July 8, 2011

Lycopersicon Esculentum (The Tomato)

By Danny

Originally feared, the tomato was once considered a beautiful but poisonous fruit by the British.  Only the French would refer to the tomato as the “apple of love” – so fitting.  I LOVE it and will start referring to them as such.   

Well, we moved into a new apartment last year and of course it has a balcony!  I thought this was the closest thing I have to a backyard so let’s start planting.  I recall planting with my dad when I was a kid so really this isn’t my first garden however that was 25 years ago so really it is. 

I heart tomatoes!  Soooo, it’s only right that I plant them.  In the US more tomatoes are consumed than any other fruit or vegetable and it’s considered a favorite! DUH.  BTW it took a ruling by the Supreme Court in 1893 to make a tomato a vegetable.  Crazy B! 

Some Facts:

  • Same family as potato, pepper, eggplant, and petunia
  • Thousands of different varieties
  • Two cancer-fighting substances in tomatoes
  • Florida #1 producer of fresh market tomatoes
  • Lots of vitamin A and C
  • Tastes awesome with some fresh basil and mozz

I planted my seeds and… watch the video!!!! (not just tomatoes)

Ummm - did you know about the world’s largest food fight in Spain?  Ever feel like throwing a tomato – check this out!  IT’S CRAZY!!  click: La Tomatina Festival

Since we are talking about gardens:

Do you know what the New York State Flower is?  I’ll give you a hint.  It’s one of the WORLD’S most popular flower and it has 150 species and 20,000 hybrids available.  It’s pretty obvious, but I’ll give you the answer in my video.

Oh and for those of you who did not see my video of the moving pole – check this out.  Were we just buzzed or is this amazing?????

DON’T judge me.

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June 1, 2011

Danny’s Lasagna!

By Danny

 Okay, it’s Joy’s Lasagna – SO WHAT WHO CARES!

If you know me then you know I am a fan of The View!  I’ve been in the audience (I think) 5 times during my unemployment days.  I did have real tickets once and the other days I woke up MAD early to stand in line for hours hoping to get in.  It sucked when you didn’t get in but there was joy if you did.  I received many free giveaways from The View.  (hair dryer, toys, books, books, books, gift certificates, broadway tickets etc.)

If you want to go, ask me for details or click here for their website.  You can even request tickets at this link.  Do it!       

Okay – back to the Lasagna:

So we all know Lasagna originated in Italy, right?  Then why does the term “lasagna” come from the Greek word lasanon.  Who knows?  Actually, the word was used to refer to the cooking dish in which lasagna was made.  The name (Lasagna) eventually took on the name of that serving dish. ;-)   I don’t know – I wasn’t there.  SO WHAT WHO CARES!

Ingredients: I doubled this to make more and was not exact but this is the recipe :)

2 Tbsp Olive Oil (I used more)
1 cup Chopped Onion
2 Garlic Cloves (2 really? more like 6)
1 ½ Lbs. Sweet Italian Sausage (Out Of Casings)
1 Large 28oz Can Crushed Italian Tomatoes
1 6oz Can Tomato Paste
¼ cup Chopped Parsley
½ cup Chopped Basil Leaves
2 Tsp Sea Salt
¾ Tsp Pepper

½ Box Lasagna Noodles
1 Lb Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Extra Large Egg
1 Lb Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese
¼ cup Parmesan Cheese For Sprinkling At End

Okay – so you start by…    WATCH THE VIDEO! 

- I didn’t mention in video that you bake uncovered in oven for about 35 minutes.  (oh and preheat the oven 400 – use middle rack) These details might help.  Look – 3rd time cooking lasagna!  SO WHAT WHO CARES!  If you want to print out her recipe with full details click here TRY IT!!!

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May 16, 2011

May 16, 1977 – Pan Am Building

By Danny

  

Okay imagine this…  It’s May 16, 1977, 5PM rush hour (I’m 17 hours old BTW).… you are going on a business trip and since you are a VP you’ve been approved to take the fancy helicopter from the Pan Am building above Grand Central Terminal.  It’s going to take only 10 minutes to your Pan Am flight leaving from JFK.

You would have been the first in line but you decide to stop for a pack of Carltons and a quick smoke.  You are a little nervous this afternoon about flying.  Finally you get to the roof and after the copter lands it lets off about 20 people and starts to take on new passengers.  You hear this loud noise and the next thing you know you are on the ground.  It all happens so fast, and you are now dripping wet in blood.  The landing gear failed and caused the blades to come down and slice the 4 people that were standing in front of you.  You think you saw a head roll by, but you aren’t sure what you saw because after the copter went silent you stood up slipped on some blood and ran for safety.  You heard from someone that there were legs, arms and heads scattered. 

Later you saw on the news that a fifth victim walking on 43rd was hit and killed with part of the copter blade.  The next day you quit, bought a horse farm and moved up north.  

Well it’s all true except you weren’t there and the story may have been a little different.  The copter’s blades did slice and kill 5 people this day 34 years ago on top of the Pan Am building.  The very popular way to get to JFK in ten minutes from Midtown was SHUT DOWN, and no helicopters were allowed to land on buildings. 

You should read the NY Times article from May 17th.  It’s gross, crazy and sad. 

I walk by this building almost every day.  Last week I looked up and felt like taking a picture and that’s how you became a VP in my story.  There was a lot of controversy over this building and many people protested it.  They said it would take the sun away from Park Avenue and that the structure was just ugly.  I guess I can see both points however I often catch myself looking up in amazement.  Originally it was to be called Grand Central City, but that was before Pan Am arrived and took up 15 floors. 

The building was the world’s largest commercial building when it opened in 1963.  The last building put up before a law was passed to prevent logos and names on the top of buildings.  In 1992 after Pan Am was completely buried MetLife decided to remove the sign from the building.  So sad.  Wahh.

Some cool photos I took last week:

                       

Anyway – there you have it, some NYC history from the day I was born.  I want to buy this bag:  Pan Am or TWA?  Should I buy it?  Cool Bag

                  

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May 9, 2011

Perrito Caliente!!!

By Danny

Did you know that there is a Hot Dog Season?  YUP, it’s from Memorial Day to Labor Day and we typically eat 7 BILLION hot dogs.   Yes, Americans eat about 820 hot dogs every second during that period.  fart. 

I don’t know why I love hot dogs so much????  Look, it’s not my favorite dish but there is something about it that makes me happy.  Maybe it’s because when I was a kid my mom often took me to New York City and for lunch we’d enjoy a dirty dog with sauerkraut and mustard.  Or, maybe it was my Catholic Elementary school that had a hot dog day every Thursday!!!  Everyone who went to that school can recall these special days.  We were all happy on Hot Dog Thursday!  Who knows where it started or how it happened, but I can tell you I am not alone!

In 2010 we spent more than 1.6 billion on hot dogs in our supermarkets.  Los Angeles residents consume more than any other city.  I found that interesting because NY has hot dog vendors EVERYWHERE!  Although we are second on the list of cities we spend the most money in retail stores buying hot dogs.  It totals 105 million dollars.  WOAH!  Holy Hot Dog!

My favorite are the ones produced in natural casings that are not removed.  These have that “snap” as you bite into them.  YUM!  or Barf.  Depending on if you read where the natural casing comes from.  Did you know that if variety meats such as hearts and liver are used the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires this to be declared on the package.  You will see statements like “with variety meats” or “with meat by-products” and then they must specify which variety meat is included.  Read your labels and be happy to know that Sabrett does not use variety meats.  Makes you want a hot dog real bad!  right?  

July is National Hot Dog Month!!!  Be sure to celebrate it – send me a picture of your wiener!  wait.  Make sure it’s in a bun!  wait.  Make sure it’s Sabrett.  :)   Maybe I’ll have a hot dog party?

  

If you are a fan of Sabretts you can actually buy some cool merchandise from their website.  Check this out – I want an umbrella! 

http://sabrett.com/cart/Results.cfm?category=4

 

Add your email to the top right and get notified when I add an entry. 

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