Bagels

I was fortunate to visit my former home city Detroit twice this year. The city is reemerging after years of hard luck. Like so many places, a food revolution is taking hold. It's not only galvanizing folks to do interesting things everything I have tasted is also first rate delicious. The bagel pictured here is hands down the best bagel I ate in 2014, and I live in NYC--arguably one o the bagel mecca's of the USA. This one is called the Lew Silver, a typical lox, cream cheese schmear, capers and red onion situation except the addition of grated lemon rind in the cheese elevated the whole mouthful. Still it's the actual bagel that is so amazing--crunchy, chewy and seasoned just right. I'm beginning to think it's the water along side the baking technique. See for your self and drool.

Should you find yourself in Detroit, run don't walk to  www.detroitinstituteofbagels.com

Now, if only my photo upload worked this time then I'm getting my blogging mojo back (thanks to John).

Best,

LSQ

I just keep trying to love quinoa.

I know it sounds crazy that I can not figure out how to upload an image. I keep getting all sorts of warning messages about permission etc.

It doesn't really matter, the image wasn't that great anyway. All I mean to say is that I know I should love it--quinoa that is--but it is a hard sell for me.

Recently I ate this burger, developed by my co-worker Shira Bocar (she has an awesome series on youtube called Eat Clean). It was so damm good, that I thought I

might finally like quinoa. Last night I made some at home using red quinoa. I sauteed one minced shallot in olive oil until it carmalized, then added 2 cups chicken

broth, and some salt. Bring to a boil, add 1 cup of quinoa, cover and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed and the grain is fluffy, about 20 minutes.

It looked ok, but seemed a little naked, so I stirred in some fresh chopped cilantro, and sauteed mushrooms and ginger. Here's the thing: it still tastes slightly

metallic, and has a texture that makes me think I'm eating insects. But as quinoa goes, it was really good--if quinoa is your thing give it a try (actually the image is

on my instagram feed which is on the side of this page).  If like me, it is not

your thing, but you think you should be eating quinoa so you feel as though you are  a full participant in the 21st century then try these vege burgers which are

totally delish and therefor cravable!

Best, LSQ

http://www.marthastewart.com/1050632/quinoa-feta-burgers

Looking for gifts?

Baking

Here's a light topic to consider for my first post in over a year. If you have a friend who is either a baker or preserver, then

here's a few recommendations for you: The Baking Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum is a classic that will outlive us all. Rose is a meticulous

tester filled with unconventional methods that work to perfection. The book is worth the price for the chocolate chip cookie intel, Wicked Good Ganache

revelation, and the superb Renee Flemming Lemon cake. Immerse yourself in all things Rose at www.realbakingwithrose.com

Preserving

Mrs Wheelbarrow's Practical Pantry by Cathy Barrow is one of the most compelling books to cross my desk this year. Unlike Rose, who just published her 10th cookbook, Cathy is on a maiden

voyage here, and what a beginning! SHe speaks with a no nonsense common sense that we understand to say: 1. that most preserving can be done without special equipment. 2. 99% of jams and

pickles will give you no safety problems, due to acid and PH levels (cause most folks are worried about that). 3. She teaches you how to make amazing jams without store-bought dextrose-laden

pectin, instead making your own or teasing it out of the fruit that contains it. SHe will teach you how to make your home, a grocery store of your own making, only without superfulous packaging

AND where the preserved seasonal riches can be enjoyed year round. Cathy is an inspiration for anyone changing careers, as she did post 2008 by turning from landscape design to food blogging

here at www.mrswheelbarrow.com and her blog led to this great book.

There. I did it. Blogged, that is. It's like 2008 blogg-baby-steps all over again. Lets see if I can refigure out how to upload pictures, enjoy the process and activate my peeps again.

Best,

LSQ

This year I've been acting sort of casual about the Superbowl menu situation. Living in NYC, where the game will be played tomorrow (well sort of NYC), should be getting me extra excited, but just like when the president's in town, it really just boils down to a traffic nightmare for those of us coming and going to work and appointments every day. But I was snapped out of my complacency by an unusual situation: my hubs decided, shopped and is prepared to execute a menu totally devoid of any Mad Hungry recipes. I mean--for cryin' out load--if any book should be cooked from this year, it's Mad Hungry Cravings, named one of the top five munchie cookbooks by the San Francisco Guardian http://www.sfbg.com/2013/03/26/feast-5-stoner-cookbooks. Surely a game representing the top two stoner states should be feted with food from an equally notorious book? My competative juices are flowing again. Since it's not too late to create or alter your menu for tomorrow, I'm throwing some recipes into the ring: Teriyaki-glazed Chicken Wings, Loaded Potato Skins, and Queso Fundido recipes are in the index on the left side of this post.

But back to my hubs. It's Sam Sifton, the venerated NYTimes food columnist and current newsie big wig, who stole my man's appetite away from me with these three recipes Game Day Nachos, Clam Dip, Coke-Brined Fried Chicken.  I felt defeated before the game was even played. Like I wrote Sam yesterday, I get the coke chicken and nacho's but surely my proven, can't-stay-away-from, carmelized onion & bacon dip http://www.marthastewart.com/356658/caramelized-onion-and-bacon-dip-potato-chips-and-crudite would have better odds in Vegas than his clam dip?  Sam advised me to make it anyway. So make I it I will. And it'll be placed right next to that clam dip like a Seahawk facing a Bronco, and then we'll see whose the winner! Stay tuned for the outcome and have a great weekend. Best, LSQ

Carmelized Bacon & Onion Dip photo by Jonathon Lovekin

Teriyaki-glazed Chicken Wings & Loaded Potato Skins photo by Jonathon Lovekin

Queso Fundido