2012 Big Apple BBQ Block Party 6/9 & 6/10

The famous Big Apple Block Party is celebrating it's 10th anniversary this weekend in it's usual spot of Madison Square Park...yeah next to Shake Shack. The picture above is one I took two years ago when I first happened upon the BBQ event totally by chance. There's always something special about finding an event like this without previously knowing about it in NYC, but now I'm able to let everyone know about it so you can go! Follow the link below to the Block Party website for any and all info:

www.bigapplebbq.org/index.php

Be prepared for long lines and crowds. Some vendors give away small tastes for free, so those lines will be extra long, but worth it. Prices vary but are fairly reasonable for the amounts of food served. So if you have time please go and check it out!

Outrageous Double-Bacon Potato Salad Recipe from Cookingclub.com

I love a good potato salad at a BBQ during the summer. Usually I go for the ole' standard Hellman's Mayonnaise recipe, which 9 times out of 10 is a winner, however lately my taste buds have been yearning for something more. The other day I came across an article with a recipe for Double-Bacon Potato Salad which used two of my favorite foods...Bacon and Potato Salad. Now bacon in Potato Salad is not an original idea at this point, but I can assure you that this recipe definitely has it's unique points. Please read below....


From CookingClub.com: This potato salad will be the talk of the cookout, thanks to a double dose of bacon that puts it over the top. Diced strips are mixed into the potatoes, while the drippings left over from cooking them are used as the base for a homemade mayonnaise that holds everything together. The resulting flavor is unbeatable.

8 oz. thick-cut bacon
3 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled, cubed (3/4 inch)
1/2 cup canola oil
1 pasteurized egg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup finely chopped baby dill pickles

1. Cook bacon in large skillet over medium to medium-high heat 7 to 10 minutes or until crispy; drain on paper towels. Chop bacon. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the drippings; let stand 5 minutes or until room temperature.

2. Place potatoes in large saucepan with enough water to cover; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low to low; simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Drain; place on large rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate 15 minutes or until cool.

3. Meanwhile, combine oil and reserved 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in liquid measuring cup with spout. Blend egg, lemon juice and vinegar in blender 10 seconds or until combined. With blender running, slowly add oil mixture in very thin stream until incorporated and slightly thickened. (Mayonnaise will be thin.)

4. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, barbecue seasoning, salt and pepper in large bowl. Gently stir in potatoes, celery, green onions and pickles. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours to blend flavors.

5. Just before serving, stir in half of the bacon; sprinkle with remaining bacon.

12 (about 2/3-cup) servings

PER SERVING: 255 calories, 17 g total fat (4 g saturated fat), 5 g protein, 22 g carbohydrate, 30 mg cholesterol, 575 mg sodium, 2.5 g fiber


I personally would substitute Olive Oil for the Canola Oil, a regular Hard Boiled Egg for the Pasteurized Egg and White Vinegar for the Sherry Vinegar, though either way this is a great spin on an American classic...

NY Daily News: Best Banh Mi in NYC (Vietnamese Sandwich)

Click the link below to read the Daily News article on the best Banh Mi sandwich in NYC. My personal fave as stated in this blog is Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich at 369 Broome St...

www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/best-york-banh-mi-article-1.1086705

Terranova Bakery In Da Bronx, Yup It's The Best Bread In The City

I gotta say, that's one sexy picture. Yeah I know it's a picture of bread, but it's not just any bread, it's bread from Terranova Bakery in the Bronx. The Bronx you say? Yes indeed, and part of one of the best food neighborhoods in the Big Apple, Little Italy or Arthur Avenue as it's known to the regulars like myself. Well ok, my Mom is the regular, but she taught me well. For me all bread is compared to this bakery, and often times it's simple, nothing lives up to this place. Listen when your family makes special trips to the Bronx for bread it's gotta be something special. Let me put it to you another way...this is the kind of bread you eat as a meal, it's not a side and certainly not an afterthought.
When you take the bread out of the bag the first thing you notice is the smell, which even to this day I still take a moment to enjoy before eating. Each loaf also has an exquisite texture that is thicker than your normal bread and might be the only thing you'd have to get used to. This isn't sandwich making bread, though my Mother begs to differ. It's for dipping into a puddle of olive oil to enjoy with a glass of red wine. To pile fresh roasted peppers on top that have been marinated for days. Toasted slices, lightly buttered, that crunch louder than anything you have ever heard, to go with your morning cup of coffee. I could go on but I'm getting hungry. Look, the bottom line is you have to go there and get some if you want to taste the best bread in the world. There I've said it. Seriously check it out, it's worth a day trip, not only for the bread but for a visit to Arthur Avenue. Terranova Bakery is located at 691 E 187 Street and just a few blocks from the Arthur Avenue Market.

Memorial Day Weekend Grilling Pics...Only A Few

Marinated Chicken Cutlets and Chicken wings with Salted Asparagus 

Hamburger with Cheddar Cheese and Bacon pieces on the inside!

Spare Ribs smothered in a secret BBQ sauce

Meuller's Bakery in Bay Head, NJ...Best on the Jersey Shore

Unfortunately due to the delicious nature of the donuts and pastries hiding inside of the box I was unable to shoot any good pictures for you to see. Actually I didn't have time to take any pictures because I was too busy stuffing my face, and powder or jelly may have gotten on my iPhone, that's a no-no.
After a lovely Memorial Day weekend with my family eating lots and lots of food, I finally had the chance to sit down and write about the best bakery on the Jersey Shore and a place that Snooki doesn't know about. Nestled in a quiet little beach community that sits just beyond more popular spots like Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights, Meuller's Bakery in Bay Head, NJ is a must have, or must eat destination that will make you come back again and again. We really love going to the beach in Bay Head to get away from all the crowds, but honestly it's just an excuse to go to Mueller's, and for me it's all about the donuts. A shocker, I know.
Whether it's powdered or sugared, the jelly donuts are hands down the best I have ever had, and that's saying a lot since I love the jelly donuts at Donut Plant in NYC. These are something special and it's easy to describe. Not only is the jelly delicious but the donut itself is like a small crumb cake, nice and firm,  holding together pleasantly as you take bite after bite. However if you are me you will end up looking like a one year old diving into his first birthday cake with remnants all over your face, it's a little embarrassing, at least that's what my wife tells me.
Anyway not one item at Mueller's that we have tried has been anything less than stellar, so if you find yourself at the Jersey Shore and have a hankering for something sweet, head over to Meuller's in Bay Head, you'll thank me.

Why Do I Always Order The Same Thing At Chinese Restaurants

I feel the same way about Diners. There's a ton of options, and a lot of them sound really good, but for some reason I always end up eating a Turkey Club with a side of Fries. History tells me that when I deviate from the norm and go for something different, say a Gyro, that I will most certainly be disappointed. It's really strange because I am always out and about looking for new things to eat. At this point in my foodie life Chinese food has basically become a comfort, so there are certain dishes that I am accustomed to having. Same goes for my family, half of which is actually Chinese. Whenever we all go out to a Chinese restaurant I can guarantee that we order the same dishes, and I find that my Chinese family is even less inclined to try new things than I am. For me it's always Chicken and Broccoli and 9 times out of 10 I will be happy and satisfied with my meal. If I go a different direction, say Moo Shu Pork, there is a much greater chance that I will go home wishing I had ordered the Chicken and Broccoli.
However I do offer a solution...
Order a wide range of things and share. People love sharing at Chinese restaurants, especially if you are at one that has large round tables with a built in lazy susan in the middle. I find that even though you may not get as much of one dish you at least get to try more than a spoonful of the other dishes. This way you won't feel like you are eating the same boring things over and over and have suddenly become a little more adventurous...maybe.