Delicious things

Delicious things have been happening in our kitchen recently. Part of this is because I have found some awesome new (to me) food blogs. Part is because I have been frequenting Essex Street Market, which is closer and much easier on the pocket than Whole Foods. And part just because I'm hungry. I bring to you today, a sandwich, a salad and a stew that have made me very happy.

Lets talk hangover food. NOT that I get hangovers. But if I were to get hangovers, this would probably taste even better than it already did. Why go out to brunch when you can make this cheap and delicious hand held bit of heaven at home? Toast your english muffin (duh). Fry your egg on high to get it crispy on the outside and still slightly runny on the inside. Mash an avocado with a pinch of salt and some lime juice (if you are feeling motivated and are hangnail free.) Mix a little sriracha and ketchup to get what fancy pants restaurants may call spicy ketchup. Assemble parts. Eat. Wash down with strong java. Have a nice day.

 Can we call it healthy since there is a veggie involved?
 I say yes.  

Until the last few weeks, I had not spent much time with Food52. No clue why not. It is a compilation of fun flavors and sheer genius. I highly recommend that you check it out if you have not already. I had the BEST SALAD that I've had in a long time thanks to a dressing on their site. I can't remember the last time I raved about a salad dressing, but this one is the bomb. Red pepper, cumin, citrus. Sound good? Tasted even better. It is my new go to.

Roasted carrots, avocado, walnuts, greens & blue cheese
w/ a hunk of onion foccacia.

Not your typical Thanksgiving leftovers. I spent a relaxing Thanksgiving with Zach's family out on Long Island, where we went out for dinner. It was my first time eating Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant, and while part of me missed my own family and our traditions, I enjoyed both their company and our delicious meal. I had forgotten that part of eating out was choosing from a menu, and when confronted with the choice between turkey and Prime Rib, I quickly ditched the traditional bird. Prime Rib trumps turkey, even on Thanksgiving.

I used our leftovers to make an awesome crock pot concoction. Hmm... looks like Prime Rib scores points in the leftover category as well. It being Saturday, we were at the end of our groceries, but whatever we had went into the pot (except the cheese, I ate that while waiting). It all made sense in the end.

Prime Rib Stew

Leftover meat chunks, whatever is around

1.5 c. chopped cherry tomatoes

1 diced sweet potato

1 diced granny smith apple

1 diced yellow onion

6 whole garlic cloves

2 bay leaves

1 tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped

1 c. red wine

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

Toss it in the crock pot for a few hrs. I put it on high for 4 hrs.

Remove the bay leaves and garlic before serving.

Smear garlic on a warm baguette w/ butter. Chow down.

The plan for next week is stuffed mushrooms (that may make an appearance at our holiday party if they are successful), butternut squash soup w/ scallops from Ty's Kitchen, and almond chocolate chip cookie sandwiches w/ amaretto frosting. Om nom nom. Here's to some bodacious eats as we enter the holiday season!

"What I'm Thankful for"

There have been so many times this year that I have wanted to post either pictures of my kids or their work, but I have restrained myself. I get it. Other people's kids + the internet = recipe for disaster.

However, I am going to post excerpts from their "What I'm Thankful For" essays, which was an essay competition put on by the Senate Office. Why? Because they are my students and we all worked hard on these. Why else? Because they are heartfelt, funny and inspiring. Because people need to read them and smile. Because I want to dammit.

"What I'm Thankful for"

I'm thankful for a healthy heart because I could love people and be kind to them. Some people in the hospital, their heart is black because they smoke. I'm thankful for a heart because my heart is clean and it beeps in between my ribs. My heart helps me breath, survive and love others. -b

I'm thankful for transportation because people in New York City don't need cars. If you don't have a car and you want to buy one, it will cost a lot of money. Also you could rent  a car, but that is wasting your money. You can go anywhere on a bus, the train or maybe you want to ride your bike. -d

I am thankful for my teachers because they teach us things that are going on in the world. We get better at spelling and wrighting. Sometimes we can write about our selves and also how we feel and share it with the class. I like that.  - s

I am thankful for my parents because my mom and dad go to work to get the money to pay the bills. My mom and dad give me food and wash my clothes that I need to wear for school. - b

I am thankful for parks because us kids have a place to play and have fun when there is nothing else to do. Parks are a place where you can hang out with friends and family. Parks are special because when it is hot you can go to a water park and get wet. - i

I am happy because in Guinea, they don't always have water. Some other towns don't have clean water. In Guinea, they get their water from wells. Sometimes when we have water, we will have a lot of bottles to put the water in. If someone does not drink water, thay will die. I am happy because in New Yourk City they have water. -b (moved to NYC from Guinea last year)

I am thankful for my hamsters. They always come to me when I say their names. They listen to me. I'm mostly thankful for my 6 birds because they help me with my homework. The smarter one died. -a

I am thankful for my friends because they show me compassion. Even when I get mad and don't like them, they are my friends. -t

I am also thankful for a home. I am thankful for a home because some people live outside. I do not want to live outside and people can call me a bum. I am lucky to have a come so i can wash, brush my teeth and have good personal hygiene and not stink. - a

I am thankful for food because without food, we would be skinny. -a

I am thankful for technology because I can text my mom or dad if I am going somewhere, like if I go to the park next to school. - j

I love my family because they provide me with food and shelter. Sometimes parents break up or get divorced. You still have people who love you and that is your family, friends and teachers. Sometimes families have arguments, but it is ok. It is just called tough love, but inside you know you love them. -e

I'm thankful that my kids make me think and challenge me. Now that I've taken a minute to think...

I'm thankful for an easy, loving relationship with my family. Clare recently reminded me that there are many families that love each other, but don't get along well. We do. I won't be with them for Thanksgiving, but I am counting the days until Anderson Family vacay in Arizona and thinking of them on Thursday. 

I'm thankful for Zach with whom I love living life. For a good job with a wonderful coteacher who makes me laugh and constantly helps me put things into perspective. For friends forever. For my people Upstairs. For a vivacious city. For a wide variety of food. For health. For a really good life. 

Thanks. 

Snippits from the Streets

I bring to you a seasonal round up of snippits from the streets, as captured by my trusty phone.

From the expected Little Italy holiday decor that puts you in the mood whether you like it or not

To the totally unexpected game of Strip Poker that I stumbled upon on Saturday afternoon

Walker St. between Center and Baxter

To the awesome street performers in the Union Square subway station

To just plain gross

To the impromptu shows that spilled out into the streets during CMJ

(outside of Arlene's Grocery)

Finally, my personal fave, a knitted shopping cart that defies gravity

Orchard St. between Rivington and Stanton

Oh the places you'll go!

My senior year at 'Cuse, I lived with 7 of my best gal pals. Though the estrogen was suffocating at times, the year together in that house solidified friendships that have become like a family here in NYC. I moved here after college without really skipping a beat, but that super smooth transition was because I  have this network of highly entertaining pals, always ready to explore a new part of town or snuggle up with the remote and a bottle of vino. 

Friends. Fam. Party Planners Extraordinaire. 

Unfortunately for us/exciting for her, Joey flew the NYC coop and moved to LA this week. So we threw her a party. A really awesome party at her Aunt Madeline's bakery. Complete with a fancy bartender, all of her favorite foods, and of course, a pinata. 

You thought there wouldn't be balloons and pinata
debris worn as hats? You thought wrong.

Evonne made a NYC vs. LA bracket, which was central to the evening's entertainment. 

The Lakers beat out Central Park in the final round. Bullshit if you ask me. 

Awesome cookies by Aunt Madeline @ Duane Park Patisserie

Ballsy move to pack up and ship off across the country, but it is the "get up and make it happen" in her that got us to Vegas, that had me puddle jumping over to Maui last year, and that I'm sure will drive her to awesomeness. 

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own.  And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

-Mr. Seuss

Get it, girl. Miss you. Be nice. Have fun. See you soon. 

Breakneck Ridge

Zach and I have been meaning to go hiking at Breakneck Ridge since the spring, but weekend after weekend, something always came up. Or the rain came down. Until Veterans Day, which was probably our last chance this year. It is pretty silly that it took us until mid November to hop on a train and go romp around the woods just an hour outside the city. 

Flags on Veteran's Day

The main draw at Breakneck is the mile long rock scramble at the beginning of the hike. The area was quarried in the early 1900s, so there are huge boulders strewn all over the place. Some parts of the trail had to be approached like actual bouldering problems. Okay, I see a blaze here and up there. Now how do I get there? Can't wait to take Clare when she comes next summer. 

Just past the halfway point between Breakneck and Cold Spring on the hike.

brean n' blue cheese for lunch. om nom. 

We didn't hike the whole Breakneck Ridge trail, instead we cut and pasted a route together with another trail that took us back toward Cold Spring, where the Metro North dropped us off. The second half of the hike was much more of a walk in the woods, but a gorgeous one at that. Toward the end of our hike, we met up with some two other NYC day trippers (teachers as well) and enjoyed the last of the late afternoon daylight with them. We talked loudly, walking single file, smashing sticks, rustling leaves, and keeping one eye on the elusive yellow blazes. We found out that our two new friends were on the Appalachain Trail a few days before we were and had hiked with our AT buddies, Llama Legs and NoCello. Small freakin' world, man. 

So glad we finally went and can't wait to go back. Big thanks to Zach for making our jaunt happen. And for taking great pics and letting me steal them :)

Harriet

This is Harriet. She is the squishiest, snuggliest ball of fur that ever waddled this earth. I love her and that is all this post is about. Cat love.   

Fall

Just the tip from the Williamsburg Bridge

So fall is almost over. That's depressing. My posts have throughout this delightful season have been sparse, as there was some sort of cold war going on between my computer and the wireless network in my apartment. After giving my computer a lobotomy (aka reformatting it), we are back in working order and getting along swimmingly.

That being said, life has been exactly the way life is. Sometimes looking down from the top, sometimes looking up from the bottom (certainly how it feels on the train at 6 am), but usually somewhere in between.

Here I present a few things that have made life fun recently:
1. This amazing sparkle pedicure.

2. This garbage can, which reminds me of my friend Diana, who finds and snaps pics of the happiest little messages scribbled around our city.

3. My silly ray of sunshine Coteacher. Morrison and I are like peas and carrots in Room 425, coteaching the bejesus out of those young minds. And having a blast at it. Last week we sung a conversation about lining up for lunch. They don't even know what hit them.

4. Adventures. Maureen was up this weekend. We explored Grand Central Station and found a miniature door that led to the roof, where we could look down on people inside the main hall. Baller.

5. An unsuspecting Friday night turned rip roaring good time with girls from SPSG at the NYC Alumnae Reunion at the Campbell Apartment. Nothing like having a manhattan and some crab cakes with your high school classmates AND algebra teacher (Mrs. Day not pictured ;)