Every so often, I take a trip to New York for no reason whatsoever. Without a wedding or baby naming or conference to attend, I’m free to roam the streets of my former home off the clock, and with no particular destination in mind. I wake up early, lace up the sneaks, and head downtown in search of the cravable. I’ve got Sam Sifton’s app loaded on my iPhone, a couple Chowhound threads open in safari, and an appetite. On days like these, I’ve discovered Joe the Art of Coffee, Doughnut Plant, Thelewala, Ippudo, and more.

It happens less and less, as schedules have grown busier and there’s nary a day with nothing to do. But the last time it did, which was over a year ago, I ate my way through the Bowery. Only this time, I was so single-minded about a particular destination that I basically skipped the exploring and made a B-line for Peels, the beautiful bakery where Shuna Fish Lydon works her magic. And I mean magic.

I’ve been following Shuna’s blog, Eggbeater, for a long time. Many of her recipes are beloved in my kitchen – especially her leeks (aren’t they beautiful?). She’s doing amazing work at Peels; if you haven’t been, go. And when you do go, get the house muffin: a combination of buckwheat, lemon marmalade, and rosemary, it’s the inspiration for the recipe I’m sharing with you today, and it’s unforgettable.

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Adobo Black Bean Soup

January 19, 2012 · 5 comments

in soup

Counter to what you may believe about this quasi-southern city, DC has some bitter winter weather up its sleeve. This is shaping up to be the first really cold week here in Washington, and like clockwork, I’ve got swollen glands, a stuffy nose, and a feeling I still haven’t seen the worst of this bug. Thankfully, I also have my slow cooker on the counter, a big jar of black beans, my trusty slow-cooker, and a hankering for something thick, hot, and comforting. Black bean soup is on the menu.

Apparently, I’m on a southwestern kick. Last week, we made Texas chili so good, I went to twitter asking why none of you had told me about it earlier. This week, we’re recovering from the beef-fest with a fully vegetarian black bean soup that’s no less flavorful, enlisting chipotle chilies, adobo sauce, cocoa, and molasses. It’s easy to make – very easy – and quite delicious.

Ok, but let’s be honest. What really puts this soup over the top is the chipotles in adobo sauce, which in my case was homemade by my friend Cathy, aka Mrs. Wheelbarrow. She smoked her own chipotles; she made her own adobo sauce; and to a very lucky few, she bequeathed a jar of the results. I tell you, the stuff is delicious. Fancy homemade version aside, the canned ones are delicious, too. They’re what make this soup sing.

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Raisin Walnut Rolls

January 16, 2012 · 16 comments

in bread

We’ve been in our new place for over 2 months; it really is time I share at least one picture, eh?

There. That feels much better.

As you can see, our new home is….well, it’s magical for us. We wake up every morning totally tickled at how fortunate we’ve been to find, acquire, and inhabit such a warm, open, beautiful space. The kitchen is totally open, allowing me to prepare food while hanging out with our company. The couch is big and brown and leather and cozy – just what D wanted. The lounging chair is structured and linen-colored and funky and whimsical – just what I wanted. Our ketubah is up, our bar is stocked, and the fridge is embarrassingly full. We’re lucky ladies, the two of us.

As beautiful as our new kitchen is, cooking for the first time in a new home is challenging. At the very least, the appliances are unfamiliar, your cutting board is in a new spot, and everything feels somewhat off-kilter. At most, you’re simply overcome by the spotlessness of it all, and you can’t imagine spilling on the new counter anymore than you’re looking forward to the first dent in your new car. It’s all a little touch-and-go.

Having lived in 4 different apartments in two countries over the past 6 years, I’ve developed a bit of a routine for breaking in a new kitchen. You won’t find me butchering whole ducks during week 1 in a new place; instead, I start with the basics. A simple pasta dinner, with good tomato sauce. Pure, undoctored, totally unrivaled chocolate chip cookies. And last but not least, a good loaf of bread. Why bread? Think about it: get out that bread recipe, and you’ll find yourself measuring, mixing, kneading, preheating, baking, cutting, and eating – all essential firsts for a new kitchen. Back in November, I made a whole lot of no-knead bread as a sort of personal housewarming for our new apartment. Then, when the workbench was sufficiently familiar with my somewhat erratic movements and my fridge had more than a few shmears on the door handle, I got around to making these no-knead dinner rolls.

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Getaways: New Orleans

January 12, 2012 · 8 comments

in travel

As I mentioned in my last post, I was lucky enough to be swept away on not one but two vacations over the holidays. We went first to Aspen, then to New Orleans, each with different parts of D’s family. It was my first time in Aspen; I’m not a skier, but I had a blast snow-shoeing with my brother-in-law Sam up a mountain so steep, and at such a high altitude, that every ten or fifteen steps, we had to catch our breath.

And it was my first time in New Orleans, too. Both of our first time. We were there with purpose – to cover ourselves in Maize and Blue, sing Hail to the Victors, and make sure U of M won that Sugar Bowl (oh thank goodness they did: made for a much happier vacation). But to say we fell in love with the city, well…it wouldn’t be an overstatement. I’m already itching to go back.

We only had three days to explore New Orleans. Before we left, everyone told us that was all we’d need. But now that we’ve been, I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface of what NOLA has to offer. Everyone also told us that we’d probably have a hard time finding what to eat, since most of us keep kosher and thus wouldn’t be eating meat or shellfish on the trip. But we managed to find restaurants with plenty of options for vegetarians and pescatarians alike. Here, then, are just a few of the many highlights of our trip – what’ll be just a small fraction of your own trip’s highlights, if you go.

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Mushroom Pea Curry

January 8, 2012
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It’s a week after New Years, and I’m talking about vegetables. Could  I be more predictable? Yes, it’s that time of year when everyone you know has committed to hit the gym 3 days a week, quit cursing, and eat less meat. Personal experience tells me that while everyone clamors to steal my spot at [...]

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Butterscotch Pudding

December 31, 2011

2011, over already? Jeez. It was a big year, 2011. Perhaps not as epic as 2010 (marriage!), but 2011 saw our first anniversary (with drinks at the W and dinner at Palena – lucky us!) and, in the same month, the purchase of our first home (an awesome condo with plenty of open space, a [...]

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Michael Symon’s Tomato Soup

December 27, 2011
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Can soup be controversial? I think maybe it can. I’ve served this soup at probably ten dinner parties over the past couple years. D sets the first bowl down on the table and announces, “tomato soup.” Guests slurp their first spoonfuls, and the crows start coming. “This is amazing.” “Best tomato soup ever.” “I need [...]

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Leek Latkes with Herbed Yogurt

December 22, 2011
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By now you know that my mom was the primary cook in our house. She made us dinner almost every night. Still, my dad does have a few signature dishes that he’d make occasionally, which I really loved as a kid. One was apple pan dowdy. Another was matzah brei. And the third — the [...]

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