EASTER 2016

Mini Lobster Balls - 

STUFFED SHELLS BY PASTOSA - Brooklyn, New York

It really is hard to stay away. After all these are Stuffed Shells of the highest order.

Pastosa does not skimp on the Cheese level but I have yet to make these home made so competition might be forthcoming but somehow I doubt I can challenge this beast.

Is there such a thing as Too Much Cheese ?

I think not.

Pastosa interior.

Cold Antipasto, submitted for your approval.

Hot Antipasto, submitted for your approval.

4/17/16 - While strolling by Pastosa one day, before the early early month of May, I was taken by surprise by a plate of Pesto Chicken Salad before the early early month of May.

Cans on Array.

PASTOSA WEBSITE

HOME ON THE RANGE, where the deer and the antelope play, (and Leftovers for a week).

OH WHAT AN AWESOME SIGHT.

This was just magnificent and perhaps the crowning glory. Pastosa does indeed make a mean Stuffed Shell and bring on the competition.

This served as a Wonderous heat up and serve dish. I prepared the home made Sauce with extra Garlic and served a Tally Whacker amongst Tally Whackers feasting.

No such thing as Too Much Garlic Never, Ever, Ever.

1/15/16 - Home Made Sauce, the only way.

1/16/16 - Pork Cutlets from Frank & Sal's, they looked great but were a little gamey, oh well.

Potato Salad on the side.

1/17/16 - Aah Yes, home made Chicken Cutlets Breaded and Egged by Christina with Barilla Pasta, Broccoli Rabe and an Egg Ball, waste not want not.

1/18/16 - That's One Spicy Meatball, Red Pepper Flakes for character.

Fussili with Sauce, Grated Cheese & The Meatball.

CHRISTMAS 2015

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house the smell of frying filled the air as MSG looked for a mouse.

The Salmon was stored by the Butter Dish with care while the Broccoli Rabe just Simmered there.

This year (2015) I decided to prepare Christmas & Christmas Eve Dinner myself (with help from Christina) and while everything wound up fine there were pitfalls.

The Pan Seared Salmon was slightly underdone and had to be finished off in the oven, at one point my burners decided they wanted to stop working and I had to relight them mid-cook, I added the Crushed Tomatoes to the Pan BEFORE Cooking the Garlic in EVOO Twice !!! and I decided to use my electric hand mixer after all since I was running late and left the skins on the Potatoes except I couldn't find the plug for said hand mixer and hand mashed after all.

Other than that which isn't actually much to worry about everything came out Great if I must say so myself ' we did have Christmas.

12/24/15 - Christmas Eve - Pan Seared Salmon with Broccoli Rabe and Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

Christina and I are both Garlic Nuts (and knots) but next time we will have to use even more.

A Bulb & a half was added to the Broccoli Rabe and a half bulb for the Garlic Mashed Potatoes which was cooked in an unsalted Butter and Milk Sauce which I had to eyeball for quantity levels and it came out just right.

Christina's Salmon with Broccoli Rabe and Baked Sweet Potato.

Even MSG got into the holiday spirit and we discovered she enjoyed Broccoli Rabe stems, yes indeed a strange cat.

After Midnight and it was Officially Christmas so the appetizers came out, wait isn't that supposed to be the other way round.

12/25/15 - Christmas Day - Chicken Parmigiana with Penne and Sauce, Yes of course I used a Ton of Grated Cheese but only after this photo was taken.

Christina's Chicken Cutlets and Penne with Sauce on the side for Dipping.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2015

HOSPITAL FOOD - IT CURES WHAT AILS YA'

It would be easy for me to start knocking "Hospital" Food but realistically why would I, they are only trying to help nurse you back to health with three square meals a day, I find the midnight Snack sorely lacking but I suppose you could smuggle some Fruit Roll-Ups in or something.

My current theory is that the Food is sub-par for the most part so as to frighten us back into good health to escape back to the outside world where the "Good Food" is. After all we don't want people maiming themselves to be admitted to the local medical facility to get at that Scrumptious Filet Mignon in Mushroom Gravy or Delectable Pheasant under Glass on offer.

I did not take exact notes on the Foods pictured but above is the "Tuna Platter". The Veggies were of decent quality and the Tuna Salad was quite good and I am picky about my Tuna Salad, the lemon kind of perplexes me as there is Mayo in the Tuna but whatever.

This is the "Burger Deluxe"

I was rather excited to check this off on the Menu as my Lunch choice the day prior as to me what makes a Burger "Deluxe" is French Fries, They must have been hiding somewhere. 

What did make this humorous was under the plastic dome which covers the main dish was this paltry little Salisbury Steak style Burger and that was that. Akin to one guppy in the entire Atlantic Ocean.

This photo must have been taken on one of my lost days as I was heavily sedated for a few and I do not recall the Crispy Rice (Rice Krispies) at all but the Gevina Yogurt is definitely a winner to me.

Typical Breakfast fare usually served at Breakfast (ingenious, huh).

Tea, Yogurt, Cereal of choice (in this case fake Raisin Bran but then this enters the realm of quantum physics), Banana, small Corn Muffin (as opposed to JUMBO) of which only a small amount (one Patty) of Butter is provided to enhance it. The cup in the back had some type of Sweetened Milk that while I appreciate the effort can only be described as appalling.

Pot Roast, Oh Yes Pot Roast. 

Unfortunately the "skin" as it were was quite fatty so I ate inside and around that, Veggies of the canned kind (I can live with that) and actually quite good (not powdered) Mashed Potatoes, all that was missing was the Gravy.

Turkey Meatballs and Pasta (Spaghetti in this case).

This was actually pretty great and I could have not done better myself. Just the right amount of Pasta (Al Dente), as a matter of fact there was some Meatball left after the Pasta was finished and I balance my plate always. It would only have been "weird" if they were not touted as Turkey Meatballs but they were, I have had better Turkey Meatballs but for hospital fare I could have had a second serving easily.

OK, Found this on one of my 4 a.m. trips to the Pantry "Nutrition Center" and it was the only one on the shelf and it espouses Nectar Consistency and it is water in one of those pokeyourstrawthroughitlittleplasticcups and it also contains Phenylalanine (whatever that is but sounds close enough to Penny Lane).

Unfortunately it was not very good but I tried.

I thank my local medical institution for keeping me alive and strangely fed for over a week, the staff was great and the food was,... well Foodish.

IN A PINCH - IT'S A JAR SAUCE THING, YOU WOULD'NT UNDERSTAND

I grabbed these three guys on sale at Waldbaum's to sample them and frankly am not sure if I will ever go out of my way to prepare these "exotic" Flavor's at home on my own. While I am sure they are simple to concoct I am a Crushed Tomato Bolognese or Marinara Sauce guy in the kitchen when making a homeade Sauce. 

11/20/15 - The Creamy Mozzarella was pretty much completely lacking in Flavor, I mean it was there but that is where it began and ended. Edible Yes but "meh"

12/28/15 - I can only describe this as Chef Boyardee Sauce in a jar with the Cheese mixed with Tomato Flavor, better than the Creamy Mozzarella described above but looks like the RAGU people aren't impressing me as of yet.

But do you really expect much from a Jar Sauce.

OTHER PEOPLE'S FOOD - RUBINO'S, Miller Place, Long Island

This just in from our Culinary Commentator out in the field.

Baked Ziti with a side of Meatballs ($17.32)

Rubino's which is 45 minutes west of the Hampton's serves authentic Italian Dishes (I am assuming prepared by authentic Italian's) and is reported to be quite great from a fellow Brooklynite and peer of mine who knows what the Real Deal is. 

Here is her report.

Enough Mozzarella & Ricotta to keep the Pasta Moisty and the Palate Delighted.

Excellent Cheese/Meat ratio and the Meatballs are done right, not just Bread Crumbs and Eggs, Its got all the Seasonings.

Also Fresh Warm Rolls on the side which were sensually absorbed by the thick Marinara.

-Sarah

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS - CITI FIELD, Queens, New York

Citi Field graciously offers its employee's a Free Breakast or Lunch as it were before they get going to work, well they say well fueled is well working, no they don't say that I just made it up. And it is a rushed Breakfast of sorts so you can get to your work station with time to spare.

Anyways there is a little cafeteria section past the employee entrance and I have enjoyed a few Meals there, none of this was Gourmet but certainly Edible Delectables and of course I had to grab a few pics. Everything is served in a Buffet style so you compose your own Salad and then are served the main Dish by Cafeteria employees. 

There is a Fountain Soda machine and Coffee/Tea station (not pictured) around the corner at the end as well but where the heck is the Hot Chocolate and the Booze!!!

Pulled Pork over Rice flanked by a Salad which I believe contains Greens, Corn and Shredded Cheese.

Greens, Shredded Cheese, Corn and a couple of Tomatoes.

This Is before I learned that the Salad Dressing packets were at the far end of the Buffet by the Cups and Sugar and such. 

Dunkin Donuts Cups mind you as that is the brand Citi Field sponsors, or do they sponsor Citi Field ?

AHAA !!! (in a Ralph Kramden voice). Chicken Cordon Bleu, one of my favorites.

Whilst waiting in the Chow line I spied these Breaded little cuties ahead of me and either Meat or Fish I wanted one. Certainly of the Frozen fare but fine, my only complaint is that the Cheese in the center wasn't Ooey and Gooey but hey this isn't Tavern On The Green.

Flanked by Rotini Pasta and a type of Green which I cannot completely identify but the Greens were kind of too Chewy so in the end I chucked them (in the garbage that is).

Salad is Greens, Shredded Cheese, most likely Corn under the Cheese and Beets.

I am not particularly a fan of Beets but the night before I dreamt of them so when I saw them I thought "Heck better get some". Topped with "Newman's Own" Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing post photo now that I knew where to procure the Dressing from.

Kind of a Marinated Chicken Breast but what is that green thing at the bottom of the photo ? might have come with the Chicken which was served to me but I haven't the foggiest, this in fact remains a mystery. Also some Salsa and Picco De Gallo atop the Chicken but there must have been a self serve station at the end of the line because in this fast moving and packed Cafeteria there is no time to ask for "a little spoon of this and a little spoon of that" once again this is an enigma.

BUT !!!

The Coup De Grace was the CORN SALAD.

On a personal level I love CORN SALAD ever since I played a gig at a rich persons house and during a break we were offered some Barbeque Food and I said "Gimme Sommadat".

From looking at the photo I see some Diced Tomato and maybe String Bean in the mixture but this does not matter, while I was looking down the Chowline with foresight to my choices (they always go to the right don't they) I knew I was going to say "Gimme Sommadat", actually I just said "Corn Salad Please" but I can imagine I am a Bad Ass can't I.

And here we come to the end of the 2015 Baseball season. This was taken on the morning of the first game of the Subway Series between the Mets and the Yankees (Mets Won Yay).

Roast Beast and Mashed Potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes were of the Real not powdered kind but akin to the title of this Blog Where Was The Gravy !!! but its OK I ate them all. The Roast Beef on the other hand was extremely difficult to cut with a plastic knife and not the tenderest cut so about half was finished.

Salad is a few Greens, two Cherry Tomato halves, Shredded Cheese and Corn topped also post photo by "Newman's Own" Creamy Caesar Dressing.

And of course a cup of Mountain Dew.

PENNE !!!

L & B SPUMONI GARDENS 5/1/15 Brooklyn, New York

THREE SQUARE MEALS A DAY.

The Sicilian Slice from L & B Spumoni Gardens is certainly my favorite "Square" and perhaps my cohorts as well whom I accompanied this evening, being Roberta (Billy Joel song), Sarah Crazy Child (Tyrannosaurus Rex song) and your narrator Spike (Tom Petty song) and what is not be agreed upon, Just Perfect.

A bit non-conformist and leading the pack placing the Cheese directly on the Dough and the Sauce on top making it quite a "backwards" Slice,... or is it ?

L & B's House Salad (Romaine Lettuce, Red Cabbage, Olives, Tomato, Radish, Red Onion) was shared amongst us and is available for weddings, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs alike. At the end only some poor Radishes were left, none of us has ever purchased a Radish in real life nor possibly in the dream world as well but we all agreed and no offense but Radishes taste like Dirt, well they are grown IN the dirt so perhaps they retain this from their infancy.

The Rice Ball Appetizer - I did order Parmigiana so I think they got it wrong as charging $1.50 extra for a light dusting of Grated Cheese seems without warrant, HOWEVER these proved themselves quite formidable as they were the Rice Ball proper or at least the kind with Meat and Peas inside, I can still taste it now. 

Oh Wait, I have one as a leftover and I shall taste it again.

YUMMYYUMMYYUMMYYUMMYYUMMYYUMYUMYUMBURP.

And here you see that "The Proof Is In The Rice Ball"

(Sicilian Slice in the background not included) 

Incidentally as Roberta did not order a Sicilian Slice at the beginning of the evening they threw one in for free. This is extremely nice, good customer service, good business and perfect Pizza symmetry.

And perhaps an inherent fear and reverence for Raphanus, the Radish King of Venus.

Penne a la Vodka with Grilled Chicken, need I say more ?. OK I will

Penne a la Vodka with Grilled Chicken.

The Pasta was done perfectly just under Al Dente in a savory yet mild Vodka Sauce and there were little Mushrooms singing to us from the plate. Sarah Crazy Child swore it was a Macklemore song but Roberta refuted that it was in fact Taylor Swift and I suggested Klaus Nomi so we agreed to disagree and dug in. 

Actually I was late to the game as I was still contemplating a Rice Ball that was singing in a contralto voice "Who Wants To Live Forever" from my plate.

Did someone put something in our water ?

Sarah Crazy Child does not care for the Olive and while me and Roberta protested she plopped them onto her plate and then onto mine. "doop, doop, doop" they went and were quickly speared and devoured.

The Olive Garden has nothing on Spumoni Gardens.

Great Food, Great Evening.

L & B SPUMONI GARDENS WEBSITE

THE RADISH ON WIKIPEDIA