The taste of any simple tomato-based salad is dependent on the quality of the tomatoes. ~ Chef Yotam Ottolenghi When I was a kid, my mom would make simple tomato salads all summer long – sliced tomatoes fresh from the farm stands, drizzled with a bit of olive oil and sprinkled with a bit of salt, and sometimes pepper. There is really nothing like a fresh tomato salad. Especially these days — literally. I had a tomato in a diner salad just yesterday, and it was absolutely ranc

Fav’s Bakery Coconut Bars Actually, I have to show you four photos of the day – it was impossible to choose just one! Fav’s Treatery makes mouthwatering baked goods that are refined, yet rich and generally gooey. I met pastry Chef Medygo Medy at the LIC Flea and Food‘s indoor holiday market last weekend. He gave me a tour around his delectable collection. You can also find Fav’s Treatery at Smorgasburg‘s new indoor food and flea market location through the winter. I brought h

If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m a Francophile. In fact, I had my first Aha! moment about what would become Markets of New York City the day we went to a farmers market in Paris, just blocks from the Bastille (Av. Richard Lenoir, for the curious). In truth, Bastille Day wasn’t a particularly happy day, but it was the beginning of the French Revolution which would end the monarchy. So it’s all good, although Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette did know how to throw a fabulous fea

Amy’s Bread became 20 years old this past week!  It warms my heart to celebrate this major milestone, which Baker, Entrpreneur and Author Amy Scherber and her team accomplished by following their passion, working incredibly hard, and making absolutely delicious breads, pastries, baked goods and sandwiches for New Yorkers and our visitors.  The number of Amy’s warm baguettes that James and I have eaten straight out of her ovens in Chelsea Market could circle the earth at least

Fany is an accomplished writer, with two published cookbooks.  I am thrilled to provide some insights into her first book, My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies, Beverages, and Frozen Treats, a 2010 James Beard Award Nominee. Fany pours her spirit into these recipes and provides a personal story for each one.  On a personal note, my family used to spend Christmas and New Year’s in Mexico when I was a kid.  The recipes and photos in My Sweet Mexico

Today is such a gorgeous day!  So I went wandering at lunchtime and ended up at the Union Square Greenmarket.  My timing was perfect because the food demo was happening right when I got there.  Chef Robin Puskas showed us how to make Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts using fresh ingredients from the farmers at the market.  Not everybody likes brussels sprouts – we all know the sour faces around the Thanksgiving table.  I like them, but they’re not on my Top 10 list of favorite ve