sour cherry coffee cake

I’ve been waiting a whole year to make this recipe for. Last year I saw it on Lottie and Doof and immediately wanted to make it. But alas, I was too slow and sour cherries had already made their brief appearance at the market and unfortunately there would be no encores. Hence, the year-long wait.

There’s such anticipation at this time of year, and unlike in early spring when I eagerly await the appearance of one lone colored fruit or vegetable, now I go and see all sorts of new, vibrant and colorful fruits or vegetables. I wasn’t going to let those sour cherries get away this year, so I snapped up two baskets of them, ready to whip up a coffee cake even if it meant turning on the oven in 80° weather.

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Filed under breakfast and eat and sweets by kelly. June 29th, 2010 . 10 Comments

happy hour: grown up lemonade

It is hotter than hot here in New York and to be honest, I just want to sit in front of an air conditioner with one of these. Lemonade is the quintessential summer beverage, so why not jazz it up with a little mint and some booze? It’s cool, refreshing and hits the spot on a hot summer day.

I’ve got a busy weekend ahead of including visiting the unfancy food show and hanging out with lady friends. Good times! I hope you have an awesome weekend! Cheers!

grown up lemonade
makes 1 cocktail

1 1/2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 oz agave syrup
2 oz vodka
5-6 fresh mint leaves

1
Place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker along with 2 cubes of ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
2
Pour into a glass, garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy!

Filed under happy hour by kelly. June 25th, 2010 . 4 Comments

candied pecans + gorgonzola dressing

Last week we had dinner at the Breslin and ate a salad that kind of rocked my world. My favorite salad combination includes greens, fruit, cheese and nuts, and this little number includes just that. Ahh, perfection! The key to this particular salad is candied pecans (or walnuts or whatever you fancy) and homemade dressing, gorgonzola to be exact.

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Filed under dinner and eat by kelly. June 23rd, 2010 . 5 Comments

dairy love

I read this article Field Report: A Modern Dairy Tale in the New York Times this weekend and instantly wanted to tell everyone I know about it. Then I saw the video and kind of fell in love. There’s just something so awesomely amazing about having a dream, rolling with it and tweaking it a bit and somehow having it all work out. I kind of want to catch the first bus to Oxford, Mississippi and give Billy Rae Brown a big old hug. Plus, their accents make me melt a little bit… especially the giddy little girls, so cute!

Filed under read by kelly. June 21st, 2010 . 7 Comments

happy hour: summer lovin

Oh happy day! It’s that time again and this week I’ve combined two of my favorite beverage elements, bourbon and ginger. Yuummm!

Thank you to everyone for the lovely anniversary wishes! I’m so lucky to not only have an amazing husband, but also great readers like you! Cheers!

summer lovin
makes 1 drink

2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz ginger syrup
dash of bitters
candied ginger, for garnish

1
Combine all ingredients along with an iced cube in a cocktail shaker. Shake for 10 seconds.
2
Strain into a highball glass and garnish with a piece of candied ginger.
3
Drink up!

Filed under happy hour by kelly. June 18th, 2010 . 2 Comments

k&a

Today marks three years of marriage to my best friend, Mr. Aaron Carámbula. Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader, unofficial tastetester, barmate, idea bouncer-offer and all around favorite person ever. Cheers my love!

A big thanks to w. krantz for the photo on the right.
Filed under events by kelly. June 16th, 2010 . 9 Comments

shaved asparagus + lemon ricotta pizza

I officially declare this the summer of vegetables… at least in the Carámbula household. You see, vegetables have always been a bit of a scary thing for me. I can’t totally explain this way of thinking, but it stems from a childhood of macaroni and cheese and chicken tenders with little in between. Over the past few years I’ve dabbled in veggies, but this year I’m going all out and it’s been awesome (and it’s only mid-June!).

One of my new found loves is asparagus, particularly asparagus on pizza. You see, that’s where a little light bulb turned on upstairs. If you combine something you’re so-so on (asparagus) with something you love (pizza) there’s a good chance you’re going be more open to enjoying the so-so thing. Let me tell you, there is no wishy-washy behavior here, this pizza is all good.

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Filed under dinner and eat by kelly. June 15th, 2010 . 3 Comments

happy hour: lychee martini

Woooohoooo! It’s that time again. Time to sit back and relax and enjoy ourselves a tasty little beverage. I am so ready for the weekend, in particular I can’t wait to cross a few things off my 30/30 list. I’m thinking a trip to the doughnut plant might be in my future, but we’ll see.

In the meantime this little number, the lychee martini, is the perfect way to start the weekend. Strong and slightly sweet, they’re easier than easy to make and whew, they pack a punch.

Cheers! Have a great weekend!

lychee martini
makes 1 cocktail

2 oz vodka
2 oz lychee juice (from a can of lychees)
1 lychee to garnish

1
Combine vodka, lychee juice and a few ice cubes in a cocktail shaker and shake for 10 seconds.
2
Pour into highball glass (I despise martini glasses so I don’t use them, but use whatever you’d like) and garnish with a lychee.
3
Take a sip and instantly relax.

Filed under happy hour by kelly. June 11th, 2010 . 7 Comments

warm lemon ricotta bruschetta

I recently had the honor to whip up some delicious cocktails at a dinner party thrown by the lovely ladies of num num chronicles. I had a blast, but what I really loved was eating the delicious food prepared by Per Se chef Corey Chow. I was really impressed by how thoughtful each course was and sweet goodness was it delicious! My favorite course may have been the simplest, heirloom tomatoes topped with whipped ricotta that had hints of lemon in it. I can’t get that damn ricotta out of my head… it was so awesomely delicious. This week I took inspiration from that little taste of magic and made some bruschetta topped with lemon zest flecked ricotta. Mmmmm….

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Filed under eat and snacks by kelly. June 8th, 2010 . 9 Comments

remedy quarterly at renegade craft fair

Hello out there! I hate to disappoint but there is no tasty beverage this week. Boo! But there is a sweet little food magazine to share. If you’re in Brooklyn this weekend stop by the Renegade Craft Fair in McCarren Park and say hello. We’ll be selling Remedy Quarterly (issue 1 and 2, plus tote bags!) and sharing a tent with our lovely friends Jordan and Jason of Enormous Champion at booth number 68. It’s sure to be a crafty and inspiring weekend.

Cheers!

Filed under events and remedy quarterly by kelly. June 3rd, 2010 . 6 Comments