NYC

Buffalo Cauliflower Dip for the Win!

~ Amanda Neal ~ Leave a comment

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

While you gather this evening with friends and family, I hope your belly’s are filled with all of your party food favorites. One of my go-to party dips is buffalo chicken dip because of the tangy and spicy flavor. If you’re looking for a fun twist on this classic recipe, add cauliflower and you’ll have a new fan-favorite recipe. Tender cauliflower pairs perfectly with the hot sauce and cheddar cheese…you won’t want to put it down, trust me!

Check out the recipe here for Buffalo Cauliflower Dip. Also, check out the classic recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip here, as well as all of the other Snacks and Starters on CC&BT. Whoever you’re cheering for, go team and happy cooking!

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Shrimp and Artichokes en Papillote: An End-of-Summer Favorite

~ Amanda Neal ~ Leave a comment

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Summer seems to be hanging around in New York City, and the weather is so warm that it feels like we should be eating summer squash instead of hearty fall dishes. So for dinner this evening, I decided to use up those last heirloom tomatoes and fresh baby spinach, and make a dish with classic French technique; Shrimp and Artichokes en Papillote.

Baking fish in parchment paper (or en papillote) is not only easy, but it’s the ultimate steamy packet of flavor. Plus, the cleanup is almost non-existent. The combination of juicy tomatoes, tender shrimp and artichoke hearts make this dish the perfect end-of-summer meal.

To make this recipe, find it here on CC&BT. And make sure to check out CC&BT’s Instagram page, at @coffeecabsandbartabs for all things food in NYC. Thanks for stopping by, and happy cooking!

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New Recipe Alert: Simple Chicken Salad

~ Amanda Neal ~ Leave a comment

If you have some leftover rotisserie chicken, or you’re just looking for a protein-packed recipe that’s easy to make, try the latest recipe from Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs, Simple Chicken Salad!

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Chicken salad is best when it’s simply made and not overdone; shredded chicken, crunchy celery, thinly sliced scallions and a creamy mayo dressing is all you need. Serve on toasted white bread with peppery arugula for one of my lunchtime favorites, or enjoy this salad just on its own.

Click here for the Simple Chicken Salad recipe on Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs. And make sure to follow CC&BT on Instagram here for all things cooking and eating in the big apple. Cheers!

Make this Valentine’s Day Brunch Perfect for Your Honey with Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancakes

~ Amanda Neal ~ Leave a comment

Happy Valentine’s Day from Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs!

If you know me at all, you know the way to my heart is through my stomach; a box of chocolates or a home-cooked meal trumps tulips any day. So when I started developing a recipe for Valentine’s Day, and specifically for brunch, I wanted it to be heart warming, thoughtful, and a perfect gift for that special someone in your life. Tomorrow morning, makes these Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancakes, recipe available now on CC&BT!

These fluffy pancakes are incredibly light and full of flavor. And the addition of sour cream makes them unbelievably soft, while the whole wheat flour makes them a healthful start to your V-Day. Serve with sliced strawberries, a dollop of whipped cream, or simply with a drizzle of warm maple syrup.

Check out the recipe for Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancakes here, as well as all of the Brunch recipes on CC&BT. XOXO!

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A Fresh Salad for the New Year

~ Amanda Neal ~ Leave a comment

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Happy New Year from Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs! I hope your 2017 has started off with a bang; I know I’m excited for a new year of new opportunities and experiences ahead.

Now that the new year is upon us, it’s officially time to start your new year’s resolutions! After a month of heavy eating and endless indulgences, I’m sure many of you (including myself) are looking for lighter meal options. So for my first recipe of the year, I wanted to create a light salad with tons of texture and intense flavor. I also wanted this salad to have some unique and interesting ingredients, instead of your classic toppings and greens. So here it is, a Carrot and Cabbage Salad with Miso Vinaigrette!

This colorful salad has the perfect balance of texture and flavor, thanks to the complex combination of shredded carrots and earthy white miso. The fresh cilantro and nutty sesame seeds transform a traditional slaw into a wonderfully delicious salad.

To make this Carrot and Cabbage Salad with Miso Vinaigrette, check out the recipe here. Also, make sure to look at all of the Soup and Salad recipes to kick off the new year with healthful and satisfying dishes. Happy cooking from CC&BT!

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Not Your Yiayia’s Greek Salad

~ Amanda Neal ~ Leave a comment

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I LOVE Greek food. From a traditional lamb gyro with tzatziki and red onion to creamy avgolemeno soup with chicken and lemon, the flavors are always big, comforting and impossible to resist. Now don’t get me wrong, these dishes are perfect exactly how they are. But I wanted to take a classic Mediterranean-inspired dish and incorporate some new ingredients, while still maintaining traditional flavors and textures. So I decided to make a Skirt Steak Salad with Arugula, Bulgur and Tzatziki.

The base of this salad is bulgur, a type of dried cracked wheat, which provides great texture and whole grain nutrients. The cream tzatziki sauce, peppery arugula and crisp Persian cucumbers also add freshness to this bright salad. And while the pickled red onions are not traditionally on a Greek salad, they add intense acidity and crunch. Finally, the seared skirt steak completes this salad into the perfect dish for any meal.

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To learn how to Pickled Red Onions, click here. And check out this recipe for a Skirt Steak Salad with Arugula, Bulgur and Tzatziki here. Thank you for stopping by Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs, happy cooking!

New Recipe Alert: Balsamic Roasted Brussels and Chickpeas

~ Amanda Neal ~ 1 Comment

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If you love the texture of roasted vegetables and the bite of balsamic vinegar, then definitely try the latest recipe on Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs, Balsamic Roasted Brussels and Chickpeas!

There are many reasons to love this recipe, including the simple preparation and quick cooking time. The Brussels, shallots and chickpeas all cook together on the same baking sheet for the same amount of time, making for less mess and overall cleanup.

The combination of textures is also something to love. The Brussels are tender on the inside with some crispy leaves on the outside. The sliced shallots become soft and caramelized, and the chickpeas are creamy and smooth. Each bite is complex and interesting.

The addition of balsamic vinegar also makes this recipe a winner. The vinegar not only gives incredible flavor to otherwise bland ingredients, but also helps to caramelize the Brussels and chickpeas to golden brown perfection.

To make this recipe, check out the Balsamic Roasted Brussels and Chickpeas here on Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs. And make sure to check out all of the savory recipes now. Cheers!

New Recipe Alert: Soy Sauce Eggs

~ Amanda Neal ~ Leave a comment

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You’ve probably seen soy sauce eggs on the menu at your favorite ramen shop. But have you ever thought about making them in your own kitchen? Well I’m happy to report they are simple to throw together and easy to make, plus you probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry and fridge.

A soy sauce egg is most basically a hard boiled or medium boiled egg that has been marinated in a soy sauce mixture. The combination of soy sauce, red wine vinegar and ginger takes a flavorless hard boiled egg to a whole other level. These eggs can be used in a variety of ways: spread on toasted bread, dice up and toss in a crisp green salad, serve in a bowl of warm ramen, or simply enjoy on its own.

What makes this recipe extra special is doneness of the eggs. The combination of high heat and the cooking time of 9 minutes makes for a hard boiled egg with a deliciously creamy yolk. The aggressive boil and quick ice water bath also aids in peeling the cooked eggs, and you’ll have perfectly smooth whites every time. These soy sauce eggs are all about the cooking time and flavorful marinade.

If you want to learn how to make these delicious eggs, check out the recipe for Soy Sauce Eggs here. And be sure to try all the savory recipes on Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs now!

The Perfect Baked Potato

~ Amanda Neal ~ Leave a comment

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If you know me at all, you know that I love potatoes. There’s something incredibly satisfying and comforting about the creaminess of a perfectly cooked potato. From waxy fingerlings to starchy sweet potatoes, spuds are an incredibly versatile ingredient that can take on a wide range of seasonings and garnishes. One of my favorites ways to prepare starchy potatoes (i.e. Idaho or russet), is to simply bake them! Whether it’s topped with a pat of butter or with a hearty scoop of chili, baked potatoes are a no-brainer option for any meal.

A perfectly baked potato with a fluffy center and crisp, salty skin is easier to achieve than you think. Follow these simple steps on Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs for How To Bake a Potato. Baking spuds in the oven is easy to do and will give you great results each time.

Then after you learn to make the perfect baked potato, check out the recipe for a Baked Potato with Creamed Spinach and Parm  in the collection of savory recipes. This unique combination will make you rethink baked potato toppings all together.

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Thank you for stopping by CC&BT, happy cooking!

Peeling Back the Layers

~ Amanda Neal ~ Leave a comment

Few things pack such intense and exceptional flavor quite like caramelized onions. Whether it’s a bowl of French onion soup or a charred flat bread pizza, the sweet and savory balance of an onion really can elevate any dish.

Caramelized onions do take some time and they cannot be rushed. If your heat is too high, you run the risk of the onions burning, resulting in a bitter final product. Alternatively, a little time and elbow grease will give you a wonderful pan of perfectly browned and toasty veggies. A little patience will result in an irresistible, gourmet treat.

For a step by step guide on How To Caramelize Onions, check out the page here on Coffee, Cabs and Bar Tabs.

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And once you’ve mastered the technique, use up those sweet onion slices in a decadent sandwich, like the Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese on CC&BT. Cheers!

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