Cooking in Western New York

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Frozen Key Lime Pie

Given 30 extra minutes on Sunday, this post would’ve been published by Monday. But, I was busy packing for my trip to NYC (see: future post!) and simply ran out of time. Either way, my mom’s birthday was Sunday and, naturally, I made dinner: it’s the best present I could give. On the menu? Shrimp Fra Diavolo and Frozen Key Lime Pie.

But this post is about the Key Lime Pie. It’s a recipe I’ve been using for years – really. I first saw it on an episode of Barefoot Contessa (recipe: here) and have made it countless times since. It’s a simple recipe: a graham cracker crust filled with a one-bowl no-cook filling. I’d always used regular limes for this, but Tops (yes, Tops) had bags of fresh key limes when I went; without a second of hesitation or realization that I’d have to juice upwards of 50 limes, I bought a couple bags.

But other than the juicing of so many limes (or so few, if you use typical supermarket limes), this recipe is ridiculously easy and impresses every time.

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A Goodbye Dinner at Bistro Europa

Published August 7, 2011 Buffalo Related , Reviews Leave a Comment
Tags: bistro europa, eastern european food in buffalo, elmwood ave buffalo ny, roasted bone marrow

One of the restaurants I’d most wanted to visit for the last, well, year, was Bistro Europa, the eclectic little eatery on Elmwood near W. Utica. With a mere two weeks left before I head off to London (one of which will be spent in NYC), having dinner there was near the top of my “things left to do” list. Luckily (and coincidentally), my friend Rick gave me a gift card to Bistro Europa for my graduation gift – something he knew I’d use with him! So, we decided last night to head over there and have a “goodbye” dinner.

We initially wanted to eat outside as it was a beautiful evening; however, the alley next the patio had a stench of garbage emanating from it that was incredibly unappetizing. So, we sat inside. The interior of Bistro Europa is small and appears pieced together from different parts: white, rectangular, ornate tables sit adjacent to plain, wood, square ones. The walls are decorated with various Eastern European pieces – the most notable must be the large wooden sign above the bathroom that translates the world “toilet” into different languages; it’s almost kitschy but works. But overall, it’s a mature, respectably decorated bistro that appeals to a more refined crowd.

We started off the meal with the Steak Tartare ($14), which was plated with lemon-dressed arugula, shoestring potatoes, bone marrow, a raw quail egg, and, separately, celery root puree. After assuring Rick that yes, this raw beef would be safe to eat, we tremendously enjoyed our appetizer. The sharp lemon vinaigrette, peppery arugula, and thin, crispy potatoes offset the succulence of the steak and puree perfectly. It whet our appetites without being over-indulgent; we couldn’t have picked a more perfect appetizer.

For our entrees, I chose one of the night’s specials: potato-crusted Diver scallops ($25), served with herb-roasted potatoes, a corn-saffron “emulsion” sauce, and – not listed on the menu – tart blueberries. Simply put: it was outstanding – most importantly, the Diver scallops, themselves a treat to have, were cooked perfectly. The potatoes were flavorful, and the robust emulsion tied the dish together; it was even plated to look as if it were pouring out of a scallop shell! And the blueberries? Unexpected, but they were tart enough that it added a wonderfully whimsical aspect to the dish.

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Bambino & Organic 3 Cafe: An Overview

Published July 22, 2011 Buffalo Related , Reviews 2 Comments
Tags: bambino bar & kitchen, elmwood ave buffalo, franklin st buffalo, organic o3 cafe, pizza margherita

Over the last week, I’ve tried out a couple new restaurants in Buffalo: Bambino Bar & Kitchen and Organic 3 Cafe. Both left such positive impressions that I plan on revisiting each before I leave for school. In the meantime though, I want to spread the word about them! Also, due to lack of planning and my own forgetfulness, I only had my iPhone on hand when I was at Bambino and O3. So, the photos (especially in the dimly-lit Bambino) aren’t spectacular but I think they give off a good enough idea.

Having read about Bambino Bar & Kitchen on Buffalo Rising, Buffalo Eats, and Natalie Eats Buffalo, and their overall positive experiences with the restaurant, I knew that I wanted to try BB&K. So, a few nights ago, my friends Dana, Sean, and I headed there at around 7 PM. Upon walking in, we were immediately impressed: the atmosphere was dark and rich-looking without being gloomy – definitely upscale (I wouldn’t have felt comfortable being there in anything less than a tucked in button-down.), and the service was extremely pleasant. We had made reservations; without them, we would’ve had to wait for a table – for a weeknight, it was packed.

We were seated upstairs in the loft, adjacent to some seemingly superfluous TVs. I can understand why there were two at bar-level, but the three at loft-level (the outer two showing ESPN with one TV in black and white for some reason) seemed unnecessary and chintzy. Another note on the atmosphere: the loft became very hot and humid as our meal progressed; even with the patio door open, there seemed to be little ventilation. Also, while our waitress was nothing but accommodating, the restaurant seemed to be understaffed: we waited too long for our orders to be taken, and, later, for the bill to come to the table.

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Guilt-Free Hazelnut Gelato

Published June 15, 2011 Recipe Leave a Comment
Tags: guilt-free gelato, hazelnut gelato recipe, hazelnut gelato with cornstarch, ice cream with cornstarch recipe, nutella

After I spent time in the City (see: last post), we travelled up to Saratoga Springs for a few days (the town in which I’ll be attending college). Located just north of Albany, the area is beautiful: wooded, historic, yet modern – and with a beautifully concentrated downtown center. Although we had a few unspectacular meals there, we ended the trip (within our last hour there) with a visit to the aptly named Cafe Gelato. There, I had a wonderful hazelnut gelato that I’ve been craving to have again ever since.

So naturally, I planned to make it myself. However, this was tricky; I wanted to make a light ice cream – something fitting for summer. And I didn’t want massive amounts of heavy cream and egg yolks to mask the flavor of the (expensive) hazelnuts. So, I did a lot of research (here and here and here and here and here). I read through forums on molecular gastronomy (in this case, using things like locust bean gum and xanthan gum in ice cream) and found websites that sold the aforementioned gums and stabilizers in mixed quantities – ready to use. But they were upwards of $15, and, more importantly, I would have to wait for the mix to ship before I could make my ice cream; I really wanted it now.

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Back to the City

Published June 10, 2011 Reviews 2 Comments
Tags: best breakfast sandwich nyc, blackberry kaffir lime ice cream, francois payard bakery review soho, momofuku milk bar midtown review, sicaffe upper east side

About two weeks ago, I went to New York City to visit my cousin, see Lady Gaga in Central Park, and basically just hang out in the city. While I was there, I kept track of some of the cool foodie things we did; obviously though, I haven’t gotten around to writing about them – until now. And, with swollen cheeks from getting my wisdom teeth out (a.k.a. refusing to be seen in public), what better time than now?

Since the Gaga concert ended so early in the morning (we were on the way to the city by 5 AM), we were in no rush and had nothing to really do. And, because it was such a beautiful day (while, as far as I know, it was pouring back in Buffalo), we spent a good portion of our morning walking about the Upper East Side and relaxing in Central Park. To refuel, we had our “second breakfast” at a place called Sicaffe. Reminder: we were in the UES; the prices and atmosphere reflected that. My cousin and I each had a “mezzo” (medium) iced caramel macchiato and a sticky bun. Although expensive (nearly $20 for the two of us), the quality of our selections made the price worth it – after all, you’re not going to find anything much cheaper in that area. The iced macchiato (which ended up being our second of five coffees throughout the day) was pleasingly strong: something that surprised us given the milky color of the drink. The espresso was tantalizingly fresh and the balance was spot-on; we could’ve easily gone for another. And as for the sticky buns, the photo says it all: they were caramelized, fluffy, sweet, and perfect.

After a lot of shopping in SoHo and the West Village, we walked over to W. Houston St. and ate at Francois Payard Bakery (at around 2 PM, although it felt like 6). Although F.P.B. specializes in pastry – cakes, pies, macarons, etc. of every kind – which look picture-perfect, we were really in the mood for lunch. Luckily, the bakery offers a selection of about 10 sandwiches and other savory foods like quiche. I ended up choosing the Breakfast Sandwich while my cousin had a Roasted Vegetable Panini – all with iced coffee, of course. The names don’t do any justice to what we received: an excellent panini and the best breakfast sandwich I’ve had in my life. This sandwich – heated through when ordered – contained a vegetable omelet and cripsy bacon, sandwiched between pretzel bread and smeared with just a touch of mayonnaise. Innovative, delicious, and brilliant. It put any breakfast sandwich I’d had before to shame, whether homemade, locally made, or from a fast-food restaurant. And, the atmosphere was open enough that we felt comfortable relaxing there for a bit; others were seeing doing work or reading a book.

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Sample

Published May 24, 2011 Buffalo Related , Reviews Leave a Comment
Tags: allentown restaurants, appetizers and drinks, hors d'œuvre, sample restaurant

A few nights ago, I had dinner at Sample Restaurant in Allentown. My group of three went at around 5:30; the restaurant was empty aside from a small group at the bar. Naturally, service was incredibly prompt, attentive, and smart. However, that’s something that could easily change with more than one table filled. And, while the atmosphere was clean and modern, the rather empty nature of the loft-styled space made it loud: laughter and glass clanging alike echoed off the walls. Overall, I saw distinct side of Sample and could easily imagine the atmosphere changing greatly given a later time and different night (Mondays aren’t a huge dining-out night.).

To start, we each ordered 2 or 3 “samples” – bite-sized versions of classic dishes (averaging $3 each). Pictured above are the Steak Frite, the Fish & Chips, and the Jambalaya Cake. While the former two were good, but average – the steak in need of more seasoning and the fish simply nicely done – the Jamabalaya Cake was a standout. The cake consisted of a ball of vegetable risotto covered in Panko breadcrumbs and then fried; it was a heavenly combination of creamy and crunchy, light yet filling.

We also ordered a platter of a Bok Choy Burgers ($8.50) – chuck burgers with braised bok choy and kimchi aioli encased be a black sesame seed bun. The “sliders” were complimented well by the Asian flavors but were nothing extraordinary; better burgers – and sliders – can be had at many other restaurants. The burgers were, though, more filling than any of the other samples; for the same price as a similarly portioned Steak Frite, they felt more appropriately priced.

Sample offers about four specials per night on top of its regular sample menu of about ten dishes. We chose the Stuffed Roma Tomatoes, which came with a “side salad” of quinoa, corn, herbs, and chopped tomatoes. They came filled with a rice, cheese, and vegetable mixture and topped with a charred slice of cheese. While they were as succulent as tomatoes can be, they could’ve used more texture – something like a breadcrumb to break up the constant creaminess. The quinoa salad – almost salsa-esque – though, was refreshing and delicious.

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An Outdoor Dinner

Published May 22, 2011 Recipe 2 Comments
Tags: asian noodle salad, berries and cream, grilled chicken with marinade, pasta with peanut soy sauce

Yesterday, Buffalo got a real taste of summer: temperatures above or around 70º and lots of sun! With the pool open, the backyard and patio somewhat cleaned up, and the grill ready, I decided to throw a small dinner party. The key to cooking in the summer is to keep things light – in both preparation and taste. With the weather this nice (and guests arriving in a few short hours), no one wants to slave away in the kitchen for hours at a time. Outdoor grilling, a fresh side dish, and a no-bake dessert can be just as impressive as a hearty winter meal.

On the menu? Grilled chicken, an Asian noodle salad, and berries & cream. Seems boring, plain, and done before, but it’s really not. First: combating the grilled chicken – something synonymous with chewy, overcooked, tasteless meat. About an hour before I started the grill, I tossed some boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a simple marinade: soy sauce, canola oil, sesame oil, and brown sugar. And, when the grill was heated and ready to go, I sprinkled some smoked paprika (from Penzeys) on each side of the chicken. I’m no expert at grilling – at all – but after a 20-30 minute grill on medium-high heat, the chicken breasts were perfectly done: succulent and juicy with a caramelized exterior, all while retaining the flavors of the marinade.

And that was it for the “hands-on” cooking that night! The noodle salad was made well in advance – ready and waiting on the table for when we were ready to sit down and eat. It’s actually desirable to make it ahead of time: the flavors have a chance to blend together and the dish tastes great at room-temperature. I started with the basics of this recipe from The Pioneer Woman. I ended up making a good amount of changes, though; some were due to availability of ingredients, others due to taste. And that’s fine: the whole concept of a pasta salad like this is that it’s easily adaptable – something that fits in right with our summer theme.

I thought – at least for a brief moment – about all of the extravagant desserts that could be made for the party: fruit tarts, a quick ice cream or sorbet, etc. But, what better than strawberries, blueberries, and homemade cream? Light, delicious, and easy to prepare ahead. Before we even sat down to eat, the berries had been washed and dried and the bowl for the whipped cream was sitting patiently in the freezer. Upon taking the dishes from the main course inside, a quick two-minute whip of the cream was all that was left to do.

“Cooking” all of this – with the help of my friend Avery – was easy and enjoyable. Between the warm air and the smells of fresh fruits and vegetables, it feels like summer again.

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Spring, Life

Published May 7, 2011 Site News , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: caramelized white chocolate frosting, prom 2011, skidmore college

I haven’t really done any “personal” posts on CIWNY so far, but now’s the time! Over the past few weeks, I’ve been extremely busy: exams, graduation preparations, proms, traversing New York State, etc. With summer right around the corner (first Elmwood-Bidwell Farmer’s Market of the year happened today!), I’m excited to get back to cooking on a more regular basis – something about using fresh, local ingredients makes it much more enjoyable… plus the added free time. Meanwhile, a quick synopsis of my life…

I turned 18 during April, and – being stubborn – my friends and I baked my own cupcakes. I hated the idea of spending upwards of $30-40 on a cake that I truly wouldn’t enjoy as much as my own. So, my friend Devyn (who is on track to become a pastry chef!) baked dark chocolate cupcakes; then, she, my cousin, and I proceeded to frost them the next day. The frosting? Caramelized white chocolate buttercream. If you’ve never tasted caramelized white chocolate before, read this. It’s unbelievably delicious.

Luckily, the Swiss meringue buttercream didn’t break; it turned out perfectly! And dusted with a bit of Dutch cocoa powder, they were picture perfect (literally).

Just 5 days after my cousin flew back home to NYC, I went to Albany to visit Skidmore College, the school I’ll be attending next year. The campus was beautiful – classic but modern and updated. The dining hall was beyond impressive: it features a dozen or so different “restaurants”, all backed by CIA-trained chefs, that offer a plethora of options – gluten-free, vegan, cook-your-own-meal stations, etc. And, in an effort to keep both students and the environment healthy, Skidmore is tray-less; students take one china plate instead of a tray full of food. Less food is wasted, less energy is consumed in cleaning, and students eat less and healthier!

On a related note, I’ll actually be spending my first semester of Skidmore in London through their First-Year-Experience London program. I’ll be living right on King’s Road in Chelsea from the end of August until December. In short: I’m ecstatic! More specific details are coming in the mail within the next few weeks, but I’m already prepping to go!

Finally, I’ve spent my last two weekends going to prom! Organizing a dozen or two people is never easy, but it all worked in the end. Now, onto graduation…

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Cooking in Western New York

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