1.04.2011

Peppermint Bark for the Holidays!

This is one of the easiest recipes in the world and a great gift idea!

1 Bag of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
2 Bags of White Chocolate Chips
Peppermint Extract
Candy Canes Ground Up

Recipe:
Melt Chocolate in microwave or on the stove top.
Spread it thin along a big cookie sheet.
Put in freezer for 10 min or fridge for 30.
Melt white chocolate in microwave or stove top.
Add in a tiny bit of peppermint extract to the melted white chocolate.
Spread on top of hardened chocolate.
Sprinkle candy canes on top.
Put in fridge over night.
Break into pieces!

Now, in pictures:







My Version of Italian Wedding Soup

So I am on vacation in San Diego and lately, all I've been wanting to eat is soup and stew. 
I found this recipe and I made it! 
Not only is this soup healthy, but it is filling and REALLY good!

Here is the recipe:
2 Cartons of Chicken Broth 
1 Zucchini 
Head of Broccoli 
Spinach, A LOT OF SPINACH
Carrots
Onion
Garlic 
Cooked Little Macaroni (I used Ditalini)
Ground Low-Fat Turkey
Salt and Pepper
Basil
Parmesan Cheese for Garnish!

*Put all of the above together in one pot and shazam! Soup! 

Now, the recipe in pictures!

First, the broth

 Then the veggies!


Then the meat!

 Macaroni Time!

 One happy family!

Viola! 

If you make this, please let me know anything you added or took out! Make it your own style!
Enjoy!

1.03.2011

Best Pad Thai in NYC!

Hi Friends!
This is one place I hold very dear to my heart:
Cafe Tasia 
(On 8th Street and Greene)
This was the very first place my mother and I ate after taking a tour of my Master's Program last February. I was excited and she was hungry, so we found Cafe Tasia. This was the meal we ate after I shook hands with a lot of important people at NYU, so we were in celebration mode. It was also below 20 degrees outside, so Thai Food seemed perfect.
Well months later, after being accepted to NYU and moving to New York, I have been to Cafe Tasia over 10 times, (yes it is THAT good).
Below is a documentation of a dinner my friend Alex and I had in December 2010.

We arrived around 6pm during their Happy Hour.
Happy Hour is: $10 for a drink (alcoholic or not), an appetizer, and an entree! What a deal!

Below is the appetizers:
 Papaya Salad (left) and the Spring Rolls (right)
Both are excellent, the Papaya Salad has a kick to it, so non-spicy lovers beware, and the Spring Rolls are absolutely amazing. The pineapple sauce drizzled over the rolls is an excellent complement to the crispy, savory, bite-sized goodness.

Below is the best damn Pad Thai in NYC:
Alex and I ordered the same thing because, who wouldn't?! The Pad Thai has a perfect sauce to noodle ratio. The flavor is perfect and it is not too greasy. Something about this Pad Thai is magical! 

Below is Alex, enjoying his Pad Thai.

Overall:
Cafe Tasia is ALWAYS consistent. The decor is modern and hip, and there is always a crowd of people eating there. Very kind waiters and hostesses. I have never waited more than 10 minutes to eat there. Perfect food, perfect service, perfect location. You can even sign in on Four Square and get half off of an entree! 

Website: