The Little Black Dress of Sandwiches…

 

Tomato, Mozzarella, Prosciutto and Basil Sandwich

        I made a spring vegetable soup the other night that was far too healthy. It consisted almost entirely of pureed asparagus and peas, and while the color was fantastic (a bright, vibrant green) it needed something to make it a little less Living Without (worst name for a cooking magazine EVER). So I bought some proiscutto, crisped it up in the oven and crumbled it into the soup. I also infused some heavy cream with garlic and thyme and drizzled it into it as well. Ok, I realize thats not exactly Foie Gras Brulee, but it was better than nothing. The moral of the story is I had leftover prosciutto, and as lunch rolled around I decided what needed to be made was a classic: the mozzarella, prosciutto, tomato and basil sandwich.  

 

Mozzarella and Tomato

      I had some bread at home, but I felt this classic needed the best of ingredients, so I headed to Blue  Ribbon Bakery Market, on of my favorite places in the city, for a freshly made ciabatta role, and then went to Murray’s Cheese, my actual favorite place in the city, for the mozzarella. The tomato came from Whole Foods and wasn’t quite up to my Tomato Snob (I am one) standards, and the basil we have growing in a little pot on out windowsill (local farming indeed).

 

Bread with Prosciutto

Tomato dipped in Olive Oil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So simple, so good. Appropriate for any occasion.

Walking the Plank…

     My days are numbered. In New York, at least. 

     I moved here six and a half years ago to start my freshmen year of college. Let me be clear that I moved to New York to be a New Yorker, not a college student, and for the four years I spent playing the act of bookworm, and the two and a half years since I graduated, I have been living an amazing life that has had little to do with libraries and profitable employment, but a lot to do with what I really came here for: “The New York Experience.”

     Its different for all of us, this “Experience”, and it evolves as long as we do. Yes, I went through my club faze, but let me assure you that those days are long gone (don’t fret, not forgotten is my need for a good, strong cocktail, you can count on that). But now, after all thats changed, what New York has really inspired in me is the need to consume and created really, really good food. 

      So now, after all of this time, its looks like this could be my last year in New York. I love this city, its my home, but I think its time to try someplace new. Somewhere with more trees and cheaper rents and a yard where I can finally raise my flock of chickens. A little idealized? Of course, but I moved to New York for a dream, and I can leave it for one too. 

     That being said, Im not leaving this city without a celebration. A year long one at that, of all the places I’ve loved and all the places Im hoping to love. With that in mind, I have composed a list (a list in ever evolving progress) of places I must go before I depart in give or take, 365 days.  In no order whatsoever:

1. Tanoreen                                                                               17. Sfoglia

2. Jean George (Lunch)                                                              18. The Mermaid Inn

3. Barney Greengrass                                                                19. Al di la

4. Daniel                                                                                    20. Kefi

5. Le Bernardin                                                                           21. Anthos

6. Hecho en Dumbo                                                                   22. Freemans

7. Allen & Delancey                                                                    23. Babbo

8. Mary’s Fish Camp                                                                   24. Taim

9. Pearl Oyster Bar                                                                     25. Dumpling House

10. Clinton Street Baking Company (Brunch)                              24. Chinatown Brasserie

11. The Spotted Pig                                                                    25. Morimoto

12. Casa Mono                                                                            26. Esca

13. Diner                                                                                    27. Blue Hill at Stone Barns

14. La Esquina                                                                            28. Shake Shack

15. R.U.B                                                                                    29. Gottino

16. Una Pizza Napoletana                                                            30. The Red Hook Ballfields    

                                                                                                  31. Bemelmans Bar                                                     

 

      What have I missed?

 

      So in the next year or so, I will document here the food I eat, in restaurants and at home. Hopefully it will read as good as it tastes.