I've got a lov-e-ly bunch of Coconuts!

Not really sure how this magical meal happened but we stumbled across Coconuts in Fort Lauderdale. So absolutely glad we did! I guess I would have to thank two of my ultimate fav queens chicas, vacation and seafood aficionados ;)

Let's start with atmosphere. You may wait a bit for a table (we waited about an hour on a Saturday night) but no biggie. We had a drink outside on the water, not too shabby! (Pinot Grigio was a perfect starter). 

The waiter did his job well. I was in fake love for a minute. Got us into the menu.  He suggested the "Scoobie doo" appetizer. Not sure why but who cares about the name when the dish is pure heaven. 

Let me just say there are few times that I say OMG at first smell and bite but I could barely contain myself. Definitely worth the trip just for this. 

We also ordered the lobster BLT special sandwich. It's a lobster roll upgrade. Worth it if you really want to focus on chunks of succulent lobster and perfectly smokey thick cut bacon. Add some avocado and thick toasted bread and you got yourself a tasty dish!

We ended with a coconut crusted cheesecake. Not that we had room but we had to taste it. Crust was crunchy and buttery and cheesecake was light enough to finish the whole since among 3 of us! 

Local tip: Be nice! (Ask the waiter about this when you come). :)

Back with a vegetable! (Or vengeance, I've been watching Die Hard)

Zucchini Pizzas

take the name however you want to but this recipe is meant to be good to your stomach in more ways than one. It is on the healthy side but of course still delicious and can be modified to your liking in several easy ways. 

to start, I cannot not take complete credit for it, wasn't my idea, but this is my spin on it. I never looked up the recipes that are likely posted by various internet sources, instead just drew my inspiration from a photo and viola!

now certainly you could go traditional on this and add back the bread, but where is the fun in that you carb-a-holics! I guarantee if you try it and experiment a little it will be a crowd pleaser for any crowd.

ingredients

fresh zucchini

shredded mozzarella (I used whole foods brand dry type, not fresh--but that would definitely be an option)

sliced tomatoes (or sauce, I used a San Marzano grape tomato variety here)

olive oil

grated pecorino romano (though regginao parmigiano would work nicely as well)

seasonings- Salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder (this is keeping it simple, I would suggest using fresh   garlic, a little crushed red pepper to spice it up, fresh basil, even a little sliced onion if you like). As I said before, this recipe is versatile.

Start by preparing the zucchini. Trim ends and slice lengthwise evenly, then carefully trim just enough off the rounded skin side to even out the surface. Chek that the zucchini lays flat (this is to ensure that your toppings don't slide off during cooking). Don't slice too much off bc the skin will help the zucchini to keep shape and keep the juices. Once you have prepared the zucchini (approximately 2 large halves per person should be good), heat a skillet with a tablesppon or so of light olive oil, not extra virgin bc it burns easily. Place the zucchini flesh side (flat side) down on the pan and let it sizzle. I salted the pieces a bit here, just a touch for flavor and to draw out some of the water. Let the pieces cook at a medium-medum high temp, don't overcrowd the pan, get a nice browning to each one.  The zucchini should soften slightly. I covered the pan for a portion of the time to encourage steaming. Add a tablespoon of water if you need to keep zucchini from sticking or burning. You may have to press down on some areas to get an even color. Then transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment for assembly. 

Begin decorating your "pizza crusts". I started with a little salt and pepper, oregano, and garlic powder.  Then add your cheese trying to keep as much as possible on top of the zucchini. You will notice that the cheese begins to melt on the warm zucchini this is fine, you can add an extra layer if your feeling naughty! As my grandmother would say, Cheese is my middle name! Next add sliced tomatoes or you can dollop a little sauce. I would add the sauce on top of the cheese bc it may not adhere well to the zucchini itself. Try to use a thicker sauce so you don't have excess water.  Then sprinkle some grated cheese or slices of parmigiano on top. Drizzle a tincy bit of olive oil for sizzle factor and flavor. 

Place in the oven at 350 just to get it started (maybe 8 minutes) then broil for another 5 minutes or so, keep an eye on it..until cheese is melted and zucchini edges are browned. To me, it isn't pizza without the browning bubbles so feel free to let it burn baby burn! not too much though,  Zucchini should be tender but firm. 

That is pretty much it, all that is left is to eat it! I suggest a fork and knife approach-don't be a savage- it may not hold up to hands unless you cut into smaller pieces. 

Other suggestions: 

saute the zucchini with onions or garlic, add pepperoni, or crumbled sausage. make a spicy sauce, try with a schmear of tomato puree, change up your cheeses- asiago, provolone, burratta, smoked mozz, or even white cheddar. make it white pizza style with ricotta, mozzarella, and chopped broccoli or spinach--double your veggie! 

All in all, I can say that this dish was easy, fun to make, and surprisingly satisfying, But don't skimp on technique or flavors. You will be much happier with the end resullt if you have fun with it!

The Right Kind of Sweetness

A quick and satisfying breakfast or sweet snack. Fage plain Greek yogurt (I use 2% fat version so it doesn't taste like air), a drizzle of honey, dash of pumpkin pie spice(if you don't have this on hand, you should, just sayin), Kind honey oat granola (literally the best granola out there, other than homemade), a few fresh raspberries and or whatever fruit you have hanging round or none! Your choice, either way it's delicious. And cheap. And healthy and satisfying. I could go on, I'll stop there. Go make some! (Yes those are my feet in the pic, a New Yorker in Miami never wears shoes).  :)

Snowy Brunch

Snowed in? No prahhblem (bk italian accent lol) left over sausage and peppers into an egg scramble. Top with a little sriracha sauce and oat nut bread. Delish!

Home cooking on a snowy eve

A little fam time in the snow. Cooked up a a few traditional Italian eats. Focaccia with fennel dipping oil, pasta salata, sausage and peppers. For those who don't know, pasta salata had a super fresh plum Tomato sauce. Fresh garlic, basil, black pepper tossed with the chopped tomatoes which are warm after par boiling to remove the skin. Top off with freshly grated ricotta salata cheese! Tutti a tavola a mangiare!

Casa Mono

Casa Mono 52 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003 http://www.casamononyc.com/
First up, Union Square area? Can't go wrong with that for sure. Casa Mono is a super great spot for tapas, definitely no monkeying around here! (Pun absolutely intended, por supuesto). Perhaps a little difficult getting a seat, especially bc the best seats are at the bar overlooking the small yet exciting open kitchen. First come, first serve so the timing must be right. Now on to the menu. While many choices called out to me, me and my food-loving friend took part in a nice selection. To start, a glass of the house Cava to compliment our seafood course. Fried Oysters with Piquillo Sofrito and Black Pepper Crema, Bacalao Croquetas with Orange Alioli, and Pulpo with Fennel and Grapefruit. My fav was the oysters, nestled perfectly with the piquillo and crema. A nice crisp and flavorful crust. We moved on to a Verdejo wine to complete this course. Can't remember the bottle but it was nice, paired nice. After a short break, we went darker, wintery. Ordered  a lovely red blend, Nita 2010 Priorat (Garnacha, Cariñena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah) on the recommendation of our young neighbor dining alone at the bar. He said he was a whiskey drinker and preferred bold, mouthy wines. Whatever his motivation for the choice, he did not steer us wrong. It was the perfect compliment to our bold next course. Even our waiter was shocked at our choices (two sprite young ladies at the bar) and agreed the wine and food would pair excellently. It did. Rabbit with Anticuchos (skewer with liver) and Habanero Cuajada; Morcilla and Tuscan Kale (Kale is stated on the menu but may have been big leaf spinach) with Caramelized Egg and Black Garlic. The rabbit was prepared two ways: a super crispy fried nugget. The crust was a tad salty for my taste but still absolutely worked. There was also a bone in piece that was bathed in a sweet barbecue type sauce. The white sauce (like yogurt) was really delicious, had a nice kick from the habanero, and complimented the fried rabbit well. The morcilla- was my first time having it- Ill admit I was a little unsure if I would like it. But my wise friend, Chloe, insisted! So glad that she did; it was amazing! Slightly sweet and spiced with nutmeg, moist and just YUM. The greens were delicious also and tasted like it had a splash of vinegar in addition to the garlic and oil, which really gave it a punch. Of course the egg, goes without saying, was a perfect accompaniment to this beautiful melody of food! Exquisito!

On a Mission for the best burger..

I don't know if I will ever be able to pick a Number One burger. But this is in the top 5 just for menu creativity.
BLT Burger, 470 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10011-8400
They also change up their specialty burger option..like the Porkenaytor..Juicy beef burger topped with bacon, pulled port, lettuce, tomato and fried onion strings. Sounds like a heart attack, but what a way to go! One of the most delicious waffle fries too. Their great selection of beers makes it a cool place to hang with a small crew. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

The Burger Joint

The little-known spot in the Le Parker Meridien New York 119 West 56th Steet, New York, NY 10019. Tucked away down a hallway off the main lobby, this little gem is a perfect lunch spot or great goto after that 5 o'clock siren! Just burgers and fries but what else do you need?? An excellent grill mark and juicy bite. Funky atmosphere and musical background. Everyone is happy in here just thinking about what is about to grace their palate. Then you can burn it off by walking through the park or shopping on 5th ave. It's a must-eat!

This is how you know you're there! Awesome..