photo op: THROWBACK THURSDAY

Welcome to Throwback Thursday the Mexico Edition (WARNING: this post is photo heavy, but it's like taking a delicious vacation from your seat). I can’t believe it has been an entire year since I took my lovely vacation from the chilly Tri- State to the sunny city of Merida. It was my first sojourn to Mexico and I tried so many new things (eating and otherwise). I climbed like a zillion steps at the ruins, I tried sweet and salty street snacks, sampled so many different kinds of tacos, ate at an Argentinean steakhouse and one of the most modern restaurants in town, all while getting a taste for the Yucatan. My trip was amazing; good times, good food, and great friends!

Follow on facebook, instagram, twitter, yelp and pintrest to keep up with all the food adventures, maybe even some more #tbt moments!

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2.6.14

 

HudsonRW: Bistro La Source

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Bistro La Source is a sweet little eatery on a corner in the Paulus Hook neighborhood, that transports its diners to Europe. The bistro is part of a small dining district boasting some of Jersey City’s other favorite dining establishments. The small restaurant has a little front bar lined with mirrors, recalling the French bistros of Paris, and dotted with fairy lights like the glittering of the Tour Eiffel.

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The restaurant participated in Super Week to finish up Hudson Restaurant Week, with a three-course prix fixe at $25 and wine pairings for an additional $16. The atmosphere friendly, the food delicious, and the price amazing—it was the perfect end HudsonRW.

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The small table had a simplicity that emanated an elegance that rests on the tip of the tongue. The little water glasses just big enough to hold three sips and the rustic bread and cool butter felt like laissez-faire. The dishes were just as effortless and delicious.

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The escargot and chicken liver and foie gras mousse were casual but foreign at the same time. The textures and smells entice— buttery, luxurious, exotic and rich. The escargot were garlicky orbs, tender and hot, and chewy. The mousse, paired with a robust Bordeaux, was fluffy and decadent, perfect on the toasty baguette with the sweet tangy pickled onion and the grainy fig mustardo. It was meaty, heavy and light like a guilty pleasure. Even the thin broth laced with white wine, butter, and garlic, from the moules was flavorful and satiating. Appetizer portions were just enough to capture all the layers completely.

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Pretty butternut squash agnolotti, paired with a sweet and wet Moscato, lined the long plate in a single row, each delicately overlapping its neighbor. The pool of beurre noisette was heavy with the warm flavors of sage and earthy grana padano cheese, but missing salt. Inside was a thick creamy light orange filling, close to a creamy sauce, with the faint color of butternut squash. However, the winter squash’s flavor was missing from the dish, but its sweetness swam in and out.

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The Alsatian Choucroute Garnie entrée was a very different kind of dish, demonstrating a German heaviness and lacking the graceful refinement. The plate was laden with smoked bratwurst, pork loin bacon, and knockwurst, with potatoes, carrots and Reisling braised kraut. Each meat was salty and savory, but also merged perfectly with the tangy sweet kraut. This dish was weighty and round, with various textures and subtle flavor profiles.

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Dessert was contained, simple and classic. The crème caramel had a slick texture but the custard tasted too eggy, interrupting the burned sugar caramel flavor. The apples in the Jersey apple crumble were not sweet, but soft and a little tart, and the cinnamon gelato smoothed. The chocolate mousse had rum inflections, but was dense, chocolaty with a few white chocolate disks and a dose of heavy whipped cream.

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The food was absolutely delicious and the atmosphere was inviting.  The menu items are constructed with care and high quality ingredients, while the service is direct and courteous. Bistro La Source is a little treat, a small gem creating comforting food that takes you away without going too far.

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1.31.14

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elevate your GAME DAY snacks

The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of the football season, the be all end all for the NFL. The pressure is intense for the players, but it doesn’t have to be for the host throwing a Super Bowl party. Preparing a delectable spread does not have to be as painful as a helmet to the gut. The prospect should be exciting and utterly delicious.

You could resort to the time-honored Super Bowl party standbys— dull tortilla chips, skunky beer, the same old pizza or 7 Layer Dip. Been there, done that. Maybe it’s time to try something new.

You’re not a frat boy or a college cheerleader anymore. It’s time to grow up and join the big leagues. Your friends don’t want lame chips and dip, store-bought guac or even those frozen “wings” anymore, not when there are delicious and easy to prepare alternatives.

Sure, you could throw some pigs in a blanket on a serving dish and call it quits. But why not create a different kind of atmosphere? Opt for cocktail party over tailgate party, where your mouth-watering bites could be more entertaining than the halftime show. Why not try warm appetizers that will make your guests cheer for the ‘home team,’ a.k.a your team.

Not saying you have to leave all the traditionals behind, just bring your dips to a new level of delicious, your pizza to its full potential, and let your hearty soups speak for themselves. Kick it up a notch and totally score a touchdown. Create some new staples that guests will be expecting for Super Bowl XLIX.

Instead of Dip try Elegant Apps

Stop putting out plastic containers of store bought dip on the coffee table during the game. Class up cheese with Arancini rice balls or by filling little puff pastries with roasted beets and honeyed goat cheese topped with candied walnut and basil.

Instead of 7 Layer Dip try Creative Dip Recipes

Amp up dip options with homemade dips that will score creative points. Heighten the flavor profile of your game day snacks with Capital Crack Dip or add some seafood sophistication with Mom’s Super Bowl Clam dip  or even a healthier edge with white bean and olive dip.

Instead of store-bought guacamole try Garnished Guacamole

Step up your guac game with homemade guacamole. Don’t stop there, elevate that fresh goodness with crabmeat, shrimp, or even blue cheese. And how about bacon guacamole?  Toppings can bring out the best of your buttery avocados and add complexity. Mango guacamole could lend sweetness.

Instead of plain chips try Fancy Flavored Chips

Sometimes there is no way to avoid dips at your Super Bowl rager, and what goes with dips better than chips? Fancy flavored chips, of course. The Better Chip makes a variety of corn chips using fresh ingredients like jalapeño, spinach and kale. Kettle Brand Chips  too produces intensely flavored chips ranging from sea salt to fiery sriracha.

Instead of plain chips try Making Your Own Chips

Impress your guests by making your own chips for dipping or just plain munching. Classic fresh potato chips can give your party fare a distinguished touch while Tuscan kale chips add adult flare.

 Instead of spicy wings try Wings with Complex Flavors

Wings can be so much more than what comes from Dominoes. Bring out the big guns for the occasion. Cajun hot wings  have the heat we want on game day, while avocado chipotle wings and Tequila lime wings feature unexpected ingredients and crispy parmesan wings add a different dimension of flavors. Or you could always make Korean Style Ribs, which are just as delicious

Instead of ordering pizza try Building Your Own Pizzas

Skip the usual pepperoni and plain pies, and opt for something more creative, more artisanal like homemade pies. Create a salad pizza with arugula, parmesan, fresh tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette or top your crust with roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized red onion and fresh mozz with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.  Try a sweet ricotta pear pizza or a veggie heavy kale and onion pie.

Instead of beer try Hard Apple Cider

It’s time to put ciders in the game, and let beer sit this one out.  Stella Artois Cidre and Hornsby’s Hard Cider are classic, a touch of sweet with a buzz. Angry Orchard produces a variety of flavors, from the seasonal cinnamon to a spicy ginger apple. Finnriver Cidery offers hard ciders and other fruit wines for something a little different.

Instead of mixed drinks try Punches

Rather than just throwing rum and coke in a cup, prepare ahead and create big-batch punches. For rum lovers, Martha Washington’s Rum Punch and Bajan Rum Punch  will do the trick, while whiskey drinkers can get into Monkey Punch. Or try out a gin mojito to be cool and festive.

Instead of chili try Hearty Soups

You always have chili at your game day parties, but it is time for a change. Hearty soups like bison and barley soup and Italian wedding soup have no shortage of meat, while Tuscan soup  and corn chowder do not fall short on heft.

Instead of nachos try a Cheese Plate

Nachos are so played out, but cheese is essential. Swap out the heavy nachos for a fancy cheese plate. Load up your cheese plate with cheeses of different textures, ingredients and flavors like brie, cheddar, gouda, etc. Bring together accoutrements like fig preserves, prosciutto, fresh pears, nuts, and even pate to allow for endless combinations for your party guest.

Instead of pigs in a blanket try Warm Canapés

You can do better than pigs in a blanket. Surprise your guests with warm goodies with a twist. Bacon wrapped scallops (who doesn’t appreciate bacon?!) will make your crowd go wild. Goat cheese and chorizo crostini  and cheese stuffed mortadella bruschetta will surely be winners.

What did you have this #SuperBowl?! Any delicious winners that will make a repeat appearance next big game? 

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2.2.14