this is a blog about the food in my life. what I eat, what I wanna eat, what I make, what I bake, what I wanna make and bake, ideas and recipes. it's also my thoughts on food or stories behind the meals. The lyric references are from my lifelong love of classic rock and funk and from working a hunnerd years in music retail.
Showing posts with label Lean Crust Pizza on Fulton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lean Crust Pizza on Fulton. Show all posts
My husband makes short films with his brother and because I work for free, and am handy, sometimes I get a role. Most times left on the cutting room floor, I've long since stopped taking it personally but I always take it seriously. Today I played the lonely, Purgatory angel who's guiding a drunken dead man home. How fun to act, let go and be free to be someone else. Also, since I've been into this shedding of the ego concept and living through consciousness (even though I know that sounds so pretentious and smells of patchouli oil), it's hard to ignore that amazing center that we truly are when we can shed our preconceived notions of a set personality and put on another just like a new pair of shoes. There are difficulties, because of course nothing is that simple otherwise we'd all be living in Nirvana. You still need to use your mind as a tool to come up with the improv dialogue but have to be careful not to allow it to attach history and beliefs around those thoughts. Maybe wanting to help, it keeps trying to remind you that you're embarrassed or at times takes over your eyes, blocking your act like a little sister. Acting is such a freeing mental exercise and I wish I would have been into it earlier in life, I probably could have saved myself some headaches. In the 80's I did have a short stint singing in bands and playing guitar, becoming an alter-ego but she ended up being even dumber than I was and had no conception of boundaries, so I had to ditch her before she got me killed.
fresh made salad
P tasked me with being enchanting, angelic and curious for the role and of course that is the absolute last thing I probably feel like after these last two months but was excited to get there because that's exactly how I want to be.
A Growler of Köstritzer Schwarzbier
The set up was extensive so I was able to sit in my trailer (bed) and await the craft service which was to be pizza slices from the just partially reopened Lean Crust Pizza later. And because it was a wrap on this particular scene, P treated himself to a local German take out Growler from Black Forest Brooklyn and I get to keep the cool bottle.
I'm just saying, I love the way our pizza guys think. Sausage, zucchini, spinach, red peppers and parmesan. Zucchini slices after roasting in that pizza oven. It's a transformation.
And just the classic pepperoni with peppers and sausage. The ratios are on point, the crust amazing, the cheese is enough but not so much that it takes away from the combination of flavors.
At this point I guess you'd say I am officially obsessing over the fallout from the Leaving Neverland documentary. I simply can't leaveit alone. I can't stop speaking out about all the injustices and infringements to our social structure. And people seem just fine with all of these horrible breaches, letting it all just breakdown. I feel like I'm going crazy. I'm exhausted considering any possibility that any of this is true at this point. Even though most of the news this week helps to disprove at least key facts in the boys' stories, nothing about this thing is settling. After I dismissed almost all of the two's accusations this week I made time for a couple of my own concerns. For example even though the list of kids that could have come out against him still have not I couldn't help but notice that many of them are pretty messed up in the head looking. Makes me wonder. Could be a coincidence, it is Hollywood. Does give me pause though. But mainly as the smoke clears a bit, it's still hard to sit with all the ugliness that just took place. It shines on all these new weaknesses to actual predators, like companies and money seekers when people stop thinking for themselves. It shows the dangers of buying in to the approved line of thinking. It is a dangerous time and much is vulnerable. I feel compelled to spend more time with the cause if only to keep myself clear headed. The fiasco hasn't picked up steam but things are still happening on a weekly basis. The gymnast that took his music out of her routine this week for one. I thought her excuse was well put but smelled of a crafty publicist doing damage control. She stated she just wants to spread joy. Or, is it really that she can't risk standing up for anything because again, people play the game when they are bought and paid for by companies and sponsors? What should really be banned, in my opinion? The manipulation of this new genre of emotive documentaries, and I use that term loosely. A category that I will definitely avoid like the plague in the future. Seeing how smart people have been groomed by this shock mock doc shaped to hit every trigger feel of victimization. To me what this director has accomplished is a gruesome feat. There is a special place in hell for someone who uses people's genuine concern for a real evil for personal gain.
But just like in the movie Doubt...sometimes you have to leave the light to fight the dark. Because truth can shine from any direction. And for the record, there is only one truth, people don't get to have their own versions. Some of us always knew there would be a day when false accusers would surface in an important way and we'd have to use our heads and not our hearts to decipher the facts. Because it's a nice campaign for a movement where not enough women are believed to say always believe the woman but you can't actually apply this in every case, that would be wrong. C'mon man, are we really cool with abandoning the law? I always thought this would be an actress against a director and not two men against the Michael Jackson Estate but here we are at this day. And it is a big deal. We don't crucify a dead man in this country without a trial. Do we? And in defense of all the people Mr Reed is comparing to the Islamic State of Fandom (whoa!), what he didn't realize was that music fans of MJ, especially since he had a very long career, know quite a lot about the artist and the leeches that were around him. Apparently much more so then Reed did. So when the wafts of bullshit started blowing, we were all quick to call out who dealt it. Had he taken the time to do so, he would have been prepared for the large amounts of information that is readily available and the army of informed good people that have not lost their ability to think for themselves. My primary beef is with Dan Reed and I'm sniffing out his bowl of crap like Meryl Streep so hard right now.
This mushroom slice from Lean Crust Pizza next door was and is always a treasure, just like the legacy of amazing music from Michael Jackson. The Parmesan with the mushrooms and no tomato sauce gives it this Truffle oil taste that is gold. Paired with a baby spinach salad with walnuts, mushrooms and a light dressing, a perfect late night dinner. I just wish I would have stopped there and not eaten the 3 additional slices that didn't make the photo.
....and as if from the heaven's this child's version MJ's Bad is saving me this week
Lean Crust Pizza slices and a special treat of their Spaghetti and Meatballs.
I have to say for take out pasta, this was super delicious and al dente, perfectly cooked and the meatballs were bursting with flavor as was the sauce. I can't remember the last time I ordered take out spaghetti and it was anything but mushy. Of course that's my fault because who orders spaghetti for take out but sometimes you just gotta have it. The salad was equally incredible with anchovies, capers, artichoke hearts, peppers. This was 7 months ago but I can still taste it in my food sensie recall.
I don't know that I have a compulsive disorder but I am writing this on 4/16/20, about 2 years later amid the Coronavirus Pandemic because I have some very bizarre need to keep this lifeline of a blog alive and in precise order. It feels like a disservice, to who I don't know, but I don't like deleting any post. If I at one point bothered to upload pictures to this date, it either means the meal was amazing, or the day was noteworthy. I usually write in the notes little hints for myself to provoke my memory, but this time I did not. So I can only share what I do know. I know that today, Lean Crust pizza is closed due to the city shut down. I think they could have made a fortune with take out only but they made the decision too quickly to close as did so many local restaurants. So now the only way to get a good pizza is to pay 3 times what you would have or you can buy the supplies and make it yourself. I can also tell you we used to get 5 slices of different varieties and cut them in two and we'd call it a pizza party. Just that power of suggestion always made it so. Well, party may be overstating it. We'd generally be happier, as people tend to do when they're eating pizza. And P would be forced to hang out because half the celebration would be to choose which slice would be next and discuss why we dug it so much. Like a wine tasting. Sometimes the slices would be super creative.
Following the picture trail, I guess this was when the new pop-up location for Rough Trade opened up around the corner. I feel like it was in the summer though. It was a tiny location, had great youth traffic because it's in between subway stations but on the other hand, it's an area without a defined personality anymore. They shared space with a hipster barber shop, predominantly white meticulously bearded 30 somethings, that did great business... also closed, hopefully not for good. Another record store went in since and we've shopped them regularly too but everyone is closed for our Corona Spring.
Rough Trade
And this is what I had in the staff cafeteria at lunch that day, back then, when I had a job. Now I'm furloughed. So the moral of the story is you could never in your wildest dreams imagine this could happen so any worry about the future is useless and a complete waste of time.
As an option to having to choose toppings on a pizza, we've really fell in love with pizza slice parties. Okay, the use of the word party is probably overstating it but the excitement level is there, for me anyway. And when you get a hand-held, fast to eat, prepared meal that has literally no clean up, then movie night becomes a great possibility. We get off our devises, start conversations, have a look at each other or at the very least, we listen to each other's gripes or our odd takes on life. And when you're eating pizza, you're generally in a good, receptive mood. So yeah, I'll say it, it's a party!
Its very rare that I wouldn't delight in multiple slices of pizza especially on a full blood moon eclipse night when we have major thunderstorms and extreme flash flood warnings. That's a dream night for a weather loving nerd like me. It could only be better if I was off the next day. I'm excited but I'm also full on wolfin' it big time. My adrenaline level is through the roof. My bike ride was effortless and I was even passing the tall skinny young dudes who usually leave me in their dust. I rode, I did yoga, a little Tai Chi and I still fear I might eat the cat. I asked P to hang back in the other room because let's face it, he's gonna say something stupid, some insensitive comment or do one of those things in front of me that drive me insane, like spill water all over the kitchen floor and then walk on it with his dirty shoes. Or wipe his greasy hands on the couch armrest. You know what, he doesn't even have to do anything, just thinking about his past crimes against sanitation is already making me want to pounce on his back and take him down.
I'll need to wait this one out in solitude. I've yet to meet another person that is affected to this degree by the full moon. My body aches as though every muscle and vein want to burst through my skin. My breathing is heavy. Random hairs grow seemingly overnight. My mind races with the thoughts of the deranged. When I talk to people I feel I can see too far into their psyches. And magically at daybreak everything tends to settle into a more manageable pace.
In long term relationships your partner can morph from your nemesis to a superhero in a matter of an afternoon. And many times, back down again. Very little thought is given to these ebbs and flows after many years together. Its refreshing in ways that you come to appreciate. But there is a good deal of unfair resentment directed at your mate depending on unrelated circumstances of your own day. I'll admit when I'm burnt out and spent but still need to do chores or errands, and I see P sitting looking too relaxed and happy, I feel the need to burst his bubble a tiny bit, rain on that parade, pee on his Cheerios just a little. But our companions are not the innocents in all of this either. Its a proven fact that some people will go so far out of their way to do the worst possible job just so that they'll never be asked again to help. I've seen it all. Sloppy sinks, water everywhere, murky glasses, the 5 lb soaking wet dishrag left to die in it's own stank. All really effective. I tip my hat to his most inferior work and make a point to showcase it when I can. So yeah, I'm well within my rights to call my buddy on his bullshit.
But once in a while, people do surprise you. Out of the clear blue sky on this day, P decided to vacuum without me having to ask.
I had to take pictures because I don't recall ever seeing it live. He's definitely done it before but usually to suck up wood chips after sanding in the living room. Something I can't even think of without having deep anxiety. This was a beautiful site. Something likened to watching a manatee quietly pass along a canal. I stopped in my tracks and became silent.
And then he went to get pizza slices. Particularly good ones with peppers, sausage and onions.
Sometimes your companion gets it right. I can only imagine the terrible things he must have done to trigger such deeds but tonight I'll just enjoy the moment.
I never quit learning that everything and anything can end abruptly. To savor moments as nothing is promised. We have a guy, at the pizza place next door that gathers magic combinations of flavors. We buy in individual slices in order to get a nice variety. This has gone on for some time. We halve the slices so as to each get a tasting. Sure it's New York and you can get amazing pizza many places but this is ultra convenient, cheap and exceptionally good. That is, while this particular guy was in charge of the kitchen. Now he has gone on to another location, leaving the creation and assembly to others. They are very nice, friendly and we won't stop buying from them but the majority of the genuine magic left with the chef.
When eating pizza, like burgers and tacos, it's hard to get too disappointed when you're lucky enough to have these delights in front of you. But when you know how good it can be, then it's tougher to swallow down the inferior version.
That line always stayed with me, "How tiny those seeds were, and yet they know they're supposed to grow up to be lettuces". Yes Marilyn, that's exactly the way I feel about the Christmas cactus. No matter if this plant is on the verge of death, it blooms every year and in December, usually nearer to the holiday. It wasn't Christmas week but I don't want to split hairs here. That's still pretty impressive. How does it know? What tells it to bloom? Real intelligent life is all around us.
In addition to slowly killing this cactus, I'm trying my best to raise these two little fellers on the far right who rode back from Indiana in a red Dixie cup, sideways. Then they were forgotten for a few days in the cold before they were gifted to me. I don't do that well with plants only because I tend to forget they are living things....that need attention and water. Somehow I've managed to keep some on life support for ages, a steady diet of neglect and soot from Fulton Street.
P surprised me with a whole pizza pie from Lean Crust Pizza on this night. It was very cold, I got off late so I was super grateful. But we never order a whole pizza. We get slices, because they're so fancy and unique, taste incredible and the variety is such a huge treat. This was of course delicious because it's pizza but not the dream that the slices tend to be when you get separately. The crust was fluffier, doughier but still very good and managed to taste very light. In fact we packed that whole pie away in no time.
I had an odd occurrence last night. I had fallen asleep to Tom Petty interviews and live concerts. Perhaps it was all the considering of his exit. I half awoke directly after falling fast asleep with the feeling that I could not catch my breath, my heart fluttering. A voice somewhere between the dream state kept telling me that I was dying. It said I wouldn't wake up in the morning and it was constant enough that I started to believe it. After about 20 minutes of this, confused at my own new strangeness, I became stressed at the thought that my mother or father were possibly passing and this was some messed up premonition. Or that P was in trouble and had hit an accident on the road. I would have panicked if I was fully awake. I laid there trying to come to grips with impending bad news or my own demise until eventually hours later, I fell back to sleep convinced I had lost my damn mind. Yeah, all this drama happened all quiet and alone like that. Regarding the notion of my own passing though, I became surprisingly at peace. Not that I'm ready or desire this whatsoever. In fact I've been praying on a second act.
I woke up for work the next day and didn't know how to feel anything but grateful later after hearing that everyone was okay.
We are all familiar with that tranquil state right before we get terrible news. Or I should say you don't know how good you have it until tragedy strikes. I don't know what this episode was about and days later I still don't care to speculate. I just don't want to continue fearing life. Because dreading it is it's own certain kind of death.
So it's a little strange that I found all these cool gruesome pics around the neighborhood. But life is real funny like that sometimes. To honor the day I indulged in two slices of gourmet pizza from Lean Crust.
For various reasons P has been on a hiatus from our regular life. This has caused me to break out of my own coma, brush the cobwebs off my psyche and take a look around in the 'ole crawl space. He's left on yet another road trip and that has given me many days with myself.
I ordered a specialty salad from Lean Crust Pizza after work. A solid choice, The Greek, full of good salty stuff. However in the end it lacked the excitement for which I was searching. Lately I feel there is something missing from life and it's not just my husband.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a gal that thoroughly enjoys her alone time. I don't want to go on trips, don't have kids, and there is nothing material I desire. I wish objects could squelch my unrest. Unfortunately though, I'm just not feeling this old world so much these days and I sense that more clearly each week. I tell myself the usual, it could always be much worse, you have your health, appreciate what you do have, and all the similar true but annoying placating words of wisdom. Although nothing is broken, I really couldn't be more boring or uninteresting right now and that's just not acceptable. I don't understand how to fix anything anymore. I lack the motivation to make my own change. I wake up with gratitude but my heart is clogged up with the dread of being me yet another full 24 hours. I day nightmare a disproportionate amount of my free time. Calling it dreaming would be a huge glorification. I go through the motions of anything positive sort of waiting for that big joy to come. I expect the grand highs of the past but now gaiety happens more like my pee stream, weak and trickling in and out. Something must shift because I also feel very ill equipped to continue on this path to nothingness. At times like these when I was younger, I would contemplate dark solutions but depression has since lost all such romantic notions.
