I’m a Part of the PPC!

Banana Spice Muffins- This was my day! I took a recipe that I use often for zucchini bread and used banana’s instead. It was lovely! Here’s a picture!

My office is such a fun place to work. We are always coming up with simple ways to make the environment more fun and inviting for outside guests, and this week was no different!

We formed a Party Planning Committee a few weeks back and we have had a few events, but the best idea of all was executed this past week. IT WAS BANANA WEEK! The banana was the highlighted food of the week and each day we made food showcasing our mushy friend.

Here’s what the week looked like:

Monday:

Banana Poppers- bananas were covered with chocolate and a dab of peanut butter was added.

Tuesday:

Banana Cookies- this was a VERY soft cookie that had the most banana flavor. So good!

Wednesday: Banana Spice Muffins- This was my day! I took a recipe that I use often for zucchini bread and used banana’s instead. It was lovely! Here’s a picture!

Thursday:

Banana Creme Pie- My good friend, Angela, brought these babies in. It was a little messy, but most delicious things are!

Friday:

Banana Pancakes- We made SO many of them! I booked a room and had a lot of people walk through. It was probably the best way to end the week. Mmm.

I really love that I work with people who know the importance of integrating fun into the work day. It makes me happy!

Want any of the recipes? The banana cookies recipe is to the right, and the rest will be up this week on www.edibleopinions.net!

Happy eating!

Just Put it in the Pot

Edible Opinions creation

Here’s the scenario:

It’s been a while since your last visit to the grocery store, and you’re quickly running out of food. What do you do? Well, my solution is to just put everything into a pot. Perhaps a crock pot?

The other day, I found myself searching for dinner in the fridge while simultaneously realizing that I had nothing of substance to offer myself. To add to the dilemma, I was feeling extremely lazy. I decided that I would take all of my ‘scraps’ from the last couple of meals and combine them into the crockpot. Now, let’s clarify something… I didn’t throw leftovers in the pot!

What I mean is, I took leftover raw carrots,onion, peppers, frozen green beans, raw chicken, red potatoes, and added them to 5 cups of water along with chicken bouillon cubes. It didn’t turn into a soup, but maybe one could classify it as a stew. Maybe.

This isn’t the first time that I have done something this either! Usually I will cook everything on the stove and pour it over pasta or rice (if no potatoes are present). However you do it, it can be delicious. What I like most about this idea is how experimental it can be. The downside, though, is that I can’t guarantee success for you.

Disclaimer: Individual results will vary.

Enjoy!

You may be thinking, ‘Hmm, I wonder if Shawn needed help naming this week’s post?’ The answer is no, haha.

It’s clear that the Green Beans will have the first mini harvest, but I’m willing to bet that over the course of their lives, the summer squash and cucumbers will have the most fruit to bare.

There isn’t too much to update you all on today; however, WE ARE AT THE HALFWAY POINT!!!

It’s clear that the Green Beans will have the first mini harvest, but I’m willing to bet that over the course of their lives, the summer squash and cucumbers will have the most fruit to bare. I am also willing to bet that I will give up on the tomatoes soon. They just don’t want to grow! One reader did send me a tip saying that my tomatoes looked overcrowded, so I pulled some out in hopes that they would grow significantly this week, but, so far, no such luck. Does anyone else have a suggestion or two, or should I just give up on them? I would hate to do that because I never give up on anything, but I may have met my match: lame tomatoes.

So what have you all been up to? Anything exciting? The weather has been so nice lately here in the Northeast United States (which means lots of sunlight for these little guys)! Unfortunately, I don’t know what I am doing after I graduate in May, so I may have to send the plants home. I guess it wouldn’t be too bad, though, because I could actually plant them into the ground. You know, instead of using old Halloween buckets!

Can you believe that I planted our little friends over four weeks ago? Wow, time flies. I hope the next four weeks go just as smoothly!

Happy gardening!

We have officially passed the two week mark and none of the plants are dead! If this isn’t a miracle, I don’t know what is.

Can you believe these cucumber wannabes? Like, what have I done to have such a great looking specimen? Whatever it is, I am truly appreciating my pseudo- green thumb!

The green beans have definitely surprised me. They grew up so fast, and it’s clear that they have their fathers chin!

You know that feeling you get when a parent tells you calmly how disappointed they are in you? I wish my tomatoes could feel that. Maybe that would motivate them to do something. I mean, they don’t even look pretty (if this was Twitter, you’d see something like #annoyed)!

Can you believe these cucumber wannabes? Like, what have I done to have such a great looking specimen? Whatever it is, I am truly appreciating my pseudo- green thumb!

Let’s take a look at the summer squash, shall we? Nothing all too special this week. It amuses me to see how different each plant reacts to the same amount of sunlight and water.

It’s almost time to transplant, don’t you think? Anyone want to donate bigger planters to me? Anyone? No? Okay. I guess that I’ll just have to run to Home Depot or something.

Spring is officially here! One of the ways that I like to celebrate is to create a home garden. It doesn’t have to be very big (or even that

I filled each planter about three- quarters of the way with potting soil, added the seeds, and then topped off the planters with more soil.

successful) because it is just a way for me to experience Mother Nature’s beauty (and, potentially, tasty treats). I’m not really sure what exactly it is that I love about spring, but it makes me smile!

I chose to plant tomatoes, green beans, summer squash, and cucumbers this year. I started by buying the seeds as well as biodegradable planters and potting soil. If you’ve never planted anything before, I’d suggest finding an online guide to assist you.  It isn’t too difficult, but you may find yourself asking a lot of questions.

I filled each planter about three- quarters of the way with potting soil, added the seeds, and then topped off the planters with more soil. I gave each of the forty planters a quick watering and found a place in my house to assure maximum exposure to sunlight.

Each plant has a set of directions, so be sure to keep similar pots together (it creates less confusion later).  The newly planted seedlings will remain indoors until they are big enough to transplant (that will be it’s own post when the time comes). All of the seeds have a germination period of around seven days, so I won’t see any above ground growth for about a week.

I think that gardening is a great way to relieve stress, and, with the semester coming to an end soon, who isn’t stressed? Take advantage of this relatively inexpensive hobby (all of the supplies had a combined total of about $17), and enjoy the fruits of your labor, literally!

With graduation right around the corner, we decided to branch out to a more upscale restaurant choice for a review. Jeffery’s is located in Milford, CT (just minutes from the mall).  The website states, “In the summertime you can sit out on the patio and enjoy the lovely flowers and singing birds. The inside has recently been remodeled, with a fireplace and piano in the lounge,” and we agree. The restaurant is filled with cliché décor, but they don’t come off as pretentious. The only immediate downside is their hours of operation.

We shared an appetizer as well as an entrée, and our bill came to about $45. It may be expensive, but it was worth it. Our food journey started with, “a pair of Maine crab cakes over pear and mango chutney with chipotle and citrus aioli topped with crispy wonton strips.” The cakes were amazing! Our main course was good, but not worth $30. We had, “a combination of jumbo shrimp and lobster meat with a lime crème fraiche and tenderloin of beef with a mushroom bordelaise sauce served with sweet corn potato gratin, garlic broccoli rabe, and haricot vert.” Basically it was their version of surf and turf.

Overall the experience was a pleasurable one. The waiter was with us from start to finish (but not in an annoying way). He greeted us as we walked in, brought us bread, poured our water, made routine check-ins, and was more than helpful. He received a great tip. Everything about this place was extremely welcoming.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Category: Upscale, creative

Service: Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable

Selection: Smaller, unique

Aesthetics: Cliché décor, cozy, welcoming

Atmosphere: Quiet, romantic

Located at 896 Whalley Ave. is Bella’s, a tiny café in the Westville neighborhood of New Haven. Serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, Bella’s has become a popular spot for locals and can produce a long wait on the weekend mornings. However, it’s certainly worth the wait if you’re looking for more than your typical cheese omelet or french toast.

I’ve only been to Bella’s for breakfast, and my first visit left me feeling a little frustrated after waiting outside for over an hour. When we were finally seated in the back next to a drafty corner, it took the wait staff a little while to make their way over to us. It also didn’t help that a party of ten was sitting behind us. We skimmed the regular menu; it all looks good, but the specials were unique, and so we decided we had to try them. I ordered a croque madame panini, which was a ham and cheese panini with a fried egg on top. I was surprised at how tasty it was, and my mood brightened significantly. Everyone else at the table ordered french toast that had a pumpkin flavor to it; a few bites were good, but there was a big possibility of getting too full from it.

Last weekend, I attempted to go across the street to Lena’s, but there was a 45 minute wait, so we decided to try Bella’s again. It was around 9:30 a.m., a little earlier than last time we stopped in. We were seated right away, but a wait started to build up a little after we got there. We ordered from the specials again: stuffed french toast with cheese and chocolate, and the omelet du jour (onions, peppers, cheese, chorizo sausage, and plantain – a fruit similar to bananas). The omelet was prepared well, and I would’ve loved to have finished all of it, but the ingredients were so heavy that it was impossible (but delicious, nonetheless). Like last time, the french toast was good but filling, so I only tried a bite; the combination of chocolate and cheese was a little weird to me.

My experience at Bella’s has not always been great, but the gourmet breakfasts have been worth it. I probably won’t visit often, but will definitely make my way there again. I especially like that the juice is served in a big glass, as opposed to the many other breakfast places that give you the tiniest glass they can find so you have to keep ordering more.

If you want to try Bella’s on the weekend, go on the earlier side. Also, as a common courtesy, don’t go with a big group. The café is entirely too small, and it causes a long wait for everyone else. Finally, be sure to order from the specials, because you won’t find them at any simple breakfast place!

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars

Category: Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch

Service: Not good, not bad

Selection: Basic breakfast menu, plenty of omelets, interesting specials

Aesthetics: Small, crowded, busy

Atmosphere: Family, social

Last week was a delicious tradition for people in and around the Elm City; it was New Haven Restaurant Week! Every April, some of the city’s best restaurants put together a special menu with lunch priced at $16.38 (for the year New Haven was founded) and dinner priced at $29. It’s a great way to try a new restaurant and get some of their specialty dishes at a discounted price.

This year, I went to Consiglio’s on Wooster Street. Most people head to that area for pizza at Pepe’s or Sally’s, but I wanted to try another New Haven staple. It was Wednesday evening, so it wasn’t too crowded, which would have probably been annoying since it’s very small and there isn’t much space to wait other than outside. We got there a little early and were able to sit at the bar while we waited for our table. There were only about four seats at the bar and a couple of high tables, but it was stocked with all the necessities. There was also an impressive wine list as well.

Once we were seated, there were three appetizers to choose from: stuffed mushrooms, Caesar salad, and fried calamari. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and tried the mushrooms. I’ve never had mushrooms before, but I figured if they were going to be made the right way, it would be at Consiglio’s. Plus, they were stuffed with sausage, roasted red peppers, spinach, and mozzarella cheese. The plate came out, and there were only two, but I was so happy with how good they really were. My mushroom standards are pretty high now. I also had a bite of the Caesar salad; it was good, but nothing to write home about.

For dinner, I had chicken amalfi. It’s a fabulous dish comprised of chicken breast, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, balsamic reduction sauce, and linguine. This was something to write home about. I was especially happy with the tomatoes and artichoke hearts, because they tasted fresh and were prepared correctly – I wouldn’t trust a meal like this at a chain restaurant. I was hesitant about the meal when I ordered because I don’t like balsamic too much, but I never realized there was such a difference when it’s reduced. Overall, it was a light dish that left me feeling satisfied.

I also tried the homemade cavatelli and braciole; apparently, a specialty of Consiglio’s. It is hand-rolled pasta and thinly sliced beef, served with tomato sauces. It’s rolled in parmesan and some spices, which give the dish its flavor. I liked it a lot, but was glad I didn’t order it because it wasn’t something I could’ve eaten more than three bites of without feeling full.

Then came dessert. The restaurant week menu had Godiva tiramisu or chocolate mousse cake, so we got one of each. Tiramisu is not my thing, but the cake was amazing. The only way I would’ve enjoyed it more would have been if I were a little less full (but I’m not complaining).

My restaurant week experience was awesome. I left feeling so happy because I tried new things and felt good about what I ate. However, I’m not totally sure when I’ll go back because without the restaurant week specials, the dishes at Consiglio’s are very expensive. It’s definitely a restaurant to go to for a special occasion; graduation isn’t too far away! Just be sure to make reservations, because it’s a small place and something tells me it fills up fast.

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Category: Italian, Upscale

Service: Not bad, not great

Aesthetics: Minimal, homey

Atmosphere: This place is about the food, not the atmosphere. Trust me; it won’t be on your mind!

For our latest review, we decided to leave the City of New Haven and venture to the land of Hamden, CT.  This is our furthest review at about 20 minutes from campus (less if you know where you’re going). Hamden, like New Haven, has a ton of  ‘hole-in-the-wall’ places that are just dying to see new customers. Mikro is no different.

Even though Mikro is famous for its huge beer selection (this seems like a common trend with us), that isn’t why we decided to go or why we would go again. The menu is constantly changing, which lets you have something new each time you go in. Your pallet will never be bored. Every option on the menu is packed with flavor!

We ordered a few items off the menu. The appetizer we chose was a dish of kettle chips with rosemary and olive oil hummus. It was okay. Rosemary is very strong which made the hummus a little intense. We shared two main dishes: chicken flatbread and their pasta of the day. The chicken flatbread was a great textural experience with very collaborative flavors. Mikro takes a grilled flatbread and places chipotle sauce over it and layers mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken, and red onion over it. Delicious. The pasta of the day consisted of fettuccine, pancetta truffle, basil pesto, asparagus, and peas. At $12 you cannot beat this peppery and light pasta.

What is great about Mikro is that the food doesn’t sit heavily in your stomach. This could mean more room for drinks, but we decided that meant more room for dessert! Our cookies and cream ice cream was covered with peanuts, pretzels, kettle corn, and caramel. It’s a party for any mouth! Collectively it tasted like a candy bar—a very satisfying candy bar.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Category: Taproom, unique dishes

Service: Friendly, helpful

Selection: Frequently changing menu

Aesthetics: Unintentionally trendy, seemingly small, cozy, fun

Atmosphere: Friendly, Social

Located on Whalley Avenue in Westville (New Haven), Delaney’s is great for an escape from the ‘downtown’ nightlife. With two rooms to choose from (dining room and taproom) and a special focus on pairing food and drinks, it isn’t hard to see why this local dive is gaining a lot of attention.

The taproom and restaurant are both open until at least 1:00 a.m. every day, and they have tons of specials available. If you and your friends are looking for a more casual setting, try sitting in the newly renovated taproom and have a couple of drinks. If a meal is what you’re looking for, take a seat in the restaurant. Both rooms are very intimate, so small groups work best.

Just one look at the menu and you’ll be in love. Delaney’s has everything from bar food to full-course meals. Especially appetizing at any time are the sandwiches: in particular, “The Delaney.” The sandwich is a grilled chicken breast topped with prosciutto and Swiss cheese…sounds simple but tasty, right? But the real reason this sandwich is good enough to be named after the restaurant is for the final ingredient: red pepper aioli.

For those who don’t know, aioli is garlic mayonnaise that will make a slice of white bread taste deliciously fancy. If you’re not into the red pepper taste, try “The Single Decker” sandwich, which is made of sliced turkey, bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and cranberry aioli.

(There is a brunch menu, but if you’re going to wake up early enough and head to Westville for brunch, you should go to one of the many restaurants right in that area that specialize in it. Try looking up Lena’s, Bella’s, or Manjares.)

The food at Delaney’s isn’t the main showcase, though. If you find the food menu impressive, then your jaw is going to drop when you see the HUGE selection of beer, wine, and specialty drinks. Delaney’s has the best beer selection in Connecticut. According to the website, “Guests can choose from over 60 beers on tap, more than 70 bottle selections, and the only traditional Belgian tower in the USA.” That’s all in addition to over 100 bottles of wine and 34 wines by the glass.  Don’t be intimidated, though, anything you choose is sure to be a hit! May we recommend a Palm? Delicious!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Category: Taproom and Restaurant

Service: Relaxed

Selection: Variety of options, great drink selection

Aesthetics: Dark, trendy

Atmosphere: Social, adult, casual