On our trip to P-town we had a couple things on our minds, mind Lobster Rolls and Mystic Pizza. While we played our ukulele gig at WOMR and ate Wellfleet oysters, which are amazing and if and when you make your trek to P-Town we highly recommend getting a half dozen or two. The Squealing Pig http://www.squealingpigptown.com/ is our top choice, make sure to pair it with their Smoky Seafood Chowder. Our quest for a great place to get our lobster on, came in the form of The Red Shack. With big chunks of lobster, avocado, tomato, a leaf of lettuce and simple seasonings, it was the clear winner, hands down. The second place price went to a little unassuming place called The Fish Market that was recommended to us. There are many places along the Cape to get one but these were the ones that really made us want more. Special mention goes out to the Box Lunch, http://www.boxlunch.com/.
Our next obsession led us to the famed Mystic Pizza http://www.mysticpizza.com/ in Mystic Connecticut. Julia Roberts may have made it famous, but the proof of why this place is so popular is in the sauce and the care they take in making a great pie. We went with the house special which had sausage, pepperoni, meatballs, green bell pepper, onion and mushrooms and a classic Hawaiian pie. They were perfectly cooked, the crust was buttery with just the right crunch and the sauce was worth all the hoopla, sweet with just a hint of spice. The portions and flavors worked well together, you weren’t left with too much or too little of anything. If you opt out of the dining room or take out counter, make sure you take your pie or slice to the Mystic River Bascule Bridge, built in 1920 and enjoy a gorgeous view of the harbor. And for special treat be kind to the bridge captain and they may let you up in the tower to see and amazing view and a little history lesson. The bridge tower will be replaced by a new one next year so get there and see it while you can. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystic_River_Bascule_Bridge With our bellies full, the warm Mystic hospitality and memories we got back in our car and happily made our way back to the great big city.
I love a road trip. There’s something very exhilarating about getting in a car and just driving for hours to your destination, prostate whether it be a camping trip, a cross country trek, or staying at the fabulous White Horse Inn in Provincetown. For me the journey is as important as the destination. I spend hours, even days prepping. I start by mapping out the destination and where possible rest stops could be, pre planning the music, even what I will wear on said trip. Needless to say it should be functional and fashionable. Comfort and ease are the secrets to a great road trip. I’ve been on many road trips and have learned a thing or two on how to get from point A to point B, all while keeping peace, stopping for food and the occasional emergency bathroom break.
Probably the one thing I like more then being on the open road is making play lists for the trip. this is where I spend a good portion of my planning. Now if you have multiple travelers always give everyone equal time to play what they like. Figure out how much time you will be traveling and divide the music up that way. I love hearing what my friends listen to on road trips. You want to mix it up, so that you don’t get bored, also you don’t want the 3 am party happening all the way there. Who ever said “variety is the spice of life”, must have been on a road trip. I always have a little bit of everything, from rock to country, dance, pop , songs everyone can sing to some mellow music. As a long distance driver(my maximum is somewhere around 10 or 11 hours), I can attest to a little mellow goes a long way. This is where a good co-pilot is helpful and essential. You may need them to get you out from being lost or turning the music down so you can think. They should be someone who can read a map, give good direction with some authority and be able to calm you down if you get stressed out from traffic. They should also be able to spot a gas station, rest stop or food. All very important jobs and a good co-pilot can make or break a trip.
Another of my favorite things to have is snacks!!! I’ll admit I don’t always have time to make food, but if you can, it is a wonderful slice of home away from home. I m a huge fan of crostini with some hummus, hard boiled eggs, finger sandwiches, grapes, bananas, dried fruit or beef jerky, vegetables, like carrots, celery, grape tomato’s. You want “no muss no fuss” food. A good wrap can be easy to make and eat, like a chicken and muenster cheese with sriracha mayo, baby greens and sliced granny smith apples. Whatever you choose, try and keep it simple and leave some wiggle room for a random food stop. You or someone else may have a favorite place to stop along the way and don’t want to fill up on snacks before you get there.
If you follow these simple guidelines you should have a great fun trip. don’t forget to get gas and take lots of pictures!!!
A sample of what is on my playlist for this road trip:
The Delays, Dolly Parton, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Kylie Minogue, George Michael, Culture Club, Loretta Lynn, Kirsty Maccoll, Roisin Murphy, Rilo Kiley, Joe Blossom, Amanda Blank, Cazwell.
½ teaspoon of Sriracha(less if you don't want it spicy)
salt and pepper
Romaine or Butter lettuce(your choice)
4 slices of Muenster cheese
1 Granny smith apple
4 large tortillas
2 tablespoons olive oil divided(more if needed)
Instructions
Chop up onion
Chop up chicken
Add onion to medium heat frying pan with pinch of salt & pepper
Cook onion till translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add chicken with another pinch salt and pepper.
Cook chicken for 10 to 15 minutes, or till done.
Set aside to cool a little
Core and quarter apple
Slice into ⅛ in slices or thinner if you like and set aside
Tear up lettuce in to pieces
When chicken has cooled a little, add Sriracha and Mayo
Warm tortillas slightly so they are pliable.
Assemble wraps, sauce, chicken, lettuce, cheese, apples & roll in tortilla.
Notes
The amount of Mayo and Sriracha can very, it all depend on your tastes. Some like more, some like less. Use your best judgement and keep in mind your fellow travelers tastes as well.
Guacamole, information pills the word alone is magic. To say I heart guacamole is an understatement. But making that beautiful mound of green gold is another matter all together. It can be one of the simplest things to make and also incredibly easy to mess up. I speak from experience. I just gave my Aunt one of my versions of guacamole and then decided to try it myself, cost only to find I had messed up my own recipe. In my defense I change my recipes as I go. So, pharmacy depending on how the wind is blowing or my mood I may make it spicy, chunky or through everything in but the kitchen sink. I’m this way with most everything I cook. I usually have an idea in my head of what I want to do and then go for it. I call this on the fly cooking. A few years ago I was really put to the test when I moved to NY and was living with friends on their couch. It was my job to take the vegetables we got from the co-op and plan the weeks meals with them before they rotted. I really liked that challenge and still do, so when I got to farmers markets I try and plan my meals by the time I get home. When making guacamole there are some things that are a must like cilantro and lime juice. Some people use lemon but I prefer lime. My usual go to has tomato, onion, garlic, lime, cilantro and seasonings, it’s basic but classic and it’s what everyone is used to. The best thing about making guacamole is that you can have fun with it. Experiment, use different peppers for a variety of spiciness, add radishes for extra crunch, or red onions instead of regular white . However you make it, make sure the ingredients are as fresh as can be.
In a bowl cut and smash avocados(save pit for later)
Chop up tomato and onion
Dice Jalapeno
Chop Cilantro
Mince Garlic
Combine all ingredients, add spices, salt, pepper and lime juice
Serve immediately.
Notes
Guacamole 2 Add radishes and Italian peppers and take out Jalapeno. It wont be hot but the pepper adds sweetness and the radishes add crunch. Guacamole 3 Use 1 large tomatillo and lemon juice instead of tomato,onion, and lime juice. Also only use garlic, salt and pepper as your spices. This is my I'm in a hurry version. Simple, yet delicious.
Oh and here’s a great tip. If you find you have leftovers(ha, ha , that’s like having extra wine! no such thing!!!). Seriously, if you have extra take a Ziploc baggy and put the guacamole in it long with the pit of one of the avocados, squeeze ALL the air out of it and it will stay fresh for 24 hours.
Tonight we head out to the famed Coney Island to enjoy and evening of decadence. First stop Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, viagra 60mg originated in Coney Island by Nathan Handwerker in 1916. The menu has expanded quite a bit since it’s humble beginnings, but we are here for the tried and true hot dogs and beer. The dogs are crisp and have just the right amount of juiciness and flavor. I like mine with just mustard and ketchup. We will then take our goodies over to the boardwalk, nothing like a summer night at the beach with fireworks(did I forget to mention fireworks?!?!). But that’s not all!! After a wonderful fireworks display we head over to the Sideshows at the Seashore for some Coney Island Beer and Burlesque. Tonight’s show is yoga burlesque, what that is, we will see!!! Knowing the burlesque scene it is sure to entertain and get our hearts smiling with joy over the sheer talent that these performers have. We can’t wait!!! Have a great weekend everyone!!!!
If you want information on these business check out their websites below.
The dog days of summer are waning and BBQ week is technically over, but I couldn’t resist adding a few more posts about one of my favorite dishes, the summer salad. There’s as many as there are days of summer but we will focus on 3 for this week. We will feature a different one in each post. I love so many of them, but one of my all time favorites I like to make, involves pink grapefruit and goat cheese. Yes it’s easy to make, and takes almost no time to prepare. So without further ado, Pink grapefruit salad.
As we close out BBQ week we wanted to leave you with something else to nibble on. What to do for before and after the main meal. I am not a big sweets person so lets talk appetizers!!! I have many favorites that I like to make over and over again and thankfully so do my guests. If you come over for a bbq chances are you will get one or more of these, remedy Deviled Eggs, store Pico De Gallo, viagra dosage Guacamole, or Ceviche. These are my staple bqq appetizers, they are easy to make and disappear fast. When it comes to cooking outside I like things that don’t take too much time, effort or heat up the apartment. This is also a good time to bust out that Kimchi that’s sitting in the fridge or anything you have been saving in your canning pantry. For us we have Spicy Garlic, Chile Peppers, Indian Carrots, even Ketchup, which is a must if your having hamburgers or hot dogs. There is also nothing wrong with cheese and crackers or veggies and dip. One of my guilty pleasures is ranch dip and ruffles. It’s the ultimate in lazy but it’s sooo good. So you may not always have time to make stuffed tomatoes, pate, dumplings, or heat the fryer for chicken wings, that doesn’t mean you can’t make great easy appetizers for your guests. But, every once in a while go crazy and challenge yourself, you and your guest will be glad you did.
Once you fed the troops all that savory goodness, it’s time to move onto desserts. As I said before, I’m not much of a sweets person, but, homemade ice cream has started to win me over. We made all kinds this last winter and into early summer. Lemon Sherbet, Coffee, Pink Peppercorn and Vodka, Whiskey Molasses, Ginger and my personal favorite, Bacon and Vanilla, which went swimmingly with our canned Peaches. Usually we are too stuffed to get to dessert to be perfectly honest, but homemade ice cream is something worth making room for. In fact I haven’t even bought any ice cream since we started making it. Our next venture will be Gin and Tonic Ice Cream and Popsicles, can’t wait!! Stay tuned and we will tell you all about how they turned out. And if your lucky we may even share the recipes. Till next time, happy BBQ-ing!!
*remember if you want any recipe we talk about here or any post on the blog, just ask and we will be glad to give it to you.*
visit this Indian Carrots & Bean Salad” src=”https://houseofzeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/P7210004-300×109.jpg” alt=”” width=”300″ height=”109″ />Sides. Who doesn’t love a good side dish!?! I’m talking about food, get your mind out of the gutter! although there are some human dishes that look good enough to eat! To continue with our theme this week, we are going to talk about bbq side dishes. Depending on our mood or if we are in a heat wave will determine if they will be hot, cold, one or the other or both. There are times when I prefer them to the main and will sit down and fill my plate up. We have made all kinds this year, corn salad, cole slaw, potato salad(3 different ways), grilled Indian carrots, curried corn, grilled veggies, sweet potato mash with smoked paprika, garlic mashed potatoes and on and on. It’s amazing how much we will put into a meal and if your like us(chances are if your reading this you are) cooking is just a pleasurable as eating. Sides can be a great way to entertain, our friends are always wanting to help us. Sometimes their more important then the main dish. Without them you would just have chicken or a steak or whatever meat your cooking. The point is, a side dish can make a meal. So while you slave away making the big rack of ribs, or that pork shoulder don’t forget your best friend the side dish, you and your guest will be more then grateful. They may even want seconds!
This week we will focus on BBQ’s. Who doesn’t love sitting down to a meal cooked on a grill? If you answered I don’t, then leave now and never return! Seriously, I dream of cooking outside all winter. Sometimes it’s the only thing that keeps me going. That and the promise of going to the beach and swimming in the ocean, playing the ukulele or camping on the beach, but that is a chapter all in itself. This last weekend we did both, beach and BBQ. Although not in the same day. I did make my new favorite, chicken!! I know it’s not that exciting, right? It’s not what, but, how you cook it. My new way is so easy and, impresses your guests. I take a whole chicken and cut out the back bone to make it butterflied. Then I make an herbed butter or spice compound to season the chicken. Cook on both sides for about 15-20 minutes each and it’s done! See, wasn’t that simple? In around 45 minutes you have a great looking and tasting bird, you’ve impressed your friends and get to have drinks instead of spending all your time cooking. Try it at the next bbq you have.
This is the first official post of House of Zeta.com. As we all know starting something new is both exciting and terrifying. I have been tinkering and learning how to put this together for a couple months now. It has been fun and frustrating. There’s nothing like trying something new to make you feel equal parts dumb and smart. I am not the most tech savvy person so I had my days when nothing sunk in(aka hitting my head against a brick/blank wall) and others where it suddenly went pop, more about I get it! I’m still along way form being tech savvy, more about but at least now I understand the tech part, kinda. In other words, this is a work in progress. We have been posting our adventures on Facebook and some of these may look familiar. I wanted to put up pictures that were familiar and add a little story. There are many more to come so stay tuned!!!! I hope you’ll enjoy what we are doing and will participate. We strongly encourage comments, recipes and stories of adventures, maybe even a picture. This blog is designed for all to participate. So without further ado, I bring you…………….the House of Zeta!!!!!
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