New York City Halloween 2011

Since I became a New Yorker, I make it a point to visit the Village for the Halloween Parade ... unless Halloween falls on a football night when the Steelers are playing, in which case, alternate planning will take effect. This is definitely one of my favorite night's in the City because creativity, showmanship, and uncensored humor are expressed without any inhibition. In 2008 (the first recession), a man was dressed in a suit with a pink slip in his breast pocket, and a wire strung through his tie so that when he posed, it looked like he was jumping off a building or a bridge in attempt for suicide. In 2009, a guy was fully decked in a Storm Trooper costume that looked like it came direct from Universal Studios. In addition to the elaborate plastic construction, the costume also included a voice distortion mechanism to make the guy actually sound like a Storm Trooper.

Last year ... I think the Steelers were on, so I just enjoyed the kiddy parade in my neighborhood during trick-or-treating hour.

One of my favorite moments from this year was walking towards a subway for the return home, I came across two lean and tall black men in full drag. I just stopped and looked at them, who were intensely involved in matters of their own logistics in getting to where they needed to be.  Without thinking, the words, "It's the Williams sisters!" flew out of my mouth. One of them snapped out of their dialog and just laughed out loud and waved at me. 

Another great moment is actually shown in one of the photos below.  The group of men dressed in primary colored polyester jumpers were beat-boxing and dancing in front of a restaurant window.  On the other side of the window was a large dining party, hysterically laughing as they watched the impromptu show.  For the diners, that's what I consider value added without additional cost.

I love New York City. I really, really do.

A Snowy Trick With A Sweet Reprieve

The Snowy Trick was such a pretty surprise this morning, though proved to be a bit painful. By the afternoon, the fat wet snowflakes turned into small piercing icicles propelled by a strong and fierce wind. During my walk in the wintery landscape, I thought that I had been involuntarily subjected to some type of a holistic microdermabrasion.

So I retreated back inside, fired up my oven, and prepared a sweet reprieve.  Oatmeal cookies with white and dark chocolate chips as well dried cranberries and raisins.

The Devil in a Church Basement

I had to make a cake for a Church social tonight. Even though Paula Deen and a host of other proper chefs use a prepared mix from a box to start, I just can't do it. I can't bring myself to serve Pillsbury to my friends, and I most certainly was not going to do so for the Church. So given the venue and the time of year, a Devil’s Food Cake seemed a clever idea. I've made them before, so I am familiar with the way the batter should look, smell and taste for it to be worthwhile.

Thankfully, the cake came out simply amazing. I was worried that the entire cake would return home with me, but the exact opposite extreme happened - there wasn't a scrap left.

The Tasty Road to Prosperity

You become prosperous by living frugally.
Five (5) Dumplings for $1
Ten (10) Dumplings for $2

The picture above shows fried dumplings with pork and chives. The only better dumpling that I have ever had came out of my aunt's kitchen in Taiwan.  

From Prosperity Dumpling at 46 Eldridge Street in the neighborhood of straddling Chinatown and Little Italy in Manhattan - the "A" from the Google map copied in the above marks the spot.

Black Bottom Butterscotch Custard

This is my favorite dessert of all time.

Black Bottom Butterscotch Custard: A layer of bittersweet chocolate with our homemade butterscotch custard topped with fresh coconut whip cream.

From The Chocolate Room at 269 Court Street in the neighborhood of Cobble Hill in Brooklyn