A Lot of Goodness: September 2012

Happy Moon Festival!

This past week, my mom received an email from a friend who said she would be saying thanks for her today (Sunday 9/30) for being a friend. It would be several "thank you's" she would be doing as part of the Chinese Moon Festival. She was gathering with her family for dinner and for various traditions as part of this Chinese public holiday.

I never heard of the holiday so I did some research. It's a wonderful tradition that I think we should adapt! You can read more about it here. I had never realized that those lanterns (pictured above) were part of the tradition of the Moon Festival. They are so lovely I hope to incorporate them into a future celebration.

Unfortunately, I hadn't planned in advance to participate in this festival today, but there are fireworks in Flushing, Queens as well as parades and the Botanical Gardens is also hosting an event. Luckily this happens each year so I plan on doing something next year. In the meantime, I had Chinese food for lunch today, burned some incense, and will say my thank you's and wishes tonight when the moon makes an appearance in the night sky.

Here are the days of the Moon Festival over the next few years:

2013: September 19

2014: September 8

2015: September 27

2016: September 15

2017: October 4

2018: September 24

2019: September 13

2020: October 1

Pie #5: Peanut Butter Pie with Pretzel Crust

Everyone that I work with has been asking me when I'm bringing in some of my baked goods. I've had to explain numerous times that I am no longer doing cookies this year as my resolution, but instead pies which really are too difficult to transport, not to mention not enough baked goods for everyone that I work with to enjoy. But then I got the idea that if a few people brought in pies, then I could make a pie and everyone can enjoy something I baked. So last Monday, myself, a fellow co-worker, and my boss brought in pies for a Pie Monday. It was a perfect day for it as by the time the afternoon came, we all felt like we had been at work for a week already. Very stressed. I think the pies lifted everyone's spirits (I know it did mine temporarily!).

Pinterest brought this pie to me (what else is new, I'm obsessed with that site) and it seemed easy enough. And yes, it was easy enough, but time consuming was not part of the description of this pie! I found the recipe a bit overwhelming the way it was structured so I modified that and am outlining that below.

This pie is RICH. It's so delicious though and I would recommend it if you're having a large gathering. No one should really eat a normal pie slice of this pie unless you're willing to cough up 1000 calories for it (yes it has that many calories). It's for that simple fact that I've nicknamed this pie "The 1000 Jumping Jacks Pie." Well worth the calories, but really, just a sliver will satisfy even those with a hunger for something salty and sweet.

Buckle in because this is going to make you want to eat your screen:

-1-

First things first: homemade caramel. It's easy. SUPER easy. Use this recipe.

I made 1/2 the recipe, but I still had left over from this recipe so the rest I put in a mason jar and used it to 1. dip in pretzels (ridiculously good) and 2. serve on the side with the pie (also ridiculously good and probably added on another 500 calories!).

-2-

Who doesn't love pretzels? And pretzels with chocolate? My favorite. Pretzels with anything sweet is great. Time for the pretzel crust which was so simple. I pulsed pretzels in my food processor then mixed with melted butter and this is what it came out to look like once baked:

Next time, I'd make some add'l crust so it curves up the sides a bit.

-3-
Time for the ganache. I melted chocolate as part of layer #2 of goodness: chocolate ganache. Insanity.

-4-
Now time for the good stuff: the peanut butter filling. First you make the base (peanut butter & cream cheese) then you make the whipped cream and fold it in. It's surprisingly not that sweet. It's just enough sweet for my taste. And not very peanut buttery. I didn't do an accurate measurement for the peanut butter, I sort of eye balled it, but I seem to hit it on the head because it came out just enough peanut butter tasting.

-5- The assembly: This is probably the more time consuming part because it involves patience. I found that once I got to making this pie, I wanted it all done so I could take my final product picture. It's a fun assortment of ingredients so that was part of my impatience. So the assembly is technically this:
a. bake the pie crust, let it completely cool
b. spread caramel over crust. put in fridge 10-15 mins
c. spread chocolate ganache over custard. put in fridge another 10-15 mins
d. add peanut butter filling over chocolate
Now while it doesn't seem like a lot, it really is because you know how long it takes something to cool down after it's been in an oven at 375 degrees? Sort of a while. And then to take the pie dish in and out of your fridge? It was a little over a 2 hour process.
But back to the assembly, it was still fun with a hint of eagerness.

I ended with sprinkling more chopped pretzels over the pie since I felt like it would make up for the crust not coming up along the whole sides of the dish. I'm glad I did this - it added a nice crunch! I then drizzled a mixture of the leftover chocolate & caramel. Delightful.

Here's the final product:

I loved this pie. It was hard NOT to eat it once fully assembled (I had to wait to bring it to work the next day). It was hard not to show it off every opportunity I had. I took so many pictures I was emailing/texting/walking around work showing off the pictures. This looks like a blue ribbon earning pie doesn't it?

Though this doesn't look too great:

I was trying to capture all the layers of goodness in this pie but it was a bit hard to. Trust me when I say that each layer was mesmerizing. I can't say enough how delicious this pie was!

There was a little left over the next day and some co-workers who indulged for a second time said it actually tasted better. So I suppose you can make it and keep it chilled for a day or two.

You can get the official recipe here, but may I suggest following the steps that I outlined here since I found it to be better time management. You'll want to carve out some time for this cake, but it is the type you can serve immediately. And like I said, I found it difficult to not want to eat it once it was all done!

Craft Time: Wedding Announcement

My cousin Corinne is marrying her found puzzle piece Christopher. He's going to be a great addition to our family and already has fit in perfectly with our endless jokes and teasing each other. I like to handcraft something as gifts for people for special occasions of weddings and baby births, so I searched for something that I thought Corinne & Chris would like and found it in this design from heart in hand designs. It was a quick project to do and I was so happy with the end result. Corinne was very excited when she opened it at her shower and has already sent me a picture of it displayed in their apartment on top of a shelf! I love it when people appreciate the time it takes to do crafts!

Every Day of Summer Photo Blog: Final Days

The last 3 days of summer! Now I'm really excited for what fall has in store! Sweater weather has begun, my favorite kind of weather. It's a lovely feeling to walk out of the house in the morning and have the gentlest chill hit your face! I wish this weather stayed all year round. No cold, no snow, no crazy heat - just perfect temperatures, sun, and a light breeze. Is that so much to ask?

This summer has been so much fun and I loved doing this photo project. At times I was stumped with what to take a photo of, but then I realized that sometimes it's about the simplest things to remember: like a teapot, a candle, a book, a bottle of wine - - those simple things can sometimes to be the happiest things can't they?

Time is flying by and the remaining months of the year will moreso fly by with all the things that are planned. 2012 is going to end with a bang, I can feel it!

Summer Day 92: Resistance 100 - I've been working out consistently now for the past six months or so and it's a great feeling when you don't break a sweat when the machine is set to the maximum resistance level of 100. Great feeling, I say! Lately, my strength has been surprising me. I guess it's time to move onto the next level of fitness.

Summer Day 93: Horse Patrol in the West Village - I seldom see police officers on horse patrol and so I get excited when I do see them. These officers were patrolling Bleecker Street so I snapped a photo while driving past them while in cab. I love the noise of horseshoes on city pavement. If you close your eyes and just listen, you can pretend you're in an episode of Downton Abbey - ha!

Summer Day 94 (Last Day): Final Blooms of Summer - Roses typically bloom in June so when they bloom after that month, I get a bit excited. It's the last day of summer and there are these roses enjoying the last blooms before they hibernate for the winter.

Every Day of Summer Photo Blog: Summer Week 13

The end of summer is quickly approaching - the final 10 days. How sad! But there's a part of me that's very ready for fall - the cool mornings and evenings are starting to tease us. It's a good thing. This week includes some firsts: my first taste of beef in a 2 months absence in my diet and my first trip to a bar I've been wanting to go to for a couple of years now. Great memories as summer starts to draw its curtain to us!

Summer Day 85: An Evening at Raines Law Room - Tucked away down a few stairs and behind an inconspicuous door is Raines Law Room. I went with Eric & Ryan there to celebrate Ryan's promotion. It was a grab night and the Law Room did not disappoint. Go there if you haven't been already! (Sorry that the photo is so dark, Raines Law Room is quite a dark and mysterious place!)

Summer Day 86: Candles that Smell Like Fall - I know, it's still technically summer, but I can't resist burning my fall candles once Labor Day has left us. Yes I said candles! I have so many fall scented candles and just a couple of months to burn them before I start burning my Christmas scented candles!

Summer Day 87: Fruitcake Soaked in Bourbon - It was our family friend, Doris', birthday today and we celebrated with her. I had been saving this Fruitcake from my visit to the Abbey of Gethsemani where the monks who live there make this cake with that ever so special ingredient of Bourbon. Doris had always wanted to visit the Abbey but never got around to it, so I figured I'd bring this back to enjoy with her. It was delicious! You can order some here!

Summer Day 88: Beautiful Day to Bet Pennies in Atlantic City - It was one of those days that summer decides to remind you that it's still around. The sun was bright and warm and the air had the faintest touch of autumn in it. My mother and I took a trip to Atlantic City to enjoy the beautiful day. We bet on the penny machines (I won a whopping 31.00), but we mostly go to walk the boardwalk and shop. If there was a low-rollers club, we'd be the President & Vice President of it.

Summer Day 89: Cheeburger Cheeburger in NY! - When I lived in Florida for a few months a few years ago for work, we often got Cheeburger. It's a good burger and I thought it only existed south of the Mason Dixie line, so I was surprised when I saw it in Staten Island. I haven't had burgers in over two months, per my doctor's order, and this was my first. It was delicious. And very much missed (both burger & food establishment!).

Summer Day 90: Halloween Pop Up Stores Have Opened in NYC - I love that NYC has pop up stores on many kinds. The Halloween ones are always fun. I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween, but do enjoy the creativity behind the holiday.

Summer Day 91: Mesmerized by NYC Skyline - My train does a nice route that parallels the NYC skyline. The view isn't terribly obstructed by buildings, so you can really enjoy a nice sunset over the city or just the general view. I always stop what I'm doing to look out the window at this point of my ride coming home from work. Even if it's dark, the lights of the city are breathtaking. Why not stop and look up every so often? You have to look at the things you're grateful for and this city is something I'm very happy to be living in and especially for having grown up in.

Every Day of Summer Photo Blog: Week 12

Despite Labor Day having come and gone, summer is still being savored with warm weather and sun! Week 12 was a busy one - back to school for NYC kiddies, a trip to Virginia, and the anniversary of 9.11. Bittersweet week in many ways. Here's the rundown:

Summer Day 78: Tile Work - Sometimes NYC subway stations surprise me. This particular station at 23rd St/Ely Avenue has a gorgeous mural of a squid (??) and the colors just made me smile while walking the crowded tunnel to make a connection. It's nice that every once in awhile during your commute you could be entirely surprised.

Summer Day 79: Back to School - NYC kids went back to school today! The local public school by my apartment was bustling when I passed by - all the kids assembled in the school yard with their new teachers. Brought back many memories of the first day of school, the many first days I had in my schooling years. The first day always brought excitement: a new uniform/clothes, new notebooks, new textbooks, new backpack and lunch bag. And then it always brought uncertainty: would I pass or fail, would my friends still be my friends, will my teacher like me? But mostly the first day of school brought a fresh start and that's how I felt on this day, even if it wasn't me standing in that school yard. It was like New Years Day all over again - making goals and outlining what you wanted for the year ahead. Maybe it's a good idea to go back to what I said I wanted to do this year on New Years Day and try to do it within the remaining months of this year!

Summer Day 80: Green Lights Go - I'm sure a lot of people will see the majestic Empire State Building when looking at this photo. But I see a green light. And for me, on this particular day, I needed to see that green light. It was time to make decisions, stick with them, and keeping it moving.

Summer Day 81: Corinne's Bridal Shower - Early that morning I got on a flight to Virginia to surprise my cousin for her bridal shower. She didn't think any family from the North would be coming, but I couldn't miss it! It was a great time with the ladies and always fun being with my cousins (also making that tacky hat the bride has to wear made with all ribbons and bows from her gifts was very fun to make!). This bridal shower was very fun, not like many where you're just staring at the bride-to-be opening up presents, those are not so fun!

Summer Day 82: Time with Virginians! - While Day 81 was time with the young cousins, Day 82 was time with the older cousins and my Aunt Kathy. We visited Williamsburg and had dinner at Green Leafe, which was a quite delicious pub. We talked a lot about Halloween as my cousin Roy (not pictured) is knee deep in planning that holiday and all the goodness he does for it (can't wait to post photos of that).

Summer Day 82: Beautiful Sunrise from my Early Flight Back to NYC - 6am flights are seriously not fun, especially when the weekend festivities kept you from getting solid sleep. But the amazing thing about it is watching the sun wake up. What a sight. I was so incredibly overtaken by seeing the sunrise from the sky, I think it was probably the most memorable flight I've had to date. While I've seen the sunrise over the Grand Canyon and plenty over the sea, It was so different to watch it from above the clouds.

Summer Day 84: Stars & Stripes Forever - 9.11 a day etched in all our memories. It's a day I remember so clearly like I'm sure everyone else can. While my family was beyond lucky to all have been safe, we did wait and wait and wait for my one brother to get safely back to Brooklyn from his office two blocks away from the towers. First and foremost, on this day, I'm always thankful for this country I call home. It's a country I haven't personally fought for, but a country I vehemently support in what we fight for every day - our preserve of freedom. I came across this quote on this day that brought that altogether:
The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission. - JFK

Every Day of Summer Photo Blog: Summer Week 11

What an eventful week 11 of summer! Labor Day weekend fell into this week and put an unofficial end to summer. How sad! Well, luckily as an adult I can still enjoy the last few weekends of summer (and week days too of course) and savor each last hot memory!

And speaking of hot ... that's what I'll remember about my week 11: the hotness that is Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy. A couple of months ago my sister-in-law asked me if I had read it yet because she wanted to see if I bought into the hype. I hadn't read it yet, but said I would. Eventually. Well eventually came this week 11 and it took me from Thursday to Tuesday to finish all 3 books. Thank goodness for the Labor Day holiday weekend! I basically stayed home and read!

But back to week 11... here are the photos:

Summer Day 71: Seat Stealer - I didn't particularly appreciate this man who practically knocked me over to push ahead of me to get on the train and then completely cut in front of me to steal the seat I was planning on sitting on. I'm all for women's lib, but honestly, I wish men would be a bit more respectful. While they aren't all rude, I would say a majority of men don't hesitate to take a seat on the train without even asking you if you want to sit down. Sometimes I think about putting on a fake preggy belly so I could maybe get some seat sympathy? Even then, would it work? Well anyway, I thought for a minute or two if this guy maybe had something wrong with him that would require him to sit instead of me settling down on the seat with my 20 lb handbag. But nothing on the surface appeared to be disabled. He just seemed very rude and I think he felt my glares at him the whole ride because he maintained this position/intense stare at his phone all the way to his stop, which happened to also be my stop. I should've tripped him on the way off the train but I refrained :)

Summer Day 72: Meatpacking David - on 9th & 14th there is this recreation of the statue of David. It's a wonderful site to see in a relatively unpretty area of the meatpacking district of the city.

Summer Day 73: High Tea with Tim - Ahhh tea time, how I love thee! At 4pm, Tim & I kicked off the Labor Day weekend with High Tea at Tea & Sympathy. Check my previous blog posting on all the details for how it all went, but it was so exquisite!

Summer Day 74: Shades Obsessed - Well, I already let the cat out of the bag: I am obsessed with Fifty Shades of Grey. It's really a romance novel, not erotica, and anyone who wants to argue that with me, then just inbox me. But seriously, this book kept me up into the wee hours of the morning until I forced myself to get some sleep so I could be somewhat functionable for work the next day. I quickly learned I couldn't read it on the train since it was so hard to put down!

Summer Day 75: Recipe Hunting - I was having my parents over for dinner (why not cook for them sometimes right?) and was looking through one of my favorite cookbooks: Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy for some good recipes. Having hailed from Trentino-Alto Adige, I knew my mother would appreciate some of the recipes I pulled out from this cookbook since Lidia has an entire section dedicated to my mom's home region. I made a delicious country salad containing cauliflower, radishes, green apple, asiago cheese, and walnuts + stuffed peppers & portobello mushrooms & a dessert of canederli (dumplings made with ricotta) covered in strawberry sauce. We were a bit disappointed in the canederli but all else was amazing.

Summer Day 76: A Bottle of Red, A Bottle of White ... Whatever Kind of Mood You're In Tonight - I had this song stuck in my head all day after hearing it while I was driving earlier in the day. Then I had the dinner with my parents and in fact realized how it was a bottle of red or white that night. Ha! I sipped both ... but preferred the red :)

Summer Day 77: Vino, Kindle, Fifty Shades Book 3, and Couch... Time to Finish this Book - and indeed it got done. I was determined! Though sipping the wine got me a bit tired, I really had no issue staying awake to finish reading the book! I enjoyed book 2 the most, but really did enjoy reading all three.

High Tea at Tea & Sympathy

Very fortunately & happily, I was able to leave work at 3pm this past Friday to get an early start to Labor Day weekend. Tim & I decided to get High Tea at 4pm at Tea & Sympathy. We walked over, in the blazing heat, and arrived just in time to get comfy and start an hour and a half of absolute amazingess.

Settling on Earl Grey tea, we enjoyed two pots of it + a 3-tiered tower of GOODNESS. Oh my the goodness on those tiers: finger sandwiches, scones, cupcakes/angel cake. To.Die.For.

I love afternoon tea. I need my teahouse badly!

Naturally, I photographed the experience. And yet again, I enjoyed my time with Tim. He always keeps me laughing and so generously picked up the tab for our tea for two since it was my first time at Tea & Sympathy. It was surely not be my last!