Pages

Showing posts with label you. Show all posts
Showing posts with label you. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Beef Borscht – You Really Can’t Beat This Beet Soup

This delicious and vividly colored beef borscht is the first soup I can ever remember eating. Every summer, we’d drive to New York City to visit my father’s side of the family. His father was Ukrainian, and his mother was Polish, and like the pierogis they’d have ready for us, this beef and beet soup was always a very welcomed part of the trip.

It was also this soup that started my lifelong love of adding sour cream to things. The way the tangy, rich cream melted into the hot, beefy broth was a wonder to behold, and unlike any other soup I’d eat the rest of the year. Speaking of beefy broth, I only used one measly piece of shank, but you are welcome to add one or two more to make this even more awesome.

Of course, there are a thousand versions of borscht, and as usual I have no idea how authentic this is, which is fine since, well, it’s soup for God’s sake. Beside what vegetables to add or delete, there is also the question of temperature.

Word on the street is that the Ukrainian/Russian versions are served piping hot, and that the Polish versions are served chilled. However, there does seem to be a general agreement as far as beverage pairings go. I’ll let one of my YouTube followers, Afterapplepicking, explain:

“Hot, beefy, red, Russian borscht is only to be served with copious amounts of beer or vodka. Which is quite a distinction from the cold, vegetarian, pink Polish borscht, which is only to be served with copious amounts of beer or vodka.”

Well said! Anyway, I hope you give this blast from my soupy past a try soon, and as always, enjoy!


Ingredients (amounts not critical!)
2-3 quarts of beef broth
(to make your own: simmer a well-browned beef shank or two in 3 quarts of water for 4 hours, or until the meat is falling off the bone, and completely flavorless)
1 bay leaf
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 onion, chopped
3 cups sliced beets
2 cups chopped cabbage
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup white vinegar, or to taste
sour cream and dill or chive to garnish
*This soup doesnt require a lot of thought. Simply simmer everything until tender!

View the complete recipe

Read More..

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Life Changing Things You Hear in a Dressing Room

Last weekend, I was on a quest for the perfect dress to wear to my boyfriends brothers wedding. I was making the rounds in Georgetown, and stopped to peruse Zara, naturally.

I didnt find anything for the wedding, however I did snatch up this dress:


But, Im not blogging to brag about my amazing purchase (though, I will accept adoration and compliments in the comments section). What I really wanted to tell you was what I overheard while I was crying trying on clothes in the dressing room. 

In the whirlwind of scouring the stores inventory for her size, one of my dressing room compadres began inquiring about a particular item. When she asked specifically about ordering something from another store, the sales girl offered an alternative solution: "Starting on September 7th, you can order from Zara online."

You know how they talk about your heart skipping a beat when you fall in love?? Im positive my heart skipped about 20 beats. Im basically writing this blog dead.

For Zara customers new and old, the online shop is WELL overdue. Despite its international presence, the European brand somehow missed the boat back in 2003 when, I dunno, EVERY OTHER RETAILER ON THE PLANET began promoting e-commerce!

That said, I feel the cliche "better late than never" is appropriate. Personally, as much as I love Zara for its on-trend garments and affordable prices, I hate the experience of shopping there. My Zara is located in the heart of Georgetown, on the corner of Douchebag Central and Tourist Square. Plus, the place is generally ransacked if you get there anytime ending in a "p.m.", so the size Im often looking for is long gone. 

Fair warning, though: oftentimes I love something on the hanger or online, but when I try it on, I find that the proportions are off or I dont like the fabric. So, while Im excited at the possibility of more sizes, colors, and fashions altogether, Ill still probably brave the douchebaggery in Gtown from time to time, just to make sure I really like what I think I like.

How about the rest of you? Are you excited to see Zara coming to an online shop near you?? What about those of you that dont have a Zara within driving distance? Are you likely to start shopping online when its an option??



Read More..

Sunday, April 27, 2014

All Killer No Filler…A Few Fun Foodie Clips to Hold You until Monday

It’s the weekend, and as you know by now I don’t post any original material on my “days off.” And by “day off” I mean 14 hours of answering emails, and comments, and questions like, “do you have a tasty Vegan recipe for Philly Cheese Steak??” But I do like to post some type of fun, food-related stuff I’ve found during the week. Here are two clips I think you’ll enjoy.

The first is a rather creative food themed “beat box” mix that I thought was well done. Now, even if you don’t like Hip Hop, who doesn’t enjoy seeing an Englishman in a really bad wig? What exactly is it with all the cross-dressing over there? The second clip is another interest of mine, magic tricks, especially ones using food. This is quite the trick and if you know how it was done PLEASE tell me!! By the way, the first clip is dedicated to my cousin Tony Q, and my sister-in-law Jennifer M, and the second clip is dedicated my nephew Alex M. Theyll know why. Enjoy!

The Beat Box Chef


Magic Produce
Read More..

Saturday, March 29, 2014

How to Make Grill Marks with the 10 and 2 Method – You Have to Give Me Marks for Trying!

I shot this grill marks tutorial before rushing off to New York in anticipation of the Memorial Day weekend, and all the grilling that traditionally goes along with it.

Now, Im not saying that unattractive grill mark anxiety (UGMA) has ever prevented anyone from grabbing a pair of tongs and heading out to the grill, but it is a nice technique to know.

Invariably, if youre grilling in front of a group of people, and turn over a chicken breast sporting a nice set of diamond-shaped grill marks, someone will say, "Man, I wish I knew how to get those." Well, heres how.

Whether you’re doing the cooking, or are in charge of "quality control," I wish you all a delicious and wonderful long weekend. Enjoy!


Read More..

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Jinx Proof Braised Lamb Shanks – Theres NO Way You Can Mess These Up

I dont want to put too much pressure on you, but youre going to have to try really hard to screw up this great tasting lamb shanks recipe.

Lamb shanks are one of the most foolproof meat choices out there, and when you braise it, you have about as close to a sure thing, as there is.

After a long, slow roast in an aromatic, deeply flavored broth, these shanks are sure to get rave reviews. In fact, you culinarily challenged may want to give this a go for Valentines dinner. The risk/reward ratio is very good.

The long, slow cooking technique works perfectly with your plans to mesmerize your date with a few hours of witty and romantic conversation before dinner. Im sure that will be great, but maybe have the Wii out just in case. Enjoy!



Ingredients:
6 lamb shanks, about 5 1/2 pounds
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, diced
1 rib celery, diced
1 large carrot, diced
1 tablespoon flour
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup drinkable red wine
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 cup water
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
Read More..

Sunday, February 9, 2014

You can make Italian food at home – delicious Italian recipes

Italian food is something that almost everyone enjoys. Sometimes is difficult to afford it, go out to eat. There is a solution! You can easily prepare to make Italian food in your own home!

To make a full meal, the first step is salad. Check out of your local ingredients Department for all kinds of delicious, healthy options. You can from any kind of green vegetables and dressings. If you are in a hurry, you get a pre-made salad Kit. Like is your make first simple Italian food ready!

Next, you want to select an entree. There are several ways that are easy to prepare. Spaghetti and meat sauce is something you can prepare in minutes. You can choose different types of pasta, sauces and meat. If you want to make the dish healthier, use whole wheat pasta and ground Turkey Breast. Adding vegetables to your sauce and treat yourself to a dose of healthy fiber.

If you have more time, you can prepare the lasagna. Typically have Brown meat and sauce, adding just like when you make spaghetti. Then you will layer the sauce, pasta and cheese. Placing the lasagna in oven put and according to the instructions. Lasagna is delicious, and it looks like you hours in the kitchen spent. But its just another make easy to Italian food!

All Italian food goes well with hot garlic bread! Frozen garlic bread, the homemade taste, you can buy. Check your grocery store out bakery section, as you can have great-tasting fresh garlic bread. To prepare garlic bread in a bread quickly, or you can simply packaged bread butter and garlic add and it in the toaster oven toast.

Can an Italian desert to prepare. Here, things get a little tricky. If you are looking to save time, maybe your local bakery the best place to look. You may find some tiramisu, which is a delicious Italian desert. If not, can a cheesecake, which is often served in the Italian restaurants always pick you up.

Forget you, the right wine with your easy to Italian food make to serve. A quick search on the Internet should have some tips that will help you, yield select a great wine. If this is not the case that most businesses shows that tell you what wine best with certain foods. While you go out to eat will be, enjoy a great Italian meal. The good dishes get, put a nice tablecloth on the table, and the light some candles. Enjoy your easy to make Italian dinner, but still delicious! Youll be glad you stayed home.


Wendy pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. Learn more about simple, to make Italian food [http://easyitaliancookingrecipes.info/you-can-make-italian-food-at-home-delicious-italian-recipes] please visit Italian cooking recipes [http://easyitaliancookingrecipes.info] for current articles and discussions.

Read More..