Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

This weekend was Ashley's 10th Birthday Party. It was a intimate group of 7 girls who all attended elementary school together. The girls haven't seen each other in a bit, but for girls even a week of separation is an eternity. As the birthday girl, Ashley requested pizza. I then created a menu around that. Thus, cheesy bread sticks, garden house salad, individual rustic marinara and pepperoni pizza, red velvet cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting, and to wash it all down with, a strawberry spritzer!

I arrived at Ashley's home all equipped of course, aprons in hands, recipes etc. The girls of course came prepared too--with excitement. We hit the kitchen island and were off discussing the evening's menu and what we were going to tackle first--the bread stick and pizza doughs! The girls learned to properly measure flour, to keep wet from dry ingredients separate--all the little details that make all the difference. I must say, as items came out of the oven I was proud of each of them for doing such a splendid job! The food looked delicious and from what I gather, tasted even better (especially the cheesy bread sticks!) At the end of the 3 hours, they were finishing up eating the cupcakes they not only made, but decorated. Then they would be off to play! I cleaned up and began packing. Once done, I said goodbye to the girls and asked them their favorite menu for evening. After wishing them well, I was off!

It is funny how much thought and planning goes into an event and how quickly it all unfolds. Everything matters, attention to detail is crucial. It's what allows the timing to go well and the food to be delicious. I am very grateful for a successful birthday party and was honored to be asked to celebrate Ashley's birthday! I wish her the best, and hope her life continues to be surrounded with good food and even better company. I hope that when she gets older this birthday takes on some significance. It has in my life!

Holding onto Summer

As fall officially marked its spot on the calendar my mind instantly reminisced on summer. It wasn't much of one, we had what seemed like a lot of rain and thus gray days and at other times just blah days. In my opinion summer only hit the last two weeks of it leaving, we had great weather as if summer was saying its final goodbye. One of those two weeks Alex and I went to Duckwalk Vineyard in Long Island. We must have gotten there just in the nick of time because the lady was announcing last calls on a walking tour. While we have visted Duckwalk for a couple of years now, we ever actually took a tour. So, Alex and I chimed in!

We got a brief history on the vineyard, how they ferment their wines, the type of system they used to make the actual bottle possible. "Our award-winning wines are quite literally dreams come true. It was the dream of our founder, Dr. Herodotus “Dan” Damianos, that helped create the winemaking industry on Long Island in the early 1980’s. In 1994 he and his son Alexander founded Duck Walk Vineyards. The Normandy Chateau-style building in Water Mill, a true Hamptons landmark, became home to what has quickly evolved into one of the most well-known names in Long Island wine....producing 35,000 cases a year." The whole tour was neat! Without it I would have never realized how big the store was that it could even encompass the production of their wines.

Naturally, as soon as the tour was over all the guest ran to the bar to purchase a sampling of 6 wines of their choice. Alex and I did that before, (and greatly recommended it!) so instead we simply purchased our all time favorites which include: Aphrodite, Gatsby Red, Chardonnay, Windmill Blush, Boysenberry, and Blueberry Port. After grabbing a box of wine it was one last look of the beautiful vineyard and into the car to continue our cruise of the Hampton's for the last time this summer.

Although we all hate to see summer go--especially knowing that winter is just around the corner--you can continue to hold to summer through the warmth of wine. Duckwalk Vineyards gladly delivers within New York state. Cheers!

The Land Of Wonderland

If there is something I should share is my HUGE fear of flying. This comes after an incident my family and I experienced when I was 14. This fear has kept me from traveling, even though deep inside I know it would cause me to miss out on a lot of the world. My aunt constantly reminds that: One, there is more of a chance of dying in a car accident then there is on a plane. Two, that if its my time to go, then its my time to go--simple as that! Well, last year a friend of mine, her sister, Alex and myself went to Los Cabos, Mexico. Talk about facing fears--quite a long plane ride for someone like myself. Well since I got flying back into my system I didn't want to let a year go by without traveling again this way the fear wouldn't have time to rebuild. So Alex and I booked a trip to Florida.

Originally we planned on going to Miami, not for the club scene but because after seeing Weekend Getaways with Giada De Laurentiis I was instantly interested in the colorful city. However, a dear friend of mind suggested going to Orlando and then heading to Miami--that sounded like a spectacular plan! We were scheduled to stay two days in Orlando with my aunt and finish the rest of the week at the Loews Hotel in Miami. Talk about excited! As soon as we touched ground--and doing a silent clap to the captain (a practice that actually took place by all passengers some time ago--I was ready to hit Disney's Magical Kingdom! So we got our car rental (Budget--never again) and our GPS and off we were!

Talk about magical. The place is absolutely phenomenal! Breathtaking! Needless to say that I conquered my fears in Orlando, I went on all the rides and the next day went to Universal Studios where Alex and I completed everything within the Island of Adventure rides (including the Hulk--eyes closed lol but with the EXCEPTION of the Chamber of Doom. Figured my biggest risk taking was the plane ride here, and since Disney and Universal don't want to get sued, I knew I should stop being a chicken and hit the rides! BTW I love the Simpsons Ride that was my favorite and the Spider Man (Thanks Amanda for all the suggestions!!!)

Going back to Disney, Alex and I stood at the park till closing. We watched the parade and then the fireworks by the castle. In a word....Amazing! While we had a fantastic time in Miami, nothing offered the magic and sense of beauty like Disney. So for all of you who may fear flying please don't allow it to stop you from seeing the world....in the case the magically world of Disney!

A Spectacular Cup of Joe

As with many New Yorkers, it is very hard to start the day without the morning jolt. Trust me, you don't want to talk to me before my first cup of coffee! I take my first cup of the day seriously which explains why I make mine every morning at home, as my family has--in a percolator. As for beans or coffee brands, Sanka, Maxwell House, Chock Full of Nuts, nope! It's Cafe Pilon or Cafe Bustelo (preferably the latter!) for me! Both are strong coffees without the bitterness, alongside steamed milk and a little sugar and I have satisfied my morning bliss.

Of course there are times you need an afternoon pick me up. Instantly coffee chains starting with an S or D come to mind. The problem: While they do quench your desire for a cup of coffee they certainly don't satisfy it. This isn't good. I don't want a coffee that is bitter or that is handed to me in a rush to get to the next customer. I want coffee that is rich, indulging and just damn right delicious! You would be surprised the difference a little patience, a little love from the barista, and a couple of precious minutes of waiting time, make towards a fantastic cup of coffee.

Thus, I was delighted when I came across Joe The Art of Coffee! It's an intimate coffee house with 5 convenient locations in NYC. You can choose to have your coffee served in a paper cup or in an actual mug! (I prefer the mug.) I get a large cappuccino--for the same if not cheaper price you get at the chains, but an experience that cannot be explained. The coffee--as it should be--is luxurious! Creamy, delicious, foamy to the point that you actually savor it and then contemplate another just out of greed. It is that good! Not to mention that the barista actually creates designs in your coffee with the lather. Remember we eat with our eyes!

Lesson to be learned: Rather that head to the coffee chain on every street corner, why not get the quality you are paying for. Sit down, if you have the time, or grab a deliciously noteworthy coffee and at the same time support a private coffee house that treats you like an individual. You have nothing to lose but the extremely long line! But in those times Joe's seems a bit out of reach, then by all means grab the alphabet--I won't tell!

A Program that is Rewarding in Itself

Yesterday a girlfriend and fellow chef, Melissa and I attended the City Harvest Sizzling Summer Garden Party to celebrate all fellow volunteers.

If you are not familiar with City Harvest, it is a large non profit that helps feed and educate America about forming healthy eating lifestyles. There are various programs within City Harvest. The one that I am closely connected to involves serving as a chef instructor, moreover the In the Mix program which teaches hands-on culinary and pastry cooking lessons to high school students (in my case from the Food & Finance School in NYC) who are interested and passionate about pursuing a cooking profession. There are numerous programs that exist, those that teach young children, the elderly, families, those that provide demos in convenient stores etc, but the underlying purpose is to spread the importance of eating healthy, fresh, and local ingredients rather than succumbing to the fast food chains and other unhealthy or empty nutritional value foods that exist among us.

It was an honor to be invited to celebrate our work, but moreover the work and success of the program. We each were given an award to commemorate our actions. While this was wonderful, the real reward was being among other instrumental chefs, nutritionists and volunteers who are all equally passionate about cooking, but more importantly, about making a difference in teaching people how to make the most of the ingredients available in their communities regardless to education or income.

So my award above is not only for me, but for the lives I may have impacted and the many more I hope to reach.

Thank you Nancy for making your beautiful garden available and for Aliyah and all the main coordinators for reaching out and welcoming us.

To many more years or making an impact!

How Many Licks.....

Catherine Zeta Jones plays a classical chef in the movie No Reservations who after inheriting her niece and feeling threatened at work after having to deal with a lose, relaxed chef--played by Aaron Eckhart--eventually falls in love and lives more or less, happily ever after. The restaurant in the movie actually exist similarly to the diner in When Harry Met Sally. I am sure a ton of other movies come to mind.

Well, this week my husband and I visited The Little Owl. Fortunately, if you are willing to wait you can get a seat without reservations. This option was our only ticket in! After a bit of a wait, we were seated and told of the specials of the night. As the traditionalist that I am, I aim for the classics, or the items on the menu that are most raved about. For apps, the Meatball Sliders sounded amazing, and trust me after adding a little bit of Maldon salt (which is discretely placed on a small plate on your table) the meatballs were perfect way of starting the evening. We then ordered Crispy Chicken and Alex, The Pork Chop. Naturally, we tasted each others plate and I was taken aback by the pork chop it was AMAZING! Don't get me wrong, the chicken was delicious, crispy outside and juicy, flavorful inside and definitely a great portion, but something about the pork chop blew me away. Room for dessert?--No, not really. Instead we finished our bottle of rose and asked for the check--which btw is presented in a actual book as opposed to the black vinyl credit card book you get in 98% of other establishments. A nice touch I must say.

I love when places are featured in movies, shows and documentaries, otherwise little gems like The Little Owl would remain a little secret.

A Motivator for All Cooks

My husband and I just returned from the movies. Naturally, we had to check out Julie & Julia on it's first debut nationwide. I had purchased the book from Strand, but with my crazy schedule I wasn't able to complete it in time. (Don't worry, I will finish the rest of the book as there are always details that are omitted.)

Meryl Streep did a marvelous job impersonating Julia Child. Her look, her voice, her body language and her laugh matched the flare and quirkiness of the one and only Julia that millions have grown to love.

As I watched the movie I thought of the similarities I shared with both women: The fact that both held office jobs and led a "secret" life. The fact both searched for something that would give them purpose, although it was right under their nose. The fact that they both jumped into something wholeheartedly, worrying about the aftereffects only after they committed. The fact that they both went through a period of uncertainty, but kept striving after what they believed in. And the fact that they showed how the common person could easily prepare delicious meals--that may seem difficult--after "mastering" french techniques.

At the end of the movie my heart glowed with warmth and my face with a few tears. Trust me, I know I made the right decision leaving my job to pursue cooking. And I know that so long as I continue to put my heart in all that I do I will make an impact regardless to how big a small--an impact nonetheless.

The movie for some may be mere entertainment, for others a chance to get a glimpse of the life of an icon, for me it was motivational. If you get the chance, definitely go see Julie & Julia it will open your mind and hearts to a passion that we should all relate to, whether it be of food or what ever strikes your fancy. You never know it may even inspire you to prepare your own Boeuf Bouginon or debone a duck. Either way it is definitely worth your while. Go and enjoy! Bon Appetit!