Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

The Nasty Bits: Fish Head Soup

I can so relate to this article, esp. coming from a Chinese family as well. Salmon heads are indeed good eats - I usually prepare in sweet soy sauce with ginger and any green veg at hand. My mum does a wonderful fish head in curry or thin soy sauce (I forget the fish).
Nothing beats sucking out the eye sockets and scavenging for the gelatinous meat. Reminder to self to forage for fish head this weekend. Thanks, lovely article.

Pintchow at 2:02PM on 01/31/12

Settling for less...?

Cheese, freshly roasted coffee beans and chocolate.
I can't stand the cheese selection at supermarkets (bland and tasteless unless it's Wholefoods), and only Murray's Cheese (1hr train ride) will do. Coffee beans must be roasted within a day or two, which I buy weekly. My favourite mango chocolate nuggets by Tcho is mail delivered from SF...
For seafood, it has to be Chinatown..nothing is fresher than live swimming fish.

Pintchow at 4:29PM on 01/28/12

From Slice

Pizza Flavored Steamed Buns: Stupid, or Genius?

Stupid idea - cheese in a steamed bun sounds so wrong, as is any Western-type filling in a bao. They always look so unappetizing albeit due to the poor ingredients generally used.

Pintchow at 11:47AM on 01/26/12

10 Cauliflower Dishes We Love in NYC

Cauli mash is quite a revelation, even for potato purists. Just make sure you dry the florets very well after boiling in chicken stock. Then stick blend, and mix in butter, parmesan, cream cheese, roasted garlic, etc, etc.

Pintchow at 4:14PM on 01/11/12

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Korin Knife

My 6.5in Shun Pro Nakiri is my 'right arm' in the kitchen. No need for a mandoline when you have this scarily-sharp, count-your-fingers knife in your arsenal.

Pintchow at 4:07PM on 01/02/12

10 New NYC Discoveries in 2011

I guess it's more a re-discovery ie the takoyaki (octopus balls) at Otafuku in the East Village. I hadn't been in a few years, and wonder why - when I tasted the fresh crispy dough and gooey warm innards. The sauces and bonito flakes make it, as well as the ever-friendly staff. I just wish there was an interior sit down area (ok, now I recall why I don't go more often). Otherwise despite the gawkers and bites of hair with octopus, in the wind, it's still worth it... :)

Pintchow at 5:10PM on 01/01/12

Last meal of 2011?

A mixture of indulgence and leftovers...
Started with hackleback caviar with homemade blini and sour cream, balsamic glazed chicken livers with salad, a trio of cheeses and a sweet finish of mini mincemeat tarts...all washed down with a decent Sonoma County wine.

Pintchow at 9:24AM on 01/01/12

Best meal of 2011

It has to be my lunch at Kokkari in SF earlier this year. I hadn't been for years but the food and service remain unparalleled.
I had the grilled octopus salad to start, which was simplicity itself but so tasty. Followed by grilled lamp chops and the most delicious crispy buttery fried potatoes. The sourdough bread was super fresh and had just the right texture... the Zinfandel to accompany topped off the whole meal brilliantly. Have I used up all the superlatives yet? :)
Simple, well-executed food, great service and ambience...what more is there to a memorable meal? Oh..and then head over the highway to Tcho for some artisan chocolate...washed down with an espresso at Blue Bottle at the Ferry building....sigh..I need to get back West asap....

Pintchow at 8:49AM on 01/01/12

Ideas for Saffron?

I made a saffron biscotti from Saveur, which was pretty tasty.
The chocolate really works with the hint of saffron. Note, per the other reviewers, 1/2 tsp saffron is plenty.
http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Saffron-Biscotti

Also made a pear saffron almond cake, which smelled wonderful, though the saffron flavour was rather subtle.
Adapted from:
http://www.whatsforlunchhoney.net/2010/08/celebrations-apricot-saffron-cake.html
Enjoy!

Pintchow at 8:30AM on 01/01/12

Video: Heritage Pigs with Matt Jennings and Mike LaScola

@ Kenji,
Besides a roadtrip eastwards, where's a good source for heritage pork cured meats in NYC (or by some miracle, NJ)?
Or do Mike/Matt ship those delectable goodies pictured?
Thanks.

Pintchow at 9:30AM on 12/21/11

From Recipes

White Chocolate-Filled Biscoff Cookies

Can someone please correct the recipe to reflect the yummy title - white choc Biscoffs?
Thanks.

Pintchow at 5:51PM on 12/14/11

The Nasty Bits: Rendered Lard Cookies

Coincidentally baking them at this very moment, using Martha Stewart's recipe. I've never tried with lard (which sounds wonderful), and used vegetable shortening instead. The anise and orange zest come through nicely.What about using goose or duck fat? :)

Pintchow at 11:39AM on 12/14/11

Best Foodie Moment?

My most memorable came in Alaska, when I was hiking up a trail alongside Mendenhall Glacier. I stopped midway to savour the view with a stale bagel and cream cheese that I'd got from a dodgy looking cafe in town. Breakfast never tasted so good with the breathtaking views.
(not even the tasting dinner at Gordon Ramsay's at the London (though close), or at Tru in Chicago when we got a tour of the kitchen to see Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand at work.

Pintchow at 1:00PM on 12/13/11

From Drinks

Craft Coffee Subscriptions: Artisanal Bean Samplers To Your Door

Craft does it really well. You can see they are truly passionate about the coffees and the farmers that they source from. I love the variety in the monthly bounty and the tasting notes are very useful indeed.

Pintchow at 5:39PM on 12/07/11

From Sweets

Eating Sprinkles the Dutch Way: Hagelslag on Bread

I recall my Belgian college house mate making these for us, and loving them. So simple yet so satisfying. I'm surprised it's not more common everywhere else.

Pintchow at 4:17PM on 12/02/11

Typical Weekday Breakfast

I must have breakfast otherwise do not come within 20 feet. A decent cup of dark roast coffee (black) and a freshly baked muffin. If something messes up that little simple order (don't get me started on the bad service, out of coffee situations in cafes), then beware....

Pintchow at 5:04PM on 11/17/11

Fast Food: My McRib Confession

I avoid fast food like the plague but McD has got a great marketing thing with the McRib which is disgusting but for some reason, wills me back once a year into a McDonald's to pay homage to it. I recall with 'fond' memories to my UK college days, for a special treat of McRib and apple pie in town...(then feeling quite ill after that)....

Pintchow at 4:52PM on 11/17/11

Rick's Picks: We Try All the Flavors

Big fan of the Smokra and Wasabi beans. I always get requests to fly a few home, for my family out East. Goes fab with a plate of cold meats, and a good pep for salads, great palate cleanser with fish and chips...

Pintchow at 4:06PM on 11/15/11

Vegan sandwich ideas

Vegan anything always has the impression of being healthy and tasteless. What about a vegan take on the Elvis...with the tempeh bacon (never tried myself), roasted caramelised banana sandwiched and toasted between wholewheat bread..cut into soldiers...and dipped into a softened goo of chilli-dusted peanut butter and dark chocolate...just made that up on the fly, but doesn't that sound delish and decadent...bring out the wild side of veganism! (fyi, I'm a happy meat-eating, veggie loving food enthusiast).

Pintchow at 4:11PM on 11/07/11

SE Staff Picks: Least Favorite Halloween Candy

I'm so glad that 99.99% of Halloween candy is inedible. I really can't believe how these super artificial 'treats' can be legally sold without a health warning. As is, I devour the 1% (micro Kit Kats) like no tomorrow..and they pale in comparison to British Kit Kats.
The only great thing about Halloween are the mini size individual packaging..which are supposed to 'control' your intake..Unfor...it hasn't work for me... :)

Pintchow at 3:43PM on 11/03/11

A Sandwich a Day: 'Grilled Cheese' at Five Guys

Their veggie sandwich is pretty sad..basically any non-meat toppings (salad, pickles, mushrooms, cheese) which are not properly drained and left cold in the soon to be soggy bun. I know it's not the main attraction but if you put it on the menu, then it should be properly prepared. I go because I like their fries - divinely crisp esp with the skin on. (fyi, I don't eat beef, for people that are asking)...

Pintchow at 3:06PM on 11/02/11

Need a caterer for a party of 50 in NYC for $1000

You should try Sophie's Cuban...they used to do a whole roast pig, with rice and beans, veggies, plantain etc for $300, that was a couple of years back. It feeds 30 people generously, but really enough for twice that. A real bargain and tasty too.
You could order two whole pigs (head and all - yummy) and see people gasp at the sight.
I don't see it on their current catering menu so not sure if they do it anymore, but they still have good grub (pernil, roast goat, chicken for $11/pp....

Pintchow at 8:20PM on 10/05/11