a grand sendoff to lost

Like many people in this country and across the globe, I was (am still) a huge Lost fan.  Though I never purported to have it all figured out, and my theories of its hidden meanings switched as often as Ben betrayed alliances, I have been captivated by the show through the years.  It was only fitting to have a proper farewell to a show that has wormed its way into so many obsessive conversations with the Fiance, coworkers, and even my grandmother.

Last night, my friends and I gathered for an "Only allowed to talk during commercial breaks otherwise I will punch you in the face" viewing of the finale.  Of course, no gathering of mine is complete without fab food, so we assembled an assortment of tropical island inspired food.  Guacamole (okay that one is more because guac is just about the best thing ever), chicken satay with spicy peanut sauce, curry fried rice, and coconut cupcakes.  

This isn't an exact recipe by any means, just a recap of what I did and certainly open to personalization - kind of like the Lost finale itself, which answered some questions but left a lot open to interpretation.

Chicken Curry and Cashew Fried Rice

-yields 8 generous servings-

2 1/2 cups brown basmati rice

1 cup cashews

8 eggs, mixed

1/4 cup coconut milk

1 onion, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 green pepper, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 pounds chicken, diced

1 can cubed pineapple, drained

fish sauce, to taste

soy sauce, to taste

canola oil

Curry Powder (my super-simple version):

1/4 cup ground cumin

3 tablespoons tumeric

2 tablespoons coriander

Prepare rice according to package, using a little less water than normal to create a dry rice.

Take half of the curry powder (or 1/4 cup of store-bought curry powder), add about two tablespoons of canola oil and stir to hydrate the curry powder and create a marinade.  Coat the raw chicken and set aside until needed.

Toast the cashews in a large (huge, like 12 inches if not more) skillet or wok.  Remove from pan and set aside.  

In the same pan, soft scramble the eggs using canola oil, remove from pan and set aside.

Add a couple tablespoons of canola oil to the pan, turn on high heat.  Once hot, add remaining half of the curry powder mixture and coconut milk to the pan.  Cook for a minute, then add onions and peppers, salt and pepper, and cook until just tender.  Add garlic, cook for one more minute, then remove from pan and set aside.

Reheat skillet over high heat, add the curry-marinated chicken, salt and pepper, and cook until the meat is no longer pink.  Add the rice, onions and peppers, cashews, and pineapple to the skillet and stir together.  Taste the rice, and add fish sauce and/or soy sauce if needed.

Once you're happy with the saltiness (more is better!), add the eggs and serve.

here comes the sun

It is officially May and that means summer is right around the corner, its ambassador sun peeking through the fickle clouds.  And it is a tease - this week has been sunny and hot, then cool and very windy.  I'm a girl who likes consistency; I need some form of warmth and brightness that is here to stay.  

While I'm waiting for summer to permanently lodge its residence here in the city, I'm taking things into my own hands.  The bright and tart tang of fresh lemons can transport me to a sticky summer afternoon in an instant, and that is exactly what I need when the day's temperature is in the 50s.

These lemon poppyseed cakes are currently being offered as a take-home gift at Marea, and an at-home batch seems like the perfect cure to keep my impatience in check.

spicy & tasty

What to do when the weather turns warm and humid?  When thoughts of productivity and cleaning the apartment get derailed by the tantalizing lure of sand, sun, and ocean?  Only one possible thing can cure this itch, and it doesn't involve sunbathing on the lawn of Tompkins Square Park in the middle of the East Village.


The Fiance, a couple of friends and I decided on a whim to rent a car and go out to Jones Beach.  While this weekend may have been a little too cool for a full-fledged, romp in the ocean type of trip, it was definitely a welcome introduction to what promises to be a hot summer.  


On the way back, since we already had the rented car for the day we took advantage of being outside of Manhattan and took a detour to Flushing, home of Chinatown and a slew of authentic Chinese restaurants.  Spicy and Tasty, despite the slightly unoriginal name, proved to live up to its moniker with an array of impressive dishes.

We sampled crunchy and spicy bamboo shoots, and chicken that was crisp and accentuated with bright red chilies.  These bright flavors were tempered by soft, pillowy rice cakes - glutenous discs of congealed rice adorned with savory cabbage and spring onions.  And finally, for dessert, rice balls filled with sesame paste with peanut dressing.


Let me just say, the perfect ending to a warm, beachy day is hot, spicy food that kicks your sunbathing tastebuds awake.