Chicken, Potato, and Leek Soup

Chicken, Potato, Leek Soup
1.5 lbs Leeks (diced tender greens only)
5 cups chicken stock
3 Medium Potatoes cubed
1 small onion diced
4 boneless chicken thighs
Handful of fresh tarragon coarsely chopped
1 cup of white wine
Olive oil
1/6 cup heavy cream
3 garlic cloves peeled

1. Heat pan on high with olive oil
2. Brown chicken thighs
3. Take out thighs and set aside
4. Place leeks, garlic, and onion in pan
5. Add potatoes once leeks wilted
6. Pour in white wine
7. Sauté for few minutes
8. Pour in chicken stock and simmer until potatoes tender and soft
9. Dice chicken and add
9. Add in tarragon and heavy cream
10. Serve with crust bread

Retro Birthday Cake

So this little psychedelic number showed up on my email today and it really piqued my curiosity. It is a new item featured from FreshDirect. It is so fantastically reminiscent of my rainbow bright days. I imagine it tastes vanilla and sweet. In any case, I might have to bite the bullet and get this for myself on my birthday although buying myself a birthday cake seems lame.

Momofuku Milk Discount Cookies

You heard right! Momofuku Milk sells it’s day old cookies for 85 cents versus $1.85 for a fresh batch. At least to me the old cookies are just as deliciously rich and moist as the new ones. My favorites are the blueberry and garbage. You’ll have to go there to figure out what these flavors mean.

Luke’s Lobster

Luke’s Lobster is my closest source for a good old fashioned New England lobster roll. Sweet baby Jesus is this place good. They place thick chunks of oceany goodness on a soft toasted roll. My only compaint is that I wish I had placed more salt on my rolls and chewed more.

Delicious Cream Puffs of Joy

As coined by my good friend, Beard Papa’s is the home of truly delicious cream puffs of joy. With a perfect puffy crust of choux pastry and a deliciously smooth cream center, these puppies are addictive. The shop features a different flavor every day along with several kinds of mochi and other tasty treats. Sooooo good. I plan on making this place a habit.

Elena’s Quick Quiche

When my friend Elena made this for me, it had been days since I had eaten anything home made or truly filling. Living off of pizza and bagels due to a busy schedule left my stomach yearning for something more substantial.  This quiche really hit the spot. With bits of tender spinach, crunchy bacon, and the perfect level of fluffiness, I felt my rumbling stomach settle into happiness. There is something so comforting about eggs. The way the are aways filling but no cloying with a richness to them that always leaves you satisfied. What I love most about this recipe other than the fact that its from a close friend is that its amazingly quick and easy. When the quiche comes straight from the oven with its bubbly cheese surface you can’t help but drool. It’s versatile and easily modifiable. With finishing flourishes like a thin layer of tomatoes or delicate pattern of basil leaves on the surface this would definitely be a dish I’d be proud to bring for a brunch or potluck dinner.

Elena’s Quick Quiche

4-5 large eggs

4 tablespoons heavy cream

1 pillsbury ready made pie crust

1/2 cup of fresh baby spinach

3 pieces of bacon

1/2 cup of shredded gruyere cheese

2-3 slices of swiss cheese (enough to cover the surface area of pie pan)

1. cook bacon until crispy and chop into bite size pieces

2. whisk eggs with heavy cream until foamy

3. alternate layers of spinach, egg mixture, bacon, and cheese until pie shell filled

4. place slices of swiss cheese on top of pie for nice cheese crust (can be replaced by any other layering)

5. Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes

6. Let cool for 10 minutes to solidify

Alternatives fillings are: ham, mushrooms, asparagus, brie cheese, tomatoes, sauteed onions, peppers, marinated jalepenos, feta, goat cheese, olives,  jack cheese, basil leaves, prusciutto, thin slices of cooked new potatoes…the sky is the limit! If you think it would taste good with an egg…add it! This is so easy and quick. But beware its extremely filling!

Old Moon Zinfandel 2005

At 5.99 a bottle from Trader Joe’s this bottle is a complete stand out. I always have some on hand. Plummy with a surprising depth in character and a slight coat to the tongue that hints of tannin makes this incredibly well balanced. I would say it holds up to bottles at much higher price points. I love drinking this alone or having it with pastas, pizza, bbq, anything a red can hold up to.

Italian Wines

As a farewell to a good friend and the main engine behind our wine club, I decided to host an Italian themed wine tasting with food pairings. It seemed fitting. We met in Italy and the freshness of Italian food would go well with the heat of summer.

Our Menu

Nosh

Bruschettas

ricotta with sundried tomatoes

roasted garlic, basil, fresh tomatoes

roasted red pepper spread

Main

Assortment of Pizzas and Sausage

fresh mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, ricotta, roasted garlic, basil

sausage, yellow and red peppers, feta cheese

mozzarella, feta cheese, ricotta, parmesan

sausage, sundried tomatoes, basil, fresh mozarella, roasted garlic

(one other combo I forgot…I made these up as I went)

Dessert

Pound cake two ways

with nutella and roasted bananas

with marsala wine soaked cherries and lemon curd

THE WINES!

Whites:
Abbazia di Novacella Kerner 2006 $24- Damn Good
This Kerner is made in the northernmost part of Italy where the Italians speak mainly Austrian and the scenery is more reminiscent of Heidi than Under the Tuscan Sun. Light floral with a touch of minerality and a killer nose, this was definitely a good start to the evening for me.

De Falco Fiano di Avellino 2005- $22- Pretty Good

This bottle had more minerality and was less fruity than the previous. Having a little bit of savoriness to it with citrus, it definitely paired well with the pizza. Light and refreshing I wouldn’t be opposed to cracking open another bottle for some seafood or sushi.

Santi Amarone dello Valpolicella 2003- $38 Damn Good
Mmmmmm….I liked this one. More old world in style, Amarone has a rich raisinyness (definitely not a word) and a velvety texture. The grapes are dried in the sun to intensify flavors in the processing. There were hints of spice and boldness to it that would please both old world and new world parties. (ie both peishan (new world) and I (old world) enjoyed it) I would love to eat this with lamb, or anything else meaty/gamey.

Prunotto Barbaresco 2004- $37 Not Bad
This Barbaresco did not wow me, but was good. It was the prototypical barbaresco with good fruit and depth, but for the price tag I feel I could get more bang for my buck elsewhere. Perhaps we opened it too early as it is just getting into its prime according the THE internet.

Bibbiano Chianti Classico 2005- $18 Pretty god

Light and fruity, this chianti actually started us off with reds. It had a delicate sweetness and was not too tanniny. With hints of berries, savory notes, this went well with the pizza. It definitely seemed to be one of the most versatile at pleasing people’s palates, but did not wow anyone.

Forteto della Luja Moscato d’ Asti 2007- $20 Orgasmic
Holy crap the nose was AWESOME on this one, like whiffing a bottle of sweet honeyed perfume. The taste was there to match. Good thing I bought two bottles of this which went as fast as lightening. I caught some peach flavors, apple, and a lot of floral. So very drinkable, bubbly, and sweet. I wish I had gotten more.

Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar

The classic combo of sweet aged balsamic vinegar and strawberries has been a favorite of mine. Finally, I’ve found it in a bottle. While wondering around Old Town in Chicago, we mosied into Old Town Oil not knowing that we’d be taken on a world wind tasting tour of their shop. We were given tastes of different oil and vinegar combinations that really brought out complexity equal to wine. One of my favorites was their strawberry balsamic vinegar. It has the perfect level of sweet strawberry flavor and tangy aged sweet balsamic vinegar…mmm. I can’t wait to put it on ice cream, strawberries, add it to whipped cream, use it for a feta spinach salad….the possibilities are endless. Another great vinegar was their 18 year aged balsamic, so rich and plummy. I think that will be my next culinary splurge if I finish this strawberry, which I suspect I will.

Eating French in Brooklyn

On a recent visit to Smith Street in Brooklyn, one of the notable sites was the plethora of French restaurants. If you have an itch for a French cafe experience, this area is definitely one of the places to go. For brunch we went to Provence en Boite. Part bakery part restaurant this place has some eye popping desserts. I had to tear myself away from the display with an assortment of delicate cookies, tarts, and oh so cute marzipan veggies. The food was good with the expected richness of French food and brunch and I noticed they served cafe lattes in those HUGE latte bowls, perfect to sip over the morning paper. Too bad I didn’t order it….dang. I definitely want to come back to snag some pastries and try more dinner type food.