Many things were important to get us through the polar vortex of January and February: A warm coat, sturdy snow boots, and, of course, a hearty breakfast. Remember to check us out at www.westchesterbreakfastclub.com! Epstein’s Kosher Restaurant Jan. 5: We kicked off the new year with a visit to Epstein’s Hartsdale outpost…. Read More →
LoHud Wine of the Week Alpamanta Estate Malbec 2010: Beautifully balanced with tobacco, smoky flavors and a spicy finish. Region: Mendoza, Argentina. Price: $24.99. Goes with: chunky chili, Argentine rib-eye. Why we chose it: Never a bad idea to enjoy some hot chili and a soft Malbec on a cold… Read More →
When it comes to wine shop owners, Arthur and Scott Wunderlich of Bedford Wine Merchants make a terrific team. Arthur, Scott’s dad, is a fabulous cook with a marketing and advertising background. (He writes the recipes for the newsletter.) Scott, who joined the business in 2007 after 8 years as… Read More →
If there’s ever a time to shake a cocktail with New Orleans lineage, it’s tonight: Mardi Gras. Known in English as Fat Tuesday, it’s the last day before Lent, when Christians begin the penitent season before Easter, and there is no better place to celebrate than in New Orleans. Trinkets,... Read More →
I feel we have reached the land of endless winter. It is a good thing, we love grains and legumes in our house because I seem to have taken to cooking them almost exclusively, not really, but I have been using them a lot. So, today they go in… Read More →
The most common variety of bay leaves are Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis, Lauraceae) are usually a behind the scenes star of many dishes. Fresh or dried bay leaves are used in cooking for their distinctive flavor and fragrance. The leaves are often used to flavor soups, stews, braises and pâtés in Mediterranean… Read More →
Amigos, We’re back in the cold, cold weather…and comfort food calls. One of those warming dishes is rice and beans. Still, my friends, it’s important to note that when people talk about rice and beans, they might not realize that, as you know I love to say, the sky’s the… Read More →
This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to have brunch at Recologie in New Rochelle. Now, if you’ve walked by their storefront, you’re probably wondering how it is that I ate there- it looks like an artsy store. Look in the window and you’ll see things like scarves and necklaces…. Read More →
The cold weather just doesn’t want to let up in the Northeast. It’s been a long winter, with no end in sight. I started off the New Year speaking about beans, lentils to be exact. Then over the course of the past 8 weeks I shared some fun recipes using split… Read More →
A pot of home cooked beans can be used in a variety of ways. Try combining them with citrus and fennel to create a perfect foil for your fish filet that cooks in a snap. Click this link to read more about dry beans from our Seasonal Chef. Print Spice-crusted Halibut… Read More →
Greetings fellow followers of Small Bites. I’m Sharon Pickett, a resident of Scarborough, N.Y. and South Kingstown, R.I. Some of you may know me as a guest blogger, mainly focusing on the great bounty that is Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. This year, however, I decided to take my dining a bit… Read More →
Ridge Hill Restaurant Week is easy on the wallet, and a good bet if you’ve got kids in tow, too. Now through March 6, the massive shopping center in Yonkers is offering great deals on lunch, dinner and even smoothies. Diners can enjoy three-course prix fixe dinners for $20.14 at… Read More →
James Beard has been described as the Dean of American cookery. The James Beard Foundation, established in his honor after his death in the late 1980s, invites chefs to showcase their talents by hosting dinners in Beard’s former New York City townhouse. Chef Vincent Barcelona of Harvest on Hudson was… Read More →
Wishing Away the Winter Woes Rough winter, eh? Even if it doesn’t prove to be the statistically worst in Westchester history, it sure as hell feels that way. Nasty, unforgiving, relentless—pick your adjective. Or your simile: “It’s like a boxer with a good jab,” likens Rob Walpole of Hawthorne as… Read More →
We were out for most of the weekend, getting back to errands and life in general on Sunday, needed some extra help! Some of this help came in the form of the stunningly beautiful weather that we have been having. It is nice to see the birds out, a little… Read More →
This warm and cozy restaurant with a French Bistro flare, is the sister restaurant to “Ladle of Love”. Our lovely proprietor, Leslie Lampert, shared some of her secrets at one of our classes along with the restaurant’s recipe for Maple-Cider Vinaigrette (see recipe below). Hi! Donna Monaco Olsen here, co-coordinator… Read More →
Maybe it’s this crazy weather, or maybe it’s the fact that life has just starting going so quickly that it’s hard to keep up. But, whatever the reason, it seems that comfort foods are what many of us crave most these days. Recently I’ve been thinking more and more about… Read More →
Millet, truly an ancient grain, dates back almost 5,000 years. It’s gluten-free and an excellent source of Fiber, Iron and B vitamins. Millet is easy to cook and versatile with many vegetables. If you’ve never tasted millet, give it a try. You will be surprised as how delicious it is…. Read More →
My adventure with grains continues with millet, this week. I know what you’re thinking: “Birdseed? Why would we want to eat that?” Tis true, there are varieties of millet produced for birds. Ever see those pretty swirly things that hang in the birdcage? Millet for human consumption has the hard… Read More →
LoHud Wine of the Week 2011 Montesierra Tempranillo: Dark purple intensity, with hints of tobacco, stewed black plums and vanilla from toasted oak. Region: Cigales, Spain. Price: $13. Goes with: Steak au poivre or any rich, dark meat stew like beef or lamb. Why I chose it: A mouthful of… Read More →
I could not help noticing the fact that the light was still around, shining through the snow at well past five o clock, last evening. So, while we may not feel it, with all the slush, sleet and ice of the past week, spring is inching its way around. Slowly… Read More →
Mis amigos, I’m sure you’ll agree that sometimes simple is best. An evening at home, with a great book (nice glass of wine…) or a walk on a beach (ah…remember the beach?) can be beyond dreamy. Well, friends, the same can apply to the food arena, and even to those… Read More →
This is a show stopping grilled lamb and polenta dish, that will have your guests is awe. The best part is most of it can be make the day before, and while the lamb cooks the rest is re-warming in the oven. Instant polenta makes that part super simple, and… Read More →
Your ‘fridge does the all work creating this dreamy chocolate panna cotta. Panna cotta, meaning “cooked cream” in Italian, is a perfect make-ahead dessert that will leave your guests in awe. Don’t forget the very important step of straining the liquid before plating. That will ensure a silky smooth cream…. Read More →
LoHud Wine of the Week Champagne Canard-Duchêne Brut Rose NV: A very sophisticated wine with red berry and dried strawberry notes. Not a hint of sweetness. Region: Reims, France. Price: $40. Goes with: Duck, caviar, runny cheese and romance. Why I chose it: Because it’s elegant and has tiny bubbles…. Read More →
The Best Fest In All of Westchester It was among the greatest days ever for New York-based craft beer fans. There were two full-blown brew festivals Saturday—the cleverly titled Hops and Props bash under the Spirit of St. Louis and other vintage aircraft at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on… Read More →
Today’s dish will hopefully put you in the mood for love and celebration. This jeweled rice is studded with ruby red pomegranate seeds and saffron to round of the flavors and mussels to create the mood for some added romance. Yes, much like oysters, mussels are also considered to be an aphrodisiac…. Read More →
I really did want to move along in our homebrewing story much more quickly than I have been able to but unfortunately I got taken down by the flu. Getting over it now and looking for ways to really feel better, so what’s the opposite of flu? Brew! Anywhoo. Storm’s… Read More →
This week some people have love on their minds, and appropriately so. To piece together a formula for romance, let me talk about pomegranates. Pomegranates are said to have originated in Iran, but this ruby red fruit is well loved in all across the middle east. In fact, in Greek… Read More →
When I was growing up, chef’s salads were all the rage. I remember trying to transport this idea to Spain; we, one of my roommates and I, were hosting a luncheon in her mom’s home in Tarragona. I don’t remember what else was on the menu, but I do vividly… Read More →
