Salumeria Season

Italians are renowned for the culinary contributions, but none is more indulgent than the Holiday antipasto.

"Antipasto" translates to [a meal] "before the meal", and typically consists of cured meats, pickled vegetables and artisanal cheeses.  In many ways, antipasti (plural) is a status symbol for Italian-Americans, with a lavish spread being indicative of property and good financial fortune.  If you have the means, you should purchase your antipasti from a true Italian pork store.  You'll pay a bit more for the premium Italian imports, but the quality is unmatched, so long as you go the right place.  My recommendation for NYC locals is Sorriso's Salumeria located along the outskirts of Astoria, Queens.

Sorriso's Italian Pork Store
44-16 30th Ave
Astoria, NY 11103
718.728.4392

Sorriso's is a family run business (as are most Italian pork stores), and the staff is always well-informed, outgoing and amiable.  I prefer Sorriso's over the competition partly because of the service, but mostly because they stock superior products at more reasonable prices.  I won't knock places like Fiacco's and Eataly in Manhattan, but I also won't waste my money there.

Whether you're stocking up on antipasti for the Holiday, or just want an over-stuffed sandwich, go out of your way to give these guys a shot -- you won't be disappointed.


© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

They Call it Curry Hill...

Kalustyan's is a specialty store w/ a strong concentration in international spices.  While it's great to find garam masala, black rice and gojujang sauce all under the same roof, the real beauty about this place is the hidden deli counter located on the second floor.

Kalustyan's

123 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10016
USA

Make your way just past the registers on your left as you enter and head upstairs.  The walls are lined w/ exotic tea blends from the world over and the freezers are stocked w/ yummy Middle Eastern delights.

Two very gracious older men run the well provisioned station towards the back.  You can get some meat items, but I'm always drawn to the colorful array of hot vegetable options at the counter.  A large, three item veggie plate runs about $10 and is enough to fill you three times over.  Personal favorites include the butter beans, spinach, stuffed grape leaves and "mujadara" -- a dense rich blend of lentils and rice.

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Gobble, Gobble!!

I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. I have to keep it short because there's cooking to be done.  I'll leave you with a few Holiday tips:

Always brine & truss your turkey.  A brined turkey is a moist turkey.  

• If you don't brine your turkey, it will dry out -- there's no two ways about it, sorry.  If you don't have the time or enough room in the fridge, pick up a Kosher turkey -- they're usually treated w/ a brine before they hit the market.  A brined turkey stays moist, has better flavor and cooks in a fraction of the time.

• A trussed (tied) turkey cooks more evenly, on account of the wings and legs being bound close to the body.  In addition to a uniformly cooked bird, it also makes for a nice presentation.  

• Consider roasting your bird over root vegetables, it adds flavor and can serve as a side.

...and remember, if you're gonna drink or do drugs, do it on the Holidays

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Scout's Honor

Scoutmob is a Mobile App that connects you with deep discounts at your favorite local shops and eateries.  If you live in a major metropolitan area, you should absolutely download this app.  You don't have to sign up, log in, or provide an email address to take advantage of the deals.  Better yet, Scoutmob is available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry platforms -- you have no excuse to not give it a try.

Well, why don't you?

Most deals are for 50% off whatever product/meal, but they also feature 100% off promotional deals.  That's right, FREE FOOD from iconic NYC snack spots.  In the past month I've scored free Joe's pizza, Mamoun's falafel, and Pommes Frites.

Tonight I am about to enjoy a pumpkin whoopie pie from Billy's Bakery in Chelsea.

Haaaaaaaaaaaaay.

Just make sure you visit during an off hour, or you'll end up like these yo-yo's.

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Apple Opens New Location in Astoria

I'm not saying I was misinformed, but the grocer could've been a bit more specific when telling me a new apple store was opening next door...

Apple Store
30th Avenue b/w 33rd & 34th Streets

There are a half dozen different types from which to choose, all .79 cents per pound.  They're all pretty crisp and juicy, but my favorite is the Cortland variety.  Cortland apples have sweet white flesh that goes great w/ a gob of peanut butter, they are also ideal for baking:

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Spooky Seasonal Sweets

Takahachi bakery is a small French pâtisserie in Tribeca that is owned and operated by a very pleasant and skilled Japanese crew.  Franco-Japanese food fusion is not an uncommon pairing, but it's not all too often that you see it so well executed.

Takahachi Bakery  
25 Murray Street
New York, NY
212.791.5550

Everything I've tried here has been worthy of seconds, however, their seasonal black and orange macarons (in honor of Halloween) are not to be missed.  The orange is pumpkin and the black is "goma", or black sesame seed.

The pumpkin tasted more like pumpkin and less like pumpkin pie, which is a good thing.  The "goma" variety tasted a lot like red bean -- a little sweet, a little earthy, a little strange.  If you are in the area, put down $3 for the pair, you won't be disappointed.

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com

Who's Who Among Moon Men?

Going to the Museum as a kid was always exciting -- mostly for the dinosaurs, but also for freeze-dried ice cream.  I haven't had one of these since 1989, and it was just as fun as I'd remembered.

 Purchased at Paragon Sports, of all places.

Sure, it's like eating flavored chalk, but the delicious nostalgia is really what you're after. The vanilla was bland and the chocolate tasted a bit like mud, but the strawberry was pretty yum.  It should also be noted that they're a bit harder than I had recalled, and I might have chipped a tooth...  

All-in-all this was a good experience.

© 2011 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable - http://www.missioninsatiable.com