Merry Christmas!

by Emily

My holiday greeting is a few days late but that’s ok, my holiday celebrating was late too! Adam and I both worked Christmas day this year (and Thanksgiving… and New Years) so we saved our gift opening and merriment for the 26th. It was actually kind of fun, we had an item that needed to be exchanged and we just ran right out to the mall and did it.

Here were the food-based highlights, no candy canes, sugar plums, or fruit cakes, but good all the same…

Making the most of the end of eggnog season with several eggnog iced lattes (with a quadruple dose of espresso!).

Christmas day I packed a bottled coffee for work (1.5 thumbs up) plus an exciting peppermint seltzer.

Saturday we headed to Brooklyn for Thai food at super artsy and cool Samui.

Apparently Christmas Eve lunch is not a thing because we were the only people in the restaurant! At least there was no one blocking our view.

The food was great, this was the 2nd best green papaya salad I’ve ever gotten.

And I had yummy shrimp Pad Thai in an egg crepe.

Ice cream for dessert to celebrate the first night of Hannukah – “Festival of Lights”cream cheese ice cream with pieces of chocolate rugelach.

Actual Christmas day I came home from work and ate leftovers with the dog, but Christmas Eve I had a pizza and beer party with the husband.

We made taco pizza that was fantastic. TJ’s thin crust / refried beans / Mexican cheese blend / seasoned ground turkey / cilantro sour cream. With roasted zucchini on the side.

And for our belated Christmas dinner we made brinner, aka breakfast for dinner.

Red and green eggs – a scramble with red bell pepper, green onions, spinach, and parsley, plus cheddar.

The best roasted potatoes from Serious Eats. <– seriously, they were THE BEST

Enjoy the rest of your year!

16Dec2016

Back At It

by Emily

With a crazy-busy week at work and a weather in the tens in NYC yesterday, we are definitely not on vacation any more, Toto!

Thankfully my day-to-day life takes place in the best city in America with the world’s nicest husband and the universe’s cutest dog so it’s really not too bad.

And I get to eat some pretty yummy food too. Flavors of the week – salmon, green beans, eggs, and egg nog…

This week’s coffee combo decked my mornings with boughs of jolly.

Christmas blend espresso roast with soy/nog. I also had a 2nd (and sometimes 3rd) cup at work everyday because going back to work after a vacation kind of sucks.

Vanilla bean yogurt with Bear Naked cacao + cashew butter granola. Plus a super juicy Pacific Rose apple.

Oatmeal with chia seeds, chocolate-covered cacao nibs, and gingerbread spice. Plus an apple on the side and a scoop of peanut butter on top once it was cooked.

Yesterday I had a ridiculously cheesy toasted turkey sandwich from the cafeteria that I was too busy to snap a picture of. And Wednesday the hospital served us a holiday luncheon, complete with the best steamed green beans any of us had ever tasted.

It was a week of sweets, including on-theme jelly beans.

Plus Brooklyn Cupcake. Guava cheese and coquito <– the best flavor.

I also ate all of the Oreo frosting off of this slice of red velvet.

I knew Monday would knock me out, so I got dinner started before work that morning. Strata with a super simple salad with honey mustard dressing.

The egg casserole was this recipe but with whole-wheat pumpernickel, maple chicken sausage, and a nutty raw-milk cheddar. The leftovers were great the next day too.

Wednesday Adam and I did a date night at the beautiful Sisters’ Restaurant. I want to go back for brunch so I get a better view, plus hopefully my food shots will be a little better.

We shared drinks – Nine Pin Cider for me – and two appetizers. Sweet potato fries with local maple crème fraiche and fried cauliflower and capers. The cauliflower was ahh-mazing. And we both decided the Nine Pin is the best cider on the market.

I ordered the salmon niçoise, more green beans for me! It was great, the fish was perfectly cooked.

More salmon for dinner yesterday. I made garlic salmon patties with sautéed bok choy with fried oyster mushrooms and a quick sauce of soy/honey/sriracha. I ate my second patty while I assembled our plates, with a creamy cocktail sauce for dipping.

Have a merry weekend!

18Oct2016

26 Hours In DC

by Emily

This past weekend we took a quick trip to our nation’s capitol. It was a whirlwind in-and-out visit but I did have time for two museums, three monuments, and an epic dinner. Adam had a surgical quality improvement conference on Sunday and I tagged along to spend the day with a girlfriend who lives in the city.

We spent practically as much time in the car as we did awake in DC. Here were the healthier car snacks –

On the less healthy side, I also had potatoes in multiple forms.

We stayed at the hotel where the conference was being held, much fancier than we’re used to.

There was a lobby atrium (which our inner room looked out over) and trail mix bar.

We got in pretty late in the afternoon on Saturday, but had enough time for a visit to the Renwick Gallery.

Then we took a long walk around the river basin, and up to the Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorials.

The timing worked perfectly so that we could catch the reflecting pool near sunset and it was stunning.

That night we met up with friends for dinner. Returning to Tail Up Goat was our number one priority for this trip. They recently earned a Michelin star! The food was as fabulous as we remembered. I got an itsy bit drunk so I’m not great on details, but once again we tasted more than half the menu.

My cocktail with vodka and apricot was lovely.

Red grit sourdough topped with sumac onions, candied black olive, and bottarga (salted cured fish roe).

The crispy salt cod balls – no photo – were Adam’s favorite dish. We also split a cheese plate with cocoa nibs and orange and Campari jam. I’m pretty sure I never want to eat gouda sans nibs again, their crunch and sweetness was genius with the cheese.

For my entrée I did roasted eggplant with red onion, za’atar, hazelnuts, and burnt bread sauce. Guys, that bread sauce is no joke, especially with the creaminess of the eggplant.

Cannoli with lemon curd, candied pistachios, blood orange marmalade for dessert.

We also swooned like crazy over the pistachio roll (like a cinnamon pecan roll) with labneh gelato and fennel honey. 10/10.

Sunday morning I slept in and took advantage of hotel room cable. Adam had a busy day of learning and I had a fantastic afternoon walking around with my girlfriend. I had several iced lattes and we had beers and bar snacks on a patio in the sun.

The weather was crazy all weekend, I planned for layers when I packed but ended up shedding everything I could because even my thin scarf was too hot!

We settled in the AC at Ted’s Bulletin.

They had turkey reubens.

And amazing Old Bay Bloody Marys.

Before I knew it I was back with the husband and back on the road.

Vacations are great but coming home is the best – there was a dog on my lap while I wrote this post. ❤

3Oct2016

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!

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.

26Aug2016

Four Day Week Top Five

by Emily

I’m not at work today! Or tomorrow, or the next day, or the next!! Even better, I get to spend every second of the next four days with my husband, who just came back from a trip out of town.

Nothing is as exciting as this long weekend, but here are five foods from the week that were thrilling in their own right…

{1} Compartés bars. They are crazy expensive but I am completely obsessed.

The Salty Malty bar was one of the best chocolates I’ve ever eaten.

{2} Taco salad.

Romaine, carrots, chopped tomato and onion, corn, cheddar, salsa, sour cream, olives, and hard-boiled eggs.

{3} Junky fast-food style chicken wrap from the cafeteria.

Totally delicious and definitely not nutritious; this is why I mostly pack my lunches for work even though I eat for free in the cafeteria – the salad bar is available but nine times out of ten I’m going to pass it up for something I can eat with fries.

{4} A product review from Sonoma Syrups, whose goods contain no perservatives or artificial flavors or colors. The syrups can be used in alcoholic drinks and baking, but no one is surprised that I tried them out in iced coffee. Sea Salt Caramel isn’t quite as robust as a scoop of dulce de leche, but it definitely made a better coffee than the Starbucks’ caramel macchiato.

The Vanilla Hazelnut was tasty too. A 2 Tbsp serving of the syrups has </100 calories and is strong enough to flavor a 10 ounce cup of dark coffee.

And Meyer Lemon was yummy enough that I didn’t even wish this iced tea was coffee!

Heads up PSL addicts, they do have a pumpkin spice syrup.

{5} Meze meal. I met a girlfriend for drinks and dinner mid-week.

I ordered spanakopita, smoked cremini mushrooms, and hummus with warm chickpeas and hard-boiled eggs. The spanakpita was meh (we both thought it tasted like something you’d buy frozen at Trader Joe’s) but the hummus was great.

Enjoy your weekend!

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: potato

Merry Christmas!

Back At It

26 Hours In DC

It’s Pumpkin Month!

The End Of Apple Month

Semi-Vacation

Four Day Week Top Five

Three Day Weekend Staycation