NYC Food Faceoff

The premise: pit two very good representatives of tasty New York City foods against each other to see who comes out on top. (There really are no losers in this contest).
photos via Adam Kuban and nicknamemiket
Both have perfectly charred crusts and just the right amount of sauce, barely-melted mozzerella di bufala, and basil. Because there's never a long wait at Motorino (the same can't be said for Keste) and they have a killer weekday lunch deal, they win by a hair.
photos via Harris Graber and h-bomb
When you ask for your sandwich spicy at Hanco's, your sinuses will thank you. They slather on the mayo (a good thing in my book), but the tofu is rather drab. Viet-nam Banh Mi So 1 not only offers tofu but multiple flavors of faux chicken, making them the victor.
photos via jasonlam and kathyylchan
While you can't go wrong with creamy hummus from either, the homemade, fiery cup of harissa at Mogador and their crisp-on-the-outside, light-as-air-on-the-inside falafel give them the edge. Advantage: Cafe Mogador.
photos via jessi-girl and nayrb7
Grilled corn on a stick coated in mayo, cheese, chili powder, and lime: after many delicious trials, I can't discern a notable difference between La Esquina's version and Cafe Habana's. It's a draw!

Brazilian Collard Greens

Shawn currently has a penchant for leafy greens, and last week at the Union Square Greenmarket to my dismay he picked out collards. I had always assumed this vegetable needed copious amounts of bacon and an afternoon on the stove to negate its bitterness. (The last time Shawn fixated on produce, I was stuck with a cabbage that is toxic if eaten raw. It was a damned-if-I-do, damned-if-I-don't situation, since he eschewed the idea of cooked bok choy almost as much as a plant-induced death.)
photo via stylishcuisine
Fortunately I was able to find a recipe for the collard greens that wasn't porcine, soggy, or bitter. For once, I was able to meet the challenge posed by Shawn's agricultural whims.

X Marks the Spot

Not running for the past two-plus weeks has left a hole in my heart to rival the one I developed during my near-divorce. I've lost my appetite along with ten pounds. It took several days before I could see a runner on the street without tearing up. My self-confidence took a dive along with my mood, and moments in this remarkable city that would have once struck me as profoundly beautiful left me feeling empty.

On Tuesday, my fantastic sports medicine physician ruled out a pelvic stress fracture and ordered immediate, intensive physical therapy (Update: it was a pelvic stress fracture). At PT, they've adjusted my rotated pelvis (which may have been caused by my fall at the Brooklyn Half Marathon, the Vibrams, or any other number of things), given me ultrasound and ice therapy, and taught me stretches and exercises to strengthen the muscles that will prevent my pelvis from slipping out of place again. If all goes well, I can ease back into running in a few weeks. (Update: no I can't. No running for three months.) My pain is already much improved (as is my mood).

While the hole in my heart is hopefully on the mend, the hole in my back has gotten bigger. A few weeks ago, my new dermatologist noticed a troublesome mole on my back. She took it out - along with some surrounding skin - on Monday. The biopsy showed I have melanoma in situ, which means it fortunately was caught before spreading any further than the mole. Just to be safe, a dermatologic surgeon removed more of the surrounding skin this afternoon. Monday's procedure was quick, painless, and resulted in four little stitches. Today's, by contrast, was unexpectedly more intense, with two layers of stitches (seventeen total), lots of tugging, and electric cauterization.


In my heart of hearts, I knew something was wrong with this mole. In the two weeks leading up to my first biopsy, I hoped for the best but braced for the worst. Just when I had convinced myself that the stress-relieving and health-promoting powers of running would be the key to fighting whatever came my way, my pelvis decided it had other plans for me. A running injury any other time would have been lamentable; this seemed devastating.

I am so grateful to the doctors, nurses, and physical therapists who have helped me fight my recent two-front health battle. Words cannot describe how supportive my husband and the few close friends I've confided in have been. I am so fortunate. Readers, thank you for hanging in there with me as I've been posting only sporadically. Now that I'm on the road to recovery, I've regained the inspiration to write again.

xoxo.
Kate

Craving Pancakes

My hankering for French toast has been supplanted by one for pancakes.
photo via kevandem
photo via Abstract Gourmet
photo via thebreakfastcook
photo via michellerlee
photo via Jollyboy
photo via pieceofheaven
photo via Guacamole Goalie
photo via {-maria-}
photo via Obs70
photo via kevandem
photo via kjten22
photo via fermata_daily
photo via aleksandrawy
photo unattributed
I've asserted many a time that the only flapjacks worth eating in New York are at Clinton Street Baking Co. If my moratorium on delicious food ever ends, that's one of the first places I'm going.

Cupcakes 101

I'm just now emerging from the sugar coma caused by the fruits of our efforts in Monday night's baking class at Butter Lane. As you can see, we had a blast.

I left with a box full of cupcakes and recipes for the three batters and four icings we made. The banana ones turned out so fluffy, moist, and fresh-tasting (no cloying banana flavor here); top it with peanut butter frosting (a recipe I also happen to possess) and you have The Elvis, one of Butter Lane's bestsellers.
*NOTE: That's 1 and 1/2 cups of buttermilk!

The many faces of Chloe

Last night, while I was baking cupcakes in the East Village, Chloe kept Shawn entertained at home.





all photos via Shawn

What I've Been Up To

In the past two weeks I've taken in an awesome documentary, seen one of my favorite bands live, had a couple of fabulous restaurateurs sign my copy of their new cookbook, and done major damage at West Elm and Anthropologie. This morning, two girlfriends and I spontaneously signed up for tonight's baking class at my preferred cupcakery (their offerings, below).It fit perfectly with our planned post-work visit to the new rum bar just a block away. I can't wait to don an apron and whip up dessert after having a cocktail or two!

Chelsea Flea Market Find

Shawn spied this little trinket when we were shopping early Saturday morning; $5 later, it was mine.
thrifted keychain and Sephora by OPI's Havana Dreams nailpolish
P.S. Thank you all for your sweet words of encouragement.

When It Rains It Pours

My body decided on Monday to rebel even further, because halfway into my eight mile Vomero-clad run* I experienced a rather intense pain in my tailbone region that has shown no signs of easing up. Naturally I've been consumed with figuring out the cause (and more importantly, the solution). Hypochondria-inducing google searches have led me to believe I'll be cooling my heels for a long time. The thought of not running has me more even hysterical than the prospect of a positive biopsy.

I need to take some time off from blogging to regroup (and calm the heck down), but I promise to return no later than June 30. xoxo, Kate

*I only tested out the Vibrams one mile each day this weekend. Don't know if this, or my Brooklyn Half marathon fall, could be contributing factors, or if this is a long-term wear and tear injury that coincidentally revealed itself Monday.

13 years ago today...

...I boldly kissed the man who would become my husband.photo via tumblr
Happy "anniversary" my love.

Artificial Colors and Flavors

For our junk food swan song this past weekend, Shawn requested I bake him a "jello" cake (also known as a poke cake). Several grocery stores in New York (including Whole Foods) carry Natural Desserts brand vegan "jel," making this once-restricted delicacy now possible for us vegetarians. Combined with a from-the-box white sheet cake and a tub of CoolWhip, you have the Trifecta of Fake:Normally such a chemical concoction would horrify me, but I grew up with jello cake. Eating a square of it right out of the fridge takes me back to the simpler times, when my biggest concern was whether the rain would hold off long enough to spend the afternoon in the pool.
photo via lkjfbfxbm
As of Monday, we have been eating only gluten free, unprocessed foods. After reintroducing the occasional stack of pancakes, pack of M&Ms, and plate of pasta back into our diet, we started to feel sluggish and doughy. So, Jello cake, I'll be seeing you again - next summer.

Running Wisdom

This nugget of advice is in honor of my brother, who just signed up for his first marathon! He'll be seeing 26.2 miles of Detroit (and Canada!) a week after I run Chicago. It is taking every ounce of restraint not to send him training plans, graphs, and other unsolicited bossiness.
photo via Saurabh B
If you never plan on running a road race, then by all means stick to the treadmill if that's what you prefer. However, if your goal is to run a marathon (or a 5K or a half marathon), then you simply cannot prepare for it without doing the bulk of your running outside.
I feel very, very strongly about this.

While I find the treadmill excruciating in the respect that it's mentally very tedious, it is actually easier physically. You don't have to propel yourself forward on the 'mill, and factors like wind, temperature, incline, and road surface aren't realistic to the conditions you may face in a race. Take it to the streets or you're in for a rude awakening on race day!

St. Michaels Day 2

Chloe enjoys our trips to the Eastern Shore as much as we do. When we gathered around the kitchen island, she patiently waited beneath our feet until someone took pity on her and slipped her some food (Chloe's grandfather, usually not one for dogs, is her surest source; he tries to win her loyalty with snacks). The remainder of her visits are spent on various laps:
Hydrangeas in bloom:
We topped our soy dogs with globs of hummus and a sprinkle of feta - remarkably good:
The dock of our neighbor to the right:
A perfect, shady spot in the yard looking out onto the Miles River::

I was in high school when my parents bought this place to be their retirement home. I found trips to St. Michaels painfully boring. Now I cherish our time there. It's the perfect escape from New York City.

St. Michaels Day 1

Yesterday's highlights included a trip to the tiny St. Michaels farmers market:
And then a boat ride...
Destination Wye Island
Where, from the water, we gawked at the black sheep dotting the lawn of a huge mansion:
Ominously, there were dozens of turkey buzzards surrounding the sheep.
For the time being, they seemed to be peacefully coexisting.
all photos via Shawn
Today: more boat rides, scorched veggie dogs, a trip to the outlet mall, and reading in the hammock....