Archive for the ‘Work’ Category

Breakfast Pizza

Filed Under: Food, O Magazine, Recipe Contributions, Recipes, Restaurant, Workon August 24th, 2011

I’m a sucker for pizza. Anything Italian actually. And a Jersey guy? Well that’s just icing on the cake. Top Chef Mike Isabella recently opened a restaurant in DC (a city I make frequent trips to) called Graffiato … where I hear they have bubbles on tap.


Tapped Prosecco is the new beer, you heard it from me first.

Here’s a recipe I tested for Chef Isabella’s Bacon, Eggs, and Cheddar Pizza featured now in September’s O Magazine. Breakfast pizza at its best.

Picture compliments of Genti & Hyers via O Magazine

Mikes Bacon Egg Pizza

Empire State Building and a “Yes”

Filed Under: Pictures, Workon August 23rd, 2011

Check out the Brilliant Event Planning Blog for this beautiful rooftop proposal. Another “YES!”

(P.S. That’s me in the kitchen).


Photos by Sofia Negron

Baja Fish Tacos

Filed Under: Teachingon August 15th, 2011

As promised, here are the recipes from the Guacamole and Fish Tacos class I taught last week at Whole Foods. Spice it up on this dreary Monday.


Lime Cilantro Crema (serves 12)

1 cup Mayo

1 cup Sour Cream

1/2 cup Scallions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped

Lime Juice

Salt and Pepper

Combine first 4 ingredients together. Add enough lime juice to loosen but not overpower the mixture. Add salt and pepper, and taste to adjust.

Pico de Gallo (makes 6 cups)

3 lb. Tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 1/2 White Onion, chopped

3/4 cup fresh Cilantro

Juice of two Limes

3 medium Jalapenos (seeded, deveined, and chopped finely)

2 gloves of Garlic, minced

Chop tomato and onion. Add cilantro and lime juice. Add Jalapenos slowly, tasting for heat as you go. Repeat with garlic based on heat and flavor preference.

Cabbage Slaw (makes about 8 cups)

2 small heads of Napa Cabbage

4 tablespoons of vegetable oil

2 Limes, juiced

Salt and Pepper

Thinly slice cabbage and add oil and lime juice. Toss and salt/pepper to taste.

Fish Tacos (serves 12)

3 lbs. mild fish, such as Cod or Tilapia sliced into 2-inch wide strips

Tortilla

Cabbage Slaw

Pico de Gallo

Crema

Guacamole

Brush each fish fillet with vegetable oil and salt and pepper. Sear fish on stove top grill or grill until lightly charred and cooked through about 4-5 minutes per side.

To assemble taco, layer fish, guacamole, crema, pico de gallo, and slaw in desired order and amount.

Holy Guacamole!

Filed Under: Teachingon August 11th, 2011

Tonight I’m teaching my first class at Whole Foods Bowery Culinary Center, “Holy Guacamole!”


A guacamole and fish taco interactive cooking class. I’m looking forward to meeting and teaching knife skills and taco-making to everyone. I’ll post recipes for fish tacos, guacamole, and all the toppings tomorrow so you can make them this weekend.

Thursday, August 11th

Holy Guacamole!

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Demonstration and Hands-On, $55 REGISTER NOW!

Guacamole may have roots that date all the way back to the Aztecs, but modern-day versions have come a long way from simply mashing avocado with chile in a molcajete. In tonight’s class, we’ll hone our knife skills and take this beloved party food to new heights as we chop, dice, and mince our way to a surprising variety of guacamoles. We’ll wrap up by making fresh fish tacos with all the trimmings – topped with creative guacamoles, of course. Flexitarian options available – vegetarians welcome!

On the Menu: “Guacamole Buffet” (Classic Guacamole Base with Selection of Add-Ons); Pico de Gallo; Mexican Cabbage Slaw; White Sauce; Pan-Fried Fish Tacos.

Instructor: Ashton Keefe, Cooking Instructor, Caterer, Food Stylist, Blogger

Female Nibbles

Filed Under: Catering, Recipeson July 31st, 2011


Last week I catered a party for Bollare PR, a full service fashion, style and beauty PR firm in the Marcel at Gramercy Hotel’s Polar Lounge. The female inspired menu includes items such as Truffled Grilled Cheese Bites, Caprese “Burgers” and Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes.


The Caprese “Burgers” with reduced Balsamic Vinegar are not only easy to eat, but make. This summer canape is a great starter for any meal. Take large cherry tomatoes and slice the bottom tip off so it can stand up. Then slice each tomato “hamburger style” and salt and pepper. Skewer mini mozzarella balls and basil into the burger and drizzle with balsamic. To make balsamic reduce 1 cup of balsamic vinegar with 1/2 cup brown sugar until thick and syrupy.

Commerce and Lelabar Wine Bar

Filed Under: New York City, Restaurant, Workon July 18th, 2011


Last time I was at Little Giant and Inoteca. This time I’m taking you to the West Village for two hidden gems. Get the roast chicken at Commerce, it is beyond the best I’ve ever had in my life. Sip a glass of Lacrima, Marotti Campi “Rubico” Lacrima diMorro d’ Alba 2008 (it smells like a bouquet of roses) at Lelabar Wine Bar. Resource Mag Summer 2010

Daily Meal Best NYC Ice Cream

Filed Under: Food, Workon July 12th, 2011

My ears are ringing because everyone is asking where to find New York’s best ice cream. Although I post about my favorite thing more than necessary I have shared my findings with long time friend and employer Kimberly Belle, written a tribute to ice cream for Thirsty Girl honoring July as National Ice Cream Month and recently wrote where to find New York’s best ice cream for The Daily Meal. What can I say, I can’t get enough.


Daily Meal Ice Cream

Style Me Pretty New York

Filed Under: Catering, Workon June 28th, 2011

Last week the Brilliant Event Planning team assembled by Sarah Pease was featured not once, but twice on Style Me Pretty New York. Special thanks to Style Me Pretty New York, Brilliant Event Planning, Moetic Wedding Films, and Blue Daisy Weddings.


The first post is the video, the second is the photographs. Enjoy your Tuesday!

 

Oatmeal Cookie Mix-In’s

Filed Under: Food, Recipe Contributions, Recipeson June 21st, 2011

Compliments of Healthy Endeavors

This is the perfect recipe for a kids or girls get-together. Open some wine (adults only) and assemble these “healthy” cookies … if there every were such a thing.

OatmealCookies

The Proposal Planner on ABC Nightline

Filed Under: New York City, Workon June 14th, 2011

I’m so incredibly proud to say that I work for the beautiful and talented Sarah Pease aka The Proposal Planner. Last night she was featured on ABC Nightline. Check out the video and remember … “the wedding is for the bride the proposal is for the groom.”