Love, family, togetherness – Christmas day is here!
Wherever you are, I wish you happy holidays, filled with good food and lots of laughter!
HENRIETTA IS HUNGRY
"Cook, eat & repeat."
Monthly Archives: December 2011
Popbar – Gluten Free Goodness
This year I was a little naughty and sometimes nice. Popbar brought out the naughty in me, in more ways than one, with its vast selection of PopGelatos, PopSorbets and YoghurtPops on a stick. A sweet tooth lovers haven without the after effects, they are all gluten free and made fresh daily. All popbars are hand-crafted, made with real fruit, lactose free and vegan friendly.
My go to choice is the Hazelnut dipped in dark chocolate popgelato. Creamy, nutty and smooth. The Melon popSorbetto is surprisngly rich with melon flavour – a perfect, cold and refreshing treat. You can customize your popbar with their assortment of dippings and nuts. Your “popologist” - cute reference to the charming servers at Popbar, are very attentive to your needs and concerns, especially for those who like me prefer a gluten free diet.
The great thing about Popbar other than the amazing PopGelatos, PopSorbettos and YogurtPops they have to offer, is the location. You can catch an independent movie at the IFC center , about a block away, people watch at the park across the street while you enjoy your popbar.
Hazelnut Popgelato
They are open during winter Sunday to Thursday. If you are lucky they may be open on Christmas day, call the number below to inquire. Finish this year with these delectable treats that are a great alternative to ice-cream and much healthier.
POPBAR
5 Carmine St. (@ 6th Ave.)
New York, NY 10014
Tel. 212 255 4874
‘A day in Times Square’ – B. Smith Restaurant Row
It seemed fitting to explore Times Square one dreary Sunday morning, late November. I adopted New York as my home over a decade ago and it still amazes me with its bright lights, labyrinth streets and eclectic cuisine. We picked B. Smith restaurant row in the heart of the Theatre district.
The mood was somber inside, a reflection of the weather outside. Decor bright and autumnal, the music was a mixture of Rythm and Blues. We were hoping to have the Jazz Brunch – a live Jazz Band plays; but we got there too late.
It was a prix fixe dinner menu of only $35. Their speciality cocktails are themed after broadway plays and quite refreshing. We started with the Fried Green tomatoes with aged ricotta cheese and red pepper aioli. Tart, sweet and full of flavour, the red pepper aioli serves as a wonderful compliment to the sweetness of the ricotta cheese. Entrées of choice were the Bronzed Rib-eye Steak, mashed Yukon potatoes with Cognac Sauce, and fresh garden vegetables as well as the Grilled Salmon with vegetables. Portions are substantial, ideal if you want to take home leftovers.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Bronzed Rib-eyed Steak with Cognac Sauce
We had the Bourbon Street Bread Pudding served with a creamy bourbon glaze. It was phenomenal – the sweetness of the bourbon glaze was a delightful treat and the pudding did not disappoint. It sets the bar high for any other bread pudding you’ll ever have.
Bourbon Street Bread Pudding served with a creamy bourbon glaze
Those of you visiting New York this holiday season, make a stop at B. Smith Restaurant Row, before or after a broadway show. The staff is great, attentive and hospitable – always a determinant if I want to visit a place again. If you are lucky, and B. Smith is there, she comes around each table and says hello. Happy Holidays! 
B. Smith Restaurant Row
320 West 46th Street
New York, NY 10036 (map)
Phone: (212) 315-1100
Fax: (212) 315-0369
“More peas please!” Couscous with curry peas, carrots & raisins
Every time I develop a recipe, it’s usually a cathartic experience. The end result is unknown but depending on the audience, either gratifying or disastrous. With only carrots, peas, garlic and couscous – I had the task of making a quick meal, kicking with flavour for a vegetarian friend.
COUSCOUS WITH CURRY PEAS, CARROTS & RAISINS
Time : Prep – 10 min / Cook – 27 min : Total 37 minutes
- 1 box of quinoa couscous
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 bags of baby carrots rinsed
- 1 bag of frozen peas
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled & diced
- Sea salt and black pepper
- 6 cups of water
- Heat olive oil on medium heat
- Add carrots and diced garlic, use wooden spoon, turn frequently for 5 minutes
- Once carrots begin to brown, add peas turn until color brightens
- Now add curry lower heat and cover for 3 minutes.
- Empty box of couscous into the pot, add water,salt & pepper and let it boil
- Lower heat after boiling begins and let it simmer covered, until all liquid has evaporated about 15 minutes
- Add a cup of raisins after couscous is served, turn off heat and let it sit for another 4 minutes (this allows sweet flavour of the raisins to infuse with the couscous)
- Serve on a plate with a tablespoon of edamame hummus
Mix it all together and dig with an appetite and huge fork. Meat lovers will love this recipe. Texture of the carrots, peas and edamame emulates meat to a certain degree. My vegetarian friend was happy with the results, as was as I and certainly you will be too. Enjoy kids!
“Sometimes I draw” The occasional artist
Sorry I haven’t posted lately but I’ve been in bed with a nasty flu.
Food may be the stuff of life, but not when your nose is running like a faucet and you can’t taste a darn thing. So at times like this I drown my sorrows by drawing, writing poetry, and reading my Star Trek encyclopedia.
Today I thought I’d share some of my doodles. More recipes and reviews will follow as soon I’ve regained my taste-buds.
In the meantime, I’ve missed you too!
RUN : Acid free paper/ black ballpoint pen/water-based paint
"MWIZA" : mixed media - collage/ watercolor paint/pencil on acid free paper
Bust Magazine Craftacular Extravaganza!
I LOVE crafts – hand embroidered pillows, hand-made hair clips, it’s all DIY . Over 200 vendors will participate in BUST Magazines’ two-day (Dec 10th – 11th) holiday shopping extravaganza — the BUST Magazine Craftacular and Food Fair Holiday 2011 in NYC. Hope on a train if you are the tri-state area and head to Mercer Street for one of a kind handmade gifts, food, craft beer, DJs, and raffle prizes!
The Bust Craftacular event is in it’s 7th year, and it boasts eclectic vendors selling handmade jewelry, specialty foods, cards, handbags, posters, toys, clothing and so much more. With 300 FREE jam-packed goodie bags for early bird shoppers per day, what more could one ask for. Admission is just $3.
You can also handcraft your own gifts at the The BUST DIY Guide to Life Lab, where Debbie Stoller and Laurie Henzel – BUST Magazine co-publishers and co-authors of The BUST DIY Guide to Life book will be on-hand to assist you and sign copies of the book.
It starts today Saturday, December 10th and you’ll have a chance to meet special guest Jay McCarroll (Project Runway winner – season one) and contestant on Celebrity Fit Club.
It’s beautiful outside, don’t waste it indoors. A fun event that’s sure to make it on your best-thing-i-did-this-year list. Enjoy kids!
“THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME” B.SMITH RESTAURANT
I first ate at B. Smith Restaurant in the summer of 2010. I’d often watched her prepare classic American soul food on her popular TV show B. Smith Style and I was eager to sample the fare at her namesake eatery in the Theatre District. A friend and I had planned a night out, and being that we were two black girls with tickets to see Kerry Washington perform in Mamet’s play Race, we decided it’d be fun to make the night a celebration of strong African American women. The food, of course, would be soul food – the best in the city, we decided, and B. Smith did not disappoint. The cuisine, service and decor were everything we’d hoped for. There was even a band playing New Orleans speakeasy type jazz. We had a grand time.
Interior of B. Smith Restaurant Row
I was sad to learn recently that B. Smith is being forced out of her 46th Street space by a ludicrous 350% rent increase. This would mean that their current rent of around $13,500 will increase over the next 5 years to over $50,000. 25 years ago, B. Smith was credited with bringing fine food and a sense of vibrance to what was then a barren neighbourhood.
B. Smith and I at the restaurant's 25th anniversary party
When the restaurant recently celebrated its first quarter century, B. and her husband Dan Gasby hosted the USO, who they’ve supported for many years. I had the pleasure of meeting this famous couple and experiencing their trademark hospitality once again.
Let’s all hope that the Theatre District does not lose this American institution.
B.Smith Restaurant Row
320 West 46th Street
New York, NY 10036
For reservations call (212) 315-1100
