Apple Raspberry Crumble

I was in the mood for something sweet today and I came up with this dessert while rummaging my fridge. I love to create new recipes based solely on what I happen to have in the fridge and pantry that day. I guess I would call it my own personal version of Chopped. I’m not going to lie, sometime my concoctions turn out to be a total disaster that aren’t even dog bowl worthy but this time I knocked it out of the park! It’s pretty easy to assemble but I had a hard time waiting for the hour cooking time. The end result, a delicious, gooey and crispy dessert (which I actually ate for lunch) that leaves your house smelling amazing! Hope you enjoy!

Apple Raspberry Crumble

Makes two individual servings

2 Apples Chopped (I used Honey Crisp, use what you like best)

¼ cup dried cranberries

½ tsp cinnamon

1 T corn starch

2 T sugar

1/8 tsp salt

Raspberry Sauce (recipe follows)

Crumble topping (recipe follows)

* I used wild blueberry muffin for the instant oatmeal in this recipe because it is what I had on hand. Use what ever flavor combination you like best, you really can’t go wrong.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until apples are evenly coated. Spray 2 individual sized baking dishes with cooking spray and divide apple mixture evenly among the two. Top with the crumble and place both baking dishes on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 1hour. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before serving. Serve al mode or just how it is, your choice.

For the Crumble Topping

¼ cup flour

¼ tsp cinnamon

2 T sliced almonds

1 packet of instant flavored oatmeal

2 T chilled butter cubed

Add all ingredients to a bowl and microwave for about 15 seconds to slightly melt the butter. Cut the butter into the crumble until well incorporated.

For the Raspberry Sauce

1 pint of raspberries

Juice of 1 lemon

¼ cup sugar

3 T water

Put all ingredients into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes. If sauce appears too thick add more water. The sauce should have a syrup consistency. Place sauce through a strainer to remove seeds.

My Favorite Philadelphia Cocktails

Friday nights are my night to relax and enjoy the end of a long work week and my favorite way to do that....sip on a delicious cocktail at a great bar of course! I’m not talking about the usual cocktail mixed with fruit juice and liquor; I’m talking about the type of cocktail where you find yourself savoring every last sip and licking the glass when its gone. These cocktails are smooth and strong and I recommend taking your time to enjoy every drop because they don't come cheap. I will say however, they are totally worth the extra coin considering the alcohol content. You only need a few to get you to that relaxed state of mind. SO GOOD!!!! Try them out and let me know what you think.

The first cocktail comes from one of my favorite Philadelphia Restaurants, Parc by Steven Starr.

The Basilic
An herb infused drink made with muddled basil and cucumber and shaken to perfection with Elderflower liquor and vodka, served over ice. This may sound like something you are more likely to find in a garden salad than a snifter glass but this drink is crisp and refreshing with just a hint of sweetness.

My second favorite cocktail also comes from a Steven Starr Restaurant, The Dandelion Pub. What can I say; the guy makes a great drink.

Pimms Deluxe
Another cucumber cocktail shaken with Gin and Pimms Cup Liquor. I love the flavor of Pimms cup, it is completely unique and adds great flavor to this cocktail. A bit on the stiff side but still very smooth with a slightly sweet taste. Served up in a martini glass and garnished with a slice of cucumber.

This last cocktail can be found at a number of Philadelphia bars but the ones I have found to do it best are The Ranstead Room by Steven Starr, The Corner located on South 13th street and The Farmer's Cabinet located on 11th and Walnut. This cocktail is not listed on any of  their drink menus but the bartenders do a fantastic job making it.

The Avaition,
My all time favorite cocktail! A sweet and sour combination of Gin, Crème de Violette, Maraschino liquor and lemon juice. This classic cocktail was first made in the early 1900's and can be difficult to find due to the use of Crème de Violette which is a very unique liquor. It should turn out a cloudy pale blue/purple color when shaken and strained. If you are handed a deep purple drink it is wrong and very disappointing....which has happened to me on a number of occasions.

THE AVIATION

Linguine with Crab and Radicchio....My Fiancés Favorite!

There is nothing that I love more than a satisfying bowl of pasta. It is my go to comfort food and is always sure to lift my spirits when I am having a bad day. I decided to share this recipe for two reasons. One, because it is super easy and extremely fast to make and two, because it is amazingly delicious!! Use this the next time you are having guests over for dinner and I will guarantee a crowd pleaser. Enjoy!!

Salt
1 pound linguini
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
3 shallot, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups dry white wine (such as Pinot Grigio)
2 T unsalted butter
1 lb fresh jumbo lump crab meat
1/2 head radicchio thinly sliced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 cup of pasta water
1 T chopped fresh parsley

1. Bring 6 quarts water to a boil and salt. Cook the pasta according to package directions, until just al dente, and drain reserving the pasta water.

2. Meanwhile in a large sauté pan heat the oil on medium high heat until hot. Add the shallots, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Sautee until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Add the butter and the scallions and turn the heat to medium low.

3. Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss to coat. Add the crab and radicchio to the pasta and toss until radicchio wilts, about a minute. Add the reserved pasta water a little bit at time to create a sauce (you may not need to use all of the water). Toss in the parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy!

My City Kitchen

     Let me start by saying "I love the City and I love food!!”  So initially when I began my search for the perfect city apartment a great kitchen was on the top of my list. I was quickly taken down a peg when my realtor informed me that unless I was willing to spend an obscene amount of money every month, an amazing kitchen would have to move to the bottom of my list.  All I could think was that my passion for cooking might have to be replaced with my passion for eating out.....which is not the best solution if you’re the type of person with champagne taste on a beer budget. As I began my search my main focus was to find a kitchen that had working appliances and leg room.  I'm sure this may not seem like a daunting task but you’re wrong, very wrong.

     Thirty apartments later and I was beginning to lose my last bit of hope on ever finding a livable and workable space. I started to consider a third job and selling blood....I was getting desperate. The day I found my perfect apartment was a complete accident. I was in center city to view a space that my realtor had suggested. The apartment was on the fourth floor of a brown stone which could only be reached by climbing the very steep fire escape located in the back alley until the front entrance was repaired (which I was told would be another 4 months!)...I seriously thought he was joking when he brought me around back and started climbing. I'm pretty sure that my open mouth and my blank star was a clear indication that this was an unacceptable option. How the heck was I going to get groceries into this place?!? This guy was off his rocker.

     I made an excuse that I wasn't feeling well and needed to go home. He immediately registered my panic and started climbing back down responding with "Wait, wait, wait! I actually have another listing right around the corner that just came on the market today but isn't ready to be shown. I might be able to take you in for a quick peak." Finally! A bit of hope.

     Anyone who has ever been apartment hunting knows the good ones always get taken early so I was extremely eager to be the first to view the space. We walked 3 short blocks and I was lead up a stoop to a beautiful brownstone. I loved everything about it immediately! The apartment was small, around 600 square feet but completely refinished! It had brand new never used appliances and faux granite counter tops. There was plenty of cabinet space and a dishwasher!! This was turning into the happiest day of my life! I said yes immediately and signed my lease shortly after. I had so much fun decorating and designing the space. The end result was my kitchen masterpiece and has been my favorite place to spend my spare time. I have only been here for two months but I have already hosted two dinner parties, made amazing braised leeks with chicken, seared pork belly with pineapple, a grilled lobster and octopus salad with a lemon-caper vinaigrette and baked amazing maple pecan banana bread.

     I can't wait to spend the next few years inventing new recipes, hosting great dinner parties and sharing my food with the people I love, especially my amazing fiancé who always nominates himself for dish duty. I love to cook and eat and I want to share my passion in hopes to get others inspired to be their kitchens top chef. So that’s my story and I can't wait to start posting my food experiences. Stay tuned.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen Before

 Kitchen After

Kitchen After