Here At Tiny New York Kitchen We’re All About Watermelon. It’s So Easy To Choose A Good Watermelon. Look For A Firm, Symmetrical Watermelon That Is Free From Bruises, Cuts Or Dents. Lift It Up. The Watermelon Should Be Heavy For Its Size. Watermelon Is 92% Water, Most Of The Weight Is Water. Turn It Over. The Underside Should Have A Creamy Yellow Spot From Where It Sat On The Ground And Ripened In The Sun. Go Get Yourself A Watermelon Or Two And Enjoy The Refreshing Summer Fruit Until It’s Gone.
The world of radishes expands way beyond those round red ones you always see at the grocery store. Hit the farmers’ market and you’re likely to find an explosive array of green, purple, and white varieties, each with its own personality and flavor.
Green Meat: This Variety From Northern China Is Like A Regular Daikon, But Smaller And Denser With Green Flesh.
Daikon: These Mild Long White Radishes Are Available At Many Asian Markets And Are Especially Good For Pickling.
Purple Daikon: The Deep Violet And White Colors Make This A Pretty Addition To Any Shaved Salad Or Crudités Platter.
French Breakfast: Treat These Crunch Pink And White Beauties The Way They Deserve – Arranged On A Platter With Good Butter And Flakey Sea Salt For A Simple And Elegant Appetizer.
Easter Egg: These Petite Radishes Range In Color From Dark Purple To Creamy White And Are Sold In Multihued Bunches. They Are Sized Just Right For Shaving On Top Of An Open Face Sandwich.
Watermelon: The Beautiful Neon-Pink Interiors Make A Stunning Garnish For Salads. Cooking Or Pickling Will Dull Their Color, So It’s Best To Keep Them Raw.
“Work With What You Got!”
©Tiny New York Kitchen © 2018 All Rights Reserved
Drizzling olive oil over savory fruits like tomatoes is second nature, but put it on sweet fruit and people start to think you’re crazy. Consider this: Olive and watermelons are both fruits, and just as vegetable-driven salads need fat to balance salt and acid, fruit salads crave the mouth-coating richness of oil to complement their sweetness and acidity. Olive oil is ideal since it brings a sharp aromatic flavor of its own that carries other savory ingredients, like nutty sharp cheeses and spicy sauce. Look for lighter, grassy oils to avoid overwhelming your fruits, but even a bold, peppery one can play nice with whatever you care to throw at it.
“Work With What You Got!”
©Tiny New York Kitchen © 2018 All Rights Reserved
The best way to be a good cook is not to worry about being a perfect cook. Give up on perfection, or at least any ideas you may have that perfection is a fixed thing against which you must measure everything you do. Nothing we cook will look will look exactly the same as a picture in a magazine or taste the way our friend’s dish did. Even a familiar recipe will not offer the same result from one day to the next time we make it.
We at Tiny New York Kitchen like to experiment with flavors. Often we reach into our well-stocked pantry and use the essential flavor builders to take a dish to the next level.
Essential Flavor Builders To Keep On Hand:
Vinegars: Vinegar’s complex tang is the secret ingredient in many recipes. We shake a bit of sherry vinegar into bean soup, and add rice vinegar to coleslaw dressings. If you had to choose just one vinegar, we would recommend the mild rice vinegar, but we also keep balsamic, sherry, malt, and cider vinegars on hand.
Anchovies: A filet of anchovy blended into a marinade or dressing adds savory flavor without being too overtly fishy.
Chili Paste: We keep chili paste or bottled Sriracha for drizzling over rice and adding to meat marinades.
Red Pepper Flakes: Many dishes get better with a little kick from red pepper flakes.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is a way to add umami flavor and a little salt to dressing and soups.
“Work With What You Got!”
©Tiny New York Kitchen © 2018 All Rights Reserved
Place room temperature eggs in a single layer in a saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Add 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the water to help prevent the shells from cracking and the whites from running should the shells crack. Bring the water to a boil over a high heat. Once the water boils, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it stand for 10 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and gently place them in an ice bath.
Peel and use hard-boiled eggs or store the unpeeled eggs in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
“Work With What You Got!”
©Tiny New York Kitchen © 2018 All Rights Reserved
Sometimes, the best way to cook fresh produce is the simplest way of all.
For roasting vegetables, put them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and a bit of kosher salt, and cook in a hot oven until tender, turn once or twice.
For steaming vegetables, put a small amount of water in a saucepan and heat over a medium-high heat until tender, as little as 2 minutes or up to 10, depending on the vegetable.
“Work With What You Got!”
©Tiny New York Kitchen © 2018 All Rights Reserved
Grilling season is upon us and many want to grill fish, but have questions on the best way to do it. Here are some easy tips to help you get the most out of your fish grilling experience.
Ask Your Fishmonger. Fishmongers are knowledgeable and can recommend the best fish for dinner. They will clean your fish for you as well.
Take It Easy. Leave the fish head and tail on for easier handling, and try grilling a small 1 to 1 1/2 pound fish if you’re a first-timer.
Work With A Clean Grill. Scrub the grates clean with a wire brush to reduce sticking, and rub the exterior of the fish with oil before placing it on the grill.
Get Cooking And Don’t Be A Flipper. Grill over a medium-high heat for about 8 minutes total cooking time per inch of thickness. Most fish will cook best if turned only once, so wait at least 3 minutes for the fish to form a crust on the outside before flipping. Don’t risk the fish falling apart by trying to flip multiple times.
“Work With What You Got!”
©Tiny New York Kitchen © 2018 All Rights Reserved
These original red phone boxes first appeared on British streets in 1926, but since the 1980s they have become obsolete and many have made their way to the junkyard. These days, however, the iconic red phone box has made a comeback and can been seen in cities and villages around England. Many have been renovated and are now being used as tiny cafes, cellphone repair shops and even housing defibrillator machines. I am thrilled that these beautiful boxes are making their way back to the streets and are fulfilling important community needs.
“Work With What You Got!”
©Tiny New York Kitchen © 2018 All Rights Reserved
It’s Time For Jam Making Here At Tiny New York Kitchen. First Up Is Strawberry Lime Jam. Sweet, fresh strawberries get a little kick from lime and a touch of salt, for a vibrant, fresh tasting jam. Put it to use on crumpets, toast, or spoon over yogurt. It makes a beautiful homemade gift as well.
“Work With What You Got!”
©Tiny New York Kitchen © 2018 All Rights Reserved
Sometimes I Just Get In An Uncontrollable Baking Mood. Baking Brownies Is One Of My Favorite Things To Do.
