Tag: secret restaurant recipes

Everyday Secret Restaurant Recipes Review & Giveaway

In the spirit of my Blogoversary last week, I figured it was about time for a giveaway. And I’ve been itching to review the latest cookbook in the Secret Restaurant Recipes series, so it worked out just perfectly!

Like all of the cookbooks by seasoned cookbook writers Leah Schapira and Victoria Dwek, Everyday Secret Restaurant Recipes does not disappoint. It’s got the same beautiful graphics, breathtaking photos and clean-cut layout as it’s original, but the recipes are a bit less glitzy yet not one bit less mouthwatering.

For this round, the writers went to everyday establishments – grills like the famous Fish Grill in LA (where I’ve noshed on their famous fish and chips), local favorites like Bagels ‘n Greens (ever taste their insane donuts?!), Boeuf & Bun (loooove their bondi burger), Izzy’s BBQ Addiction (I’m legit addicted, it’s in my ‘hood after all), Mendelsohn’s (we love their breaded cauliflower) and Pizza Time (best kosher pizza outside of Israel IMHO). They’ve covered Miami hot spots like 26 Sushi & Tapas (lettuce wraps please!), China Bistro (love their spicy chicken and eggplant) and Zak the Baker (I’ll have everything on the menu) and National must-haves like C  & R Kitchen (I’m till dreaming of the prime rib I had there), Milt’s BBQ (I must get there soon!), And Nobo Wine & Grill (I’ve already booked my reservation). Of course we can’t forget all the International spots like Aussies Milk & Honey (I had a great lunch there!), Israel’s Rimon Cafe (great memories!), and eateries in Austria, Brazil, England, Panama and Uruguay.

When they say they’ve hit the little guys, they mean it. They’ve got supermarkets like Pomegranate and Breadberry in Brooklyn, heimishe bakeries like Zishes in Monsey and even stadium joints like Legends in Yankee stadium. My favorite though would have to be The Wandering Que, a BBQ trailer that hauls it’s Texas-style BBQ rig around town. Leah & Victoria have indeed covered their tracks.

Of course I’m partial because my ‘hood made it to the Kosher Food Trends list (we house the famous Basil Pizza & Wine Bar, Boeuf & Bun & Izzy’s BBQ Addiction after all) and having my name on the shout-out list was a nice surprise (I shared some of my favorite hot spots). But the truth is – we have to let the recipes do the talking. The fact that roasted chickpeas are the first recipe of the Starters & Sides should say something. They’re my absolute favorite nosh to date. But the kani poppers, beef fry apricots, buffalo cauliflower, tater poppers and smoked hot wings tickled my fancy as well. Soups & Salads are down to earth, with recipes like black bean soup, Asian nappa salad, harvest twist and peach glazed chicken salad. They’ve even covered basics like store coleslaw (haven’t you always wondered how to get it just right?) and potato salad. Sandwiches are possibly my favorite chapter, and thankfully they’ve included the Morning Scramble from Boeuf & Bun, so when I don’t feel like walking up the block to their hip joint, I can just make it at home! My husband is particularly excited about Essen’s Sino Steak Sandwich, a dish he grew up eating! Pretzel sticks, honey mustard pargiot, chicken Pad Thai and Gotham glazed ribs are favorites from Chicken & Meat while the grilled fish taco, bourbon salmon and sushi pizza stood out from the Fish. They’ve even got Brunch & Lunch covered with recipes like Israeli breakfast, creamy home fries, and veggie chili, but I’ll take the creme brulee freezer. They finish off with a bang with dessert goodies like Zak the Bakers chocolate rugelach, T Fusion’s churros and Lula’s halva parfait. Mmm mmm good.

So, should you buy this book? Well, if you live in a place that doesn’t have too many eateries or you don’t mind cooking up some restaurant fare that’s not too intimidating, then this is the book for you. While the cookbook includes “everyday recipes” don’t expect them all to be quick and easy. If they’re good enough to be on a menu in a cafe somewhere, they’re going to require some work. But it looks to me like it will be well worth the effort.

Purchase Everyday Secret Restaurant Recipes on Amazon.

Read a review of Secret Restaurant Recipes.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

So lets get down to business because I know you are waiting! To enter this fabulous giveaway, here’s what to do!

1. Leave a comment on my Blogoversary Post letting me know your favorite BIB recipes of the past 5 years and/or what you’d like to see on the blog this year.
2. Leave a comment here letting me know your favorite kosher restaurant worldwide.

For an extra entry, follow Busy In Brooklyn via any of the channels below. Just be sure to leave a note in the comment letting me know where you follow.

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Giveaway is open to U.S. residents (for international entries, prize can only be shipped in the U.S.). Winner will be chosen at random at 10:00 AM EST on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016.

SAMPLE RECIPES:

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Secret Restaurant Recipes Review & Giveaway

I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a cookbook. Like ever. It probably has a lot to do with my affinity for eating out. And beautiful food photography. And superb design. And impeccable styling. In a word, this book is: PERFECTION.

And I’d expect nothing less from seasoned cookbook writers Leah Schapira and Victoria Dwek. Leah is the author of Fresh & Easy Kosher Cooking, while Victoria is the managing editor of Whisk magaizne. Together, they coauthored the Made Easy cookbook series including Starters & Sides Made Easy, Passover Made EasyDairy Made Easy and Kids Cooking Made Easy. When I heard they were working on a new cookbook, I wondered what they would be “making easy”, but I never imagined it would be restaurant recipes!

As a true foodie, I’ve eaten at many a kosher restaurant, and I was surprised to see just how many amazing kosher restaurants are covered in this book (over 70!). From Tierra Sur in Oxnard, California (one of the best restaurant meals I’ve ever had), to Rare in Miami Beach, FL (love their crab cakes) and Pizza Pita in Montreal (I always wondered how they make their poutine!). There’s also Carlos & Gabby’s in New Jersey (who doesn’t love their crispy chicken fingers?!) and New York favorites like Amsterdam Burger Co. (the breakfast burger is incredible!), Reserve Cut (I always orders the short rib tacos!) and my favorite local places like Basil Pizza & Wine Bar (they serve up their famous basil fries just up the street), Mason & Mug (I’ve been reinventing their deviled kale salad forever!), and Pardes (wish they would have included their smoked paprika popcorn recipe). Restaurants in England, Israel, Italy, Mexico and even Panama, are also included.

It’s so exciting to get a sneak peek behind some of the establishments that we regularly frequent. And Secret Restaurant Recipes is about more than just the recipes. It also includes tips and techniques from today’s top kosher chefs. I was surprised to see that some of the recipes are fairly easy, while others are more involved. When I first looked through the cookbook and had a craving for Reserve Cut’s short rib tacos, I just got up and went to the restaurant! On the other hand, Pizza Pita’s poutine was so ridiculously easy, I was able to make it quickly at home.

Thanks to the generosity of Artscroll/Mesorah Publications, I’m sharing 2 recipes from the book here. I recently did a demo at a chinese auction where Victoria Dwek also demonstrated the eggplant chicken from Segal’s Oasis Grill in Phoenix, Arizona. It smelled so incredible, I just knew I had to include it! I’m also sharing a dessert recipe from Bagels & Greens because if their donuts are any indication, these brownies are going to be a real treat!

Purchase Secret Restaurant Recipes on Amazon.

Read a review of Everyday Secret Restaurant Recipes.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Of course, I’m also giving away a FREE COPY of Secret Restaurant Recipes! To enter, simply leave a comment below about your favorite kosher restaurant dish. For an extra entry, follow Busy In Brooklyn via any of the channels below. Just be sure to leave a note in the comment letting me know where you follow.

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest 

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents (for international entries, prize can only be shipped in the U.S.). Winner will be chosen at random at 10:00 AM EST on Tuesday, January 6th, 2015.

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