Giving Breakfast the Cold Shoulder

Maybe I'm four months too late, but I just discovered "Summer Porridge" -- a no-cook cold oatmeal preparation that really packs a punch.  The oatmeal-yogurt concoction is left in the refrigerator overnight to coalesce into a sumptuous gruel.  Zazz things up w/ some berries, crushed cookies or even peanut butter.

I haven't tried making it myself, but you can check The Yummy Life for a recipe if interested. However, if you’re looking for a grab & go in the Astoria area, you can score a delicious peanut butter variety at “That's A Wrap”, located in the base of the 30th Ave NYSC.

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Ramen Lovers Rejoice -- Rai Rai Ken Expands!

Rai Rai Ken is my favorite of all the ramen joints in NYC. It's not as glamorous as Momofuku, or as bustling as Ippudo, but it's cheap and damn good.  They just recently expanded to some fancy new digs w/ double the seating, but the price and taste remains the same.

Miso Corn & Butter Ramen

Rai Rai Ken

218 E 10th Street

New York, NY 10003

Next time you find yourself wobbling around the East Village, try to remember that these guys are open 'til 3am on the weekends.  They've added a few items to the menu, but my favorite is still the curry ramen.

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

The Agriculturalist

This impromptu farmer intermittently operates outside of what used to be "La Papa" -- down 30th Avenue, off Crescent.  "Corn so  good, you can eat it raw", touts the New Jersey native.  I can't attest to that, but I will say they have the largest eggplants I've ever seen.

Get while the gettin' is good, and try your hand at this lentil-eggplant misculanza:

2 # fresh eggplant, sliced or quartered
1/2 cup lentils
1-2 roasted red peppers
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 TBS chopped mint
1 TBS vin cotto

1. cook the lentils in boiling salted water until tender, about 40 minutes.  drain and reserve.
2. grill/griddle/sauté the eggplant over medium-high heat until cooked-through, about 12 minutes.
3. combine the eggplant, drained lentils, garlic, peppers, olive oil and vinegar.  toss to combine.  
4. add mint and vin cotto.  taste, season and serve. 

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

East of the Feast

If you are in the neighborhood for The Feast, keep Dragon Land Bakery (DLB) on your radar -- just in case you get tired of stuffing your face w/ cannoli and sausage.  It's actually southwest of the San Gennaro Feast, but that doesn't make for a good title, does it?


Dragon Land Bakery
125 Walker St (b/w Centre & Baxter)
New York, NY 10013

DLB offers a wide variety of well-prepared buns, both sweet and savory.  The prices are straight out of 1978, so buy a bunch and see what floats your boat.  You can't go wrong w/ the infamous hot dog bun, but do try the corn & ham -- a personal favorite.  They also have a bunch of exotic drinks you've probably never considered, like sugar cane juice.

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

The 'Cuse is Loose

I spent the Labor Day weekend up in Syracuse visiting an old college roommate.  The trip was impromptu, and we had the good fortune of being in town during the annual NY State Fair.  The long & short -- that shit was wild.

With dignity checked at the door, I was able to focus on a complete consumption strategy, devouring 3 days of food & drink in about 8 hours.

The bacon-wrapped hotdog doughnut was probably the most outrageous edible, but the MVP award goes to the hot beef sundae.  "A hot beef sundae?", you ask? It's a scoop of mashed potatoes, topped w/ succulent pot roast, sour cream & a cherry tomato, done up to look like an ice cream sundae.  

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Astoria's Ecuadorian Pork-a-palooza

Every August a handful of Ecuadorian food carts pop up in the vicinity of Athens Square Park to celebrate some sort of pride or independence festival.  I wasn't able to get too many details, as the vendor's English was none too good. "Pork, pork, all pork", was the most I could get out of them when trying to figure out the various offerings.

A plate costs $10 and includes heaps of corn, pork and potatoes.  The pork options are: deep fried, slow-roasted or braised.  The corn is unlike anything I've ever experienced -- giant starchy white kernels the size of a quarter are the majority, with deep-fried yellow kernels studded throughout.

Aim for the vendors closest to the park, the ones across the street are extremely heavy handed w/ the salt.

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

An Infidel's Indulgence

These curious crepes are a Moroccan treat known as "Beghrir".  They are enjoyed in a variety of ways, two of which I highly recommend -- either slathered in a butter & honey sauce or stuffed w/ a light cream custard and deep fried.  The butter & honey method is something you can accomplish at home, but you'll have to buy the deep fried version from a vendor on Steinway.

These seasonal sweets are only available during Ramadan, which ends on or around August 19th. For Muslims, Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection & improvement demonstrated by fasting from dawn until sunset.  For the rest of us, it's a chance to taste a unique confection that lands somewhere between a zeppole and baklava.

These are the sweet cheese variety -- they also sell date & walnut.

© 2012 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com