Battle of the FroYo

Big Apple Bites

I scream for ice cream...and frozen yogurt. A melty glob of ice cream on top of a warm, gooey cookie is one of the best treats on earth. 

You haven't lived until trying a Pizookie (Pizza Cookie).

Unfortunately, when you hang out with Ice Cream, you can't avoid his annoying friends Fat, Calories, and Carbs. That's where Frozen Yogurt comes into play. I know it's hard to believe, but Tasti-D-Lite spottings in New York City are almost as common as passing a Starbucks. Obviously, this frozen yogurt invasion warrants a Battle of the FroYo's. Our competitors are: Tasti-D-Lite, Pinkberry, Forty Carrots, and 16 Handles.

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If you're lazy and don't want to travel far, Tasti-D-Lite is your solution. Wherever you are, there will be a Tasti around the corner. You can always count on French Vanilla, Peanut Butter, and Dutch Chocolate, as they are regulars on the Tasti menu. Some other solid flavors you'll encounter if you're lucky are Creme Brulee, Cinnamon Crunch, Pumpkin Pie, and Dulce de Leche.

Dessert your guilt...so clever...way to go Tasti.

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Everyone and their mother has heard of Crackberry Pinkberry. I've never been a huge fan because the yogurt is a little too tart and not quite desserty enough for me. That being said, the Pinkberry Salted Caramel flavor was so good I had a meltdown when they removed it from the menu.

Crackberry.

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My apartment is 10 short blocks from the massive Bloomingdale's on 59th and Lexington, the home of Forty Carrots. A wonderful quality about the staff at Forty Carrots is they are FARRR from stingy - a "small" yogurt is no less than 12 ounces and there is a good 4-inches of froyo above the brim of the cup. See for yourself...

A creamy consistency and they layer the toppings.

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My first experience at 16 Handles was a week ago. Pros: 16 Handles is self-serve. Cons: 16 Handles is self-serve. Self-serve is great because you can load up on as many flavors and toppings as your froyo-lovin' heart desires. Self-serve is not so great because 1) you consume too much, 2) a $3 snack becomes a $9 mistake, and 3) customers are everywhere. 16 Handles is no exception...the place is a cluster-fuck at all hours of the day...

This ridiculous line is a normal occurrence.

Regardless, the Salted Caramel and Dulce de Leche at 16 Handles are out of this world.

Everyone knows and chooses to forget that loading up on toppings completely counteracts the "healthy-ness" of FroYo.

We are all secretly (or in my case, not so secretly) FroYobsessed. Thus, I dedicate this post to my boyfriend and my dad who love Frozen Yogurt, even if they won't openly admit it ;-)

Healthy Chicken Pot Pie

Savory Eats

This recipe rocks. Traditional chicken pot pie is far from nutritious; thus, "healthy chicken pot pie" is what I consider a foxymoron (food oxymoron). After discovering a variation of this gem on Hungry Girl about 8 years ago, my mom and I have cooked and tweaked the recipe to perfection. Not only will you savor every bite, but the calorie count will blow you away (see below). Without further ado...

Ingredients:

• One roll of Pillsbury Reduced Fat Crescent Roll Dough
• One can of 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken
• One can of 98% Fat Free Cream of Celery
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• Fresh dill
• Fresh rosemary
• 2 large carrot sticks, chopped
• 2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
• 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
• 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup of frozen peas
• 1/2 cup of frozen corn
• 1 large zucchini (or 1 yellow squash), chopped
• 3-4 chicken breasts, shredded (I use the breasts from the whole roasted chickens you can buy at most grocery stores)
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Parts of the pot pie filling!

Recipe:

-Chop and saute the onion until golden brown.

-Chop and add the zillion other vegetables from the list above to the onions. Saute until vegetables are soft.

-Wash and chop the fresh dill and fresh rosemary. Add 2 generous tablespoons of each herb to the vegetables.

-Add salt, pepper (I use lemon pepper), and garlic powder. There isn't a scientific amount of spice in this recipe. I usually just base it off taste! If you are a cooking-newbie, start with 1/2 tablespoon of each in this step, then add extra salt to taste before eating.

At this point, your vegetable saute should resemble this (if it doesn't, don't quit your day job).

-Shred the chicken and add it to the vegetables. Put this mixture to the side.

-In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 can of Cream of Chicken soup and 1/2 can of Cream of Celery soup. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix until smooth and uniform.

-Add the soup/lemon juice mix to the vegetables/chicken and mix.

-Pour into a baking dish (I used a 7x11 dish)...

Now, pay attention.

-Preheat the oven to 375.

-Unroll the uncooked crescent roll dough so it is in flat sheets and place on top of the vegetables. Pinch the edges of the dough around the edges of the baking dish...

Like so...for you visual learners.

-Bake the dish at 375 for 18-20 minutes until the edges of the dough are golden brown.

As I made very clear before, I love this recipe. After experiencing the rich and creamy filling in contrast to the flaky and crunchy crust, it is extremely hard to believe that there are only 1,250 calories in the entire pot pie. The recipe makes 4 generous servings (a light, 300-calorie entree per person!). You will lick your plate clean like we did...

I promise I'm not a midget...I just have tall friends.

Cake Batter Blondies for a Fun Blonde

Sweet Treats

Today is my girl Kait's 23rd birthday. Although Blink 182 thinks nobody likes you when you're twenty-three, I like Kait enough to whip her up a decadent treat. Kait is a big fan of all things white, from her very blonde hair to her questionable taste for cottage cheese on spaghetti. That being said, I pretty much nailed it with these Funfetti Cake Batter Blondies.

Crack Batter Blondies

Ingredients:

• 1 box of White Cake Mix (you're crazy if you don't buy the extra moist variety)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (to add some cushin' for the pushin')
• 1/4 cup milk (I used whole milk)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles

Recipe:

-Mix cake mix, milk, whipping cream, oil, vanilla extract, and egg in a bowl (mixing with a spoon will do).

-Add chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles. Then mix!

Warning: do not taste-test the dough before baking because you will EAT IT ALL.

-Place in an 8x8 or 7x11 greased pan and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. Let sit for 20-30 minutes before cutting it into squares.

***Note: bake until edges are golden brown. The batter will seem undercooked in the center and questionably contain salmonella. But trust me, they are ooey-gooey-perfection and will cook more while sitting in the hot pan.

Happy Birthday Kait!! xoxo

Norma's @ Le Parker Meridien

Big Apple Bites

You know those days when you feel like being a fatty? Or that time you wish you were part of the Epic Meal Time crew? Well, next time you are experiencing these symptoms, I suggest you head over to Norma's for brunch. Being lazy, hungover, and unable to get out of bed is no excuse because they serve brunch for EIGHT F-ing hours! Norma's lets no fat-ass go hungry.

Meet the man responsible: executive chef, Emile Castillo.

Now, moving on to the menu. Simply reading it will add an inch to your waistline...

The Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata

Super sized dish (with 10 whopping ounces of caviar) = $1,000

...for us broke-folk, there is a cheaper option.

Norma's Eggs Benedict

Buttermilk Pancake layered with Canadian Bacon and Grilled Asparagus

Wait, pancakes and bacon layered? Say WHATT??

Chocolate Decadence French Toast

Covered in Strawberries, Pistachios, and Valrhona Chocolate Sauce

Get. In. My. Bellayyyy.

Very Berry Brioche French Toast

Berries and cream, berries and cream, berries and cream!

Donut Even Go There French Toast

Cheesecake-Stuffed, Coconut-Rolled, with Orange Drizzle and Vanilla Ice Cream

I'm all over this dish like white on rice.

Click here to see the rest of the DELICIOUS menu

I am starting a petition to have wheelchair rentals installed outside of Le Parker Meridien for Norma's customers. Contact me for further details. To conclude this food-porn-filled post, in the words of Jim Gaffigan, "You're not supposed to have cake for breakfast, of course, but somehow pancakes slid through." Thank God for that!



Flywheel vs. Soulcycle: The Spin Off

Funtivities

Most people are in a love/hate relationship with working out. Recently, I am alllll about the love - big thanks to Flywheel and Soulcycle. These spin classes fall somewhere in between an activity and a social affair. Yes, it is a fantastic workout; however, if you aren't wearing your new ass-tight, hip-huggin' pair of Lululemons, don't even enter the front door. To sum it up...

  Richard Simmons fitness + laypeople spin class + bitches bending over in tight spandex =

FLYWHEEL and SOULCYCLE!

There is a steamy battle between these two meccas of indoor cycling. Considering I've tried both classes (more than once), I have decided to judge a spin-off.

Pros:

• Free water
• Free SEXY spinning shoes
• Free apples, oranges, and bananas
• Hot male instructor (sexuality up for debate)
• Packages available that reduce the price from $32 to $24/class
• Speedometer on each bike that shows your Torque and RPMs throughout your ride
• TV screen at the front with riders' rankings to increase competition
• Not as "trendy" of a reputation as soulcycle (could be a pro or con depending on personal preference)
• First class is $20

Cons:

• $32/class without a package or membership
• Music could be a bit louder
• I've had 1-2 instructors that are lacking in the personality department

Pros:

• Loud music (enough to initiate desire to go out after the class)
• FUN instructors
• "Trendy" reputation
• Dark and clubby atmosphere
• First class is $20
• Sweeter logo

Cons:

• $32/class
• Packages and memberships don't reduce the price (LAME)
• $2/water
• $3 to rent spinning shoes
• Roughly 60 riders squished in the cycling room as opposed to 45 at Flywheel

Winner is ... FLYWHEEL

Bowl Lickin' Chicken Pho

Savory Eats

This dish has chicken, spice, and everything nice. I didn't realize how healthy (and filling) is was until I finished making it. If you attempt this recipe, prepare to be amazed by your culinary abilities because it is (almost) from scratch.

Adapted from a Turkey Pho recipe

Ingredients:
(makes two hefty portions)

• Spices
• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 4 whole cloves
• 4 whole start anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ***NOTE: I am penny pinching. Therefore, instead of buying $20 worth of these spices, I used 1.5 teaspoons of Chinese Five Spice Powder from Whole Foods and it tasted superb...

• Pho-gredients


• 1 quart chicken broth
• 2 green onions (green tops only), chopped
• 1 3-inch chunk of ginger, chopped and smashed
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cups of Kale (tree trunks I mean stems removed)
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1-2 breast of chicken, shredded
• ***NOTE: I bought the pre-roasted whole chicken and used the breasts.
• 2-3 ounces of rice Vermicelli noodles (picture below)
• Lime wedges and Sriracha chili sauce for garnish (optional)

Recipe:
-Add 1.5 teaspoons Chinese Five Spice powder, chicken stock, green onions, ginger, and sugar to a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low and simme for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
-Strain the broth into another pot (discard the solids)...

-Add the raw kale and mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes until kale is wilted.
-Add the shredded chicken and rice noodles.
***Break the rice noodles in half, they are about 2 miles long when straight out of the box.
-Remove from heat and cover. Allow to sit for a few minutes until the noodles are fully softened.
-Serve and GO AT IT! Add some lime and sriracha if that's your jam.

Chelsea Market - Summer Highlights

Big Apple Bites

Anja (my roommate) and I are Chelsea Market regulars. So, one blog post can hardly cover all of Chelsea Market, but I will highlight some personal faves...

The Lobster Place
Two words: Lobster Roll. While entering The Lobster Place, please remember to hold your nose because it smells like shit (raw fish to be exact). Don't let this stop you from B-lining to the "Shack in the Back" where they pump out lobster rolls like Octamom pumps out babies.

Ronnybrook Dairy
Have you seen "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" on the Food Network? I know the answer is yes, so hear me out. I saw Ronnybrook on the show and had to stop in. Short story short, I made my way to the ice cream display. If you like pumpkin flavored goodies and creme brulee, then I can guarantee you will love the Pumpkin Creme Brulee Supreme Premium Ronnybrook ice cream (especially when it's squished between two Oatmeal Raisin cookies).

Did I mention Ronnybrook churns their own butter?

Yes, that says Cinnamon Toast Butter.