Happy Belated Thanksgiving

Hello all my Foodies!

Don't hate me. I know I didn't call, I didn't write...I'm sure that you, much like me, were swamped over the Thanksgiving Holiday. I was fortunate enough to celebrate Thanksgiving three times and am definitely feeling it now, which is why I wanted to start a new segment this week, focusing on healthy alternatives just before Christmas. Consider it an advancement on my New Years Resolution...

Tune in this week, should be several good recipes, and my take on this season's Top Chef.

Hope everyone had a great Holiday!

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

My best friend in the entire world turns 24 today :) I know for a fact that her favorite cake is a red velvet cake with cream cheese icing, but only her mom can make it just right.

So tell me, what is your favorite birthday treat?

Whoever tells me the best recipe. I will prepare myself and write a review. International fame awaits you!!! Yes, I have fans in Canada...

Levain Bakery

I have something to admit, I lied. I wrote about Magnolia Bakery a couple posts ago and I said it could be my favorite desert place in New York.

I lied. I have a new favorite and this one, well, is just undeniable perfection.

Warm, gooey, with a good crunch on the outside, everything a cookie should be, and um, not to mention HUGE. You can tell that the Levain Bakery has spent a serious amount of time mastering their recipe.

I first learned about them from Jef and later on Throwdown with Bobby Flay (of course...in case you haven't noticed this is often where I find my material) and this weekend presented itself with the perfect opportunity. A blustery cold day calls for one thing -- a warm cookie :)

This tiny bakery tucked off of Amsterdam on the Upper West Side, just lends itself to being loved. There are 4 varieties of cookies, Chocolate Chip Walnut, Oatmeal Raisin, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter all for $3.75. I went with the obvious choice of chocolate chip, and couldn't have been happier.

I will say this though, I honestly couldn't get through half of the cookie they are HUGE, like giant calorie monsters. I would recommend splitting one and going back for seconds if you have to.

Move out of the way, Magnolia, when I have a sweet tooth, it's all about Levain Bakery.

Levain Bakery
167 W 74th St
New York, NY 10023
(212) 874-6080

Favorite Thing About Fall Winner!

Ok I'm going to be honest, I couldn't pick one...I just so appreciate everyone's effort that I have decided to post them all!

Beth Sellers

What Makes Me Think of Fall:When its starts to get cold outside I am instantly reminded of my Dad's homemade Brunswick Stew. Hearty and delicious it just warms you right up!!!! Here is the very simple recipe below - makes a huge pot that will feed plenty!!!!!!

Bill's Brunswick Stew Ingredients:

• 1 large pot


• 1 lg. can boneless white chicken breast w/water (near the tuna fish)


• 2 cans Castleberry's Pork BBQ (my dad says it must be Castleberry's)


• 1 can cream corn


• 1 can whole kernel sweet corn


• 1 can small green lima beans


• 1 can sliced white potatoes


• 1 lg can crushed tomatoes


• 1 sweet onion


• Saltine crackers


• Tabasco sauce


• Worcestershire Sauce


• Butter

Sauteed 1/2 sweet onion in oil, 1 tbsp butter, and a touch of Worcestershire Sauce in the large pot you will use for cooking.

Once onion is ready add in can goods (do not drain any of them except for the sliced potatoes) Stir in ingredients on Medium heat. Add 1/2 cup of water and stir well. Place lid on pot and Simmer for about 30 minutes - stir often. Add salt, pepper, and Tabasco to taste. Serve with Saltines and enjoy on a cold winter day!!!!!!Love you Frugal Foodie!!!

Aria

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread (Or Cookies!)

Makes 3 (9×5″) loaves (1 loaf= about 8 Jumbo Cookies)

• 3 cups sugar


• 1 T ground nutmeg


• 1–15 oz can pumpkin puree


• 2 tsp baking soda


• 1 cup vegetable oil


• 1 1/2 tsp salt


• 2/3 cup water


• 1 cup miniature semi-sweet chips (don’t add in until after you stir the flour mix well.)


• 4 eggs


• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)


• 3 1/2 cups flour


• 1 T ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour three 9×5″ loaf pans. Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl; set aside. In large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil,water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in the dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips, and nuts, if desired. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing from pans.

I love, love, love this bread. I usually use more chips than it says and never have used nuts.

Meagan Parker

TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

One of my favorite parts about Halloween is carving pumpkins. However, my least favorite thing to do when carving pumpkins is scooping out all of the insides… even though I find it mushy and gross, inside I find one of the best kept secret treats of Halloween: Pumpkin Seeds

1) Separate the seeds of a freshly carved pumpkin from any of the mushy inside.

2) Heat the oven to 350

3) Put the seeds on a paper towel and let them dry for a few minutes.

4) Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

5) Put the seeds on the baking sheet in a single layer. Then sprinkle the seeds with salt, garlic salt, onion powder, seasoned salt or any other spice you desire. ** Personally, I like salt and garlic salt to keep all those witches and warlocks away…

6) Cook the seeds for 10 to 20 minutes, or until brown and slightly crisp, turning once.

There you have it! A yummy and healthy snack perfect for fall

Jef

Here is a delicious recipe for the fall...MAUI SPAM MUFFINS Recipe By : Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00Categories : Sandwiches Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method

• 4 English muffins, split-and toasted


• Butter or margarine


• Prepared mustard


• 1 cn SPAM Luncheon Meat,-thinly sliced (7 oz)


• 1 cn Pineapple slices, drained-(15 1/4 oz)


• 1 sm Green pepper,-cut into 8 rings


• 1/4 c Firmly packed brown sugar


• 2 ts Water

Heat oven to 375'F. Spread muffins with butter and mustard. Overlap SPAM slices on each muffin half.Place a pineapple slice and a green pepper ring on each muffin. Combine brown sugar and water; spoon over sandwiches. Place muffins on baking sheet. Bake 10minutes. Serve hot.

Magnolia Bakery

This impulse decision to head to Magnolia Bakery could not have come at a better time.

This West Village establishment has made its name by creating the most delicious cupcakes in all of Manhattan. Yeah, I said it, most delicious.

It's been on shows like Sex and the City and for good reason. These little morsels are so moist and the icing is a creamy, buttery dream.

When you walk into the store you'll immediately notice the size. This is the true definitely of a bakery; quaint and filled with baked treats. Next you'll see the tray filled with all different sorts of cupcakes and boxes neatly stacked near by. Grab a box, fill it up, and head to the check-out counter.

I opted for a straight up yellow cupcake with vanilla icing and could not be more pleased. I knew that I wasn't going to get the freshest cupcake because it was 10 pm on a Sunday night, but still Magnolia did not disappoint.

Surrounding the bakery there is a park where you can still and enjoy your treat, much like I did.

Overall, going at 10 pm had it's pros and cons. Pros - not having to wait in line; Cons - not the freshest of cupcakes.

I would recommend Magnolia Bakery to anyone looking to satisfy a little sweet tooth :)

Magnolia Bakery
401 Bleecker Street
(212) 462-2572
http://www.magnoliabakery.com/

Which Political Cocktails Are You Drinking?!

Will it be the Obama-tini or the McCain-tini.

These election cocktails are sure to make a hit at any political party so check it out and let me know what you'll be drinking!