Trend Alert, Pt. 2

I am gonna go ahead and predict that the new summer dessert trend will be...



Grapes!

Viva la France!

The French have a pastry called the "galette" that is usually a great big crepe/tart thing, but SOMETIMES it means a French Belgian Cookie, which is like a small butter-based crispy waffle.


Today I have eaten almost a whole box. You should get some. POINTS: France-3, Me-1

CLAMBAKE

Wouldn't it be lovely to have a traditional New England clam bake? Unfortunately, we don't have any New England beaches, seaweed, canvas tarps, or cannonballs, so we'll have to make it a New England Clam Boil. Here's what you need:

4 fresh ears of corn, shucked
1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 4 pieces
12 small new potatoes, cut in half
8 small onions, peeled, and cut in half
4 (1 3/4-pound) lobsters
24 little neck clams, scrubbed
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 lemons, cut into wedges

Arrange corn, sausage, potatoes, and onions in a steamer basket over boiling water. Top with lobsters and clams. Cover and steam 20 minutes. Serve with butter and lemon.

Seersucker required.

Summertime Drinks!

Everybody should come over so that we can have a kir, or perhaps a kir royale, and grill a nice dinner of shallot and tarragon marinated shrimps, a crusty baguette, a nice breakfast salad on the side, and pretend we are French.

But what is a kir, you ask? I will tell you.
It is a French cocktail where you pour a tablespoon of creme de cassis (a liquor made from blackcurrants) into a glass of white wine. Ca roule!

Look-Alike Contest!

I think Barry Manilow and Rod Stewart are having a look like each other contest. Who do you think is winning?

Last Week Catchup!

Sorry, friends! I have been busy, but I have been keeping a list of things to blog about. Here's the rundown:

Whistlejacket- A life-size painting of a famous horse, painted by George Stubbs. Stubbs was obsessed with the idea of a lion and a horse getting in a fight. I need to figure out how to get a huge print of this for my living room. Ideas?

Sneezing Pandas- Did you see the video of the panda sneezing like 16 times? Adorable.



Magnum Sharpie- I got a magnum sharpie. I can write permanently and huge everywhere. It smells like poison.


Labradoodles- The other day there was a labradoodle at work. It looks like a muppet. Soon I will have my own.

SNAP, CRACKLE!

So, the other night at Tru, Gale Gand put plain POP ROCKS on one of our desserts! Isn't that just delightful? It was Devonshire cream panna cotta, with pomegranate syrup, champagne gele and POP ROCKS!


Let's think of other delightful things we can put pop rocks on! My ideas are: chocolates, and IN CHAMPANGE (more bubbly).

Cheering Up Things Pt. 3

Know what's really good? Croutons. No one give them enough cred. They are crunchy and buttery and soooo good in a salad when they soak up a little bit of dressing but still stay crunchy.
Also, isn't it the best when you are talking to a dog and it gets all smiley at you and tilts his head because he doesn't know what you're saying but he's just happy that food or outside might happen?

Trend CONFIRMATION!

Last night I had DEEP FRIED SAGE at Chalkboard in Lincoln Square, confirming it as a new trend.
I also had their house special fried chicken, and it gave me a tummy ache, so not so much recommending Chalkboard.

UPDATE: Also had fried sage on Friday night at A Tavola, zing!

UPDATE II: Also had fried mint on Saturday night at Tru. Boo and yah.

Rain Technology Pt. 2

The latest in stupid rain technology, (thanks Roly), is this new harness hands-free umbrella. It was created so you can text message and stay dry. Who prioritizes text messaging so highly that it's more important than not looking like a douchebag?


Why don't you just strap one of these to your dog? Dogs should eb the only things walking down the street in a harness.

Trend Alert!

So, in the past 12 hours, I have encountered the frying of herbs numerous times. Maybe I spent half the day watching Food Network and reading Martha Stewart Living. But still. (I also planted my summer annuals, and also my HERBS). Let's deep fry herbs!

My favorite choice for this is probably basil, because you can either use it as a topping on savory dishes, or sugar it and use it as a garnish on spring desserts.

Idea #1

If I had a band, I think I would call it "Teddy Bear Picnic" and I would bring sammiches for the audience.
And some jam.

Free the Lady!

This is such a good story. I love it. If anything, this woman should only be put in prison for wearing that leopard-print blouse in that family photo. If anyone ever gets arrested, this is the look you should go for:

(Best mug shot of all time.)

Breakfast for Breakfast

Tonight I am going to attempt to make the healthiest, moisty-ist zucchini bread ever. I have not made it yet, but here is my recipe I made up:1 TBS cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
3 eggs (egg beaters)
2 cups grated zucchini
4 tsp. baking powder
2/3 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
1 pkg. fat-free instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup walnuts

Bake at 325 for 1 hour in two bread pans.