Posh Beans on Toast

"Enough with the restaurant reviews already," you must be saying, dear reader, "where's your creativity?!"

Yes it's true, I have been indulging and dining out on the reg while MT is here and neglecting my beloved stove. But I have made a handful of memorable menus along the way to share as well!

First up is a take on the comfort-food and budget-conscious classic: Beans on Toast. When I was living in the Dubs, invariably as pay-day came closer (only once-a-month for you americanos spoilt with the bi-weekly!) we'd (CMc, SM, Nosh cough cough...)be feasting on some form of sliced bread/tinned beans/egg/potato combo for lunch and possibly dinner until the money train rolled in once again for drinks on me at VCC! Followed by weeks of empty pockets-magee.

But I digress.

So after visiting Brother Hubbard and dining on their baked beans, I decided to try this side of the Atlantic for a re-creation. Here you have it:

Any Day But Payday Beans on Toast

Poached poverty eggs & beans on/with toast

Serves 2
1 can/tin beans (I used fava, but kidney/pinto/broad would also work well), drained
2 handfuls chopped cherry/heirloom tomatoes (or 1 can chopped if you're really beyond the pale)
1/2 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, smashed & chopped (or 2 tsp garlic powder)
1 tbsp olive oil
2 eggs
2 tbsp feta cheese
1/2 cup plain/ Greek yogurt
1/2 lemon, squeezed (optional)
2 servings toast, any way, any how (I got a french loaf but this is up to you!)
Salt & pepper to taste

In a medium saucepan, heat the oil and sweat the onion with garlic. Once fragrant, chuck in the tomatoes and add the beans before lowering to a simmer.

Setting it up right

Simma. Don. A. 

Fill a deep frying pan with water and heat to a boil. Crack each egg separately into a small dish and ladle into the water to poach. Poach for about 4 minutes each then scoop out with a slotted spoon. This is how you poach an egg perfectly. Thank you KCH for that life lesson.

Up close and personal

Meanwhile, while things are bubbling/simmering/poaching, mix the feta cheese with the yogurt, lemon and some S&P to taste. Leave aside.

Check the beans & tomato saucepan and season as necessary. Once satisfied, ladle a healthy portion (about half) into a bowl and spoon some of the feta mixture on top. Place one of the perfectly poached eggs on top alongside some dipping toast. Sprinkle with salt & pepper and dig in!




Enjoy... payday ain't so far away now is it?

Memories from past paychecks spent at the VCC

Dublin You Saucy Minx

If you follow my instagram (extra spirit points if you do), then you probably sussed out that I was in Dublin for about a week at the end of the summer. It's quite amusing now that I seem to be frequenting my second home on a semi-annual basis, seeing as one of the major reasons for moving back stateside was my frequent reverse trips back to the Queen City. I have to say I don't mind it one bit having excuses to fly back such as weddings, MT, holidays, etc. Really if money were no object I would probably spend at least one week per month in the Big Shmoke!

Going back every so often does allow me to "speed date" all the new fun foodie spots, also. Luckily my Dublin gang are all like-minded, or at least indulge me, in checking out new eateries and liquid establishments.

Where am I going with this diatribe? A round-up of my most recent Dublin delectable discoveries, that's where! So here we go.

Look at that juiciness.. and this it not even a good snap!

What: Bunsen with CMc & Nosh lunch sesh
Where: Temple Bar
We Ate: Burgers with cheese (that's their shtick) and shoestring fries
The Verdict: CMc and Nosh... and pretty much everyone else in the Dubs, have been clamoring on about the Bunsen burger. And for good reason. The all-Irish beef patty was juicy, tender with a nice savory aftertaste. I always order a burger with cheese for fear of the beef falling flat, but fear not at Bunsen. I totes get it now. And you should get to Bunsen for a 'ger ASAP. I haven't had a better better anywhere else. FACT.

"Healthy choice"

Baked beans and then some

Look at the joy in my face pouring HC!

What: Brother Hubbard fresh off the plane with MT (holding hands)
Where: Capel Street
We Ate: Home-baked Beans w/ Soft-fried Egg, Whipped Feta & Chorizo, Spelt Pancakes w/ Mixed Berry Compote, REAL Hot Chocolate
The Verdict: Even being ridiculously jet-lagged (legit right off el plane-o) this meal tasted da bomb. I had been planned (and drooling) to go to BH for months, nay YEARS and I finally did. He certainly did not disappoint. Rich tomato and chorizo flavors cut by silky whipped feta with lemon...oh lawd. MT gave an astounding twelve thumbs up for his pancakes, even though they were "healthy spelt". Oh and then the HOT CHOCOLATE. Individual pouring decadent chocolate pots to mix into separate warmed milk. Take me back NOW.

steamed..buns..oh yes

potstickers

Ceviche the way the gods intended

What: Soder+Ko with CMc & SM for ladies of leisure
Where: South Great Georges Street
We Ate: Scallop Ceviche, Pulled Pork Steamed Buns, Sweet Potato Fries, Chicken Potstickers
Verdict: Delicious cocktails set the tone early for the ladies. The ceviche was executed perfectly, tart and fresh. Pork steamed buns were a taste explosion and like nothing I've ever had before! Everyone has a first time with kimchi I suppose. The sweet potato fries got approval from all around with an even hint of truffle. Potstickers were the perfect mouthful... Great space, both in size and decor. Definitely check it out especially if you partook in late-night Dragon debauchery!

Gnocchi so fluffy it'd make you blush

Champs for a reason... or thirty

What: Last call at Manifesto
Where: Rathmines
We Ate: Award-winning Mammy Pizza, Gnocchi in Creamy Tomato Sauce
Verdict: Manifesto has been around for years and has consistently won awards, yet I had never visited until this trip. You feel like you're right in Italy with the ambiance and then you taste the pizza and you are in Italy. There's a lot of amazing Italian spots in Dublin (driven by a vast number of italiano ex-pats!) and therefore a lot of fantastic restaurants. Manifesto I would say is not just one of them, but one that leads the pack.

Oh Dublin, how my taste buds and soul miss you...

Changing up the Game: Marble + Rye Review

The summer of 2015 saw a gamut of new punters to the Buffalo restaurant game, with almost every week one or two big names opening or reinventing food gigs across Western New York.

One of the most highly-anticipated was the entry of the BMFT boys to a brick-and-mortar space on Genesee St. Rumor was the gang was going for dishes completely unlike their Bahn-Mi heavy menu from the truck. Color me interested.

I decided to wait a few weeks to give these guys a try as places often fall majorly flat for me close to opening. I find it's much better for the restaurant, my wallet and most importantly my taste buds if the place can work out it's kinks to give it a proper go.

But I digress.

So the other week I met up with my girl AW for some wine and food at the aforementioned Marble+Rye.

The aesthetic is pretty chic but relaxed at the same time. The bar is definitely the focal point of the room, which hold approx 10-20 tables as I recall. Understated but slick if that makes sense.

Cheeseboard ON POINT

We settled into a cheeseboard with a nice bottle of Malbec before moving on to a few small plates the share.

The cheeseboard was by Nickle City and therefore fantastic. Those 'mongers have got a tight cheese game and restaurateurs are noticing their slam-dunk appeal. Marble+Rye did put their own touch with some killer sweet-potato chips that slide home really nice.

Pasta of the day (can't win 'em all)

Egg burger: no need for cheese here! JUICY

For our sharing plates, we got the pasta of the day: ravioli with seabreem, the egg burger and finished off with a giant sour banana & PB macaron.

Sour Banana & PB Macaron I shall dream of you

The verdict: While the pasta was deliciously fresh, the seabreem filling tasted slightly too smoked or too fishy. The burger nailed it 10/10 proving I can never have enough protein. Similarly, the macaron was scrumptuous with the tasty coffee "dust" ridiculously morish.

Overall, Marble+Rye has really upped the Buffalo food scene. You can tell they are really thinking outside of the box and pushing food boundaries. They may not always hit the mark, but then again you're not really living if you stay in your comfort zone!

Check M+R out, I promise that change is good.

Artsy Buffalo Skyline #sofetch

Marble+Rye

112 Genesee St

Buffalo, NY 14203

Any Excuse to Make a Big Fuss

Last Wednesday, my bestie KH & I made a big fuss... on a weeknight no less! What am I talking about exactly? Well, an organization called Feed Your Soul, which produces "Buffalo's best culinary events," threw it's fourth-annual Big Fuss party at Artisan Kitchens and Bath in Blackrock. The event is set up as a fundraiser for a local farm each year (the farm in need changes annually). A number of notorious WNY chefs provide food while Community Beer Works, Chateau Buffalo and Lockhouse Vodka quenches thirsts.

The crowd @ Big Fuss

This year, the chosen farm was Prudum Farms from Niagara County, a family business that lost nearly everything in a fire this past spring. They have been able to scrape by since, but much of their core business is still "rubble" we were told on the night. The money raised through Big Fuss will go to help rebuild the farm and the food served... well that will go straight to my waistline and memory as a great experience!

The chefs turned out an amazing spread and really brought their A-game. I was so impressed by the pate crostini from Bourbon & Butter that I decided to book a table for this coming week! It was also really cool that Toutant and BMFT's Marble+Rye premiered some treats, prior to either being open. Needless to say, I'm salivating waiting for both those spots to open up next year.

The Llyod's Taco guys looked to be expanding their repertoire to desserts with their sweet dish of upside down apple pie with an amazing cranberry wafer. Craving, Elm Street Bakery, Lombardo's and my newest obsession The Black Sheep also plated up some fantastic dishes.Check out the pics below for a visual...apologies for the palate envy! So basically all my fav restaurants in Buffalo were all in one location; I obvi had an awesome time!

CrAving chef going at it!

Tender pulled pork biscuit from CrAving

Hashing it up @ Toutant

Please open ASAP Toutant!

ESB's Chicken Liver Pate with brussel sprout leaves

Up close & personal with Lombardo's butternut squash & ricotta crostini

LLoyd's dessert: hoping this becomes a regular menu item on the trucks!?

Marble+Rye's Apple Walnut pie amazingness

All in all the evening was a great success and bonus that it was for a great cause! Can't wait to throw a big fuss next year!

Wake Cup Cafe - Back to the Dubs!

This summer I had the fortune of being back for a second time this year to Dublin. Not only do I love an excuse to visit my framily and old haunts, my better half also resides in the big shmoke. So until we're both on the same continent, we will be travelling back and forth between Buffalo and Dublin. Such a tough life!

All food prepared fresh daily with love!

Anywho, during my July sojourn, I happened upon new and old favorites. One of the new ones is Wake Cup  on Talbot St. I managed to stop there twice and definitely would have gone back again and again if time permitted!

Mouth-watering counter and super-friendly staff!

The first time I stopped in, it literally was Wake Cup's first day of business. I was meeting my pal S for a cuppa and a sweet midday treat. For being open only a couple hours, I was extremely impressed! The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, serving fresh baked goods and pastries,salads and sandwiches at the ready. And the coffee! Seriously good. It pains me I can never find as excellent a cappuccino or espresso this side of the ocean... shame I guess I'll have to keep going back!

Ham & cheese sandwich perfected + wonderfully frothy 'ccino

My second visit I wanted to grab a sammy to see how that would turn out. I chose the classic ham and cheese on fresh baked bread. The bread was soft with a hint of sourdough and the red onion chutney perfectly pickeled with a hint of sweet. The ham tasted like Mom's leftover honey roasted ham and was paired deliciously with a sharp Irish cheddar. A frothy cappuccino alongside and I was one happy girl!

Conveniently under the DART on Talbot St

If you're reading this from the Dubs, I highly recommend you check out this spot on Talbot St, you won't be disappointed. I really hoped it's managed to flourish!

Aaaannd they appreciate pugs... BOOM

Wake Cup
Talbot St (right under the Dart)
Dublin 1
+353 1 818 2967

One More Dubs Post: FFID Tour!

Yesterday was the last day of March and supposed to be my last full review post of my glorious February sojourn in Dublin. APRIL FOOL'S! 

So here we go with it now.

Ketty in action dispensing fantastic French foodie fodder!

Me with the lovely Ketty

While it seemed (and in actuality) that every day I spent was the BEST DAY EVER in the big shmoke, there were a few times had that rose to the creamiest of this ultra-cream top of a trip! One of those experiences was partaking in Ketty Elisabeth’s French Foodie in Dublin tours. Ketty is a lovely French foodie living in… yep you guessed, it Dublin and I have been following her epicurean adventures since her blog launched back in 2012. She was definitely an inspiration in the creation of Lauribeth Loves and so when she started doing foodie tours in the Dubs I knew I had to sign up!

Coincidentally, the tour was scheduled for my last day in Dublin (for the time-being!) and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it! Below I've highlighted through the numerous snaps I took during the tour. I highly recommend checking out a FFID tour if you're visiting Dublin or eve if you're a Dubliner! It's a fabulous way to spend a Saturday and your belly will thank you!

La Maison: the first stop on the afternoon FFID tour

Delicious Mediterranean dips, escargot & coq au vin a La Maison. Ketty gives each dish its provenance and relevance to French foodie culture.

Sheridan's Cheesemongers, the second stop on the FFID tour and a Dublin fixture. Excellently sourced cheese, including Mont D'or for the last of the winter season!

The best kind of sale!

Three cheese selections, including the magnifique Mont D'or (close-up bottom left)

Third stop to my FAVORITE: Fallon & Byrne! Dave head sommelier gave a great  and personable background on four unique French wines from the Loire Valley. Could've easily spent (another) afternoon in the wine cellar!

Final stop at the famed Cocoa Atelier for macarons! Stunning display and the lightest yet most decadent french treat!

French Foodie Tours run Saturdays 1-4pm. Booking in advance is essential. Ketty has also started a Movie Club that includes dinner and a food-related film! This is most definitely on the itinerary next time I hop across the pond!

Run Neon Tiger There's Thai on Your Mind...

However you define a place called home, whenever you leave it, you leave behind not only loved ones but, possibly more importantly, the food as well. Neon 17 on Camden St is one of those places with food that I crave when away from my second home in Dublin.

Neon 17 all decked out for V-day!

Close-up of the operation

Thai Street food in Dublin, you say? But Lauribeth you’re in NEW YAWK, there must be a Thai equivocal or even better than in DUBLIN?! Nope. Well, maybe there is but I haven’t found it and really don’t care to honestly! I have found the one, Neon is it for me!

I visited Neon on Valentine’s Day this February with my dear friend CMc and am happy to say, the love affair endures. I ordered my standard Green Curry with chicken while CMc opted for the Massamam curry with chicken. We also got a side order of prawn crackers with Neon’s zingy sweet chili sauce. 

CMc's Massamam... look at those chillies!

I really like the simplicity of Neon: you order, grab either a side spot or a seat at the long communal table and within 10-15 minutes, your steaming hot dish of delight is served to you. Oh and did I mention there is a self-serve soft-serve ice cream machine for dessert? Everyone gets a cone with your dish, and if you have enough room (who doesn’t have room for soft serve!?) you may go at it as they say!

My beloved Green Curry

CMc's mad soft serve skillz

Aww yeaaa

Right, so back to the food. My green curry was phenomenal as always! Great portion of green peppers, onions, baby corn and carrots with nice big juicy chunks of chicken swimming in a wonderful ratio of creamy coconut milk and curry flavor. The rice was nicely sticky to sop up the nearly drinkable sauce, too (and yes, I did save a little sauce to slurp at the end!). CMc’s Massamam was excellent she noted as well, potatoes nicely cooked and not too soft with just the right mild hit of spice! We enjoyed a refreshing bottle of Sauv Blanc (€13.50 chica-chica yeaa!) to wash down our meal before hitting up the soft serve.

As I'm writing this I'm having a serious craving for some Neon and the pang hits deeper than my gut! It's a great spot for a casual meal and hearty feed. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the South Dublin 'hood.

Mwahahahha

Neon 17

17 Camden St

Dublin 2

01 405 2222

http://neon17.ie/

See you soon Neon 17!