What To Expect from Brooklyn, NY

Hey everyone…So I thought I would give you guys a look at what to expect from the neighborhood in terms of style, cuisine, interior home design, shopping and activities. A lot of people tend to ask me for some tips on what to do and where the best places to be when in the Brooklyn area.

Hope you enjoy what I have to share!!

Style

Brooklyn’s style is casual-chic. Many people wear trendy sneakers as they walk through the up and coming neighborhoods. People are, for the most part, friendly and promote a communal atmosphere.

Many people prefer shopping in Brooklyn because it is different from Madison Avenue or Soho in Manhattan. Many people living in Brooklyn enjoy shopping in Williamsburg, Carroll Gardens, Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, Park Slope and Prospect Heights. Williamsburg is known for its vintage shopping. Many people enjoy the flea markets in Brooklyn, but these flea markets are atypical. The markets carry authentic vintage and high quality goods. Many people flock to the Brooklyn Flea for this reason.

Brooklyn does not have several antiques stores, but there are numerous furniture stores with modern pieces featured at affordable prices. IKEA is another popular store in the area. Fifth Avenue is one of the more popular shopping venues. The neighborhoods are highly walkable, and stores can be reached easily.

People need sneakers to walk the area in comfort. To find trendy sneakers, try Fulton Mall.

Food

The food in Brooklyn varies. Popular food choices allow a wide variety and include Cuban, Mexican, Spanish or Tapas Style, Japanese and American Fare. Whichever you may desire can be found in the Brooklyn area. Some of the best restaurants in Brooklyn include:  Le Bernadin, Per Se, Dressler, Bozu, El Almacen, Zenkichi and Five Leaves.

Atlantic Avenue at Clinton Street is known for ethnic food such as Middle Eastern and Russian. Brooklyn is also known for its Italian food, Irish food, Pakistani food, Norwegian food, African food, Caribbean fare and halal stores. Chocolate lovers and pastry lovers will find treats in Williamsburg, Park Slope, DUMBO, Gowanus and Red Hook. Polish kielbasa and breads can be found on Manhattan Avenue.

Home Design

Some of the most impressive interior designs in Brooklyn are based upon art deco and minimalist principles. The lines of furniture featured in Brooklyn apartments are clean and sharp and give the edgy town credit to the artistic reputation it holds. The spaces are open and wide to complement these pieces.

Activities in Brooklyn

Living in Brooklyn gives residents the opportunity to engage in theater, film, dance and music activities. The Brooklyn Book Festival always seems to attract numerous supporters for Brooklyn’s writers. Many residents also enjoy the annual art shows at Brooklyn’s Waterfront Coalition. The Brooklyn Academy of Music features the BAM Dance Africa to attract people who love dance and the arts.

Williamsburg, NY

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“Any Coffee or Dessert?”

So I previously discussed my trip up to the 1000 islands this summer and let me tell you it was so beautiful. But one of the best parts of the trip had to have been the dessert I had while dining riverside. I’m normally the type of girl that likes to go home, kick off my heels after a dinner date and curl up with a bowl of ice cream or some Oreos, but when you’re on vacation and eating at some of the best restaurants in town, why wouldn’t you get dessert?

qThis chocolate cake was probably one of the BEST chocolate cakes I have ever had. I’m not a hugee chocolate fan either. The frosting was thick and creamy and the tartness of the strawberry brought out some of the sweet flavors in the chocolate cake itself. I just HAD to look up a recipe so I can indulge in this as much as I want. I found the recipe on Pinterest (of course) so hopefully you guys enjoy this link!

xx AJ

 

Yummy Summer Dinner

I thought everyone would like a yummy summer dinner.  I loved the roasted veggies!! They are my favorite 😀

The summertime offers a lovely vacation from the conventional and seasonal recipes we’ve come to master. It’s all about eating light, healthy, and colorful dishes that are simultaneously fun and relaxing. Whether you’re dining in your kitchen with your family, on your deck with your friends, or even in your vacation home with your significant other, the following simple yet superb recipes will keep your stomach and heart satisfied in the summertime.

Appetizer: Grilled Watermelon Salad

The grilled watermelon salad is a unique and delicious appetizer; perfect for a beautiful summer afternoon.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup fresh, chopped mint

Cayenne pepper to taste

Salt to taste

3 tbsp lime juice

1/2 cup shredded feta cheese

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 3-4lb miniature watermelon

The juice of 1 naval orange

Steps:

1) Preheat your grill.

2) Lengthwise, cut your watermelon. Cut those halves in half. Then cut those halves in half! Using a seasoning brush, lightly coat your watermelon slices with olive oil; set aside.

3) Mix your lime juice with the orange juice. If too tart, mix in more orange juice. You’re going to want a taste similar to a sour orange flavor. Then, mix in cayenne and salt; whisk together as you add a bit of olive oil, until mixture is thick. Add your chopped mint.

4) Grill watermelon until noticeably grilled and marked by grate. You want the watermelon to be crunchy, but not overdone. Grill each side for about 2 or 3 minutes.

5) Cut watermelon into smaller chunks, and then place them into a bowl. Add dressing, toss, and then add your shredded feta. Add more salt or cayenne for taste and healthy appearance.

Main Dish: Classic Roasted Veggies

The classic roasted veggies are not only a healthy and beautiful main dish, but also packed full of flavor.

Ingredients:

Juice from 1 lemon

1 tbsp salt

1/2 cup EVOO

2 bulbs fennel

1 tbsp ground pepper

7 roma tomatoes

2 zucchinis

2 yellow squash

2 packages of buttom mushrooms

7 thyme stems

3 tbsp garlic (minced)

Steps:

1) Preheat your oven to 450.

2) Slice your vegetables, place them in a large bowl. Add your thyme.

3) Take EVOO, salt, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper; whisk them all together.

4) Add your whisked mixture to your vegetables, toss.

5) Apply aluminum foil to a baking dish, then place your vegetables on the dish. Place in the oven for 20 minutes, monitoring the vegetables all the while to ensure no burning accidents.

6) After your 20 minutes is up, turn on broiler for about 10 minutes.

7) You can choose to eat only the vegetables for a light main dish. If you’re wanting something a little more filling, you can add pasta or rice as well.

Desert: Blueberry Tart

Blueberry tarts will add an exquisite and also simple country-home-feeling to your wonderful summer experience. Not to mention, they’re absolutely yummy.

Ingredients:

For The Crust

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for dusting

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For The Filling

6 cups (six 1/2-pint containers) fresh blueberries, rinsed and dried

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2/3 cup sugar

Pinch of salt

Steps:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt, and butter; process until large moist crumbs form (dough should hold together when squeezed).

2) Transfer dough to a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom; with floured fingers, press evenly into bottom and up sides. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes; prick bottom of dough all over with a fork. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes; cool completely.

3) Meanwhile, reserve 1 cup of the prettiest berries for topping. In a medium saucepan, bring 1/4 cup water and 1 1/2 cups berries to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until berries begin to break down, 3 to 4 minutes.

4) In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water; stir into berries in pan. Add lemon zest and juice, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, stirring, just until mixture begins to thicken, 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining 3 1/2 cups fresh berries. Immediately pour hot berry mixture into cooled tart shell, and smooth with a spatula.

5) Scatter reserved berries on top, pressing down lightly to help them adhere. Refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes and up to overnight.

Eat up and enjoy!!

LIVE – LAUGH – LOVE – TRAVEL   AND EAT!!!!!!

Summertime Eats: Watermelon Galore

YAY!  A Food recipe 🙂  LOVEEEEE these for the summer!

Greek Pita Flatebread with Watermelon…

     Ingredients

4 wedges seeded watermelon

1 cup diced cooked chicken

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons greek yogurt

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 dash cayenne pepper

2 whole pita breads, halved or whole grain flatbreads

1/4 cup prepared spreadable herb cheese

4 large lettuce leaves

Instructions

Place sliced watermelon on paper towels to remove excess liquid. Mix chicken, cilantro, yogurt, garlic salt and cayenne. Spread inside surfaces of pita bread halves with herbed cheese and fill each with about 1/4 cup chicken mixture. Arrange watermelon and lettuce in pita bread.

Grilled Spicy Watermelon…

Transform watermelon from sweet to savoury with this mouth watering Thai-inspired sauce. Watermelon wedges are grilled until caramelized, drizzled with garlic chili sauce and garnished with cilantro. Serve as a side dish along with ribs, chicken or shrimp.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon lime zest

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 cup honey

2 teaspoons garlic chili sauce

1 pinch salt

1 watermelon medium sized

1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro

Instructions

Preheat grill to high. In bowl, whisk together, lime zest, juice, 3 tbsp (45 mL) of the honey, garlic chili sauce and salt.

Cut watermelon into 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick wedges. Lightly drizzle each side with remaining honey and place on grill. Grill until just browned, about 2 minutes per side. Place watermelon slices on a plate and drizzle with lime dressing. Garnish with cilantro.

Makes 8-10 servings

Watermelon Pistachio Sundae…

Ingredients

6 scoops raspberry sorbet

1 cup marshmallow sauce

1 cup candied pistachios

1 egg lightly beaten egg white

2 tablespoons maply syrup

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup roasted, salted and shelled pistachios

Instructions

To candy pistachios, preheat oven to 300ºF. In a medium-mixing bowl, combine egg white, syrup, brown sugar and salt. Stir in pistachios until evenly coated. Spread on foil lined baking sheet and bake 15-20 minutes, stirring once, until crisp and lightly browned. Cool. Break apart.

Arrange the watermelon in the bottoms of 6 sundae cups or martini glasses. Top with scoops of sorbet. Drizzle sauce over sorbet and sprinkle candied pistachios over sundaes and serve immediately.

Serves 6

*All recipes and pictures from watermelon.org

Spring and Summer Time Food

Spring and summertime possess the ripest fruits and vegetables for tasty meals on the grill. Fish and chicken, which are low in fat and high in protein, make for exquisite healthy cuisine. The two recipes below feature a mouth watering delicious delight to the palate all cooked on the BBQ.

 

Peach Pineapple Fish…

There is nothing as appetizing as fresh fruit on a meal sitting outside on the patio and cooking on the grill. Here is a tasty treat guests will enjoy.

 

Ingredients:

• 6-8 tilapia fillets

• 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks or cubes

• 2 cups fresh peach chunks or cubes

• 2 green onions chopped small

• 3-4 tablespoons of lime juice (split)

• ¼ cup of finely chopped green pepper

• 1 tablespoon canola oil or EVOO

• Dash of cayenne pepper

• 2 dashes of black pepper

• 2 dashes of salt

 

Directions:

Combine in a small bowl the pineapple & peach cubes, onions, green pepper, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, salt & pepper and cayenne. Mix together and place in aluminum foil and pinch the sides to place on upper part of grill to heat while fish is cooking.

Lightly coat grill with canola oil or spray. Place fish on grill to cook for 3 or 4 minutes on each side. Once fish is cooked, place fish on serving tray and empty mixture on top and serve. This is delicious and refreshing ideal for spring or summer. Add a margarita to drink and the meal is complete.

 

Zesty Salsa Chicken…

Sweet and savory grilled chicken with herbs and spices loaded with flavor and pizzazz to fill the senses with zest.

 

Ingredients:

• 4 – 5 skinless chicken fillets

• 1 tomato diced into small cubes

• 3/4 cup honey

• ½ cup of granulated sweetener (Splenda is good)

• 1 teaspoon basil

• Dash of sage

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon pepper

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• ½ teaspoon oregano

• ¼ teaspoon parsley

• 4 – 6 cloves garlic (depending on tastes) minced

 

Directions:

Mix together honey, sweetener, tomato, basil, sage, salt & pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, parsley and garlic.

Grill chicken until cooked. Place chicken in serving dish and pour mixture on top and place in either microwave or oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. The zest of the mixture will blend during this time to make an unbelievable tasty chicken everyone will enjoy. Serve with a white wine cocktail.