Hummingbird Cupcake

So, while I was picking up a cake for my brother-in-law's celebration. I saw this at Butter Cup Bakery. It is a hummingbird cupcake (banana and pineapple cake with cream cheese frosting). The cupcakerista said it was devine and she was on the money! Now to the party.

Location:E 52nd St,,United States

Travel Snacks

Tonight I'm traveling to NYC for my monthly trip. I leave straight from work. After one unfortunate trip where I ate three boxes of cough drops and a pitty granola bar from my seat-mate (who I think was rightly concerned for her own safety); I now pack/buy a meal to go.

Tonight I had the left overs from my farmer's market find. Cricket Creek Farm Cheese. I had the Lavender and Honey soft cheese with a seeded Trader Joe's cracker. It was risky to eat while traveling, but I was hoping the Lavender would keep me calm. Veggie sushi rolls and a pear rounded out the meal. Extra napkins and a side of purel are always good things to keep in the lunch box.

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Ashley Merriman

So, one of my work friends, asked me if I wanted to go to a fundraiser where Ashley Merriman would be cooking (this was for the  St. Mark's School).  Ummm, of course I wanted to go.  First, let me say, I'm a fan of Top Chef (but maybe a bit less now).  One of the parents from St. Mark's hosted this get together, so it was also a chance to see a beautiful kitchen.  I felt like a kid getting to meet a rock star, it was a real honor and the food was wonderful....

 She started with mussels, she talked about how she is using smoked trout at the restaurant in NYC where she works, Butter, with the mussels, but she used a smoked herring since she did not have her entire bag of tricks with her.  Just watching her flip the food, arrange her space, using all her senses was like watching a pro athlete.  Sorry I don't have the exact recipes, I was too star struck to write it all down.  She sauted garlic, then added the muscles, the stock, the fish, and finished with some butter and fresh thyme.

Here is the end result (this picture is blurry, it is not your eyes).



Okay, I'll break up into more than post....stay tuned for more.....

"Ancient Grains for Modern Meals" by Maria Speck

You must buy this cookbook....Ancient Grains for Modern Meals: Mediterranean Whole Grain Recipes for Barley, Farro, Kamut, Polenta, Wheat Berries & More.  I was fortunate enough to hear Maria Speck speak, then cook from her book at Sofa (I have posted about this wonderful place before).  So, the evening started with some lovely wine and the cafe was closed, so we had to come around to the back part of the kitchen.  First let me say, the place was SPOTLESS.  Maria started with a little bit about how she got was inspired (from her parents' traditions), then she cooked one dish for us.  It was Quinoa with dill, zucchini, currents and scallions. 

Maria was so informative about using grains and her passion was contagious.  Her husband came along as well and they are a very sweet couple.  We received copies of the book as part of the cost for the evening.  I was afraid to look through the book with my greasy paws, but it was hard not to open it right away.  The staff from Sofra made muffins, barley sliders and a shrimp dish that I completely forget what the grain was in it.

So this book has stunning recipes, photos that will make you drool and it is full of wonderful information.  So, use my link here or go to your local book store and get this book.  I'll be cooking my way through this book this year.

Here is Maria in the kitchen talking, sorry for terrible photo.  Stay tuned for the meals I've made from the cookbook.....

Yikes, it has been awhile

Well,

I fell of the blogging wagon, but hopefully I'm back now.....here are two cupcakes from Butter Lane in NYC.  I had a Groupon for 1/2 dozen cupcakes.  So what I liked about Butter Lane, was that you got to pick the cupcake and the frosting.  So, I went with two vanilla, two chocolate and two banana.  What is pictured here are the chocolate cupcakes with cappuccino frosting and raspberry frosting.  The cake was moist and not too sweet, a wonderful combination.  The show stopper was the banana cupcake with the caramel icing with a touch of popcorn of the top.  Sorry no photo of that one, I was on the bus home from NYC and it was gone before I realized I didn't take a picture.