tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62509540104038522792024-03-06T03:20:18.310-05:00Groovalicious in BrooklynChef Pete on food, music,community and being an entrepreneur.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-88936247541132693742011-12-02T10:38:00.005-05:002011-12-02T11:49:01.846-05:00Knobby Versatile Tuber: Jerusalem Artichoke or SunchokeThe winter months can bring a less varied selection of fruits and vegetables especially if you eat mostly locally grown produce. Of course we are abound with tubers and root vegetables. All kinds of squash (butternut, kabocha, spaghetti, acorn etc.), turnips, radish, parsnips, parsley root, rutabaga and so on. I for one really enjoy roasting a selection of root vegetables at the same time for a contrast in flavors and texture. <br />*<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXsgeEvP6XP8rHIey4aWPDPbLeXiRLg-LP_utp-BxUZDkiuw8-ruQnxEn7B0qXN6uBmCtIJB_bz8kBSIrdhHjqGrT1Z3Ywkhlq0MKnjxhLfbk-8v32kNIzLkWMN1i1WMNUt-UK52Pw7U/s1600/jerusalemart.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXsgeEvP6XP8rHIey4aWPDPbLeXiRLg-LP_utp-BxUZDkiuw8-ruQnxEn7B0qXN6uBmCtIJB_bz8kBSIrdhHjqGrT1Z3Ywkhlq0MKnjxhLfbk-8v32kNIzLkWMN1i1WMNUt-UK52Pw7U/s320/jerusalemart.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681562397890003330" /></a>But if your purchase was determined on looks and familiarity you probably will skip the knobby brown little tubers Jerusalem Artichoke, also known as Sunchokes. It is a vegetable that is high in potassium, iron and fiber and is said to reduce cholesterol and act as a preventative of colon cancer. It is also very versatile and holds up well in all cooking techniques or raw.<br /><br />Neither from Jerusalem (it was first cultivated by Native Americans but became popular in the Middle East) nor an artichoke (its flavor is reminiscent of artichokes) it is great raw, peeled and shredded or julienned in salads (soak in cold water and drain first), sliced and used in stir fries as you would water chestnuts, and roasted like you would a potato. When roasted it takes on a nutty flavor and creamy texture. Here is a recipe I recently came up with for a Middle Eastern themed dinner:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Carrot and Jerusalem Artichoke Salad with Pomegranate Seeds<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients</span><br />3 large Jerusalem Artichokes, scrubbed and peeled<br />2 Medium Carrots, scrubbed and peeled<br />1/4 cup of thinly sliced red onion <br />Pomegranate seeds, scooped out from less than half pomegranate (refrigerate leftover)<br />3 to 4 tablespoons of Pomegranate Vinaigrette (see below)<br />Salt and Pepper to taste<br />Small handful parsley, minced (should have about 1/4 cup)optional<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Procedure</span><br /><br />1. Julienne (thinly cut sticks preferably with a mandolin) the Jerusalem Artichokes and Carrots. You can soak the artichokes sticks in cold water for a few minutes while preparing the salad and then drain. <br />2. Mix the Jerusalem Artichokes, carrot, red onion, and pomegranate seeds in a bowl. Add salt and pepper and the vinaigrette and toss again. Garnish with parsley if using.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pomegranate Vinaigrette</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients</span><br />1/2 cup Pom or other pomegranate juice<br />2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (add more if you prefer tart)<br />3/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil (or less)<br />1/4 teaspoon white pepper <br />Salt to taste<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Procedure</span><br />1. Place pom juice in a small saucepan and boil until more than half cooks out and you are left with a syrup. Be careful not to burn and when the bubbles start to get really big take off heat and see if it has thickened to a syrup. If not heat again for a few more seconds and check again.<br />2. Mix the pom syrup with the red wine vinegar and white pepper and salt. Slowly drizzle the evoo while whisking until it is blended thoroughly. <br /><br />*image borrowed from http://home.howstuffworks.com/jerusalem-artichokes.htmGroovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-51460359270509026582011-12-01T08:52:00.004-05:002011-12-01T09:16:44.749-05:00A Goorin Brothers Hat By Many Names<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BvsHH-6xTEGn1BQKFVjtFLuow_okjYYD3WyU2kdYWNgcy9kePfw2ZL2k7WUqGkQI7K6jmQLIRkwUAb0xQxQN1vpJtwsJzwkCEPCv3gPG2hRMPZcA0GemrSLSMPSeugMqUokVMGhTM_0/s1600/SpencerGoorinHat.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BvsHH-6xTEGn1BQKFVjtFLuow_okjYYD3WyU2kdYWNgcy9kePfw2ZL2k7WUqGkQI7K6jmQLIRkwUAb0xQxQN1vpJtwsJzwkCEPCv3gPG2hRMPZcA0GemrSLSMPSeugMqUokVMGhTM_0/s320/SpencerGoorinHat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681162812636809698" /></a> Jill and Jack bought me a gift certificate for my birthday to the<a href="http://www.goorin.com/"> Goorin Brothers </a>Hat Shop on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn, recently opened in Park Slope and the mini-hat that Spencer is wearing came with the gift certificate in a small box . The Goorin Brothers have been making hats since 1895, originally in Pittsburg Pa selling from a cart, then they moved to San Fransisco in 1949. <br /><br />I have always had an infinity for hats since I was a kid. When I was little I used to have a few hats that matched my favorite tv shows and would wear them while watching. My dad always wore hats as others from his generation did. If you see film clips of baseball games from the 40's and 50's everyone was dressed up (seems odd by today's standards)and wore hats. I believe it was President Kennedy, probably the first President to not wear a hat,that changed the fashion of wearing hats baseball hats not included. Funny because his wife Jackie had the opposite affect on women, remember the pillbox? <br /><br />Fast forward to later in my life and I reconnected to the love of a good hat. For awhile I was wearing a pork pie hat, a la Lester Young, that I bought from an old hat store on Delancy (sorry forget the name). I basically wore it out and recently sent it to old hat heaven. But now with the thoughtful gift from my family I get to choose any hat I want.<br /><br />I have yet to go to Goorin Brothers store to view the hats but I have been on the website. The hats look great and some of the names are really cool. So if you were choosing by name alone which one would you go for? Here are some of my favorites: Vinny The Brains, Wiley Cutter, Tommy Goldfingers, Whiskey Pete, Butterfingers, Left DeCarlo, Old Gulph, and Mortimer.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-38272521802521188352011-12-01T06:21:00.002-05:002011-12-01T06:31:07.408-05:00Little Buddy Biscuit Company to Miss Its First Holiday SeasonRegrettably this will be the first holiday season that Little Buddy Biscuit Company will not be able to offer gift boxes to all our customers, due to no current space available for baking. We thank all our loyal customs for prior support, some of whom have been ordering gift boxes for 6 years, and apologize for any inconvenience this might cause this year. <br /><br />On the positive side there is a very good chance that we will be back baking our treats in early 2012 and if so we will plan on offering gift boxes again in the near future. We will keep you posted as soon as we have more details. <br /><br />Once again thanks for staying in touch with us and please continue to do so in the future. Happy Holiday Season to all.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-81105692573967461552011-11-29T17:10:00.004-05:002011-11-29T17:19:06.115-05:00Chef Pete's Birthday Dinner Menu for HimselfMiddle Eastern Inspired Menu<br /><br />Olives Marinated in Preserved Meyer Lemons and Rosemary<br />Feta Cheese<br />Stuffed Grape Leaves<br />Oven Toasted Pita Bread with Cumin and Garlic <br />Hummus<br />Baba Ghanoush<br />Quinoa Tabouleh<br />Carrot & Jerusalem Artichoke Salad with Pomegranate Seeds and Pom Vinaigrette<br />Merguez Sausage (spiced lamb)<br /><br />Flour-less Chocolate Cake with Hazelnut Crust and Frangelico Whipped Cream<br /><br />Happy Birthday To Me, Happy Birthday To Me, Happy Birthday Dear Chef Pete, Happy Birthday To Me!!!Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-45092321170047115552011-10-31T09:26:00.000-04:002011-10-31T09:26:17.302-04:00Memories of Dad via Vintage Cavatelli Maker<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxVA5sWmsmZE-dyF0Sjg3GPtKYBKfXcMlnDbefpdVnzFmeQjbeyoFvhuNLfoJ0gmkaEgqirun8iZxXV65aQfz93PCOvFiLRG0SbgLJZi1F7aTyjkBnFzlw036iWE3ml_i2RfrKM-SvP0/s1600/Recipes1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxVA5sWmsmZE-dyF0Sjg3GPtKYBKfXcMlnDbefpdVnzFmeQjbeyoFvhuNLfoJ0gmkaEgqirun8iZxXV65aQfz93PCOvFiLRG0SbgLJZi1F7aTyjkBnFzlw036iWE3ml_i2RfrKM-SvP0/s320/Recipes1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669640603360732722" /></a> When I was growing up in the late 50's and early 60's I doubt the term "stay at home" mom was in our vocabulary, but my Mom with 7 kids to look after certainly was one and as she will say now at 91 very happily so. She worked hard raising us Solomita's and did more than her share of of laundry, cleaning, cooking, helping with homework and numerous other tasks a parent has to do.<br /><br />In order to feed a large family my Dad worked multiple jobs most of the time. So needless to say he was not in the kitchen very much, if at all. But I do remember him making Italian ices with a ice crushing machine that he had once in a while and also making homemade Cavatelli, a fresh pasta that is about 1/2 of inch long with a slit running down the length with ridges. You can still find Cavatelli in Italian specialty markets. I sometimes buy them at Caputo's on Court Street a family owned business that makes handcrafted Mozzarella and pastas. They have two types one with ricotta cheese and one plain.<br /><br />With Little Buddy Biscuit Company temporarily out of action, I am in the process of testing different recipes that I might want to use professionally in the future. I am also doing a lot cooking for the fun of it, the kind that you don't have time when you are working full time. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqq76725UhqM0zch_pSk3oIqmdas5zhe9xdDj5vqPH2HkYRPbqBUQPdE4audz_KfOye5TuMjT-wHOfCsLHnFxFfL7FngzlEmGv7uvlNeqarQp8Ze3FhUJxtXKJHV46yC0_ByA-O65qjw/s1600/Device1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqq76725UhqM0zch_pSk3oIqmdas5zhe9xdDj5vqPH2HkYRPbqBUQPdE4audz_KfOye5TuMjT-wHOfCsLHnFxFfL7FngzlEmGv7uvlNeqarQp8Ze3FhUJxtXKJHV46yC0_ByA-O65qjw/s320/Device1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669635731739104194" /></a>I thought it might be fun to try my hand at Cavatelli, which I made once before but not since I first received my Dad's Cavatelli Maker #50 made by Vitantonio Manufacturing Company of Cleveland Ohio, at least 35 years ago but my guess longer than that. I tried to locate them on the web but could not find an active web site and I found one post that said they went out of business. <br /><br />I took the box upstairs from the basement and took the maker out of the box. Inside the box there is also an envelope filled with notes and recipes. There is an original sheet of paper from Vitantonio with two Cavatelli recipes, one with potato and one without. Uncle Tony also gave his own recipe "Uncle Tony's Style" to my Dad dated 1976. I love the fact that he signed the recipe "Get Fat Woody, Uncle Tony" Woody being my Mom's nickname (long story there). <br /><br />My Dad also took notes when he made the pasta, not sure if he did each time but there is one from 1976, 1979, 1982, and 1983. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sXDu0rstU0GYwTJxlIGd7u9OuLrOrTwBTfxPSumeQ0viQiDBqkPcjRd4jUS0eJUD1FJg3cxv5mhbValDwiymj-ln8OZVDaAnfEiNIdH1Iqo6U8YeMMr7gdt0j1JZfWu5B0OUT65z9vA/s1600/Recipes2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sXDu0rstU0GYwTJxlIGd7u9OuLrOrTwBTfxPSumeQ0viQiDBqkPcjRd4jUS0eJUD1FJg3cxv5mhbValDwiymj-ln8OZVDaAnfEiNIdH1Iqo6U8YeMMr7gdt0j1JZfWu5B0OUT65z9vA/s320/Recipes2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669636242147243218" /></a><br />I would guess he made them more often than that but who knows.<br /><br />I decided I wanted to try a recipe that I found on line that adds eggs and ricotta. Unfortunately this recipe produced a dough that was too soft and sticky to go through the rollers of the machine. I wound up rolling, cutting and shaping the dough by hand. After reading all the notes and setting up the maker it was kind of anti-climatic and disappointing, though the resulting pasta surely tasted good. Oh well I guess that means making Cavatelli again soon because I really want to crank out some pasta on the Cavatelli Maker #50 made by Vitantonio Manufacturing Company of Cleveland Ohio. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-qZUHlIQ9tWM1Ap5zoLyGWKewQf5qCh06D6xKP-wdU5jIep54_nbt1ipQhvONkg5uDIwsTHodRhrvavWxCFGf_mt30djVdEzBI7hnEs98WIyo6EJs69opX8J_JO2XsxV13P9fVLwVdU/s1600/Device2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-qZUHlIQ9tWM1Ap5zoLyGWKewQf5qCh06D6xKP-wdU5jIep54_nbt1ipQhvONkg5uDIwsTHodRhrvavWxCFGf_mt30djVdEzBI7hnEs98WIyo6EJs69opX8J_JO2XsxV13P9fVLwVdU/s320/Device2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669639723608298434" /></a>Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-40217620765344187012011-09-23T16:53:00.005-04:002011-09-23T17:14:42.733-04:00The Growth of LBBC Hits a HUGE Pothole.If you've read past blogs you have been witness to the growth of Little Buddy Biscuit Company from a small company that sold wholesale to local cafes in Brooklyn to opening a bakery in South Slope in August of 2009, to then having to close the bakery at the end of 2010. Despite a loyal following and good press we were beaten down by a tough economy. Then in the Spring of 2011 we gave the concept of combining our business with a local cafe a try. Unfortunately combining the two businesses didn't quite work out. <br /><br />So now what is the next move for Chef Pete and Little Buddy? To be honest I have worked too hard on developing my repertoire as a chef and a baker to give up just yet. I am determined to continue my career in the food business as an entrepreneur and more specifically as the owner of LBBC. I know I won't be able to do so as a solo owner so I have to have faith I will find the right business partner or partners who want to take the concept to the next level. <br /><br />In the meantime I am continuing to hone my craft as a chef and a baker. I will develop new recipes and tweak ones that I liked from the past. Maybe I'll even take a few classes to improve skills and learn from other bakers. I am also visiting other cafes and bakeries to see what other successful business owners do well. The one thing about cooking is the learning is endless and it's kind of nice to have the time to focus on getting better at what I do. <br /><br />I also am enjoying the extra time I have with my son Jack and my wife Jill. Jack is now in 3rd grade and helping him with his homework everyday is an important activity that I hope we both can succeed at. There are museums I haven't had the time to visit in a while and plenty of books and movies to catch up on. I'm also playing the drums again so while I want to see the business back in action I am enjoying the downtime too.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-1342492478114908132011-08-22T09:18:00.006-04:002011-08-22T10:14:00.758-04:00The Continuing Journey of Chef Pete & Little Buddy Biscuit CompanyIt's just after 9:00 am on a Monday morning, so what is a baker doing home on the computer instead of baking muffins, biscuits, scones, cookies etc? Well Root Hill Cafe, as you should know as the new home of Little Buddy Biscuit Company, is closed for the next two weeks to "refresh" our space and to build a new and improved kitchen for Chef Pete! I will now be out of the basement and upstairs in the cafe. I am really looking forward to the new design and to continue my work at Root Hill.
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<br />It's been a great 5 months, yes time is flying by, and we've accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. Little Buddy Biscuit Company has been welcomed by both the staff and the customers at Root Hill. Our baked goods sell out quickly each day.
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<br />In addition I have also had the opportunity to expand the breakfast and lunch menu at Root Hill while going back to my roots as a chef, taking advantage of my culinary training at Natural Gourmet Institute for Health. Each day we make delicious sandwiche, salads and other prepared foods using fresh vegetables, grains and quality ingredients. When we reopen we will continue to add new specials to an already expanded menu. The target date for reopening is Tuesday, September 6 so come by and check out the new digs!Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-47520654952966768932011-03-31T17:32:00.005-04:002011-04-01T17:22:44.309-04:00The Return of Little Buddy Biscuit Company!!!It was a tough experience closing the Little Buddy Biscuit Company retail bakery last year on December 31st. My wife Jill and I had worked non-stop for almost 2 years and spent way more money than I'd ever imagine to open the store and try to keep it going during the rough start. Between the bad economy, a location that turned out to be not quite as busy as we had hoped and extreme weather in both winter and summer we couldn't hold on despite great reviews and a number of loyal customers who loved us. As I was packing up and moving our belongings during the cold and snowy weeks of early January I thought that I would give up on a journey that lasted more than 8 years.<br /><br />In 1992 I decided to change careers and go to culinary school, The Natural Gourmet Institute for Health. Once I made that decision I worked as hard as I could to learn as much as possible about being a chef. While in school I did double the internship requirements and landed a job before graduation. One job later and less than a year after Jack was born Jill and I decided I would leave work and stay home with Jack. It was great being with Jack the first few years and I wound up starting Little Buddy Biscuit Company, kind of by accident actually, while taking care of Jack. My focus since has been entirely on two things: being a dad and learning my craft.<br /><br />We built a cult following for our cookies, making them in a spare kitchen in our home, and selling them to cafes in Brooklyn and via the mail. Once Jack was in school we decided to expand the business, created a business plan and searched for space. Finally we opened our own bakery in August of 2009. Fast forward to late December of 2010 and after the word got out that we were closing, the owners of one the cafe's we sold wholesale to called me and asked if I'd be willing to talk to them about business. I was really touched that they thought that much of what I was doing to reach out to me at a tough time in my professional and personal life.<br /><br />After a number of meetings and months of planning setting up a new kitchen and moving my stuff again, Little Buddy Biscuit Company has found a new home at Root Hill Cafe (262 4th Avenue at Carroll Street, Gowanus). I will be making the best of the baked goods I was making at the bakery plus some lunch/dinner items. Root Hill already put in a kitchen work space in the basement and there are plans for renovation of the cafe space in the near future to accommodate the expanded menu we are planning. <br /><br />This was a good week to start up again as it is Root Hills 3rd anniversary, so there is double cause for celebration. I have already started integrating Little Buddy product with the Root Hill menu this week, making cookies, biscuits, brownies, Mac n Cheese, walnut coffee cakes, savory muffins and will continue to add to the selections as we move forward. I am excited about this new chapter for Little Buddy Biscuit Company and working with Maria, Michelle Andrew and the staff at Root Hill. I hope our customers from the South Slope and elsewhere will venture to Root Hill for LBBC treats.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-59452414574896978652011-01-13T11:48:00.002-05:002011-01-13T12:27:14.942-05:00Cauliflower, Potato & Red Bean "Indian Style" StewThis recipe was loosely inspired from a Serious Eats Post by my friend Geetika Khanna of the Indian Culinary Center. I basically made an improvised "Indian Style" Stew with spices and ingredients on hand for my dinner tonight. Feel free to play around a bit with the spices,omitting or adding or using less of a particular spice.<br /><br />Here is the recipe:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cauliflower, Potato & Red Bean "Indian Style" Stew</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients</span><br />3 tablespoons Grapeseed Oil (or Canola or Sesame)<br />2 teaspoons cumin seeds<br />1 tablespoon mustard seeds (preferably black)<br />1/4 teaspoon green cardamom seeds<br />1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger<br />3 cloves garlic minced<br />Chopped Serrano pepper to taste (optional)<br />half of red onion large dice<br />Sea Salt to taste<br />half of head cauliflower cut into small pieces<br />1 tablespoon tomato paste<br />1/4 cup white wine<br />2 tablespoons tumeric<br />1 tomato chopped<br />1 15 ounce can Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk<br />3 small Yukon Gold Potatoes (small pieces boiled 10 minutes, set aside)<br />1 can organic Red Kidney Beans, drained<br />Chopped Cilantro to taste (optional)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Procedure</span><br />1. Heat oil in large saute pan on medium high, add cumin seeds, mustard seeds and cardamom seeds, stir constantly for 30 seconds or until seeds become fragrant. Add garlic , ginger and serrano pepper and cook another 30 seconds. Add onion and touch of sea salt and keep stirring & cooking for a few minutes longer<br />2. Stir in cauliflower and continue to cook and stir for another few minutes.<br />3. Add tomato paste, white wine, and tumeric and cook for a minute or two longer.<br />4. Add tumeric, chopped tomato and coconut milk, lower heat and simmer until cauliflower softens. <br />5. Add cooked potatoes and red beans and simmer for about 10 minutes or longer to thicken stew and let flavors meld.<br />6. Serve in a bowl with chopped cilantro if using and a slice of naan if lucky enough to have on hand.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-8429624547092822292010-06-20T15:33:00.002-04:002010-06-21T16:42:32.735-04:00A Poem For My Son, JackI wrote this poem for a poetry slam at Jack's first grade class. He was really into the slam and it meant a lot for him to have me there reading a poem. I wouldn't say poetry comes easy to me but I wanted to write a poem that Jack would understand and would also tell a story of how important he is in my life. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A Poem for My Son, Jack</span><br /><br />I want to teach you<br />Because I have so much to learn<br />I want to watch you be silly<br />Because it’s laughter that I yearn<br /><br />Build me a mansion out legos<br />And a fortress out of zoobs<br />A dream out of play-doh<br />And a future long with you.<br /><br />Strum a few chords on my guitar<br />So I can write a song about life<br />I’m going to strive for success<br />So you can reach for it too<br /><br />I want to be a good man<br />And make you proud <br />I want to be a better man<br />So I can show you howGroovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-1335652284506053302010-04-01T07:59:00.006-04:002010-04-01T10:57:49.802-04:00Serenaded At Little Buddy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6UjNCIUPVrgEzIQE1cw5M4lhZyynpynUxYk7ZWLS4g-qgcDHz03fMbI5RjhcSBunoplGH7vhN7dJszpxH_x4HyeWlYuEt9ZadUzLNnbvAliOVgUByL35_PSRTdBpwYMZpXlNaAFvL5g/s1600/26406_377363528660_126757193660_3734511_7610314_s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6UjNCIUPVrgEzIQE1cw5M4lhZyynpynUxYk7ZWLS4g-qgcDHz03fMbI5RjhcSBunoplGH7vhN7dJszpxH_x4HyeWlYuEt9ZadUzLNnbvAliOVgUByL35_PSRTdBpwYMZpXlNaAFvL5g/s400/26406_377363528660_126757193660_3734511_7610314_s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455141295935739586" /></a><br />When you are in the business of serving food to the public you never know when something special and cool can happen. Elizabeth and Jeff, regular customers and a very nice couple, came into our store yesterday to invite us to their upcoming show on Saturday night, April 3rd at<a href="http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com/"> Rockwood Music Hall</a>. When I told them that it might be past the bedtime of said baker they offered to sing us a song. <br /><br />Now having someone sing to you in an unexpected moment and intimate space can be a bit awkward, especially if they are not talented. But boy were my staff and I pleasantly surprised at how talented the Odd Twin (the name they might perform under) were. Elizabeth has a gorgeous voice, Jeff is a good picker and provided great harmonies plus the song was a winner. I couldn't help but tap on the counter to provide some rhythmic support. Boy I wish I could go see them. But you can! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/elizabethandthecatapult">Elizabeth Ziman</a> & <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dumpsterhunter">Jeff Taylor</a><br />Saturday, April 3rd at 11:00 PM<br />Rockwood Music Hall<br />184 Allen Street<br />New York, NY 10002<br />(212) 477-4155Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-27686312178176288252010-03-14T10:06:00.005-04:002010-03-14T11:23:40.809-04:00Spring Into Health: PS 10 Health Fair<meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/jill/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>564</o:Words> <o:characters>3215</o:Characters> <o:lines>26</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>3948</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.768</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:0 2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;">Health Fair on Tuesday, March 16 from 1-6PM<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;">P.S.10 511 7th Avenue (at Prospect Avenue) Brooklyn<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;">School Cafeteria<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Free and all are welcome!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;">I'll be doing a cooking demo at <a href="http://ps10.org/">P.S. 10's</a> Annual Health Fair on Tuesday, March 16 from 5-6 pm. I'll be baking multi-grain crackers at the store and doing a demo on humus and almond butter. I'm also bringing cinnamon maple oat cookies that are whole grain and sweetened with maple syrup.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;">Here is an interview with Stacey Bucovy, one of the founders of Healthy Steps (PS10healthysteps@gmail.com) who organized the event.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pete:</span> Please give a brief description of Healthy Steps Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stacey:</span> The Healthy Steps Committee exists to empower the students, parents and<o:p></o:p> staff of PS10 to make healthy choices related to food but extends to fitness<o:p></o:p> and health issues as well. Co-chair Lora Garcia and I started the committee<o:p></o:p> in 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pete:</span> This is the second Health Expo at PS 10 that Healthy Steps has<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;">organized, what did you learn from managing the first one and how will this<o:p></o:p> one be different?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stacey:</span> There were a few things I learned from the first Fair. I tried to do too much on my own and realized how important it is to reach out to people for help. The<o:p></o:p> school community is vast, diverse and super helpful with so much creativity.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"> Secondly, never underestimate the value of promoting your event. You think<o:p></o:p> you have a built-in audience who will just show up but until you and your<o:p></o:p> event are well known you really have to push it. I also learned how much fun<o:p></o:p> a health fair could be. The children really got involved with the different<o:p></o:p> activities like planting, fitness and food games. This year we have so much<o:p></o:p> more to offer so I think it will really be a blast.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pete:</span><span style=""> </span>Tell me about the program for this years Health Expo.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stacey:</span> The Health Fair program is amazing. Chefs from local restaurants,<o:p></o:p> including you Pete, are doing healthy cooking demonstrations. Expert<o:p></o:p> gardeners from Martha Stewart will do planting projects, and a local book<o:p></o:p> author named William Lach is going to do a reading and a book signing.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;">Fitness experts will be doing yoga, tai chi, dance and calisthenics demos.<o:p></o:p> Our Health center will have ten-minute massage, acupuncturists, posture<o:p></o:p> evaluations, an NYU nurses station, eastern medicine professionals and even<o:p></o:p> some mental health advice. The Health Fair Salad Bar will be open from 1-4pm<o:p></o:p> along with a food bar with food donated by local restaurants and parents.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;">Two artists in our committee will have a great Crafts Center where children<o:p></o:p> can paint a still life and enter an art contest sponsored by the National<o:p></o:p> Farmland Trust. Professional bodybuilder and book author Kevin Richardson<o:p></o:p> will give a seminar on weight loss solutions. And believe it or not the list<o:p></o:p> goes on.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pete:</span><span style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> </span>What do you think the school system can do to improve the quality of the<o:p></o:p> food our children eat, that is realistic in the face of todays budget cuts?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stacey:</span><span style=""> </span>Great question- For one thing if a piece of legislation called the Child<o:p></o:p> Nutrition Act passes then schools could gain some more control over their<o:p></o:p> purchases of food. They would no longer have to buy from the lowest bidder.<o:p></o:p> Guidelines need to change so that healthy meatless meals could be a part of<o:p></o:p> the menu - right now tofu is not allowed nor are veggie burgers. We need to<o:p></o:p> seek out grants for a salad bar and figure out how to maintain it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pete:</span> How can parents at other schools get involved or start a committee<o:p></o:p> similar to Healthy Steps?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;">Stacey: Great question- There just needs to be interest, anyone can approach their school's PTA and ask to form a committee. Then it's just a matter of oranizing yourself and seeking out information form other groups or from the internet.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pete:</span> Well good luck with the next few days of preparations and I'll see you at the event.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stacey: </span> Thanks Pete, I'll see on Tuesday!
<br /></span><span style="font-family:Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span></span></p>Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-5474704952197268532010-03-11T16:16:00.006-05:002010-03-11T16:25:16.533-05:00The Origins Of Pizza<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22fXsVOl5PDsqP41btd-6uJVnzXlGIEJ33HqaVC2FKM49azUtHv-Q_6SbkhVF3VWOdvQnojhPQO8giMa0CdxN0Ff9VEszMSpQqQHORjZEBQxOS26IdXBpCgPawGt2ig_b2aj4wYj14lk/s1600-h/0311101526b-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22fXsVOl5PDsqP41btd-6uJVnzXlGIEJ33HqaVC2FKM49azUtHv-Q_6SbkhVF3VWOdvQnojhPQO8giMa0CdxN0Ff9VEszMSpQqQHORjZEBQxOS26IdXBpCgPawGt2ig_b2aj4wYj14lk/s400/0311101526b-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447489275662133746" border="0" /></a><br />A new theory on the origins of pizza has been discovered by a team of archeologists and historians. They believe it goes all the way back to the stone age, specifically the town of Bedrock. The inventor was a man by the name of Fred Flinstone. He was the first to make a dough made out of flour and cooked the pizza in an oven made of rocks and used wood as the heat source. His wife Wilma made the cheese from dinosaur milk. Their neighbor Barney was Fred's salesman and marketing executive.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-44325701101540101852010-02-13T08:30:00.009-05:002010-02-13T08:43:33.309-05:00It Did Snow: SEE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM45wePUmblK6nfFdnbs6kBpilQdU4ooEIuSm5KacDBHJu2RGMVCOQy4uyMMZ05Qi2zIJSn6smaqWw38r3x5LRnd2gO40AFjD9kSGutv0axVj-XdNuxQYd40InWbpOEWx30z5XcSWSr4/s1600-h/ivysnow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM45wePUmblK6nfFdnbs6kBpilQdU4ooEIuSm5KacDBHJu2RGMVCOQy4uyMMZ05Qi2zIJSn6smaqWw38r3x5LRnd2gO40AFjD9kSGutv0axVj-XdNuxQYd40InWbpOEWx30z5XcSWSr4/s400/ivysnow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437720215998377874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It did snow and I made it home early enough to have some outdoor time with Jack and Jill. Above is a photo of our ivy in our back yard taken the next day.<br /><br />Here are some photos day of the snow:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI2XTwCYneTmLhRNTswGFU3U_sM8ZAMuRpLQEvVeISyTs8jOM4LZprGL-yajQaStudxOerXkQfDIKq8ZwjDa72ct3EsYOAM9ztCws42Xm_Sz2Bm0vXNVEcpKu1tNzXeRTSqmuI_ei3Ks/s1600-h/sledding.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRI2XTwCYneTmLhRNTswGFU3U_sM8ZAMuRpLQEvVeISyTs8jOM4LZprGL-yajQaStudxOerXkQfDIKq8ZwjDa72ct3EsYOAM9ztCws42Xm_Sz2Bm0vXNVEcpKu1tNzXeRTSqmuI_ei3Ks/s400/sledding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437721496343353890" border="0" /></a>That's me pulling Jack on the sled down 16th Street. It wasn't really very nice, windy as all heck, so we decided not to venture out to the park. Still had fun.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjEP8NPWwDuOFbCxPX_Ri6sX5DlT0QcjhRepXFASNX7dqsc1SqfsMAmNPIpA2Es5PQwE7VljfT6DUd4IU-ImU1qu4HPLGNm8JIdqCVuHivHKBuUiNNwpmutOuhnBDuaXzv9-5ZJO5hxQ/s1600-h/snowman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjEP8NPWwDuOFbCxPX_Ri6sX5DlT0QcjhRepXFASNX7dqsc1SqfsMAmNPIpA2Es5PQwE7VljfT6DUd4IU-ImU1qu4HPLGNm8JIdqCVuHivHKBuUiNNwpmutOuhnBDuaXzv9-5ZJO5hxQ/s400/snowman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437721915574162818" border="0" /></a>Jack and his snowman. Notice the magic marker face. Jack was really bummed the next day when he saw how much his snowman melted.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-25MsYZvo8iTJDNM5IyxlpncZJ6N6twHrHbvj_ACDfZ1X4STdQPFBNDb4MhjKZ0VV-Z7SyUlhj44EVKVIrEc4rLbrZ63lmaHn7886N5wNQGiFYMqT-uiZtArhsR0-5ZXhe5p7Y95Vtls/s1600-h/snowcake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-25MsYZvo8iTJDNM5IyxlpncZJ6N6twHrHbvj_ACDfZ1X4STdQPFBNDb4MhjKZ0VV-Z7SyUlhj44EVKVIrEc4rLbrZ63lmaHn7886N5wNQGiFYMqT-uiZtArhsR0-5ZXhe5p7Y95Vtls/s400/snowcake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437722360428713794" border="0" /></a>UMMMM, Snowcake. That was taken the next day in our backyard. Maybe because I spend so much time in the bakery all I could see when I looked at the window was this giant cake on the table calling out for a candle. I guess you could say we celebrated the one day birthday of mr. snowman. Jack took his own photo of the cake too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhGpNLCL9wTjghYlze6KDMjOghR8C7uYlK3_FxwGYOCz-m5QPFlsYjEG8NVPhQiKQX9Ai-gCl3FRNMfE69v99FHeIXKEh0AqdQOuxP83aZQxP1KwIKkCg8vUqCMZxB7TAJOoGugs9OCQ/s1600-h/treesnowbird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhGpNLCL9wTjghYlze6KDMjOghR8C7uYlK3_FxwGYOCz-m5QPFlsYjEG8NVPhQiKQX9Ai-gCl3FRNMfE69v99FHeIXKEh0AqdQOuxP83aZQxP1KwIKkCg8vUqCMZxB7TAJOoGugs9OCQ/s400/treesnowbird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437722888954718034" border="0" /></a>Snowbirds in the apple tree.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1JmgXK0lbON_LLGfHYTdXAGYlmaRhi14X8PMIKf0TEA_Gq_syI_NSTokXzVKJ24nARzLrQx2FthyphenhyphenCH5aEVmdSM92KYbEm8F6lyG5XHbsoEUTjzyQpEb2a9oaNZuGc52z-8WOHIN6HGk/s1600-h/jackintree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1JmgXK0lbON_LLGfHYTdXAGYlmaRhi14X8PMIKf0TEA_Gq_syI_NSTokXzVKJ24nARzLrQx2FthyphenhyphenCH5aEVmdSM92KYbEm8F6lyG5XHbsoEUTjzyQpEb2a9oaNZuGc52z-8WOHIN6HGk/s400/jackintree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437723099404926786" border="0" /></a>Orange monkey man in the tree and the end of the snow fun.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-12998378825571082852010-02-10T06:29:00.004-05:002010-02-10T06:41:19.332-05:00Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it SnowShowing up each day at the bakery at 5:00 am can feel a bit lonely, certainly quiet. After spending about 30 years in bands and providing music at bars, clubs or for parties I was used to getting home at that time. Now I pass by bars with patrons leaving to make their way home. Quite a change of lifestyle.<br /><br />Today I'm here and it seems extra quiet. Of course now that their are tenants in the apartment above me I wait to turn on the music until about 7:00 or I put it on real low. But the snow still gives a feeling of a blanket of peace being dropped on Brooklyn. I've spent the last hour or so deciding how much pastries I should bake to put out today. Will anyone be on the streets and in need of a cup of coffee, a muffin, scone or biscuit? It's hard to tell but I guess it will be a slower than usual Wednesday.<br /><br />I'm hoping that I can get done extra early and spend time with Jill and Jack. Jill will be working from home as the City announced yesterday that they would shut the schools. Jack was pumped because he saw it as an opportunity to stay home all day and play with his DS. He has entered the world of video games and we lose him for chunks of time. We try hard to seriously limit and dole out permission to game, otherwise he'd turn into a zombie. Hopefully it won't be too windy in the afternoon so we can go out and build a snow man or go sledding or something else.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-23967411810121662462010-02-10T06:25:00.003-05:002010-02-10T06:29:17.772-05:00Many Happy Birthdays Part 2Last week two friends of mine celebrated their birthdays and bought their cakes at Little Buddy. Kevin, a great photographer whom I wrote about previously, was happy to find we had a pineapple upside cake available for his party. Sean, a gifted composer, enjoyed our devil's food cake with nutella swiss meringue that his wife Catherine bought. It makes feel good to know that the cakes we make are part of the celebrations that make life special.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-44107469171457618682010-01-20T14:24:00.004-05:002010-01-20T14:36:11.746-05:00Many Happy Birthdays At Little Buddy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja90pYOgWP5rKiJhPLsa-iUIKFC_21m2Te7t3X35VWpcZ0Ej7vC1oqbCdBhpj0idkx0hz_AyFIl3QZT1rCdgmeyX97-W1czR52GlIZISxlgHfJJtIP8BPsV16AbbvQyosOQ0s8Sc3aSfw/s1600-h/cake-table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja90pYOgWP5rKiJhPLsa-iUIKFC_21m2Te7t3X35VWpcZ0Ej7vC1oqbCdBhpj0idkx0hz_AyFIl3QZT1rCdgmeyX97-W1czR52GlIZISxlgHfJJtIP8BPsV16AbbvQyosOQ0s8Sc3aSfw/s400/cake-table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428905333059297730" border="0" /></a>Before we opened the store we went shopping at various antique and used furniture stores looking for, trays, platters, coffee tables and a few other items of display. I found a small coffee table for real cheap that I liked, which happened to have a photo taped to it. I was so busy at the time I didn't get a good look at the photo but I knew that I wanted to keep it. <br /><br />When we opened the store in August in my haste I took the photo and put it on our community wall, again without looking closely at the photo (it was very hectic at the time). A customer was admiring the photo and noticed that the table that the cake was situated on was the actual table in the store. It's incredible but it must be the original owner having a birthday cake for her daughter's first birthday. What an omen for a bakery to display such a sentiment. I only hope we have years of customers buying birthday cakes for their children, spouses, friends etc and maybe one day someone in an antique store will find a photo of a birthday celebration with one of our cakes being enjoyed.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-48013502851646571082010-01-11T16:41:00.002-05:002010-01-11T17:05:46.601-05:00It's Funky Donkey TimeWow, I can't believe how long it's been since I last blogged. As you can imagine the holiday season at the store took lots of my energy and time and left little in the tank for anything extra. It's also a real challenge to find something to write about other than the business since I am here for so many hours. Plus it's hard to separate the business from blog. More specifically for the blog I'd like to be real honest but maybe from a business standpoint that is not the best thing? That's a round about way of saying that the last few months have been real challenging. This was not the best economic climate to start a new business and we have to work so hard to overcome the fact that people are being careful with their money. <br /><br />With that said last night I had one of those moments a parent wishes for. I was in my bedroom watching the end of the crazy Packers vs. the Cardinals playoff game while waiting for Jack's bath to get ready. Jack came into to the room and put on the ipod on Jill's night stand and found an obscure song called "It's Funky Donkey Time" by the extremely talented and funky drummer Bernard Purdie. Bernard has played with James Brown, Aretha Franklin and a host of other notables, being one of the most recorded drummers in history. Check out his drumming on Rock Steady one of the coolest drum beats ever. <br /><br />Well something about the song clicked with Jack and he kept playing it over and over again (safe estimate a dozen times) while dancing and jumping on the bed. The song put us both in a great mood, it was a good way to end the day. Jack said how much he loved the song and how good Bernard was on the drums. Unfortunately the way he put it was "Daddy he's a great drummer, better than you. I like your drums too but this is so good". Well I have to admire his honesty and his knowledge of music because frankly Purdie is much better than I ever was or will be. I just had to agree with Jack and be glad that we shared this moment, my son has good taste in music and I got to see the end of a wild football game. It doesn't get any better than that.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-11287092602457879792009-12-29T10:48:00.005-05:002009-12-29T10:52:28.021-05:00Bring On The New!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9uj8gYXYvKqxezJ2Dug0EBNoLmvEbP0wgtHXsGqycUUYdXhDFe5F1w-S0DmjZyITN0YbuqD-o9zdXsMJjya7q2YMEMKHuFSTZ1iWP_UBoJIPYEi6wifDHQJHT82pVp_2YJN38DKLasw/s1600-h/Happy2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9uj8gYXYvKqxezJ2Dug0EBNoLmvEbP0wgtHXsGqycUUYdXhDFe5F1w-S0DmjZyITN0YbuqD-o9zdXsMJjya7q2YMEMKHuFSTZ1iWP_UBoJIPYEi6wifDHQJHT82pVp_2YJN38DKLasw/s400/Happy2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420685594860085154" border="0" /></a>Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-90845731985986368662009-11-22T07:52:00.003-05:002009-11-22T09:31:31.458-05:00A Chef Grows Hair In BrooklynAbout 14 years ago I went to the wedding of Erica (aka Wild Girl) and Rich in Iowa. At the time my hair was the longest it ever was and I had a full beard as well. One of their friends had a completely shaved head and I wondered how I would look with a shaved head. I had had buzz cuts in the past but never went that far. I also swore if I lost my hair I wouldn't be one of those guys with a do-wrap or bad hair piece.<br /><br />When we got back I cut my own hair and then shaved my head and face. I liked the way it looked and being a drummer in a couple of bands it gave me a look or style (especially as a conga player for Voodoo Martini a pop rock latin lounge band). Needless to say I have shaved my head ever day or so since. There are lots of people who have never seen me with hair, including my son.<br /><br />Well I am about 2 weeks into growing it back, again out of curiosity to see how much hair do I have left. Maybe my son will now stop calling me egghead. If you are curious it yourself come into Little Buddy and request the removal of my chef's hat, with a purchase of course.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-50368388099873433282009-11-13T12:43:00.001-05:002009-11-13T13:00:52.569-05:00MIxed Tapes are BACK BABY!!!In keeping with the music theme at the bakery I thought I'd let my readers know that a few weeks back I brought in my Nakamichi cassette deck. I bought that tape deck right before I bought into buying cd's and way before the birth of mp3's. It was a very expensive piece of equipment at the time (purchased at Harvey's) and mixed tapes was were it was at. <br /><br />I had made countless number of compilations, including a series called Crazy Covers, The Good Bad and the Cheesy. As an owner of a 99 Dodge Caravan I actually have a tape deck in the car. I guess the original owner hadn't made the medium move to cd's as yet or was a cheapskate. <br /><br />When I took my first day off on Columbus Day weekend Jill, Jack and I went upstate to go pumpkin picking and other fall related upstate activities. I grabbed a bunch of my tapes and we spent the almost 2 days driving around listening to music that I have mostly on vinyl, which was converted to C-90 Maxwell's. It was fun to listen to music I don't get to hear much since not only are most of those tunes not on my i-pod but many of them aren't on cd's either. <br /><br />So if you come into Little Buddy Biscuit Company you might be listenting to a mixed tape, circa 1991 or so. Now how many bakeries in Brooklyn can proudly state that?Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-50994758244537674512009-11-07T12:24:00.002-05:002009-11-07T12:34:59.282-05:00THE GONG OF APPROVALWhat is the GONG OF APPROVAL might you ask? Well it's quite simple...my favorite Chinese cymbal from my drumming days is in the back of the store with a soft mallet next to it. Whenever something cool or special happens in the store we turn off the music and strike the gong in approval. Customers seem to like being the impetus for the rich and complex overtones of one of my favorite percussion instruments. I admit to being very fond of the whole production as I like both ceremony and bringing a small part of my musical past into the store. <br /><br />What are some of the reasons the GONG OF APPROVAL was in action? Here is a short list:<br /><ol><li>First sale of a new product or one of our specials.<br /></li><li>Ordering an ice cream cone at 10:00 am on a Saturday morning.</li><li>Telling the counter salesperson that you do not share one of your cheddar biscuits with your new bride, doing so was not listed in the vows you shared.</li><li>Recognition of the Chinese cymbal and admitting you are a drummer too.</li><li>Coming back for a second order of Daddy Mac (mac n cheese) in the same day.<br /></li><li>Telling us we are the best bakery in NYC!!!</li></ol>The gong of approval is not to be taken lightly or under appreciated and is not done willy nilly. We hope you come to Little Buddy Biscuit Company real soon and give us a reason to give it to you.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-80227908541422892392009-10-27T07:38:00.003-04:002009-10-27T08:16:31.381-04:00Rain Rain Go AwaySometimes in business you can plan every detail and have it washed away by things not under your control, like a rainy Tuesday morning. Today is the debut of our lunch menu (see <a href="http://www.littlebuddybiscuitcompany.com/">www.littlebuddybiscuitcompany.com</a> for menu) and I am both nervous and excited at the same time. We prepared a beautiful blackboard with our menu on it yesterday but of course the rain is preventing us from putting it outside. Tuesday's can be a tad slow to begin with and I'm hoping the rain doesn't scare away the rushing commuters and parents dropping off their kids at school. Maybe I'll stand outside and encourage people to come on in (not). I kind of feel like I did when I was in bands and getting ready to perform on stage. I hope we get a packed house today.<br /><br />As a chef that is comfortable in both savory cooking and baking as well (not that common) I am happy to see more savory options for our customers that they can bring to work or home as a meal. Last weekend we did great with our lunch specials, potato caramelized onion and gruyere galettes (free form pies), whole wheat personal size pizzas with roasted portobello mushrooms, pesto and smoked mozzarella, zucchini and provolone frittata and Daddy Mac (mac n cheese). This week I hope the response will be equally as good for the sandwich and soup choices. We are also featuring Balthazar's bread and croissants for sale and they look great in the showcase. We've had lot's of requests for bread and Balthazar is one of the best artisan bread makers in NYC.<br /><br />Anyway I am happy with the way we are continously growing and diversefying our menu and making it fun for customers to come in each day to see what is new. We've made our dessert menu full of delicious choices and now strive to do the same with savory.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-42293224111680545172009-10-21T14:27:00.004-04:002009-10-23T18:08:52.343-04:00Sometimes Cold Pineapple Cake Should Be Good EnoughWhen it comes to the bakery I have the tendency to be a perfectionist. I literally want everything we make to be fantastic, an experience of pure pleasure mind you. But this business will teach you that sometimes the reality is good should be good enough.<br /><br />Last week we had a special request for our pineapple upside down cake the raspberries and pecans for Sunday. I made an extra one for the store to sell and one for the customer. When it was getting late I asked my employee to call and as it turns out the order was for the following Sunday. So now we have an extra cake, one that tastes best the first couple of days after it's made.<br /><br />I like to make good out of mistakes like this so I offered the cake to Jack's old school PS 295. They were having a pta meeting the next day and were happy to have a cake with their breakfast. The school is just a bit more than a block away so the families and teachers that go there are certainly potential customers so this was a good chance to do some outreach for the business too. We are starting lunches next week so Ruth, the pta president invited me to speak about Little Buddy before the meeting and bring menus for the parents to take. <br /><br />In my haste to get the bakery open and be at the school by 8:30 am I forgot to take the cake out of the refrigerator to get it to room temperature. For most people it was probably no big deal but I was thinking most of the morning how it would have tasted better if it had been not so cold. I hope that all the obsessing I do over my baked goods translates to great product because from a mental health point of view it's probably not such a good idea.<br /><br />Luckily many customers have noticed the quality and have been very complimentary of our baked goods, so I guess being a perfectionist can pay off. It's a great feeling when someone comes to the store and sends an email later that day or the next day to say how much they enjoyed their treat land that happened twice today. It makes it feel like the hard work we do is worth it and that we are already enjoying success.Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250954010403852279.post-7069050518787940292009-10-18T06:47:00.010-04:002009-10-18T12:48:44.008-04:00Daddy Mac Arrives, Lunch to FollowIf you have read past blogs you will remember that Jack, aka Little Buddy himself, was craving my own Daddy Mac (gooey cheesy mac n cheese). Well I thought it would make sense as I was planning our soon to be lunch menu to add Daddy Mac as a special at the very least. Yesterday was the debut and we nearly sold out the first day. Needless to say it will come back again soon and I got to take home some for Jack, Jill and myself to enjoy (win win situation).<br /><br />We are kicking off lunch at Little Buddy starting on Tuesday, October 27. We will be buying bread and croissants from Balthazaar to sell retail and using the bread to make sandwiches. I am posting the proposed menu below, which will include soups from City Chef and sandwiches we make. On weekends we will have specials like chili and corn bread, personal gourmet pizzas, savory galettes and more. The menu below will be posted on the <a href="http://www.littlebuddybiscuitcompany.com">Little Buddy</a> web site shortly as will our new menu of baked goods. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMPEmGa9eKPhvMsFAn24_q1Z_jKaykh5YJcgiCDiO0RhngMGoIjvVnMe4i1FL6QVlNwhidC3DN6P-NBju7gzpfZxOr36Ya9HtCm42CdfMVeZVSUX5UTpPF2a9feTyOiuJMYvJal6S9fg/s1600-h/LunchMenu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMPEmGa9eKPhvMsFAn24_q1Z_jKaykh5YJcgiCDiO0RhngMGoIjvVnMe4i1FL6QVlNwhidC3DN6P-NBju7gzpfZxOr36Ya9HtCm42CdfMVeZVSUX5UTpPF2a9feTyOiuJMYvJal6S9fg/s400/LunchMenu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393982286353811986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXBbG-gblH3O674I_Mv3RpUw9_iWJBA73ugHTQo7YS7eMBZIzgZKuXIXHJOchrIZWech1MvgCbjejHp5l90OrA91Imwki5OWkhNJH1HpcVuK1fSXB7KW_s-1d4dyQsWSrEh5iYt6Qpx8/s1600-h/LunchMenu.jpg"><br /></a>Groovalicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411233352306670553noreply@blogger.com0