room for two families whose houses were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Usually, I love Matt (one of the two contestants who has a really simple, clean design aesthetic). But I just LOVE this kitchen that Jennifer did—the red cabinets mixed with the stainless steal appliances have just the right combo of functionality, crispness, and sass. I think my kitchen would be an amazing design challenge—or really any super-small NYC apartment where the kitchen is part of the “living space.” So Design Star, bring it on!

Summer Refreshments

We’ve had a hot spell here in NY for the past few days, and I’ve discovered my new favorite lunch to make it all better—Gazpacho! I’ve always loved the Spanish-inspired dish for special occasions, but I was so excited when I saw a small cup at Pret a Manger (the extremely convenient and super-quick lunch spot across the street from work). And - it’s only 100 calories! I’m absolutely loving it. Some other refreshing foods for summer:

• dill pickles
• flavored seltzer
• sliced Jersey tomatoes
• pears with cheese
• beer/margaritas
• sweet corn

What do you reach for on really hot days (other than ice cream, of course!)?

Gotta Love a Man Who Cooks

Thankfully, J does. But apparently there’s a new trend of… wait for it… “Gastrosexuals.” I saw the post on Grub Street, and they’re quoting a Daily Mail article that says, “it’s a term for a new breed of man that, seemingly inspired by macho celebrity cooks like Gordon Ramsay, have taken to the kitchen to impress the ladies. According to a study, 23 percent of 18-to-34-year-old British men say they cook to potentially seduce a partner, and 60 percent regularly cook for friends and family.” I’m not incredibly shocked by this stat, but I am shocked that we’ve morphed Metrosexual into the food realm and created a new word to torment men with. Good work Britain.

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Got Any Boston Recommendations?

This weekend, J and I are going to the LAST wedding we have for the summer season… hallelujah! I’m sure it’ll  start all over again next year. Blast - people need to stop getting married! But we learned our lesson from the last time - when we woke up at 8 am to drive all the way to Cape Cod, go to the wedding, sleep, and drive home. So we’re driving up Friday day and spending the night in Boston (the wedding’s about an hour from there). Got any good recommendations for restaurants? We’ll be staying in Back Bay. I’ve been told Great Bay is good for seafood and (I think) Stephanie’s on Newbury and Sonsie are close to the hotel. Anywhere we’ve just GOT to try?

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When Life Gives You Lemons…

Check out this adorable article in NY Mag about NYC kids and their lemonade stands—it’s written by the amazing Cup of Jo and it’s staring my good friend Judy’s son, Oliver. After growing up in a quintessential suburban neighborhood, I sometimes wonder if NYC kids miss out on all the silly (but fun) things small town kids get to do. They don’t—they just do it in their way. Pretty cool.

Utterly Ridiculous

Yet so very entertaining. Tomorrow, July 11, you can get a free combo meal from Chick-fil-A tomorrow if you dress like a cow from head to toe (if you’re only partially costumed you’ll get a free entree)—found via YumSugar. Would you MOO for free food?

Pasta Dish for the Veggies

My great friend Anthony is a vegetarian, and last night I decided to make dinner for him. I love when he comes for dinner because his no-meat credo somehow makes me think outside my normal recipe box. This summer (and really, in general) I’m into the concept of one-dish meals. It’s easier, and I’m usually just cooking for myself so I don’t need tons of stuff on my plate. Last night I tried out a recipe from The Simpler the Better: Sensational One-Dish Meals. I did a variation on the author’s Penne with Gruyere and Cremini Mushrooms; I even went to the fancy cheesemonger—Saxelby—at the Essex Market and picked up something that was Gruyere-esque. When I’m making a simple dish, I feel less guilty about splurging on one really delicious ingredient. For the full recipe,

Ode to the Chocolate Chip Cookie

I feel like this article in the NY Times is basically a love letter to chocolate chip cookies. And I love all the little tips they provide: let your dough sit for 36 hours and you’ll get a better baked and yummier cookie. Who knew? That must be why patience is a virtue. But I was also happy to see the mini-tip about adding sea salt as a garnish. When Jo the MasterBaker and I made our (kinda small and falling apart) Giant Cupcake, we made a salted caramel icing and then sprinkled sea salt on top. LOVE that sweet-salty combo. I think I’m going to try this a lot more often when baking.

California Strawberry Mint Sangria

Had the pleasure of eating some California Strawberries and some fun recipes prepared by Top Chef contestant CJ (the really tall one). I didn’t try this yet, but doesn’t this sangria recipe sound so yummy and refreshing??

Ingredients

• 1 pint Strawberries
• 1 cup Mint Leaves
• 1 bottle Chardonnay
• 3 tbsp. Sugar
• 1 cup Water
• Squeeze of Lime Juice
• Mint Sprigs and Sliced Strawberries for garnish

To read how to prepare,

Mini Blog-Break

I’m going to take a short blog-break for the holiday. I’ll be back soon. Have a HAPPY 4TH OF JULY while I’m gone!