Happy Holidays. Cheers!

Happy Holidays
photo: wbj

Health, Happiness, Prosperity and a Wonder-filled New Year

Cook More. Share a Meal. Spread Love.

Enjoy,

Cooking Lounge

Dave Brubeck, Jazz Icon - Take Five

MUSIC:

Dave Brubeck was a Jazz Icon. Hard to believe "Take Five" was first recorded in 1959. The legendary musician lived 91 storied years. "Take Five" is still a perfect playlist selection for almost any dinner party, definitely an all time favorite track. Great music is timeless.

Imagine when the Dave Brubeck Quartet played the song in a smoky, dark nigthtclub, the Village Gate. Take five everyone...swirl a cocktail, hug a loved one and enjoy the heavenly gift of Dave Brubeck's talent.

Cooking Lounge

Bacalao Salad - Holidays Recipe

FOOD:

The Cooking Lounge Bacalao Salad is a latin and caribbean take on a traditional whitefish salad made from salted cod. 

From Puerto Rico in the Caribbean to Italy, through Portugal on into Norway in Europe, there is recipe upon recipe for a whitefish salad made with dried, salted codfish. Triangular trade routes paved the way for cod to become a traditional staple across continents.

A friend from Puerto Rico and a friend's Mom from Panama dipped into memories of mothers' kitchens, sharing their favorite version of this traditional cod dish. Cooking Lounge's fresh take has big, bright flavors, that go well with almost any buffet spread, make a light yet filling lunch salad on a bed of greens, and complement meat as a side (see serving suggestion).

Bacalao Salad (capers, olives, chive flowers, fresh herbs)

Requires some planning to make but is relatively inexpensive. The salted cod soaks in cold water in the fridge for 24 hours; and, the water needs to be changed at least 3 times to desalinate the cod. Blanch rehydrated codfish with juice 1/2 lime. Drain. Toss with herbs, spices, capers, olives, onion, lemon, lime, extra virgin olive oil, etc. Chill to marry and enhance flavors.

So worth the effort because Bacalao Salad holds well, serves a group, and has fresh, bright flavors that satisfy. 

Bacalao Salad w/ Chorizo Bacon Fritata and Salsa Fresca
serving suggestion

Try this Cooking Lounge Holidays Recipe for Bacalao Salad.

Soaked Desalinated Codfish

Blanched, Drained Codfish

Bacalao Salad Preparation

Cooking Lounge Bacalao Salad

• 2 lbs boneless Bacalao (salted cod)
• 3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup Capers
• 3/4 cup Goya Olives
• 1/2 chopped Chive Flowers (was lucky at market; chives work.)
• 1 Lemon
• 1 Lime
• 1/2 Red Onion
• 1 Serrano peper (deseeded, diced)
• 1 cup Fresh Parsley
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Oregano leaves
• 1/4 cup Cider Vinegar
• Salt, Pepper, Crushed Red Pepper

Cooking Lounge is a guide. Make this recipe you own: play with measurements, use what you have, experiment. Have fun cooking.

• Blanch the rehydrated cod in hot water for 2-3 minutes. Cooking Lounge added the juice of 1/2 lime to the water. 
• Let fish cool. Break up fish and remove any stray bones or skin.
• Mix in capers, olives, chive flowers, red onion, fresh parsley
• Make Citrus Marinade with juice of 1 lemon, teaspoon lemon zest, juice of 1/2 lime, fresh oregano leaves, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper for extra spicy, optional. 
• Toss with marinade and chill for several hours for best flavor.

Enjoy,

Cooking Lounge

photos:wbj

Vote - November 6, 2012

LIFESTYLE:

NOVEMBER 6, 2012

Hurricane Sandy Relief - Donate to the Red Cross

Hurricane Sandy left a path of devastation across the the Eastern Seaboard. 

So many, lost so much.

Please donate to the Red Cross.

Also, you can donate by phone:

Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 
to make a $10 donation.

Call 1-800-HELPNOW.

*******    ********    ********

NBC's Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together raised $23 million for the Red Cross.

Lots of performances - Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Joe Perry, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting and Steven Tyler.

NEW YORK, November 3, 2012 – The American Red Cross and NBCUniversal's “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together,” a live benefit telethon with lots of performances, raised nearly $23 million to aid people seriously impacted by Hurricane Sandy. 

A record number of donations were accepted by the American Red Cross. Additional donations will help the Red Cross offer relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. READ MORE.

Staten Island native, Christina Aguilera - "Beautiful"

Cooking Lounge

Herbs and Spices Add More Than Flavor

FOOD + LIFESTYLE:

Adding herbs and spices to a dish can transport a meal to far away lands. Think about it. Galanga, cilantro and chilies are signature ingredients for Thai food. Oregano, basil and garlic are the triumvirate of Italian cuisine. Herbs and spices can make ho hum, everyday dishes vibrant and exotic.

Beyond adding enticing flavors, herbs and spices do wonders imparting healthful benefits too. 

Click links to read more:
A Beginner's Guide to Herbs and Spices
Spice of Life

International Grocery 543 9th Ave NYC 10018
photo: wbj

Enjoy,

Cooking Lounge

NYC Honey Festival and Concord Grapes

FOOD:

Went to the New York City Honey Festival on the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach as summer slipped into fall.

Check out the Cooking Lounge Tumblr to see pictures from New York City Honey Festival.

In Union Square Farmers' Market,  honey bees swarmed baskets of concord grapes. 
Sweet reminder of how Honey comes to be.

Enjoy,
Cooking Lounge

photo: wbj