We're Moving..

Well, just the blog...I'm not really going anywhere. I'm still here to cook and blog for you.

Visit the new site: Lillysfoodblog.com

I'll be changing it up a bit, so pardon the appearance while we get going. Please leave questions or comments at Lilly@lillysfoodblog.com

Hurricane, Food & Music

I realize that I have been m.i.a on the blogging front lately, but don't worry...just because I haven't been blogging doesn't mean I haven't been eating. I have!!! Started a new gig a couple weeks ago and have been pretty busy to talk to- all 17 of you. I'm the new producer for Whatever w/ Jennifer Hutt (Sirius/Xm 110 5-7pm) and it's been a blast so far..especially because Jenny keeps a well stocked snack closet in the office..So, don't you worry about me and my eating ;)

Anyway, this weekend the East Coast is getting hit with Hurricane Irene and I personally can't think of anything better to do during a natural disaster than cook and listen to good music.

Hurricane Menu:

Eggplant Parm (Recipe in previous post)

Braised chicken legs in celery and onions w/ white wine glaze

Spinach Pie

Burgers

Veggie cakes (recipe soon to come)

I'm almost positive there is more that I'm forgetting.

Hurricane Playlist:

Ever since I heard the Top 5 mix tape challenge on Ron & Fez, I've been trying to find a slick way to put mine out there. And really, I can't think of any time better than the present. You may be saying to yourself "why on earth is she posting music on a food blog," and my answer to you would be- my blog, my rules!!! Plus, music and food are so intertwined in this beautifully delicious love affair that they really need each other to shine. So, here's my top 5 Hurricane weekend playlist- all songs that have or will get play as Irene shows us who's boss..

01. Devendra Banhart - Lover

For those of you unfamiliar with Devendra, please give him a listen. He's this sexy latin, indie-folk singer.. I think you'll really enjoy him.

02. Portishead- Glory Box (Live)

I love this live Portishead album...This is tasty!

03. Aretha Franklin - Never Loved a Man, the Way that I Loved You

I mean, I don't know what else to say that Miss Aretha hasn't already said..

04. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Keep on Moving

This is for my friend Earl..who is the biggest Curtis Mayfield fan. This song was written by Curtis. It's just a beautiful tune..

05. Thievery Corportation - Sound the Alarm

I remember being introduced to Thievery Corp for the first time and thought 'how could I have lived without them for so long???' Hope you have a similar reaction.

So there You have it. My quickly thrown together top 5. Enjoy and be safe, everyone!

Cold Antipasti...for One

It's always a great feeling when you can't decide what you want to eat, then can simply pull together a great dish with garden fresh ingredients..all except the buffalo mozzarella, of course.

That's all I have to say in today's blog post..I really only wanted to share this colorful dish :)

Hot Child in the Garden...

As we find ourselves in the midst of the dog days of summer, it's easy to neglect your garden in fear of suffering a heat stroke. We had about a week of temperatures in the triple digits, which is quite hot for the north east.

Despite the delirious heat, I managed to get in some much needed garden maintenance. A desperate watering, tying up saggy plants, cutting off dead leaves and of course (the fun part) harvesting!

I know some of you are thinking it, "Lil, those tomatoes don't look ripe!!" I know they don't, however, I didn't want the pesky little chipmunks feasting on all the fruits of my labor. Anyone know a (non harmful) solution?! In all seriousness though, how good do my melons look?!

I also started seedlings for my fall veggies this week. Some of my seeds are already 1-2 inches tall. that's how damn hot it's been!

Eggplant Parm

I was craving eggplant parm as I sat in my garden impatiently waiting for my baby eggplant to grow in. So I decided, instead of waiting, I would hit up my local farmers market (which consistent of 3-4 produce booths) and pick up some farm fresh eggplant.

(my slow growing Italian eggplant)

After picking up my supplies I remembered a friend of mine making a killer eggplant parm. He insisted the key to his recipe was sprinkling the eggplant with salt and straining them. A skip he said almost no one does...I didn't want to burst his inflated Italian cooking ego, but most recipes I found online DID include this step, so I let him carry on believing he was special. This step is done to pull some of the moisture in the eggplant out and to prevent bitterness...So, now let's start at the beginning...

Things you'll need:

2 lbs Eggplant (I used a combo of Italian and Japanese Eggplants)

4 eggs

Bread crumbs

Parmesan Cheese

Mozzarella Cheese

Tomato Sauce

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Peel then slice the eggplant about 1/8-1/4 inch thick, depending on your preference. Generously salt the eggplant then layer in a colander and let the excess water drain off for about an hour to two. Once the eggplant are ready to go, give them a basic breading- dip in egg then coat with bread crumb mixture (bread crumbs, Parmesan, salt and pepper). Heat a large pan, with a nice coating of olive oil, to medium-high heat and saute until golden brown on both sides (about 2-3 mins per side depending on thickness)

Now, for the fun layering part.. Coat the bottom of your casserole dish with whatever tomato sauce you are using (I used some homemade sauce) then add a layer of eggplant. Top each layer with a little sauce, parm cheese and mozzarella cheese...repeat until you have no more eggplant. Pop into an oven at about 375 for 30 mins. Enjoy!

(Almost all gone before I got the 'after' pic)

Where to Eat in San Fran..

No doubt San Fran is one of my favorite cities in the country... besides the scenery, the people and the laid back west coast vibe, SF has some of the best food I've eaten.

Breakfast in SF is a must if you can roll yourself out of bed early enough because you smoked too much of that medical marijuana the night before. However, if you're up and looking for a breakfast spot, here are a couple recommendations...

Boogaloos in the Mission- who doesn't love a biscuit smothered in gravy for breakfast, seriously? This was one of the better breakfasts I've had, ever. Get the home fries, biscuit and always add avocado to anything while in Cali-nothing tastes better!

Brenda's on Polk St. - It's a french-soul-cajun style cuisine so don't feel weird about ordering their fried chicken for breakfast because it's delicious ANY time of day. I heard a rumor that the Food Network was just at this place, which means they'll have longer waits then they already do...just be prepared to wait a bit, but trust me it's worth it.

If you're doing some shopping in the Mission and looking for a quick and yummy taco spot, swing by La Taqueria Guadalajara on 24th St. A Mexi-Coke and 2 tacos for under $10- can't beat it!

This next place I'm almost hesitant to tell you about because I waited an hour and a half to eat here. It's a tiny little, 'hole in the wall' type sushi spot.. it's where the locals come to eat, so you know it's good. If I tell you the name will you promise to not go when I'm in SF, please?! Sushi Zone on Market St...cheesy name, but amazing sushi at a really reasonable price!

If you're looking for something a little fancier or even romantic, try the Foreign Cinema on Mission St. Ask to sit outside so you can watch that evenings screening. We got to see 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and I know what you're thinking.. "That's not a foreign film" I know it's not, but it might be my only 'complaint' about this place. Good food, good service and great atmosphere. Cap the night off with a drink at the bar next door.

Where's the Beef...Bolognese?

To the amateur cook, the thought of tackling a fresh Bolognese seems scarier than rappelling down a 20 story building..However, I might be one of the rare humans on this planet who has done both and I'm here to tell you that Bolognese is way less scary..and super easy!

Before we get started, I would feel better if I got something off my chest...I'm not really one for keeping accurate recipes..but, I will make a conscious effort to get better as we continue this journey together..

Things you will need (to the best of my knowledge):

2 lbs ground beef

olive oil

1 red onion, finely diced

4 carrots, peeled and finely diced

4 celery stalks finely diced

2-3 cloves of garlic

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 cup wine, red or white

2 15 oz cans crushed tomatoes

fresh oregano

red pepper flakes (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

So, basically it's really easy..heat the olive oil in a large pan then add onions, carrots, celery and garlic, sprinkle with salt to help soften the veggies...

After about 10 mins add the beef. Once the beef is cooked through add salt, pepper and tomato paste until its thoroughly mixed in then pour the wine to deglaze the pan. Once all the alcohol has cooked off you can add the tomatoes (if you have fresh tomato sauce ready to go, by all means use that..fresh is always better) Once everything has come to a boil, add the oregano and pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste. Cover with lid, cook on low for about 2 hours.