After my last post on Guacamole, I am AMAZED to know how many people do not like cilantro, and more importantly how it tastes like “soap” to many. Really? Surely it must be a "gene" thing because it doesn't taste like soap to me or anyone I personally know. Crazy!
And you all must have heard this week that we in the Northeast region have a massive snowstorm coming our way. We’re looking at up to 24 inches of snow in the Boston area, and up to 18 inches of snow in the New York City area. Ugghhhh! I suppose I’ll make some comfort food and bake some low-fat goodies. Stay safe, stay warm!
And now, Friday's Favorite Things... clearly I pigged out this past week. Balance is key my friends! :-)
1. All-Clad Stainless Steel Covered French Skillet, 13” @ Macys
Recently I purchased my very first All-Clad item that I finally used on Super Bowl weekend for making Penne alla Vodka. By doing so I am trying to get away from using nonsticks because I believe they are harmful once heated as they release toxic chemicals that put us at risk for cancer. In my humble opinion, you are better off adding a little extra oil in a stainless steel pan and skipping the nonstick stuff altogether. This All-Clad skillet heats up quickly and evenly, it is made in the USA, it is perfect for sautés and shallow frying, it is so shiny and pretty, hence good enough to put on the table. There is one negative though, the lid does get hot which took me by surprise. I am sure there are other All-Clad pans out there where the lid doesn't heat up. Overall, comes in at a relatively reasonable price for a top quality brand. ~ $120 @ Macys
2. Elvis Cupcake @ Butter Lane Cupcakes
My new friend, Lauren (she writes for Lauren Loves to Eat and reviews really cool restaurants in NYC mainly), and I were invited to a Press Review Dinner in New York City. After dinner we both headed to Butter Lane Cupcakes in the East Village. Their Elvis Cupcake never fails me, it is so good. Banana Cupcake loaded with Peanut Butter Frosting that isn’t painfully sweet… ‘tis exactly how a cupcake should be. ~ $3.25 @ Butter Lane Cupcakes, New York City (East Village)
3. Gnocchi Parisian au Gratin @ Table Verte
The Press Review Dinner I mentioned above was at Table Verte, a new French vegetarian restaurant, located in the East Village. They served us their version of mac & cheese, but instead of macaroni they used gnocchi. Great twist. This Gnocchi Parisian au Gratin with truffle oil was so rich, creamy, and delicious and involved a lot of complex flavors in the background. Loved it and the presentation in this cute Le Creuset Mini Oval Cocotte. ~ $20 @ Table Verte, New York City (East Village)
BONUS!
I still can’t get over Beyonce’s performance at the Super Bowl! This woman does it all… she's hot, she's gorgeous, she has a great voice, she can dance her ass off, and she has a great body. My favorite song was Halo! If you missed it, here you go…
Beyonce’s Half-Time at the Super Bowl 2013
TELL ME: Do you use nonsticks, stainless steel, or cast-iron pots/pans for cooking?
Have you ever cooked an omelet in a cast-iron or stainless steel pan?
Do you need to add a lot of extra oil?
Thoughts?
How can some people not like Cilantro (Coriander)!!! I put this herb on basically anything I make (actually that's a lie) my hubby once stopped from adding it to some dessert I was making! I love the stuff and somehow it grows in abundance where I live.
ReplyDeleteLike you I try not to use the non-stick pan too much. I would rather use good quality oil in my cooking then take in all those toxic fumes! Also I have noticed that cooking in a cast iron the food tastes so much better-I have inherited the cast iron pan from my mum who got it from her mum. I think the older the cast iron pot/pan the better the cooking gets (but they can be heavy)! Those cupcakes look yummy but that Gnocchi gratin looks great. Why do I sense a Gnocchi gratin recipe coming up on your website??
That last sentence by the way is thinly veiled attempt/request for you to make it-so then I can learn how to make it too!
Gnocci mac n' cheese?! YUM! It's like two of my favorite dishes had a love child!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think I've said it a hundred times since Sunday but Beyonce is my girl crush. LOVE HER!
OMG THE CUPCAKES are calling my name!! They look like perfection.
ReplyDeleteI love cilantro...not sure how it can remotely taste like soap?
ReplyDeleteAnd with regards to my pots and pans, when I use them (which isn't often), I use Calphalon. My swears by them and she is a good cook! I highly recommend.
Have a great weekend and stay warm!
i love cilantro and half time show to.
ReplyDelete@Ameena - I know, right? I've heard great things about Calphalon. Thanks for the tip. It's a blizzard here.. definitely trying to stay warm. :)
ReplyDelete@Parita - the Gnocchi dish was fabulous... such a great concept. I know, Beyonce was awesome!
ReplyDelete@Housewife - Cilantro is so common in India, that is so funny you wanted to add it to dessert.. haha. I agree, food tastes so much better if cooked in a cast iron skillet, I'll need to invest in more of those. Oh.. I don't know about gnocchi coming on my site, it's intimidating to make, but a friend of mine does a great job so maybe I'll give it a shot. You're so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Parita- Gnocchi Mac & Cheese sounds amazing...perfect comfort food! Hope you're staying safe during the storm! I am so relieved that I'm not the only one with a cilantro-aversion...I tend to be the "odd one out" when I express my dislike here haha! I usually cook with non-sticks and a spray of oil seems to do the trick!
ReplyDelete@Khushboo - Yes, the Gnocchi Mac & Cheese was pretty amazing, have to say. Yup.. stuck inside for this storm, but kinda nice to just chill and have tea and eat comfort food. Yes K, there are so many people out there who can't tolerate cilantro. So crazy. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeyonce rocked!!
ReplyDeleteMini
That Elvis Cupcake looks soo delicious, can't wait to try it. I switched over from nonstick to stainless steel based on your blog. I do have to use more cooking spray and oil on the stainless steel to cook but, I believe the usage of oil is healthier than the toxicity of the nonstick pans.
ReplyDeleteThe gnocchi mac and cheese looks amazing JC
Ok for starters, could you please invite me when you have a review of any food kind? How lucky are you? I have never been to one and would love to go once :-) Those cupcakes look out of this world. I think I have been inspired to make a healthy creation of that banana cupcake I see up there. I went to your friends blog and the cupcake pictures are killing me. Gosh do I love cupcakes :-) I don't own any all-clad anything but maybe one day!
ReplyDeleteWow, I definitely want one of those cupcakes!!!!! The icing looks INCREDIBLE.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh that cupcake...wow. looks just fabulous. I have never used cilantro in guacamole...seems an interesting twist. i use the herb in most of my salsas and the kids love it, but when I add it to chicken or a main dish, I see them scraping t off with their forks...
ReplyDelete@JC - I am so pleased to hear you switched over my nonstick to stainless steel. Cast Iron is another great choice for cooking, the food almost always tastes better in cast iron than anything else. You should definitely try the Elvis Cupcake when you have a chance. :)
ReplyDelete@eatgood4life - I know, right! I had initially asked if I could bring a guest, but none of these Press Reviews allow me to bring a guest.. in any case my options are limited since my diet is restricted to only fish and chicken. Lauren's blog is great.. her pictures are amazing. Great way to get tips on where to dine in NYC. :-)
ReplyDelete@Annmarie - I personally think that cilantro and jalapeno make the guacamole taste amazing, but if you don't like cilantro, then it obviously wont' taste good. For the chicken, perhaps you can try blending the cilantro with some lemon and marinating the chicken in that paste. I've done that and it tastes really good. :-)
ReplyDelete@Allison - I know... those cupcakes are AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI am kinda jealous that I don't live in NYC. All the pastries and restaurants seem so awesome!! :-) You tempt me to make a food tasting visit all the way from CA!
ReplyDelete