Macaroni & Cheese... Part 1

As far as I can remember, I've always loved macaroni and cheese. Of course I grew up on Stouffer's frozen mac and cheese that my mom would prepare for me- first microwaved, then in the oven to get the burnt-around-the-edges crunch and flavor. I probably ate some burnt plastic along the way, but I didn't know better.

It was only until, I believe, my junior year of High School when I decided to make a dinner for my friends, that I ever had REAL mac & cheese . It was a whole big ordeal because I was making mostly everything from scratch. I decided on a chicken cordon-bleu-sort-of-dish, and homemade 4-cheese macaroni. I decided to do a test-run with my then-best friend Shirley. She came over one night for a sleepover and we got to shredding what felt like 4 lbs of cheese in my kitchen. My mom would check in every now and then, but it was just us girls and a sense of accomplishment fell over us.

We stayed up until 1am baking this damn thing. But you know what? It was the most glorious mac and cheese I had ever had up until that point. Full from our endeavor and gossip of boys, we fell asleep. I made it again for the actual dinner and while I do not remember the dinner or who was even at my apartment, I recall no one getting sick; and maybe even receiving a few compliments.

I've had some pretty good homemade mac since then: David R. took me to S'mac in the East village in college; Dave B. took me to Nolita House last year; I've taken people to good enough to eat, never disappointing them; last month, Brett S. took a bunch of us to Dumont for their burgers, with M&C as an appetizer; and a couple of weeks ago, my Aunt Bicky invited me out for my cousin Miranda's 10th birthday lunch at Rachel's American Bistro. While I didn't order the mac, Miranda did. and I tasted it. And it was delicious. Much better than my cheeseburger.

The day after, I met up with Marc at the Whitney Museum. While the exhibits were great (Saw the whimsical circus and sculptures by Alexander Calder, William Eggleston's Photographs, and Alex Bag's effed up video), I was starving and excited to go out to dinner. I suggested Chat'N Chew in Union Sq since I heard they had pretty good M&C. I ordered it (he got the burrito), and while it satiated my craving for the time being, I wasn't exactly satisfied; I wanted the kind I had at Nolita House... the kind with bacon.

A few days later, Marc invited me out to dinner with him and his friend, Dan. He wanted a relaxed restaurant with comfort food, so I gave him a list of places that I found to be voted the best of the best. He decided on Westville (the W. Village location). They only had an appetizer of it, but it had bacon; I was a happy camper.

I've been planning on making M&C for the superbowl tomorrow, and one recipe I found is so incredibly decadent, I knew I had to make it. However, I am at home, and sour cream less. So this recipe will actually combine two... Martha Stewart's macaroni & cheese recipe with Paula Deen's twist... fried and wrapped in a slice of bacon. I KNOW, AMAZING!!!

I've altered her recipe in that I halved everything, and excluded the bread pieces.

Martha Stewart’s Creamy Mac & Cheese, The Way I Did It

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for casserole
2 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for water
Pinch ground nutmeg
Pinch teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 1/2 cups Grated Medium Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Grated Monterrey Jack Cheese
1/2 cup of Grated Gruyere
1/4 cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese
10 oz elbow macaroni (a little more than half the box)

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside.

2. Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When the butter bubbles, add the flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute.

3. While whisking, slowly pour in the hot milk a little at a time to keep mixture smooth. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick, about 6 minutes

4. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, all of the cheese, leaving a cup of cheddar for the topping on the side. Set cheese sauce aside.

5. Cover a large pot of salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook the macaroni until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir the macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

6. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Pizza & Juice

I haven't been cooking/baking lately- at least nothing worth writing about. Therefore, I am posting about a meal from what feels like eons ago: the BEST pizza and juice combo I've ever had the pleasure of eating. It's not just any pizza and juice... it's real Italian pizza and juice.

I was looking through some of my old photos from when I was living in London, and this was during my spring break. It was taken in Bergamo, Italy in March 2006. I ate a lot of pizza while I was in Italy, but this was from a pizza shop in Cite Alta that had a variety of Sicilian slices that they cut up for you. I think they also sold pastries.

The juice (what most called "ABC Juice") was an interesting blend of carrots, oranges and apparently lemons. We drank a lot of it that week. I enjoy the fact I took pictures of my meals back then too.


Spinach, mushroom, tomato pizza with a juice box

Cafe Lalo

Cafe au Lait at Cafe Lalo

I met up with my good friend, Eric Munson for lunch every week, for what felt like at least one semester our Freshman year at NYU. Five years later, we still get together for a coffee. It's always nice to catch up.
Yesterday, went to Cafe Lalo- as made famous in the movie, You've Got Mail, and highly recommended by my friend, Lauren.

Eric is also semi-responsible for the title of my blog. He came over one morning and I was feeding him Fage yogurt and honey when I asked if he wanted a "Big spoon or a little spoon?" I forgot what he chose, but I do remember he wasn't a big fan of the yogurt.


Muns


My Parisian Breakfast: Croissant, Fruit Preserves and Cafe au Lait

We will definitely be returning for the food and the beautiful atmosphere in the summertime.


Cakes, Tarts and Candies

Portobello Mushroom Sandwich (with Avocado)

The Assembly

Have you ever had a portobello mushroom sandwich and absolutely hated it? I haven't. But if you are one of the few unlucky ones who have come across a funky funghi, try this uber simple (and healthy!!) recipe.

You will need:
-Really good baguette... I cannot even stress this enough. I discovered Zabar's/Eli's bakery baguette and have been a convert ever since. Obviously, unless you're in the UWS, you won't have easy access so slice off your favorite.

the baguette of all baguettes
-Portobello mushroom
-mesclun greens
-tomato
-balsamic vinegar (I used Zabar's Balsamic Vinegar from Modena, Italy)
-extra virgin olive oil

optional:
-red pepper
-avocado (make sure it's ripe but not overripe or else you will be a VERY unhappy camper.)

-As you would to your shoulder, brush off the dirt of the mushroom cap. Whatever you do, do NOT let water get on this puppy since you will be frying this in an oiled pan
-Slice into 1/2" pieces
-put in a bowl, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, set aside
-If you are using red peppers, slice them, scooping out the seeds, and add to your mushroom.
-lightly oil a pan with Extra Virgin Olive oil, let it warm up before placing your mushroom (and red pepper) slices in there. Because of the vinegar, sparks will fly. Be careful. Wear an apron.
-While they are cooking (getting nice and 'soggy'), prepare your other ingredients... slice tomatoes, wash the greens, cut up an avocado, slice the bread, etc.
-When the mushrooms (and/or peppers) are done, set aside in a bowl. Don't clean off the pan, but a touch more oil and place your baguette, face down and grill for a few minutes til it gets nice and brown. This bread toasts particularly well. I usually press down on them so it gives it that "panini-impression"
-Then you are ready to layer. The order is totally up to you. I did it this particular way: mesclun, portobello mushrooms, avocado, tomato
-Take a minute to gaze at your beautiful creation
-Inhale

☞Again, note the nifty CB2 plate I got for Christmas that matches the bowl in the previous entry.

Sick Day

Happy New Year, Everyone!!

Alas, I am sick in bed with a fever and chills. Last night, I made myself a bowl of chicken broth, somen noodles, scallions and the wontons my grandparents made me. It definitely hit the spot:




and check out the new bowl I got from CB2!! Stephen got it for me as part of my Christmas present/"I'm sorry for breaking your favorite plate, here's another one"-gift (Urban Outfitters unfortunately no longer makes the plate I loved so dearly). He also got me a matching dinner and dessert plate which I'll post another time when I cook something up. Thanks again, Steph!

Today, after I woke up with a high fever (it went to 102.6°F 103.4°F at one point), I called my mom telling her I was sick and being the very loving and generous mother she is, came over from Queens in the disgusting rain to bring me medicine, food and orange juice, among a microplane and chill mat for my laptop. Christmas all over again!

Unfortunately I napped most of the day and couldn't stand up long enough to make anything. Luckily she got me baked Cha Siu Baaus (roast pork buns) and a baguette to munch on, but I did manage to make another bowl of soup with the bok choy and ho fun noodles she brought me. I only added a little hoisin sauce for the wontons, aince I can't eat anything too salty or flavorful

Christmas Dinner 2008

Christmas Dinner = Decadent

Thanks again to my Aunt Bicky and Uncle Mark for a delicious dinner!


The Dish of the night... prime rib, rare.



I made string beans with portobello mushrooms and balsamic vinegar topped with sesame seeds, with the help of my dear cousins.


Aunt Kathy's amazing Chocolate Mousse Cake

Also served, a turkey, aunt kathy's famous rolls, corn, rice and my mom's stuffed mushrooms.

Can't wait til next year!

I ♥ Cheeseburgers

What is it about a slab of ground beef, grilled to juicy perfection, smothered in melted swiss, gruyere, monterrey jack or cheddar, topped with a leaf or two of boston lettuce, sliced tomato, onions, maybe avocado, bacon and/or pickles, adhered on a great soft bun with ketchup, maybe some mayonnaise or mustard that makes my mouth water???

One of life's great mysteries and delights, I guess.

There is no way that I could be a vegetarian. I've tried, and it just ain't happenin'. It is rare that I'll ever order a meatless dish at a restaurant. With that said, I have somehow enrolled myself on A Great Cheeseburger Search with Lauren, Jess and John- all coworkers/friends. It all started last week when Lauren, Jess and myself decided to get cheeseburgers. I suggested my tried and true favorite, Paul's Burgers, but Jess wanted to go to Corner Bistro and I had just gone to Paul's a week before with Will. Also, Lauren had never been to Corner Bistro and I've been wanting to go forever.


photo courtesy of Will Star

The first time I had heard about it was around four years ago when I had plans to get dinner with Eric K and his girlfriend at the time. However, the West Village is tricky, and this was before phones had maps, so after walking around in circles for 40 minutes, we ended up going to Lemongrass instead (far from a burger). Eager to finally step foot inside, we got to the West Village after work and tada! Corner Bistro shone in the moonlight. Unfortunately, about 40 other people had the same idea and the restaurant is tiny. We stood in the very back of the line for awhile before deciding to find another place. Foiled once again.

I tried to think of other burger joints in that area and Pop Burger came to mind. Ian had taken me there on our one and only date three and a half years ago and while I had never been back (nor did we order burgers), I heard they were tasty and recalled the French Fries being some of the best I had ever had.

It was better than nothin'.


two mini burgers come in this box. $6


Surprisingly filling


fries, obviously

The next day I met up with the girls again, along with John, and we went to Fanelli's to get their incredible bison burger. Now you're probably thinking, "Eating cheeseburgers two days in a row?! animals!" and yes, that's true.

While the service at Fanelli's was subpar (long wait, forgot my gingerale, no tablecloth, nice but ditzy waitress), I gotta hand it to them: Their bison burger is amazing. Though honestly, I don't think I'd be able to tell it apart from a cow. Probably with a combination of hunger, flavorful meat and a really good bun made this a delicious lunch. And I was good; I asked for salad instead of fries.

Sadly the lighting was terrible and I didn't want to rig up a makeshift tripod so this will have to do:


Anyway, we have a long list of other places to hit up in the city: One of which was Dumont Burger, which is actually where I got a late lunch today. It is considered one of the best places to get your fix. I went to Brooklyn to see my friend Adam who was only in town for a few more hours. He and his buddy Aaron were staying with Brett who suggested going (conveniently located several blocks away from his apt). He also had the brilliant idea of sharing an order of their mac and cheese. it had pieces of bacon in it. Amaaazzinngg.
The burger was alright. I got it with Monterrey Jack. I thought the bun was too dry... and in my opinion, a soft bun is one of the most important parts to the construction of a good burger. Also, I hate when the patty is smaller than the bun so the first few bites was all bread and no beef (Granted we ordered mini burgers, but still. Flatten it out a little!). The fries were pretty darn good though. I didn't whip out the camera this time, but if you find yourself in Williamsburg, check it out.

Other places worth mentioning:
-Big Nick's on 77th & Broadway. Try their "Bistro Burger" and waffle fries.
-Shake Shack- You no longer have to wait for the summer months to get them at Madison Sq. Park. Grab one year round on 77th and Columbus Ave.
-Blue 9... ignoring the fact it had once been shut down due to health code violation. It's fresh and delicious.

Jook

Rice porridge, congee or what my family lovingly refers to as 'jook' (rhymes with 'hook') is my comfort food of choice. For as long as I can remember, it was a good day if I was eating jook. I think the last time might've been when Ben Harrison and I went to Congee Village over a year and a half ago which is preposterous.
My grandfather definitely made it the best, but luckily my mom makes it the way I like it too. I had some this morning that my mom gave me last night and it was thick and chockful of preserved duck egg and pork just the way I remember it... She also gave me this fried cruller dough (aka "Deep Fried Devils") that my gung gung first introduced to me over a decade ago. You dip it in as you would a piece of baguette in your cream of broccoli soup.

The jook itself isn't pretty, but it's not meant to be pretty, it's meant to warm your insides on a cold Christmas morning... yum.