2 Little Red Hens Bakery - Upper East Side

Dead center of a NY winter, polar vortex.  This place was packed. Line out the door. Cupcakes. Mini ones. Large ones. Cakes. Teas.  This tiny little bakery surpassed all of my expectations.  I ordered the carrot cake (ranked as one of the best in NYC) and the vanilla cake/vanilla icing. Unfortunately, I don't eat carrot cake so can't comment on it.  

Let me tell you about this vanilla/vanilla.... It was the most soft, moist cake with a strong Madagascar vanilla taste.  The icing on all the cupcakes looks like a thick, shiny, piped, over-sweetened frosting.  Oh no, no, no, I prejudged.  It was a delicious, slightly sweetened whipped cream.  Soft, buttery and just enough sugar to make you tap your feet.  

Two Little Red Hens will definitely be getting another visit from me.  This time I may try the coconut cream or the vanilla, chocolate marble. Will let you know my thoughts on other flavors. 

PS - they have mini cupcakes in every flavor ($1.50) that is also available in the large size ($3-$4).  

Enjoy. 
http://www.twolittleredhens.com/
1652 Second Avenue (86th street)

Matcha. Matcha. Matcha.

The infamous green tea powder that makes this new found indulgence of mine called Soy Green Tea Latte from Starbucks so delectable.  If you are a tea drinker you know a lot about green tea and if you are a health nut I'm sure you know about the health benefits.  A lot of people know Matcha as a powder version of it's cousin, green tea.  It is, but it's a much higher grade and prepared in a completely different way.  It has to do with leaves, japan, monks and well you get the picture.  Note when buying it,  the higher the quality of powder you buy, the sweeter and finer it is.

Matcha is very powerful in antioxidants.  It actually has 10x the amount of antioxidants as a cup of regular tea.   It's also more powerful than dark chocolate, goji berries, spinach and wild blueberries.

This powder has the ultimate powers that help with:
1. Cancer Prevention
2. Anti-Aging
3. Lowers Cholesterol
4. Prevents Heart Disease
5. AIDS IN WEIGHT LOSS
6. Detoxifier
7. Improves Brain Activity
8. High in Fiber
9. Energy Booster
10. Tastes Amazing




This powder has a bright lime green color that at first can take you by surprise and wonder what someone is juicing with spinach or avocado but once you taste it, you will be hooked.  Did I mention 1 gram has only 3 calories?!

To find matcha in tasty delights life check it out in these places:
Starbucks (green tea latte)
Lady M Confections http://www.ladym.com
Spot Dessert Bar  www.spotdessertbar.com

To buy and view recipes look at www.matchasource.com

Enjoy and let me know what good recipes you've found in the comments below.  

The Spice of Life.

Spices aren't just to alter the taste of your food, but also for health & weight loss benefits WOOHOO!!  Anything I come across that adds to health & weight loss, I am all for it!  So here we go, check out what sprinkling these little specks on your food can do for you...

CINNAMON - who doesn't love the amazing taste of cinnamon?  It tastes great on french toast, coffee, sweet rolls, almost anything you can imagine.  It also promotes weight loss by stabilizing the sugar levels in your blood. Sprinkle some on your morning tea or coffee or even in your smoothies (click here for post on smoothie recipes)!  Cinnamon has an amazing anti-fungal property that also fights E Coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices. When mixed with honey it also helps relieve arthritis pain!   However, go easy, too much can definitely cause health problems.

OREGANO - a little dash on your pizza, a shake on top of your salad, make it a teaspoon of this dried spice and you've just added as much vitamin K, fiber and antioxidants as in 3 cups of spinach!  Whoa!!  Not to mention it fights of those nasty stomach bugs.

TURMERIC - the yellow magic found in curry that insanely dyes everything it touches. Curcumin is the name of the active ingredient in turmeric.  It's gained it's popularity from not only Indian cuisine but substantial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which have been shown to relieve arthritis pain and manage diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis and a variety of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Oh wait and get this.....studies are being done with turmeric's cancer fighting capabilities! 2 tablespoons = 10% of your daily value of iron (calling all anemics)!

GINGER - most people know the amazing effects of ginger on things like stomach aches and nausea, but did you know it can also curb your sweet cravings??  Yup, put a dash on fresh fruit or stir it into yogurt and watch your sweet craving disappear!  One also may not realize the high levels of antioxidants, as much as a cup of broccoli to be exact.  Since it can be used as a sweet  or a savory spice experiment and boost your antioxidant levels!

CAPSAICIN - the power behind chili peppers, paprika and crushed red pepper!  Contrary to popular belief that this spice can cause stomach ulcers, it has a lot of health benefits.  Behind door #1, boosts immunity, door #2, clear congestion and the best door.......door #3.........BOOSTS YOUR METABOLISM & FAT BURNING ABILITIES!  oh yea baby.  By no means does that mean pour on the heat but it does mean add a sprinkle to spice up your already healthy dishes to double the impact.

**Please use all spices within reason and within health guidelines. 

Smoothest Move

Anyone that knows me knows that I really have a hatred for smoothies, raw juice or any type of Jamba Juice concoction.  However, since really changing my diet and trying to be more aware of what I am putting in my body and the effect it has on my daily energy levels, I've ventured into smoothies.  While still experimenting, I've taken flavors and textures of drinks that I really like and tried to replicate them in healthy ways, i.e. milkshakes, pina coladas, frappacinos, etc.   Below are 3 recipes that I found to be amazing and really taste like you're drinking something bad - isn't it all a mind game anyway?!

Some of the tips I've picked up along the way...

• Adding spinach barely alters the flavor at all and has soooo many health benefits.
• If eating a breakfast smoothie as a meal replacement, adding chia seeds is a great way to boost the healthiness as well as they expand when wet, so they tend to make your smoothie more filling.
• Soft tofu (normally gross) is a similar tasteless substitute to using greek yogurt for smoothies, but without a drop of dairy.  It's protein packed and gives a super smooth texture.
• Coffee has only 5 calories - minus the cream and sugar.  If you love your morning joe, add coffee ice cubes to your morning smoothie.
• Have a "creamy" addiction? Try adding unsweetened almond, or coconut milk to your smoothies.
• Honey or agave are great ways to add sweetness without a lot of calories.
• Cinnamon has AMAZING fat burning qualities (check out my fat burning spices post soon)
• Adding cooked oats (not instant) also will add to the thickness and creaminess.
• Freezing your fruit while it's fresh makes it last for weeks without going rotten.  It also eliminates the need to add additional ice cubes.
• BLEND. BLEND. BLEND.  The worst thing can be an oddly chunky uneven smoothie.

FRAPPACINO BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE

(when following the recipe it makes a little over 17oz)

5 ice cubes of your fave coffee (i used my keurig the night before and froze the cubes)

1 1/2 C. milk (i used unsweetened almond)

1/2 banana (fresh or frozen)

2 tsp nut butter (almond, peanut, sunflower, etc)

1 tsp cinnamon (insert fave flavor here, nutmeg, vanilla extract, cocoa powder) 

1 tsp honey or agave

1 tsp ground flax seed or chia seeds

Blend until smooth

COCONUT SPINACH MADNESS

I invented this so there are no measurements - wing it to taste!

Coconut milk (I prefer GOYA canned than Silk)

Spinach

Honey

Vanilla Extract

1/2 Frozen Banana

2 spoonfuls of cooked Oatmeal

Blend until smooth

VEGAN VANILLA MILKSHAKE SMOOTHIE

1/2C. soft tofu (soft has more protein, not the extra soft)

1C. vanilla soy milk (or almond)

1 whole frozen banana

1/2 tbsp peanut butter

Blend until smooth

Wagyu Beef....It's What's For Dinner

I've come across this interesting meat called Wagyu Beef, so I figured I would share since I'm sure you will soon notice it on many menus as it gains popularity.  I first saw it as a Wagyu rib burger at an amazing restaurant in Harlem, The Cecil -- which I will detail later on this month.  Trust me, that post is not something you want to miss.

Back to the beef...

The word itself, Wagyu, literally translates to 'Japanese Cow'.  It is arguably one of the best types of cattle to receive your cuts of beef.  It's known for it's high marbling of fat, and can be very costly.  Upwards of $100 per pound.  The marbling comes from the muscle being interspersed with the monounsaturated fat that give the "butter-like, melt in your mouth" texture.  Rumor has it that these cows are massaged with sake and even fed beer in order to produce the best beef on the planet.   The most familiar form of this beef in America is the famed, American Style Kobe beef.  The Kobe beef is the product of the Wagyu cattle bred with the All-American Angus cattle.  Next time you see Wagyu on the menu, I urge you to order it.  

 

I've been gone....but now I'm back!

First, I would like to start off by saying I'M SORRY for my lengthy absence.  I've been working so hard on my professional life that I've completely neglected my blog for almost a year.  However, I vow to come back with a vengeance!! I've eaten at so many amazing places and dined on some amazing dishes that I can't wait to share with you.  Not only will I be sharing restaurants, but various foods and recipes that I've found!!

Looking forward to this fulfilling, remaining 2013 and the abundant 2014 to come! xoxo

Founding Farmers Washington, DC

This weekend was filled with friends, family, love and of course FOOD!  A friend of mine had set up some great places for us to try while in town.  I must say she did a great job picking.  Thanks Ms Pace! 

Before dining at the choices on her itinerary, I went on a hot date to Founding Farmers.  Of course it was crashed by a mini family member, but you know how it is with college students, if there's a free meal around, they come a running.  Founding Farmers is a great restaurant close by Pepperdine and George Washington University and only a few blocks from the White House.  They have an interesting background story which goes a little something like this:

Founding Farmers is a restaurant that is based of a small family of farmers.  They literally only buy their foods from sustainable American farmers, and bring it directly to their guests.  Everything they create is natural and organic.  Their food is very tasty and you wouldn't believe the difference in taste in the meats, freshness is key.

He (my hot date) ordered the fried chicken with waffles, macaroni and cheese and collard greens.  Sorry but I didn't take a picture.  It was exactly how you would picture it, except the fried chicken was fried soft.  It was pretty tasty. He wasn't that hungry so we nibbled on it the next day as left overs and it was very good. 

I ordered the fried green tomatoes which are some of the best I've ever had and the Farmers Daughter burger which was bleu cheese, bacon and balsamic grilled onions.  The burger was on a type of brioche bun that was slightly sweet.  A great contrast to the tart bleu cheese and saltiness of the bacon.  There was also a small side of natural cut french fries, that at first sight didn't look appetizing but upon touching your tongue, they were perfectly fried and salted. 

I was very happy with my meal and would suggest Founding Farmers for brunch or dinner.  Both menus have something for everyone. 

www.FoundingFarmers.com

@FoundingFarmers

Founding Farmers DC

1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20006

Lobster Roll in NYC....believe it baby!

It's taken me a while to write another post.  I wanted it to be based off of a food truck, and due to the up and down weather, I haven't felt much like food truck chasing.  However, I came across a food truck I was dying to try.  I went on their website to see where they would be, showed up to the location 10 minutes early.  10 minutes turned to 15 minutes which turned to me googling on my iphone where the truck was via my twitter (@tammicupcake - shameless plug opportunity).  Low and behold, I was a WEEK too early. Bad news soon turned great because I saw that they would be at Brooklyn Flea that weekend.  I made my way to the overly crowded flea market and finally dived into a lobster roll...

RED HOOK LOBSTER POUND 

FOOD TRUCK

THE MENU

Given the options, it was only right to try the Lobster Roll...

I had heard from my DC folk that their lobster rolls are covered in mayo to the point of nauseation!  Maybe it's just the ones in DC, because this one I tried in NYC was Ah-Maze-Zing!!!  There was barely any mayo, lots and lots of lobster claw, they poured some melted butter over it and covered it in scallions.  It was literally one of the best I've had.  The only thing that would have made it slightly better was if the bun was toasted!  It was worth ever single dollar. 

I tasted the Lobster Mac & Cheese.  I wasn't crazy with the concept, but once I saw it when my friend ordered it.  I had to have a bite.  

My intuition was right and 1 bite was all I needed.  The top of the mac & cheese was nice and cheesy with the sweet lobster. Once you got to the layers underneath it was like a watery cheese sauce with lobster in it.  If you can imagine cheap Velveeta with expensive lobster in it.   It was semi flavorless and could have used some sort of seasoning...when in doubt, sprinkle with salt! 

The normal full menu (http://redhooklobsterpound.com/), boasts 2 different styles of lobster rolls.  The Maine Style - the one I ordered, and the Connecticut Style, which is just lobster and butter.  I would definitely go back and try the Connecticut.  

If you want to try the lobster truck, follow them on twitter, and find out their daily locations (@lobstertruckny)!! 

LAVO NY Restaurant & Lounge

I think I may have found heaven! Lavo, the sister establishment to Tao, has got to be one of the best restaurants I've tried in a long time.  It's not cheap or built for a family of 4, but it has the most amazing entrees.   They greet your table with some soft toasted italian garlic, herb bread with warm marinara sauce.  This bread alone could be your meal.  Besides the free bread, I've had a few things from the menu.  Below are the menu items that I've tasted thus far:

Brick Oven Salmon:  The house cooks it medium to medium rare and it's served with a creamy lemon butter sauce and a side of julienne style zucchini.  It was seasoned pretty well and was very filling.  The lunch portion was enough to leave you with leftovers.

8oz Filet:  Again the house prepares it medium, which for a steak can be closer to medium rare, drizzled with a dark peppercorn sauce.  It was pretty tender and the thin sauce made the steak seem to be even juicer than it would be if it were doused in a thick A1.  During restaurant week it was served with the truffle parmesan fries.  Fries aren't my favorite accompaniment with steak, but the truffle flavor was nice with the steak.

Tuna Tartare:  For my tuna fans!  The tartare was stacked with avocado, a black chili oil and small crispy garlic chips. It was a lot of tuna and a lot of avocado.  The soft avocado mixed with the soft tuna made it seem one dimensional but the oil and garlic chips allowed the dish to enter into a second dimension.

Crispy Zucchini:  Personally, fried zucchini is one of my favorite snacks.  Any restaurant that offers it, I will try it.  I've never seen it done like this tho.  The zucchini strips resembled shoe string fries and were clumped together with parmesan cheese and had a nice salty taste.  I could go to the restaurant just for the zucchini.

Margherita Pizza:  Very tasty.  It was served as an appetizer so it was a bit much to eat with the warm bread that was served.  It was almost like double pizza.  Nonetheless, it was very good with just enough cheese and basil.   (no photo)

Oreo Zeppoles:  These are double stuffed fried oreos served with a tiny malted vanilla milkshake. I think the title speaks for itself and pretty much explains the true meaning of DESSERT!

There isn't one bad thing I could say about this place.  The service is excellent, the food has yet to fail me and their nightlife (featured DJ's) is quite the midtown trend! If you admire quality food done right, don't hesitate to try Lavo....and please invite me!!!!

http://www.lavony.com/
39 East 58th Street (between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue)
LAVO Restaurant is open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
LAVO Nightclub is open Thursday through Saturday, from 10pm - 4am.

Spotlight: Bread & Spoon

I decided to write this weeks post on an amazing Jersey City based company that not only offers catering, but offers classes and home prepared dishes.



Introducing ........... Bread & Spoon

Bread & Spoon creates seasonal meals with fresh organic products obtained from NY/NJ local sustainable farms.  In lamest terms, your food isn't pumped full of hormones or sitting on a grocery store shelf for days on end, stamped with an unrealistic expiration date. This also means that you are helping the livlihood of these local farmers in a time when we are all in a search of the homegrown label: MADE IN THE USA!

Bread & Spoon offers a variety of options from catering/events to cooking classes and trainings.  They also specialize in offering sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan and egg-free products. I've had the pleasure of tasting some of their items, and I was surprised at how tasty the gluten-free products were.  Owner & Chef, Colleen Christi Willett has somehow managed to make eating healthy, taste good, really good!!

Check them out!! 
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bread-Spoon/141489565922041
Website: http://www.breadnspoon.com/
Email: breadandspoon@gmail.com