http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/ Jackie Gordon muses and munches on food, music, design, small business and more in the Big Apple. en Divalicious Inc. Copyright 2012 2012-01-18T19:34:16+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/tiger_beer_chinese_new_year_potluck/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/tiger_beer_chinese_new_year_potluck/#When:21:05:18Z It’s baaaaaack! By popular demand and because we had such an incredible time last year, Ken and I are hosting the “Year of the Dragon” Chinese New Year Potluck on February 4th, 2012. 2012-01-11T21:05:18+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_helped_throw_the_iacp_launch_party/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_helped_throw_the_iacp_launch_party/#When:19:34:16Z When you go to a party that’s hosted by a person who LOVES and makes GREAT food, you know it’s going to be a FABULOUS party because GREAT food makes a party. But there’s a step up from this, and that’s when you go to a party filled with hundreds of people who LOVE and make GREAT food and there’s GREAT food and drink, to boot. That, my friends, is a FOOD LOVE FEST! That was the scene at Santos Party House last Monday for the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Launch Party for “The Fashion of Food” Program. In March 2012, the IACP annual conference is coming to New York City for the first time in thirty years. The theme of the conference is the The Fashion of Food: an exploration of where food, fashion and media connect. 2012-01-18T19:34:16+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_hosted_cookie_swap_2011/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_hosted_cookie_swap_2011/#When:16:36:59Z Have you stood face-to-face with over a thousand cookies that you could eat and take home to feast on? If you haven’t, you totally should! I had the absolute DELIGHT! of hosting NYC COOKIE Swap yesterday with Maggy Keets, Gail Dosik and Ken Leung. What a fun event! The local and not so local food community came out in droves with their A-GAME cookies and it was STUPENDOUS! I made: Cranberry Pepita Rugelach with Apple Honey Jelly | Stained Glass Ginger Cookies | Peppermint Chocolate Bark Stars Let my video tell the tale of tasty treats… Food Community Events, Jackie cooks 2011-12-05T16:36:59+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_coconut_whipped_sweet_potatoes/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_coconut_whipped_sweet_potatoes/#When:13:53:30Z On Twitter the other day, Mdvani (@LadiesWhoLunch1), who I believe is vegan, asked me how to make sweet potatoes on behalf of a friend. I tweeted three ways: Peeled and roasted rounds with slivers of garlic on each slice in olive oil and S&P Peeled and casseroled chunks with fresh apples, dried cranberries, maple syrup, butter and S&P Whipped with milk or cream, butter, brown sugar and sweet spices. Then I said, “Use coconut milk if you want them to be vegan.” That, was a moment of GENIUS! And that’s how I made them for Thanksgiving and they were FANTABULOUS! Gordon family eatz, Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-11-29T13:53:30+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_roasted_garlic_feta_dip/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_roasted_garlic_feta_dip/#When:19:08:21Z I found this recipe, many years ago, for the Chinese Laundry Cafe’s “Feta And Garlic Pate” online and it had this explanation: “This funky little cafe is a regular hangout for Queen’s university students. Lucky students. This recipe comes from the owner, Ann Marie Rousseau.” I lightened the original recipe which had six tablespoons of butter in it, by leaving that out and added a lot more feta and a little more sour cream. I decided to roast the garlic so I added a lot more of it since the flavor of roasted garlic is softer. Oh, and I increased the scallions, too. You can substitute chives. Maybe with all that butter you could mold it and serve it like a terrine. I thought it was unnecessary. Now it’s got balls—Just the way I like it! I used this as one of the layers in the Roasted Garlic & Feta, Butternut Squash, Beet & Cranberry Parfait on my Thanksgiving 2011 Menu Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-11-23T19:08:21+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_thanksgiving_2011/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_thanksgiving_2011/#When:14:03:19Z Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday bar NONE! Cooking and eating delicious food with my wonderful family and friends, laughing, reminiscing and making new memories is the BEST DAY of the year. If I could have Thanksgiving every day my world would be a better place. I really think it should be a mandatory once-a-month occurrence for every family and families of friends. Cooking food with people you love and sharing it is a visceral bonding experience. It’s like a testimony to LOVE. Plan to get in the kitchen, cook meals together and share them more often. If more people did this our worlds would be a better places and the world would surely improve. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Here’s my 2011 menu: 2011-11-21T14:03:19+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/iacp_nyc_conference_2012_culinary_trust_raffle_at_smorgasburg/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/iacp_nyc_conference_2012_culinary_trust_raffle_at_smorgasburg/#When:17:11:12Z The IACP conference is coming to town in 2012. Come down this Saturday (11/19) to Smorgasburg to Win-Win-Win! Eat fantastic artisan made foods, sample delicious soup from Jimmy’s No. 43 at our booth, enjoy a beautiful fall day on the Williamsburg, Brooklyn waterfront and support an dynamic food charity by purchasing chances to win holiday gifts for you and/or your loved ones! AND find out about International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP), one the best culinary conferences on the planet, that’s coming to NYC for the first time ever, in March 2012. Food Community Events 2011-11-16T17:11:12+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_home_fries/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_home_fries/#When:15:06:26Z I’m a potato freak! I often ask people this hypothetical question: “If you had to give up two out of the four major carbs for life: Pasta, Rice, Potatoes or Bread?  Which two would it be?” Unless they already don’t eat gluten, they usually get really antsy and whiny and say, “Please don’t make me choose!.” Me, I’d kick pasta and bread to the curb and live on rice and potatoes! Although my least favorite way of eating potatoes is mashed—people find this CRAZY—but I love them every other way: baked; steamed; scalloped; fried; roesti; boiled; roasted; pancakes; stewed; curried, etc… And of course, home fries! If I was told I could not make this recipe any more, I would get antsy and whiny and my world would shrink measurably. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-10-30T15:06:26+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_hosted_pie_party_potluck_live/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_hosted_pie_party_potluck_live/#When:23:30:48Z Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! The spread of over 70 pies at Pie Party Potluck LIVE! was breathtaking, jaw dropping and mouth watering. I’d never seen anything like it. Well maybe in a bakery, but even they lacked the variety and the made with loved-ness of the Pie Party Potluck pies… When Ken and I decided to host Pie Party Potluck LIVE!! I kept imagining what it would be like? How many people/pies would actually show up? How many people can we fit at Rodeo Bar? Have we invited too many people? Too few? Can we fit more? Weeks and weeks of questions that would only be answered when the day actually came. Food Community Events, Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-10-18T23:30:48+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_lard_crust/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_lard_crust/#When:22:24:56Z I bought this hilarious “Praise The Lard” t-shirt from Prather Meats at the Ferry Building in San Francisco (you can’t buy them online, but if you go there grab one—it’s a conversation piece), but I’ve never used it much for cooking. Strange for a gal who worships at the Church Of Pork Fat... Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-10-18T22:24:56+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_jarlsberg_crunch_tomato_onion_pie/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_jarlsberg_crunch_tomato_onion_pie/#When:22:02:20Z I love cooking with Jarlsberg. I think it’s because the holes in the cheese always freaked me out as a kid. I’m not gluten intolerant, but I love making food for my friends who have food allergies. My aim was to make a gluten free pie for PIe Party Potluck LIVE! so the people who were coming and couldn’t eat gluten would have another option. As it turned out, no one at the party was gluten free, but the gluten eaters happily scarfed down this pie too. I felt a little like I cheated because I wanted to make a gluten free flour based crust using chick pea flour, but my test crust went from OK to awful. I decided to stick to making something that was delicious and gluten free without having to reinvent the wheel. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-10-18T22:02:20+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_cupboard_harvest_pie1/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_cupboard_harvest_pie1/#When:21:52:24Z For some reason I wind up with lots of dried fruit scraps. Where do they all come from? Sahadi’s mostly and they are the result of buying them by the pound and 1/2 pound and using them in recipes calling for a cup here and 1/2 cup there.  One year, I wound up with a several pounds of dried apricots after the Chocolate Show. They sat for months and got drier and drier. I kept moving the bag around thinking, “I have to do something with these!.” But they continued to sit around and mock me. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-10-18T21:52:24+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_samosas/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_samosas/#When:12:58:31Z My favorite kind of recipe? One that’s dead easy and makes me look like a genius! Claudia Roden’s Basic Pie Dough 1 from The Book Of Jewish Food, is one such recipe. I used it to make samosas for my niece’s birthday party five months ago—I made heaps so I could freeze ‘em. Isn’t the freezer magical—it may be my favorite major appliance. I finished the last two samosas this morning when I cleaned out the freezer. I threw them in the toaster oven frozen and they were still delish and the pastry crisped up beautifully. You can also use this dough to make empanadas, pasties or any kind of savory hand held pie. This dough is easy to make and requires no resting so it’s FAST—another thing I love in a recipe! I love working with this dough because it’s oily and doesn’t stick to your hands and is well behaved when you roll it. When baked, the texture is a little flaky, yet it’s strong enough to hold a heavy filling. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-10-03T12:58:31+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/pie_party_potluck_live_10_15_12-3/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/pie_party_potluck_live_10_15_12-3/#When:11:08:45Z Lemon meringue pie was the first pie I ever made. Edie, my mom’s best friend, taught me how to bake during the summers we spent with her in Copake Lake. She gave me my first cookbook, The Joy Of Cooking. I was so lucky to have her in my life, I loved her. She contracted Alzheimer’s disease when she was in her late 40’s and passed away after a very long time being battled by it. I’ve made what seems like a zillions of pies since then, but the first one was the catalyst. Wherever Edie is, I know she’s thrilled to bits that those first lessons have led to Pie Party Potluck LIVE! Join food bloggers, food writers, food entrepreneurs, chefs, bakers, restaurateurs, other food biz peeps and pie enthusiasts on October 15th at the Rodeo Bar eating pie!!! Ken and I are so excited to get to hang out with old friends (and eat pie!) and to meet a whole bunch of friends from Twitter in real life (and eat pie) and to meet a bunch of new people (and eat pie!). Come share the PIE LOVE! Food Community Events, Jackie cooks 2011-09-15T11:08:45+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/save_the_date_pie_party_potluck_live_10_15/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/save_the_date_pie_party_potluck_live_10_15/#When:15:41:57Z The expression PIE EYED means “drunk” which I was, with pie. That’s how I felt this past July, when hundreds and hundreds of delicious pies were being made, photographed, written about and displayed on blogs, Twitter and FB and more. I didn’t get to taste one—not even the one I made. On Saturday, October 15th, 2011, pie enthusiasts (who live or can get to New York City) and I will be able to get some pie in-mouth satisfaction. Jackie cooks, Networking, Tasting events 2011-09-07T15:41:57+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_helped_you_make_a_difference/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_helped_you_make_a_difference/#When:23:03:30Z What would you do if your life changed in an instant? If the life that you counted on, even took for granted at times, combusted? We like to pretend the unthinkable will never happen to us, but it does. Hey, we had an earthquake in NYC yesterday! The unthinkable happens. A little over two weeks ago, the unthinkable happened to a food blogger friend of mine, Jennifer Perillo. 2011-08-24T23:03:30+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_a_resolution_2011/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_a_resolution_2011/#When:13:05:20Z When a tweet becomes blog post fodder I roll with it. I wrote, “Can my NY resolutions just be a list of restaurants I resolve to eat in this coming year?” and it began. My awesome followers thought this was a damn good resolution so I’m writing my list of ten-ish (sticking to ten was not possible) restaurants I resolve to eat in the new year and I will post yours. I’m not normally a “resolutionary” at this time of year, but since the definition of “resolve” is to reach a firm decision about, I can safely say I have reached a firm decision to dine at these places and more. 2011-08-23T13:05:20+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_big_summer_potluckd/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_big_summer_potluckd/#When:16:16:30Z A wise man I know says, “Everything that matters happens between people.” I fell in love with Twitter—yes love—because it gives me access to people—awesome, warm, passionate, food-loving people. I love living in New York City because it gives me the ability to meet up with many of the wonderful people I’ve met on Twitter in real life. It was only natural then for me to fall hard for Big Summer Potluck (BSP2) because it gave me more access to more great food-loving people! More than sixty food bloggers and people who love them gathered in Pennsylvania to be together as a community. It was live. It was between people and it was exhilarating. Food Community Events 2011-08-05T16:16:30+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_black_bottom_banana_cream_pie/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_black_bottom_banana_cream_pie/#When:11:38:49Z As soon as I read the words PIE PARTY! I was hooked. An idea sparked by Shauna from Gluten Free Girl and the Chef blog grew to over 1200 peeps across the internet making pie and posting about it on the same day. LOVE IT! Thanks Emily from Nomnivorous for the invite! You say, “pie.” I answer, “Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie.” In my show, The Fried Chicken Theory According to Jackie Gordon, I introduce the dessert platter featuring this pie, by calling myself, “The Pimp of Pie”.  If I were the pimp of pie this would be one of the finest “ladies” in my stable. It’s layers of espresso chocolate ganache in a graham cracker crust, topped with freshly sliced bananas, a pile of vanilla bean pastry cream, then whipped cream and chocolate shavings equals a mouthful of YUM! Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-07-05T11:38:49+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/jackie_gordon_singing_chef_at_techmunch/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/jackie_gordon_singing_chef_at_techmunch/#When:19:59:23Z I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at Techmunch NYC 2011 on the panel: How to Market your Blog and Turn it into a Brand/Business. You can download a copy of the hand-out I created for the attendees and well as two other MUST HAVE pieces from other presenters. Food Community Events 2011-06-12T19:59:23+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/diy_food_tours_in_new_york_city_eating_on_the_go-go_for_a_good-good_time/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/diy_food_tours_in_new_york_city_eating_on_the_go-go_for_a_good-good_time/#When:21:08:17Z Hey Dale Carnegie, here’s a surefire way to win friends and influence people. Take them on a New York City food tour! It’s good, clean fun in the city. You spend time outside—fresh air, you walk around—exercise, you nibble—pleasure. It’s a win-win-win. All you need are some tasty destinations and some friends.

 Food joints, Jax snax on the go-go, The diva tasted 2011-05-29T21:08:17+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/food_tours_101_--_top_ten_tips_for_hosting_a_successful_nyc_food_tour/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/food_tours_101_--_top_ten_tips_for_hosting_a_successful_nyc_food_tour/#When:20:23:36Z Walking around and nibbling delicious foods with friends is my idea of heaven in any city. The beauty of living in New York City is here there’s a smorgasbord of portable, nosh-able foods you can eat while you’re on the move. In New York, you can certainly pay someone to take you on a food tour, but doing it yourself gives you much more freedom, flexibility and since you’re not paying for the tour you get to spend more money on FOOD. Here’s some tips to help you put together an enjoyable food tour in the Big Apple or whatever city you’re in. Jax snax on the go-go 2011-05-29T20:23:36+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_tasted_manni_olive_oil/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_tasted_manni_olive_oil/#When:15:38:01Z Oh the olive oil! That’s what my taste buds were raving about last week at Williams Sonoma when I tasted Manni Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the first time—vertically. Yes, I was sitting up when Armando Manni led us on a vertical tasting of his olive oil over three years 2008, 2009 and 2010. If you could compare each of the olive oils to a lover… 2011-05-17T15:38:01+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_cheese_blintzes_w_strawberry_rhubarb_compote/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_cheese_blintzes_w_strawberry_rhubarb_compote/#When:18:41:54Z My mother’s main request of me this Mother’s Day was to PLEASE keep it simple. “I just want bagels, lox and cream cheese, to play Scrabble and watch Toy Story Three.”, she said. I rolled my eyes. She knows I hate simple. I said, “I have to make something—how about blintz souffle?” She lit up because she LOVES blintzes and this casserole style of making them is pretty simple. Done. Then I thought that there was no reason to take the easy way out since I was not making anything else. So I offered to make real blintzes and she did not roll her eyes, so it was all good. 2011-05-08T18:41:54+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_the_deviled_egg_egg/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_the_deviled_egg_egg/#When:11:29:11Z Once every couple of months a bunch of food lovers gather for Brooklyn Swappers where they trade homemade goods. You never know what these wonderfully creative cooks will be swapping: pickles, jams, sauces, chutneys, relishes, infused alcohols, teas, cakes, cookies, flavored salts, chocolates, candies, kombucha—it could be ANYTHING! For Sunday’s brunch swap I made Salted Cinnamon Browned Butter Caramels. There’s also a pot luck, for which I believe I invented a new dish: the Deviled Egg Egg Jackie cooks, Recipes 2011-04-17T11:29:11+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_hosted_a_pot_luck/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_hosted_a_pot_luck/#When:17:12:21Z Can You Hang Out With Your Fave Food Peeps And Feast For Four Hours Without Gaining An Ounce? It ain’t likely… So why even try? Fat Buddhas are considered to be very good luck! So let’s get lucky! Food Community Events, Jackie cooks 2011-01-17T17:12:21+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_peppermint_crusted_chocolate_candy_cane_cookies/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_peppermint_crusted_chocolate_candy_cane_cookies/#When:13:00:21Z Are you lazy? I definitely am… sometimes. But not when it comes to cooking and baking. These pinchably CUTE! cookies are a lil bit of a “love job” or even “love cookies” because there’s a bit of work in making them. Not complicated, but there are three definitive steps that you can do in one day or spread over several days. The dough is tender because you use powdered sugar and lots of butter. It’s not as tough as a standard shortbread or sugar cookie dough, but the texture is heavenly. You do need to be a little careful dipping them, but it’s totally worth it. When you love people, you make them “love” cookies. Jackie cooks, Recipes, Networking tasting events 2010-12-14T13:00:21+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_attended_cookiefest10/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_attended_cookiefest10/#When:19:39:12Z How do you exercise self-control? I’m asking because when it comes to baking and cooking I suck at it! I rarely cook a simple meal, especially if I’m entertaining. I’m an excess-is-best type of gal as you can see from this past Thanksgiving or the cookies and chocolates I whipped up last year: Jackie’s gone Christmas cookie crazy 2009!!! Jackie cooks 2010-12-13T19:39:12+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_bacon_wrapped_sweet_plantains_with_lime_garlic_jalapeno_/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_bacon_wrapped_sweet_plantains_with_lime_garlic_jalapeno_/#When:16:00:39Z These rock! Liza de Guia is an inspiration. Not only does the lovely founder & chief storyteller of FOOD CURATED make rich and informative videos about passionate people who bring us incredible foods, but when she was on a holiday, she tweeted about eating bacon wrapped sweet plantains and bells went off in my head! Ding! Ding! I had to make them! I decided that the sugar in the plantains and smoky goodness of the bacon would be DELISH with a spicy dipping sauce. I love the salty, garlic in oil condiment that is served in Latino restaurants would be a good place to start, but maybe too over-the-top for my guests. The lime and chilies and cilantro temper the garlic. My guests flipped for these! YUM! YUM! YUM! Gordon family eatz, Jackie cooks, Recipes 2010-12-01T16:00:39+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/gobble_gobble_2010_the_diva_does_double_thanksgiving/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/gobble_gobble_2010_the_diva_does_double_thanksgiving/#When:17:10:16Z I love Thanksgiving so much I have it twice! I have the immediate family and a couple of friends, who are orphaned, on the official day and a leftover party on the Friday for my friends who are feeding and serving the people who can’t or don’t cook Thanksgiving dinner and eat out instead. It may seem over-the-top, but it’s the way the cooks in my family show our gratitude and express our love for family and friends. Gordon family eatz, Jackie cooks, Recipes 2010-11-23T17:10:16+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_cranberry_almond_coffee_cake/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_cranberry_almond_coffee_cake/#When:17:21:30Z This is a great Thanksgiving dessert that is super-easy to make and looks like you worked much harder than you did. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2010-11-20T17:21:30+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_canned_kiwifruit_treats/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_canned_kiwifruit_treats/#When:18:25:08Z What would you do with 10 overripe kiwifruit? As many of you know, I go a little canning crazy at harvest time. This season, I made about fifteen different pickles, chutneys, relishes and sauces! ←Crazy diva! On the list were kiwifruit and red pepper pickles, which I thought would be adorable for the holidays. I found the recipe in Oded Schwartz’s excellent book,Preserving. I put “10 hard unripe kiwifruit” on the shopping list when I sent my boyfriend to the store. Mistake! What I got was 10 very ripe kiwi-fruit and the excuse, “That was all they had.” You can only make pickles with unripe fruit so I went back to another store and got them and made the pickles. What to do with the very ripe kiwifruit? 2010-11-08T18:25:08+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_dukkah/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_dukkah/#When:17:29:04Z I rediscovered"dukkah” a delicious and highly versatile treat when I was back in Australia in August 2010. I have never made or even seen it on a menu here in the states. It’s easy to make and delicious to just eat with bread and fruity olive oil or to accent or spice up any number of dishes. It’s originally from Egypt and translated the word “dukkah” means to pound. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2010-10-01T17:29:04+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_a_pavlova/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_made_a_pavlova/#When:07:36:32Z Fresh passion-fruit!!! That was what I was excited about when I booked my trip to Australia. Specifically fresh passion-fruit squeezed all over my favorite dessert — Pavlova. A crispy on the inside, soft on the inside meringue cake, topped with whipped cream and assorted fresh sliced fruit finished with the passion-fruit. I brought my craving all the way from New York and my friend Catherine and I sated it today. We whipped up a divine “Pav” (that’s Aussie for pavlova!) Jackie cooks 2010-08-22T07:36:32+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_grows_tomatoes/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_grows_tomatoes/#When:16:08:44Z “Can you grow tomatoes indoors?” That question came across my twitter feed, from @LaConsuelo, yesterday. I had no idea, since I grow mine in my Boerum Hill backyard, so I asked my Gardening Guru and she said, “Yes!” Gardening 2010-05-30T16:08:44+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/janeas_second_birthday/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/janeas_second_birthday/#When:17:37:14Z Ja-Ja, my niece, has evolved into a little lady since her first birthday. Now double her age, she has grown into her actual name, Janea. For her second birthday I built the menu around a savory birthday cake made of macaroni and cheese. I have some decorating ideas floating in my head, but we’ll see how it evolves. Gordon family eatz, Jackie cooks 2010-05-06T17:37:14+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/new_yorkers_who_really_cook_mercedes_batista/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/new_yorkers_who_really_cook_mercedes_batista/#When:09:33:05Z For many New Yorkers, a home cooked meal is a rarity, a pearl in an ocean of eating out, deliveries–in and sustenance grabbed on the Go!–Go!–Go! For nearly all of food enthusiast Mercedes Batista’s almost eighty years, cooking is a ritual, a gift she gives herself everyday. I joined Mercedes at the West Village apartment where she has lived happily alone for the past forty of those years for dinner. New Yorkers who really cook, Recipes 2010-04-03T09:33:05+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_threw_a_super_girly_spring_tea_party/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_threw_a_super_girly_spring_tea_party/#When:12:06:05Z What do you do for a super momma? Recently, my friend Julian and I threw a completely over-the-top tea party-baby shower for our dear friends, Sarah and Walter, who recently adopted a baby from Kazakhstan. The baby’s name is also Julian and he is a long awaited dream come true. The theme was super-girly-spring. One, because Julian’s mother is the most girly gal I know. Two, she showed her super girl powers persevering through a most hideous drawn out Kazakh adoption (along with her hubby) Jackie cooks, Menus 2010-03-31T12:06:05+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_sipped_bigelow_tea/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_sipped_bigelow_tea/#When:20:23:07Z Who doesn’t love a tea party? One of the best events I’d been to this year was a tea social hosted by Cindi Bigelow, CEO and grand-daughter of Ruth Bigelow, founder of one of America’s largest tea companies, Bigelow Tea. The diva tasted 2010-03-24T20:23:07+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_spyed_cocoa_v/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_spyed_cocoa_v/#When:11:45:35Z I popped into Cocoa V, a new vegan chocolate shop and wine bar on 9th Avenue in Chelsea for a peek, not a nosh because I had just pigged out a less interesting cafe down the street. I took a quick video to try and capture a few things I’d like to try when I am back in the ‘hood. 2010-03-24T11:45:35+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/new_yorkers_who_really_cook_jennifer_schonborn/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/new_yorkers_who_really_cook_jennifer_schonborn/#When:22:22:04Z On a chilly, wintry afternoon, I popped over for lunch with holistic nutrition counselor and Park Slope mom, Jennifer Schonborn. In her business, Jennifer counsels people so their food and lifestyle choices help them achieve their health and weight loss goals in a way that is flexible and fun. New Yorkers who really cook 2010-02-19T22:22:04+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_ate_calexico_carne_asada/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_that_ate_calexico_carne_asada/#When:01:23:06Z Believe the hype! Today we had lunch at Calexico, on Union St., in Brooklyn, today and loved it. For once, I let everyone order what they wanted so there was a plethora of pulled pork. We had it in a taco, a quesadilla and a burrito. The child veered from the pig pack and had chicken quesadilla. We also ordered a small salad and a side of guacamole. Everything was delish on its own, but I had too much fun at the salsa bar and tasted them all. The only thing I did not care for was their infamous “Crack” sauce, but I am not a big mayo fan. Get a yummy peek on the video. Food joints, The diva tasted 2010-01-17T01:23:06+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/new_yorkers_who_really_cook_alexandra_leaf/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/new_yorkers_who_really_cook_alexandra_leaf/#When:22:23:52Z My NYC foodie fantasy came true: I spent a fall afternoon at the Union Square Green Market with author, culinary historian, chocolate tasting-tour expert, Les Dames Escoffier member and of course NYC mom, Alexandra Leaf. She answers my “NYC Food Tips From A New Yorker Who Really Cooks” questions at the end of this post. Check out Alexandra’s Chocolate Fest: A Walk-Around Tasting event on March 14th, at the 92nd St. Y (I’ll be there with a spicy chocolate fountain!). This post is out of order chronologically due to editing issues and holiday mayhem. Also, it was the first time I used my new Kodak zi8 camera so some of the photos reflect that. New Yorkers who really cook 2010-01-11T22:23:52+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_wandering_foodie_and_i_check_out_iris_cafe_in_brooklyn_93_plates_projec/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_wandering_foodie_and_i_check_out_iris_cafe_in_brooklyn_93_plates_projec/#When:17:44:43Z Meal #22 of The Wandering Foodies 93 Plates project found Hagan and I enjoying breakfast at the Iris Cafe, a new cafe in Brooklyn Heights. One word: Delicious! It’s on the road less traveled: Columbia Place, but that street should get worn out soon by people trekking over to get divine raisin sticky buns, yummy ham and cheddar scones, homey soft boiled, farm fresh egg breakfasts with divine Surryano Ham (It’s spelled correctly!) and awesome oatmeal served up with the best tea I’ve ever had and the super sought after Stumptown coffee!!! We did not even try the sandwiches , but Liza de Guia, Food Curated’s story-teller and self-proclaimed food addict (@SkeeterNYC on Twitter) says they are to die for. So I deliberately did not buy the sticky buns so I could head back very, very soon and try them… and then devour more sticky buns! Food joints, Recipes, The diva tasted 2010-01-08T17:44:43+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_wandering_foodie_and_i_get_down_to_the_roots_for_breakfast/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_wandering_foodie_and_i_get_down_to_the_roots_for_breakfast/#When:15:59:08Z Could you eat at three restaurants a day for thirty one days straight and blog about each meal? Hagan Blount aka The Wandering Foodie is able and willing and doing it and has invited NYC food bloggers to join him! We met on day five, meal thirteen of his 93 Plates project at the Roots Cafe in Brooklyn. Food joints, The diva tasted 2010-01-05T15:59:08+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/jackies_gone_christmas_cookie_crazy/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/jackies_gone_christmas_cookie_crazy/#When:16:25:31Z I had a bit of spare time and a lot of extra chocolate this holiday season so I started dipping and whipping up a storm of Xmas cookies. When I finally finished and I looked back at the boxes of over twenty types of goodies I’d made, the thought did cross my mind that I might need some sort of intervention. I also decided that next year, if I am feeling cookie compelled I would get some elves —if it’s good enuf for Santa… I shared them, I traded them, I gifted them and even had some hand delivered to Trinidad. Needless to say I spread them around and made a few folks very happy. Jackie cooks 2009-12-29T16:25:31+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_madras_chicken_curry/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_madras_chicken_curry/#When:16:47:57Z My mom learned this chicken curry recipe from Portuguese-Indian friends that lived next door to us on the Lower East Side in the land before time. It’s dead easy crowd pleaser. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-12-27T16:47:57+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_green_apple_cucumber_raita/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_green_apple_cucumber_raita/#When:16:00:08Z Perfect for cooling the heat of curry or as a side dish for a BBQ. I had extra apples so I whipped up this raita recipe. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-12-27T16:00:08+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/hazlenut_heaven_squares/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/hazlenut_heaven_squares/#When:12:06:30Z A divine, easy cookie that I made up because I had a ten pound block of gianduja (Callebaut’s hazelnut milk chocolate — like Nutella’s richer, classier and more delicious cousin) to get rid of. It’s going folks, slowly, but surely. I may weep a little when it’s actually gone. I made these for a friend’s birthday party after the caramel layer I was planning broke and started burning and spitting clarified butter all over the stove — very unattractive. After chucking that mess, I rushed to whip these up and ran to the party leaving them behind! There is a lesson in there. I believe it is: If you forget to bring the dessert with you, you get to keep it all for yourself. YIPPEE!!! Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-12-21T12:06:30+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_blueberry/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_blueberry/#When:22:51:20Z The “blizzard: made me do it! I used a couple of tricks from my Aussie catering days to make these. Using sparkling water helps to make the scones lighter and cooking the scones close together helps them rise. Twisting the cutter is a trick from the great Australian chef, author and restaurateur Stephanie Alexander, that helps scones rise to greater heights too. The dog ate my pictures…... Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-12-20T22:51:20+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_panko_crusted_sesame_scallion_shrimp_balls_with_a_trio_of_dipping_sa/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_panko_crusted_sesame_scallion_shrimp_balls_with_a_trio_of_dipping_sa/#When:22:51:23Z These were a huge hit and look great on a platter! If you can’t find fresh water chestnuts, use canned. They are definitely not as crunchy and have a bit of a canned taste. Gordon family eatz, Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-11-30T22:51:23+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_bacon_potato_pancakes_w_granny_smith_apple_green_tomato_chutney_and_/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_bacon_potato_pancakes_w_granny_smith_apple_green_tomato_chutney_and_/#When:22:26:13Z When life gives you chutney, you better find ways to serve it up. I made these for Thanksgiving starters to sate the guests till the turkey is ready! I had two Thanksgivings and this was a bacon Parmesan johnny cake the first day, but they were just okay, so I whipped these up and they were stunning! Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-11-30T22:26:13+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/thanksgiving_2009_jax_is_putting_the_pots_on/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/thanksgiving_2009_jax_is_putting_the_pots_on/#When:00:08:39Z Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday! I’m so excited about Thanksgiving (read: since I don’t have my chocolate cafe weighing on me like it has the last four years) this year that I’m having it twice! For the family on Thursday and on the Friday for my friends who have to work in restaurants on Thanksgiving with a sprinkling of who were otherwise occupied on Thursday. Here is the menu as it stands now. I use a combination of dishes that that are traditional with dishes I make up to use up stuff I have too much of (read: chocolate, nuts, toffee) and a couple of things that are new and fun in the starter section. Until I actually make dinner, there are no pictures. I will do my best to get some shots on the day! Gordon family eatz, Jackie cooks, My life in food, Recipes 2009-11-24T00:08:39+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/cafe_mei_mei_opens_in_boreum_hill/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/cafe_mei_mei_opens_in_boreum_hill/#When:21:24:27Z We grabbed a late brunch at Cafe Mei Mei, which opened one week ago, on Court St. in Boreum Hill, Brooklyn, New York. I took a wee video of what we had… Dine out, The diva tasted 2009-11-21T21:24:27+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/elephant_poo_for_the_holidays/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/elephant_poo_for_the_holidays/#When:17:38:42Z I popped in to finally meet @MadameTwit at the Mr. Ellie Pooh shop, one of the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park in New York City! She is there promoting a super cool and green line of products made from recycled elephant pooh! Have a look… Shopping 2009-11-20T17:38:42+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/korean_fried_chicken_quest_boom_boom_chicken_fort_lee_nj/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/korean_fried_chicken_quest_boom_boom_chicken_fort_lee_nj/#When:01:08:54Z When @flavorista (aka Barr Hogen) came to visit New York, we went on a food adventure in New Jersey with my new video camera… Dine out, The diva tasted 2009-11-07T01:08:54+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/taste_buds_happy_at_taste_budds/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/taste_buds_happy_at_taste_budds/#When:14:21:01Z In the land before time the diva was a surly old hash slinger at the River Cafe in Brooklyn. To document my attitude at the time, I recall at my interview being offered a job as a cocktail waitress on the outside deck, since the manager claimed he did not have room for me in the dining room. I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Thank you, but the day I have to rely on the weather to make tips or not is the day I throw myself in that mother-*$#%!*@ river! Somehow I got the job anyway and at that time Dan Budd was the extremely talented and very hard working pastry chef. I think he left to be a pastry instructor at CIA right around the time I quit before I got fired (long story). I could barely look at CIA in the distant views yesterday during my harrowing (vertigo induced) stroll across the Hudson, but after we were back on terra firma and I calmed down, we zipped up route 9G to Dan’s cafe, Taste Budd’s Chocolate and Coffee Cafe, in Red Hook, New York for some medicinal pastries. Chocolate & me, The diva tasted 2009-10-12T14:21:01+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_view_to_the_cue/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_view_to_the_cue/#When:12:06:12Z “Glorious!” is a very apt description of the scenery yesterday as we went on a wee road trip to forage for BBQ in upstate New York. Mother Nature pulled out all the stops with her fall foliage extravaganza as we made the two hour trek to Big W Roadside BBQ in Wingdale, New York. “Delicious”, “Abundant” and “Extremely Friendly” is how I’d describe the fare and the folks there. Food joints 2009-10-12T12:06:12+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/spotted_deer_in_boerum_hill/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/spotted_deer_in_boerum_hill/#When:12:26:30Z When I happened upon these deer in the Hoyt Street Garden on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Hoyt Street, I laughed with delight and was grateful that they were not real. Real deer are cute and lovely to see, until they eat your garden. The statues, made by local artist Julie Ann Mann, are surreal and stunning and I love how they contrast with the shady garden. Gardening, New York inedible 2009-09-17T12:26:30+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/brooklyn_purples_in_da_house_concord_grape_chutney/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/brooklyn_purples_in_da_house_concord_grape_chutney/#When:10:49:47Z Since there is nothing more interminable than slip skinning Concord grapes, every year I swear that it’s the last time I am harvesting any more than a bunch of them for munching from my garden. Yet every year the fruit lures me back with promises of chutney and maybe some ketchup or jelly and I fight the mosquitoes, spiders, birds and bees for them and set aside a day for making chutney. Gardening, Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-09-16T10:49:47+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/heart_of_palm_salad/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/heart_of_palm_salad/#When:10:25:45Z I whipped this up yesterday from things I found in the fridge and it was awesome and beautiful to look at. I didn’t think to take a pic of it until I’d nearly nibbled it out of existence, but I restrained myself and got a wee shot. The proportions of the ingredients are very flexible. I had it with some jerk chicken and garlic bread. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-09-16T10:25:45+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_meets_the_warty_sea_squirts/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_diva_meets_the_warty_sea_squirts/#When:13:39:33Z The BF and I had the most bizarre meal in years at a new Korean restaurant in Palisades Park, New Jersey. The name of the place I believe is Girodi, but I lost the card. Don’t fret about it since I wouldn’t actually recommend it. It is a good one for your places to avoid list. Dine out, The diva tasted 2009-08-23T13:39:33+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/jackie_gordon_singing_chef_at_the_culture_catch_midsummer_salon_09/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/jackie_gordon_singing_chef_at_the_culture_catch_midsummer_salon_09/#When:21:12:01Z Divalicious did double-time at the Culture Catch’s Midsummer Salon. I did a Divalicious eatertainment show pairing our tasty treats with songs and created our Divalicious Chocolate! Kid in a Chocolate Shop smorgasbord and make-your-own-goodie-bag spread, featuring dipped Oreos, grahams, fortune cookies, Nutter Butters, malted-milk balls, chocolate espresso beans, 72% dark chocolate hazelnuts, tiramisu almonds, cinnamon pecans, dark chocolate caramels, milk & dark chocolate raisins, s’mores balls, hazelnut bark, s’mores bark, Oreo cookies & cream bark, caramel pecan bark, ginger bark, almond bark, honey-roasted peanut bark, strawberries & cream bark, “Kung Fu Fighting” Rockin’ Rocky Road, and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” Rockin’ Rocky Road. Chocolate & me, Making music!, Singing, Chocolate tastings en cabaret 2009-07-27T21:12:01+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/divalicious_chocolate_cafe_in_the_daily_news/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/divalicious_chocolate_cafe_in_the_daily_news/#When:12:07:28Z Divalicious Chocolate! Cafe got a nice plug in the New York Daily News on the day it’s closing! CWAZY!!!! Thanks anyway, Rosemary Black!!! Divalicious Chocolate! is setting up a chocolate farmers’-market stand on the set of J-Lo’s upcoming movie, The Back Up Plan, tomorrow. Very glam! 2009-07-15T12:07:28+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/divalicious_chocolate_cafe_closing/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/divalicious_chocolate_cafe_closing/#When:14:41:41Z Divalicious Chocolate! is restructuring. We are keeping the chocolate tastings and events, the chocolate-fountain rentals and our online store, but we are closing our brick-and-mortar retail store effective immediately. We had fun but the economy and the landlord made it a lot less fun! So we are happily closing and look forward to doing lots more fun stuff with chocolate and more in the future. 2009-07-14T14:41:41+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/dia_beacon_works_of_eat/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/dia_beacon_works_of_eat/#When:16:29:14Z We visited the Dia Museum in Beacon, New York, yesterday. Favorite works of art: Richard Serra’s Torqued Ellipses and Sol Lewitt’s Wall Drawings. I want to live inside Serra’s works, paint the interiors white and draw all over the walls like Lewitt. My favorite works of eat were from Homespun Foods on Main Street in Beacon. 2009-07-07T16:29:14+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/eating_up_asbury_park/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/eating_up_asbury_park/#When:11:54:58Z We had a ball in Asbury Park this past Saturday with friends. The boardwalk’s renaissance seems to be on the upswing in spite of the economy and the damp start to the season. Sandwiched between the reviving the Asbury Park Convention Hall on one end of the board walk and the Asbury Park Casino (where a scene from “The Wrestler” was shot) on the other is lots of upmarket and interesting food places, shops, bars and FUN!!! We almost skipped lunch to jump the fence and play under the giant hose, watering can and more in the Asbury Water Park, but we didn’t have the obligatory child to get us in. Food joints, The diva tasted 2009-07-05T11:54:58+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_confetti_potato_salad/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/recipe_confetti_potato_salad/#When:12:41:56Z For me July 4th screams potato salad! My Southern-style one is colorful and tastes like a parade in mouth! Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-07-04T12:41:56+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/fancy_food_show_09_i_cant_believe_i_ate_the_whole_thing/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/fancy_food_show_09_i_cant_believe_i_ate_the_whole_thing/#When:11:34:39Z When it comes right down to it the Fancy Food Show (FFS) is not pretty or easy. Three days of tasting, even doing just three hours per day, is hard work! My new system of eating only savory food for the first two hours and doubling back for the sweet stuff for the last hour worked really well, but by the end of second day my buds and my dogs were B-E-A-T! and I had yet to set foot upstairs. The next morning I was toast. Is there such thing as a food hangover? Or was it wine flu from the foodparty.com event the night before? Duty called so I dragged myself back for the love of cheese and smoked, fried, cured, marinated pork products that was my day three and it seemed to “cure” whatever was ailing me. Last night, I had a huge salad to ward off the scurvy and today I bring you my fancy food finds (if not necessarily faves). The diva tasted 2009-07-01T11:34:39+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/it_was_a_food_partaaaaay/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/it_was_a_food_partaaaaay/#When:14:29:24Z After tasting all day at the Fancy Food we took a break on the Highline, which I was seeing for the first time—Gorgeous! I see picnics furnished at Chelsea Market in my future. After a perfect respite from the feeding, we headed over the food party hosted by School House Kitchen, Jimmys No.43 and Edible Manhattan to feed some more. The diva tasted 2009-06-30T14:29:24+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/lightning_cucumber_salad/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/lightning_cucumber_salad/#When:12:16:57Z Yesterday, friends and I planned a picnic at Hudson River Park in spite of the storm warnings—since it ain’t the weather report, it’s the weather opinion. We were hopeful that Mother Nature would spare us on what was finally a beautiful, dry day in the city. I coordinated the food that folks were bringing, but I’d yet to make a dish by 6pm (event start time) when I was back in my cafe, after Jackie’s Mad Dash, aka my usual Friday schedule. I figured the blackened sky and deluge that met my much prompter friends bought me a bit of time so I whipped up this zingy salad lightning fast. Jackie cooks, Recipes 2009-06-27T12:16:57+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/rums_the_word_brugal_extra_viejo/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/rums_the_word_brugal_extra_viejo/#When:12:21:05Z When you say rum, I hear mojito!!! It’s my new favorite beverage, mostly due to the use of tons of fresh mint, which I adore! So when I read on Peter Shankman’s HARO about the opportunity to score an invite to the Brugal rum-tasting, I heard a Mojito calling me and my hand shot up! The diva tasted 2009-06-26T12:21:05+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/yummy_in_my_taim-my/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/yummy_in_my_taim-my/#When:12:01:09Z On the run from the Brugal Rum tasting to the Culture Catch karaoke party, I had a rumbling in my tummy. Luckily, I was by the slammingest falafel joint in the West Village, Taim. Food joints, Jax snax on the go-go 2009-06-25T12:01:09+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/make_music_new_york_pictures/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/make_music_new_york_pictures/#When:18:23:44Z Make Music New York at Divalicious Chocolate was a hoot! Here are some photos from the day! Thanks to everyone who performed and supported the performers. YOU ALL ROCK!!! And you don’t have to play rock for that to be true! Making music!, Singing 2009-06-22T18:23:44+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/pho_the_love_of_vietnamese/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/pho_the_love_of_vietnamese/#When:12:04:56Z Last night’s, post–Make Music New York dinner was at Pho Grand. Despite the plethora of Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown NYC, we tend to go where we know and, yes, order the exact same thing…every time. There is something to be said for the three C’s (cheap, consistent and comforting) and one Y (yummy!) on a rainy Sunday evening… Dine out, Food joints 2009-06-22T12:04:56+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/make_music_new_york_mmny_at_divalicious_cafe/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/make_music_new_york_mmny_at_divalicious_cafe/#When:12:27:07Z On Father’s Day a veritable feast of musicians and I will be performing at Divalicious Chocolate! Cafe as part of Make Music New York (MMNY). Singing, Eatertainment 2009-06-16T12:27:07+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/waiting_tables_101_how_to_at_least_bring_the_drinks_the_food_and_the_check/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/waiting_tables_101_how_to_at_least_bring_the_drinks_the_food_and_the_check/#When:17:46:50Z I’m a hash slinger from way back. I hated it, but I did it. Waiting paid for lots of delicious food, singing lessons and of course the bills, hence the allure. Most importantly, I did it properly in spite of how I felt—meaning I brought the drinks, the food and the check, in that order and in good time. This post is inspired by last Sunday’s brunch at Melt, in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Service: BAD. Bad service is usually blamed on the waiter, but my experience is that it always trickles down from the top and usually stems from poor hiring practices, little or no training… yes, poor management. Dine out, Rather than bitch guides 2009-06-13T17:46:50+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/onigiri_one-hand_sushi_sandwich/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/onigiri_one-hand_sushi_sandwich/#When:09:52:23Z I love the Japanese! They invented one of my fave Jax Snax on the Go-Go hunger busters! Onigiri: it’s like a sushi sandwich with a variety of savory fillings including… Jax snax on the go-go 2009-06-08T09:52:23+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/me_eat_sushi_one_day/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/me_eat_sushi_one_day/#When:21:47:15Z Had a quick sushi lunch today at Hane by Stuy Town with the bf’s lovely family. I ordered chirashi, which is usually a bowl of sushi with sashimi on top and oshinko (Japanese pickles—if you are lucky). Dine out 2009-06-06T21:47:15+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/happy_birthday_grandma-ma/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/happy_birthday_grandma-ma/#When:12:08:25Z The highlight of my mother’s birthday celebration this year was the presence of her granddaughter Janea and her gift, a photo book of Janea we made at MyPublisher.com which came out surprisingly beautiful (O, me of little faith—I was worried about the resolution and quality of the printing) and of course the food!!! Gordon family eatz, Jackie cooks, Menus, Recipes 2009-06-06T12:08:25+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/regarding_my_life_in_food/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/regarding_my_life_in_food/#When:17:45:51Z Is it only a little creepy to me that I wrote this is in the third person? Don’t know what I was thinking then, but there’s not time for rewrites now!!! My life in food 2009-05-19T17:45:51+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/jaja_first_birthday/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/jaja_first_birthday/#When:13:26:04Z I, Auntie Jackie, fondly known as “Chopped Liver”—long story—cooked up a multi-cultural storm for my niece Janea Lani Gordon’s first birthday at Divalicious Chocolate! Cafe. I whipped up an antipasto of her many heritages to the theme of duckies. You’d think that with the popularity of freakin’ rubber duckies one might be able to find a Mylar rubber ducky balloon in our fair city. I searched party stores in NYC and parts of NJ—nada! Like hens’ teeth. And a special thank-you to the genius at Party City in Brooklyn who doesn’t know the difference between a ducky and chick. Rant aside, Janea was unfazed by lack o’ ducky balloon since she loves to eat and as a gourmet-in-training knows what is truly important at a partaaaaaaaay!!!! Here is the menu followed by the recipe for the pepita cranberry popcorn balls I made as a culinary homage to her First American roots. Gordon family eatz, Jackie cooks, Menus, Recipes 2009-05-03T13:26:04+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/brunch_for_obama/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/brunch_for_obama/#When:15:52:35Z I decided that fried chicken and waffles was the proper meal to serve for the Inauguration Brunch. Originally I had planned a dinner until I found out that inaugurations take place during the day. Cooking is my thing, not political procedure. This was also a 50th-birthday celebration for my dear friend Frank, whose birthday wish was that Obama would get elected. Jackie cooks, Menus 2009-01-20T15:52:35+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/on_being_a_diva/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/on_being_a_diva/#When:18:00:21Z Who are you calling a diva? Singing Chef Jackie Gordon muses on the ups and downs of being called a diva and upon close examination, only finds the ups! 2004-05-19T18:00:21+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_birthplace_of_eatertainment/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_birthplace_of_eatertainment/#When:21:36:50Z In Australia, Jackie made great strides with her singing and performing through her wonderful friend and mentor, Paulene Terry-Beitz. An incredible actor, director and writer, she took Jackie under her wing, and together they devised Jackie’s first one-woman show, “Black Pearls and Strange Fruit.” My life in food 2004-04-07T21:36:50+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/making_it_divalicious/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/making_it_divalicious/#When:21:40:10Z Jackie reinvented the dinner show. “I decided if people wanted a ‘dinner show,’ I would give them one. And the critical difference between my show, and the dinner shows and dinner theater I’d been to in the past was the food. It was not going to be the churned out, mediocre slop masquerading as food that you get more often than not at this type of show.” My life in food 2004-03-15T21:40:10+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/no_singing_at_the_dinner_table/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/no_singing_at_the_dinner_table/#When:20:28:08Z Yes, for a time that was a rule in the Gordon household, but it never stuck. All the Gordons displayed some form of musicality (singing, guitar, piano, drumming, the spoons, etc.) and chose to share it at whim. My life in food 2004-03-15T20:28:08+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/throw_another_turkey_on_the_barby/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/throw_another_turkey_on_the_barby/#When:21:24:04Z Jackie did her bit to dispel the bad rap that American food gets globally. “Australia is inundated with American fast-food chains. Their concept of American food is totally corrupted. But they love great food, so I decided to do what I could to teach them about our cuisine.” My life in food 2004-03-03T21:24:04+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/let_em_eat_bagels/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/let_em_eat_bagels/#When:19:47:55Z Flourishing in the land of Oz, Jackie worked singing in bands, but she couldn’t keep her hands out of the kitchen. She opened the first café, book and music store in Melbourne and turned the locals on to bagels and wonderful American desserts. My life in food 2004-02-29T19:47:55+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_hunger_down_under/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/the_hunger_down_under/#When:20:48:45Z Arriving in Australia, Jackie decided she’d come to a quasi-paradise. “I was frightened a bit in the early days. I originally arrived in Far North Queensland. Rain forests. The Great Barrier Reef. Visually stunning, but the ‘sticks’ food-wise.” My life in food, Singing 2004-02-25T20:48:45+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/soothing_the_savage_beasts/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/soothing_the_savage_beasts/#When:19:47:56Z Pre-Guliani New York was rough and Jackie used singing as an anti-mugging strategy… “Family, friends, they were not allowed to hear me sing, but the scum of New York I could perform for. My life in food, Singing 2004-02-20T19:47:56+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/tips_for_trips/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/tips_for_trips/#When:19:47:39Z Jackie did her “time” on the floor of some of New York’s better dining establishments. She’d never call it her finest hour, but it paid the bills. My life in food 2004-02-05T19:47:39+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/a_drink_without_a_nosh/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/a_drink_without_a_nosh/#When:19:47:40Z Jackie always loved parties, but only if there was delicious food. So in addition to her mega-holiday dinners, she needed little excuse to throw one. Jackie cooks, My life in food 2004-02-01T19:47:40+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/bright_lights_big_kitchens/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/bright_lights_big_kitchens/#When:19:15:51Z Jackie made her first forays into New York’s food and dining scene during the “radicchio age.” Dine out, My life in food 2004-01-08T19:15:51+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/keep_on_cookin_dont_stop_cookin/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/keep_on_cookin_dont_stop_cookin/#When:19:00:32Z With strong roots and her passion to guide her, Jackie kept on cooking. She taught herself from cookbooks and food magazines. She cut herself—she learned, she burned stuff—she learned, she poisoned a family member or two—they learned… My life in food 2004-01-08T19:00:32+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/me_cook_now/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/me_cook_now/#When:18:45:05Z If there was a table with food on it Jackie wanted to be in the center of it from birth. Try to hold her or cuddle her and she would turn on you. But strategically place her with the food and you had a happy baby, who grew to be the kid who had to cook. Jackie cooks, My life in food 2004-01-06T18:45:05+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/is_it_in_the_genes_part_2/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/is_it_in_the_genes_part_2/#When:18:30:52Z Jackie boasts a heritage of culinary riches with her Jamaican-Italian-Russian Jewish roots. It seems both her parents came from foodie families way before the word was ever coined… (Part 2) My life in food 2004-01-04T18:30:52+00:00 http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/is_it_in_the_genes_part_1/ http://www.jackiegordon.com/index.php/blog/is_it_in_the_genes_part_1/#When:18:15:27Z Jackie boasts a heritage of culinary riches with her Jamaican-Italian-Russian Jewish roots. The pursuit and production of delicious food started in her family well before she was born. (Part 1) My life in food 2004-01-02T18:15:27+00:00