Wolfgang Puck, New York City

If you're a carnivore, this filet is for you.  Served with a buttery side of potatoes and salad.  Love the pink cow on top! Its like the cherry topping to a sundae!  

My Valentines Day Bouquet

Delivered to my office was 24 beautiful roses. What can I say?  I am a lucky gal. 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Shrimp Scampi

This is a recipe not made by me, but was thoroughly enjoyed by yours truly so I will share it with you. Its simple, delicious, and quick to prepare if you're in a rush.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pound jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined
• 1 pound linguine
• • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 shallots, finely diced
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped parsley
  • 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • Juice of 1 lemon

• Directions

Pasta: Put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it has come to a boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguini. Stir to make sure the pasta separates. Cover and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta.

Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp. Coat with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside

Finally: Add wine and lemon juice to the pan and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. When mixed well, divide the shrimp and arrange on a platter with the linguine, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, (and my favorite - red pepper flakes) and garnish with parsley. 


Buon Appetito!

Scarpetta, New York City

Scarpetta is an expression which means" little shoe" in Italian but also refers to the bread that you use to sop the lingering sauce. And it is the perfect metaphor for this restaurant because it will make you want to finish every last drop of food on your plate because it's that good! This restaurant is the brain-child of chef Scott Conant located in the Meatpacking district of New York. If the name sounds familiar, you've probably seen him on Food Network on Chopped or 24 Hour Restaurant Battle.  I actually tried to go to this restaurant in Miami at the Fountainebleau, but the reservations were all booked up! That was a clear indicator that this is a restaurant that I needed to try. I'm glad I finally got to dine here because the food was well worth the wait. 

Like most high-end restaurants, they start off the evening with a gourmet basket of bread. However, what was notable about this bread was that it was stuffed with sausage  and or salami. They pair the bread with an assortment of butter, olive oil, and this chunky tomato paste dip that's amazing. For the primi piatti, you have to get the Polenta. It is creamy, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, with TRUFFLED mushrooms.  As you know by my blog name, I love anything with truffles! Why are they so good?! The Polenta and the Seared Sea Scallops were my favorite. The Scallops were cooked perfectly and explodes in your mouth with flavor.  

For the pasta, if you're looking for something sweet, the Pumpkin Consonsei is your dish. Its stuffed with pumpkin and ricotta, and drizzled with amaretto. In my opinion, it can also double as a dessert. But if youre looking for savory, I'd recommend the next 2 dishes in the Piatti section.

For Carne, the server recommended the Veal Loin. It's a refined version of osso buco without the bone. The outside is herb-crusted, but the meat inside is tender. If youre looking for seafood, the Black Cod is an amazing piece of fish and has been compared to Nobu grade, by the way of Naples. The caramelized fennel and slow roasted tomatoes its paired with is harmonious to the flavor. 

For Dolci, the Chocolate cake is a classic. It's a mini molten lava cake with salted gelato. Enough said - its sweet, its salty and it will be devoured in 4 seconds. The Sweet Potato Bombolini was good and had a hint of orange essence. If you like donuts, you will like this. However, my favorite dessert was the Coconut Panna Cotta. Panna Cotta is made by mixing cream, milk, sugar, and gelatin and letting it cool. The guava sauce adds a uniqueness to the coconut flavor that makes it a winning pairing.

The ambiance is great. Its dimly lit, its intimate, and I guess you kind of do feel like you're in a "little shoe."  Overhead is a retractable glass ceiling that I imagine is divine in the summertime and the horizontal mirrors held up by luggage straps along the walls gives the place a whimsical factor. Overall - a great experience.

355 West 14th Street New York, NY 10014.  (212) 691-0555

Sausage Bread and Tomato Dip Appetizer

Creamy Polenta - fricassee of truffled mushrooms

Seared Sea Scallops - sunchoke, apple and black trumpet mushrooms 

Pumpkin Casonsei - ricotta and amaretti

Veal Loin - gremolata crust, saffron semolina and bone marrow

Black Cod - caramelized fennel and concentrated tomatoes

Sweet Potato Bombolini - orange blossom cream, honey-sesame crumble and espresso gelato

Chocolate Cake -  salted caramel gelato and chocolate butterscotch

Coconut Panna Cotta -  guava sauce and caramelized pineapple

Oatmeal with Berries

I dont think I truly understood the endless benefits of oatmeal until recently. Here's a few facts - Its low in calories and fat and high in fiber and protein. It stabilizes your blood sugar levels and lowers your cholesterol.  It prevents cancer and contains unique antioxidants reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. And it tastes good! Given all of the above, it was a no-brainer that a goal of mine this year is to eat more oatmeal. Here is a simple and easy oatmeal recipe to not make it taste so bland. You make the oatmeal by boiling dry oats and water. Add crushed almonds, a berry medley (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry), brown sugar or honey, and cinnamon. Ta-daa! Delicious healthy breakfast in a matter of minutes!

Happy New Year!

Even though New Years was only last month, I can't help but feel nostalgic about it. If I may speak for the majority, every year on Jan 1st, we establish these resolutions and are so DRIVEN to achieve them but do we ever really accomplish them? Well a whole 5 weeks later... I have to ask myself, am I on track on keeping my resolutions?...

Well let's start off by listing some that I am achieving: 

1) Blog more - yes! I am on track

2) Cook more - yes! 

3) Travel to a international destination - Italy next week - yay!

4) Read more books - this is my resolution from last year, and yes, I am hooked on books!

So far so good... But here are some that I have not achieved yet, but will work towards:

5) Volunteering more - I'd like to set a goal of once a month.

6) Stretch and exercise more - its winter...So in my head, I still have time! 

7) Re-learn Spanish - I just got Rosetta Stone so I will be working on this! 

And here are some I am continually working on:

8) Spend more time with family

9) Stop impulsive (and compulsive) shopping. Don't buy things you don't need!

10) Be more positive and optimistic - Can't overdose on either.

And here are some goals of mine... 

See 1 Broadway Show this year

See 1 game of each professional sport (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL)

See 3 Live Concerts

Go to a music festival

Train to run a 5k race

Next month, I'm going to revisit this list and I hope to be on track! We shall see... Cheers to a happy and healthy 2012!

Chinese Roasted Pork

As a child, pork was the meat of choice in my house but as I got older, I stopped eating it (probably because I was sick of it)! Only until recently did I begin to eat pork again due to a big discovery. Did you know pork tenderloin is just as lean as the leanest chicken? - (skinless boneless breast).  It actually has less fat than chicken! And with the right preparation, its more flavorful... and healthier! This is a really simple and healthy Chinese recipe.  It actually tastes like barbecue spare ribs, so you'll get that satisfaction, but healthier! You'll need:

Meat: A pork loin roast

Pork Marinade 

Quarter of a cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons of sesame oil

3 tablespoons of garlic chili sauce

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 tablespoon of honey

3 fresh crushed cloves of garlic

1 tablespoon of ketchup


Side Salad
Romaine Lettuce
Red Cabbage
Cucumbers
Grape Tomatos
Carrots
Celery

Combine marinade for at least 2 hours. But the longer you marinate, the better. Put the pork loin with the marinade in the oven at 375 for about an hour, or until temperature reads 160 F. The key to perfectly cooked meat is the meat thermometer. Let the meat rest for about 10 minutes and cut. I promise you this will taste amazing. Served it with a side salad. 

Christmas in Dyker Hill, Brooklyn

There is a little area in New York City that is known as "The Undisputed Capital of Christmas Pageantry." Almost every house in Dyker hill participates in professionally decorating their homes. It is reportedly said that residents here spend anywhere from $1,000-$20,000 decorating their homes for Christmas. It's not even one particular block, but a radius of the whole neighborhood. There are motorized 20-foot-tall toy soldiers, Santas, reindeers, Christmas Angels and most homes even blast Christmas music! Some even take it as far as turning their garage into a life-size nativity scene! The decorations are so over the top that it is reportedly said that Con Edison gives the residents free electricity for the month to sustain the lights! How crazy! And these are mansions! Even without the lights, these houses are gorgeous! One house has a huge fountain and several marble statues all over the lawn! But visiting Dyker Heights is definitely a New York City thing to do around the holidays that can't be missed. So layer up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, park your car, and be prepared to walk around the neighborhood in awe! Don't forget your camera!

My first Christmas Tree

I'm excited to show off my first ever home decorated from scratch Christmas Tree this past holiday. Being that I had such a nice tree, I was in a BIG giving spirit and stuffed tons of presents under the tree!  Yep - its all from me little kiddies! Love, Santa Sandy

Thanksgiving 2011

This is a very dated picture - but here was Thanksgiving 2011! My sister cooked everything in the top picture. And my second Thanksgiving below was pot-luck. 

Project Run with NikeID

One of my new years resolution that I havent really been keeping up with is my running goal. But with my new customized Nike ID's, maybe this will give me some inspiration to go running!  I got them customized at the Nike Store in Manhattan. You customize everything from the picking the shoe style, the material, the colors, to the laces! And you write an ID on it. The tongues of my shoes say "Sandy" and the other says "SMC." It was a little pricey at the start point of $145, plus tax and shipping, it was a total of $170, but its worth it to have a shoe that no one else has but you.

When it comes to running, I just feel like I never have time. And the fact that its winter isn't very encouraging. But once the weather warms up, I promise I'll go running.... Mark my words! Don't be surprised if you see neon pumped-up  kicks running  by you! ;) 

Super Bowl Sunday - Feb 5, 2012

Yesterday was Superbowl Sunday - the biggest American past-time. This year's match-up was between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Giants won!!!! What do we do during Super-bowl? PIG OUT!!! The spread consisted of spicy chicken wings and butter biscuits from KFC, baked Lays, Pretzel Chips, hummus dip, guacamole dip, buffalo chicken dip, kani salad, seawood salad, vegetable sticks, bruschetta, and burgers we didnt get to cook because we were already so full! Not a very healthy day - but hey its Super Bowl Sunday!! We are entitled to eat like champs! 

Eat Fish, Live Longer. Eat oysters, Love Longer.

Friday nights are my favorite nights to relax and unwind from the stress of the week. I dont usually go out partying Friday nights. In fact, I like to have dinner, relax on the couch, read and/or watch movies. This Friday, since I haven't had a date night a while, I went to my all-time favorite Seafood restaurant in Queens. London Lennies is such a neighborhood gem! The food is so fresh, the service is splendid, the raw bar is amazing, and it has received countless awards. And when you walk in, you don't feel like you're in New York anymore. It feels like you're in Boston or Maine somewhere. 


I wasn't very hungry due to a big lunch so I didnt order much. But what I did order was amazing! Started off dinner with a dozen Kumamoto oysters - just what I was in the mood for! Then for the entree, I got this crab-meat stuffed jumbo shrimp  with plaintain chips over this creamy sauce that was so phenomenal. And simply enjoyed it all with a bottle of Pinot Grigio from Oregon. By the way, if you havent tried wine from Oregon yet, you should! Their vineyards are up and coming and produce really fabulous wines. 

Photo from their website

Hudson Station, New York City

Last Friday, I woke up feeling hung-over, even though I really wasn't. So for lunch, I was just craving a big juicy burger. Luckily, a few of my co-workers were going to this bar and grill around my job called Hudson Station in New York City, so I decided to hop on. When I saw how the burger was served on the menu, I was instantly hooked! I love a burger on a english muffin! And dont even get me started on waffle fries! I love anything potato, but my favorite fries are waffle and the skinny variety :) I'll let the photo speak for itself, but needless to say, it was delicious!