Endless Summer Coming to an End.
Well, It’s the 1st week of October and I am told that the first day of Autumn was almost 2 weeks ago.
I didn’t buy it then and I don’t buy it now. It’s 80 degrees currently!
How could that happen?
It seems as if it was just a few days ago that I was starting to turn the air conditioners on, lather up my little boy with so much sunscreen he looked like a ghost and laughing with friends while having beers in the backyard until well past 9pm.
It’s not 90 degrees any more and it’s dark around 6, but I haven’t seen any other indicators that cold weather is on it’s way.
As I was cleaning some leafs off of my bbq last night I really took a step back to look around and think about what a great year I’ve had so far.
In addition to the great times with family and friends, the fresh caught seafood, weekly trips to the farmer’s markets and visits to the wineries really made it memorable so far.
I was going to go to my favorite farm stand on Saturday morning, but I’m just not in the mood to get stuck in “Apple Traffic.”
You know what I mean… the traffic that just covers the local roadways with weekenders going out to pick apples and sample homemade donuts and cider.
Well, I have to make this a short post as I need to get some pictures on Instagram, send out some tweets and go into the attic and pull out my crockpot, a few sweaters then settle down and blog about a couple seasonal Oktoberfest beers that I love.
Oh well.
Summer may be “officially” over but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the outdoors, supporting local farms and farm stands, wineries, breweries and start cooking with some awesome root veggies.
Hey, I love the Fall. Bring on apples, root veggies and slow cooked dinners!
Spread the Love!
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Quick and Easy Dill Pickle Slices.
Last week my wife tells me that her friend is out of town on vacation and she needs a big favor?
She has a large garden that needs to be watered and as a “Thank You”, we would be able to take as many cukes as we wanted.
So, I grabbed a basket, a colander and my favorite helper. My little guy.
Baked Long Island Cherry Stone Clams. A Classic in The Summer of Seafood.
Oh yeah…. the Summer of Seafood continues and the way it is going now, I hope it never ends.
One of the freshest, easiest and most rewarding seafood recipes that I have in my culinary treasure chest is for Baked Clams.
Baked Long Island Cherry Stone Clams, to be precise.
Simple, delicious and a big tradition on Long Island.
Long Island has been very popular in the clam business for generations and for good reason.
The Great South Bay of Long Island produces some of the finest clams as well as numerous bays and areas scattered throughout the North Fork of Long Island and I, have the pleasure of residing around them all.
What does this mean?
Never frozen, always fresh.
No chemicals, no preservatives.
Easy to come across and at a good price.
How To Make Homemade Fresh Mozzarella Cheese at Home.
Mozzarella.
I don’t think I know of a single living soul that doesn’t LOVE mozzarella.
Think about it…
Have you ever heard someone say..“Yeah, gimmie a slice and hold the cheese.” ????
NO! You haven’t! I can almost guarantee it.
In fact, I hit the streets to ask what New Yorkers favorite pizza toppings are and guess what the answers were?
Extra Cheese…..BAAM!
I also asked people what are their favorite cheese’s and the 1st responses were always..yup, you guessed it.
Mozzarella.
And finally, I asked..”What is the best cheese to eat when you have tomatoes and basil or want to cut it into sticks and fry it?
The answer. You know it baby…Mozzarella again.
( Thanks for answering my questions, Mom and Dad)
Classic Bruschetta.
Bruschetta.
One of the many simple pleasures coming out of this Irish guy’s kitchen…but in my kitchen we call it…
Bru’sketta, just like Giada.
Ok, I never talk like that, but it sounds more fancy than saying tomatoes and bread, right?
The Perfect Winter Treat: Baked Brie en Croûte with Sliced Apples and Raspberry Jam.
Winter is finally here in New York.
I went outside this morning about 6 am and it was 11 degrees. When it’s 11 degrees it feels like 3 degrees, so I ran back into the house for the warmth of my coffee cup and laptop and to think about hot food and delicious treats.
Right now is prime baking season, so I’m joining the cool kids and turning up the freak switch to high.
Ok, I’m not that outrageous and there is no freak switch…just my oven that ..um..I’m turning up to high.
Enough with my failed attempts of culinary comedy and trying to fit in with the Millennials.
On with the show.
NYC Spice Blend. The Only Seasoning You’ll Ever Need.
“Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor.” William Cowper
Variety is the spice of life. The old proverb is true.
So many people are set in their ways, when it comes to life and in cooking as well.
They go to work every day after day eating the same bowl of cereal and come home after eating the same
ham and cheese sandwich for lunch and sit down to a meal that was predetermined the week before, and
the week before that and the week before that. Life is much more than salt and pepper. Literally.
For instance, take salt for example.
I know of about 24 different salts. Kosher salt, sea salt, smoked salt, pink Himalayan, Fluer de sel, flavored salts and the list goes on.
They all look, feel and taste different.
Hold on to your seat because if you think there are only 3 seasonings in the pantry wait until you see the
amount of ingredients I have in this blend.
Grilled Lemon and Herb Chicken. Summer Night Perfection.
Grilled chicken is a family favorite, oh so easy and so many ways to prepare it.
Technically, it’s the still the Summer. It’s hot and nobody wants to be in the kitchen, especially when the weather is perfect, the birds are chirping and the sun is setting so perfectly in the sky.
Ok, it’s not always such a bucolic setting in August and early September here in New York, in fact the mosquitoes are out like frantic shoppers on Black Friday and the heat and humidity can be downright oppressive, but with this winning recipe, you’ll be cool as a cucumber enjoying the good life whether you are dining in or outdoors.
There are so many ways you can add flavor to chicken to look like a rock star to your friends and family, but one of the easiest and most rewarding ways is by marrying these simple and delicious ingredients that I use to make my Grilled Lemon and Herb Chicken.
Grilled Salmon with Spicy Summer Strawberry Glaze
Strawberry season is coming to an end, but have no fear…there are some excellent options if you missed the berry boat.
The summer brings us so many amazing things.
Fresh vegetables, delicious fruits, the sounds of children laughing as they run through the sprinkler, the smell of fresh cut grass and especially today…
God Awful Heat and Humidity!
Cue the Lovin’ Spoonful’s song……
Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn’t it a pity
Doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city
All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head
Long Island Strawberries. Nothing Better.
Delicious, Red, Ripe Strawberries.
The Summer season for strawberry picking, strawberry eating and strawberry worship has officially begun and you are right in time to share the love.
So, grab a wicker basket, a napkin and take a walk with me as we pick the ripest, juiciest and most delectable berries you will ever taste and learn a thing or two along our walk.
