It’s Pumpkin Month!

by Emily

Pumpkin Month is here! On the Emily calendar September is for apples, October and November are for pumpkin, November and December are for eggnog and gingerbread, and December is for peppermint. This month’s on-theme stash is especially bountiful.

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Here are some highlights from the weekend…

My favorite coffee combo – espresso and chocolate milk. I hate “mochas” because the syrup is gross but this iteration of chocolate and coffee is the best.

Brunch at Benchmark.

I had a roasted vanilla lemonade with vodka.

This unassuming omelette was actually stuffed with duck confit and goat cheese.

My best lunch came from the Starbuck’s refrigerator case.

We cooked two tasty dinners. Broccoli salad based on this recipe from Cooking Light. We roasted the broccoli and sauteed the onion and served the salad warm, which I highly recommend. I also swapped maple for honey and rice vinegar for cider vinegar.

Served with white bean and basil dip with orange bell peppers and potato chips.

Plus a disappointing cider.

And I loosely followed Rachel Ray’s recipe for pumpkin and sausage pasta.

Served on butternut squash pasta shaped like tiny pumpkins!!

With roasted honey sriracha smoked paprika cauliflower.

And our last and favorite cider, just in time for pumpkin beers.

Non-food wins included…

I started reading One More Thing, Stories and Other Stories and now I’m completely obsessed with B.J. Novak. The collection of stories fits together in ways that are surprising, moving, and sidesplittingly wry.

Watching the dog put himself to bed, complete with covers and his head on a pillow.

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He’s the best.

30Sep2016

The End Of Apple Month

by Emily

This week I…

Tried two new products to review {see below}
Drank 6 cups of coffee
Worked 3 of 4 days and spent Wednesday in Manhattan
Loved the newest season of “The New Girl,” laughed out loud at “NCIS,” and felt totally over “South Park”
Ate three different plates of nachos

highlights…

Sparkling Ice offered to send me some of their new Essence Of sparkling water line. No sodium, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, just carbonated water and natural flavors. 10/10, they were very refreshing and I would definitely buy them on my own.

I enjoyed Lemon Lime and Tangerine alongside my coffee.

Caramel apple yogurt with cinnamon Chex and freeze-dried apples.

Caramel apple oatmeal bowl. Oats with chia seeds, apple, cinnamon, candied pecans, and Booterscotch M&Ms.

Buttermilk pie yogurt bowl, with a Cara Cara.

This “Red Hook” paleta from La Newyorkina was the single best thing we ate all month. Super-strong coffee with cookie dough from Baked.

Peking Duck Bing at Madison Square Eats. I knew if I kept trying these crepes I’d find one I loved. This one was stuffed with peking duck, scrambled eggs, hoisin sauce, and chili paste.

Lunch on a sunny sidewalk at Delicatessen.

We shared an everything salmon burger,

and the Mac Quack with duck confit, white cheddar, fontina, and caramelized onion.

But the best bites were the Duck, Duck, Goose Dumplings – smoked duck breast, duck confit, foie gras, cherry chutney, brown butter vinaigrette, and sliced almonds.

We’ve tried Pepperidge Farm Swirl Breads in the past and loved them (p.s. they have caramel apple and pumpkin spice seasonal flavors!!) but they recently upgraded the products with a wider slice and more visible swirl and offered to send some my way.

We loved the new version too. I typically only buy us whole-wheat bread and save the white stuff for a treat, and these swirl breads definitely taste like a treat. Plus, at 80 calories a slice with 3 grams of protein and only 4 grams of sugar, the nutritional profile isn’t too bad.

I made epic sweet and savory grilled cheese sandwiches out of the Raisin Cinnamon Swirl.

Bread with butter // blackberry jam // smoked sliced turkey // sharp cheddar and light Havarti cheese // turkey bacon // and a hot skillet.

Plus roasted brussel sprouts on the side.

And Smackintosh Hard Cider (from our trip to Traverse City) to drink.

Pumpkin Month starts tomorrow!

26Sep2016

This Is The Past Week

by Emily

The week since I last posted included – a 6 am-start work day with a blissful 3 pm return home // a limp, due to a minor biopsy on one of my toes // a free trip to the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum thanks to a Smithsonian “Museum Day” promotion // a one day weekend with a Sunday at work // two trips to the Gotham West Market // the return of most of my fall tv shows! // dessert once a day at a minimum // tons of cuddle time with Webster // etc, etc.

{highlights}

My current coffee favorite – espresso on ice with a chocolate milk carton.

Harmless Harvest coconut water with a peanut butter chocolate chip Zing bar. Two thumbs up x2.

Maple brown sugar Peeps. I know I’m disgusting but I kind of loved these, they are gritty in the best possible way.

Iced hibiscus apple cider at Argo Tea. I was limping through Manhattan on an especially hot day at this hit the spot.

Sushi burrito. Stuffed with brown rice, tofu, spicy tobanjan mayo, carrot and daikon pickles, seaweed salad, and red pepper. Their marinated silky tofu is the best tofu I’ve ever tasted.

Hail Mary. Root beer and rum for Adam and housemade cherry cola with whisky for me.

We shared two veggies – fried green tomatoes,

and fantastic charred greens (with anchovy crumbs, plum molasses, and buttermilk).

Mostly we were there for dessert.

“Mile-high” funfetti cake with salted caramel buttercream and giant housemade sprinkles!

Bareburger. I got a collard greens Caesar salad and buffalo chicken bites.

Last night we made a Southern-flavors-inspired buttermilk-laced feast. Apple cider for cooking fuel.

Oven-fried buttermilk chicken tenders and roasted green beans with homemade honey mustard.

Buttermilk pie in a Biscoff cookie crust.

YUM!

20Sep2016

Extra-Long Weekend

by Emily

My long weekend plus 1 (Friday through Monday) was an absolute delight. I got a full day off with the husband and most of three days in Ohio with my grandma. Four days of good food and great company!

Friday, Adam and I headed to Mizumi for all-you-can-eat sushi buffet.

I had that plate x 10 thousand. Not only was it plentiful, this was the best tasting sushi I’ve had yet in Long Island.

Late that afternoon we attempted to take the dog into Brooklyn for a picnic.

I’m married to a doctor, so we made it about ten minutes before Adam got called back home to do something for work. Just as well, because traffic was brutal. A couple of hours later we left Webster at home and had a people-only dinner at Hail Mary.

It was too dark for pictures but we’ll be back soon because the meal was amazing. A high point was my housemade cherry cola with whiskey.

My Ohio visit was perfect. It’s always great to see my grandma and I managed to get in time with my aunt and uncle and a cousin and her fiancé too.

Nana is a fantastic cook and everything I ate at her house was delicious (and beautiful).

Plus we enjoyed some good meals out, including personal pizza with basil and green olives.

And wonderful spinach quiche.

We went out for several lattes, explored cute Ohio towns, and took in a movie (“Sully,” because it didn’t occur to either of us until afterwards that a movie about a plane crash probably wasn’t the best choice a day before my flight!).

And now I’m home safe with my boys, and only have four days to go in my work-week.

12Sep2016

Apple Picking Outing

by Emily

I had to go into work on Sunday but Adam and I fit a weekend’s worth of fun into Saturday. We drove two hours upstate to Twin Star Orchards for an afternoon of apple picking.

We did a complimentary cider tasting first. And enjoyed a wood-fired pizza – with fancy mushrooms and truffle oil – for lunch.

We came home with fewer than 10 apples (they actually just let us take our bag for free!) because we don’t have any grand baking plans, but had a great time walking around the orchard.

Date night was a new sushi spot in Great Neck. We split seaweed salad and edamame to start.

I got a meh veggie roll and a fantastic spicy crab roll for dinner.

They were out of the mackerel Adam wanted so they gave us free red bean ice cream with our bill.

New candy bar for dessert.

The popping candy didn’t have much get up and go but the milk flavored cream was very pleasing.

New take on an old casserole. I made smoked trout noodle casserole.

I loosely followed Martha’s recipe for the sauce. With whole-wheat rotini pasta, tons of sautéed mushrooms and chopped celery, smoked trout, and dill and smoked paprika. Topped with smoked gouda and crushed sour cream and onion potato chips.

Served with a new (to us) beer, coconut caramel chocolate brown ale. I don’t usually drink ales but this was unique enough to hold my interest, at least for 3/4 of the bottle.

What’s new with you?

5Sep2016

Semi-Vacation

by Emily

Adam has been on vacation for the past two weeks which means that, even though I’ve been at work most of the days, it feels like I’ve been on vacation for the past two weeks. Nice! Husband time is the best and getting to see him immediately before and after work (versus him going in while I’m asleep and coming home after dinner is made) is better than any white sand beach.

I mostly spent the past week making googly eyes at Adam. But also, per usual, we walked and ate a ton when I wasn’t busy at work. Here were the top ten eats for the week/end…

{1} Caramel coffee at home.

{2} Coconut coffee from Konditori.

{3} Brunch at Colonie. Duck hash for two.

With aioli, a poached egg, and the best fried potatoes.

{4} Drinks at Grand Army.

The best round included this Under the Sea – Batavia Arrak agricole rum, navy-strength rum, absinthe, cinnamon, coconut, lime, and blue curacao.

{5} Fruity beers at home.

We recently discovered that we adore New Belgium and their watermelon lime ale did not disappoint.

{6} Key lime pie.

Adam explored the North Fork one day – and loved it – and brought me home some of the best pie.

{7} Mamey ice cream.

I made a sundae with maple peanut butter, granola, and sprinkles.

{8} Ice cream with apple cider caramel. Ample Hills is celebrating Roald Dahl this month.

Enjoyed September 1st to celebrate the first day of Apple Month.

{9} Buffalo chicken quinoa bowls.

I stirred sautéed onion, carrots, and celery into quinoa and topped it with fancy blue cheese and buffalo chicken dip.

{10} Seafood extravaganza at Littleneck. We shared lobster and crab rolls.

The very best dish of the night was this charred broccolini.

With anchovy, lemon, and chili flakes.

{bonus} Dinner at Oiji. I didn’t take a single picture but Adam and I enjoyed one of our favorite meals of all time there. Among other things, we had a transcendent mushroom salad and honey butter chips that blew our minds.

29Aug2016

Road Trip Adventure

by Emily

Two of our favorite people recently moved out of Brooklyn for Traverse City, MI and our last three days were spent on an epic journey road tripping to their gorgeous wedding. We spent two full days in the car and only one day in Michigan but it was totally worth it to see one of my oldest childhood friends get married.

We were a bit worried about the 30+ hours we had to spend driving but it honestly ended up flying by. We had my fully-stocked i-pod, a funny book on tape, and brand new scenery outside our windows. Plus we are stupid in love with each other and probably could have just talked for 28 hours (I definitely fell asleep towards the end!) and had a good time.

Five out of six meals Friday and Sunday were eaten in our car, mostly junk food. Here were a few of the culinary highpoints…

Apples with peanut butter.

Carrots and dip.

Not one, but two, marshmallow flavored lattes!!

Cola gummies.

This total throwback.

The gas station cashier got such a kick over how excited we were to find Surge. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t taste as good as I thought it did as a kid.

We ate very well in Traverse City too. Breakaway for coffees.

Espresso that actually happened to be roasted in Brooklyn!

Lunch and drinks at Rare Bird Brewery.

Adam and I split macaroni and cheese with roasted duck and salad with roasted beets and spiced pepitas.

The food was good but the drinks were better, I had a locally brewed ale that tasted like key lime pie! Plus an apple sour beer.

Ice cream at Moomers.

White chocolate Oreo and black cherry. We actually had this twice in one day because our friends did an ice cream cake for the wedding.

Late bar food dinner at Workshop Brewery our first night in town.

Nachos with beans and ancho chicken.

I’m off to spend the day with my husband!

24Aug2016

Three Day Weekend Staycation

by Emily

Not only was I off last Friday for a three-day weekend, but Adam started a 2-week vacation and was free to hang out with me all three days as well! We had originally thought about taking a trip to Boston but the hotel situation was prohibitively expensive and we live in the best city on Earth so it made more sense to do a staycation instead. Basically we had a three day long date! We walked and ate and repeated until we were sunburnt, stuffed, and smiling.

Friday: we took the train to the new-ish Hudson Yards Station.

Walked around Chelsea and got coffees at the up and coming Chelsea Terminal Warehouse. Walked along the Highline.

Walked through Greenwich Village. Watched the sunset at Chelsea Piers.

Saturday: we drove into Dumbo. Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Took the free ferry to Ikea and spent an hour playing design a dream home (we did not have a couples fight, probably because all we needed to purchase was Swedish gummy candy from the bulk bins).

Spent the afternoon exploring Red Hook.

Sunday: we stopped for coffees in Floral Park. Got brunch in Park Slope. Walked a bit in Carrol Gardens.

Ate nachos in bed and watched NCIS.

I had to be choosy or this post would be ~~too long~~ even longer because we stopped at at least ten different spots for coffees and ice creams alone, but her were were the culinary highlights…

Cold brew from Brooklyn Roasting Company.

Aussie iced coffee from Bluestone Lane.

It was boiling hot all weekend and we drank about a million beverages, including an ultra-hydrating product sample – coconut water from Harmless Harvest.

They sent me some free product coupons and cute cups in exchange for this post.

Harmless Harvest is my favorite coconut water anyway – the company is Fair for Life certified, the flavor is sweet and not “gaggy” like some brands can be, and the bottles are often pink*! – so I happily accepted. *Per the company – “Coconut water is clear when bottled but contains a variety of antioxidants which can turn pink once they interact with sunlight.”

I was told to include a photo of myself enjoying the coconut water and while I tried pick a picture Adam was busy guzzling down my drink, so clearly Harmless Harvest gets a thumbs up from him as well!

Adobo-ritos with chicken and kimchi fried rice from 2nd City. We also had really fantastic calamansi lime jello shots.

Our first time at Dominique Ansel. I thought the pastry was meh but we also tried the burrata soft serve (with balsamic caramel and a macerated strawberry) and it was mind-blowing.

Black sesame cream mochi. We also picked up some cola gummies!

Seafood lunch at Brooklyn Crab. We got beers and view.

Simple but wonderful salad to start, bibb lettuce with sweet and spicy pepitas and a maple goat cheese vinaigrette.

I got a blue crab roll with Old Bay mayo.

Steve’s Key Lime Pie, finally, I have wanted to go here since our original move to Brooklyn.

The swingle – aka key lime pie on a stick dipped in chocolate! – did not disappoint.

Brunch at Bricolage.

Bloody Mary.

I got the vegetarian crepe with king oyster and maitake mushrooms, bean sprouts, and fried eggs. Served rolled up in lettuce leaves with fresh mint and a spicy sauce.

Coke float soft-serve at Milk Bar.

Only two more days until the next weekend – this one’s going to be a four day doozy!

Eating Chalk

Tag Archives: booze

It’s Pumpkin Month!

The End Of Apple Month

This Is The Past Week

Extra-Long Weekend

Apple Picking Outing

Semi-Vacation

Road Trip Adventure

Three Day Weekend Staycation