Watch Party Fare

 Watch parties are as popular as ever. Whether it's watching March Madness or the premier of episode of Sanditon,Season Three there's nothing like gathering a group together for a fun times of bites, drinks and shared interests.

Watch parties are slightly different from regular parties because of the size. Watch parties can be big like an Oscars watch party however they're usually small. There are ten people at the most because of the narrowed interest of the party subject. Many a March Madness watch party consists of a small group of students or alumni. A specific TV program has may be  four or five diehard fans and it's usually for the series' grand finale. That's w hy watch parties are actually easy to plan for. You roast a London Broil or a  small turkey and set them out , already carved Here you can serve a bowl of homemade or jarred gravy along with bread or rolls for a hot sandwich. You can also go extra casual and create a fajita or taco bar with all the fixings. Slice up peppers and onions along with having a variety of shredded cheeses and homemade guacamole. Another idea is serving indvidiual pizzas. You can buy the dough already made like Boboli or create your own.It's a simple mix of olive oil, sugar, flour , water and yeast. Again since it's a small party the pies can be customized to  people's tastes.

Consider having a  themed watch party of Sanditon or the next season of Bridgerton. A English high tea can be copied for any time of day. This is light fare consisting of scones . finger sandwiches and an array of cookies and small cakes or fairy cakes. Scones are an easy bake and are usuaally made with a heavy cream or heavy whipped cream for a rich taste. Any sort of flavor , from cinnamon to raisins can be added for extra flavor.  Serve with clotted cream which you can buy on Amazon  or Myers of Keswick if you're in lower Manhattan.As for sandwiches use a good sandwich white like Pepperidge Farms.Cut in triangles filled with either deviled ham or chicken, watercress or  an egg salad. If you want a truly British treat to snack on then think fairy cakes. These are small cupcakes with the middles hollowed out and filled with whipped cream and raspberry jam. The top of the cupcake that was hollowed out is cut in two and placed like fairy's wings on top of the cakes. Cookies can be delicate bites of shortbread or spritz cookies.

A watch party is a great way to celebrate a favorite sport or show. They're easy to create and fun to throw. Have one and enjoy good food and good company.

Craving of The Green

 Everything is green thanks today being Saint Patrick's Day. Yet there are many who are craving  green - fresh Spring veggies for one. There's something about the the coming of a warmer season that makes home chefs want green and healthy in their recipes.

I have been feeling this way for a couple of weeks. i have been craving made from scratch straticella soup, made with fresh baby spinach along with a homemade celery soup. I even bought a bag of  avocadoes .

I am thinking of an old fashioned avocado salad, reminiscent of those classic Fifties dishes,it's an easy make , peeling them and then cubing. The viniagrette is simple.It's myNonna's lemon viniagrette. Instead of using vinegar which can be heavy I sub in two teaspoons  of lemon juice.It imparts a very light and fresh flavor .It reminds me of spring and balmy days . This is a perfect  side with anything, from grilled salmon to Cornish hens. There's a simplicity to it, unlike heavier winter dishes.

There are other greens that I've been craving. Kale is one and it's so versatile. I can easily make it into a tasty salad, maybe with orange or tangerine wedges and almonds. It can also be added to a colcannon along with spinach and scallions too. I'm getting tired of snacking on popcorn and air fried kale chips would fit the bill. As the season progresses I may do some backyard foraging and pick up some dandelion greens. They're an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, E and K, along with being chock full of such minerals  like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.  I could eat them but they're slightly bitter in taste. Dandelion greens can be sauteed like broccoli rape with in oil with garlic. They also work with eggs too and on top of pizza. They just have to be rinsed thoroughly in cold water before eating or cooking. I may try experimenting with bok choy and mustard greens too. I can see a mustard green recipe that includes air fried potatoes and Morningstar Farms soy bacon.

Yes, it's a day for the wearing of the green but its also a time to be craving green. Think spring veggies and tasty recipes. They're a bright welcoming of  the season to come.

New Orlean's Lifeblood Red Beans And Rice

 Many dishes signify NOLA, New Orleans , Louisiana. The sweet pillowy beignets.The filling and flavorful po'boys  Yet nothing really signifies the city like its' red beans and rice. This is creamy blend of the best ingredients turned into New Orleans' most classic meal. 

Food writer and regular contributor Kayla Stewart wrote about this amazing dish in yesterday's New York Times Food section. The dish's popularity is well documented. Jazz great Louis Armstrong was such a fan that he even signed his letters "Red Beans and Ricely Yours". Leah Chase, the famed owner of Dooky Chase's cooked it for everyone from presidents to civil rights leaders.reverend King was known to have it when he met with organizers there. The dishes origins are murky yet it does have strong ties to Haitian cooking. After Haiti's revolution of 1804, many white and freed people fo color  fled to New Orleans. With them came enslaved Africans and standard Caribbean recipes like red beans and rice. red beans are a staple to Haitian cooking and aslo to parts fo Cuba where Haitians have resettled. It was often a dish made on Monday  - laundry day. They could be left to simmer while women did their washing. Chefs took the recipes to their restraints where there's now all sorts of varieties. You can try meatless  or ones rife with jalapenos.

What makes red beans and rice so special in New Orleans? Many say it's the beans made by the Camellia company. The company has been an important part in local cooking for  one hundred years, first selling kidney beans and then branching out to ninetten varieties of beans, lentils and peas. Yet its' red kidney beans that are their pride and joy. The company  was started by L.H.Hayward opened up in 1923 on Poydras Street and South Front Street along the Mississippi river.It was established by Lucius Hamilton Hayward Junior, grandson of an englishmn who worked in agriculture and mercantilism. During the 1940's his son William Gordon Hayward started to pack red beans and renamed the comapny for his wife;s favorite flower the camellia.Now there are competition  such as Blue Runner Foods. he love fo red beans extends far beyond the dish. There is the Krewes of Red Beans ,a community group has marched in a bean parade on Lundi Gras , Fat Monday. The krewe wear costumes with hundreds of beans attached. Ms.Stewart also includes the recipe. You can't use already prepared kidney beans. for a more authentic flavor, use the dried  ones, preferably  the Camellia brand. It's a meaty recipe, full of diced ham and Andouille sausage. Hot sauce, vinegar and ketchup along with onions and thyme give it flavor. It's served over rice but also have warmed French bread for dipping.

Red beans and rice is truly a classic NOLA dish. Make it using Camellia kidney beans for added flavor. It's a delicious dish full of hisotry and flavor.

Top Chef'sTop Draw

 One of the most interesting reality shows is Top Chef. It's a fascinating look at chefs and their dishes along with how they can  be up for a challenge.This is why it's one of the longest running realty competition shows on TV these days. It appeals to humanity's two favorite  things blood lust and food.

Regular contributor Brett Anderson wrote about this crowd pleaser in today's New York Times Food section. Top Chef is such a part of the zeitgeist.It has introduced audiences to various chefs , previously unheard of along with broadening people's horizons by visiting various cities.It now has a global audience of millions and the winner not only receives interantional attention but $250,000. The twenty seasons show has made its'host Padma Lakshi a household staple  along with promoting such vibrant and bold chefs as Eric Adejepong, Nini Nguyen and Kristin Kish to name a few. It gives viewers a window on such diverse cities as Portland Oregon and Paducah Kentuvcky,bringing tourism and adventurous foodies to their local restaurants.How did this show come about? Thank Project Runway, the first successful show of their shared production company Magical Elves. Food was also th e focus of another one of their shows , the famed "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy". It also helped the show that Tom Colicchio, a famous chef in his own right pushed it.

Yet there were some qualms. Early on food writer Gail Simmons was nervous about the genre. She had nightmares that it could be like a food version of another famous and long running reality show "Survivor" she feared she 'd be tied to a tree and eating insects. Yet Top Chef was more.It took from the widely popular Japanese cooking competition program "Iron Chef" with behind the scenes  of such reality hits like "Real World". It was an instant hit.In the process it  conditioned a large segment of the population and a generation of chefs to believe that cooking professionals should be able to prove their worth in a spectacle , worthy of the gladiators at the Colisseum. Unfortunately for the contestants there are down sides to  being on the show. They have no idea how they'll be portrayed in story lines created by producers until they watch the episodes. There is cyber bullying witnessed by Season 11 winner Nicholas Elmi  he was called a coward under a reposted picture of his young son dressed as the Cowardly Lion. Then there's the isolation where contestants  basically are treated like sequestered jurists during a high profile murder trial. They're cut ooff from family friends and all forms of communication. It is a lonely , sometimes frustrating period. They are also paid next to nothing, which is similar to young cehfs working gratis or for pennies at popular eateries.

No matter how people feel about it Top Chef will always be a top rated show. foodies love the recipe challenges as well as the drama.It combines hmanity's favorite things, competition and food.

Irish Classics Updated

 Saint Patrick's Day is Friday and with that comes an array of Gaelic dishes . They are classic recipes  yet can be updated for a zingy and fun holiday meal. 

One of the easiest and tastiest is colcannon. This is taking either fresh or leftover mashed potatoes and adding veggies to them. Green onions are added along with butter and cream. Many home chefs use left over green cabbage  but for a more buttery flavor try Savoy cabbage instead.This is a rich yellow colored one  that doesn't have a strong flavor like the greey variety. Another update is adding kale and spinach for a deeper jewel color along with adding more nutrients. You could also add sauteed yellow onions or scallions.If you want it to be vegan, then add almond milk and Melt butter to it.Irish stew is another Gaelic treat. It's usually made with lamb but you can vary it with beef and even vegan beef crumbles.It has carrots parsnips and turnips however you can easily switch ip up to sweet potatoes and onions.Tomato paste is also put in but you can used roasted tomatoes as well for a smokier taste.It's flavored also with a good stout but you could experiment with pale ales or other brews.

Of course one of the most famous Irish recipes is Irish soda bread . This is a quick bread that receives its' leavening from baking soda instead of yeast. The other ingredients are pretty simple and classic, buttermilk, raisins , a pinch fo sugar and a pinch of salt. To change it up a bit use Craisins , drired cranberries for a sweeter , tangier flavor or currents. Some home bakers use thinned yogurt instead of the buttermilk or kefir - a fermented milk drink for a tarter flavor. For a sweeter one  think  chocolate chips, yes chocolate chips. You can also add rolled oats ( a staple in an Irish breakfast) along with brown sugar. This would be the perfecr bread to have on St Patricks' day morning with a steaming cup of coffee or tea as you watch the parade. A hip dessert served by many home and professional bakers is stout cupcakes. These are a heady and rich mix of the thick foamy ale with cocoa powder  and chocolate chips. These can be served without icing or a buttercream one laced with Bailey's Irish Cream or coffee .

Celebrate St Patrick's Day with updated recipes. You can still have your soda bread and Irish stew. Just zing it up a bit for some flavor and fun.

That In Between Season

 March can either be very cold and wintry one day and balmy and ready for Spring the next. As with what to wear , what to cook? It could be anything from a hot soup to a refreshing salad. Keep your pantry stocked for anything.

If you're still having cold weather , then think about creating homemade soups. These are alwasy good for a comforting dinner and makes for a great lunch the next day. Think of adding fresh vegetzables for a Spring'y verdant flavor. Try a creamy roasted carrot soup that not only has the roasted  roots but also coriander and cumin for flavor along wit garlic and onions.A  favorite of mine is homemade celery soup. Celery has such a bright summery flavor that you'll forget there's sleet outside. You could puree it for a creamier texture or leave it in  diced pieces. Of course stews and chilis follow this idea as well. Instead of heavier ones think to  a lighter one., One filled with mushrooms,lemtils and tomatoes makes for a hearty meal. Keep in mind that cold weather also means hearty casserole. A chicken one is a tasty treat on a day full fo snow and gusts. You cna add cheddar shreds for more flavor and top with breadcrumbs for crunch.If it's Friday then think a classic tuna casserole or even better a tuna melt for a warming Lenten meal.

This month  means you many have higher than average temps. Should you clean off trhe grill? If you want  but just remember that the next week could bring a ton fo snow. Use it, clean it and then cover it until the weather is more stable. If you can't find charcoal use twigs. These sould be dry enough to ignite and about six unches in height. Fom there you can easily grill up hamburgers and hot dogs along with steaks for a long awaited taste.You can carry on  with the summery vibe by serving slaws and macaroni salad too. March's warmer days can also mean lighter Sunday meals too. Think a roast chicken or capon with asparagus which is starting to be in season.  Fish , like salmon and tilapia are perfect early Spring dinners. These too can be grilled outdoors and served with a squeeze of lemon and light seasonings.A nice side  with grilled fish is is a Spring green salad, a welcome departure from those heavier ones, Create a lemon juice based vinaigrette, spiked with parsley and oregano. Another idea is quich.it's a quick mix of eggs, creama dn veggies, baked in a pre-made shell. It's filling but doesn't weight you down.

March is a tricky month.There could be snow one day, a summery one the next. Be prepared with tasty dishes for both hot and cold days.

Oscar Nibbles

 Tomorrow is Oscar night and that means parties. You can still have treats if it's just you and your TV set.Whether it's for a big party or a cozy sit on the couch ,bring on the bites.

Pizza in any form is always a fun nibble during this classic awards show. Make one with a different twist.Use Middle Eastern lavash bread  for a truly crispy crust. Two flat breads can fit n one large cookie pan.You can have one loaded with meat while the other can be pure veggie. If it's just yourself or another person, then think that kid classic English muffin pizzas. Again you can have fun with the toppings and put evertyhing on from anchovies to olives You can do the same with everything bagels too. For even crispier crusts and even quicker cooking use an air fryer. Both types can be baked in under a few minutes. You could also buy a bag of Totino's pizza rolls and air fry them for  a tasty hors d'ouevres.  Of course popcorn is de rigeur for this ultimate movie night. Your best bet is popping kernels in a Colonel Popper for a healthier pop. These can be popped in olive oil and then flavored with Kernel Season;s popcorn seasonings. This  brand is neat with all these different flavors. Try the movie corn one which os a blend of butter and salt along with their ranch.They also have caramel along with chocolate and sugar cookie for a sweet bite.

If you're having a party or just have a appetite, then think appetizers.PF Chang's has some interesting ones like their vegan egg rolls which come with a sweet duck suace and their Kung Pao cauliflower. These are perfect bites to watch as favorite movies and actors wins. If you want something a bit more sophisticated then then think spinach cups.These are puff pastry cups filled with a spinach -cream cheese and feta cheese mix, spiked up with sauteed onions, lemon zest and dill. Egg binds the filling together and gives it a custardy feel. These only take twenty -five minutes to bake up in muffin tins and the filling can be made well in advance.Serve these along air fryer crab cakes for a lovely sophisticated bite. Crabcakes are an easy make , using lump crab meat, egg for binding galric powder and chives Panko crumbs give them body and a golden hue when fried in an air fryer. Wash these down with a good champagne to celebrate. If you want something heartier, then think small French dip sandwiches with individual ramekins of gravy for guests. If it's just for you then, soak the sandwich  in a big bowl and enjoy.

Oscar night means Oscar nibbles. These can be  homey English muffin pizzas or sophisticated crab cakes.Make it a fun food night no matter what you serve.

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