Food Network App

Trying to set a menu for a little party this weekend I stubbled upon the The Food Network app on my phone. It is a great app to help you research recipes, save, organize and create a shopping list all on your phone. While at the store the app lets you cross off the items you already have in your cart off the shopping list it create for you off the recipes you selected. This is a wonderful little helper add for aspiring cooks who also have a household and family to run, like me :-). 

For your little party I prepared Shrimp Ceviche and Mexican Meatball soup by Marcella Valladolid.

Also on the menu, my all-time favorite party appetizer

Seared Ahi Tuna crusted with Black Sesame Seeds with a beautiful Orange Cilantro Mojo as dipping sauce

Shopping list:

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped and seeded habanero Chile peppers

2 cloves of garlic finely chopped

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

lime wedges

cucumber slices

Combine ingredients whisk and set aside

Crust Tuna with sesame seeds, sprinkle salt and pepper on nth sides. Sear for 2 minutes on each side in a pan with olive oil.

Let tuna rest for 5 minutes and then slice to serve. Drizzle mojo on sliced tuna.

Meeting Master Chefs

This weekend I was so honored to meet George Mendes. If you know me, you know how inspired I am by Master Chefs like him. Food really is art and culture and these Chefs are wonderful artists. I was lucky enough to see him sear scallops and just by watching him work I learned so much.

Go dine at his restaurant ALDEA in NYC.

Valentines Ideas

Hearts Apricot Glazed Shrimps

When you want to show your affection by pulling out all the stops for a special occasion meal -- Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, birthday, anniversary, etc. -- why not let the salad show how you feel, too?

Best of all, this salad tastes as good as it looks. It features apricot-glazed shrimp, sweet peppadews filled with tarragon-scented feta, and brandied apricots over baby greens.

(View the Full Size Photo of Twin Hearts Apricot Glazed Shrimp and Peppadew Salad)

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp brandy
• 1 Tbsp water
• 6 dried apricot halves
• 2 Tbsp crumbled feta cheese (or mild blue cheese)
• 1/2 tsp cream or milk (plus additional as needed)
• 1/4 tsp dried tarragon
• 4 medium peppadews (see Cook's Note)
• 8 peeled and cooked jumbo shrimp (see Cook's Note)
• 4 thin wood or metal skewers

Back in NYC

What I enjoy most about having lived in so many different places within the last 10 years is the culinary variety I was bound to experience. From German Potato dumplings, Dutch Cheese, Finish Cinnamon Buns, to New England Lobster Rolls, little bit of Tex/Mex and Maryland Crab Cakes, I have loved every bite of it.

This summer we relocated from Maryland back to Connecticut. I had no idea how much I missed the City. All the fantastic restaurants and the diversity of food available to you. One of my favorite places is Chelsea Market, If you have not been you have to go and check it out.

chelseamarket.com



Spices and Tease


Four generations ago our family started a small spice business in the surroundings of Naples Italy. Very soon after, the quality as well as the variety of their products resulted as an immediate success.

Early 1960s our branch of the family expanded the business to the South of France and then Paris where they are still today providing exceptional quality spices to French connoisseurs and Chefs.

In 2003, We the two Cousins Francois and Bruno decided to come to America, to share our approach to culinary excellence through our search of only 1st grade products, rich of our family legacy and experience of nearly a century trading spices and teas with the best farms and small producers all over the world.


Lucy’s Whey


This Lucy’s Whey outpost offers a curated selection of American artisanal cheeses, in the convenience of the bustling Chelsea Market. Here, our expert team of cheesemongers will assist you in selecting artisanal cheeses, farmstead preserves, local honey, small batch crackers and sweet treats. This location is also home to our famous grilled cheeses! Each day, we offer a variety of toasty, perfectly melted sandwiches—from the classic white cheddar with fig jam to the bolder Gruyere with rosemary ham.


Kingdom of Herbs


With the ambiance of a rustic, old world nursery, the Kingdom of Herbs is a one-of-a-kind shop for people who love the magic of discovery. True to its name, the store carries fresh herbs, and award-winning orchids, succulents, scented geraniums, and tillandsias as well as an assortment of beautiful containers. But that?s only the beginning. You?ll also find an ever-changing array of products, ranging from hand-hewn salad bowls to stylish hats, totes, scarves and jewelry.

Cooking with Todd English

This weekend I had the great honor of meeting Todd English. I went to a cooking class at this restaurant in the Plaza in NYC and learned how to make home made Pasta ;-)! If you have been following this blog you know who much I love the Italian cuisine or Italy for that matter. It was absolutely amazing to be able cook with one of the most amazing Chefs we have.

Cooking with Yoghurt

I recently went to the Re-opening of the Chobani cafe in Soho. They have turned their little test kitchen into a very stylish cafe with excellent food.

When I am cooking I am usually using greek yoghurt instead of sour cream, you can almost substitute it in any dish.

If you are interested in some of the really delicious dishes you can create with Chobani check out the Soho cafe website. They are sharing lots of mouth watering recipes with us.

click here to see Chobani recipes