July 18, 2013
BAGEL WITH CREAM CHEESE & LOX
My second try of "New Foods That are Old" after the Sushi tryout 2 days ago.
Tonight it is what seems to me a marriage in Food heaven and one that I have shied away from with Great Interest for,.... OH Maybe Thirty Years.
WHOA!!!, OK,.... Excellent combo, Almost Prosciutto di Parma level (not quite).
The "All The Way" Bagel with Lox (DELUXE) at a diner has Tomato and Onion (sofar as I know being a previous non-believer) but this does not need that, OK maybe a little Soy Sauce .-)
Acme Brand Smoked salmon (vacuum packed 4 ounces/$7.99), Pepperidge Farm "Everything Bagel (toasted because these are not Bagels), America's Choice (Waldbaum's name brand) Cream Cheese/Whole Milk.
July 15, 2013
FUKI SUSHI 7/15/13 Brooklyn, New York
I really have not had that much Sushi in my life for a man my age but I am willing to learn. After years absent from Japanese food my interest was rekindled going to Dinner with Jamie at Ginza sushi across the street from her house and now I want Sushi (or more accurately Rolls) every few months at least. This time I decided to try Eel and an actual Sushi. The place was empty but its also 91 degrees at 9 p.m. outside.
- Philadelphia Roll - A little more Cream Cheese than Ginza sushi but its just fine.
- Eel Avocado Roll - Very tasty and Avocadoey, Cannot really taste the Eel yet and had the first piece without soy Sauce so as not to disguise the Eel Sauce, Love it, will get this again. Still cannot really taste the Eel, next time I will try an Eel Sushi.
- Red Snapper Sushi - O.K. This is where the game really starts, This might be my first ever piece of Sushi as in not a Sashimi and not a Roll, All that raw Fish atop some Rice.
More bark than bite, kinda scary looking but not overly fishy. Could definitely use some Soy Sauce but once again did not want to hide any flavors. Almost a little sweet but that could be the Vinegar in the Rice.
All in all I will be back, maybe tomorrow even.
7/30/13 - (L to R) - Futomaki Roll, Spicy Crunchy Salmon Roll, Philadelphia Roll
- Futomaki Roll - I think I spy a little Egg cube in there but lets not get crazy, anyways the Wasabi will take care of that. The Futomaki Roll is more like what my mother made back in the 70s with the Seaweed on the outside and is a larger Roll, here goes.
Egg (?), Veggies, Imitation Crab (?). OK I like it but maybe prefer my Seaweed inside, will pass on this (after I finish the other 4 pieces).
- Spicy Crunchy Salmon Roll - Seaweed on inside with Salmon Paste (Looks same as the Spicy Tuna Paste) but the "Crunchy" sold me, I see it,... the "Crunch" is in there with the Paste,.... mmmm Very Tasty, You can taste the Crunch yet it is not "Crunchy", Also I prefer Salmon Paste to Tuna Paste, a keeper.
8/20/13 - (L to R) - Shrimp Tempura Roll, Boston Roll, Spicy Crunchy Kani Roll
- Shrimp Tempura Roll - This should be good as I am already a fan of the Chicken Tempura Roll, Unfortunately the Seaweed is on the outside and I am finding I am more a fan of the Seaweed (in). Also there are 5 pieces as opposed to Ginza sushi's 2 pc. Chicken Tempura Roll so i was only expecting 2. mmmm, having the first piece undipped, I see Avocado, Bean Sprouts and the world Famous Roe and finding that I do indeed like Roe, also covered in some type of Sauce. Seaweed on the outside or not this is a winner.
- Boston Roll - Crab, Bean Sprouts, Lettuce and some kind of light brown Gel, Very Tasty and I think a hint of Mayo. Very good but I prefer the Philadelphia Roll.
- Spicy Crunchy Kani Roll - Impossible to resist dipping But I Will Not for the first one. Black Sesames (?) on the outside, kind of pickly. Very Good, Kind of Fishy too, not detecting much Crunch but that might be the one piece.
Shrimp Tempura Roll wins this round.
9/30/13 - (L to R) - Pepper Tuna Roll, Eel Cucumber Roll
Well, it looks like I was so hungry that I had a Few Bites before I took the pic, oops.
I was prepared at first te get a Tuna Roll but looking at images online they seem to contain Scrambled Egg so that quashed that idea, However it looked like the Pepper Tuna Roll did not so I got that one instead.
- Pepper Tuna Roll - A Very Simple Roll, Pepper only as an aftertaste, Not Very Fishy and will Definitely benefit from some Soy Sauce and Wasabi. Seaweed (out) so not a Big Favorite.
- Eel Cucumber Roll - Very Tasty, Slightly Fishy, Finely Diced Cucumber, Eel Sauce and Seaweed (in). Probably secondary to Eel Avocado Roll.
10/20/13 - (L to R) - Chicken Tempura Roll, Yellowtail Jalapeno Roll, Eel Sushi
I am following my standard procedure and having first taste of each without soy Sauce/Wasabi and cleansing the palate with a ginger sliver between varieties.
- Chicken Tempura Roll - This should be Really good, how can it not ?. I spy chicken Tempura, Avocado and a little Roe. Very Tasty and will only be enhanced by the Soy, even the Seaweed (out) does not interfere one iota.
- Yellowtail Jalapeno Roll - I always do a little online research before ordering (and to ensure the absence of Egg) and this little number sounds quite enticing. I see Yellowtail, Jalapeno and Rice, also Seaweed (out). Crunchy JalapeƱo, HOT, Yellowtail is very mild almost tasteless but this is also Very Good, the Spiciness will go well with the Wasabi.
- Eel Sushi - going to have to get a knife to cut this in half. Covered in Eel Sauce with Sesame Seeds and banded together with Seaweed strip, promising. WOW, Eel Is Awesome, so is Eel Sauce, half a dozen please. Eel Sushi is the winner here, Delicious and does Not need Soy Sauce.
11/7/13 - (L to R) - Salmon Roll, Ginza Roll, California Roll
- Salmon Roll - This looks like it will be a rather plain Roll but there's only one way to tell. Nice Salmon Taste and Seaweed (out), Exactly what it looks like, Salmon & Rice.
- Ginza Roll - This is quite a picturesque Roll with Roe on the outside, I am in the dark on this one, Ginza being a district of Tokyo as well as the name of many Sushi Restaurants google is not helping me on this one. OK, Cucumber, Crab Meat and theres a Kick to it as well, Seaweed (in), This one is a keeper, Really Tasty. At $3.00 I would be surprised if this was Real Crab but the taste and consistency is very good.
- California Roll - One of the most popular Rolls in America and has a big hand in the popularity of Sushi in the U.S. as well. Lets see why,... Chilled Cucumber, Avocado and Imitation Crab Meat, also Seaweed (in). But if this is the Crab what is in the Ginza Roll ?
Ginza Roll wins this round.
Fuki Sushi Storefront.
June 22, 2013
SILVER STAR RESTAURANT 6/22/13 Brooklyn, New York
Silver Star Restaurant has been mentioned on this blog previously but is such a favorite of mine and mainstay of my misspent youth that I cannot help but report on every meal I have there, I have decided to do an annual spot with addendum's to each entry. Pictured above is the "Regular" for me the Roast Pork Chow Mein accompanied by Pork Fried Rice and a Crispy Egg Roll.
The Classic Wonton Soup, Today it was a little off (Hey nobody's Perfect not even Silver Star) as the Noodle seemed a little overdone and the Broth was slightly tasteless, still better than 99.9% in Brooklyn Chinese Food.
Waiter may we have some more Crispy Noodles please. These are always free, none of this the 3rd bowel and after we charge dollar.
Silver Star interior, This was a Saturday afternoon before the Dinner crowd arrived.
We have to work on getting past the line of scrimmage.
Silver Star exterior.
7/20/13 - I was here with Frank during the Dinner hour and the Hot and Sour Soup was Perfect, Once again only Silver Star makes it this way anymore in Brooklyn chinese dining.
The Sweet and Pungent Pork Combination comes with Soup, Fried or White Rice and Egg Roll ($8.95)
Just as Frank was telling me "This place can't be beat for Roast Pork" I spied in my Fried Rice a perfect cube of you guessed it, Roast Pork so I took a closeup shot with the iPhone. Yes that's Scrambled Egg in the Rice, another ingredient vanished from Brooklyn Chinese Food. On a personal note I do not like Egg's but this is So Good that it does not matter.
8/14/13 - Back Again and this time with Jamie. It was a Beautiful and Brisk night (61 degrees in August) so the weather was to be enjoyed.
We both got the Combination Dinner Platter. Jamie the Chicken with Cashew Nuts and me the Roast Pork Chow Mein once again but this dish does indeed work better with White Rice as I finished my plate (almost).
On the way out I decided to ask the wait staff "How long has Silver Star been established, 1950 ?"
The reply was "1943"
June 20, 2013
LIONI'S FRESH MOZZARELLA
"I Feel Like the King Of The World !!!"
I got it in my head one night that I wanted a Prosciutto Ball proper (no Rice) so the next afternoon I walked over to Lioni's which is only 2 avenues and 2 blocks away from my apartment and boy was it worth it. I recall enjoying Lioni's Prosciutto Balls but they seem to have become a bit more prominent these days as the customer in front of me ordered a dozen, I got a half dozen (6 for $5.00) and had them heat one up for the walk back (pictured above). A lesson learned over the years is Always reheat a Prosciutto Ball in a high temperature oven NOT a microwave as the breading does not get Crispy but soggy when you nuke it and from eating that Prosciutto Ball in the photo I swore to myself never to nuke again.
Lioni's prepared Food showcase. In certain Italian establishments I am hesitant to take photo's since I never ask permission and am waiting to hear "You No Take A Picture, We Take A You Camera And Break A You Head". So far no problems.
I spy with my little eye two kinds of Sausages (probably Hot and Sweet), Broccoli Rabe, Peppers (Sausage and Peppers for a Hero ?) and Pepper Shooters stuffed with Prosciutto and Sharp Provolone ensconced by some Black and White mini Cookies and what looks like Jelly Cookies.
After Lioni's I walked a half block over to Papa Pasquale's as I had in mind doing a Prosciutto Ball taste test but they only have the "mini" ones on the weekend and are more of a Rice Ball specialty place as far as "Balls" are concerned. It was worthwhile walking in as the counter person addressed me with "Waddya Need Pal ?" which is becoming a rarer saying in today's changing Brooklyn and just reminded me that much more of why I Love New York.
Probably the Best Prosciutto Ball I have yet to have. Just Perfect, Creamy and Delicious.
June 12, 2013
JUNIORS RESTAURANT
Alison wanted some "Deli Food" on her trip to New York so we tripped on over to the Famous Juniors Restaurant (Flatbush & Dekalb) which is the original Juniors begun in 1929 on this spot as the menu says.
Pictured above is the initial "Bread and Butter" openers but Junior's provided some Beets (nice) and Warm Cornbread (even nicer) to add to the Gestalt of it all.
Jamie's Bowl of Matzoh Ball Soup.
Alison's Corned Beef on Rye (and very lean).
Jamie's Meat "Loaf" with Delicious Collard Greens and Macamoni and Cheese on the side.
I pre-meditated on the train voyage over and went simple to sample the Cheeseburger Deluxe which was cooked to "medium well" perfection but still had some paper to it (fat) but still Excellent.
POWER TO THE PANCAKE !!!
Jamie cut a peace symbol for us to share out of our Potato Pancake 3 ways and it was most peaceful.
Our friend Lori sent over a Patti Smith poster for Jamie and I kept it a secret for a day or two before presenting it at our dinner suarez.
June 7, 2013
FAST AND BULBOUS, QUICK AND EASY SKILLET CHILI
This came out pretty good with some doctoring but I did break Rule number one, Never Use Jar Sauce For A Chili. Hence the doctoring.
A few Drops of the Really Hot Sauce and several drops of Franks Red Hot Sauce got the Spices going but always remember to only make a 5 Alarm Chili when all concerned feel the same way as you about Hot Food. I planned on sharing this with Jamie's family so did not go overboard.
These jarred Sweet Peppers really came through as the MVP secret ingredient but did give the Chili a bit of a Vinegar overlay. The story behind these Pepper's was that I wanted some Sweet Peppers for Sandwiches but when I got home I almost thought I bought the wrong thing as these were really Hot, checked the label again, it said "Sweet". I wonder what the Hot ones taste like ?
For my "test" bowl of Chili I added some diced Cracker Barrel White Cheddar and a Dollop of Sour Cream. It did not need it so I got the toppings out of the way first.
What do you do when you don't just want another bowl of Chili ?
You Make a Chili Dog, albeit this was a queer duck of a dog. Nathan's Frank (quartered), Aerosol Cheddar (on purpose, I wanted Cheez Whiz but thats a ridiculous $6.99 a jar), Potato Roll and the Chili. Flanked with a Bread Crumb Stuffed Pepper Shooter.
12/4/13 - I had another go at the Chili making but this time I did not use Jar Sauce but instead a Can of Crushed Tomatoes, Big difference here folks and as I forgot the Jarred JalapeƱo Peppers at the Supermarket my mistake upped the ante and I popped by my neighborhood Mexican Bagel store for two Real Jalapeno's. At the time of this writing I am 48 years of age and I realized I had never shopped for Jalapeno's, how much would they cost ?, are there different kinds ?, Would this affect my non-existent credit rating ?
Two Jalapeno's for twenty five cents. I returned home happily with Pepper's in tow and began the slow Cooking process.
Hours later as I took my time and Simmered the Chili, Tasted some, added Spices, re-Simmered, Tasted some, added Spices, let it sit and re-Simmered. Now it was time to transfer my Concoction to a Tupperware and this being the time in my life when I was wearing a splint due to "mallet finger" the all too heavy Pan lost balance as I gripped it, fell to the floor, glass lid shattered, half the Chili lost.
DEVASTATED.
However I was able to save about half the Chili. Very Tasty indeed but these were Mild Jalapeno's so not much "Kick" to it. Either ways this was an improvement to the previous Chili mentioned above, I plan on making another batch and possibly this evening.
March 31, 2013
SAINT PATRICKS DAY 2013
On This Day did Concetta make a most Delicious Corned Beef and a new Sandwich to Love was discovered. I had always really liked Corned Beef but this was extra Fall Apart Tender and difficult not to go back for seconds that Jamie and I did at her moms house on the day after St. Patricks Day while Jeopardy played on the TV.
On the Sandwich is Corned Beef, Cabbage, Deli Mustard And a Slab of Boiled Potato on Rye Bread, Just Like Home.
Jamie Made the Most delicious Fussilli. There was Eggplant Parmigiana and Chicken Cutlet Parmigiana as well. Everyone was Happy But NOT ME *, Go ahead You Call Me Jamie when you Read THIS !!!
* - The Eggplant and Chicken Parmigiana were catered and while 5 Stars I prefer Jamie's home cooking, well we have to let her rest every so now and then.
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