High Holy Days

Took a trip down to Delaware.

We took deep breaths.

We slowed down.

We saw the light.

We thought about it.

Not too hard.

A comfortable place.

I was a guest.  These were last minute preparations.

Them big clams

These were big clams.

It was a fire.

Squirrel Hill Strangler

On the 4700 block of Chester Avenue.

Lesson on how to be righteous

Be like this guy.

Noah

It's a tough world out there, but you already won the lottery.

These two things go hand in hand...

I went to the Reading Terminal Market in search for something.  

I made an intensely flavored broth using onions, carrots, celery, fresh thyme and smoked ham hocks (made by the Amish).  I brought it to a boil and then gently simmered it for two hours or so.  I saw the meat falling off the bone - that's how I knew she was ready.  

I added the lentils until they were cooked (wasn't paying attention to the time, but it wasn't too long).  I served it with some pecorino romano (like I always do) and also some croutons I had made (so the dish wasn't all soft textures).  

Back on the Chain Gang...

Ever feel like you're one in a million?  Well, you are.

Green chili pancake (gochujeon:고추전)

Whenever I think of giving up, I think of her.  Wish we were friends.

Maanchi's Recipe for New Year's Rice Cake Soup

Naked and Famous

Gnudi made with bolognese sauce.  Sauce: onions, carrots, celery, ground beef, white wine, fresh thyme and salt.  I spent about an hour caramelizing the ground beef (periodically, deglazing with the wine).  It was a snowy day, so I didn't have much to do.   

I was astounded that 2lbs. of ricotta from DiBruno Brothers ($4.99 an lb), two eggs, a little durum flour, pecorino romano and a some salt yielded about 80 of these gnudi (translated: naked in Italian).  My friend and I ate about 30 the first night, so I bagged up the rest and put them in the freezer.  The next few weeks I would take a couple out at a time for a meal.  

Peering into a pizza shop in the middle of the night...

In between St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day

Not such a big deal anymore, but there is a reason to celebrate.  My grandmother served this to me at 6:15am on March 18th, 2014.

Goodbye New York

LIRR from Auburndale to Penn Station.

Just over the Lincoln Tunnel.  Held your hand when you were scared to go through.

Solidarity

I hate quotes, but I guess this made sense.

It was a lonely night...

Pick Up The Phone

Don't change for nobody.

Brains

Mozzarella and Pepper Sandwich

I'm coming after you.  Watch your back.

Braised Goat Shoulder with a Potato Croquette

What we have here is goat shoulder meat that was braised.  I deeply roasted the goat meat in my braiser under the low setting of my broiler.  It took about a half an hour of time to develop a good amount of caramelization.

I set the meat aside and in the same pan I started roasting the garlic (on the stovetop with slow-medium heat) with some curry powder, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon and red pepper flakes.  I did this in order to toast the spices and roast the garlic.  Doing this gave off a very pleasant Indian-esque aroma.  Definitely somewhere past Tora Bora.  Or maybe 52nd Street.

It created a perfect environment for my mirepoix (a mixture of onion, carrot and celery), which I added next. I slowly sweated out the mirepoix for about ten minutes or so using medium-high heat.  I added a can of tomato paste and continued to sweat and caramelize the vegetable, periodically deglazing with some white wine.  I also added a small amount of flour at this point and continued to toasted and caramelize the mixture.

After about 45 minutes of this flavor foreplay, I added the goat meat back into the braiser and covered everything with water (swimming, not scuba diving).  I brought this to a boil, put the lid back on the braiser and put it in the oven for three hours at 325 degrees.  This isn't an exact time.  You could do a longer braise at a lower temperature if you have the time.  You could start the braise and then watch Dances with Wolves!

I served my braised goat meat with a potato croquette I had made of some leftover potatoes, two eggs, some Parmesan cheese, scallions, salt and pepper.  This could really go with any starch though.  You could make some pasta with this or maybe even serve it with a baguette.  I served mine with a little raw radish and celery leaf.  It added some bite and freshness in a very slow cooked dish.  It's kind of like a french style braise with some Middle Eastern/Indian flair with the lamb and spices.