The Weekend Guide :: More Events Around Town

Even more events and things to do (and eat) this weekend.  For a recap of food-lover events posted earlier in the week, click here.  

Epicurious Entertains - Expansive cooking website Epicurious.com is hosting a weekend full cooking demos, book signings, tastings and chef-driven dinners.  Among the list of events to choose from: 

• Cooking with Kids - {Saturday, Oct. 2nd}  Locanda Verde's talented pastry chef, Karen DeMasco demos be kid-friendly cooking and tasty bites. 
• Red Rooster Preview - {Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 7-10pm} chef and Top Chef Masters winner Marcus Samuelsson teams up with Epicurious for a preview dinner at his soon-to-open Harlem restaurant Red Rooster, which celebrates the diverse roots of American cuisine. 
• Football Fest at Hill Country BBQ - {Sunday, Oct. 3rd, 12:45pm} Sunday football + incredible BBQ...a perfect pairing.  Head to Hill Country for a tasting lunch with executive chef Elizabeth Karmel.
  

Abe & Arthur's - is on my personal dining calendar this weekend.  The chic Meatpacking restaurant, Abe & Arthur's is celebrating its one-year anniversary so I figured it's the ideal time to head back for another well-executed meal (which can be a very rare find in that area of town).  Skimming the menu designed by executive chef Franklin Becker, I'm already eyeing the Tuna Tartare Tacos to start (they were unbelievable my first visit last fall and are definitely a must-order), Roasted Beets & Westfield Farm's Goat Cheese Salad (because I always get my veggies in somehow) and Filet Mignon (I'm normally not a big steak gal, but Franklin's filet is pretty phenomenal from what I recall, though it's certainly large enough at 10 ounces to share).   If you're more inclined for fish or seafood, the Wood-Fired Branzino and the Pan Roasted Scallops with Foie Gras and Cauliflower-Almond Puree and Chanterelles sound amazing.  As for the foie gras, it makes a surprisingly delicious pairing with scallops -- a little light seafood + a touch of indulgence, you can't really go wrong.  To celebrate their anniversary, Abe & Arthur's will be providing all guests this evening (Oct. 1st) only with a complimentary glass of Marquis de la Tour champagne upon arrival as well as a slice of sweetness to bring the meal to a close. 

Edible Schoolyard Brunch @ Franny's - {Sunday, Oct. 3rd} Head to brunch at Franny's and help support Alice Waters' Edible Schoolyard organization which helps teach kids about food, health and the environment. Franny's (295 Flatbush Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn).  Tickets are pricey at $250, but it's certainly for a worthy cause (esynyc.com/frannys)

Help for the Highline - If you're really looking to spend some dough this weekend and eat for an excellent cause, join acclaimed chefs with restaurants near to the High Line as they convene at Colicchio & Sons (10th Ave & 15th St) to cook up dinner to benefit Friends of the High Line.  Tickets are $500 at thehighline.org

In the Kitchen :: ...and Dreaming of Morocco

Maybe it was the rain and nasty weather or the fact that signs of Morocco have been popping up all around me of late -- a vacation site email in my inbox yesterday morning, Sunday's NY Times Travel Magazine, featuring mesmerizing Marrakesh.  I couldn't think of anything better than curling up to a bowl of something warm and aromatic, hints of cinnamon, cumin and other spices I'd imagine finding in the markets of a far off, fantastical Moroccan city.  Lacking a proper traditional tagine, I figured a cozy autumn stew in my sturdy Dutch oven was the next best thing.  And though my inclusion of coconut milk brings India and Thailand more to mind, I will definitely say that the spice blend I tossed together conjured up exotic visions of Morocco that made me want to pack my bags and board the next flight out of JFK.  For a bit of faraway inspiration that highlights seasonal ingredients (squash and apple are this stew's star ingredients), the recipe follows.  This is a perfect weeknight dish, made in under 30 minutes.  And the lentils give it a great dose of satisfying fiber while the squash and spices pack lots of antioxidants.  


Squash Curry with Apple & Red Lentils
makes 4 to 6 servings


1 2 to 2 1/2 pound buttercup squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 2-inch chunks
1/2 large yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
10 ounces light coconut milk
2 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup red lentils
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of cayenne pepper
2 dried red chilies
3/4 teaspoon salt
fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 cup diced apple
extra apple for garnish, finely diced
creme fraiche or plain yogurt for garnish


In a large cast-iron pot or Dutch oven, add the oil and saute the squash and onion about 10 minutes over medium-high heat until lightly browned and semi-soft.  
Add in the coconut milk, broth as well as the lentils, spices, chilies, salt and pepper. 
Lower heat and simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add in apples with 10 minutes cooking time left.  
Garnish with extra diced apple and a tiny dollop of creme fraiche or plain yogurt if desired.

photos :: me, kellyoshiroevents.com, ifood.tv, architecturaldigest.com, stylebyswift.com, dustjacketattic.com

A Very Edible Event :: Eat Drink Local

Happy Monday!  If you're looking for something to take the edge the start of another work week, here are a few events to set your sights on this week.  The local food events this autumn just won't quit...

Eat Drink Local :: Sept. 26th - Oct. 6th    
Eleven days devoted to the fall harvest all across New York State.  Restaurants, wine shops and farmers markets are joining forces to celebrate the season, sponsored by Edible magazines might be the biggest event of the fall.  Here's just a taste of what this week has in store.


*Special locavore meals and deals: All week-long partnering restaurants, wine shops and wineries, breweries and beer bars, farms and food artisans, and cultural institutions that celebrate food.
*Ingredients of the day: Each day of the week will be defined by a local ingredient. Restaurants that take part will be cooking with them and you can try them at home, too. Check the list — which includes clams, Concord grapes, apple cider and Long Island duck – right here.
*Profiles in deliciousness: Profiles of local farmers, food-makers, ingredients, recipes and other edible items of note. Check the list of those profiled such as Kennon Kay, director of the Queens County Farm, and Empire State Wineries.

*The EDL Challenge: 20 local cooking must-trys from canning to clamming to making butter to reading Michael Pollan. (Tell Edible about it on Facebook, Twitter via Flickr or in person at our Festival at Chelsea Market on Oct. 4, you might win one of our rapidly growing mountain of prizes.)

*The Sotheby’s Vegetable Auction: An Amish style heirloom vegetable auction to be held at Sotheby’s on September 23.
*The L.I. Wine Auction: A Long Island wine auction, HARVEST at Wolffer Estate Vineyards in Sagaponack on September 25.
*The Educational Institute: The Edible Institute at the New School, a public discourse on urban food issues on September 27.
*The Food Film Fest: Hungry Filmmakers, which features sneak peeks at some of the best up and coming food films, September 28.
*The Stone Barns Harvest Fest: The annual party and pig roast that is Harvest Fest at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, October 2.
*The Festival of the 11 Ingredients at Chelsea Market: A tasting of our 11 ingredients of the week from the vendors at Chelsea Market, plus local brews and bottles, October 4.
*Taste of Greenmarket: The annual, unforgettable fundraiser for the youth outreach component of the city’s Greenmarket program, October 6.

*Edible Gardens: Throughout the week, there will be programs and lectures on gardening and eating what you grow at the New York Botanical Garden.
*Cooking Demos: The Union Square and Grand Army Plaza Greenmarkets will feature cooking demos from partner chefs, New York wine pourings and other happenings. Find a full calendar of demos here.


And if all that isn't enough, there's an all day event this Wednesday in Union Square, called New Green City -- all about recycling, gardening, teaching and greenmarketing.  Check out the full day's event details here.