Sunday Sandwiches: Berry Park

I betcha missed, if you even remember, Sunday Sandwiches! This Sunday: Berry Park in Williamsburg. Yesterday was my good friend Jess' 21st birthday and there was no better way to celebrate than some cocktails at a rooftop brunch spot! Senior Formal was on Saturday night, which meant I didn't get to bed until late. I had planned on spending the day hermited inside, watching some OC with my lady friend, but it was such a beautiful day that we figured we needed to get out! Berry Park is cute as can be and all of their food is incredible. We shared a big bowl o' fries with ketchup and mayo, then the majority of us got eggy, cheesy croissants. I don't quite understand how croissants are so buttery delicious and light at the same time, but I'm not complaining. They keep my belly full and happy. A day spent with great friends, good food, and lots of foosball is always a successful one in my mind!

Ultimate

 

 

Senior Formal is tonight! I'll be spending all day writing, wait for it....my last paper of college! I'd been so focused on all the work I still had left to do that it didn't occur the me that I'm almost done. I've never been one for formals or dances in the past, but recently I've liked the idea of getting dressed up, putting on some heels, and boogying. I never really have excuses to get dressed up anymore, so I might as well embrace it! Plus, who can so no to a free meal and open bar. Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. 

Booze Cruise

Well it's officially senior week! This means the count down to graduation begins with a week of activities. Last night - a boat cruise on the Hudson River. In between tearing it up on the dance floor, we headed onto the deck to check out the views of the city. I've been so focused on leaving New York after graduation, that I sometimes forget to look around and take it all in. I really do live in a magical city, which I take for granted all too often. I'm afraid that I won't be able to truly appreciate it until I'm gone, gone, gone. What a better way to rekindle my urban romance then with some activities that make me stop and reflect on how beautiful this city is? 

Vegan grilled cheese with beer caramelized onions

So in this post I mentioned that I needed to get rid of vegan cheese that was about to expire. The perfect solution - grilled cheese, please! I like vegan cheese enough on it's own, but I thought I'd add some other elements to it, caramelized onions, fake deli meat, sriracha (which I put on everything...I mean it).

While I was caramelizing the onions I was drinking a beer. I was planning on deglazing the pan with balsamic vinegar, but in a stroke of self-proclaimed genius I poured some of my beer in the pan instead. It turned out better than I could have imagined! The beer flavor isn't that strong, but the result is pretty delicious. When I bake I'm all about precision, but when I cook it's a whole different ballgame...a little of this, a little of that! So this recipe is very approximate. Feel free to add more of, subtract anything! It's all goooood

Vegan Grilled Cheese with beer caramelized onions:

Serving size: 2 sandwiches

4 slices of whole wheat bread

4 slices of vegan cheese (I use Go Veggie Pepperjack)

Margarine

2 slices of fake deli meat 

Sriracha

Beer caramelized onions (recipe to follow)

1. Spread a thin layer of margarine on the outsides of the bread.

2. Place bread butter-side down and put two slices of cheese on each sandwich.

3. Top with onions, deli meat, and a couple drops of sriracha. This is where you get creative! Look through your pantry and get fancy. Top it off with your second piece of bread.

4. On a low heat cook on each side until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Keep covered in between flipping.

5. So this is a tip that got passed along to me from my roommate. Once your grilled cheese is all nice and toasty, lift the lid, add a couple drops of water and quickly close it. The steam from the water helps melt the cheese. This is needed for the vegan cheese, but is definitely a good tip for anyone who likes their sandwiches dripping with ooey gooey goodness!

6. Optional - serve with a side salad. My go to salad is so simple - arugula, lemon juice, olive oil and a little salt.

Beer Caramelized onions:

2 tablespoons margarine

1 small red onion, sliced

About 1/3 cup of good beer (whatever is on hand. I happened to be drinking Harpoon)

1/4 tsp Salt 

1/4 tsp Pepper

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1. Melt margarine in a skillet.

2. Add onions, salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until onions become soft.

3. Add the sugar and stir. Onions will start to brown.

4. Now comes the deglazing part! When the onions look like they need a little liquid and/or start sticking to the pan, add a little of the beer. I did a small pour, about 2 tablespoons at a time. Stir until the liquid evaporates and repeat these steps for about 20 minutes or until onions are the amount of doneness you desire.

 

Kitty Cat

sheer cat top//american apparel, halter bra//free people, jeans//urban outfitters, flannel//boyfriend, sunnies//street vendor

Now that it's warming up, I find myself reaching into the very back of my shirt drawer to grab the itty bitty sheer tops that have been hiding all winter. This one in particular was given to me by Katherine a little over a year ago for my birthday. I wore this outfit with my jean jacket. While I was standing on the street a man came up to me and said "hey, I like your style! It reminds me of...well, me! Aloha!" Spring is making everyone friendlier!

Did you know vegan cheese has a very short expiration date? I definitely didn't. In an attempt to use up the cheese before it spoiled, Chloe and I made some killer vegan grilled cheeses with beer caramelized onions, sriracha and fake turkey (recipe will be posted soon). I'm going to start dedicating more time to documenting the food, especially vegan food, I've been making!