Chile Pepper Festival 2014 Brooklyn Botanic Garden Part 2

Chile Pepper Festival 2014 Part-2

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Cherry Esplanade

Saturday, September 27, 2014

11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

All the vendors had good lines and people tasting and showing interest in their products. We tasted at least one sauce from most all of the sauce vendors. It is great to see that there are so many local companies currently making and selling chili related sauces and products. 

Widow Jane Habanero Hot Sauce - Whiskey Barrel Aged

Widow Jane Habanero Hot Sauce - Whiskey Barrel Aged Booth

Festival grounds at BBG

City Saucery NY

A & B American Style Pepper Sauces

Live Rockabilly Band at the Festival

Mike's Hot Pepper Infused Honey

Hot Pepper Infused Peanut Butters

BBG Children's Garden had pepper plants for the kids to take home

BBG Feel the Burn banner

Sophia - Two Frys enjoying the wonderful gardens

Thanks to ALL the vendors for a taste of what they have going on. This is the local event to go to for Spicy Chocolate, Kimchi, Condiments, Chili, Pickled Goods, and more. Some but not all of the vendors had special festival pricing for the event as well.

Redhead Hot Sauce

Nafis Sauces

Pure Mountain

Bacchanal

Rick's Picks

Mama O's Kimchi

Allen of Two Frys sporting his Voodoo Chiles tee to the crowd

303 Sauces

Items purchased by Two Frys at the Festival

Music

A bunch of bands performed today but of all the ones we heard, we especially dug Rockabilly band, Shiro & the Raw Dogs. It was great to see a rockabilly band as this is one of our favorite music genres.

Special thanks to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for having this annual event. It was our pleasure to cover this event. I suggest you add this event to your calendar for fall outdoor and foodie events. Thanks to the staff who were all very friendly and helpful. The gift shop looked amazing and had live plants even, very impressive. This must attend yearly event is a day of fun and spicy heat in the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Links:

A & B American Style: http://www.abamerican.com/

Apinya Thai Food Co.: http://apinya.co/

Bacchanal Sauce: http://bacchanalsauce.com/

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: http://www.bbg.org/
City Saucery: http://www.citysaucery.com/

Guyank Sweet-Hot Pepper Sauce: http://www.guyankbrand.com/

Heartbreaking Dawns: http://www.heartbreakingdawns.com/

Holy Schmitt’s Homemade Horseradish: http://holyschmitts.com/

Homesweet Homegrown Hot Sauces: http://homesweethomegrown.com/

The Jam Stand: http://thej.am/

Jin’s Jams & Jellies: http://www.jinsjamsjellies.com/

JoMart Chocolates: http://www.JoMartChocolates.com

Mama O’s Premium Kimchi: http://www.kimchirules.com/

Mike’s Hot Honey: http://mikeshothoney.com/home.html

Mrs. Kim’s Kimchi: http://www.mrskimskimchi.com/

Nafi’s Hot Pepper Condiments: http://www.nafishotpeppercondiments.com/

Nunu Chocolates: http://nunuchocolates.com

NYC Hot Sauce Company: http://www.nychotsauceco.com/

Pure Mountain Olive Oil: http://www.puremountainoliveoil.com/

Queen Majesty Hot Sauce: http://queenmajesthotsauce.com

Redhead Hot Sauce: http://www.redheadhotsauce.com/

Rescue Chocolate: http://rescuechocolate.com

Rick’s Picks: https://rickspicks.com/

Shiro & The Raw Dogs: https://www.facebook.com/RawDogsRockabillyNYC

Sir Kensington’s: http://www.sirkensingtons.com

Sour Puss Pickles: http://www.sourpusspickles.com/

Spoonable: http://spoonablellc.com

Torchbearer Sauces: http://www.torchbearersauces.com/buy/

Tumbador Chocolate: http://www.tumbadorchocolate.com/

Whimsy & Spice: http://www.whimsyandspice.com/

-Allen and Sophia/Two Frys

Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Cinnamon Apple Muffins

One of my favorite fruits are Apples and they are currently in season. My local Stop & Shop has great prices right now on New York Apples so for the past three weeks, I buy a bag and end up with many Apples. I found this recipe online and baked Cinnamon Apple Muffins last weekend. The muffins were moist and super yummy bursting with Cinnamon spice and bits of Apple in each bite. Recipe from Add A Pinch: (http://addapinch.com/cooking/cinnamon-apple-muffins-recipe/). I skipped the Cinnamon/Sugar topping, since the muffins are divine as is, but see the recipe if you want to add it.

Cinnamon Apple Muffins right out of the oven

Ingredients
2 cups All Purpose Flour + 2 teaspoons for coating Apples

1 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt

2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon for coating Apples

2 cups Diced Apples (5-6 Apples)

1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened

1 cup Granulated Sugar

2 Large Eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Milk

Cinnamon Apple Muffins close-up on cooling rack

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spray muffin tin with Baking Spray or coat with Butter and Flour, getting rid of excess Flour.

Peel and remove core (I use a corer) and dice Apples. In a medium size bowl, using a spatula coat Apples with Flour and Cinnamon. Put aside for now.

In a large bowl, sift together Flour, Baking Powder, Salt and Cinnamon and combine with a spatula. Put aside for now.

Cinnamon Apple Muffins, yum!

In a stand or hand held mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together Butter and Sugar on medium speed, about 3 minutes.

Add Eggs one a time fully incorporating before adding the other.

Add Vanilla Extract and mix until combined.

On low speed, add Flour mixture, alternating with Milk until combined. Do not overmix.

Turn off mixer and with a spatula, fold in diced Apples.

Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to fill muffin tins, filling until 3/4 full.

Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Cool in tins for 10 minutes and run a knife or small spatula around the edges and remove from tins and place on cooling racks to finish cooling, about 30 minutes.

Enjoy warm with your favorite cup of coffee, cover in container and keep at room temperature. No need to refrigerate.

Makes 12 muffins.

Enjoy!

-Sophia/Two Frys

Crawdad's Classics Steak & Burger Gourmet Seasoning

Crawdad's Classics Steak & Burger Gourmet Seasoning

Turkey Cheeseburgers with Crawdad's Classics Steak & Burger Gourmet Seasoning

Tennessee based, Crawdad's Classics graciously sent us some products to cook with for the blog. We just finished the Steak & Burger Gourmet Seasoning and we used it on turkey burgers (see photo), pork chops, and steak (see photo). This versatile seasoning has exceptional flavor and complimented all the meats we used it on and also gives meats a flame broiled taste. The ingredients are: kosher salt, black pepper, dill seed, coriander seed, red pepper, green pepper, garlic, onion, spices, soybean oil, natural flavors.

Broiled steaks with Crawdad's Classics Steak & Burger Gourmet Seasoning

We broiled the steaks bone-in thin butcher shop beef rib in the oven by seasoning both sides with the Steak & Burger Gourmet Seasoning without adding anything else since we wanted to taste the spices. My wife usually cooks our steaks by seasoning both sides with kosher salt and cracked black pepper and adding a little worchestershire sauce. To a skillet, add a little vegetable or canola oil and when hot, add one tablespoon of butter and place steaks right over it. Right before you flip the steaks, add one more tablespoon of butter for the other side. The hot skillet gives the steaks a nice sear. The steaks always come out juicy and full of flavor. Just adding the Steak & Burger Gourmet Seasoning was a test to see if the flavors from the spices shined on their own. The steaks were juicy and we were pleased with the results. When we made pork chops and turkey burgers, the seasoning complimented the meats perfectly.

This blend is better than McCormick's Montreal Steak Seasoning by a long streak. We highly recommend Crawdad's Classics Steak & Burger Gourmet Seasoning, and it belongs in every meat lover and BBQ aficionados pantry. The seasoning is all natural and gluten free, and the first in a series of product reviews from Crawdad's Classics with more sauce and rubs upcoming.

For further information and to order, please visit: http://www.crawdadsclassics.com

Like Crawdad's Classics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrawdadsClassics

-Allen/Two Frys

Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce

Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce

Chicken Wings with Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce

I happen to love sauce with big flavor and a subtle heat profile while my other half Allen loves big flavor and heat to the extreme. With Sweet Heat Gourmet's Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce we both went nuts for it. We first used it on chicken wings and this week, I made a butter sauce and slathered it over pork chops. Both recipes tasted great and were simple to do.

Based in Pennsylvania, Sweet Heat Gourmet use locally sourced ingredients from Jade Family Farm in their products and we like to support companies like this. The ingredients in Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce are: red currants, tomato puree, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, golden raisins, fresh cherry juice, worchestershire sauce, water, balsamic vinegar, mustard powder, shallots, chipotle and salt. I got a subtle hint of smokiness from the chipotle but no heat, and the flavor of the currants are prominent as they should be since they are the star ingredient. The brown sugar, raisins and cherry juice bring out the sweetness but are balanced by the vinegars, tomato puree, worchestershire, mustard and shallots, which enhance the flavor profile. We both give this sauce our stamp of approval, and recommend you add it to your pantry. All in all, the ingredients are balanced and this is a versatile sauce that will compliment steak, chicken, turkey, sausage or fish. I think it would go great with chocolate cake as well. Hmmm...

Chicken Wings with Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce, yum!

Chicken Wings with Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken Wings

Olive Oil

Kosher Salt

Cracked Black Pepper

Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a bowl, coat wings with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Liberally add Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce.

Add wings to baking sheet and bake for 40-50 minutes, turning wings half way.

My Pork Chop with Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce

Pork Chops with Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce
Ingredients
Bone-In Pork Chops

2 tablespoons Canola Oil

Kosher Salt

Cracked Black Pepper

1 tablespoon Butter

Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce

Directions
Add canola oil and heat skillet to medium.

Season both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper.

When skillet is hot add pork chops, sear and cook until done. Time depends on thickness of the chops. Our chops cooked in 14 minutes.

In a small sauce pan on low heat, add butter and a liberal amount of Red, White and Black Currant Awesome Sauce. Stir with spoon and heat until you reach a creamy consistency. Adjust amount of butter and sauce according to amount of pork chops you cook.

When the chops are ready, pour sauce over them and serve immediately.

To order and for further information, please visit:
http://www.sweetheatgourmet.com/

Like Sweet Heat Gourmet on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SHGourmet

Enjoy!

-Sophia and Allen/Two Frys

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, yum!

My nephew was heading back to college this weekend after spending the summer home. Recently, he told me his favorite cookie is oatmeal raisin, so I baked some Friday night. I sent him off with lots of cookies to munch on while he gets ready for the semester. Good luck on your junior year nephew! The texture of the cookies are soft and chewy, and the taste is just divine. As the cookies were baking, it reminded me of when I worked at Mrs. Fields Cookies in my teens and how I loved that smell (and eating them too). These Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are great warm, and go perfectly with an ice cold glass of milk or your favorite coffee.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, soft and chewy goodness!

Ingredients
2 cups All Purpose Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

1 cup (2 sticks, 16 tablespoons) Unsalted Butter, softened

1 cup Granulated Sugar

1 cup Dark Brown Sugar, firmly packed

2 Large Eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

3 cups Oats (not instant)

1 1/2 cup Raisins (I used California Raisins)

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, cooling

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, whisk together Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder and Kosher Salt. Put aside for now.

Using a handheld or stand mixer with paddle attachment on medium speed, cream Butter and Sugar, about 2 minutes. Mix well until smooth and creamy. Add Eggs one at a time until combined and then Vanilla. With a spatula, scrape sides of bowl to ensure ingredients are incorporated.

With mixer on low speed, add dry ingredients (Flour mixture) little by little until incorporated.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, cooled and ready to pack away for my nephew

Using a spatula, fold in Oats and Raisins.

Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon form ball of dough, place 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets lined with parchment paper and press dough down lightly with the palm of your hand.

Bake for 11 to 13 minutes (my cookies took 11 minutes to bake).

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 2 to 3 minutes, and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.

Yields 36 cookies.

Recipe from: http://www.food.com/recipe/oatmeal-raisin-cookies-35813

Enjoy!

-Sophia/Two Frys

Sammy D's at Harrah's Resort

Sammy D’s Restaurant & Bar - Harrah's Resort Foodie Experience

Allen in front of Sammy D's at Harrah's Resort

On every table!

I first ate Sammy D's Philly Cheesesteak Dumplings at the 2012 Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival at the Define Cheesesteak event at Showboat. I met Chef Sammy DeMarco and he told me I had to check out his restaurant and we are glad we finally did. The restaurant is large, the décor very cool and the space is warm and inviting with a bar area as well. One of the employees even offered to take a picture of us both, which was very nice. We had lunch on Monday around 1:30PM and it was a good time for us since it was not crowded.

Philly Cheesesteak Dumplings

Close-up of Philly Cheesesteak Dumplings

Side view of Philly Cheesesteak Dumplings

I ordered Philly Cheesesteak Dumplings and they were amazing. What you get is a cheesesteak inside a dumpling with mild and flavorful Sriracha ketchup. The taste is bold with peppers, cheese, and flame broiled steak. The plating is beautiful and garnished with sliced pepperoncini.

Allen ready to dive into those Lobster Rolls and Philly Cheesesteak Dumplings

Allen and me happy and oh so ready to eat our lunch

On each table with condiments

I did not want to order a burger and decided on the Mini Maine Lobster Rolls. Instead of one bun, the lobster came in three small, toasted buttered buns. The lobster was rich, chunky and fresh, and the mayo added a nice creaminess. A handful of tasty potato chips were served with the lobster rolls. I savored and enjoyed each bite.

Mini Maine Lobster Rolls with Potato Chips

Closer view of the Lobster Rolls

Close-up of Lobster Rolls

Sophia ordered the Sammy's Pub Burger with American cheese, Sammy's sauce, lettuce, tomato and pickles with fries. The burger was cooked medium to perfection and was super juicy. Sophia said it is one of the best burgers ever! The fries were great too and she even shared some with me.

Sophia's Sammy's Pub Burger and Fries

Sophia loaded the Sammy's Pub Burger with ketchup!

For further information, please visit:

http://www.harrahsresort.com/restaurants/sammy-ds-restaurant-and-bar.html

-Allen/Two Frys

Waterfront Buffet at Harrah's Resort

Waterfront Buffet - Harrah's Resort Foodie Experience

Allen holding up an Oyster and Shrimp

We enjoy staying at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. It is a beautiful casino overlooking the marina with plenty of excellent dining options. The food selection at the Waterfront Buffet at Harrah's Resort is great featuring 9 stations such as Italian, Asian and American. Each time, we ate different things and the service was excellent and everything yummy. What follows is the food we tasted (many times in small bites to try as much as possible) in three visits, twice for dinner and once for lunch during our three-day stay.

Sophia's plate - pizza, Italian meatball, mashed potatoes, chicken leg, salad...

The salad bar is divine and features many types of salad greens, a raw vegetable bar with broccoli, mushrooms, beets, carrots, radish, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and much more. The Jersey tomatoes with balsamic vinegar were sweet, juicy and the balsamic vinegar really brought out the flavor. You can custom order a salad as well.

Allen's plate - Lobster mac and cheese, chicken legs, steak, mashed potatoes and gravy

Allen's Pizza and Pasta Shells

I did not try any seafood but Allen enjoyed the freshness of the raw oysters and clams on the half shell with a squeeze of lemon and cocktail sauce, and some chilled shrimp too. At the sushi station, a chef makes sushi right at the station and works fast. We both had California rolls and vegetable rolls with fresh wasabi and soy sauce and they were so good.

Salmon

The collard greens had a Smokey taste and paired great with the brisket chili. We both had a fried chicken leg and the seasoning and batter were perfection. The mashed potatoes were rich and creamy and went great with the roasted prime rib topped with horseradish. The flame-broiled steak is made to order and had great flavor. The rich and creamy lobster mac and cheese was so good and had just the right amount of lobster meat.

Asian Station

Quesadillas and Soft Fish Tacos

The Italian station offers a nice selection of artisan pizza. The chef makes the dough and pizza right at the station and it was cool to watch. The pizza with (no bean) chili and cheese was so tasty, as well as the basil with red onions and white cheese pizza. The stuffed shells were oozing with cheesy goodness and the Italian meatballs were tender and bursting with flavor. I tried the garlic bread and it was crispy yet buttery and so good!

Making Doughnuts

Chocolate Cake (above) and Doughnuts (below)

The guacamole was fresh, and the yummy quesadilla was filled with sautéed onions, peppers and cheese. The steamed Chicken dumplings with scallions and soy sauce were great. The Chinese broccoli with garlic tasted so good and the fried rice, Mongolian beef with red peppers and green beans were excellent.

Chocolate cake, red velvet cake, tiramisu tart and cherry tart

When we went for lunch, Allen had an omelet made to order with ham, bacon, mushrooms, bell peppers, freshly diced tomatoes and Swiss cheese. The sliders were flame-broiled beef with melted cheese, caramelized onions and held together with a spicy pickled pepper on a stick. A slider lovers dream!

Red velvet cake

Each night, we enjoyed several desserts. The doughnuts are made at the dessert station. Allen had a powdered one and his favorite was the cinnamon sugar. Both were light and fluffy. The fresh, warm and soft white chocolate cookie was fabulous. The chocolate cake, cherry tart, tiramisu tart, chocolate tart, rich brownie and moist red velvet cake were all delightful.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Tarts

For further information, please visit:

http://www.harrahsresort.com/restaurants/waterfront-buffet.html

-Sophia and Allen/Two Frys