Foodie Lifestyle

Nomad Pizza, Hopewell

Imtiaz Patel — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:08:39 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me how many pizza places there are in New Jersey and how different each pizza place can be. I like pizza, but it usually isn’t something I go out of my way for. Having said that, I always appreciate a good pizza. For me it’s all about the base and [...]

Global Dining in London

Imtiaz Patel — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:42:49 +0000

I was back in London last week. Been going quite a bit lately – 3rd time in the last 5 months. I love going back, and these short trips just give me enough to satisfy my cravings. After all, it is my favorite city! Whenever I am there, I plan my week so that I can [...]

The Nosh Bar, London

Imtiaz Patel — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:19:23 +0000

I was in Europe travelling on business recently and spent some time in London. London is actually home so I have many fond memories and everytime I go back, I always try to get my fill of my favorite foods – fish and chips (why can’t they fry fish in The US like they do [...]

Bobby Flay’s Black Rice

Imtiaz Patel — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:29:00 +0000

I was looking for a side dish that went with the baby back ribs Leen was making. Something simple, tasty and complementary. I found this dish in Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill cookbook. Along with the rice I took along an unbelievably good bottle of Arrowood Syrah, 2002. BOBBY FLAY”S MESA GRILL BLACK RICE Ingredients: 1 cup [...]

La Mezzeluna, Princeton, New Jersey

Imtiaz Patel — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:17:54 +0000

La Mezzeluna is an Italian restaurant on Witherspoon Street in Princeton. This was my second time at La Mezzaluna and the only reson I went was because I couldn’t get a reservation at 3 other restaurants I tried. I had remembered the food as being decent not great, but this time I was pleasantly surprised [...]

2005 Mas Doix “Salanques” Priorat

Imtiaz Patel — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:51:45 +0000

Priorats are fabulous red wines from Spain, close to Barcelona. Since I discovered them a couple of years ago, I have only had 1 bad one. I love them so much that alot of people buy Priorats as presents for me – they know they can’t go wrong with that for me. This particular wine [...]

Emeril Lagasse’s Tangerine Glazed Pork Belly

Imtiaz Patel — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:44:01 +0000

Ingredients: -4 to 5 pounds pork belly, cut into portions about 4 1/2 by 3-inches each -Salt and freshly ground black pepper -1 large onion, coarsely chopped -2 carrots, coarsely chopped -2 ribs celery, coarsely chopped -4 1/2 cups chicken stock -4 cups tangerine juice, divided -1/4 cup light brown sugar -4 sprigs fresh thyme -4 whole cloves -1/2 teaspoon whole allspice -3/4 cups sugar -Bitter Greens Salad, [...]

Braised Pork Belly

Imtiaz Patel — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:38:59 +0000

Here’s another pork belly recipe I found. Sounds really good. I will be trying this one. Ingredients: -1/2 pork belly (approximately 6 lbs) Rubbing the belly – day one -1 tablespoon coriander seed -1 tablespoon fennel seed -½ teaspoon cumin seed -1 clove -1 allspice -1 teaspoon pepper corns Brining the belly – day two -2 quarts water -1 ½ cups kosher salt -1/2 cup sugar -2 bay leaves -2 [...]

Pork Belly Ragout

Imtiaz Patel — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:32:10 +0000

Here’s a recipe I found and tried recently. I substituted black beans for the black eyed peas and it came out great. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and unlike most pork belly recipes it’s lean, so a lot less guilt! Ingredients: -2 lb pork belly(boneless), cut into roughly 1 in x 1in squares. Trim all but about 3/4 [...]

2005 Vega Escal Priorat

Imtiaz Patel — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:47:36 +0000

Priorat, a spanish red wine which seems to be little known but growing in popularity is most definitely my favorite wine varietal. I’ve built a pretty sizeable collection since I first tried it about 2 years ago. That first glass just blew me away and now I pretty much can’t resist buying a priorat if [...]