Stress Free Meals That Are Kind to Your Pocket

Leave a comment

Tea and Crackers

A really easy way to make an elegant, impressive, and yet cheap meal is to buy one main ingredient that will compliment the leftovers in your fridge. The addition of this new item (try to make it your signature dish) draws attention away from the average food you serve and eat day in and day out. Buying just one ingredient takes the load off your wallet and reduces stress levels when trying to make a notable yet inexpensive occasion.

For example, I had a friend come over for lunch the other day, and we decided we didn’t want to spend a lot of time or money on a filling, unique meal. So, we went to the local market and picked out a main dish that a chef had already prepared. In our case it was a delectable chicken, feta and spinach burger from the Chef’s Market in Nyack. We also made a stop at the local natural market to pick up some cheese (I personally love goat, brie or parmiggiano-reggiano)  and sopressata for an appetizer.

After rushing home our awesome healthy burgers and yummy snacks, we quickly went to work on a simple summer salad (I am never without these ingredients in my fridge). While we were working on our main dish, we munched on the cheese and meat to hold off our ravenous appetites!

Luckily, I had also prepared a sun tea the day before, so we were able to enjoy it along with our meal without any extra hassle.

Tip- Serve honey with cheese, meat and cracker dishes. It makes the set-up look more elegant while also adding a sweet, tangy addition to the savory flavors if your guests choose to be so bold.

After re-heating the chicken burgers on the stove, we set up our little feast outside on the porch- we were also completely stress-free and only $6 poorer.

Try this date idea and let me know what you think!

Simple Sun Tea

Leave a comment

Everyone loves sun tea. And in the summer we crave those thirst-quenching, sweet, tangy drinks that don’t add to our waistline or take from our wallets. Try this recipe if you are a tea lover in any way- it takes minutes!

I usually prepare my iced-tea with black teas or fruit teas. The most simple and cheap would be lipton. When preparing the sun tea, immerse concoction into a glass jar or container and place in direct sunlight (outside is best).

Preparation for lipton iced tea:

For every tea-bag, add one cup of water. I usually add just a tad of honey to the mixture, some lemons and, if I have any, peaches to add some sweetness. Let mixture sit in sunlight for at least two hours and no more than 5 or else it will start to go bad in the sun. Refrigerate or serve on ice immediately!

Other tea options:

If using fruit tea, just add the tea-bags and water and possibly some sweetener. Later, you can experiment with other flavors.

Or, try making chai iced-tea, with chai tea-bags, water, and cinnamon sticks.

Enjoy!

Snazzy Night Out

Leave a comment

Dining Room

Living in a town like Nyack, where one is overwhelmed with incredible dining options, I often feel the urge to throw caution to the wind and eat extravagantly. What I have discovered this summer is that eating out with one’s parents, more financially stable people, or simply splitting a meal with some friends helps to make a large dinner bill a little easier to handle.

So, find a place nearby that tickles your food senses and tempts you to wine, dine and spend your daddy’s dime. But, instead of bankrupting your parents and feeling guilty, challenge yourself to tackle the menu with your own wallet. Better yet, decide on a restaurant where you can comfortably choose a meal on a higher-end menu and not order the most expensive dish (CAUTION- DO NOT choose any of the specials unless you are sharing them, because most of the time specials cost extra).

Tip- more financially level people will most likely order less cautiously, leaving room for you to order with a little more thought. After the meal, simply split the bill depending on what you personally ordered. Remember to save this sort of meal for a special occasion seeing as no matter what the price, it will most likely still remain over your usual threshold.

Likewise, one might decide to spend this indulgent night by splitting a few dishes or small dishes with friends, thus lightening the financial load at the end of the meal. When using this method, try to choose as many dishes from each course as there are people eating. For example, one might consider ordering one special, one appetizer, one main course and one dessert for three friends.

This little idea came to me when I went to dinner with my parents and boyfriend at a famous little restaurant in my home town of Nyack, New York. Hudson House has been a well known, well respected restaurant and bar in Nyack for some time. This converted jail house is home to the many scrumptious creations of wonderful pastry chef and co-owner, Matt Hudson. When enjoying a meal at this unique american restaurant, one should be sure to save room for dessert- I highly recommend trying Mr. Hudson’s signature dish; the black bottom banana cream pie (unbelievable!!!!!). The staff at Hudson House is attentive, well-trained and never fails to deliver. One of the best touches in the restaurant, in my opinion, happens to be the unique artwork. The owners of the restaurant decided to maintain the old look of the jailhouse, keeping the original pressed tin ceiling and adding personal artwork for a finishing touch. This homey, welcoming atmosphere creates a luxurious and relaxing dining experience for locals and visitors alike.

Be sure to check it out while the weather lasts!

**Photo and info compliments of the Hudson House website.

Avocados- A Food Lover’s Dream Fruit

Leave a comment

As I earlier divulged to my readers, avocados have many wonderful delicious uses in food and in our daily diets. These versatile fruits can add a creamy, buttery texture and flavor to most summer dishes. They are also great for the winter, as they provide the nutrients we need during those cold months while still feeling and tasting like a comfort food.

Some fun facts:

*They are filled with “good” fats and oils that keep our bodies strong without having too many calories or sticking to our systems.

*One thing to know about avocados is that one should be careful about eating them when they are ripe- not ripe enough and they are too hard to cut and have no flavor, and too ripe and they fall apart and go brown fast.

*They go brown when they are hit with oxygen, like apples. Don’t be alarmed if you have cut it open recently and see this; just shave away the brown part and enjoy the rest. Or, give it a stir if it’s a dip.

How to tell if an avocado is ripe:

Gently apply pressure to the sides of the avocado by lightly squeezing it. If there is a slight give, then it is ripe and ready to eat!

How to cut an avocado:

Hold the avocado in your hand so the stem faces upward and points away from your body. Take a small knife and cut down the center of the fruit lengthwise, starting at the stem, continuing until you have completed the circle and it is sliced in half. Now, hold both halves and twist them in opposite directions (clockwise and counter-clockwise). The halves should peel apart very easily. One side will have the seed left in it. I usually take a knife and chop down firmly, wedging the knife in the seed. I wiggle the knife until the whole seed comes loose, then shake off the seed into a compost or garbage unit. You can also try to squeeze out the seed if you want (I just think the other option is much more fun!).

Depending on whether you are using the avocado as a garnish or in a dip, choose your next step:

1) Dip- Scoop out the avocado from the skin using a spoon. Scrape out as much as you can, and don’t be too gentle because the skin is pretty tough.

2) Slice the avocado halves into slivers by running the knife long ways down the fruit in parallel lines. Then peel away skin, pull out the pieces and serve.

*** When I eat them alone I usually cut the avocado into slivers and serve with salt, pepper and either olive oil or lime juice on top. Enjoy it with crackers or toast.

Eat well and Enjoy!!!

Continue reading →

Jaleo

Leave a comment

Bethesda, Maryland is widely known as a treasure for restauranteurs. I myself had the great pleasure of enjoying the end of restaurant week in such a place- hence accounting for my absence in cyberspace. Although I try to focus on discussing rarer and more economical accommodations, I discovered a hybrid in tapas. Jaleo, a vibrant spanish tapas bar in the heart of Bethesda, offers both full menu options and small plates known as “tapas”. While the regular menu is a bit too expensive for my budget, I found that splitting between 3 and 6 tapas between myself and a friend was rather cheap (the average was $4 a plate)! On my trip I decided to mix up some Spanish classics with the chef’s creations. We ordered the Gazpacho (traditional chilled Spanish soup), Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce) , Endivias con queso de cabra y naranjas (endive with clementines, almonds and goat cheese) and Calamares a la Romana (calamari). Of those delicious dishes, my favorites were the endives and the gazpacho. I found the endives to be light, interesting, different and surprisingly well-balanced. And the gazpacho was as satisfying and cool as I remember in Madrid.

I recommend going to checking out this hot spot during Jaleo Hour, and the new Jaleo Hour:

4:30 – 7 PM Sunday – Friday at all Jaleo locations

10 PM – 12 AM Saturday in Bethesda available at the bar only

And don’t forget to check out their Sangria (only $4 a glass)!!!

Gee Ginger!

Leave a comment

This funky little vintage consignment shop is located just off Piermont Ave, as you approach the center of town. For anyone shopping in the area, going on a quick expedition to find this tiny treasure trove is well worth it. Or, if you are not a local like myself, check out their website at http://www.geeginger.com/.

Gee Ginger! hosts everything from retro clothing (for women and men alike) to handmade jewelry. Personally, I have purchased bags, gowns and shoes and have never regretted a purchase. In fact, I do not plan on returning to the shop until my bank account recovers because I am fully aware of the dangers of entering there!

I urge all you bargain hunters, retro ransackers, flea market ferreters and thrift shop plunderers- test temptation.

Gee Ginger

535 Piermont Ave
Piermont NY 10968

845-365-1800

Farmers Market

Leave a comment

Alright all you foodies out there, here’s one of my favorite ways to shop- farmer’s markets. Two years ago I lived in Italy- Florence more specifically, for 6 months…*sigh*. In reverie, I try to recapture the times I had there (and all the incredible food I ate!). Alas, this is much more difficult to do when you aren’t surrounded by vespas, vineyards and beautiful Italian men. So, back in Nyack, New York, I have had to lower my standards a bit and search for fresh fare closer to home. Little did I know that I had an oasis in my back yard. Every Thursday from 8:30 am- 2:30 pm, the town vacates the Municipal Parking Lot at Main and Cedar Streets for street vendors, rain or shine. The market hosts various vendors to tempt your palate; you can shop for anything from local wines to fresh pickles!

It may not be Italy, but it sure beats going to Stop and Shop! Most of this stuff is also organic– what a great way to support our local farmers and businesses!

Eat well!

Lemon Vinaigrette

Leave a comment

Sometimes I run a little low on vinegar, or even feel too lazy to make a fresh vinaigrette. When this happens I usually turn to this recipe which I adapted from the recipe of a friend of mine. It is simple and fresh but a little bit more difficult to store, so I recommend only using it in small quantities.

-Lemon Dressing-

Ingredients:

2 large cloves of garlic (or 3 smaller cloves)
1/2 lemon wedge for juicing
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbs. dijon mustard
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Preparation:

Crush and pulverize the garlic in a small bowl. Add salt, then mix and crush the mixture with a fork until the salt has saturated the garlic pulp. Add the mustard and lemon juice and stir lightly. Slowly, stirring consistently, mix in the olive oil so that it is not separated from the garlic mixture. Add the pepper to taste.

Dip sliced cucumbers in this dressing, or simply pour over a salad or vegetables. This tasty, salty treat is great for any snack!

Makes 4 servings. Eat well!

World Sushi

Leave a comment

If I am to be completely honest, I would have to admit that I will usually haul out the big bucks for really good sushi. Luckily, I have recently discovered World Sushi on Rt. 59 in Nanuet. This tiny little haven is home to the best sushi I have ever had (please try the dynamite roll!!!) and I come back as often as I can. The staff, a young couple, is warm and friendly. The space is small but very well designed and cozy; and the food is remarkably fresh and creative. The detail on their presentation goes so far as to make flower shapes with the wasabi on each customer’s plate. Furthermore, their customer service is so attentive that near the end of your meal, one of the owners will present you with a complimentary cup of homemade citrus tea (hot for winter, chilled for summer). I have enjoyed my dining experience more each time I have gone back- this feeling has been further reinforced by their attentiveness. Upon my arrival, which only occurs once every month or so, they will each take turns asking me questions and catching up- this never ceases to surprise me. I highly recommend World Sushi to all those who are seeking affordable, delicious sushi on a quick lunch or dinner break. This might not be the best choice for parties that consist of three or more people due to a lack of available seating, and may not be the best choice for those in search of a long relaxing meal, considering how fast their turnover rate is. However, I recommend picking up a take-out menu and keeping available for those fast-break meals.

World Sushi of Ny
266 E Route 59, Nanuet, NY 10954-2905
(845) 627-2272‎

Price Range- $6.00-14.00 (most sushi is between $8.00-$10.00)

Rating- ****

—based on five star rating

Yogurt Lovers Too!

Leave a comment

As a sufferer of food allergies, my search for cheap, delicious and “diet” friendly desserts is often a hard one. But, last week I discovered Yogurt Lovers Too! with my sister in Northvale New Jersey. I was surprised by their low prices and delicious options, including sugar-free yogurt. On my initial visit, I tried the sugar-free coconut yogurt with yogurt chips and was delighted with the creamy rich flavor (and it was less than 100 calories!!!). So often, I have to choose between my food sensitivities and my cravings for irresistibly scrumptious sweets. But, at this popular yogurt shop I found an easy out. Usually, I prefer ice-cream over yogurt, but this shop is a host for both options creating a stress-free decision-making process. I recommend Yogurt Lovers Too! for all frozen-foods fans, and more yet for those in search of guilt-free pleasures. Lastly, I would like to mention that although my own puppy would not indulge in their sweet-tooth delights, this fine little yogurt shop offers doggie friendly frozen treats for all you pet owners! What a decadent touch.

Yogurt Lovers Too
271 Livingston St
Northvale, NJ 07647
(201) 767-0429

http://yogurtlovers.com/

Price Range- $1.40-$7.68 (kids to pint sizes)

Rating-***

—based on a five star rating