Recipes, Food, City Life & Motherhood (New York-style)
We usually rent a car when we go to visit my family down in Virginia. As we were looking at the Nissan section, we discussed which cars we would like to travel in the most. It was a split vote between the Nissan Altima (me) and Nissan Pathfinder (everyone else). What can I say? I like smaller cars. They like larger ones. Oh, well…
In any event, there were many cars to view at the show. You can see the slideshow of our favorites, including the “flying car” below:
Yesterday, I went to Centrico, a popular NYC Mexican / Southwestern restaurant. I attended as a guest of Sierra Mist Natural for a “Meet and Greet” with Food Network Chef Aarón Sanchez. In addition to being one of the co-stars of my family’s favorite food show (Chopped) Aarón is also the chef/owner of Centrico Restaurant and he has partnered with Sierra Mist to share family-friendly Latino-inspired meals (in both Spanish and English) as part of their “Eating Together” program.
I really enjoy events featuring chefs. I find them to be very warm and engaging (for the most part). It was a delight to listen to Chef Aarón during the cooking demo as he prepared his recipe for slow roasted chipotle chicken. I thought that the event would just be a demo and tasting, but we ended up being served a full lunch. I love Mexican food, so I was thrilled. Everything was delicious. (I’m actually going to try the chicken recipe that he prepared later this week. It’s pretty simple, yet delicious.)
My favorite dish was the guacamole though! It was so creamy that some of the food writers thought that Aarón had included some crème fraiche, but he didn’t. I’ll tell you his “secrets”. First of all, he uses Mexican avocadoes. (They are only available 8 – 10 months a year, so he stocks up.) He doesn’t use garlic. Rather, he uses the following ingredients in his guacamole: lime juice, salt, cilantro, tomatoes, Mexican oregano, avocadoes and Serrano chiles. (I can’t wait to experiment!)
I had a really great time at the luncheon. I was really impressed by Aarón’s obvious admiration of his grandmother as he reminisced about how she was not in a rush, so her meals had deep, developed flavors. I also appreciated how he shared fond memories of his mentor, Louisiana Cajun chef Paul Prudhomme. Aarón credited him with teaching him discipline and how to develop the flavors of food. (I like people who realize the importance of past mentors!)
I like the fact that Chef Aarón is a family man who cooks twice a week at home for his own family. He made me laugh when he mentioned that his home is “anti-soda”. He said that Sierra Mist is the only soda that is allowed in his home, because it has real sugar and 100% natural flavors. In any event, I’m going to try out the chicken recipe. I will let you know how it goes. You can see the video that I took of Chef Aarón Sanchez preparing the chicken below and you can print out the chipotle chicken recipe. In it, he praises chicken thighs, crockpots, Chipotle chili and “delicious and spicy” Salma Hayek Pinault…
Congrats to the winner, Kimberly of SheScribe
2013 Nissan Altima (Image courtesy of Nissan USA)
Are you planning on staying in town for Spring Break next week? We are. One of the things that we will be doing is attending the 2012 New York International Auto Show as guests of Nissan. Along with all of the other vehicles at the show, we will see the new 2013 Nissan Altima, 2013 Nissan Pathfinder and the Nissan NV200 Taxi (the official “Taxi of Tomorrow”). Reggie and the boys want to go to the show to see all of the new cars and trucks while I want to check out the Auto Show’s family themed options.
The great news is that Nissan is also giving away four tickets to the New York Auto Show to one of my readers. The tickets are good for any day of the show.
New York Auto Show Details:
Dates: April 6 – 15
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 10pm; Sunday – 10am – 7pm
Location: Jacob Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street, NY, NY
To win the set of tickets, simply let me know what is important to you in a car in the “Comments” section below by Friday, April 6th, at 2pm. {Thanks to Nissan for providing the tickets for both my family and the giveaway winner!}
[Although it’s definitely not required to enter the giveaway, I would really appreciate it if you would take a peek at Mom in the City. Earlier this week, I re-launched it as a curated daily deals site for NYC moms where moms can receive the daily picks in THEIR preferred style (via the site, email, Twitter and/or Facebook). Please spread the word if you like what you see. Thanks!]
This past weekend, I went with a friend to review Dead Sea Scrolls, an exhibition about life and faith in Biblical times. If you are a history or Bible fan, you will not want to miss this opportunity to see various artifacts of the ancient texts before the experience ends on April 15th.
When we first entered the exhibit, Genesis 12:1 was broadcast and there was a recording of the Scripture being read in Hebrew. I assume that this is a popular text in Jewish culture, because several of the visitors were reciting it along with the recording. We were then directed to a room containing three large vases. There, the guide shared a brief history of the various artifacts and the discovery of the scrolls. (You can read more about the history of the Dead Sea Scrolls at this USC educational site. I found it quite fitting that a lowly goat-herder was the one who discovered the scrolls in a cave’s clay pottery.) Next, we entered the exhibit area. Personal highlights included seeing the actual Dead Sea Scrolls and writing a prayer to place in the stone from the sacred Western Wall. There is a 3-ton stone from the actual wall that is part of the exhibit. The prayers and notes from the exhibit visitors are being collected and they will all be sent to the Western Wall in Israel.
In any event, this exhibit inspired me in multiple ways. I was a History major at Columbia, so I loved seeing a glimpse into the history of the Jewish people. The writings, pottery and jewelry were all amazing. Then, as a Christian, it was just great to see the oldest known texts of the Bible. I also especially liked how the exhibition shared the existence of the Abraham link between the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. There really was something to appeal to a variety of people. To learn more, visit Dead Sea Scrolls: Discovery Times Square.
Dead Sea Scrolls: Discovery Times Square
226 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10019
(866) 987-9692
www.discoverytsx.com/exhibitions/dead-sea-scrolls
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10am – 7pm (Box office closes at 6pm); Friday – Sunday: 10am – 8pm (Box office closes at 7pm)
Ticket Pricing: Adult – $25.; Senior-$22.50; Child-$19.50
{Thanks to Discovery Times Square for the tickets and the images for this post. (No photography is allowed during the exhibition.)}
I was talking to a relative today and we agreed that Chelsea Studios “owe” me commission. Since I had Michael’s “Pirate and Princess” (also known as “my hair caught on fire!”) birthday party, I have sent a ton of business there way! Let me explain…
I love kids and I actually enjoy being around them…except in tight spaces. I get semi-claustrophobic with a bunch of people in small spaces anyway. Adding little boys and girls running, yelling and playing (as they totally should be doing at a kiddie party!) into the mix and it’s a recipe for this mommy to have a mental meltdown. That’s where Chelsea Studios come in the picture. I really think that they are one of the best deals for wide-open space to hold birthday parties for my boys in Manhattan for the following reasons:
1.) It’s easily accessible. While available parking spaces during prime hours can be hassle, it’s very close to a variety of public transportation.
2.) It’s affordable. When you mention the words “birthday party” to space owners in the city, it seems like the prices automatically jump up. (I’m talking up to double the regular rate for using the space!) That is not the case with Chelsea Studios…their rates remain the same. The largest studios – which can hold around 80 people – are currently $65/hour…which is still a steal!
3. Their staff is friendly and flexible. I don’t know about you, but I like to give my money to “nice” people. I have used the studios for a variety of events over the years and I have never had an unpleasant experience with their staff. I can’t say enough good things about them.
4.) Coat racks, chairs and tables are all included in the rental fee. For most places, you have to rent your own chairs and tables.
5.) There’s plenty of bright, clean space for the kids to run around and play. I love it. The kids love it. It’s a win-win!
Side note: The floors are made of wood. So, if you have the bright idea to bring a bubble machine to your party (like SOMEONE I know did)…don’t! Hard wood floors and sticky bubble solution combine to become a recipe for disaster/concussion watch. You’re welcome 
!
By the way, I have NO affiliation with Chelsea Studios at all. I just give them my money and encourage others to do the same!
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