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Recipe-Rama
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Ben's Best Kosher Deli, 96-40 Queens Blvd., Rego Park, 718-897-1700
By Jesse Hirsch
Hanukkah is all about the oil. To commemorate the ancient story of oil burning in the temple for eight days, modern Jewish celebrants reap the rewards of delicious food fried in oil. Front and center at the feast is the latke, a fried potato pancake served plain, with applesauce or with sour cream (for the non-kosher). Ben's Best Kosher Deli sells around 2,500 latkes each Hanukkah season. To help you replicate these holiday favorites in your own home, catering manager Marty Stein generously spills the potatoes on Ben's Best's time-tested recipe. Serve these with applesauce and sour cream, though they taste great plain or with a little salt. Stein says latkes reheat well, though the microwave can leave them a bit soggy. "People are so lazy these days," he says. "Just throw ‘em in the oven."
Makes 10-15 latkes
6 Russet potatoes, peeled and grated
1 large onion, chopped fine
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
Pinch of salt and pepper (to taste)
Vegetable oil
Drain the potatoes and onion in a colander or sieve, pressing to strain out all liquid. In a large bowl, combine potatoes and onion with remaining ingredients except for oil. In a large skillet, heat ½ inch of oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Shape potato mixture into 3- to 5-inch oval patties. Place patties in oil and cook 10 minutes, turning once, or until golden-brown on all sides. transfer to a platter lined with paper towels to drain slightly before serving. |
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SUGAR COOKIES from LETY'S BAKERY |
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Lety's Bakery, 77-07 37th Ave., Jackson Heights, 718-507-6539
Tucked amidst the myriad restaurants, shops and storefronts on 37th Avenue, Lety's is a neighborhood mainstay that offers homemade sweets and freshly brewed coffee seven days a week. A large glass counter showcases their various pastries which include biscotti, carrot cake, coffee cake as well as a large assortment of cookies and tarts. A few small tables checker the bakery and a large, glass storefront looks out on to the bustling avenue. Reasonable prices and a friendly staff make this bakery a local favorite and the ideal place for an afternoon respite. Need a pick me up at home? Try these light, buttery sugar cookies with a hint of citrus. Perfect with an espresso.
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Read more... [SUGAR COOKIES from LETY'S BAKERY]
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RAJAS TAMALES from Tortilleria Nixtamal |
Tortilleria Nixtamal, 104-05 47th Ave., Corona, 718-699-2434
There’s been nothing but buzz surrounding Tortilleria Nixtamal since its opening last January, and with good reason. They make their own nixtamal (cooked, dried corn) and grind it into an incredibly textured, outrageously flavorful masa, that forms the foundation of the various tamales, tortillas and tacos they make every day. Divulging some of their secrets, Tortilleria Nixtamal recently provided Edible Queens the recipe for their Rajas Tamal (vegetable tamales). Making tamales from scratch is most definitely best done with friends, because there are umpteen ingredients and several steps. But it’s really fun, and well worth it when you finally get to taste the incredibly comforting filling.
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Read more... [RAJAS TAMALES from Tortilleria Nixtamal]
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VEAL MEDALLIONS WITH RADICCHIO from Manducatis |
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Manducatis, 13-27 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, 718-729-4602
The Cerbone family has been keeping the tradition of family-style Italian dining alive since 1976, when they opened what might be Long Island City’s most beloved Italian restaurants, Manducatis. Housed in a nondescript building right next door to the G train, this legendary institution (rumored to be one of Tony Bennett’s favorites) is well-known for its stellar food, including house-made pasta (fennel fettucini on one recent night). On the wall, a newspaper clipping proclaims Manducatis “The Real Rao’s.” Daughter Gianna Cerbone runs the farmers-market-inspired Manducatis Rustica around the corner on Vernon boulevard, but here, mama reigns supreme. This recipe for Veal Medallions with Radicchio comes direct from Ida Cerbone, the original culinary matriarch of the Cerbone family, and typifies her style: simple, precise and delicious.
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Read more... [VEAL MEDALLIONS WITH RADICCHIO from Manducatis]
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Kabab Cafe 25-12 Steinway St., Astoria, 718-728-9858
This soulful vegetarian dish—literally “a mixture of ingredients”—is one of the most common and beloved dishes in Cairo. It’s economical, satisfying and open to all sorts of additions. One night at Ali’s, the tomato sauce on top was smooth and spicy; on another, he combined big chunks of fresh tomato with garlic and scallions for a more salsa-like topping. “There is no one right way to make kushari,” says Ali, but here’s a good place to start.
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Read more... [KUSHARI from Kabab Cafe]
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JALAPENO MAC & CHEESE from Sage General Store |
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Sage General Store, 24-20 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, 718-361-0707, www.sagegeneralstore.com
Nostalgic for a taste of country America? Thanks to Sage General Store, we have a taste of the good old life right here in Queens. Serving up classical, regional American fare with precision and sophistication, this restaurant offers country crowd pleasers using local, quality ingredients. Try the steel cut oatmeal with fresh fruit for breakfast, or one of their many signature sandwiches on homemade bread for lunch. For something sweet, their beautiful and delicious cupcakes are a treat any time of day. These toothsome treats are available to stay or go. But why eat on the run when you can enjoy the country setting around you? The décor matches that of a true old fashioned country store with antiques and collectibles; a truly American country motif.
Taking their commitment to regional American cuisine very seriously, they have mastered the ultimate in comfort food: baked macaroni and cheese. While they are keeping their traditional mac and cheese recipe a treasured secret, they were kind enough to share with us another fantastic recipe for Jalapeno Mac and Cheese. Striking an even balance between savory and spice, this is a crowd pleaser any home cook can master.
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Read more... [JALAPENO MAC & CHEESE from Sage General Store]
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CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA from Jackson Diner |
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Jackson Diner, 37-47 74th St., Jackson Heights, 718-672-1232, www.jacksondiner.com
The word is out on this Jackson Heights staple: Jackson Diner is the place to go for savory, authentic Indian cuisine. The extensive menu is full of classic Indian dishes such as Chicken Tandoori, Sag Paneer (spinach and cheese) and Aloo Gobi (cauliflower and potatoes). For the more adventurous eater, dishes like Sag Gosht (lamb cooked with tomato, ginger and spices) and Goat Curry are also available. Happily, a friendly wait-staff and ‘All You Can Eat’ buffet lunch make this tempting cuisine delicious and affordable.
Wanting to try your hand with some aromatic Indian cooking at home? Try this recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala, a traditional dish made with chicken, tomatoes and onions. With a bit of spicing and dicing, who needs take out?
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Read more... [CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA from Jackson Diner]
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SPICY BACON BISON BURGER from BareBurger |
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Bareburger, 33-21 31st Ave., Astoria, 718-777-7011, www.bareburger.com
BareBurger, a new addition to the Queens burger scene, is also the latest champion in the fight for green, environmentally friendly chow. Dedicated not only to delicious, heavenly burgers, the folks at BareBurger are committed to sustainable methods of farming and agriculture, and serve dishes made using only the freshest, organic ingredients. Taking their commitment to green a step further than the rest, BareBurger serves their eco-friendly food in an eco-friendly space; their roof was made from antique tin reclaimed from deconstructed barns, and their hand-crafted counter tops and tabletops were built from damaged and dying trees. And that's just the beginning; check their website for further details about the sustainability of their space. Certainly, this is a restaurant and meal you can always feel good about.
Adapt the BareBurger philosophy into your home and kitchen by making their Spicy Bison Burger! Bison is a delicious meat easily found at local farmer’s markets and is leaner and gamier than ground beef. However, beef may be used as a substitute.
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Read more... [SPICY BACON BISON BURGER from BareBurger]
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