Nutella Cookie Sandwiches

November 3, 2010

Recently I’ve been a little down about dessert. Wait, don’t panic! I promise this blog hasn’t been hacked or taken over by a savory-only scribe. Let me clarify. I’m by no means turned off from consuming dessert (the horror!). I’ve been turned off from making it. Every time I’m inspired to bake something special, it’s [...]

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Acorn Squash with Chile-Lime Vinaigrette

October 27, 2010

A few months ago it was hard to imagine life without fresh tomatoes. But as it turns out, I’m pretty resilient. During my recent trips to the grocery store I’ve been enamored with all things squash. There’s Butternut and Acorn. Spaghetti and Kabocha. They each have a distinct personality but collectively remind you that it’s [...]

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Lincoln

October 19, 2010

A year of planning. A $20-million renovation. A resume that boasts your time under Thomas Keller as Per Se’s chef de cuisine. There’s enough pressure and expectation to make Jonathan Benno leave the kitchen at Lincoln and run away with the Big Apple Circus. Lincoln Center has much to offer – opera, theater, concerts, a [...]

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Little Cupcake Bakeshop

October 14, 2010

It’s hard not to be overcome with giddiness when you step into Little Cupcake Bakeshop, the newest sweet outpost to land in NoLIta. There’s enough frosting to paint an entire tenement building. Twice. There’s enough sugar to give the whole neighborhood a glucose contact high. The floor is checked in black and white. The cozy [...]

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Bomboloni

October 6, 2010

Bomboloni, an Italian cafe on the Upper West Side, is named for the filled pastries that take up most of the real estate in the cafe’s cheery confines. As for the pastry’s moniker, it’s derived from the Italian word bombaloni. Translation: “little bombs.” Though bomboloni are the specialty, Bomboloni also has gelato, paninis, and coffee [...]

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Brooklyn Fare

September 28, 2010

I’m a New York City food snob. A Manhattan-restophile. I get frustrated by Time Out NY’s distracted coverage of that other borough. I’m annoyed that Sam Sifton spends too much time on the wrong side of the water. I know there are Brooklyn restaurants that deserve praise. I’m willing to concede that there is likely [...]

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Francois Payard’s FPB

September 24, 2010

Feast your eyes dear eater-friends, CleanedMyPlate has been polished and shined! I’m thrilled with the new site navigation and based on the requests I’ve been getting over the past few months, I have a feeling you will be too. Along with the redesign process came two reconfirmations. First, I’m insanely fortunate to have a husband [...]

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Romesco Potatoes

September 15, 2010

In Suzanne Goin’s Romesco sauce, a seemingly bizarre combination of ingredients – including almonds, hazelnuts, toasted bread, ancho chile peppers – are pureed into a sublime pesto-like sauce. When your guests start to swoon over the texture and richness, introduce one of my favorite dinner games: Guess the ingredients! You can even offer a prize [...]

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Carrot Salad with Harissa, Feta and Mint

September 7, 2010

My friend and I have a running joke about the traditional carrot salad her mother-in-law often prepares for family gatherings. You know the one – its got raisins, apples, honey, maybe chunks of pineapple, and some mayo. For whatever reason, the traditional version negates all that the humble carrot has to offer – crunch, color, [...]

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Kale Chips

September 1, 2010

Today we take a break from our regularly scheduled program of all things buttered, breadcrumbed, and fried to bring you — kale. Wait! Don’t go anywhere! Keep reading eater-friends, you are about to be enlightened. In addition to being incredibly healthy (antioxitants, beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C!), kale can also be incredibly tasty. And [...]

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Cherry Brown Butter Tea Cakes

August 24, 2010

There are a handful of cooking websites I visit regularly. Sure it’s part market research, but it’s mostly for inspiration. Anyone who loves to cook and/or bake is inspired by what other people are making. It’s why we eagerly await our Food + Wine and Bon Appetit issues every month and why we share the [...]

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Pan-Fried Catfish

August 17, 2010

Ca-ca-ca-ca-catfish! I know, I know. I already hear you screaming: “Bottom feeder!” “Mercury laden!” For a whiskered creature, catfish has a bad rap. These days, most of the catfish you’ll find at the supermarket and fish store is farmed. The beauty of farmed fish is that it doesn’t have the high mercury counts of its [...]

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Summer Succotash

August 10, 2010

Tomatoes! Corn! Farm stands and markets are overflowing with these irresistible and versatile summer vegetables. They can be used in so many different and wonderful ways it’s hard to grow tired of them. And need I remind you it’s already August – soon you’ll be wearing a sweater, pining for all things summer, and wondering [...]

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Scalloped Tomatoes

August 2, 2010

This weekend, fresh seafood and grilled meat took a back seat to this insanely amazing tomato dish. I can’t remember the last time I received such high accolades. It was as though I had performed a magic trick. Eyes were wide with wonder. There were proclamations of “best side dish ever,” and “can you make [...]

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Baked Clams

July 27, 2010

I can’t believe that it’s almost August and I’m only now writing a post on baked clams! Baked clams are one of our summer staples, usually consumed with pre-dinner drinks or as an accompaniment to whatever is really for lunch (yes, I live in a world where baked clams are a side dish). One of [...]

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