Carolyn's Confections

Today I went to the 1st birthday party for my best friend's baby, Vinny. Baby Vinny is this adorable little Italian boy with smooth ivory skin, the plumpness of a Rubens figure, and a head of hair as fiery red as a Viking's. He looks strikingly like a little man, which made choosing the theme of his party a no-brainier: "Little Old Man." Everyone was adorned in play 'staches, bow ties, and glasses, fedoras were thrown from the head of one toddler to the next, and every table was decorated with candy and balloons. Pretzel cigars replaced popcorn at the bar, and a face painting clown worked arduously on glittered unicorn cheeks and Spiderman masks. 

Similar to a big Italian wedding, this was a big Italian birthday party. Pockets of family members crowded the banquet hall, and the back wall was cluttered with trays of antipasti, penne, meatballs, and lasagna (just to name a few). Bellies were full and the children were thoroughly entertained, what more could you ask for?

While the food, company, and entertainment were second to none, the real star of the show was our dear friend Carolyn's desserts. Carolyn, a professional art student and former designer, put her NYC career to the side in order to pursue her true passion, baking. Ever since she left her cubicle, Carolyn has been churning out bountiful amounts of cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and tarts. Her execution is flawless and her presentation is spot on. She has managed to take her background as an artist, and incorporate it with her gift for baking... this girl is definitely on to something....

Cranberry Fig Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a dish most commonly associated with Thanksgiving. Yes, cranberries were introduced to us by the Native Americans, and yes, it really does add flavor to an otherwise bland slab of turkey, but there is no reason that this tangy, sugary, and tart treat should only be enjoyed one day out of the year. If you are a 'sauce from the can' kind of person, then you really don't know what I'm talking about when I say this should become a staple in our everyday diets. There is nothing in your pantry like freshly cooked cranberry sauce that is layered with deep flavors and texture. When warm it is the perfect dressing to a scoop of vanilla ice cream, when cold it is divine mixed into your morning yogurt or spread on a piece of toast.

The foundation for my kind of cranberry sauce, soon to be your kind, is the use of fresh ingredients, and a combination of sweet, tart, and citrus. In order to build this, I choose to use fresh from the vine cranberries, an orange, and dried mission figs. All ingredients are tossed into a pot and reduced until a chunky and aromatic sauce forms with a deep crimson hue. As soon as you take that first bite, your mouth will be giddy over the layers of flavor and rolling textures, not to mention blushing from it's liaison with the cranberries.

This is the simplest sauce to make and will soon find a permanent spot in your refrigerator.

____ Recipe: Cranberry Fig Sauce ____

Sunday Night Dinner

One of the benefits of living in NYC is the proximity to scrumptious food. Within one square mile of my apartment there are three grocery stores, one of the most famous farmer's markets in the country, at least four of the top rated restaurants this city has to offer, and a multitude of establishments serving food from every culture in the world. Though this is certainly a perk that most New Yorkers take for granted, it is also something we frequently take advantage of ... sometimes, to our dis-avail, nearly ever night.

For this reason, I make an effort to cook a healthy and flavorful dinner every Sunday night. Not only is it an escape from the constant eating out/ordering in/taking out, but it's also a fantastically fun way to close out the weekend.

Come on lazy bones... put down those chop sticks, pull out your skillet and let's get cookin'!

____Recipe: Cider Braised Pork Chop with Roasted Butternut Squash Mash_____

Bar Veloce

Bar Veloce in the East Village is a swanky yet unpretentious wine bar for locals. I wouldn't necessarily make a trip to the EV for the sole purpose of visiting this spot, but if you're here and have an evening ahead of, or behind, you, it wouldn't hurt to drop by for a cocktail and a nosh.

The minimalistic, sexy ambiance has a chameleon effect and attracts a diverse audience. The white tiled walls, high wood tables, and steel detailing make you feel as if you're behind the scenes in the kitchen, yet the wall of staggering wine bottles and soft candle light remind you otherwise. On a winter night the bar is fully enclosed, providing a cozy escape from the biting cold, and in the summer the front glass wall opens up and introduces the bar to a burgeoning crowd of thirsty sidewalk dwellers.

Whether your in the neighborhood for a romantic date, or a local looking to fill the gap of a toned down evening, your time here can be fully customized to your needs. Land a table in the back to share plates and bottles with friends over inappropriate conversation, or steal some seats at the fully open bar and impress your date by quizzing the bartender on tannins and body.

The extensive wine and cocktail list has a range of prices and varietals accompanied by a small menu of shared Italian plates. The Barolo and Lambrusco, for instance, represent two vastly different wines but are satisfying in their own right. The Barolo is deep, full bodied and smooth, while the Lambrusco is sweet, with a bite of fizz and the zest of fruit. The mixed marinated olives and sliced prosciutto with fresh bread make the perfect pairing.

Bar Veloce is a local wine bar in the East Village that provides just that, a perfect pairing.