The most satisfying lunch break I have had in a while...:)

Doesn't the picture explain it all...?

XO,
Sarah

Fall is in the air...and my kitchen:)

I didnt feel like rushing to the gym immediately after work lastnight and even though it was drizzling, I was still in a NYC fall evening mood...suddenly I found myself picking up a few small pumpkins, an assortment of ghords, gingerbread mix, fresh pumpkin puree...ok so I went alittle FALL happy....however, the aroma in my home lastnight was wonderful...Pumpkin Spice candles were burning, the smell of gingerbread and pumpkin muffins coming from my oven were intoxicating...my sister and nephew are coming to visit this weekend so Chris and I better save them some:)

Next up for FALL cooking for me....harvest roasted vegetable crostinis topped with a dripping of white truffle oil and a balsamic glaze...that's all happening tomorrow night so stay tuned!

XO,

Sarah

Suggestions....and a few new ideas:)

Hi Readers!

I am in a cooking mood this week and would love some suggestions!! Anyone??

Also, I have considered sharing my finished meals with those interested and would like to start offering up "date night at home" picnic baskets!!! Send me a recipe that you and your loved one would love to indulge in for a romantic night at home and I will make it happen! I will either deliver the basket to you or come and cook for you in your home!

Comments anyone??? Please!!!

XO,
Sarah

As Promised...Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken...

It was a hit!!!

My very own website!!!

So I finally went and did it! Created my very own website...I will eventually be uploading everything from here to there once I figure out the ins and outs and how to get my pictures up on the site as well...for all of you who may want a sneak peak, the web address is:

http://www.sassycooknyc.com/

XO,

Sarah

Back in the saddle again...

Hi Friends and Readers!

Its time to get back to blogging....Chris is home from work tonight so you know what that means....cooking a nice relaxing dinner at home! After the gym of course....tonight's menu will consist of a baked lemon pepper chicken with roasted seasonal vegetables...it's time to start thinking FALL:) I will be aggressively perusing the produce stands on my lunch break....tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and maybe some thick red onions?

As always, I do love any comments or suggestions so please feel free!!! Will post pictures after dinner tonight:)

XO,

Sarah

An Evening in Paris...

or not... but I would like to think so...


I spent another night eating french food and watching "Midnight in Paris"...amazing...if you havent seen it, GO!  I swear the movie is like a mini vacation..you escape to the street of Paris in the 1920's....


Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway, Picasso, Gertrude Stein...just marvelous!!!


"As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary.-Ernest Hemingway"

A Day of Inspiration...and Indulgence!

Irene may have not hit the city but boy did I...on foot!  I literally took the farmers market by storm on Monday since I was lucky enough to have a beautiful sunny day off.  I love the end of each summer in the city when you can feel and smell that slight change of season in the air.  The air is slowly gaining that crisp fresh fall feeling to it and the humidity is slowly saying farewell until the next summer season.


After taking this long walk on Monday through the market, and then an adorable quaint bookstore in the West Village where I encountered an old copy of Julia's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and then finally about four cappuccinos later I decided it was time to go home to my kitchen and do what I love the most.


On the walk home I got to thinking about what I had seen that day, what I had picked up at the market and what I had home in my fridge...then it came to me...homemade wheat foccaccia with sauteed fresh onions, yellow tomatoes, red bell peppers, fresh basil, a touch of white truffle oil and a sprinkle of goat cheese.  Heaven in the oven:)


Although I don't have pictures for you yet of the finished product, I do have a few of the sights along the way...enjoy and stay tuned for more photos...


"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." -Julia Child



XO,
Sarah

Homemade Turkey Chili...with a side of frustration....

Hey Readers (and fellow bloggers)...

Turkey Chili night...probably one of Chris's favorites and mine too I guess because I enjoy the process that goes into making it and I make such a big pot we live off of it until its time to freeze some:) So although I am looking forward to cooking and enjoying it, I must admit I have a little bit of sadness and frustration today...will my career ever end up where I want it to? Will I ever get the opportunity to share my love of cooking and planning dinners with the world?

Weighing heavily on my mind today is possibly one of my favorite movie quotes, so I shall leave you with that....

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void."

XO,

Sarah

Potato, Potata....Tomato, Frittata Quiche??

So as you all saw I had a happy frittata Saturday in my kitchen.  While on the subway this morning into work I was looking over a past issue of Food Network Mag thats usually in my bag...what can I say- the thing is like an AMEX to me..."Never Leave Home Without It"...back to what came to mind...I flipped immediately to a section about simple cocktail party appetizer's. Whether it be a party just for fun or around the holidays, these little suggestions ALWAYS aim to please any guest. Then it came to me...Mini phyllo dough pastry cups, filled with my most favorite frittata combinations...aka Mini Quiche cups!! I know, it may not be Julia Child, but it would work! Think about it...you can go out and buy those frozen(yuck) already prepared ones OR you can get creative and cater to your guests needs and likes....vegetarian, meat lover, throw in some goat cheese...the possibilities are endless! Maybe top a couple variations of them with a dollop of hollandaise?  I know whats cookin' in my kitchen for brunch this weekend:) Will post pictures when ready!

XO,

Sarah

Frittata Saturday:)

Spent a lovely morning in my kitchen yesterday...made those most delicious frtittata....caramelized onions, tomatoes, peppers, turkey bacon, basil....delish!!! here are a few photos for you....enjoy:)

XO,

Sarah

It's 4:30...and I already know whats for dinner!

Chris is home tonight and my most cherished evenings are when work ends on time, a good workout occurs, and then I am home in my kitchen cooking with Chris sitting at the island usually on the laptop selectively listening to what I am saying (lol) as I cut, peel, rinse, chop, dice, season, etc....

So, tonight's menu will consist of grilled chicken breasts with a basil and pine nut gremolata.  That's right, I said gremolata...I myself only learned the meaning of the word not to long ago while in a cooking class in the West Village although I have had many different variations of it several times just not knowing the proper term for it.  I am not using the usual ingredient (parsley) though.  Truth be told, I despise parsley and I'm not afraid to admit it!!! You wont find it in my kitchen I can tell you that.  I can smell the aroma coming out of my KitchenAid now...lemon zest, pine nuts, basil, garlic, EVOO.....as Rachel Ray would say....DEEE-LISH:)

I promise to post some pics ASAP.

XO,

Sarah

Chicken and Veggies and Wine, OH MY!

Dinner was a success! Chicken could have had a little more flavor but was tender as can be....the tomato, red onion, and asparagus bed underneath the chicken with a little white truffle oil, EVOO and a splash of balsamic was devine.  This weekend i have decided I am going to tackle beurre blanc once again so stay tuned....in the meantime, as promised, here are some photos from this evening:)

Enjoy and comments and constructive criticism welcome:)

Sarah xo

Blog night!!!

Well, I decided I really do need to get back into this regularly --it is my joy and the end of a boring work day....so I decided tonight is blog night!  My favorite ladies are joining me...Billie, Ella, Edith....etc....glass of wine in hand, fresh produce on the cutting board and a baked lemon chicken is in the works....I promise to post pics in a few!

XO,

Sarah

I really need to get back on track...

There has been alot going on lately but that doesnt mean that I should be neglecting the happiness that cooking brings me and updating this blog not to mention is very important.  I thought that it is finally time to start sharing some photos with you all.   I am also going to start a new weekend project.  I am going to pick one cookbook off of my bookcases of many cookbooks and cook my way through. Blogs and pictures the whole way to get your mouth watering.  Here is a picture of my latest pan seared crostini/cheese/cured meat/olive board....one word....heaven! 
Lots of love,

XO,

Sarah

WOW its been forever

Well with the holiday weekend over, it is time to get back into the swing of things in my kitchen...tonight, after the gym I plan on reading a portion of Julia Child's "My Life in France" for some inspiration and I may just tacke a lemon/pepper baked tilapia this evening.  Friday and Saturday this weekend are busy but with Chris working Sunday, I plan on creating some new things or trying some old things I havent made in way too long and will keep you all posted!!! Feel free to please send on any recipes or ideas you think I should try as i would love hearing from you:)

XO,
Sarah

TGI...Fun in the kitchen this weekend?

Yay! its Friday and for the first time in weeks I dont have to travel or specifically be anywhere!!!! I am going to whip out my food processor this weekend and work on some new hummus flavors!!! Stay tuned, there will be updates and I PROMISE to finally post some pictures this weekend...im thinking roasted red peppers, pine nuts, sud-dried tomatoes, basil....my head is spinning! Can't wait!

XO,

Sarah

Back in the swing of things....

After a very busy weekend of throwing a surprise bridal shower, celebrating my grandmothers birthday as well as mothers day with all of the ladies in my family, I am back home in the city and will be in my kitchen this evening creating something delish for Chris and I! Will blog again soon, readers:)

XO,

Sarah

Lazy Rainy Days....and chicken soup!

I have definitely fallen short on the promise that I kept to myself which was to make this blog more of a daily part of my routine...I was sick all week last week with a terrible flu and could barely lift my head off of the pillow resulting in taking almost two full days off of work. Aside from being miserably sick, there was some enjoyment...homemade chicken vegetable soup. A HUGE pot of it resulted in my time being at home when I couldn't sleep, had read through several back issues of Food Network Magazine and even started Julia Child's "My Life In France"...im obsessed...needless to say, sick or not, the simple task of concocting this soup was soothing... and breathing in the steam that was billowing over my big ceramic pot(purchased for me by my lovely grandmother) wasnt too bad either for my congestion.

Well, now the soup is gone and onto other projects at night. Before I go for a run this evening, I intend to try a "first" in my kitchen since my friend Deanna will be joining me for dinner....three words: lemon beurre blanc.

I'll let you know how it goes....stay tuned....it will be coupled with sauteed snow peas and will be poured over broiled tilapia filets. My mouth is watering and its only 1:45 PM....too bad I ran out of my delicious soup...I had to resort to a salad from home for today...which reminds me....I MUST concentrate on making my salads more interesting from now...

Will blog from my kitchen later....

XO,

Sarah

When complaining gets the best of you...

I grew up with a mindset that I would go to college.  A good college, and I would graduate with top notch grades, move to the big apple, get a "reputable" job and make something of myself.  Well, I did all that, and have been loving every minute of it but there is just one thing.  My career.  I have always had a good job with a decent salary accompanied by many abusive, selfish, robot bosses and co-workers and have never really done anything thats kept me interested and passionate about what I am getting up to do every day....that is until I go home at night and become the passionate, creative person that I know deep down I am.  I enter my "happy" place when I enter my kitchen....bookcases stacked full of cookbooks, old family recipes taped together, food magazines...My point is ( I promise I have one) is that even after a miserable day at the office not enjoying what I do, I take on a new personality at the end of the day when I come face to face with what I love to do....COOK. Many of you are going to this that this blog is way too "Julie & Julia."  It may seem that way, but it is going to be a way for me to vent and finally encourage myself to go on the journey I so badly want to and stop being so afraid of the unknown.  No, I am not going to cook and blog myself through all of the late great Julia's recipes....I am going to take you on my own journey...of how I am going to get to where it is that I want to be.....and I may share some recipes, experiences, and photo's along the way:)

"Without the Project I was nothing but a secretary on a road to nowhere, drifting toward frosted hair and menthol addiction."-Julie Powell

XO,

Sarah