apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Unlike Thread 82, I can see this thread!

But there's nothing to see yet!

Having completely botched a shortbread recipe (it was my fault, not the recipe's), I am trying to calculate the exact combo of coffee, sugar, and soothing self-affirmations that will be required to grocery shop with my mother in the 'burbs tomorrow.

I had the same problem. It would flash ever so briefly on my screen, and then go blank.

Anyone else out there planning a vegetarian Thanksgiving? I tried Tofurkey once, but never again!

Vegetarian? Actually, yes! It's the only sensible response to my family. No tofu will be served. Here's what I'm thinking:

--Leek-mushroom quiche
--A little bean cassoulet-type thing (though I may skip beans, take the mushrooms out of the quiche, and put them in something else casserole-ish instead)
--Cranberry sauce
--Green beans or peas, maybe with some mint or something like that
--Fruit relish (apples, pears, whatever)
--Stuffing (the ingredients partly duplicate the fruit relish, but everyone wants both, so they get 'em)
--The world's most tedious-to-construct pumpkin cheesecake, courtesy of Cook's Illustrated

Mmmm, Wende, that sounds great!

Just for the record, I have the same issue 'white page' issue with AT when I view it here at work. So I downloaded Firefox and now can view the articles after the jump.

I think smell can be the best apartment accessory. I can't wait to bake tonight as well. We have been redoing our bathroom and the mess gets depressing - but the smell of something good baking somehow makes a huge difference.

I am looking to buy a dresser and don't want to spend more than $2,000. What do you guys think of this one?

http://www.baronet.ca/en/products_detail.php?coll=silver&id_coll=12&id_prod=17

Attractive? Too cold/austere? I'd be getting it in a chocolate finish, not the anthracite finish shown in the picture.

Thanks for your input!!!

david - I clicked on the link and the page comes up but all I see are the dimensions - no picture.

wende - Shopping in the burbs with mom? better to do something sedating and not coffee- prescription strength highly recommended. ;^ )

matt - I ditto the sensory wonders of an apartment filled with delicious holiday cooking and baking aromas. I've been snooping around various foodie sites looking for new baking recipes to try and will start tonight - complete with soft music playing and candles all over - ahhh, holiday time! :^ )

Here's another link to the dresser. Hopefully the pic is visible in this one.

http://www.roomandcompany.com/cgi-bin/products.pl?p_id=4221&cid=524&scid=436

David, I think the dresser is hot. I wouldn't buy it for myself since it's out of my price range, but I would be very happy if someone gave one to me.

I'm having Tofurkey this year because I'll be the only vegetarian/vegan present. When I can get the count up higher (or on other occassions) I have a recipe for this amazing vegan quiche. Even my non-veg friends love it.

This year I'll stick with a couple of simple things on the side: vegan mashed potatoes and some veggies roasted with white wine and thyme. Mmmmm. Oh, and vegan pumpkin ice cream from Maggie Mudd in SF -- the most amazing vegan ice cream on the planet. Made from coconut milk... you'd never guess it's vegan, and it tastes like pumpkin pie.

Dave - very nice dresser, but should be at the price. My one concern would be that the image on the web doesn't feel like "living color -- would want a better image or chance to see in person before purchasing.

Matt and Libby -- ditto ditto on the baking. I will be making apple pie tonight for T-day -- loe the cozy warm smell of baking!!! I find cooking totally therapeutic.

that's "love the cozy warm . . ."

(too bad AT doesn't come with a spell checker!!!)

Thanks for the comments on the dresser. It's selling for $1799 at Jensen Lewis.

If any of you can recommend a store where I could spend less and still get a high-quality dresser (solid wood), I'm all ears. Thank you!

Wende in SF: Even though the CI pumpkin cheesecake is time-consuming to make, it's 100% worth it in the end...right? I'm considering making one this week.

David, the dresser is great. I'd take one of those as a gift any day.

I love Tofurkey. Every Thanksgiving is a vegetarian one as far as I'm concerned. One of my favorite dishes on T-day is baked squash stuffed with something like wild rice and sauted tofu, mushrooms, garlic, onions, and whatever.

wende,

regarding a side dish, i saw a peas + roasted artichoke recipe recently that looked really good. i'm still trying to find a reason to make it.

and a co-worker makes his own tofurkey, i saw it made on a foodtv episode and it's surprisingly simple. but imho tofu is find as it is without making it into turkey!

This has nothing to do with turkey... Thoughts on what to do with a big wall behind a big bed?

Maybe 3 in-series pictures?

RE: big wall

how big are we talking about here? it's a little tired but i'm using a 4x8 foot rug behind my bed, did a lot to tighten up the area above my bed. a picture would help!

A. -- The CI pumpkin cheesecake is 100% worth the trouble! There's a mistake in the recipe about when you remove the sides of the pan (let everything cool and get the cheesecake out of the water bath first!), but other than that, it's fabulous. I didn't dry the pumpkin with paper towels, though -- I like the old-fashioned caramelize-it-in-a-saucepan method better.

Minh -- Hmmm... I wonder if I like artichokes? That recipe sounds darned tempting.

re: veggie t-day
a few years i came out of my vegetarian-hood, back into the realm of carnivores, but previous to that, i was vege for way more than 10 years
after a few years of suffering through tofurkey, i decided to take a cue from the first thanksgiving and make myself a GOREGOUS baked cod
i had white wine, shallots, blood oranges, pomegranates, garlic and other things all baked together in a little clay pot
it was so incredibly amazingly yummy that the rest of the fam was jealous being stuck with their boring old turkey, because, like any good only child, i would't share ;-)

Well, with Thanksgiving here Christmas isn't far behind, although the way EVERYONE from city hall to my office building to the grocery store all sprouted tinsel tree decorations overnight, on the SAME night, is a little creepy. Smacks of global capitalist conspiracy, to me.

But going merrily along with that theme, another blog I read posted a link to this: http://www.giftboxhome.com, an online tool for managing gifts and gift ideas. It even lets you send thank you cards right there.

I have an inordinately large family to buy presents for, so I am rather enjoying playing around with this. Or maybe it's just my attraction to lists and list-tool in all their forms...

David--

Hot dresser whose style will live with you for a very long time.

I've seen the Baronet Silver stuff in person, and the finish is very cool... like someone rubbed pencil graphite over wood.

a--
How about a grid of MDF squares padded and then upholstered, fit ina grid the width of the bed and as high as you care to go... to the ceiling would be awesoem. You could also go wide enough to sort of "embrace" your night stands, and perhaps even mount lighting onto appropriate squares next to the bed/above the night stands.

Also look to the "I've Got Color! Contest"... there was an awesome bedroom whose awesome-ness came from a large grid of painted rectangles.

aquarabbit:

I have to get you one of our favorite recipes, for a vegetable loaf made with risotto (I think). It is outrageously festive and presents gorgeously, since it is mutlicolored when sliced. Assuming you eat cheese, that is.

We call it smoke alarm loaf since for some reason it has a tendency to smoke while in the oven.

Thanks p(too)... unfortunately, I did give up cheese a little over a year ago now. I don't miss it too too much, but every now and then I have cravings. My mom makes this amazing nut loaf for Thanksgiving every year (the only really good thing she makes) and it is filled with cheese cheese cheese. Mmmmm.

Speaking of all of this, are there any good veggie/vegan restaurants I need to hit whilst in your fair city? My New York "to do" list is getting quite lengthy!

Great sugegstions from ptoo for "a"
You may also find the "Build your own head board" link helpful
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/081505/how-to/how-to-build-your-own-headboard-003559

aquarabbit
veg restaurants in nyc:
Counter in the east village - stylin' with a great wine list
Bread Bar at Tabla - Madison and 25th
Angelica's in the east village is old style vegan, and still delicious after all these years

if you're in Brooklyn, "al di la" on Fifth Ave in Park Slope has the most awesome malfatti (chard gnocchi in sage butter) and bizarrely awesomely delicious grilled chard stems. And the best vongole in NY, but that involves clams.

Brooklyn Question: Anyone know where Greenpoint Church is?

My pal was attending law school in New Orleans and is now temporarily going to Fordham U. and staying (with other student evacuees) at this church. I'd like to send her some sort of gift cert. or similar she can use in the area but I don't know what's around there (she doesn't have a vehicle and I don't know how much she's learned of public transportation there). I don't have a lot to spend, but I'd like to give her a little something to lift her spirits (I don't think she'll be able to make it home to her family in Boston for the holidays).

Thanks!

Re: big wall, headboard, etc
I made my own headboard a few years ago, haphazardly, from a large piece of plywood, batting, fabric and faux-tufted it with covered buttons glue gunned to stapled areas...getting the plywood home was hazardous at best. I got it at Home depot and drove with it on top of my car...dangerous at BEST, but I was determined. If you use a big piece of plywood as a headboard, I'd shore it up with 2X4s or something because it's very flimsy. Of course, it would help if I fastened it to my bed frame...but having it pushed up against the wall works too. At my last place, I had a shelf placed above the length of that with a piece of artwork leaned on it, and some other decorative things.

I like P(too)'s suggestion about the upholstered squares--much more transportable!

Libby
It's probably this one, in Greenpoint Bklyn.
Which is next to Williamsburg Bklyn, a little hipster hotspot.

I'm sure she's getting familiar with the subway, cause Fordham is in the Bronx.
I have absolutely no idea what to suggest!

Greenpoint Reformed Church,
visit their website at: http://churches.rca.org/greenpoint/

Greenpoint Reformed Church
136 Milton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 383-5941

Libby--
Train fare to Boston from here is not bad (of course "not bad" is all relative)

re: headboards
In a past apartment, I actually stretched untreated Belgian linen from Pearl Paint (which my lovely little Mom sewed together into one monster panel) over lath strips and covered the whole wall behind the bed. Although putting it up by myself was a complete comedy of errors, the end result was sweet.

Libby-
I live in Greenpoint, only a few blocks from Greenpoint Church. There aren't really any chain stores in the neighborhood at all, but if she's going to Fordham, she knows the subway by now. There are also lots of fun little shops around here. If she's a cheese fan, the Bedford Cheese Shop is near here and a gift certificate there would be a great gift http://bedfordcheeseshop.com/

Aquarabbit, re vegetarian restaurants--if you like Indian, Pongal is great (2 locations, Lexington and 28th St. and one at First Ave. and 62nd (?)) Really good South Indian (all vegetarian) food. The Candle Cafe on 3rd Ave. and 79th St. is also good.

Libby
The Chinatown buses go to Boston for under $20!
www.fungwahbus.com

Restaurant workers use them to commute to east coast cities, but now all the underfunded people have jumped on.
I know plenty of people that have taken them...

David-

I own a bunch of Baronet furniture. It's great quality for the price. I bought their Stockholm series for the bedroom which is the anthracite finish on maple, and a dining table and buffet in a dark chocolate stained oak, all from Crate and Barrel a couple of years ago. I've also seen some of their stuff at Storehouse.

I think the dresser you are looking at is fabulous and if it had been around two years ago, it woud be in my bedroom!

Reef

Aquarabbit-

Definitely try Red Bamboo - 140 West 4th Street, just east of 6th Avenue. The Soul Chicken is so good! But it is small and crowded so call ahead or you might have to wait.

and GOBO - two locations - 6th Ave and 8th St. and 3rd Avenue between 80th & 81st. The sizzling seitan medallions in citrus sauce are amazing!

Teany - (owned by the Moby) - 90 Rivington Street on the lower east side.

Counter is good, but a little too fancy for me!

Candle Cafe - beautiful place and great food!

Zen Palate - also has three or four locations around the city - you can sit in the cheap cafe part or the more expensive nicer restaurant part

(you can see most of their menus on menupages.com, but that is not always 100% accurate)

ooo, I think Zen Palate is gross.

I haven't been to Pure Food and Wine, but that's supposed to be good too.
Plus there's plenty of falafel stands downtown if you're dropping all your cash on a boutique hotel!

And if you're midtown just looking for cheap easy lunch, there's a chain called Pret A Manger that has a lovely avocado sandwich and a vegan butternut squash soup...

If Pret A Manger is the same chain as the one they have in London, I second that recommendation.

I love Zen Palate. Maybe you had a bad experience?

Pure Food and Wine is good, and there's a place with a terrible name (Quantum Leap) in the West Village that is good for a quick, cheap bite.

I also like Candle Cafe, Teany, and Counter. There's also Angelika Kitchen, which many people love, but I don't find amazing.

Thanks for all the great advice everybody...! Everything sounds so good, it looks like I should plan on gaining about ten pounds while I am there. :)

Thanks for the info. - my pal evacuated New Orleans with the two cats and her driver's license so things are really tight. I'm thinking it might be best to just send $ and let her decide what she needs/wants most. She's an avid journal keeper and I don't know if she lost them all in the hurricane or not. I'm thinking I'll fix up one of those blank books and send it to her to strat writing in.

Oh - she is also oa coffee lover. Any thoughts on that for local coffees? Coffee houses?

thanks!

I have a cooking question:

My husband went to the supermarket for a four-pound turkey breast. All that was left were two two-pound turkey breasts (okay, it sounds like a math problem).

The recipe I have says to cook 15 minutes for every pound of turkey. This is for if you're cooking an entire turkey.

So, do I cook 30 minutes because each of the breasts are two pounds, or 60 minutes because both breasts together are four pounds?

Thanks, and I'm about to go figure out the square root of salad dressing.

I only know the answer if he is on a train leaving Chicago.

Melinda, you read my mind! I did the same thing. I bought a 2 lb. turkey breast and was wondering if I just throw some salt/pepper on it and toss it in the oven or is there another way of dealing with it.

No, one train leaving from Chicago at 4:37 with a two-pound turkey breast, and one train leaving from New York at 2:21 with a four-pound turkey breast. I hate math!

Pumpkin pie or pumpkin pi???? Now I've got a math headache. Argh!

Happy Thanksgiving Day wishes to all of you! Personally, I'm trankful for AT and it's loyal fans - how would I get through a workday without you!?

:^ )

aquarabbit - I found the B&B I was telling you about. It's so cute. After the holidays the rooms run $119 a night. I looked at one of them and even though they're small they have what looks like a feather bed clean white linens, fireplace in the lobby, courtyard out back, free internet, TV and on a very nice block. Here's the website:
www.414hotel.com

Hope this helps.

NY Times:

Airport and Highway Snarls Mark Start of Holiday Weekend
Light snow in the Midwest helped produce two-hour delays at some airports, while a tanker fire near Washington slowed traffic.

I'm thankful that I don't have to travel!!!

Thanks Anne... that hotel looks really nice. If my "apartment swap" idea doesn't pan out (free accomodations seems nice, but not sure if swapping is a good idea or not), I'll check into this place.

I admit that I am totally daunted by the sheer size of New York and the millions of things to do that must be packed in to 4.5 days.

aquarabbit, if you take the little tour I mentioned, you won't have that much travel time between each thing. Also, as you go, you can decide to skip stuff. Keep in mind that most every museum has good bathrooms, and wear comfortable shoes for walking, because you will definitely walk more when you're here than you usually do.

aquarabbit -
You'll be just fine. NYC is huge but it's all about each individual neighborhood. And look at it this way - post on AT when you're confused and one of us will meet you for a drink and set you straight :0

And Curtis is right - we walk more here than in any other city in the country (maybe the world). If something is 20 blocks away we don't really think about getting there any other way. But also remember that the subway stops every 9-10 blocks so ALWAYS carry a subway map with you. Unlike SF, these maps are FREE. It will become your bible.

Well, not all of us will "set you straight." But we'll still meet you for a smart cocktail.

anne: the B&B looks terrific! Thanks for posting the info.