February 26, 2010 5:29 pm
Deep in the heart of the Meatpacking District, New York's favorite reality mavens were gathering Wednesday night. Housewife Ramona Singer hosted a premiere party for the third season of Real Housewives of New York City at Tenjune. Guests, including Bravo's Head of Programming Andy Cohen, noshed on a meze spread and sipped cosmos. I was definitely hoping that I'd get to try Housewife Bethenny Frankel's soon-to-be-released Skinnygirl margarita but alas, I'll have to wait until it comes out.
The self-described "health foodie" made the cocktail famous during the show's first season when she explained that she drinks tequila with triple sec and fresh lime juice instead of high-calorie restaurant margaritas. Harnessing her fame from the show, Bethenny went on to pen two books on staying thin and eating healthy. She revamps high-calorie foods into healthy, tasty version by employing what she calls "fixology". Seeing her and all the girls in full force while catching a sneak preview of the upcoming season was a hoot. I can't wait to watch the rest!
Check out Real Housewives of New York City Wednesdays on Bravo at 11pm.
Photo credit: Bravo
— Written by Celeste Hughey
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February 25, 2010 1:52 pm
For some people, it's all about the icing. For others, the cake makes the treat. Whichever frosts your boat, New Yorkers love their cupcakes. Maybe it's because they're so gosh darn cute. Or because they can be so bright and whimsical. Or maybe, if you're like me, it's because they remind us of birthdays in middle school when kids brought cupcakes for the whole class and you'd get a little sad that the last pink frosting one got taken because you just know that the pinks ones taste better than the green ones. Crafting these little confections is a science and not all cupcakes are created equal. This week, the inimitable Zagat guide released their list for the city's best cupcakes. And sorry Sex and the City fans, Magnolia Bakery does not take the cake.
A perfect example of the fact that New Yorkers are so fastidious about their cupcakes: third place saw a tie of four bakeries. Amy Scherber's bakery Amy's Bread isn't just known for its handmade breads. The ubiquitous bakery (there are three locations and they stock many of the city's great restaurants!) also churns out "awesome cupcakes" according to Zagat readers. I'm going to have to make a trip up to Harlem to try Make My Cake's version. They had me at 'butter-cream' frosting that apparently "melts in your mouth." Not to forget their other Southern-styled goods, the bakery also makes a mean red velvet cake and sweet potato cheesecake. Oh yes. I smell a love affair. Rounding out the third place spot is Billy's Bakery and Brooklyn's Baked.
The runner-up goes to my personal favorite, Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery of the Lower East Side. The adorable little spot is a cozy place to sip and nibble with an intoxicating aroma of heavenly desserts filling every nook. Go for the cupcakes and stay for the banana pudding.
And the best cupcake in New York according to Zagat readers (drumroll please): Park Slope's Ladybird Bakery! Originally called Two Little Red Hens, this bakery earns high marks for its artistic cupcake decoration. They're delicious but we all know that pretty points make them just that much tastier.
Ladybird Bakery
1112 Eighth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
718.499.8108
www.ladybirdbakery.com
Sugar Sweet Sunshine
126 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10002
212.995.1960
www.sugarsweetsunshine.com
Amy's Bread
75 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
212.462.4338
250 Bleeker Street
New York, NY 10014
212.675.7802
672 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
212.977.2670
www.amysbread.com
Baked
359 Van Brunt Street
Brooklyn, NY
718.222.0345
www.bakednyc.com
Billy's Bakery
184 Ninth Avenue
New York NY
212.647.9956
www.billysbakerynyc.com
Make My Cake
121 St. Nicolas Avenue
New York, NY 10026
212.932.0833
2380 Adam C. Powell Blvd.
New York, NY 10030
212.234.2344
www.makemycake.com
Photo credit: Zagat
— Written by Celeste Hughey
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February 24, 2010 6:44 pm
Ever wonder about aerating wine? Well, we've happily done some research for you, and, after a recent at-home taste test conducted by a small group of friends, we've found what we think is the best aerator yet. The Vinturi Aerator was our unanimous winner—standing heads above other wine decanting devices in both performance and style.
The trick of an aerator is that it opens up wine in moments, breaking down the aeration process—rather than waiting for natural aeration—to offer a smoother finish, enhanced flavors and a more intense bouquet. The Vinturi draws in and mixes just the right amount of air for just the right amount of time to achieve these effects—and also makes a jjj-jjjing, crowd-pleasing sound with every pour.
Vinturi offers individual aerators for red and white wine—yes, we learned, aeration works on whites too—with different aeration engines specifically calibrated for red or white. It also sells a deluxe aerator set, which comes with both an aerator and a Vinturi Tower: an impressive-looking stand that holds the aerator at the perfect height so you can simply pour wine through it and into a glass below. And each of these comes with a carrying case, too, in case you want to bring it to your favorite BYO joint to show off.
Since we've welcomed the dramatic looking Vinturi aerator set into our home, it's caught the eye of every new person that walks through the door—and we've happily satisfied repeated requests for demonstrations. Give it a pour yourself—I think you'll join the fan club, too.
Vinturi Aerators and Towers start at $39.93, and are available at vinturi.com.
Photo credit: Image courtesy of Vinturi
— Written by Anna Carnick
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February 23, 2010 6:02 pm
Staying healthy on the go is no easy feat. However, with a little planning and some willpower, snack time can be both healthy and satisfying.
• Combat midday hunger with berries. Driscoll Berries are a great source of antioxidants and vitamins. They're breakfast filled with fiber or an easy pop in your mouth energy-filled snack. Tip, a cupful is less than 100 calories so pack them in a bag so you can grab a handful anytime for a burst of sweetness. To up the flavor factor, you can also add them to delicious Greek yogurt. Found in your local grocery and with a consistency like ice cream (we swear!), this incredibly rich yogurt is a perfect between-meal snack. We like Gluten free and Kosher certified Chobani yogurt: it is locally made in upstate New York, all-natural with no preservatives or artificial flavors and filled with protein—nearly twice that of regular yogurts.
• A healthy bagel? You got it. French Meadow Bakery Bagels are organic, yeast free, gluten free, vegan and Kosher. Don't worry, they're not taste free too. In fact, these babies are brilliant. Technique: Spread on some low-fat cream cheese and smoked salmon for a great sandwich on the go.
• And here are some carbs for a good cause—staying healthy. In our office, we've been snacking on Vitalicious Brownies. The 100 calorie, low fat, high in protein and fiber wonder brownie is so good that you'll forget it's also good for you. There's a ton of flavors and varieties (muffins, muffin tops), all packing more vitamins and minerals than an apple (and with less sugar too!).
• If you've been in a Starbucks recently, you've probably seen KIND Bars. These all natural fruit and nut bars are made from ingredients you can see and pronounce. Also on the Starbucks shelves: Food Should Taste Good Tortilla Chips. They're low in sodium and pack that perfect crunch. While it's not low-cal, sometimes you just have to satisfy the snack food craving. So if you're going reach for some chip, it might as well have good benefits as well. These chips are made with brown rice, quinoa, flax and sesame seeds—all heart-healthy grains. Trick: Dip them in some all natural salsas, sliced up avocado or cottage cheese.
• If the chips make you thirsty and you're sick of the office water cooler, try some Minute Made juice. All of the varieties from Blueberry Pomegranate to Kiwi Strawberry are filled with antioxidants and vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin E. For grab and go convenience, they come in individual containers making them great for school or work lunches and breaks.
Photo credit: www.driscolls.com
— Written by Celeste Hughey
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February 22, 2010 6:38 pm
Everyone knows it's important to eat healthy foods, and by now most people have found favorite standbys to get their daily vitamin fixes. But recent studies show that eating only a limited selection of foods can actually deprive your body of certain essential nutrients, not to mention make for a weary menu. So give your body and your taste buds a flavorful boost with seven simple swaps:
1. Like this? Honey → Try this: Agave nectar
These days, most of us passing on the Sweet'n Low and opting for natural sweeteners. Sure, honey contains beneficial antioxidants that fight free radicals, but agave nectar is also an all-natural, vegan sweetener with a low glycemic index so it won't cause your blood sugar to spike when you eat it. Additionally, the neutral flavor of agave allows for a range of uses. Tip: Use agave nectar to sweeten coffee, tea or even cocktails.
2. Like this? Almonds → Try this: Walnuts
Although almonds do make for a nutritious snack on-the-go, walnuts often go neglected. An equally good source of protein and vitamin E, walnuts also have significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids as compared to other nuts, while they also help lower levels of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). Technique: Toast walnuts for 5 minutes in a hot skillet to bring out their flavor. Asian Walnut Chicken makes for a healthy and nutritious meal to add to your repertoire.
3. Like this? Spinach → Try this: Swiss Chard
Like spinach, this green leafy veggie is the storehouse for beneficial phytonutrients that have disease prevention properties. However, it is one of the leading sources of vitamin K, which promotes bone formation and also limits neuronal damage in the brain. Minestrone is a tasty way to get your fix.
4. Like this? Tomato → Try this: Persimmon
The sweet counterpart to the tomato, persimmons are not only high in fiber but also excellent sources of vitamin A. The tannins in these tangy fruits also contain compounds that are shown to have anti-cancer properties and also protect against oxidative damage associated with aging. Technique: mix them into your favorite fruit salad or purée the flesh to make a fruity sauce.
5. Like this? Olive Oil → Try this: Canola Oil
Most people know that olive oil is a "good fat" with multiple health benefits, however they often overlook other oils. Not only is it cheaper than olive oil, but canola oil also contains the heart-healthy omega-3 fat, alpha-linolenic acid, which is deficient in most people's diets. Trick: Canola oil has a more neutral flavor than olive oil so it makes for a great all-purpose cooking oil.
6. Like this? Pears → Try this: Quince
When it comes to winter fruits, pears usually rule. Even though quince may be the ugly duckling with its hard, knobby surface, it is rich in dietary fiber, contains anti-viral properties and contains potassium that can help lower blood pressure. Technique: Quince fruit is too hard and astringent to eat raw, so make a jam our of it or use it as a substitute for apples or pears in your favorite baked dessert.
7. Like this? Brown Rice → Try this: Quinoa
Brown rice is great, but it can definitely get bland quickly. Quinoa contains all 9 essential amino acids required for muscle growth, making it a complete protein. Compared to other grains, quinoa is higher in calcium, phosphorus and iron, giving it additional health benefits. Technique: Substitute quinoa for brown rice or couscous to add a punch of protein to your meal.
Photo credit: healthline.com
— Written by Lisa Curry
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