A Little Old Fashioned But That's Alright

Hobo Casserole

Sometimes the most unlikely influences come your way.  I discovered Anna Buchholz  of Cooking the Books  on YouTube.  She makes recipes from vintage cookbooks.  Basic, one might say, boring recipes, but somehow I love her demonstrations and discussions afterwards about the old books and how excited she gets about graphics illustrations. Admittedly, she is a replica of my grade school bestie who passed but that is merely a bonus.  Her content is compelling and I love her passion.  It's also incredible how our palettes have changed since the 50's and how salt and spices amped up but simple recipes can still work.  This got me on to depression era cooking sites and beyond.  Back before the convenience brands like Hamburger Helper or frozen dinners came along, dishes like this Hobo Casserole became popular, using what vegetables were on hand along with ground meat, cheese and potatoes.  

And like these chicken legs,  slow cooked in broth with olives, garlic and lemon until they fall off the bone.

I fancied up the Hobo Casserole by layering potatoes and cheese like lasagna with ground turkey, a bechamel sauce, American cheese and spinach.  I topped mine with French Fried Onions. Lots of salt and pepper is all that is needed for this homey feast. 

Except maybe a biscuit!

In the Merry Old Land of Oz

A trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art inspired by my pal's recent visit to Spain.  She shared so many incredible pics of her trip that it made me hungry for fine art. 

Walking around the upper East Side is an experience of it's own.  The cleanliness, the doormen, ladies walking around bandaged from recent face surgeries, the architecture and all around different feel then, even the Upper West Side.  And then entering this gorgeous building you're immediately flooded with incredible works of art that leave you speechless.  It can be overwhelming, so we centered on a handful of artists and exhibits before fleeing the growing crowds in search of real food.  

El Greco - Jesus 

Kingbird!

I had never ventured up to the rooftop deck but it's breathtaking and the view of the park with the high rises in the distance is like viewing Oz while jacked up on poppies.  Popping up into the fresh air with the wind and bright sunlight leaves you in a haze.

A great feature of both the upper and west sides are the remaining ancient diners.  This one however, upped their food game.  I was completely set to eat a mediocre over-priced grilled cheese but instead ordered the grilled chicken with tarragon and P's cheeseburger was a dream, as was the coleslaw.  Our tanned, blonde buxom waitress, asked us in a sultry voice if 'we were hahhhppy?' and P decided she must be an actress. I thought more along the lines of exotic dancer. 

EJ's Luncheonette at 3rd and 73rd.  The sprawling eating areas extended to an outdoor patio that provided a fun street view.  

A plan to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge collapsed into a timewarp where we boarded an express train that took us right to our local stop.