What to do this week? 9/29 Edition

"We know there's no use in getting miserable, so we go out on the town instead" - Lee Ryan

In case you wondering what to do this week either to let off steam from work, try a new restaurant, meet up with friends for happy hour or have a great date, here is a list of my recommendations for the week :-)

Farmers Market Fridays
Every Friday from now until November 22nd, Queens Botanical Garden will be hosting their Farmers market Fridays. Be prepared to get lost in the option of fresh, local and seasonal food. If you're constantly thinking of your next best recipe, this is probably a great place for some inspiration!

43-50 Main Street
Queens, NY 11355


Happy Hour - O'Nieals Soho
No I didn't misspell it, its O'Nieals! My co-worker brought me here one day for a much needed happy hour and I was hooked. The ambiance is super chill with a touch of fancy (just what I like) and once 10pm hits, the music will keep you out of your seat! Happy hour runs Mon - Fri from 4 - 7pm. $2 off draft beers and $5 house mixed cocktails, which were definitely potent! The food isn't too bad either, so be sure to grab a bite as well. 

174 Grand St
New York, NY 10013


Chelsea Brewing Company
Looking for something different to do on your Saturday afternoon? Head over to Manhattans largest microbrewery for a FREE tour of its site and witness the magical brewing process. You will also receive a few free samples (cause why else would a tour be worth it?) along with tickets for discounted pints to enjoy at their bar afterwards. Tours run every Saturday from 2pm and continue every hour through 6pm. 

Pier 59
Manhattan, NY


Date Day - Smorgasburg
Do you and your significant other share a similar love for food? Then spend your Saturday or Sunday in Brooklyn enjoying a multitude of food vendors all at your fingertips! The event takes place at 11am on Saturdays at East River park and Sundays at Brooklyn Bridge park. 

http://www.smorgasburg.com/


Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen & Tequileria
Looking for somewhere new to dine? Tired of the same brunch locations where you can only choose one entree? Then bring your self and a friend to Maya! For $39 you get unlimited Mexican small plates and unlimited margaritas, mimosas or bloody mary's for 2 hours. The food is delightful, the drinks are strong and the waiters are excellent at making sure you get your monies worth of free flowing drinks and food! I can only imagine how great their dinner is. Other highlights of Maya: $2 Taco Tuesdays and $6 Margarita Wednesdays 

Here's a little pic of what to expect when brunching at Maya:

Enjoy your week :-)

Football Sunday Wings

"Football Is an honest game. It's true to life . It's a game about sharing. Football is a team game. So is life." - Joe Namath


Football Sundays however, are about WINGS!

SRIRACHA HONEY WINGS

Although technically September 21st marks the beginning of fall, everyone knows it really starts once Sunday football begins! Its a time to get the family together, to get friends together, for couples to argue about whose team is better, a time for camaraderie at the local bars. More importantly however, its a time to EAT! A time to eat good! 

As you prepare your menu for Sunday football festivities, wings must be an important component. They should be a staple in every home. Now, your local bar/pub may claim to serve up the best wings in town, however nothing is better than homemade wings cooked fresh and hot! 

Now let me introduce to you these yummy, sticky, slightly spicy, yet slightly sweet oven baked wings. Its a super easy recipe that is sure to please every wing fan in your home! I hate spicy but my fiance loves it, and these were perfect for the both of us. 

I got this recipe from Damn Delicious. The recipe can be found here Most Awesome Wings! 

Enjoy!

Recipe Wednesday - Sausage and Peppers: The Remix

"All food is comfort food. Maybe I just like to chew." -Lewis Black

I have finally mastered my sausage and pepper recipe! Thick, saucy, and full of flavor. It is the perfect comfort food for those chilly nights when you just want to cuddle on the couch and binge watch Netflix. It is also incredibly easy and uses simple ingredients. For a remix on the classic, I decided to use Spinach and Feta chicken sausage for some added flavor, instead of the usual Italian sausage. POW!  

I'm not always the best with remembering to measure my ingredients but here we go: (*Note: I prepped this meal for 2, so please adjust measurements as you see fit)

1 pack sausage (this can be sweet or spicy Italian sausage, chicken sausage, etc., or any kind you fancy)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 green pepper
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow onion
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder (i love garlic, so i actually probably put a little more than that)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup tomato sauce (or your favorite tomato sauce, if bottle is your thing. No judgement here)
1/2 cup red wine ( I used a Bordeaux)

What I've learned is that prepping ingredients beforehand will make your life so much easier. So the first step is slicing the peppers and onions. 

So Pretty! 

Next, cook sausage with olive oil in a skillet and brown each side. Once sausages are beautifully browned, remove them from the skillet. In the same skillet, add the onions, peppers, and salt and cook until onions are slightly brown and translucent. Then add tomato sauce, wine, oregano and garlic powder. Let simmer for about 2 minutes. 

In the meantime, cut each sausage into pieces (about 4 - 6 each). Then add the cut sausage back into the skillet and stir to combine. Cover the skillet and let simmer until sauce thickens.  

Voila! That is all. Meal complete. This can be served over rice, pasta, or on a sandwich roll. I served mine over quinoa and topped it with Parmesan cheese and avocado (I'm addicted to avocado). 

Bon Appetit! 

Breakfast - The Most Important Meal of the Day

"What nicer thing can you do for somebody than 

make them breakfast?" - Anthony Bourdain

Banana Pancakes

With fall right around the corner, what better way to enjoy a crisp Sunday morning than warm, sweet homemade banana pancakes? This easy recipe will give you a warm and fuzzy feeling that will help kick start your day!

It took two tries to master this recipe and combine just the right ingredients. After getting my fiance's seal of approval, I thought it would be the perfect recipe to jump start my blog again. You will never have to buy pre-made pancake mix again!

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 tablespoon coconut sugar (Trader Joe's Organic Coconut Sugar is divine)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup vanilla soy milk (regular whole milk can be used instead)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 large egg

1 1/2 medium ripe bananas

Directions

If using an electric griddle, heat to 375 degrees or heat a skillet over medium heat. 

Combine flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl combine milk, oil, vanilla and egg and whisk together. 

Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and whisk until moistened. Lumps are good!! Once mixed, slice bananas and add to mixture. As you mix the bananas into the mixture, carefully crush them slightly into the batter.

Grease the skillet or griddle with butter, oil or Pam (I used Pam) and spoon batter on nice and round. (mine were more abstract round) Cook until the tops have some bubbles, flip and allow the other side to brown. 

Remove from the griddle or skillet and enjoy with your favorite topping! I added sliced bananas, honey and a sprinkle of coconut sugar to mine. Delicious!!!

Bon Appetit!