clairetraas's Profile
Ethnic but Romantic for Valentine's Day
My husband and I don't eat out that often but wanted to do something special for Valentine's Day. I realize that a lot of restaurants are totally booked for Valentine's Day and so his idea was that we go someplace Asian or otherwise ethnic.
Any recommendations for Sushi/Vietnamese/Korean/Thai in the Union/Essex county area? Preferably someplace a little more upscale?
Trader Joe's pumpkin butter. GOOD!
I was at Trader Joe's not too long ago and fell in love with the pumpkin butter too. I'm trying to lose weight & be healthy so I've been gravitating toward foods that have a LOT of flavor for the calories, and this pumpkin butter is just right. It's a bit sweet on its own, but I've been mixing 4 oz of pumpkin butter with 6 oz. reduced fat cream cheese for a pumpkin cheesecake dip that's 1 point per serving. My favorite is dipping pieces of fruit in it....bananas, granny smith apple slices, etc. The jar says you can use it in poultry marinades, so I'm going to try to see about making some pumpkin & ginger glazed chicken thighs one of these days.
Guilty Pleasure
I don't know what they put in it, but I love SCRAPPLE for breakfast, fried in the pan till it gets all crispy and then I cover it with maple syrup. Taylor Pork Roll is another favorite.
I still eat Kraft Macaroni and cheese. It's a whole meal for less than 2 dollars. But when I'm feeling more ambitious I'll also boil some real pasta, grate cheese over it and nuke it in the microwave.
Other pleasures include:
- Little Debbie Nutty Bars
- Little Debbie Oatmeal "Creme" Pies
- Fritos
- Store-brand Rice a Roni
- Duncan Hines powdered cake mix, and icing from a can.
- instant hot cocoa
- Stop & Shop brand frozen cream puffs (They're so good, I could eat the whole box)
Top NJ Cheese Shops
I love the Wine Library. Along with having the best prices for wine in the area, their cheese shop is fantastic. I could spend all day grazing on all the free samples. The staff has never steered me wrong when it comes to wine.
I find that Eden Gourmet's prices on cheese are better than the Wine Library, and they have a good cheesemonger that will recommend the right cheese. They give samples, but you have to ask for them.
Post-Graduation Dinner Places NYC/NJ
Try Shanghai Jazz in Madison. Live Jazz most nights and the food is Chinese, but not the typical stuff. All of the dishes I've had have been delicious, the service is good and the atmosphere is somewhat upscale, but lively.
Looking for a good, byo place somewhere in Northern Jersey. Need food worthy of opening a nicely cellared, perfectly aged wine!
Try Les Rendez-vous in Kenilworth. It's BYO, they have a lovely tasting menu and the chef is the kind of guy who would create a dinner to suit whatever wine you bring.
Tapas in northern/Central NJ
I want to take my husband out for Tapas but haven't heard of any good ones around here. Does anyone know of a recommendation?
Best and Worst Recipes You Made From a Cooking Show
I've also had great success with "The Chewy" as well...
Looking for the best espresso and gelato in NJ/NYC
My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Rome, and since then, it's hard for us to find espresso and gelato around here that can measure up. There are a lot of places that have "pretty good" gelato and most of the times I've ordered espresso, it's watery, without the frothy, creamy stuff at the top that you'd find in good Italian espresso. We're more than willing to make a day trip out of it if any of you have some good recommendations.
Mexican Restaurant in NJ.
Finding good mexican around here is a challenge... I too have been spoiled by Southern California's mexican food and I haven't come across anything good in Morris County, but if you're willing to drive to Rahway, there's a place called "Beana's" on St. Georges Ave that is excellent. They have great chimichangas and posole.
Spanish, Portuguese, or Brazilian recommendations in the Newark area
I like Cervantes in Cranford-- great Spanish food without having to drive into Newark and worry about parking. I recommend their paella and veal dishes.
What do you make for yourself when you eat alone?
Most nights I cook for my husband (and whoever else is around) and I make a lot of effort to make a variety of balanced and tasty meals. But when I'm at home by myself, it's often the same thing over and over simply because I love not having to think about what I'm going to make for dinner.
There's Spaghetti al cacio e pepe--just some spaghetti tossed with parmeggiano, black pepper and a little bit of extra virgin olive oil. I also make baked macaroni and cheese, spinach and goat cheese omelettes, curry chicken over saffron rice.
My husband is not nearly as ambitious. Although he's a good cook, I often come home to find a pristine kitchen which means only one thing--he had ice cream and beer for dinner.
Best thing to do with leftover cooked chicken breast...
Hello everyone,
I recently had a baby and so many of my friends and relatives came by with casseroles, pies, and various foil-wrapped food items for me to keep in the freezer. One such relative brought a few bags of plain grilled chicken breast, which I know is useful for making quick easy meals, but I've never been in the habit of using it.
Does anyone have a favorite recipe that's quick & easy and doesn't involve a can of cream of whatever soup?
Fish and Chips
Unfortunately the Chippery in Fanwood is closed. Not sure why, because their food was really tasty & I'm sad to see them go. Their fries were nothing special, but their fried fish & shrimp were to die for, and they had great onion rings & fried mushrooms.
So, Tell Me About Rahway Dining
Galaxy Diner is not a real diner anymore. They close at 1am on weekdays and 3am on weekends. Plus their food is overpriced and not very good.
sopaipillas in NYC??
I don't know but I'd love any recommendations people may have. I haven't had a sopapilla outside the Southwest.
Desperately seeking dried Polish mushrooms
Definitely try Pulaski's Meat Market on Wood Ave. in the Polish section of Linden, NJ. They have a nice assortment of Polish groceries and I'm certain I've seen the dried mushrooms on a string there before.
