Tagged: Fulton Fish Market, Ledgenear Farm, New Amsterdam Market
Posted on September 2nd, 2010
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When Justin and I moved to Brooklyn last Fall, we were inundated with things to see, do, and eat. We felt (*and still do at times) simultaneously overwhelmed and invigorated by the options. In the beginning, it seemed like we were constantly hearing about a festival or event the day after it happened. When we were thinking about dinner options, that were simply TOO many options. How were we supposed to get a handle on what was going on? And why did it seem like everyone else already knew these things?
Well, the answer is twofold: we now have a much firmer grasp on local happenings simply because we’ve lived here for 10 months. I know which blogs to read, which groups to follow on twitter, and most importantly, I know actual human beings who can help keep me informed. And we’ve gradually accepted the fact that it’s impossible to know about every event, food and otherwise, occurring…and even more impossible to go to them all. It’s all about picking one or two and being satisfied with your choice!
In these past ten months, we’ve participated in farm dinners at restaurants, are fairly frequent attendees at the Brooklyn Flea, attended a Top Chef style latke cookoff, gone to the ‘First Annual Food Truck Drive In’, and of course frequent as many farmers markets as possible. Last December, we also went to the final New Amsterdam Market of 2009. On our first visit, we didn’t have a firm grasp of what it was; we only knew that we should go!
Some of our now favorite artisans were clustered under the FDR Drive, at the site of the old Fulton Fish Market. We found the market to be a study in contrasts. It was crowded, noisy, polluted (thanks to the FDR), and chaotic. On the flip side, the market had assembled the best artisans and small purveyors in the NorthEast region. We spent our first trip sampling everything we could and learning as many artisan’s names as possible, ensuring that we could seek out their products in the future. (That hasn’t proven to be a problem, of course, but we were tired and overwhelmed!)
We’ve returned twice since our first December visit. Each time I’ve been impressed by the businesses and the festive, excited atmosphere. And each time, the location has been off-putting. Visitors must walk through the touristy South Seaport to get the the market, only to then dodge fast approaching tour buses. The market is cramped and suffocating. Once I get out of the crowds, it is possible find a quieter spot that looks out towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Unfortunately, navigating the market has proven to be a lesson in patience and deep breathing.
But here’s the thing. The cramped, busy, loud, suffocating atmosphere? That’s the point. This market is modeled after the original markets of Lower Manhattan’s South Street. New Amsterdam is in the same location as the original Fulton Fish Market and Peck’s Slip. New Amsterdam’s creator, Robert LaValva, wants this market to be a regional anchor. As a result, though there are some farmers (Queens County Farm Museum and Cherry Grove Farm) at the market, the majority of the vendors are regional producers of cheese, maple syrup, cured meats, jams, chocolate, honey, pickles, breads, and sweets.
Some of my favorite products at the market include The Cellars at Jasper Hill’s cheese and Ledgenear Farm’s maple syrup.
Starting on September 12 and running through December 19th, New Amsterdam will change gears from its once a month destination market. It will open each Sunday, a step forward in LaValva’s ultimate goal for New Amsterdam to be a New York mainstay–not a destination, but rather a natural part of one’s weekly shopping.
Follow New Amsterdam Market on twitter for frequent updates!
Tagged: cherry tomatoes, recipes, summer pasta
Posted on August 31st, 2010
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Yesterday demanded an easy meal. Monday is frequently a bumpy adjustment, but yesterday was harder than normal. We had flown back from a long weekend in Minnesota. The weekend was fun, emotional, and contained a little less sleep than I’m used to, thanks to Saturday night’s hotel shenanigans (others, not ours!). Our seats on Sunday morning’s plane flight were Row 38 of 38–right on top of the engine. And of course when you get back from vacation, laundry and grocery shopping pretty much take up the rest of one’s day.
So going into Monday, we were bleary eyed but fairly positive. Unfortunately, in the early afternoon, we learned that the apartment we had already applied for and paid our security deposit on had been taken away from us: the owners suddenly wanted to “keep it furnished and rent it out to travelers”. Talk about putting a damper on the rest of my Monday!
Okay, back to the meal. I wanted something simple, quick, fresh, and at home. On my way out of work, I stopped at the Union Square Greenmarket and picked up several kinds of pole beans and cherry tomatoes from Maxwell’s Farm, as well as some basil from Lani’s. Justin came home from work and created a delicious summer pasta that cheered both of us up. Try it for yourself the next time you need a pick me up (though that’s not a prerequisite!).
Late Summer Pasta
Recipe by Justin Reidy
Ingredients:
1/2 lb pole beans, ends removed, sliced into thirds
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 lb pasta (whatever you’ve got!)
1 handful basil, minced
3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
2 tbs quality extra virgin olive oil
salt
fleur de sel
black pepper (and ideally some white as well)
4 oz Pecorino Romano, grated
3 oz Pecorino Romano, sheets (e.g. use a vegetable peeler)
Directions:
1) Get a pot of salted water boiling for the pasta, and a smaller pot for the green beans. When the pasta pot is ready, cook the pasta following package instructions.
2) Toast the bread crumbs on a baking sheet under the broiler on low. This shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes.
3) Blanch the beans. It’s really important to maintain the snappiness of the beans – really just 3 minutes or so! Drain in a colander, then rinse in sold water to lower the temperature back down.
4) Drain the pasta. Toss with tomatoes, green beans, and toasted bread crumbs. Slowly pour the 2 tbs olive oil into the mixture and continue tossing. Season with white pepper, or black pepper if white pepper is unavailable. (Amount really depends on your taste, but be careful not to over-spice). Add the minced basil and grated Pecorino Romano.
5) Salt the mixture carefully with the fleur de sel. Just add a bit, mix, taste, and repeat.
6) Plate with the extra sheets of Pecorino Romano, and a touch of black pepper.
Posted on August 30th, 2010
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Congratulations to my twin brother Denis and his new wife KT!
Tagged: decoration, Roost, Terrain, Yee Haw Industries
Posted on August 25th, 2010
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Some might like to spruce up their living space– I’d prefer to ‘farm’ up mine, by integrating some farm inspired decor into my Brooklyn apartment.
Here’s what I’m liking at the moment!
This print from Yee-Haw Industries for the front entry way:
This adorable piglet print by animal photographer Sharon Montrose. I don’t know why, but I could see this little guy fitting in perfectly in our bathroom.
This vintage pear crate for all of my magazines, courtesy of one of my newest favorite stores, Terrain:
And finally, I already own the ceramic strawberry basket from Roost, but I’d love to complete my set with the plum and raspberry baskets.
Tagged: Governors Island, manhattan
Posted on August 23rd, 2010
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Governors Island is a 172 acre island located half a mile from Manhattan and Brooklyn. About 100 of those acres are actually landfill from the Lexington Avenue subway stop excavation in the early 1900s.
The island has a varied history, serving as a base for multiple different Army operations, that spanned the Revolutionary War through the Cold War. In the 1960s, the island was given to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard used it as a self-contained residential community and at the peak of its operations 3,500 people lived on the island.
Governors Island opened to the public in 2007 after being sold to the residents of New York in 2003 (except for 22 acres that are maintained by the Park Service). In the three years since its purchase, the island has hosted hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer and early fall, all eager for a relaxing retreat.
The island felt other worldly. The yellow homes, military housing, and apartments (except for those being used as test sites for firefighters!) were in well maintained physical condition. It seemed like those who had lived there had peacefully disappeared, leaving everything in a neat state. There’s even a drained swimming pool behind one of the houses.
The most common sound I heard on the island was laughter. Honestly, I haven’t been around so many relaxed people in quite a long time. Visitors were biking on both bikes and quadricycles, picnicking, participating in ‘fitness boot camp’, learning how to trapeze, reading in giant red Adirondack chairs, and napping in hammocks.
For our first visit, we chose to simply stroll around the island. Our walk gave us up close and personal views of the Statue of Liberty, a giant cruise ship, and the Staten Island Ferry. The island provides a unique view of lower Manhattan; Wall Street and Battery Park City eclipse most of the other other buildings on Manhattan, leading to a skewed perspective of the city.
Landscape architecture firm West 8 continues to work on renovating the island. You can read about their truly amazing plan in its entirety here.
And the best part? It’s only 3 minutes from our apartment!
