Happy Friday
January 14, 2011
Here’s a Sourdough Strata with Tomatoes and Greens dish I made for a brunch with girlfriends in Syracuse. Recipe courtesy of the Food Network Magazine. Have a wonderful weekend! x
Sourdough Strata with Tomatoes and Greens
Italian Chicken Noodle Soup
January 12, 2011
I couldn’t have had a better morning waking up to the sun shining brightly on all the newly fallen snow across the city. It’s a perfect day for a cup of homemade chicken noodle soup.
Combining my favorite ingredients from the traditional chicken noodle and Italian wedding, you get a fantastic mix of the best. I brown chicken, add in the chicken stock and water, and allow to cook for an hour and a half. Then putting in the vegetables- carrots, celery, kale and onions, I cook until tender. Next step is removing the chicken, debone it and add a box of pastina. Finally for the Italian wedding part, I take dime-sized cooked meatballs, stir in the mix and there you have a delicious bowl of soup.
My father's soup recipe made with chicken, mini meatballs, carrots, pastina, kale and some seasoning
Winter Hor d’oeuvres
January 3, 2011
Before my holiday break came to an end, I enjoyed my final day in Syracuse relaxing and snacking on toasted cheese and my father’s famous spanakopitas by the fireplace. While his recipe consists of the traditional spinach and feta cheese combo wrapped in triangles of filo pastry sheets, he adds a topping of raspberry jam that is just the right amount to satisfy your sweet tooth. A perfect treat for a damp winter day.
Honey & swiss cheese on toast with a side of mixed nuts and blueberries
Spanakopitas with raspberry jam
Holiday Brunch
January 3, 2011
A Sunday holiday brunch with family friends.
Crepes and a snowflake themed table setting
Baked ham with pineapple and a fresh fruit salad
Happy New Years!
January 1, 2011
Bringing in the new year at the Deutsch’s at Mount Snow in Vermont.
Some of Vermont's best Indian dishes at the Deutsch's
Happy New Years from Vermont
Oreo Truffles
December 30, 2010
My cousin’s oreo truffles he made for a family gathering were a huge hit. Simply done, you crush oreos into a bowl, mixing in creme cheese, and then rolling out to balls and dipping in melted chocolate. On to the fun part– drizzling white melted chocolate and powdered sugar to make them look like they’re worth a million.
Oreo Truffles
Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2010
Candy canes are the perfect final touch
Never too old to put cookies out for Santa
An Upper West Side Gem
December 13, 2010
Kefi is one of my favorite restaurants in my neighborhood, let alone all of New York City. They have an amazing Greek menu, very reasonably priced. I went there this weekend while my parents were visiting and ordered what I always do, the Sheep Milk Ravioli with brown butter and sage. A day later, the leftovers are just as delicious and photogenic as they were at the restaurant.
Sheep Milk Ravioli with Brown Butter & Sage
It’s Not Winter Yet
December 10, 2010
Although the cold temperatures have arrived, it’s not officially winter for another week and a half. I love breakfast, and everything about it… the apple cinnamon crepes and bacon, the chocolate croissants and fresh fruits, and accessorizing with leaf napkin rings one last time this season.
Leaves, Lemons & Limes
Tea, chocolate croissants, apple cinnamon crepes and bacon
Holiday Dinner Party
December 6, 2010
Saturday evening we gathered at Leslie’s for a holiday dinner party with a hugely successful menu. Vicky and Dario are visiting from Milan, so we not only gave them a taste of New York, but had a little bit of Italy with their eggplant parmigiana. Other dishes included cheese stuffed meatballs, spinach gnocchi, grilled gouda and apple sandwiches, pudding pasta, potato latkes and apple sauce, onion and mushroom bruschetta, salad and delicious cookies for dessert.
Vicky & Dario's Eggplant Parmigiana
My Gruyere cheese stuffed meatballs & Sarah's spinach gnocchi
Heating up the sauce & Leslie's candles-in-bottles table centerpiece
a camera in the kitchen 