Classic Campfire Cuisine with Chef Katy

We knew it would be prime time S’mores weather in Tucson, Arizona so when my sisters and I went out to visit my grandparents for Easter this year, we came prepared.

And by “we,” I mean Katy. She prepared her homemade marshmallows and graham crackers at Roberta’s Pizza in Brooklyn, New York, where she is the pastry chef. According to her, they are quite easy to make, at least the marshmallows. Sugar, corn syrup, water, and gelatin—that’s it! (See her recipe below) If you haven’t guessed what we might need graham crackers and marshmallows for, I will give you one s’more clue… Hershey’s chocolate.

S’mores are my favorite dessert for many reasons. Besides being finger-licking fun, this simple recipe is delicious and great for casual entertaining. I have many fond memories making s’mores with my family. S’mores are a sentimental treat for my sisters and I.

We had to start the fire before we could get our fingers sticky with oogey, gooey mallows and chocolate. This is grandpa Bud’s job; he is the expert in building fires and chopping wood. He uses leftover construction wood in his authentic Chiminea from Mexico. Katy tried to help chop wood but proved to be no Girl Scout. Never send a pastry chef to do a cowboy’s job.

Meanwhile, grandma Georgie, Anne and I neatly placed the Hershey’s chocolate bars, homemade marshmallows and graham crackers, wet wipes and roasting skewers all on a tray. While my sister spoils us with luxurious homemade marshmallows and graham crackers, nearly any store brand ingredient works great for this easy treat.

After you have prepared the fire, ingredients and supplies, you are ready for s’more fun. Load up the mallows on the skewers and roast away. To get the perfectly roasted marshmallow, I recommend patiently holding it above the hot coals.

If you prefer yours burnt and crisp to the extreme, let that marshmallow ignite in flames and be careful not to torch anything or anyone else! Feel free to get creative, we tried roasting Peeps for our Easter S'mores!

Finally, layer your graham cracker with the chocolate, the roasted marshmallow and another graham cracker to sandwich it together.

The best part of a s'more is preparing and sharing it with your family and friends. Grandpa Bud and Grandma Georgie are still my favorite s'mores crew.

Homemade Marshmallow Recipe- Katy uses Thomas Keller's recipe from his French Laundry Cookbook:

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:

3 envelopes of unflavored Knox gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar for dredging

While the gelatin “blooms” in cold water in a mixing bowl, the sugar, water, and corn syrup slowly cook in a heavy bottomed pot until the syrup reaches a piping hot temperature of 249 degrees. Once it reaches that point, and be careful when it does because it EXTREMELY HOT, remove it from the heat and slowly pour it into the mixing bowl with the mixer running at a slow speed until all the hot sugar syrup is inside the bowl. Pump up the speed and whip for about ten minutes. Right before it is done, add the vanilla and salt for flavor. During these ten minutes, get your pan ready. It is tempting to think the marshmallows are done and you will lose patience so keep yourself busy. Sift cornstarch and powdered sugar into a baking dish. Pour the marshmallow into this pan and sift the cornstarch-powdered sugar mix on top as well.

Once this recipe is mastered Katy recommends getting creative with it. She suggests trying oreo crumbs or maybe toasted coconut instead of powdered sugar! One time, she sent me a box of peanut butter marshmallows. They were divine. She also likes to infuse her sugar syrup with flavors – basil leaves, lemon peel, maybe even something weird like jalapeno pepper!

thé Cup: better ingredients making a better you, a better world & a better tomorrow

These days, Mother Nature can be such a tease. As soon as she brings out the sun, I begin to crave corn on the cob, watermelons and grilled hamburgers. But with all the hail, wind and rain she dropped on us this week, I have found myself desperate for a cozy meal to warm up to. Cold, hungry and on the prowl to find the best soup in town– I was led to The Cup, hidden away behind Capital Parkway and Randolph Street, where I enjoyed undeniably one of Lincoln’s best soups in town.

But don’t just take my word for it. In The Lincoln Journal Star, Jeff Korbelik named The CUP “one of Lincoln’s top five places to enjoy a cup or bowl of soup,” with the criteria that the restaurant must have a reputation for its soups, and the soups must be homemade.

The soups today were the Tuscan Vegetable and the Hungarian Mushroom. I let Anne order first (knowing I would order the other so that we could try both ☺). She tried the Hungarian Mushroom.

This cream based soup, adorned with finely chopped Hungarian mushrooms and spiced with Dill, has a rich and slightly pungent taste. Just a cup of this delicious soup was enough for me, but it is my absolute favorite to soak the pieces of fresh baked bread in!

I don’t consider myself to be a “vegetable soup” girl and usually go for the exotic soup flavors that I know I can’t recreate or find in a can. The Tuscan Vegetable Soup, however, made me a believer in this simple, yet spectacular soup. Its light broth is brilliantly seasoned with spices that make it good enough to stand-alone. The Tuscan Vegetable Soup is generously adorned with a variety of vegetables- tomatoes, onions, carrots, potatoes and chickpeas to name a few.

We also split the Salmon Panini, made with grilled salmon, provolone cheese, roma tomatoes, fresh spinach & tarragon aioli. The aioli gave the salmon a subtle sweetness that complemented the flavors of the fresh tomatoes and spinach perfectly. The provolone cheese melted it all together under the freshly baked Panini bread. I have tried many of The Cup’s fresh paninis, and I think this has become my new favorite. Make that a favorite of Anne's too, she stole my first bite!

Each soup, Panini and salad is elegantly created with the freshest ingredients to provide you with flavor, quality, and nutrition- giving you just another reason to indulge in one of the exquisite pastries or baked goods. Since Kristin Rozsa opened the Cup in October of 2006, I have never finished a meal there without a dessert. Today, it was the lovely lemon poppy seed muffin.

The Cup offers 36 assortments of cupcakes and 12 flavors of cakes. Like all the other menu items, the pastry and baked goods use fresh, quality ingredients that make them exceptional. Speaking of exceptional… The Cup only serves certified organic and fair-trade coffee. Drinking a latte or espresso macchiato has never been so tasty or gratifying. Any purchase of their full line of coffees supports a noble commitment to small farmers, the health of the environment and the health of your own body.

The Cup has a pleasant atmosphere with flowers sweetly placed on each table and local artwork to brighten up its burgundy and green walls. The space is well lit and its ceilings are high. No matter how long you bury your nose in your books or computer, you never feel claustrophobic. Thanks to the Cup’s delicious menu and charming ambiance, April Showers will rain on my parade no more. With an extensive menu of hot drinks, coffee, tea flavors, deserts and pastries of all sorts, you will surely become a patron of The Cup yourself- rain or shine.

Maggie's Vegetarian Cafe: Eat well, live well, be well.

A vegetarian experience so inspiring and exciting that even Nebraska’s most die-hard-beef-lovers are gushing over Maggie’s Vegetarian Café.

Named after its owner, Maggie Pleskac, Maggie’s Vegetarian Café is an all-natural, from-scratch kitchen that uses local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Their secret for quality and flavor comes from seasonal foods that guarantee freshness. Maggie’s menu changes with the seasons, but their creativity, originality and culinary expertise always remain constant. With a philosophy of, “Eat well, live well, be well,” Maggie’s Vegetarian Café keeps its customers and the community in its best interest. In my opinion, their philosophy is quite modest. I regularly visit Maggie’s to “Eat the Best and Feel the Best.”

The space is small and cozy with no more than four tables inside and a few more on its outside patio. The personality of its atmosphere reflects the same personality you taste in the food; one that is fun, eccentric, fresh and wholehearted.

The lime green and brick walls are adorned with photos and events of local businesses and farmers. They kindly remind you that your support is sincerely appreciated.

Without further adieu, let me introduce you to the food…

Maggie’s menu features soups, salads, wraps, pizza, frittatas, un-fried falafels, spicy hummus and artisan flatbread. Get there early for a muffin fresh out of the oven, or even for a warm breakfast burrito! The Breakfast Burrito is made with local free-range eggs, seasonal fillings, tomatoes, onions and cheese. This is one of several menu items that is served warm. Another tasty entrée, served fresh from the oven that I highly recommend is the Roasted Vegetable Pizza. It is an 8” artisan crust lavishly covered in local and seasonal oven-roasted vegetables, smoked provolone and mozzarellas cheeses.

I love trying their daily specials. Greeted by a cool, April shower today, Maggie’s Tomato Curry Peanut Soup was just the thing for my friend Joslyn and I to warm up to!

The smooth, thick consistency was embellished with tomatoes and onions, and garnished with peanuts on top. It had a spicy kick that was well balanced with the curry and peanut flavors.

I also ordered the frittata and salad. Today’s frittata was made with Spinach and Swiss chard. I had to close my eyes for each savory bite. It was that good. I chose the Sesame Tofu Salad as my side.

Its organic oven-baked tofu with sesame seeds completely changed my attitude on tofu. The tofu was firm, nutty and slightly sweet, served on top of local organic greens, carrots, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers, and dressed with a home-made toasted sesame dressing. I must commend Maggie for this brilliant creation. Salads are all too often disappointing with bland flavor and creativity. As with all of her menu items, Maggie seems to make this salad unique and most importantly delicious.

Joslyn tried the Cranberry Blue Walnut Salad, served with organic greens, blue cheese, cranberries, and toasted walnuts, and tossed in a light, balsamic dressing. This salad was also tasty and fresh.

I have never been good at window-shopping, but the glass window displaying Maggie’s magnificent variety of vegan muffins, scones and cookies is an undeniable trap.

I have yet to exit Maggie’s Café without a delicious vegan pastry in my hand or in my tummy. Everything is made in-house with certified organic ingredients, and the flavors change weekly! My most recent favorite is the Aztec Chocolate Muffin! The muffins are large enough to share with company (but you might want it all to yourself) ☺. Today however, it was the sugar cookie that was calling my name. It was just what I needed to please my sweet tooth– thick, soft, chewy and just the right size after a plentiful lunch.

I couldn’t have been happier with my lunch choices today; each had an entirely different flavor and exceptional way of satisfying my taste buds. The fact that Maggie’s ingredients are enriched with health benefits for my mind and body is just an added delight. I pay an extra dollar or two at Maggie’s Vegetarian Café for many good reasons. The delicious and quality food is well worth my money, but the noble contribution I know I am making to the community is priceless.

Now let me tell you how cool Maggie is! Maggie was inspired by Julia Child and her passion for food took her traveling along the West Coast, learning and working at natural food coops and farmers markets. Upon Maggie’s return to her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, she decided to open a café. Since opening in 2000, Maggie’s Vegetarian Café has grown in business, popularity and recognition among its own Lincolnites, restaurants, and local farmers- whom she uses as her main suppliers. Her very own garden also supplies the kitchen with many of its fresh vegetables and spices. Maggie’s Vegetarian Café is committed to supporting sustainable agriculture and a slow food approach by serving locally-produced, hand-crafted and artisan products. Maggie Pleskac is active in influencing and fighting for sustainable principles and policies that guide the agricultural industry. She is also one of the founding members of Slowfood Nebraska and a member of Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska. Yep, she is kind of a big deal.

Located on 311 North 8th Street, Maggie’s is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Oso Burrito = Oso Awesome

When walking into Oso Burrito, you will immediately recognize its unique and refreshing décor that lets you know you aren’t in a boring franchise restaurant anymore. Its atmosphere is as distinctive, cool and fun as its menu and its burrito bar will magically craft a flavor that your palette has never experienced before.

Oso Burrito doesn’t consider themselves to be a Mexican restaurant, but they will give you Mexican flavors if you want them. Otherwise, their fresh ingredients range from a wide assortment of meats, vegetables, spices and flavors that most restaurants wouldn’t dream of serving. Oso Burrito boldly explores unique flavors that are difficult to create and find nearly anywhere around. The possibilities are endless.

The Thai peanut burrito is a common favorite of mine– a spicy and sweet explosion of flavor balanced by rice, lettuce and cheese. When I am feeling less ambitious I sometimes go for a mini-burrito or a salad. Then, I usually opt for a side of chips and salsa. Their salad is great because they give you the choice of layering the lettuce, meat, cheese and all the extra toppings and salsas over crushed tortilla chips! Just yesterday I went with the mouthwatering shredded pork salad with the two different salsas (the corn and the ginger), pico, cheese, lettuce and guacamole on the side; it was basically a glorified nachos platter. And glorious it was.

For the real deal, Oso Burrito does have a nacho entrée. All dishes can be created as a burrito, mini-burrito, taco or salad. The fish burrito is another favorite of mine. It is combined with a cabbage mixture, chipotle sauce, cilantro, pico and my extra addition of guacamole.

Other options for meats include chicken, fish or beef that can all be dressed in a different way– from a Pesto or Buffalo sauce to a char-grilled Jerk seasoning. They also offer vegetarian entrees made with tofu, potatoes or portabella mushrooms. Nearly anything can be ordered with rice, beans, an assortment of veggies, salsas, sour cream, cheeses and sauces. If you are like me, and you get so excited that you want to have them squeeze everything into one burrito to taste it all, just take their word for it and try a delicious “specialty” burrito. They have expertly matched up different ingredients and sauces to make it simple for you.

Like I said, their atmosphere has as much flair as their menu. A string of “pepper” lights hang across the walls around a sign reminding its customers to “eat local.”

The modern décor is quirky and artistic with graffiti over the door, a menu etched in colorful chalk, wooden panels lining the walls and red and black hues throughout the space. The area opens up from the large windows and high ceilings.

Even its employees and owners are fun and outgoing. Take a trip to Lincoln’s locally owned Oso Burrito for its delicious and different menu. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, you won’t be disappointed. With a variety of vegetarian and specialty choices, an assortment of beer, and a quaint patio to enjoy it all on, you will be Oso happy you came.

Nader Sepaphur opened Oso Burrito in 2002 in downtown Lincoln (also owning and operating another local favorite of mine Yia Yia’s pizza). He opened up a second location of Oso Burrito in December of 2007, on 70th and Van Dorn streets. Oso Burrito has the concept of a burrito and an imaginatively yummy cuisine that is unlike any other franchise you will find.

Crescent Moon Coffee: Cozy in With a Tasty Crepe!

It is already that time of the year again. You know, when bike paths are exploding with joggers, sorority girls are tanning in their front lawns, the freshmen in the dorms are creeping out of hibernation and spilling into the basketball and tennis courts... Life is good. I hate to be the downer on Spring Fever but when that sun goes down, the party is over. We all know we will be trading our bikes for books in the quietest corner we can find, desperately cramming for finals and binging on caffeine.

Downtown Lincoln offers some great coffee shops where you can enjoy an excellent cup of Joe and maybe a delicious pastry, but when you need a quiet place to study or relax, your options become quite limited (especially during finals). I would be selfish not to share with you my most recent and favorite study spot. The Crescent Moon is a hidden gem in Lincoln’s historic Haymarket district.

It quietly sits caddy-corner to The Mill and Scooter’s Coffee Shops, tucked away in the lower level of the Apothecary. The Crescent Moon Coffee has moved to this new location (just across the street from its old spot), offering the same selection of coffees, juices, teas, gifts and food. This new and central location has given them more room to exhibit their live musical and reading performances, catering to their loyal clientele.

It is quaint, rustic and most awesomely quiet.

I love their vintage brick walls, decorated with local artwork and shelves, full of books. They have some of the friendliest baristas in Lincoln, but the best thing about The Crescent Moon is that they offer my absolute favorite breakfast item that is almost nowhere else to be found in Lincoln. Crepes! Both savory and sweet!

Let me tell you, their made-to-order crepe is very tasty. I like mine stuffed with eggs, peppers, onions and cheese, and spiced with oregano and basil. The thin pancake-like layers are delicate and soft. The crepe is a generous size, light and fresh to fill you up but not hold you down.

It is perhaps the coziest coffee shop to study at. I could spend the entire day studying there with only my books, computer and a mug full of coffee. Sadly, they won’t let me.

My only complaint is of their unusual hours. The Crescent Moon opens at 8:00am Monday – Friday until 1pm, and then again at 6pm-11pm. This isn’t very favorable for the early bird or the night owl. Unfortunately many people are well on their way to class or work at 8:00am. For the average procrastinator like myself, 11pm is a little bit early. Even one extra hour before opening and another hour after closing would suit my schedule well. Their weekday closing time at 1pm especially bothers me. Every once in a while, I like to enjoy an afternoon reading or doing schoolwork in a coffee shop. The Crescent Moon would be a perfect candidate; however, they close at 1pm so I rarely consider unpacking my bag of books and making myself comfortable. There is nothing worse than disrupting a critical study session or Skype-date!

Although, it might be better to get a little bit more shut-eye before final exams. If you are looking for a coffee-fueled homework setup, you must try the Crescent Moon. It is the perfect place to focus on your work. If you need a study break, swing by the book shelves, snack on a delicious crepe, or even gather around the entertainment of their Music Series and Reading Series! Cheers to you and your studies!

The Parthenon Greek Grill and Taverna

I am now at that point in my life when Spring Break just doesn’t have the same appeal as it once did. It has been buzz-killed by the fact that all of my friends are now finishing school, beginning more school, working at a job, or trying to find a job. As it turns out, I didn’t get to travel anywhere exotic for my big Spring Break this year. However, for a short time I did come close as I sipped wine, and chowed down on Hummus, Pita Bread, Gyros and Greek pastries at Lincoln’s very own– Parthenon.

This past weekend, four of my college roommates and I were reunited on our Spring Break in Lincoln, Nebraska and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Somehow, we convinced our friend Brittney, who is now in Dallas, to spend her vacation time back in our old stomping grounds. We had spent the majority of our weekend in the downtown area, so when Sunday night rolled around, we were ready to venture out. We had one last meal together before going our separate ways. As usual, we each had our own and different opinion about where to eat and what to do; and as usual, we took our time to argue, research and take recommendations so that we could make the most of our last meal. It was well worth it.

First and foremost we wanted great food, but we also wanted a fun atmosphere where we could chat, reminisce, laugh-out-loud and be entertained. Don’t get me wrong; we are a very sophisticated bunch. However, when we get together, we sometimes all talk at once or laugh so hard the table shakes. We wanted to be comfortable enjoying ourselves and the Parthenon was absolutely the perfect place to do so. We owe a big thanks to Alexa Cardona’s parents for their recommendation. They know all the best spots in Lincoln, and are way more fun than we are. We trusted their approval right away.

The Parthenon was featuring live music this past Sunday night when we came in. The talented artist, Mike Goode, played all of our favorites from Jason Mraz to John Mayer. It was the perfect entertainment for a Sunday night dinner scene– fun and upbeat to keep us smiling and even singing along at times, but also quiet enough for us to hear our own conversations.

This special occasion gave us a good excuse to try everything, starting with the wine-tasting specials. For a great price, we were given four glasses of wine. It was an excellent way to taste and compare different flavors. If you aren’t into wine, I am sure they have something for you behind their large and fully stocked bar. We also started off with the roasted red pepper hummus and pita bread. The warm pita bread was soft and delicious. The hummus was delicately spiced with fresh herbs and vegetables and blended to a smooth, nutty texture- the perfect accompaniment for the pita bread. I could have taken my spoon right to the hummus if we didn’t clean the plate with the pita bread!

I had to order the traditional Gyro Plate for my entree. The tender and spicy meat was dressed with a fresh tzatziki sauce and neatly placed on a bed of lettuce, tomatoes and onions. The slices of pita bread were tucked on its side to complete its polished presentation.

For my two sides, I chose the delicious house Agolemono soup and a vegetable medley. The soup was similar to a chicken and wild rice soup with a creamy base. The flavor was mild, but had a unique lemon flavor that added a tasty surprise to each spoonful. It was a nice complement to the many different Mediterranean flavors of our meal.

The vegetable medley side was their featured special– a cold, pickled mix of vegetables in a light, vinegar-based sauce. We all ended up ordering either the Chicken or the Signature Gyro Platters and were very pleased. Anna tried the other side special of the night– halved pears soaked in a cabernet wine, slightly savory and slightly sweet.

They were delicious, but we couldn’t consider them dessert…especially after we saw not one, but two glass displays filled with countless Greek desserts. I will warn you now. It is heavenly. We ended up trying a chocolate, coffee-flavored cake of some sort and an apple turnover.

The owners, and brothers, Mike and George Kazas, create and make the recipes that you will find on the Parthenon’s menu. Throughout the summer and whenever they can, they use local produce. If you have made a visit to the Parthenon, it is more than likely that one of the brothers has come out of the kitchen to ask about your meal and visit. They have a genuine and friendly disposition that is reflected in each and every employee. The Parthenon is a great place for a date, a family meal, or any group gathering. They are open for lunch and dinner and offer a very extensive menu:

All salads are served with a homemade Greek dressing and fresh pita bread. They also have Greek Pizzas, Specialty Pasta Dishes, Souvlaki Entrees, Vegan Entrees, Wraps and Specialty Meat Dishes for steak, lamb, chicken, vegetables and different combinations of each. You certainly won’t be disappointed with your experience at the Parthenon! Take my advice and head there on your next break. They are located on South 56th and Highway 2.