Lori in PA

Applesauce Day, Again 10-10-06 07:57am EST Has it been a year already? Throughout the past months, I’ve been determined not to make as much applesauce this year as we canned last year – too much work, too tired, too much mess. Last year it was about 42 quarts. Yesterday, we managed to process 64 quarts . Famous last words, indeed. The cast of characters: --Lori, whose energy and interest in this day-long project flags a bit more each year: the supervisor, the seasoner of the sauce, the filler of jars, and the chronicler of the day. --Kevin aka The Husband, whose enthusiasm for the project makes up for his wife’s lack: the organizer of the pots, the driver of the children/slave labor, the lifter of heavy canners, and the major consumer of the finished product --Jonathan and Samuel, who begin to rival their father in the sauce consumption department: the washers/cutters of the fruit, the plopper-inners of the cooked apples into the Victorio Strainer, and the turners of the Victorio handle The moments of grace: --Time together working on a mutual goal – always a good thing --The realization, with thankfulness, that it is no longer necessary for us to preserve ALL of our food for the winter --The aroma – cooking apples + cloves + October air = memories of all the other Applesauce Days, the ones with little children underfoot and with my dear-friend-who-moved-away cutting and pouring and tightening jar bands beside me – nostalgia accompanies me throughout all my motions --The realization, again with thankfulness, that those little children formerly underfoot have grown into young people with the oh-so-desirable traits of diligence, cheerfulness, and competence, at least a good deal of the time – we’re getting there, we’re getting there! The Source: The Production: The Seasoning: The Finished Product: The Reward for the Exhausted Workers: And, of course, dessert was:

The Husband is finishing up baking a batch of Thumbprints for Us Big Guys. His suggestion is that they aren't big enough -- methinks he's feeling the fustiness of making dainty cookies -- not manly enough, perhaps? Here he is: You've gotta love a man with a timer around his neck. And here is the result: These are filled with my homemade ginger peach jam. All family members pronounce them delicious.

Just saw this when it was bumped up -- read the whole thing -- now I'm running late, but WONDERFUL! Thank you!

You're uncreative? That's lovely!

I unhesitatingly share my honorary Goddess of Lily Gilding title (conferred some time back, regarding using up some five pounds of cream cheese, if I recall). Pizza fried in butter. I might oughta just abdicate in your favor. ← Gilding, indeed. But, you know, it's good.

Thank you, Arne -- reading this thread has been a feast.

I think you should have both -- a taste-off. Don't worry about leftovers. A friend taught me this recently. Take cold or room temp. pizza, any kind. Heat up a non-stick skillet, drop in some butter, place the slice in topping-side down, saute for a few minutes, flip and do the other side. Don't think of it as pizza exactly, but it is really good.

The rest of the story: Tuesday dinner was at Le Sans Culottes East; 1085 2nd Ave. at 57th St. We had their $22 prix fixe meal. It began with eat-all-you-want appetizer of bread (not so great) with pork terrine, mustard, cornichons, a big basket of fresh veggies and melon wedges, and a pile of sausages to slice from. For mains, I chose the Onglet Bordelaise (hanger steak with red wine sauce) and The Husband had the safe-but-tasty Poulet Cordon Bleu. My steak was very good – cooked exactly to the medium rare I requested. We had chocolate mousse for dessert. It wasn’t fancy or challenging food, but it was just right for a chilly, rainy night. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at the Buttercup Bake Shop for a couple of cupcakes to take with us. Not bad – ALMOST too much frosting for me and I’m a frosting lover. Wednesday, I was back at the Manhattan Espresso Co. for a café mocha and another almond croissant. I spent the morning window shopping along Fifth and Madison et al. After the so, so rich mocha and all the walking my blood sugar did a real nose-dive suddenly and I got the shakey, get-something-in-me-right-now feeling. I ducked into a “marche” and stared confusedly at the bowls of prepared foods with no signs/prices. I asked for a small spoonful of some sautéed shrimp and another of plain fruit salad. Here’s where all the research I did and all your wonderful advice shows its value – this unplanned, un-researched, and un-recommended few mouthfuls of food cost me over $12. The label on my shrimp informed me that it cost $27/lb. And they were rubbery. Sad. The Husband and I lunched at Starwich just before we left town. We had two of the signature sandwiches – the filet mignon for me and the grilled cheese/apple/ham for him. Of course, I made him trade parts so I could try both. Very good. Not sure the value is there, but after paying the same amount for yucky shrimp and a few bites of fruit, I can’t really complain, can I? It was a lovely, refreshing few days. The Husband says he loves it when I accompany him on business trips because he eats so much better. He says there’s another reason, too, but that would be off-topic here. Thank you again for all your ideas. You are so generous to make recommendations and offer advice. My time in NYC was truly enhanced because of your knowledge.

Day 1 (so far): --2 hard-cooked eggs in our room = nearly free --at Manhattan Espresso (146 East 49th St., betw. Lexington and 3rd Ave.): 1 large cappucino & 1 almond croissant = $5ish --Lunch at Zabar's Cafe: 1 Eli's Health Bread, Nova lox, and cream cheese sandwich = $3.25, 1 cup wild mushroom soup = $1.50, and 1 half-pint fresh-squeezed oj = $1; lunch total = $5.75 --Mid-afternoon snack at Grand Central Station: 1 express pack of sushi rolls = $6.50, triple scoop gelata = $4.25; snack total (more like Lunch #2) = $10.75 We had thought we'd have dinner at Montparnasse (pre-theater menu = $20) but find we aren't hungry enough yet, so we'll see. Thanks everyone for the help. I did walk up to the Upper West Side this morning in the invigorating wind and beginnings of the rain to do the Zabar's/Fairway/Citarella sight-seeing foodie-in-New-York thing. It was a great choice, as was the decision to take the subway back.

Thanks, all -- will report back...

Yeah I'm confused. That's $64 for 2 people for Breakfast and Lunch? What are you going to do for dinner? Or, is that $64 for one person for all 3 meals? I'm confused! ← That's $64 for the day -- all food. I'm accompanying my husband, who is on a business trip. We'd like to feed both of us for the per diem amount, but obviously may have to go over that figure.

Thank you, CDH -- that is exactly the sort of information I need. You are kind to provide it. Edited to add: I have had a pastrami at Katz's. I was able to eat approx. 1/2 of the meat by really trying and none of the bread -- good!

Wow and Double Wow. Do you have that benumbed, without direction feeling this morning that always hits me after the completion of a crazy-busy project's completion?

What a smart idea to use your blog as the impetus to get to know your new city! I'm looking forward to accompanying you.

Starbucks is fine if there aren't other good options, but I'd like to try something else. You see, I come from an area where Starbucks is the best thing available, but the egulleteers lead me to believe there are better places...

We are willing to travel a bit -- we've (I've) mostly overcome the subway's intimidation on previous trips. It's just that our schedule is a bit uncertain (Husband very busy and me at leisure) and I at least need to know where I can eat (my desire for great eating experiences are greater than The Husband's.) while I'm on my own. What I really wish someone would do is to give me advice about a "Perfect (Rainy) Day" in NYC for a not-too-energetic almost-forty-year-old woman who loves good food, good coffee, bookstore and museum browsing, and just plain people watching. For example, I've always wished to go to Zabar's, but look at the address and think, "So, if I go is it going to take half the morning to get there or would that be pretty easy?" You see my level.

The dear federal government allots The Husband a per diem of $64 per day. Can two people eat well in NCY (breakfasts and lunches in different locations) for that? For breakfast, I'll bring our ubiquitous hard-cooked eggs for a protein component, so a later-morning "snack" of a bagel or a muffin or something is ok. We like the Asian food we've had very much, though we are from a Tiny Town, so our knowledge/experience is almost certainly more limited than yours. The tricky thing I've found re eating cheap with plenty of protein is that the cheapest meals involve lots of noodles/rice/grains, which my body can only take in small quantities. I would be indebted to you if you can give me specifics on your favorite places in that area. Please imagine you are directing a small child and feel free to suggest specific dishes, even, medium heat and down. As an aside, one of the people The Husband will be meeting with kindly offered to email a list of his favorite inexpensive restaurants. It includes: Caviar Russe The Sea Grill One By Land Two If By Sea Balthazar Bravo Giannis (Hmm, there seem to be a lot of levels that define "inexpensive"...)

Did I forget to say "please"? Please???

More, more!

Oh, dear! When dd was about 10 she made a tripled recipe of pancakes. She read 3 cups of oil instead of 3 tablespoons. She ate the resulting concoction of fried bread and was VERY FULL all day.

You all have been so helpful in the past and have pointed us to some great meals during our short forays into the city. This time we'll be there for a couple of weekdays/nights. We need: cheap high-ish protein (not dieting, just a health challenge) delicious We love to experience the best of the city, just with a tight budget. Do we ask too much? Give us your ideas (and contact info/addresses if possible) for: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Dessert/Snacks Coffee! Thank you very much.

Good ideas, everyone. Welcome, RachelAnn!

My hat is off to you, cheese-head sculptor and devisor of meat-based desserts!

Thank you for the bust pic -- imagine coming home late at night, wanting a little snack, and opening the fridge to find that staring at you!

Should those boxed wines be refrigerated once opened or are they ok in a cool place like a basement? Anyone care to recommend a particular brand/variety for a one-glass-a-day person?