Happy New Year!

Only a few more hours until 2009 is done and we're preparing for an easy New Years Eve at home.

So with some easy small bite ideas and a couple of New York City photos, we're all ready to ring in the New Year!

In addition to baked brie (wrap brie cheese in Pillsbury crescent roll dough and bake in the oven), our other go-to easy but tasty appetizer are blueberries with sweetened cream cheese on crackers.  To make the sweetened cream cheese, we take a bar of cream cheese, coat it in brown sugar, wrap it up in foil, and refrigerate overnight (Make sure you put the package in a Tupperware container as the sugar will melt and run).  The next day, the brown sugar will have melted into the cheese, leaving you with a sweetened spread to make this simple small bite.

Mini cheesecakes make dessert a snap.  Using Oreo cookies as the base, take any cheesecake recipe you have and pour the batter into lined muffin tins.  We added a dollop of nutella and melted chocolate on top (as decoration, and to conceal any cracks!)

Almost anything goes with cocktails - here we used guava juice (because of its pretty pink color) and mixed it with vanilla vodka and agave syrup.  Blueberries were added as garnish.

For larger parties, we also like to keep things simple by having bottles of sparkling wine available with pitchers of different fruit purees/juices.  This way the guests are easily able to serve themselves and enjoy different Bellini cocktails throughout the night.

No matter what your plans are tonight, we hope you have a wonderful time with good food, drink, and most of all, good company with family and friends.

Happy New Year!

Tourtiere: A Wonderful French Canadian Meat Pie for a Cold Winter's Night

After flying back from Toronto, we came home to a nearly empty fridge.  What to do?  What to eat?  Luckily, we had a homemade Tourtière in our freezer, given to us by the now very newly-wed (they married last week!), Sarah and Hugue.

Sarah and Hugue are a true foodie match made in heaven.  Sarah Obraitis works for Heritage USA and Hugue Dufour (Canadian readers will know him as one of The Wild Chefs on Food Network Canada) rose through the ranks of famed Montreal restaurant Au Pied de Cochon (i.e. a mecca for pork lovers).  Together they started making and selling Tourtières, a French Canadian meat pie traditionally served during the holidays but are so warm and comforting they can be eaten year-round.

Sarah and Hugue's Tourtière comes frozen (for easy storing) and in a generous size.

They suggested we brush the pie with an egg yolk  Then we popped the pie in the oven for an hour at 350F.

The finished product looks mouthwatering!

The filling is hearty and rich with chunks of brisket, pork, turkey, potatoes, onions, mushrooms, wine, garlic, and spices.  The Tourtière also came with a mason jar of homemade cranberry ketchup sauce (as seen in the first picture).  The meat was moist and the crust was light and flaky.  We enjoyed our tourtiere for a couple of nights and it paired well with both a Cotes du Rhone wine and winter beers (opened the last of our Anchor Christmas '08)

To purchase your own homemade pie in the New York City area, contact Sarah and Hugue at SarahObraitis@gmail.com.

{Dining Out} Lunch date at Momofuku Ssam Bar

Duck Sandwich  with iceberg lettuce, spicy mayo, peppadews ($12)

Yesterday was our last day in the city before heading off to Toronto to spend the holidays with my family. So Jeff and I both decided to take the day off (for last minute packing and errands) and treat ourselves to a leisurely lunch at Momofuku Ssam Bar.

We easily got a table when we arrived around 12:30pm. For lunch service, you have to order from the counter in the back space that used to be Milk Bar. After you order, select your own seat and your food is then brought to you. If you love duck and pork, this is the place for you!

Pork buns ($10)

 We started our meal with the Steamed Pork Buns (with hoisin, cucumbers, scallions), which were almost at our table mere minutes after we ordered. Slabs of pork belly just melts your mouth. So good! Most of the tables around were starting with the Pork Buns as well.

Next up was the Duck Sandwich (top photo). Though we enjoyed the crispy bread, tender duck meat, and spicy mayo, I'm not sure we'd order it again. We're definitely glad we tried it (it was quite tasty) and I don't think you'd be disappointed if you ordered it..It's just that after having this next dish, the sandwich doesn't stand a chance.



Duck on rice ($14 + $1 extra for lettuce)

 Loved the Rotisserie Duck on Pork Fried Rice with duck, scallion, ssam sauce, and crispy shallot. Definitely pay $1 more for the lettuce - we enjoyed making our own lettuce wraps with this perfectly cooked duck and all the fixins. We will return for this dish!
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After enjoying a duck-filled lunch, we instantly wished we came with a few friends. With a group, you can order the Rotisserie Duck Ssäm with chive pancakes, bibb lettuce, hoisin, duck scallion, crispy shallots and two side dishes. This dish requires reservations in advance. So who's in?

What to Do in NYC This Weekend: Only 1 week left 'til Christmas!

Lots of fun holiday foodie events are going on this weekend so if you are still in need of a few great gifts or food for your holiday dinner, don't despair!  With a cookie-swap charity event and the last New Amsterdam market of the year, you will be all set for the holiday season.

Want a tin full of assorted homemade cookies that are also being judged by celebrity chefs from DBGB and Babbo?  On Saturday, from 1-3pm, the "Sweet Angel" Holiday Cookie Swap and "Bake Off" takes place to benefit the Girls Club's programs.  For $15, you get an empty cookie tin to fill (cookies are $0.50-$2 each) plus a glass of prosecco to put you in the holiday spirit.  The Holiday Swap occurs in the new Lower Eastside Girls Club's "Celebrate Cafe" at the Bowery Poetry Club (308 Bowery at 1st Street in NYC).  To purchase tickets, click here.

The New Amsterdam Market will present Wintermarket this Sunday from 11am-4pm.  Be sure to look our for cups of wassail (a hot spiced punch presented by Heartland Brewery to benefit City Harvest) as well as pick up your tourtiere (made by famed Au Pied du Cochon alumnae; needs to be pre-ordered by Dec 19th for pick-up at the market  - contact sarahobraitis@gmail.com for details).  After enjoying the market in Oct and Nov, we know that December's edition will not disappoint.

8 Days to Go: Joyeux Noel avec une Buche de Noel

Since going to Francois Chocolate Bar, we have been eagerly awaiting holiday season to order a Payard Buche de Noel.

The Buche de Noel (translation:  Christmas log) is a traditional French Christmas dessert.  Traditionally, they are made of sponge cake, covered with chocolate, and made to look like a log with branches, leaves, and meringue mushrooms.

Payard's Buche de Noel, however, is not an ordinary Christmas log.  We first saw Payard's creation when Bobby Flay challenged Chef Francois Payard to a Buche de Noel Throwdown.

It looked so delicious that we ordered one last Christmas and have tried to keep the tradition ever since then. So we headed out to Butterfield Market and placed our order.

Our first Christmas present of the year!

We had chosen the "Louvre" flavor - which we knew would be wonderful after having the "Louvre" pastry at Francois Chocolate Bar.

Isn't it beautiful?!

The Louvre Buche de Noel ($28 for the small) is filled with rich layers of chocolate mousse, hazelnut mousse, hazelnut dacquoise (a light preparation made with egg whites and hazelnuts, almost like a meringue), and hazelnut wafers covered in dark chocolate.

Though traditionalists may frown at the design, we would take Payard's macrons over meringue mushrooms any day!

We love the sleek design of the log, including the gold flecks on top that give the cake a glamorous, festive look.  And inside?  Oh, it was soft and fluffy, yet rich and decadent.  It's an indulgence that would make for a perfect centerpiece or contribution for a holiday get-together.

Payard's Buches de Noel come in three flavors:  Louvre Log, Chestnut Log (as seen above, with chestnut mousse filled with green tea and yuzu citrus, milk chocolate leaves, and vanilla almond pound cake) and the Berries log (not pictured, but imagine a pink log with white chocolate on the ends and filled with sable breton, manjari chocolate mousse, berries cremeux, and black chocolate sponge).

To place orders, visit Butterfield Market (114 Lexington, btwn 77th and 78th Sts.) or call 212.772.8782, ext. 3.  Orders need to be placed by Mon. Dec 22nd by 5pm as the last pick-up date is Christmas Eve. 

Joyeux Noel!!

With 9 Days 'Til Christmas: Taking a breather to enjoy the Holiday Lights in NYC

With Christmas fast approaching and our impending trip home quickly upon us, we decided to take a deep breath.

We decided for one night to take a break from packing, holiday baking, and sweating the small stuff to walk around our beautiful city and take in all of the holiday sights.

So we invite you to sit back and enjoy the view...live from New York!

Saks Fifth Avenue Snowflake Spectacle:  50 unique snowflakes with illumination set to holiday music.

One of the many lighted angels overlooking 30 Rock.

Gigantic Christmas lights brighten up Midtown Manhattan.

This year's Rockefeller tree came from Connecticut, measures 76 feet tall, is 50 years old, and after the season, will be used to build a Habitat for Humanity house in its hometown state (CT).

Taking a close-up look at the replica of the 9 1/2 foot Swarovski star that adorns the Rockefeller tree.

Since its first show in 1933, millions have since seen various versions - all of which included The Rockettes.

Lincoln Center, home of The Nutcracker ballet, also features a new fountain.

The fountain (which we saw earlier in the fall when it first opened) was designed by the same firm which designed the famous Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.  Though smaller and not set to music, this water spectacle is very calming - almost like those spa water fountains, but on a grander scale.

Happy Holidays!

{Sweet Treats} Gingerbread Houses at Le Parker Meridien Hotel

Isn't this a great edible replica of Stuart Little? Right now, in the lobby of Le Parker Meridien hotel, the 2nd annual Gingerbread Extravaganza is being held to raise money for City Harvest.  Local bakeries have created gingerbread masterpieces that reflect this year's theme:  "Movies Made in New York!"  For $1, you can vote on your favorite creation and also be entered to win a 5 night stay at the Parker Palm Springs.  Here's a look at some of our favorites: 

Who you gonna call?

King Kong

 Night at the Museum

Big

 After voting, you can either head over to hidden hole-in-the-wall Burger Joint or grab a hot or cold drink at Knave.

Le Parker Meridien is located at 119 W 56th St (btwn 6th and 7th Ave) in NYC.

{Sweet Treats} Laduree macarons on the UES

I do have a weakness for macarons - the beautiful, brightly colored French desserts. (After all, I've toured Macaron Day twice here in NYC). So when Jeff mentioned that Laduree, a Parisian patisserie whose only North American location was just across the park from us, had opened a few months ago I knew I had to make a visit!

When I got there on an early Sunday afternoon, there was already a line. I waited for about 30 minutes to finally get my macarons. While in line, I took in all of the pretty boxes, ribbons, and of course, those candy-colored macarons. 

I ended up getting a round "crystal" box (15 macarons, $42) so that I could try all 14 flavors they had available that day. (Plus there isn't a place to sit down at Laduree, so the box seems liked the best way to take them home). Loved how the flavors popped as much as their colors.

J's favorite was the coffee one while I enjoyed the usual lemon and pistachio, plus a new-to-me flavor: cinnamon and raisin.  Though pricey, the trip to Laduree was much cheaper than going to France and it was a nice reminder of our vacation in Paris. These could now be my favorite macarons in the city. 

 

Laduree is located at 864 Madison Ave (between 71st St & 70th St)

HLFD giveaway!  Make sure to enter our Dolce Gusto Piccolo coffee machine giveaway! 

{Sweet Treats} NYC Cookiefest

One of the holiday traditions I enjoy is baking cookies for friends and family.  Ever since I was a little girl, I would cut and decorate sugar cookies with my parents (while my little brother enjoyed the sweet results!)  Even though I bake every year, I have never attended a Cookie Swap - a party where guests bring a lot of cookies and you go home with an assortment of home-baked goodness.  So when I heard about #cookiefest10, I knew it would be the perfect event to introduce myself to a cookie swap.

The event was started by Chris along with Maggy, Gail, and Abby for food bloggers (and the people who love them).  They did an incredible job finding the venue, making name tags and labels, and getting a great group of bakers in one spot.  Enjoy the photos and make sure to check the links of the talented cookie makers below!

Jessica's Black and White Kisses were the hit of the party (so airy and pretty!)  I brought Chocolate Chunk with Pecans and Walnut cookies, Oatmeal Yogurt Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies, and a few of sugar cookies for decor.  Other popular pretty cookies were Ken's Salted Praline Batons and Caramel cookies as well as Jackie's Chocolate-dipped cookies shaped like candy canes.

It was wonderful meeting so many cookie enthusiasts in NYC and can't wait for the next event!  (For #cookiefest10 attendees, please link your cookie recipe below so I can attempt to recreate your delicious creations!)