As you may know, I've got a new job, which I started a week ago. One of the many things this means is the opportunity to explore a new neighborhood. Almost every day since I started, I have been able to stroll around a bit during lunchtime and take mental notes of restaurants and stores in the new 'hood. Extra bonus — there's a greenmarket there every Thursday. Any suggestions for the Morningside Heights/Columbia area, bring 'em on!
* In the words of Sheryl Crow
Most often, when I make a roast chicken, I use the Zuni Cafe recipe, which I adore. This past week, I had chicken that was roasted according to Thomas Keller's technique (pictured above). It was also delicious. Now I'm wondering which one is better. Until I get to do a taste test closer in time, I turn to you, dear readers. Any preference?
Just a partial list of what I've been making with my CSA bounty lately:
Who wants to come over for dinner?
Most of you probably already know about my love affair with the 8th Street Winecellar. I know — I'm somewhat biased as it's around the corner from my apartment — but even beyond the uber-convenient location, it's' a warm, comfortable place with attentive, friendly staff, and good food and drink. I'd recommend it to anyone. Winecellar is somewhat of a misnomer, as they offer much more than wine. They have a selection of bottled craft beers, an extensive spirits selection (ask to see their Brown Book — mostly whisk(e)ys), and are happy to make cocktails if asked. The one thing they haven't offered for the past six years is a cocktail list. Now that has changed. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you: the 8th Street Winecellar original cocktail list. I've been a big fan of the Toasty Bunz for years — I can't wait to try the rest!
Sorry for the radio silence — @MoxieMutt and I spent a week on Fire Island and, although I got back on Friday, I think we're both still recovering. The big news is that my Citibike key was waiting in my mailbox when I got home — have already been riding around town quite a bit. In other news, I just spent a wad of money at Trader Joe's, so between that and my CSA produce, there's going to be quite a bit of cooking going on at Chez Laren (tonight it's BBQ pulled chicken and cole slaw, and will be doing this slow cooker chicken later this week). Finally, with a heavy heart and a great deal of beating myself up, I've decided to defer my entry to this year's NYC Triathlon. I'm simply not ready, and given the heat, I'd rather not put myself through it when I'm not feeling up to snuff. I've got a guaranteed entry for 2014, so training starts now. Maybe I can find a sprint triathlon in the next month or two to do instead.
I've re-joined the Washington Square CSA this year (along with @daisy17); each week for 20-22 weeks we pick up a batch of vegetables that have been brought down from Norwich Meadows Farm. We've prepaid for the season, and each week's haul is determined by what's ready at the farm. It's week #2 and so far we've gotten lettuce, bok choi, kale, chard, garlic, spring onions, garlic scapes, radishes, zucchini, fennel and kohlrabi. One of the challenges of the CSA is to cook enough to utilize all of the produce before the next week, and the other is figuring out what to do with unfamiliar veggies. Until this week, I had never prepared kohlrabi. Taking a cue from this recipe, I ended up making quinoa with diced kohlrabi, zucchini, mint and a curry vinaigrette. Last night I tossed it with some shredded kale, and although it could've used some feta cheese (which I didn't have), it was pretty good. I've also learned that it's a good idea to wash, trim, and even cook greens within a day of getting them — it makes it easier to toss a handful into eggs, pasta, salads, or whatever. My half of the CSA share averages out to approximately $7-8 per week for copious amounts of produce — not a bad deal, in my opinion.
I have been slacking on blog updates. Mea culpa. Here's a bit of a recap since my last post. I spent a few days in Sagaponack, NY celebrating a dear friend's 30th birthday, complete with a multi-course Spanish feast (including the deliciousness pictured above), had a lovely dinner at Chez Sardine as a thank-you for dogsitting a few weeks ago, ran 5.5 miles (along with a few shorter runs), biked about 20 miles, attended a rooftop barbecue complete with slow-smoked brisket tacos, peach bourbon punch, and pulled pork sliders, had delicious dim sum at Dim Sum Go Go, had some discussions about what might count for the new 50-hour pro bono requirement for bar admission to New York State, watched friends in Hey Bartender, tried out a new sushi joint, and caught up with good friends. All in all, a good week!
While eating a lobster roll or fried clams. In case you're wondering, it's the Two Lights Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
(and here's a very off-kilter picture of my delicious fried clams)
InSpirer Consulting now has its very own blog! If you want a weekly read about pro bono, check it out. Then again, if cocktails are more your speed, check out my first piece for Wine Enthusiast on bottled cocktails!
Speed Rack 5/16. BE THERE.
