CD Supper Club

Recipe: Mom's Turkey Enchiladas

2010-05-02T01:40:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite of my mother's recipes. I actually packed two cans of green enchilada sauce in my suitcase so I could make this in Berlin! It's not too hard to make and always gets rave reviews.

What you need:
*1 lb. ground turkey
*1 lg. onion, chopped
*2 T. vegetable oil
*1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo, seeded and chopped
*1 small can chopped green chilis
*12 oz. pepperjack cheese, grated (I used shredded gouda since I haven't seen pepperjack here in Germany)
*2 14 oz. cans green enchilada sauce
12 flour tortillas

What you do:
In a large, deep saucepan, saute onion until translucent. Add turkey and saute, crumbling with a spoon, until turkey is cooked. Add chipotle peppers and chopped green chilis; stir to combine. Add 2/3 of the cheese and 1 1/2c. enchilada sauce and stir to combine.
Fill each tortilla with about 1/4c. of the mixture from the pan and roll them up. Place into a greased oven-safe pan or baking dish, seam side down. Do not be afraid to pack them into the pan, but a second one may be required.
Cover enchiladas with remaining sauce and cheese and bake at 350F (175C) for 20-30min, when the cheese has melted and the dish is bubbly. Remove from the oven and let cool 5min before serving.

We always serve them with black beans (conveniently these come in chili sauce at Kaufland), spanish rice (rice with chopped tomatoes and spices) and a side salad. Enjoy!

Side note: if you recall the vegan molasses-blueberry cake from supper club, I recently tried making the same recipe in muffin form...they turned out great! Try em out sometime if you want a healthier blueberry muffin.

Qype: El-Dai'a Snack in Berlin

2010-04-30T02:31:00.001-07:00

Berlin

I've only ever eaten one thing here, but it's amazing: HUMMUS.
You pay 3eur and are served a warm, made-to-order bowl of delicious hummus along with a pile of chopped veggies and pita bread. It's more than enough for a meal and sooo tasty. I come here all the time!

Check out my review of El-Dai'a Snack - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: risotto in Berlin

2010-04-14T08:25:00.001-07:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - European - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Italian & Pizza

If you're like me and adore the culinary amazingness that is risotto, then this place will be your dream come true.
4 or 5 risotto options make up the menu, all you have to do is choose which scrumptious option to go with--not an easy task! Luckily since I had been craving artichokes and today's cheapest special was an artichoke risotto, my task was made somewhat easier. But I was still tempted by the tomato and broccoli-and-goat-cheese options.
I added a small side salad to my order and loved that the greens and dressing were handed to me in small jars. Plus the dressing was delish.
For that and my risotto I ended up paying about 7eur, which is not too bad considering the quality.
From the lovely heavy silverware to the friendly service to the decor, I loved everything about this place. Definitely worth checking out!

Check out my review of risotto - I am insizlane - on Qype

Recipe: Potato and Leek Soup

2010-04-10T09:34:00.000-07:00

Recently we had some potatoes lyin' around our kitchen that needed to be used up, quick! I thought the perfect solution would be a nice potato-leek soup, because I love the savory deliciousness of leeks balanced by a nice hearty potato base.
My favorite way to make vegetable soups is to let the veggies speak for themselves and not dilute their flavor with a lot of cream or cheese, and this recipe is no different. It's aaaall about the natural flavor of the yummy veggies! And it's really simple and quick, to boot.

What you need:
*olive oil
*1 large onion, diced
*1 garlic clove, minced fine
*1 lb potatoes, diced
*3-4 large leeks, sliced
*couple cups vegetable or chicken broth
*salt and pepper to taste
optional:
*couple pinches cayenne pepper
*finely chopped parsley
*couple drops of your favorite hot sauce

What you do:
Heat the oil in a pot. Add the onions and sautee. Add the garlic and sautee until fragrant. Add the leeks and cook for a couple minutes, stirring intermittently. Add the potatoes and cook with the occasional stir. When the potatoes begin to brown, add broth to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for at least 30 mins or until soup is at desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy. I prefer not to puree, I like my soups chunky :)
If you, like I, like a little kick in your soup, add cayenne pepper liberally to taste. It's also nice with some chopped fresh parsley stirred in, and I always add some hot sauce to my bowl to get some real heat going.
Bon Apppetit!

Qype: Mustafas Gemüse Kebab in Berlin

2010-04-08T07:55:00.001-07:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Fastfood & Takeaway - Kebabs

BELIEVE the HYPE.
it's WORTH the WAIT.
forget about the stupid chicken. delicious crispy perfectly seasoned veggies covered in crumbly cheese and lemon juice is all you could ever want at this gem.

Check out my review of Mustafas Gemüse Kebab - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: Room 77 in Berlin

2010-04-08T07:51:00.001-07:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - American - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Mexican

I had heard this place has good burgers and when I walked in and saw the massive specimens on people's plates I could hardly wait to get my hands on one. When I saw the menu I was even more pleasantly surprised: not just burgers, but enchiladas, texas chili and a fajita special! Then they plunked down my favorite hot sauce on the table (Tabasco smoked chipotle) and I was certifiably in heaven. Ensconced on a cozy couch, beer and live music close at hand, I devoured a chicken burger smothered in delicious guacamole and hot sauce, as well as some crispy potato wedges. Yum. My companions had beef burgers that they pronounced wunderbar and a lovely-looking enchilada with a BIG salad. I want to go back and try some of the other menu items!
The only negative is that we were sitting right by the stage and the music was extremely loud, making conversation almost impossible. Also, as a non-smoker I found the smoke kind of oppressive (particularly as I was getting over a sinus infection at the time), but I guess the ability to smoke freely would be a draw to some.
I will be back for sure.

Check out my review of Room 77 - I am insizlane - on Qype

Recipe: Quick Lentil Stew

2010-03-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

Hey friends!
We're back from California, but we don't know yet when the next supper will be. In the meantime, I have a new recipe for you all! Now that the weather's warmer again, I've started going to the Turkish Market more frequently than I did in the cold winter months, and today I knew I had to finish off some cherry tomatoes I picked up last week. I wanted to use them in a stew of some kind because I was sick of eating them raw. So I figured a lentil stew would be yummy. I picked up some fresh carrots and parsley and voila.

What you need:
couple onions, diced
little bit of olive oil
4-5 carrots, chopped
few handfuls of cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups dried green lentils
2 cups water
couple handfuls fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

What you do:
Heat the oil in a pot. Add the carrots and onions and saute until the onions are translucent. Add the tomatoes, stir a bit, then add the lentils, water, salt and pepper. Turn down the heat and simmer until the lentils get soft (15-20min). Toss in the parsley, salt and pepper, stir a few times, remove from the heat and enjoy :)
Serves 4ish

The sweet fresh carrots really made this an unexpectedly delicious dish, and surprisingly light, despite the fact that I described it as a stew. It's a nice 'n easy recipe for early spring!

Recipe: Vegan Blueberry Cake

2010-02-21T05:56:00.000-08:00

Another vegan-ized recipe that turned out ridiculously scrumptious.
Adapted from 101 Cookbooks.

What you need:
*1 cup plus 2 tbsp. white flour
*1 cup plus 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour
*2 teaspoons baking powder
*1 teaspoon baking soda
*1 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
*1 teaspoon cider vinegar
*10 tablespoons soy milk (divided)
*1 cup unsulphered molasses
*2 small mashed bananas
*5 tablespoons applesauce
*1 tbsp. vegetable oil
*3 cups blueberries, frozen (plus extras for serving if desired)
*1 teaspoon flour
*powdered sugar for serving if desired

What you do:
Preheat your oven to 350F degrees. Oil and flour a 9-inch round cake pan (or equivalent).
In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a small bowl whisk together the cider vinegar with 6 tablespoons of the soy milk. In another bowl whisk the molasses with the remaining 4 tablespoons of soy milk. Whisk the cider vinegar mixture into the molasses mixture, then whisk in the banana.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and stir until just barely combined. Stir in the applesauce and oil. Toss the blueberries with 1 teaspoon of flour and fold them into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about thirty minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Let cool for a few minutes and then serve sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Serves 12.

Recipe: Tomato-Stuffed Mushrooms

2010-02-21T05:44:00.000-08:00

These little hors d'oeuvres turned out so savory that people didn't believe us when we told them they are totally vegan!
Adapted slightly from Smitten Kitchen.

What you need:
*1/2 ounce sundried tomatoes, packed in oil
*2 tablespoons olive oil
*18 white mushrooms, stems pulled out and chopped fine and caps reserved
*1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
*2 garlic cloves, minced
*1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
*1 1/2 tbsp. tomato paste
*1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, washed well, spun dry, and minced
*1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled

What you do:
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Drain tomatoes well and chop fine.
Lay mushroom caps, stems removed, face down on foiled baking sheet. Bake them approximately 10 minutes, or until their liquid puddles underneath. Remove from the oven. Carefully pour off liquid that has gathered in the bottom of the pan and reserve, and then again, carefully, turn mushroom caps over so they are ready to be filled.
In a small skillet heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook chopped mushrooms stems, shallots and garlic, stirring until shallots are softened. In a bowl stir together mushrooms mixture, bread crumbs, tomatoes, reserved mushroom liquid, tomato paste, parsley, basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Mound stuffing in reserved mushroom caps and arrange caps in a lightly greased shallow baking dish, or the same parchment-lined pan you’ve roasted your mushrooms in. Bake in middle of oven 15 minutes.

Makes 18 hors d’oeuvres; we doubled the recipe for supper club.

Recipe: Apple-Zucchini Crostini

2010-02-20T08:16:00.000-08:00

These delicious little "toasts" went fast at the last supper club!
The original recipe from 101 cookbooks calls for a dollop of creamy goat cheese which we left off to make it vegan.

What you need:
*5-7 slices whole grain bread, very thinly sliced
*splash of extra virgin olive oil
*two big pinches of salt
*1/4 cup apple, cut into 1/4 inch dice (place in a bit of lemon water if not using immediately) [we used a pink lady apple and the color was great in the finished dish]
*3/4 cup zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch dice
*1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed

What you do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the bread into bite-sized pieces (or use a cookie cutter [or shot glass!]), brush with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with a tiny bit of salt. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until golden, roughly 14 minutes, flipping once along the way. Remove and let cool.
To make the zucchini-apple component, heat a splash of olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Stir in the salt and the apples. Saute for about 15 seconds and then stir in the zucchini. Cook for another 15-20 seconds - things should really be sizzling. But keep in mind, you only want to heat and soften things up a touch, not turn everything to mush by overcooking. Quickly remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and a tiny drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Toss and taste, add a bit more salt if needed. Transfer the zucchini mixture to a large plate to cool a bit.
To assemble take one piece of the toasted bread and spoon a small amount of the zucchini mixture on top of it. Repeat and arrange on your favorite serving platter.
Makes about 2 dozen bite-sized crostini.

Supper the Fifth

2010-02-20T05:35:00.001-08:00

This past Thursday, February 18th, was our fifth supper club!
Our menu was totally vegetarian and even mostly vegan, since Celia and I have embarked on an experimental month of ovatarianism (vegan+eggs).
We made:
-Apple-zucchini crostini (referred to as "toasts," haha)

-Tomato-stuffed mushrooms (yes, these were vegan...despite the intensely savory flavor! mmm)

-Warm carrot, dill, and white bean salad (sadly, no picture)
-Homemade sweet potato ravioli with a brown butter sauce and sliced almonds (our only non-vegan item, with the eggs in the ravioli and the butter in the sauce)

-And a delectable and totally vegan blueberry cake:

It all turned out delicious if I do say so myself.
Daniel volunteered to be our official photographer this time so we have some lovely "socializing" shots:

And even a couple cooking shots (with our matching aprons!). "Double fisting" (flattering, no?):

And Celia plating the ravioli:

I'll leave you with my favorite shot of the whole table:

Recipes to follow. Hope everyone had as much fun as we did!
Til next time,
C&D

Next Supper

2010-02-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hey supperclubbers!
We'd like to cordially invite you to our next supper, a week from today on Thursday, February 18th!
Celia and I are experimenting with vegetarianism/semi-veganism, and our menu reflects that somewhat:
-Apple and zucchini crostinis and sundried tomato stuffed mushrooms
-Roasted bell peppers stuffed with carrot, dill, and white bean salad
-Homemade sweet potato ravioli with brown butter sauce
-and a scrumptious blueberry cake to finish.
Doesn't that sound delicious?!? Better RSVP to cdsupperclub@gmail.com to make sure you get some ;)
As usual dinner will be at our apartment (address to follow closer to the date), hors d'oeuvres and drinks around 7:30, dinner sometime thereafter.
We do ask for a donation but the amount is up to you.
And please let us know of any dietary restrictions in your RSVP, we are flexible!
First come first serve.
Looking forward to seeing you!
C&D

Recipe: Mushroom-Artichoke Pasta

2010-02-03T04:05:00.001-08:00

I made this pasta for a Groundhog Day movie night last night and it was delicious!
Courtesy of smitten kitchen, a cooking blog recommended to me by fellow supper clubber Kate.
The recipe serves 4-6. I doubled it last night and it was a TON of pasta...

What you need:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 pound mushrooms, trimmed, cleaned and chopped into small bits
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus 1 tablespoon for pasta water
1 cup dry Marsala wine [sherry would be an appropriate substitute]
1 pound pasta [I used mini penne]
1/2 pound frozen artichoke hearts, thawed [I used canned]
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

What you do:
Place the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for one minute. Add the mushrooms and one teaspoon of the salt. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until all the moisture has evaporated and the mushrooms have cooked down, about 10 minutes (though this took me much less time). Add the Marsala and continue cooking until almost all the wine has evaporated, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Stir in remaining salt. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta and add it into the mushrooms, Marsala and onions Add the artichoke hearts, Parmesan and cream and cook until the artichokes are heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and pepper, then adjust seasonings to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Recipe: Olive Oil Cake with Tangerine Glaze

2010-01-31T04:20:00.001-08:00

This recipe was so simple and easy to make, and so incredibly delicious! It was a great end to our Mediterranean-themed supper. Courtesy of myrecipes.com.
Makes 16 servings (serving size: 1 slice)

What you need:
* Cooking spray [or butter, to grease the pan]
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
* 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk [I used 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup yogurt]
* 1/2 cup extravirgin olive oil
* 1/4 cup fresh tangerine juice (about 2 tangerines), divided
* 3 large eggs
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 10 ounces) [I used whole wheat flour]
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 cup powdered sugar
* 1 teaspoon butter, melted

What you do:
Preheat oven to 350°F [~176°C].
Coat a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray [or a springform cake pan with butter in our case]; dust with 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Set aside.
Combine granulated sugar, milk, oil, 3 tablespoons juice, and eggs in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Lightly spoon 2 1/4 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda; stir well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to oil mixture, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 55 minutes or until golden brown and cake begins to pull away from sides of pan. Cool cake completely on wire rack. Loosen edges of cake with a narrow spatula. Place a plate upside down on top of cake; invert onto plate.
Combine powdered sugar, remaining 1 tablespoon juice, and butter, stirring well with a whisk. Drizzle glaze over cooled cake.
Yum!

Recipe: Hearty Fish Stew

2010-01-31T04:16:00.000-08:00

This was our main dish at the last supper club, and turned out great! Courtesy of Closet Cooking.
Makes 4 servings.

What you need:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion (diced)
4 cloves garlic (chopped)
chili flakes to taste (optional) [I added Mexican chili powder]
1 bulb fennel (sliced)
1 red pepper (cut into bite sized pieces)
1 cup white wine
1 (28 ounce) can diced plum tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound white fish (such as haddock, halibut, etc., or any seafood) [or substitute tofu]
1/2 cup fresh herbs such as parsley and basil (chopped)

What you do:
1. Heat the oil in the pan.
2. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 6-10 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and chili pepper flakes and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
4. Add the fennel and red peppers and saute for a few minutes.
5. Add the white wine and simmer for a few minutes.
6. Add the tomatoes, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Add the fish [or tofu] and simmer until cooked, about 5 minutes.
8. Remove and mix in the fresh herbs.

Serve with some crusty bread & feta, if desired.

Recipe: Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

2010-01-31T04:11:00.000-08:00

This fresh, light salad was a huge hit at the last supper club! Courtesy of myrecipes.com.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings

What you need:
* 4 ounces manchego cheese, chopped [we left this out]
* 1 (10.5 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
* 1 cup loosely packed mint leaves, coarsely chopped [we stirred in some mint suace instead]
* 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* Zest of 1 lemon (1 1/2 tsp.)
* Salt and pepper
* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, each cut into quarters (8 oz.)
* 2 bunches arugula or 1 (5 oz.) box baby arugula, cleaned and patted dry [we used feldsalat]

What you do:
Toss cheese, chickpeas, mint, olive oil, garlic and lemon zest together in a medium bowl; season with salt to taste. Set mixture aside to marinate at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes, or cover with plastic wrap and let it marinate in refrigerator overnight. [we did not marinate overnight, but made it and served it fresh on the night]
Add lemon juice and tomatoes to cheese-chickpea mixture and toss to coat thoroughly.
Divide arugula among 4 individual serving plates and spoon marinated cheese mixture on top. Grind freshly cracked black pepper directly over each salad. Garnish with lemon wedges, if desired.

Supper the Fourth

2010-01-31T03:57:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks!
Sorry I'm a little late on this post! So as advertised below, the latest supper club took place last Tuesday, January 26th.
Our menu was:
-Crudités and pita with cucumber-mint yogurt dip and Charlie's homemade hummus
-Chickpea salad

-Hearty Greek fish stew (and a tofu version for the veggies!) served with crusty bread and a dollop of creamy olive feta (I forgot to take a photo until I had already eaten half of it...goes to show how good it was!)

-Homemade olive oil cake with a tangerine glaze and helva from the Turkish market served with tangerine slices and whole hazelnuts
Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the dessert even though it was the best plating job we did!
We've made many improvements since the last dinner, including starting the evening in the living room and actually buying (instead of borrowing) enough cutlery, dishes, and wine glasses for everyone!
We were at full capacity and had a great group, though unfortunately I hardly took any pictures!
Hopefully the one below gives a good idea of the atmosphere :)

Stay tuned for news on the next supper!
Cheers
C&D

Qype: Focacceria la Tarantella in Berlin

2010-01-20T06:36:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Italian & Pizza

The bf and I were tired and hungover on New Year's Eve and just wanted some pizza when we finally stumbled out of the house in the early afternoon.
I had heard good things about Tarantella so we headed that way.Our waitress, Nicoletta, was so kind and friendly and chatted away to us in a mixture of Italian, German, and English. We ate caprese and two delicious pizzas and let me tell you, the price was right.
My serrano, parmesan and ruccola pizza was incredibly savory and delicious and the perfect thing to warm me on a cold day. My bf described his pepperoni-ham-pepper pizza as his "ideal."
We promised Nicoletta that we'd be back and I will definitely be hitting up Tarantella when I need a cozy atmosphere and some warm comfort food.

Check out my review of Focacceria la Tarantella - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: tartane in Berlin

2010-01-20T06:27:00.003-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Bars

I love Tartane. I'm not sure where these negative reviews come from because I've had two great evenings out there and expect more to come.
The first time I went I got the lamb burger with bleu cheese and it was so good I couldn't resist ordering it again the second time! Here's a tip: use a knife and fork if you don't want to make a huge mess...but in my mind, messiness is the sign of a good burger. I also have to praise the service--I've had different servers each time but they are always nice and attentive, not to mention stylish.
Last time we had the shrimp flambee appetizer and it was so light and delicate and delicious. It arrived at our table in flames. Yum! The first time I also succumbed to the temptation of dessert and the mousse was fluffy and to die for. Even the spread that comes with the bread is scrumptious.
My one complaint is that the "Caeser salad" is not a Caeser...it is greens and veggies with vinaigrette. But it was still really good (and big) so I'm not complaining too much.
I also love the chic decor. I'm dying to try the upstairs seating area!
You've got a loyal customer in me, Tartane! I think you're worth the price.

Check out my review of tartane - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: Ron Telesky Canadian Pizza in Berlin

2010-01-20T06:11:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Italian & Pizza

Ok so...yes, the pizza is pretty darn good and inventive with the toppings. Yes, the chili-maple sauce is strangely delicious. But is it worth the totally inflated prices?
On the plus side the service is nice and when they burned my friend's slice they comped it. They also gave us free tap water when we asked which sometimes gets you dirty looks in Berlin.
I don't think I'll come here too often because of the prices and kinda inconvenient location (bit of a trek from Schönleinstrasse UBhf, esp. in winter) but it's definitely worth a try, if only for the novelty.
PS. They sell Reese's peanut butter cups if you have a craving...

Check out my review of Ron Telesky Canadian Pizza - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: Amar in Berlin

2010-01-20T06:04:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Indian

I've been here twice for lunch and always had a good experience.
Each time I was with one companion and we had two currys, a big salad, rice and naan for less than 10eur each. The second time, we were given free mango drinks before the meal and free mango-berry dessert thingies afterwards.
The chicken korma is creamy and delicious with nuts and dried currants. The lamb vindaloo has a real kick to it, which is rare in Berlin! And the chicken tikka masala came out on a sizzling fajita-style platter and had a really lovely flavor.
The service is always attentive, but they need to figure out how to block the door in cold weather...it kept blasting us when the door was opened, to the point we had to put our coats on.
Also, what's up with opening the cellar door such that the bathrooms are blocked and customers have to dangerously try to circumvent it?
All in all this place is nothing special but it gets the job done.

Check out my review of Amar - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: Spreegold in Berlin

2010-01-18T05:21:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Coffee Shops

Really great cafe with 4 or 5 types of fresh pasta with imaginative and delicious toppings/sauces. I had the Med Sun with tomatoes, both regular and sundried, and ruccola with tagliatelle and it was fab. My companion had the Thai Kick and it really was quite spicy (a rarity in this fair city).
They also have a great looking fresh salad bar, tasty sounding sandwich options, fresh pastries, cakes etc. which my friend assured me are scrumptious (she's French and claims this place has the best croissant in Berlin...!).
The atmosphere is chic, clean and cozy with good music. I will definitely be back--there are several more options on the menu I want to try!

Check out my review of Spreegold - I am insizlane - on Qype

Next Supper

2010-01-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends!
Happy New Year! It's been a while since we saw each other, no?
After holiday season craziness, we are finally ready to host our first supper club of the new year! It will take place next Tuesday, January 26th at 7:30pm.
Our menu is Mediterranean-ish:
-assorted crudités with yogurt-mint dip
-chickpea salad
-hearty greek fish stew with feta and crusty bread (and a tofu option, for our veggie friends)
-and a dessert yet to be decided upon!
+beverages.
As usual, we do ask for some money to cover our costs, but the amount is up to you.
Please RSVP to cdsupperclub@gmail.com if you would like to come. First come, first served.
Hope to see you soon!
C&D

Recipe: Banana-Chocolate-Chunk Muffins

2009-12-23T00:35:00.000-08:00

I have made these muffins twice now and they are delicious! Not to mention that with oats, whole wheat flour, and limited oil they are a bit healthier than most muffins :)
Courtesy of Cook Yourself Thin.
What you need:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups reduced-fat buttermilk [or substitute 1 1/4 cups milk with 1 tbsp. lemon juice]
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons chocolate chips

What you do:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12-muffin tray with paper liners. Set aside.
2. In a standing mixer [I mix everything by hand in a large bowl], combine the all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, rolled oats, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and mashed banana, and blend on low speed for 2 minutes. Add the walnuts, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs and reduced-fat buttermilk, and blend for 2 minutes on medium speed. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
3. Using an ice cream scoop [I use a half-cup measuring cup], portion the batter evenly into the muffin tin, and top each muffin with 3 to 4 chocolate chips. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Once muffins are baked through, remove them from the oven and let cool. Serve.

This makes 12 muffins. I always double the batch! Enjoy :)

Recipe: Mary's Pumpkin-Fig Soup

2009-12-13T16:03:00.000-08:00

What you need:
1 medium/large hokkaido pumpkin, peeled & diced
1 lg onion, diced
2 Tbsp sesame oil
3 Tbsp curry powder
1 Tbsp diced fresh ginger
2 fresh or 3 dried figs
1 can coconut milk
1 scant Tbsp lemon juice
3 c. vegetable broth
salt to taste
blender or blender wand

What you do:
Saute onion & curry powder in oil until transparent. Add pumpkin, fig, ginger, broth, lemon juice. Boil until pumpkin is soft. Puree with blender wand. Salt to taste.

Supper the Third

2009-12-13T15:36:00.000-08:00

Hey friends!
Last Thursday was our third dinner! As I said in my last post, in Celia's absence I recruited a guest chef, Mary Dellenbaugh. Mary put together a great vegetarian menu for us, which was:
Sekt as an aperitif
Parmesan, garlic, and artichoke dip with bagel chips and olives

Pumpkin-curry-fig-coconut cream soup

Spinach & corn tart on a bed of greens with a balsamic reduction

& mini lemon-raspberry cremes for dessert

It was all delicious!
Only six people were present (our smallest yet!) and it was a very cozy evening. This time, I remembered to take a few photos!
In the absence of an apron, Mary swaddled herself in a towel to blender-wand the pumpkin into submission:

The guests, before we realized we didn't actually need both tables since two people cancelled/didn't show:

And one with me in it...luckily you can only kind of see my horrible thrift store Christmas vest, hahaha:

I have loooved having the leftovers the past few days! Those who didn't come, you missed out.
Stay tuned for the pumpkin soup recipe--Mary invented it herself!
Cheers
D.

Next Supper!

2009-11-17T15:45:00.000-08:00

The email's been sent to the list, and here's what it said:
Hey supper clubbers!
Last week's supper was a fun one! I hope everyone enjoyed as much as I did.
Those of you who attended will recall some uncertainty about the next supper stemming from Celia and my respective holiday travel plans. Good news, however: we will be holding one more dinner in 2009, on Thursday December 10th!
Since Celia will still be in the States, we have recruited a guest chef, Mary Dellenbaugh. Mary is a photographer and all-around awesome chick, also from the US, who has actually worked in restaurants before (gasp!). She has very graciously agreed to let me cook with her in Celia's absence!
Since Mary is a vegetarian, her menu will be as well. Yum!
Here is the tentative menu plan (subject to change):
as Mary says, "nice & hearty & warm for December"
Parmesan-garlic-artichoke dip, various cheeses & olives with crackers for starters
Pumpkin curry soup with figs & crostini
Vegetable tarts (kind of like pot pie) on a bed of greens with balsamic reduction
mini lemon cremes for dessert (Mary sez: "something light to end all that good heavy stuff!")
+ of course wine.
I ask you, does that not sound delicious?!?
So email me back if you want to attend on Thursday, December 10th! We can only accommodate 10 people in addition to the two of us, so it will be first come, first served. If you need to cancel, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance for shopping purposes! And don't forget to bring your APPETITE and whatever donation you would like to give to cover our costs.
Let us know about any dietary restrictions as well.
And please feel free to pass this on to friends who may be interested!
This will be our last official supper club dinner until the New Year, though we will be cooking Christmas dinner if anyone is going to be lonely and hungry on Christmas Day :)
Hope to see you soon!

If you would like to RSVP and/or get on the mailing list, let us know at cdsupperclub@gmail.com.
C&D

Recipe: Mango Salsa

2009-11-17T15:41:00.000-08:00

Much like my guac, my mango salsa is improvised and not closely measured.
What you need:
*mangoes
*onions
*cilantro
*lime juice
What you do:
Cut the mango into chunks and combine in a bowl with finely chopped cilantro and onion. Squeeze a couple limes over the mixture and stir. Voila, there you have it. A delicious side, condiment, or dip. The lime juice brings out the mango flavor and the cilantro and onion give it a kick to match the sweetness. Mmmm!

Recipe: California Guacamole

2009-11-17T15:37:00.000-08:00

The proportions in this recipe are not precise. In the California hippy tradition, I just go by what feels right, haha.
What you need:
*avocados
*tomatoes
*onions
*cilantro
*salt&pepper
*lime juice
What you do:
Cut the avocado and tomato into smallish chunks and chop the onion finely (you should have more avocado than tomato and onion, though anything goes really). Combine in a bowl with finely chopped cilantro. Add lime juice and salt&pepper to taste. And it's that simple!
You can mash the mixture if you prefer a smoother guac, but for my part I find that a good stirring usually gives my preferred consistency, especially if the avos are ripe enough.

Recipe: Lime-Spiked Black Bean Dip

2009-11-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of myrecipes.com.

Ingredients:
* 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 cup grated carrot
* 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
* 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* 1 teaspoon minced garlic
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

Preparation:
Place beans in a food processor, and pulse until almost smooth [we used a potato masher]. Combine the beans, carrot, and the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring until well blended. Let stand 30 minutes. Serve with baked tortilla chips [we used whole wheat pita].

Mmm delicious!

Supper the Second

2009-11-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

Well! Last week we successfully survived the second supper club. Exactly a week ago, in fact. Sorry it's taken so long to post on it.
The fact of the matter is, I totally forgot to use my camera until the dinner was basically over. D'oh! You'll just have to imagine what I describe.
The photos I have are of the aftermath.
The decimated guac and mango salsa:

The usual kitchen disaster zone:

A burn on my hand (accidentally touched the inside of the oven):

And Celia classin' it up (haha):

The menu was:
Black bean dip with pita
Grilled salmon
California-style guacamole (that means chunky, none of this creamy creme fraiche-spiked stuff the Germans try to pass off as guac)
Mango salsa
Roasted rosemary potatoes
Fresh green salad
Flourless chocolate cake with warm raspberries in mint syrup
Since it was a work day for me, I did not have quite enough cooking time and ended up madly whipping egg whites for the cake when the guests had already arrived! But I think (I hope!) everyone enjoyed the wine and bean dip, so the delay wasn't too bad. We had mostly newcomers: Mai, Michelle, Daniel, Charlie, Christina, Linda, Junitta and Jan were all first-time supper clubbers (welcome, guys!). Kate came back, and my roomie Josh also joined us again. It was a lively crowd, and at 12 my bedroom-turned-dining-room was at full capacity! That's what made it fun though :)
Stay tuned...the next dinner is in the works!
C&D

Qype: Restaurant 44 im Swissôtel in Berlin

2009-11-16T09:56:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Gourmet

This meal will go down as one of the absolute best I have ever had the good fortune to enjoy.
I made a reservation for me, my aunt and my uncle at 9:30pm on a Friday night, the latest they will seat. The staff was the epitome of courteous and welcoming, speaking perfect English for the benefit of my non-Deutsch-speaking relatives. We were seated at a corner table overlooking the Ku'Damm's night lights. The tables were very generously spaced and we felt very well looked after.
We decided on the four course menu. I had artichoke, tuna, lamb, and a selection of cheese. My aunt had artichoke, king prawn, venison, and valrhona chocolate cake, and my uncle had quail, king prawn, coalfish, and chocolate cake as well.
Everything was innovatively prepared with creative uses of ingredients and beautifully plated.
The artichoke was served with little bits of heavenly creamy smoked mozzarella, chunks of tomato and slices of dessicated tomato (surprisingly sweet and chewy), some greens and a scoop of olive oil sorbet.
The tuna came in little perfectly seared cubes, served with brussel sprouts, shallot cream and duck pastrami (see what I mean about creative combinations?)
The crusted lamb saddle was the most flavorful and tender lamb I have ever tasted. I almost orgasmed when I tasted it. It came with two beautiful pastry tubes filled with creamy goat cheese and some veggies.
If that description didn't make you drool, you must be crazy.
Yes this place is expensive, but it is worth every penny. I recommend it highly for your next special occasion meal.

Check out my review of Restaurant 44 im Swissôtel - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: CUPCAKE in Berlin

2009-11-16T09:45:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Cafes - Shopping - Food & Drink - Bakeries - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - American

Huge. Moist. Delicious. Cupcakes.
It was reeeeally hard to choose, but on my inaugural visit to Cupcake, we selected one carrot cake and one Oreo cream.
I fuckin' love carrot cake. And this cupcake, with its creamy, copious cream cheese frosting, did not disappoint.
The Oreo cream was equally moist and creamy, though a bit plain. Next time, I want to try the mint.
Actually who am I kidding. I want to eat the whole store.

Check out my review of CUPCAKE - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: Kurhaus Korsakow in Berlin

2009-11-16T09:41:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Eastern European - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - German

So far my favorite brunch buffet! The hot offerings are what I expect from a breakfast buffet: scrambled eggs, baked beans (mmm), and some kind of meat (the first time I went it was scrumptious little sausages, last time it was Jägerschnitzel patties). The cold offerings consist of a huge spread of lovely salads, including egg salad; a big platter of smoked salmon; a basket of fresh and often warm-from-the-oven bread; a big platter of seriously quality cheese (dear god, I ate a ton of it); various cold meats; and the usual muesli/cereal/yogurt, including some delectable chocolate pudding. You can have unlimited access to this smorgasbord of delight for a mere 7.90eur. If you want a big glass of OJ and a cup of coffee or tea, it'll run you 9.90eur. For a whole pot of coffee or tea along with your OJ and breakfast, it is a mere 11.90eur. Trust me, this is a steal for the quality of the buffet. Not to mention, it is right by the Boxhagener Platz Sunday flea market, and I've never found it overcrowded. Next time you want a quality brunch, give this joint a try!

Check out my review of Kurhaus Korsakow - I am insizlane - on Qype

Pie Adventures

2009-11-06T06:07:00.000-08:00

Last week I had some leftover crumbled cinnamon cookies and I thought it would be fun to use them for a pie crust. I knew just the pie I wanted to make: my mother's French Silk Chocolate Pie. I got the recipe and it is pretty simple (and decadent): sugar, eggs, butter and melted chocolate, poured into a pie crust and refrigerated for a few hours to set. Since I had some leftover mint as well, I thought I'd add my own twist and try making a mint syrup to mix into the pie filling. The pie usually sets pretty hard, so I thought the extra liquid wouldn't ruin the pie's texture.
Sounds simple, no? But this post isn't called pie adventures for nothing. Hahaha.
First hiccup: burnt the crust. I have a habit of burning things that only have to be in the oven a short time. I get distracted too easily. See: burning 4 rounds of pine nuts to top last supper club's couscous before finally getting it right (whoops).
Second hiccup: burnt the new crust I constructed from the un-burnt bits of the original one and the leftover cookie crumbs. Oh well. Burned crust it is. Maybe the pie will have a nice smoky flavor?
Third hiccup: My roomie shopped for me and got 90% dark chocolate which is very bitter. But I happen to like dark chocolate and besides, there's more than enough sugar in the recipe, especially with the added mint syrup. It did make the filling look different than when my mom makes it though.
Fourth hiccup: My mother's recipe is designed for a smaller pie crust so the filling spread quite thinly over my larger pie tin.
So how did it turn out?

Well, the crust didn't hold together well, and it didn't set as hard as it usually does, so it wasn't really pie so much as pudding with crusty burnt bits. And the mint flavor was nonexistant. But you can't really go wrong with eggs, sugar, butter and chocolate, so I still ate it :)
Not all my kitchen forays turn out well!
-D.

Qype: Cafe Morgenrot in Berlin

2009-11-05T04:52:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Pubs & Bars - Pubs - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Cafes - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Vegetarian - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants

Came here for brunch right as they opened at 11am on a Sunday. The buffet seemed small at first, but really they just put out small amounts of everything, and refill constantly. The bread was warm and soft, the extremely varied sweet and savory spreads delicious. I also loved the bean salad and caprese (mozzarella, tomato, and basil, one of my favorite combos of all food-dom). The best part, however, was the CHEESE. Little wedges of creamy beautiful bleu cheese and brie; slices of flavorful gouda, swiss, and more; and an amazingly tangy and wonderful gorgonzola spread. Paired with the bread and some fresh sliced tomato, it was heavenly. The only weird thing was the vegan scrambled eggs--huh? It looked like bright yellow couscous.
We also tried the vegan chocolate cake and it was pretty darn good for something without eggs and butter.
The price is anything between 4 and 8 euro, you what you think you owe.
I will definitely be back--the perfect pre-Mauerpark brunch spot!

Check out my review of Cafe Morgenrot - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: Kinocafé Intimes in Berlin

2009-11-05T04:45:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Cafes

At first I was kind of resistant to the idea of Berlin brunch. A cold buffet? C'mon, just give me some eggs benedict dammit! But I've been won over (thanks in no small part to my complete and total adoration of cheese). The brunch here is HUGE--a big long table of cold salads, meats, and cheeses; cereals, yogurts, and a delectable tiramisu (which goes fast and is not replaced, so grab it early!); and a couple hot plates (pasta, when I went). Given that I had a pretty legit hangover and was hella hungry, I was happy for the variety and had two big plates of food and two helpings of tiramisu. Since I ate so much, the price of 8.5eur was reasonable, but it seems a bit steep for brunch in general. I've been to places that charged half that for a similar buffet. Having paid that much for the food, I didn't want to pay for a drink, so I can't comment on their beverages. The regular menu, however, looked quite good, and I wouldn't be surprised if I end up back here again.

Check out my review of Kinocafé Intimes - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: marienBurger in Berlin

2009-11-05T04:33:00.001-08:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - American

Whew. I need a nap after eating that monster burger. But it was so worth it.
I got a regular cheeseburger and an order of wedge fries. The burger was HUGE and hot and delicious with all the basic toppings: tomato, lettuce, onions, pickles, plus special sauce. Mmmm.
To the people who complain about the cheese--honestly, I have a soft spot in my heart for processed cheese slices, especially because they MELT the best, which is what I want on my burger--gooey creamy deliciousness.
The wedges were good, covered in spices of some kind (which tasted sort of vaguely Asian for some reason), crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside.
I sat at the counter and read the free magazines while I waited. I didn't wait long, especially considering I went at noon on the dot and it was made fresh to order.
And all this for only 5.10eur? Color me satisfied.
One weird thing--everyone else there was eating their burgers with forks and knives. Um? I felt like a weirdo grabbing the burger and gettin messy with cheese and dripping juice all over my hands. But as far as I'm concerned, that's how a burger should be eaten. A couple construction workers sitting at the outside table were the only other ones using their hands. They had double burgers as well, which seemed to contain more meat than anyone needs in a single sitting, haha.
The rest of the menu looked good. I'm not vegetarian but I'd try that mozzarella burger any day.
But next time? I think it has to be the baby burger for me. I am waaay too full right now.

Check out my review of marienBurger - I am insizlane - on Qype

Qype: Maria Bonita in Berlin

2009-10-30T08:00:00.001-07:00

Berlin - Eating & Drinking - Fastfood & Takeaway - Eating & Drinking - Restaurants - Mexican

So I heard the tacos here are the best in Berlin, and had to give it a try. The atmosphere and food here is much more taqueria than Chipotle. Having perused the menu, I was tempted by the enchiladas and burritos as well as the tacos, but had to go with the latter to see if the hype is true. I got Tacos Carnitas and they were tiny, like silver dollar pancakes but tacos, and had I shelled out 6eur for them alone I would have been mighty pissed. As it was, a substantial helping of guac, rice and beans on the side cost only 2eur extra, and the total price of 8eur for the plate seemed less objectionable, though still somewhat pricy for my (admittedly cheapskate) standards. The carnitas were tender and flavorful, but had no spice. I dumped almost the whole container of salsa from the table onto my plate, and it added only a moderate amount of spiciness. Plus, the guacamole was a bit too creamy and bland for my taste. I can make it 10x better at home. The plate was merely passable. The saving grace of this experience, however, was my friend's chicken-and-pumpkin burrito (the menu's pumpkin burrito, with chicken added for an extra euro). It was scrumptious. My one complaint with it was that it fell apart at any attempt to pick it up--get sturdier tortillas! Nonetheless, we happily grabbed it our of the container with our fingers and gobbled it down. I plan to go back and try the enchiladas sometime, but I wasn't overly impressed.

Check out my review of Maria Bonita - I am insizlane - on Qype

Next supper!

2009-10-30T06:38:00.000-07:00

The next supper club is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th. Email cdsupperclub@gmail.com if you'd like to be invited or get on the mailing list!
Our preliminary menu is as follows:

Hor D'ouevres of some sort
Grilled salmon
Mango salsa & California-style guacamole
Roasted dill potatoes
Fresh green salad
Flourless chocolate cake with fruit
and of course, wine & beverages!

Looking forward to it,
C&D

Supper the First

2009-10-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

1 cut thumb
1 burned finger
1 cracked glass
1 snapped knife
and 5 bottles of wine later, the inaugural meal of CD supper club has been brought off successfully!
CD is for our names, Celia & Diana, as well as Casual Dining and Crazy Delicious and any number of other things :)
Our menu was:
Smoked salmon pinwheels (thanks for the recipe mom!)
Chicken stuffed with goat cheese and sundried tomatoes (thanks for the recipe aunty amy!)
Fruited coucous pilaf
Cucumber salad
Roasted eggplants & zucchini
Grilled red & yellow peppers
& Lemon cheesecake for dessert (Celia's mother's recipe)
We received 4 responses to our ads. 2 couldn't make the date but wanted to get on the mailing list, and 2 were in! To fill the extra spots, we invited friends like mad, and eventually we had 11 attendees: me and Celia, my two roomies, the two strangers, and 5 friends from various places, known of whom knew each other. It was shaping up to be a good night.
We shopped at the Turkish Market on Friday and at Kaufland on Saturday. Saturday evening, we met to make the cheesecake and cucumber salad, which had to marinate overnight.
On Sunday afternoon it was time to hole up in Neukölln and get cookin! We set up my room as the dining room (it really has a lot of space!) with some plates and cutlery borrowed from Celia:

We set out the wine (an essential component):

And the salmon pinwheels:

And then we made the rest of the food, and people started arriving, and it was wonderful!
The strangers turned out to be: Rene, a Danish pilot, and Kate, an economics officer at the US embassy from New Jersey. 3 of our 'friends' didn't show, but everyone ate heartily and we still almost finished the food, not to mention all five bottles of wine. There was lots of laughter, the food was delicious (if I do say so myself), and everyone seemed to have a good time.
My roomie Eric helped out and made a playlist:

Action shot of people beginning to eat:

And everyone posing nicely:

My delicious plate of food (nom nom nom):

The amazing cheesecake!:

And the aftermath. I think we used every dish, cooking pot, and utensil in the kitchen (including the cleaver, which we used to serve the cheesecake, haha):

We had a dishwashing party to some Belle & Sebastian tunes and most of it was done pretty quick.
And that was it! The first supper club.
cheers
C&D

Here's the deal.

2009-10-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

The ad we posted on craigslist and toytown for our inaugural supper club:
"We are a couple of friendly expats living in Berlin, who have three things in common--our love for cooking, laughter, and meeting new people. That is why we are starting a casual supper club in Neukölln….and you’re invited!

So here is how it will work:

...we will post our menu, date, and price......and the first 5 people to e-mail to cdsupperclub@gmail.com will get an invitation. If you don't reply in time, that's ok, you will be put on the mailing list for the next dinner!

..the supper club will be very small...not because we are elite, but because we don't have that much room, and are still experimenting with logistics. Besides, we value quality over quantity!

Our first dinner will take place next Sunday, the 25th.

Menu will be:

Appetizers: salmon pinwheels

Chicken stuffed with goat cheese and sundried tomatoes
couscous with dried cherries & apricots
cucumber salad
grilled veggies galore

dessert: simply delightful lemon cheesecake

plus various wines

The price will be 15 Euro, and 12 euro if you don't want any wine

Please send us an email if you would like to come. hope to see you there! -C&D"

Stay tuned for more!
C&D