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Baked in Brooklyn – the Best Deal in Town

Posted by roodonfood on January 31, 2013 in Brooklyn

Baked in Brooklyn Rolls

Baked in Brooklyn is a local bread company just across the street from the famous Green-Wood Cemetery. Formerly, knowns as Aladdin Bakery, it borders between Greenwood Heights and Sunset Park. Their goods are available at grocery stores throughout the borough but I prefer to go straight to the retail outlet for the best pricing. They have several shelves of rolls, hoagie bread, pita and burrito wraps for $1. Generally everything is 4-6 to a pack. It may be the best bread deal in the area. My personal favorite are the thyme on top slider rolls. When toasted, they get the loveliest crunch. Check in soon for a slider recipe using rolls from these guys. They also make make loaves of sandwich bread, pita chips and all types of sweets.

Baked in Brooklyn
755 5th Avenue (between 25th and 26th)
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 788-3164

Tags: $1 baked in brooklyn, baked in brooklyn greenwood heights, baked in brooklyn sunset park, brooklyn, greenwood cemetery, sunset park Permalink

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Johan Santana’s Select Merlot 2006 (Longball Cellars, California)

Posted by roodonfood on January 30, 2013 in Beer and Wine Reviews

Santana’s Select Merlot
Source: Winerx

This was purchased for the novelty and for the price. The bottle features the Major League Baseball player Johan Santana. It’s one of a limited edition series from “Longball Cellars,” sports player themed wines benefiting charities. Other teams represented during this 2006 run included Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and the 500 Home Run club. The umbrella company that manufactures the wines is called Charity Wines and they also produce football and hockey themed wines. This wine was marked down from $12.99 to $3.99 at my local wine shop.

Day 1
It tastes young. It’s very thin bodied for a merlot. Not too tart or dry with a slight sweetness. Strong grapey aroma. I had low expectations but for the price point it’s very drinkable and pleasant.

Day 2
Consumed with chocolate, more of the tartness came out. The overall taste was fuller and a longer finish was apparent.

Unfortunately, this was a a limited run so it may be difficult to find. Check out this archive of some other wines still available via their website. Some fun highlights include wrestling themes such as “Flying Headbutt Merlot” and Razor’s Edge Pinor Noir featuring Razon Ramon.

Tags: budget wine, charity wines, flying headbutt merlot, longball cellars, santana's select Permalink

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Bengali Cholar Dal Recipe (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Posted by roodonfood on January 28, 2013 in gluten free, indian, Recipes, vegan

Cholar Dal

This Bengali dish reminds me of lunch with family. A common weekend lunch might include cholar dal, aloo torkari, tomato chutney and lucchis. The chana dal used in cholar dal is a little larger than most lentils and are occasionally referred to as “Bengal Gram” in recipes. They bear a strong resemblance to yellow split peas but aren’t the same thing. Here is a nice write up differentiating the two. When cooked well, Cholar Dal is hearty and satisfying.

Ingredients
1.5 cup chana dal
2 oz coconut flakes (sweetened)*
2 oz raisins
½ onion chopped
3 cloves
4-5 cardamom pods
1 stick cinnamon
2 bay leaves
1 T ginger powder
1 T turmeric
1 T cumin seeds
Salt to taste
Chili Powder to taste
*If sweetened coconut is unavailable, just use regular coconut and a little sugar

Method
In a pot, add in dal and about 4.5 cups of water (chana dal to water ratio is 3:1). Turn on pot to medium and cover. In a pan, add oil (ghee for non-vegan) and caramelize onions until onions start to turn translucent. Next, add all the other ingredients into the same pan and roast for a few minutes. Coconut flakes will brown a little bit. Add the pan contents into the dal pot and mix in. Place cover back on. Dal will take 30-40 minutes. Adjust seasoning as necessary. (I often end up adding in a little more coconut). Lentils are done when they’re firm but soft to bite into. They should retain their shape. Enjoy

Cholar Dal

Tags: bengali cholar dal, chana dal recipe, RoodonFood Recipes, sanjeev kapoor, vegan chana dal recipe, vegan cholar dal Permalink

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Krish Classic Jeera Khakhra Review (Wheat Crisps)

Posted by roodonfood on January 27, 2013 in indian, Snacks

Krish Classic Khakhra

Khakhra are a paper thin cracker/bread native to Gujarat, India. Typically they’re made from wheat flour only and/or one other flour such as lentil. A pappadam (papor) is a close relative, but tend to be gluten free (made of lentil, rice and other flours).

The Krish Classic come 12 to a pack. They’re about 7 inches in diameter and super thin. The ingredients are whole wheat flour, ghee, salt and cumin. These khakhras are crisp with a nice roasted flavor from the cumin and a faint sweetness. The crisps are enjoyable plain or with chutney and onions on top.

Wheat = Not Gluten Free

It’s a tasty product with one big problem. For some strange reason, the back of the label says “gluten free.” Most people who are GF check packages anyway, but it’s rare to see such a clear error. I’ve written to the makers, Krushna Foods and will post any followups about removal of the gluten free language.

Krish Classic Khakhra – Vacuum Sealed Bag

Tags: gluten free khakhra, krish classic khakhra, krish wheat crisps, krushna foods Permalink

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Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Cornbread Mix Review

Posted by roodonfood on January 26, 2013 in gluten free, vegan

Hodgson Mill Cornbread Mix Gluten Free Image Source: Vitacost

Not all cornbread mixes are gluten free which is super annoying. Generally cost prohibitive, it was a surprise to catch this Hodgson Mill’s Gluten Free Cornbread mix on sale for $2.99. The ingredients for this mix are simple: Corn Flour, Corn Meal, Sugar, Tapioca Starch, Baking Powder, Xanthan Gum, Flake Salt and Baking Soda.

The instructions are as follows: Mix 1 box with 1 cup of milk, 2 eggs and ½ cup of vegetable oil. To make the recipe vegan two modifications were made:

Eggs – Substitute flax eggs in place of regular eggs. The ratio is is 3 to 1. So to create “2 eggs” we used 2 tablespoons flaxmeal to 6 tablespoons of water. Mix the flax and water together and let sit for two minutes before adding into mixing bowl with other ingredients.
Milk – Substitute Almond Milk in place of Dairy Milk.

The box says it serves 12 muffins or 1 Cornbread. Normal muffins are fun but we got a whoopie pie pan for Christmas and decided mini is way cooler. The mix filled all but 1 slot making 23 mini cornbreads. 23 mini cornbreads! How is that not more fun?

The Hodgson Mill’s cornbread flavor is great – just between sweet and savory. I’d have no idea they were gluten free and vegan. They kept moist well into the 3rd day and tasted excellent toasted with some butter. We sprinkled a little cinnamon on top for added flavor.

We’ll definitely buy this again, especially the next time we make soul food. In the mix, I’ll also throw in some corn kernels, Kenny Rogers Roasters style. This was a great out of the box experience – plus another opportunity to use the whoopie pie pan. Hodgson Mill, feel free to send me a case load. :> Here is a review on another GF Hodgson Mills product at Go Ask Alyss.

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Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Cornbread Mix

Tags: hodgson mill, hodgson mill gluten free cornbread mix, hodgson mill non-gmo, Product Reviews Permalink

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On the Sweet Beat: Poppy Seed Strudel from Gold Label International in Brighton Beach

Posted by roodonfood on January 25, 2013 in Food Adventures, Snacks, Sweet Beat

Poppy Seed Strudel from Gold Label International

Good poppy seed strudel is hard to find. It’s usually dry in the middle if available at all. This package of 8 pieces of strudel ($4.49) was purchased at what’s becoming my favorite Russian/Eastern European market in Brighton Beach, Gold Label International. Without a doubt fresh, they’re lightly flaky with a creamy poppy paste throughout. It’s decadent but so very delicious with black coffee as an accompaniment.

Reading: Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake.

Other tasty things picked up at Gold Label include this.
Other posts about Brighton Beach can be found here.

Gold Label International
281 Brighton Beach Avenue (Between Brighton 2 and 3)
Brooklyn, NY
B/Q Subway to Brighton Beach

Tags: gold label international brighton beach, margaret atwood, oryx and crake, poppy seed brighton beach, sweet beat Permalink

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Swad Boondi Masala Chickpea Dumplings Review (10oz/283g)

Posted by roodonfood on January 24, 2013 in indian, Snacks, Uncategorized, vegan

Swad Boondi Masala

Generally I’m diligent about checking snacks to make sure they’re gluten free and thereby girlfriend friendly (GF and gf friendly). Many of the Swad products are already gluten free (though made in a facility which processes wheat). You know what happens though when you make an assumption. The boondi masala dumplings are made with chickpea flour and semolina (wheat). Note that the snack is vegan however.

Despite the buyers remorse, these chickpea dumplings are very satisfying. First of all, they’re tiny so it’s fun eating a handful. The room shakes from the disproportionate amount of crunch. The slightest spice (red chili powder) and sweetness (from the chickpea) is detectable in aftertaste.

I’ve eaten these freestanding as a snack, as well an alternative to soup crackers. It’s also fun to mix it with GORP (Good Ole Raisins and Peanuts). Simply mix equal parts peanuts, raisins and boondi. While the purchases was a mistake, it was a happy one.

Other snacks reviewed can be found here.

Gluten Free snacks and recipes can be found here.

Tags: raja foods swad, swad boondi masala, swad chick pea dumplings Permalink

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Korovka Wafers (Milk Flavor) from Brighton Beach

Posted by roodonfood on January 23, 2013 in Food Adventures, Snacks

Korovka Wafers (Milk Flavor)

These were picked up at Gold Label International Food, a Russian/Eastern European store in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. It’s one of the largest stores in the area with all manner of breads, smoke meats, fish, hot foods and amazing looking desserts. It’s located at 281 Brighton Beach Avenue between Brighton 2nd and 3rd.

The package of Korovka Wafers (Kopobka) contained 8 wafers for $1.29 (150g). The wafers stay in tact nicely when handled unlike other brands. The crème is very vanilla heavy. The flavor description is actually “milk flavor.” They lean sweeter than typical though not unpleasant. Korovka pairs well with black coffee or tea. For 8 large size wafers it wasn’t a bad deal. It also comes in chocolate.

Korovka Wafers Detail

Korovka is part of a much larger company called United Confectionery. The website boasts that among its patrons are the Kremlin and the Mayor of Moscow. Translation can be made by opening in chrome. I really like the chocolate picture in the shape of Russia.

Other posts about Brighton Beach are found here.

Other posts about Food Adventures are found here.

Tags: brighton beach, gold label international brighton beach, korovka wafers brooklyn, russian wafers Permalink

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Shepherd’s Pie with Chinese 5 Spice (Gluten Free)

Posted by roodonfood on January 18, 2013 in gluten free, Recipes

Shepherd’s Pie with Chinese 5 Spice

Shepherd’s Pie with Chinese 5 Spice (Non-traditional)
Servings: ~4
Prep Time: 1.5 hours (1 hour to marinade meat)

Shepherd’s Pie is a go to when in need of a cheap dinner. Traditionally it was made with yesterday’s leftover meat (beef, lamb or mutton) and topped with oven crusted mashed potatoes. With about a pound of ground pork on hand I decided to mix it up a little with tasty results. The 5 spice provides a savory sweet combination which contrasts with the creamy mash. Recipe is gluten free.

Ingredients
For Pork Marinade (chill for at an hour)
1 pd ground pork
1 T vinegar
3 T tamari or soy sauce
3 T Chinese 5 spice (equal parts fennel seed, star anise, ginger, cloves, cinnamon)
1 T ginger powder
sriracha or similar hot sauce to taste

½ cup green peas
1 small onion chopped small
4 or 5 cloves garlic minced

For Mashed Potatoes
6 medium potatoes, chopped small. Leave skin on if desired.
2 oz milk
3 T butter
1 T ground thyme
Pepper to taste
Salt to taste

Method

Oil a large pan. Put in the chopped onion and garlic. Allow to caramelize on medium-low for 7-10 minutes until the onions turn translucent. Mix in marinade pork being sure to break up any clumps. Add in green peas. Cook covered on medium low for 15-20 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add in chopped potatoes and cover. Allow to soften. If knife can be stabbed into potato easily, they’re done. ~10 minutes. Strain out water. Mash potatoes with ingredients above adjusting as needed. Make sure they’re a little on the moist side.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put cooked pork into an oven safe pan. On top, add mashed potatoes and smooth over top with a fork. Place in oven. Cook for 10 minutes to brown on top. Sprinkle a little paprika on top for color/garnish.

Tags: chinese 5 spice recipe, Main Entree, non-traditional shepherd's pie, shepherd's pie, shepherd's pie with chinese 5 spice Permalink

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Pirate’s Booty Veggie Puffs Review (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Posted by roodonfood on January 17, 2013 in gluten free, Snacks, vegan

Arrr Pirate’s Booty

These baked rice and corn based puffs are a welcome change of pace. They’re labelled gluten and transfat free. The veggie flavor is coated in veggie powders like spinach, cabbage, kale, parsley and carrot powder among others giving them a greenish shade. The crunch is moderate but respectable. It tastes like the sum of its parts. It’s nice to have a crunchy labelled veggie which doesn’t feature potato flour prominently. Note that this flavor is also vegan. Other flavors include White Cheddar, Chocolate, Sour Cream & Onion, BBQ and oddly “NY Pizza.”Great snack option.

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