An Ode to Change

Many walks yield a wealth of discoveries, and pictures! Particularly this time of year here in New York. The leaves are changing, the sky is crystal blue and the air is crisp. To cross a bridge or walk along to water is a pure treat, and upon entering a park, you just feel Autumn humming in the branches of trees. 

Williamsburg Bridge

This is a good time to discover my new neighborhood which is right at the South of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, but before that I ventured all the way up to Central Park where I could lay in large fields of the greenest grass around. I will stare at this picture longingly as winter begins to grip the city.

Central Park

But on my many walking adventures I have found some places of quiet and serene beauty, buttressed against feats of architecture.

Waterfront in Williamsburg

Prospect Park Beauty

For a city with such a dense population, we can all still manage to carve out a place all for ourselves. I feel fortunate to have found a few.

And just like the sunset, the leaves reflect what is to come; a staggering array of multicolored stemmed treasures that will eventually fade as our day light hours get shorter and colder.

 Change is upon us, Keep it coming.

From Highline to Market to buy some Fresh Figs

On a lovely Monday in mid September I took a walk. This walk turned into one of the most beautiful days I have spent in New York in a long time. The air is crisp, the sky with high clouds the bluest blue and I just seemed to have a skip in my step. 

Garlic Shoots.

Pluot Tasting at the Farmer's Market.

Knowing how beautiful the parks have been lately, I had to cross town and walk the Highline it just felt right. And there I was, a light breeze, not too crowded and therefore just ripe for a stroll. 

Highline walk near Chelsea Market.

Summer Bounty.

 Walking the Highline, the length of it from Washington and Ganesvoort in Meatpacking, all the way up to 20th St. I find you can work up a hunger. Being that is it Monday, where else to go then Union Square and feast my eyes on some lovely late summer produce.

The skyline from the Highline.

Urban heaven. 

It has been such a luscious day I had to share it, immediately. Before the rain and snow set into the city, get  out and enjoy it. 

Chinese Purple Spinach.

Also if you find the time, check out this TEDtalks with Robert Hammond : Building a park in the sky. Because it is people like this that make the biggest difference. 

Thank you to everyone whom was involved in making the place, Manhattan, more beautiful and interesting everyday. 

Nearing the end of the Highline, Sept. 19th 2011.

Pancakes and Possibilities.

This summer has been epic. 

California, my family and friends have treated me so well as I recovered from two amazing foot surgeries.
Thank you everyone. I love you all.

Roasted Almond and Dark Chocolate Pancakes with Caramel Maple Syrup.

Sunset in Santa Ynez over Lake Cachuma

The food experiences I had ranged from great to spectacularly phenomenal. I had the absolute honor of making many new friends, reconnecting with old friends, spending quality time with my grandmother and finally turning a corner to absolute bliss.

Famous Cold Springs Tavern Tri-Tip

Travels to Santa Ynez, forests, gorgeous beaches and lovely lakes made for even more memorable moments. Sailboats, a wedding and many many BBQ's. Laughing until my side hurt and smiling ear to ear for days. 

Pizza 'Party' in the Hills featuring Crispy Kale and Personal Pizza Creations 

Now, as I am currently flying back to New York and back to a different kind of life than I have had for the past 2 months, I'd like say :  this world is so full of possibilities.

Saliboating off the coast of Long Beach

More of a delicious life to come. I can't wait to sink my teeth into it. By the way, recipe for those fabulous looking pancakes Here!

Tri-Tomato Meyer Lemon Marmalade Prep

Why Hello Cupcake!

Sometimes, when fortune smiles upon us, simple treats in life can come by the dozens. 

The Red Velvet Cupcake is a classic staple and adored by many. These little gem's are topped with a Creme Cheese Lemon Frosting for added richness and a bit of tart to pair with the lovely pillow of red cake beneath.

And no Birthday would be complete without some rich, gooey Triple Chocolate Cupcakes adorned with Creamy Nutella Buttercream Frosting.

Enjoy everyday and make sure to take everything one little bite at a time. Savor and Revel.

Summer Lovin'

Some of my summer loves : Raspberries, Peaches, Tomatoes and the leisure of making food that is delicious and beautiful. 

Lime - Ginger Marshmallow Cake

Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, Cilantro and Sumac Salad.

Perfect Espresso, Pistachio Biscotti and Boysenberry Crostata. 

Millions of White Peaches.

Hungry Eyes

What have I been drinking nearly every morning for the last 2 months? A Big Rich Delicious glass of Carrot Juice.  Isn't is gorgeous? Bright orange and better than I remember every time.

First I love the color; then I love the smell;  5 seconds later, when the glass is empty, I want more.

Jamming Out

I love Apricots.

I also dearly love my Apricot tree where I gathered these luscious beauties from yesterday.

I also love making jam, specifically stone fruit jams. So, today step one is complete: apricots have been rinsed, dried, halved, pitted (seeds reserved for their almond qualities for later use), quartered, and are now macerating in sugar and a little lemon juice in the fridge.

Tomorrow, we really start to jam out.

Springtime Sustenance

What is fabulous about Spring? Ramps.
These little babies are amazing. Being the good vegetable-a-vore I am, I will try them any which way.
I mean who would pass on Wild Leeks? Yes please. Hand raised and waving wildly. Something that is a lighter shade of garlic, but looks this beautiful? Sign me up.

So today, very simply, my very talented friend and I ate them, with thinly shaved 24 months Parmiggiano-Reggiano, drops of the real Balsalmico Traditionale di Reggio Emilia, and ramps just lightly pan fried in some herb and garlic seasonsed Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Treats like fresh Ramps don't come around but once a year, buy and eat them now.  They will rock your world.

Roasted Heaven

Roasted Cauliflower is a 'back pocket' kind of staple item I like on the table. It can be dressed super simple, or it can be ordained with curry, spicy blend of chiles or, in this case, spread with a lemon zest and garlic infused oil, fresh thyme, toasted pine nuts and sweet wine soaked golden raisins.

Pile it all up into a large serving vessel drizzle while still warm with good fruity olive oil and garnish the perfectly cooked little flowerettes with crunchy bread crumbs, fine sliced scallions and a little flaky Maldon Sea Salt.
See the Recipe for : Lemon-Garlic Roasted Cauliflower with Toasted Pine Nuts, Thyme and Golden Raisins