Monica eats New York

What's Monica Eating: Ben &Jerry's Banana Split

2013-03-31T20:10:00.000-04:00

http://youtu.be/TuMzYZRJN-0

To your health

2013-03-26T09:40:00.002-04:00

Caribbean Grilled Lamb Skewers With Long Beans

2013-02-17T19:47:00.000-05:00

By The Food Gal
WebMD Recipe from Foodily.com

Ingredients

3/4 cup
extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup
lime juice, fresh
2 tablespoons
lemon zest, grated
6 cloves
garlic, minced
1 tablespoon
cumin seed
1 tablespoon
chili powder
1 tablespoon
curry powder
1 teaspoon
cayenne pepper
2
jalapeno peppers, minced
3 pounds
boneless lamb loin, or well-trimmed leg, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pound
long beans, tips removed, left long or cut into 3-inch segments; or substitute green beans
2 teaspoons
unsalted butter
12
wooden skewers, soak in a pan of water for at least 20 minutes
Kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

To prepare the lamb marinade, whisk together ½ cup of olive oil, lime juice, lemon zest, garlic, cumin, chili powder, curry powder, 2 teaspoons salt, cayenne, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and jalapenos in a medium bowl. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, cayenne, and lime juice.
Put lamb cubes and marinade into a large glass baking dish and toss, rubbing marinade all over lamb. Thread 4 to 5 pieces of lamb onto each skewer. Place skewers into baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 and up to 4 hours.
While lamb marinates, preheat a grill or broiler to medium-hot and prepare beans. Sauté beans in remaining ¼ cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until they are tender and begin to blister. Stir in butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. When butter just begins to brown, transfer beans to a warm serving platter and drape with foil.
Grill lamb, turning skewers every few minutes, until medium rare (internal temperature of 130 degrees), about 6 minutes. (Alternately, skewers can be broiled until medium rare.) Transfer skewers to a plate and let stand for 5 minutes.
To serve, place long beans to the side, and lay skewers across them.

Grilled Onion and Eggplant Sandwich

2013-01-21T15:39:00.001-05:00

By The No Meat Athlete
WebMD Recipe fromFoodily.com

Ingredients

Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes

1/2-3/4 cup
favorite grilling marinade
4
eggplant slices, 1 inch thick
1
large sweet onion, cut into 4 slices (as thick as possible)
4
tomato slices
4
whole wheat buns
arugula or other lettuce

Instructions

Soak some wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes. Stab each onion slice with a skewer to hold it together. Marinate the onions and eggplant for 15-20 minutes and preheat an outdoor grill on medium while you wait.
Remove the vegetables from your marinade and save the excess. Move the vegetables to the grill; grill for 15-20 minutes until tender, basting with the marinade a few times and turning once. During the last few minutes, toast the buns on the grill.
Top the buns with the eggplant, onion, lettuce, tomato, and whatever condiment you like.

Coconut Fried Rice

2013-01-17T18:42:00.000-05:00

Ingredients

2 large
eggs (use higher omega-3 fatty acid eggs if available)
1/4 cup
egg substitute
1 tablespoon
canola oil
1
sweet or yellow onion, finely chopped
2 to 3 teaspoons
minced garlic (depending on your preference)
1/2 teaspoon
salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon
black pepper
2 tablespoons
catsup
1 cup
finely diced tomato
1/4 cup
low-fat milk (or substitute whole milk or fat-free half-and-half)
one or two pinch
saffron (available in small jars in the spice section of your market)
one or two pinch
curry powder
1/4 teaspoon
coconut extract
4 cups
cooked brown rice (use a rice cooker, or cook on the stove)
8 ounces or more
shrimp (frozen, cooked, shelled and de-veined , thawed) or diced tofu; or cooked and shredded or diced chicken, beef, or pork)
1/2 cup
chopped green onions
1/4 cup
chopped fresh cilantro leaves
canola cooking spray

Instructions

Add eggs and egg substitute to medium bowl and beat with fork until well blended. Coat a large, nonstick wok or frying pan with canola cooking spray and start heating over medium-high heat. Pour in the egg mixture and either scramble or cook like an omelet (your choice). Set cooked eggs aside. If you made an omelet, cut into shreds before setting aside.

To the same wok or frying pan, add canola oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and stir-fry until golden (a few minutes). Add salt (if desired), pepper, catsup, and diced tomato, and continue to stir-fry for a minute or two. Meanwhile, add the milk, saffron, curry and coconut extract to a 1-cup measure and stir to blend.

Add the brown rice, shrimp and coconut milk mixture to the wok with the onion mixture and continue to stir-fry for a couple more minutes. Stir in the cooked egg pieces or strips.

Arrange each serving of rice in a bowl and garnish with green onions and cilantro.

Burger King $0.55 Whopper, Quiznos Free Cookie And More Fast Food Deals This Week

2012-12-05T10:09:00.000-05:00

It seems like fast food companies are feeling generous this holiday season -- we've heard of three deals this week alone. If you want to score some free or cheap grub this week, we've got you covered with the details:

Burger King: From Thursday, December 6 until Sunday, December 9, Burger King is selling Whoppers for $0.55 in honor of the Whopper's 55th birthday. The deal includes all Whoppers currently on the menu -- the Angry Whopper, the White Cheddar Whopper and the Original.

Red Robin: Is your name Jim, Jimmy, James, Jamie or any other related moniker? If so, you're eligible for a free Sweet Jim Beam Bacon Swiss Burger on Tuesday, December 4, or what Red Robin has dubbed "Jim Day." Last year, the chain served 25,000 different people named Jim. This year, the chain is extending the offer to those that live on Jim Street or any variations thereof. But if you're under 18 and named Jim, you're not eligible for the deal. Sorry, kid.

Quiznos: If your name isn't Jim, you're still in luck for some free food Tuesday. December 4 is National Cookie Day and Quiznos is giving out a free toasted cookie with every purchase.

Tableware as Sensorial Stimuli

2012-12-05T09:48:00.000-05:00

Can the shape, texture and colour of cutlery change the way food tastes? Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Jinhyun Jeon created this set of knobbly, bulbous and serrated cutlery to stimulate diners’ full range of senses at the table (+ slideshow).

Jinhyun Jeon, a graduate of the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands, made Tableware as Sensorial Stimuli as part of her MA thesis about the relationship between food and the senses.

The project was inspired by the phenomenon of synesthesia, a neurological condition in which stimuli like taste, colour and hearing are affected and triggered by each other. People with synesthesia often report seeing a certain colour when they hear a particular word, for example.

To find out whether this “sensory cross-wiring” could be encouraged and used to enhance taste, Jeon created cutlery based on five sensory elements: colour, tactility, temperature, volume and weight, and form.

The ceramic pieces shown here explore the effects of colour, with various coloured glazes defining the tips of each implement.

Warm colours such as red and orange are supposed to increase appetite, says Jeon, and are most effective when used sparingly.

Other pieces are made from stainless steel, silver or plastic, and the various textures and shapes are intended to stimulate the sense of touch inside the mouth.

Above: photograph by Femke Riierman

The plastic pieces resemble glass, which creates a jarring sensation for the user when the item’s appearance is incongruous with its feel. ”We tend to believe our sight and touch would be the same, but this is not the whole story,” says Jeon.

“The tools I created make us focus on each bite, feel the enriched textures or enhanced chewing sounds between bites,” she told Dezeen. ”If we can stretch the borders of what tableware can do, the eating experience can be enriched.”

Other strange sets of cutlery we’ve featured on Dezeen include a set of knives, forks and spoons that look like workshop tools and plastic cutlery that clips together to form a small table sculpture.

Fresh Chicken Broth

2012-12-05T07:45:00.000-05:00

By The Nourished Kitchen
WebMD Recipe fromFoodily.com

Ingredients

Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 6 hours | Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes

1 wholepasture-raised chicken, rinsed, cleaned with organs removed
2 chicken feet, peeled with talons removed (if you can find them)
1 gallonmiscellaneous vegetable scraps (onions, carrots, celery, fresh parsley, leeks)
2-3 dried bay leafs
1 tablespoonwhole peppercorns
2 tablespoonsapple cider vinegar
filtered water to cover

Instructions

Add the whole chicken to a heavy-bottomed stock pot, cover with vegetable scraps, bay leafs and peppercorns.
Cover with very cold filtered water into which you’ve stirred two tablespoons apple cider vinegar.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for four to six hours – skimming off any scum or foam that appears at the surface.
After four to six hours of slow, gentle simmering, remove the pot from heat and strain it through a fine mesh sieve or a colander lined with 100% cotton cheesecloth into jars or bowls to store.
Refrigerate and cool until the broth sets into a firm gel.

Sweet Potato Casserole

2012-11-12T17:09:00.001-05:00

WebMD Recipe

Monica's tips in parenthesis.

Ingredients

4 cupshot mashed sweet potatoes
1 tablespoonbutter or margarine
3 tablespoonslight pancake syrup, or real pancake syrup (karo syrup)
1 largeegg, beaten
1/4 cupegg substitute ( add another egg or skip)
1/2 cuplow fat, fat free half and half or whole milk
1/3 cuppecans, chopped
1/3 cupflaked coconut, (sweetened)
1/3 cupbrown sugar, packed
1 tablespoonflour
1 tablespoonmelted butter or margarine

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Coat a 1 1/2- to 2-quart casserole dish with canola cooking spray.
With electric mixer, blend sweet potatoes, 1-tablespoon butter, and pancake syrup together. Beat in egg, egg substitute, and milk. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish.
Combine pecans, coconut, brown sugar, and flour. Stir in a tablespoon of melted butter. Sprinkle mixture over sweet potatoes. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour.

Baked Pork Chops

2012-11-10T16:08:00.000-05:00

By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
WebMD Recipe

Ingredients

4 center-cut pork chops, trimmed of visible fat
2 tablespoonsprepared mustard
1/2 teaspooncrushed or minced garlic
1/4 cupunbleached flour
1 canlow-calorie/low-sodium chicken and rice soup, (10 1/2 ounce)
paprika

Instructions

Blend mustard and garlic together in a small dish. Add flour to a shallow dish. Spread both sides of pork chops with mustard mixture; dip both sides of pork chops into flour.

Heat a nonstick frying pan over medium heat and coat generously with canola cooking spray. Set pork chops in the pan and let them brown. Flip chops to other side and continue cooking until nicely browned on second side.

Place chops in a 9 x 9-inch baking dish. Open soup can and pour broth into a measuring cup, reserving rice. Spoon rice evenly over the top of chops. Add 1/2 cup of water to broth and pour around chops. Sprinkle paprika over rice. Bake in oven about 45 minutes (or until chops are cooked throughout). Liquid left in pan can be used as gravy. If liquid is not thick enough, thicken with a teaspoon or two of flour

Helpful food information

2012-11-08T21:41:00.000-05:00

A: Hardening B : Pinching C: Erosion D: Red & Hot E: New fluid F: Dimpling

G: puckering H: Growing vein I: Nipple retraction J: Asymmetry K: Orange skin L: Invisible lum

Walnut Herb Glazed Butternut Squash

2012-11-05T11:58:00.000-05:00

Starring some of the best flavors of fall, this glazed butternut squash makes a savory Thanksgiving or holiday feast side dish.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

2 large butternut squash (totaling 3–4 pounds)

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

¼ cup dark brown sugar

2 shallots, chopped

½ cup toasted, chopped walnuts

½ cup fresh, whole sage leaves (or 1 tsp dried)

¼ tsp sea salt

freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Skin, seed, and cube squash, and place in a large mixing bowl.
Toss squash with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and shallots.
Arrange squash mixture in a single layer on a rimmed cookie sheet or sheet pan.
Roast squash until golden brown and tender, about 30 minutes, stirring once to ensure even cooking.
Remove squash from oven. Toss gently in a serving dish with walnuts, sage leaves, salt, and pepper, and serve.

Per serving: 175 calories, 3 g protein, 19 g carbohydrate, 11 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 104 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 54%.

Tortellini & Zucchini Soup

2012-11-05T11:02:00.000-05:00

WebMD Recipe from EatingWell.com

Ingredients

Prep: 25 | Total Time: 40

2 tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil
2 largecarrots, finely chopped
1 largeonion, diced
2 tablespoonsgarlic, minced
1 teaspoonfresh rosemary, chopped
2 14-ounce cansvegetable broth
2 mediumzucchini, diced
9 ounces(about 2 cups) tortellini,, fresh or frozen, preferably spinach-&-cheese
4 plum tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoonsred wine vinegar

Instructions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add carrots and onion; stir, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and just beginning to brown, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic and rosemary and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Stir in broth and zucchini; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add tortellini and tomatoes and simmer until the tortellini are plump and the tomatoes are beginning to break down, 6 to 10 minutes. Stir vinegar into the hot soup just before serving.

Whats Monica eating: Brooklyn Bagel

2012-10-26T15:59:00.001-04:00

Sage General Store

2012-10-25T11:18:00.000-04:00

Sage General Store
24-20 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-361-0707

On Thursday, September 6 2012, I decided to visit this famed store in Queens. It was made famous on the television show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives as a hot spot in Queens. I was excited to go because it was something close to where I currently live. So, I took my 13 year old son and we went to this well known local restaurant.

When we arrived to the area that the store was located in, we noticed that the store was hard to find. If your not looking carefully and are not from the neighborhood you can and will miss the store. Not to mention, the parking was horrendous, mostly because there are office buildings, a major through-way and tons of one way streets.

After parking about four blocks away, we found the store. It was a little disappointing at first sight because as a New Yorker, we are used to flash and dash, neon lights, huge awnings and a alluring appeal pouring from the walls. This was a plain establishment but good food is good food, no matter the size, shape or popularity.

We went in, got seated right away and was given a menu. Of course being a sweet eater, the first thing I noticed was the fresh baked goods lining the counter. They looked good and had that homemade appeal. Then I noticed the wood burning oven. Those types of ovens are rare in restaurants. You'll see some in old school pizzerias but still a rare thing. They do make some of the best, crispy and moist food ever.

I was intrigued to see the delectable's they had to offer. The menu was one page and had little to offer. Upon inquiry, the waitress told me that the lunch menu is more extensive than the dinner menu. The options on the dinner menu sounded okay but didn't wow me.

We ended up leaving early because I didn't want anything on the menu and being that I was with my son there wasn't anything for him to eat that he would like.

The Sage General Store appeals to the locals in the area. It has a neighborhood staple appeal. I'm not sure if people would come from far and wide to eat there.

Would I go back? No, Would I recommend this? Maybe if you were in the area.

Ratings: 1-5, 5 is the best.

Atmosphere: 5, A warm, comforting appeal
Cleanliness: 5, Neat and clean
Price: 3, A bit pricey with small portions.

Turkey Nachos

2012-10-21T16:30:00.000-04:00

By The Gluten Free Goddess
WebMD Recipe fromFoodily.com

This recipe makes 4 servings.

Ingredients

3 heaping cupsorganic blue corn tortilla chips
3 heaping cupsorganic yellow corn tortilla chips
2 cupshand torn cooked turkey pieces
4 ouncesCheddar or Jack cheese, shredded, use vegan cheese for dairy-free
big handful oforganic sweet grape tomatoes, halved
3-4 tablespoonspickled jalapenos, chopped or use chopped mild green chilies
sprinkle ofgood chili powder or chipotle powder, to taste
fresh cilantro, chopped if desiredextra virgin olive oil

Directions

What's Monica eating: Marthas country bakery

2012-08-31T03:11:00.001-04:00

Cheap eats presents: Rib Shack

2012-08-22T15:46:00.000-04:00

Rib Shack
157-06 Linden Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11434

This is my go to place for southern cooking in Queens. In New York City, there are many soul food restaurants. From the well known Sylvia's and Amy Ruth's to the lesser known Small's and M &G's. But there are very few soul food restaurants in Queens. I found this accidentally, and I haven't been disappointed since.

They have ribs, chicken, fish, greens, yams, mac and cheese, desserts, rolls and a host of other goodies. They have something for every taste bud. The only downside is there isn't a chair or table in sight. Its take out only, a small price to pay for good food.

The prices are very reasonable. You get a meat and two sides for about $10, and the portions are so big that you can make it into two meals. I love it and have gone back often especially since it's near the Resorts World Casino.

Ratings:1-5

Atmosphere- 2
Price: 5- very affordable
Food: 4
Wait in line: 4-being that it's only take out, it goes very fast.

Pun Times

2012-08-22T13:19:00.003-04:00

Pun Times: Pork Slope Open now

Top Chef Dale Talde has gone from fusing Asian-American to straight-up Americana thanks to racks of St. Louis ribs, shrimp po'boys, and buffalo wings – plus a pool table.

247 5th Ave. (Carroll St.), Park Slope (718-768-7675)

Bushwick Block Party

2012-07-27T21:26:00.001-04:00

Here we go again, another event for you. Tell'em you heard it here. Enjoy!!

Brooklyn Blowout: Bushwick Block Party

Andrew WK and the sounds of the Tiki Disco fill Roberta's, while a "water world photo booth" and Crif Dogs fill out the street.

Trailer mix: This Tim & Eric-esque promoruns down the dozens of performers and vendors on-site. ¡Actividades!

Sat 12p-12a. 261 Moore St. (Bogart St.), Bushwick. Free.

Nearby: Kings County Bar; The Morgan; Momo Sushi

Keebler's new cookies

2012-07-08T19:47:00.000-04:00

Hello all.

I went grocery shopping with my son today. I decided to buy some cookies ,which I rarely eat, even though I have a huge sweet tooth. As I was browsing the cookie aisle, I came upon the Keebler cookie section. I usually like Keebler cookies because they are chocked full of stuff like chocolate, coconut, and nuts. I don't eat cookies often but if I do, then I usually reach for a Keebler. As I was debating with myself on what to get, I saw new flavors. They were Grasshopper, Mint Creme Middles, Coconut Dreams..etc. I said to myself, those names sound realy familiar. Then it hit me Girl Scout Cookies. They are similar to the Girl Scout Cookies that we all love and can't wait to get our hands on. Different names but same concept.

I love Girl Scout Cookies, which I can never seem to get a hold of and I know that they partnered with major candy companies. But Keebler went all the way with it. The kind I have is Coconut Dreams. I love coconut and love the Girl Scout version so I had to try these. I ate four in one sitting. They are so good. So good. They good thing is if you cant get the Girl Scout version then these are already in your grocery store. The bad thing is that it takes away your money from the Girl Scouts, who has been in service for many years and has been doing wonderful works in the name of girl power and girl enrichment. When the cookies comes around once or twice a year, we look forward to it and spend a great deal for them. We can see for ourselves what progress the Girl Scouts have made. Am i an advocate for the Girl Scouts? No, but I like and support charities and organizations that actually help people to enrich their lives. And in this case, it opens up those little girls eyes to a whole new and exciting world.

All in all, the Keebler cookies are good but keep supporting the Girl Scouts.

Enjoy!

Smoke Up: Big Apple BBQ

2012-06-08T17:59:00.003-04:00

As you know, New York is known for it's outdoor activities. Fairs, Festivals, pop up carnivals, concerts and many more. But it's not a secret that we do not have really good BBQ. So when an event like this comes along, we have to take advantage. I've been before and will go again. The lines are very long but it is definitely worth it. Sweet, smokey, juicy, succulent, spicy and affordable. It's not just meat, they also have corn, chili and more. I hope you go and enjoy.

Dozens of the country's best pitmasters descend on 23rd St. for a two-day meat fest that nearly kills half of Manhattan every year.

Pork story: Grab meaty offerings from Checkered Pig, Blue Smoke, and BlackJack BBQ for $8 a plate, or score a line-skipping ParkPass for $500.

Something to think about.

2012-05-22T22:25:00.000-04:00

Whiskey Tavern/Thai Son

2012-04-28T20:18:00.000-04:00

Whiskey Tavern

79 Baxter Street

New York, NY 10013

On March 23, 2012, A friend and I met for lunch in the city. It was her turn to pick the location and place. She picked the Whiskey Tavern, which is a pub in Chinatown. I was surprised to know there was a pub like that in Chinatown.

She got there before me and said she really wasn't excited about it. I asked why and she said you'll see. When I arrived, I saw what she was talking about. The atmosphere was a "Cheers" atmosphere. Where people went after work and where they knew your name, like a neighborhood bar. It was a "watering hole"-cheap drinks, fairs eats and good company. They had a DJ that played everything from old school r&b to alternative music. The crowd was definitely diverse. They also had a patio area, which is always a nice touch.

It was different for us, but after awhile we fit right on in. We just had drinks.

This is an honorable mention because of some of their creative menu items.

After the Whiskey Tavern, we were hungry and went down the block to Thai Son.

Thai Son

89 Baxter Street

New York, NY 10013

There was a sign on the window that said they are known for their "cheap eats". Which is good. Sometimes you want something good, filling and cheap, especially if you live in the city.

We sat right away. I had the vermicelli noodles and the pork rolls. It was alright, I just wish it was hot. For me, hot food needs to be piping hot. We did have a good time. Would I go back? Yea, if I was in the neighborhood.

Ratings: 1-5

Atmosphere: 3, crowded and unfriendly

Price: Cheap, $7.35

Food: 3, If would've been better if it was hot.

Cleanliness: 5

Welcome to S'MAC: Irresistible Mac-n-Cheese!

2012-03-28T14:09:00.000-04:00

Now, I gave you Sticky fingers and Clyde Frazier's new restaurant, well here is another one. We introduce S'MAC. Our new mac and cheese heaven. Located in Manhattan..(of course) and it serves nothing but mac and cheese in all the varieties possible.

I and my son loves mac and cheese and we will be going to the restaurant. i hope you do too. Enjoy!

Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese
345 East 12th Street, NY, NY 10003
212-358-7912, 212-358-7917
sarita@smacnyc.com