After the record-setting temperatures, after all the joking and debates over global warming, Miss Mother Nature turned down the thermometer and dropped Sir Jonas on the Northeast. Apologies to school-age kids everywhere, as the storm came on a Saturday, with business as usual Monday.
Whether a doubter or an over-preparer, New York City dwellers rushed the markets in anticipation of not having enough chips, sweets and real food in the house to keep their broods strong and happy. I, too, was of this mindset, as were friends and family. The menus ranged from home-style staples to winter comfort food to “why not give this a try and see what happens … we’ll have to it eat, right?”
Personally, nothing says warm comfort in a bowl like a hearty chicken noodle soup. No time to make my own stock or roast some chicken, I made my quick version using rotisserie chicken and bouillon, fortifying with fresh vegetables and aromatics and finishing it with thin egg noodles and chopped celery leaves. And the crowd went wild! I’m certainly making this one again.
True to form, menus were proudly disclosed when checking in with my crews. The high school crew had pizza, chicken parmesan, baked ziti and beef stew on deck with homemade cake and cupcakes for dessert for the kids to decorate when she invited her neighbors over to hunker down. Blizzards seem to be the perfect time for parents to join forces and let their kids expend their energy while they sip “fortified” hot chocolate and wine. Not mad at you, at all!
My good friend Jason called in to check in while he was doing his last-minute grocery shopping. He was inspired to make his version of al pastor—slow-cooked pork butt (aka shoulder)—in his slow cooker and needed some sage advice. It sounded like a great plan that we would ultimately enjoy together on Sunday in a sweet potato hash with a sunny side up egg on top.
I spent the whole day in the house Saturday making a decadent but healthy late brunch, watching television, checking in on folks and day-drinking some great Spanish red wine. By nightfall, it was time to break out and walk these streets of Harlem, if only to take in the experience. Together with my friend Angie, we would stumble on an adventurous chilli and an impactful apple tartlet.
For more on my blizzard food, eating and the recipe for my quick and delicious chicken noodle soup, visit my blog at www.talkingSCHOP.wordpress.com.
Happy eating and thanks for reading!
Kysha Harris is a food writer, culinary producer, consultant and owner of SCHOP!, a personalized food service offering weekly and in-home entertaining packages. Questions? Comments? Requests? Feedback? Invitations? Email her at kysha@iSCHOP.com, follow her on Twitter and Instagram @SCHOPgirl or on Facebook www.facebook.com/SCHOPnyc. For even more recipes, tips and food musings, subscribe to her blog at www.talkingSCHOP.wordpress.com. Follow AmNewsFOOD @NYAmNewsFOOD.