Had to say it was hard to pick which was my favorite.  I would invite you to try them all. I will say that lesser known brands held up against the big guns from Remy Martin and Courvoisier.

The location has a terrace.  Got to tote down a couple of Cigars while there.  La Palina Lil Bill and Martinez Flat Iron Number 9.

NOTABLES

- Brache Gabrielson XO

- Chateau Beaulon Grande Fine

Both of them held up against the big boys.  I also like the Louis Royer – one world Fabulous.

For the enthusiast, Brandy Library is a must attend place. This is not the place to go have a beer with the boys. It is an experience. A journey threw world of Liquors.  It makes you know why men have journeyed around the world for the same.

They don’t serve alcohol here. They provide dreams, journey, relaxation – thought provoking, conversation stimulation.  No TVs – it is a place to entice yourself and release your inhibitions.

Let’s see a lot of people.  Need good food.  Drink Cigars.  What should I make?

AHA…..yes!!!!!!!!  Need to get to Fairway Market.  38 degrees a little breezy, grab my Liga Privada.. Flying Pig… Take a walk to Fairway.  60 blocks, just enough to finish the cigar (with my coffee in the thermos of course)

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

-       2 Pork Butts about 10lbs each.

-       BRINE / MARINADE

• Garlic (A lot)
• 2 liters Black Currant Soda.
• Kaffir Lime Leaves
• 2 Apples
• Serrano Peppers
• Red Onion
• Cilantro
• Green Peppers
• Dry Chiles (I Anjo)
• Kosher Salt
• Pepper
• Herbs de Provence
• Sugar
• 1 Liter Apple Cider Vinegar
• Juniper Berries
• 2 Limes

-       Poke slots in the Butts.  Slide in garlic cloves (as much as you want). I did about 5 cloves each piece.

-       I use a deep Tupperware to marinate the meat.  Place the meat inside. Skin side up.  Cover (I mean cover) with Kosher Salt.  Now you can add Pepper and Garlic Powder to taste.  Next Herbs de Provence, Juniper Berries, Sugar.

-       After that everything else goes in. Be sure that you have enough liquid to cover the meat. I use water after the soda and vinegar.

-       The most important thing is that you place it in a cold spot (refrigerator). It is wintertime here. I am using the terrace.

-       I like to leave it in for at least 24 hours.  If longer, add Ice to keep the temperature down.  But it is 38 degrees cloudy going down to low 20s.  Better than my fridge that is packed (LOL)!!!!!!

-       NOTE- PREHEAT THE OVEN AT 225 15 minutes prior to cooking

-       24 HOURS LATER – TIME TO COOK

-       Pull the pieces out of the marinade. In a pan, no oil needed.

-       Distribute all of the solid items from the marinade / brine into the pan.

-       DATS IT!!!!!!!!!!

-       I play it safe and add two cups of the marinade into the pan.  It helps to keep the butt moist until the fat starts to melt.

-       Remember this is going to take a while. I do one hour per pound.  10 lbs. = 10 hours.

-       TURN THE MARINADE TO SOME BBQ SAUCE

• Place in a separate pan.
• Let simmer low and concentrate.
• I add two cans of diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons of Hoisin and Oyster Sauce
• Lemon Soda
• Two table spoons of brown sugar.
• Honey
• Cumin
• It is going to cook on low eat for at least two hours.  Stir constantly. Check for taste. Adjust to your liking.   When its done, strain and cool. Use it to coat the meat when it is done.
  • I use a blender some time to smooth out the sauce. Also does not hurt to add a little butter for texture.

-       TO SERVE:

-       Separate the skin from the meat. Pull it off. Should fall off the bone.

-       Grab some Bread.  I am using Challah Buns (lightly toasted)

-       Also have some coleslaw (yeah I made it)!

HOPE YOU ENJOY

Well alright, it is a meat pie.  Something like that.

Two days I made two stuffed turkey breast with asparagus, sundried tomatoes, tartufelle cheese (basically a provolone aged with truffles).

This is a really easy dish.

• Two 9” pie crust. (yeah too lazy to make pie crust. Not that good yet).
• Basil
• 6 six eggs
• ¼ lb of cheese
• Head of Broccoli
• Two tomatoes
• ¼ lb queso fresco
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt / Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 325.

Here is when my best friend comes in to play – Food Processor.

Cut up your meat (not to wreck your processor).  Slow add the turkey with the stuffing.  Add in the garlic, eggs, olive oil, basil, cheese!

Pour into a bowl.  Check to make sure everything was processed. It should be a creamy consistency.  Use the heavy cream to smooth it out.

Now…chop the head of broccoli. You really only want the florets.  Line the bottom of the pie crust pan with the florets.  Now pour in your mixture.  Smooth out.  Cover sparsely with some more florets.

Take your tomatoes slice and de-seed.  Chop finely and integrate the queso fresco.  This is your last topping for the torta.  Place on top.

Top with a little Olive oil.

Ready for the Oven.  You are going to need 30-45 minutes at 325.  You just want to make sure that it is cooked all the way thru.  Should have the consistency of a cheesecake. 

What’s in da Fridge – Seared Tuna with Hash and Salsa with a twist

One of those days, I am trying to loose weight…but hey! It’s Sunday…Worked out 4 days this week. Time to cook something a little enjoyable. Enough of the salads and grilled chicken.

Today I am going preparing one of my favorites – Grilled (or Seared) Tuna. To me good Tuna you can eat raw. In addition, I was at the farmer’s market and bought some carrots, purple potatoes and Portobello mushrooms.

So here we go;
- Season the tuna with kosher (or sea) salt lightly, black pepper and garlic powder to taste.

- Time to Dice. You need to dice the following

• o Cucumber
• o Tomato
• o Carrots
• o Celery
• o Baby Corn (Asian style)
• o Recao (also called culantro)
• o Scallions – White and Green separate.
• o Potatoes (Purple)
• o Mushrooms (Portobello)
• o One Apple

- You will also need the following seasoning

• o Black Pepper
• o Salt (Kosher or Sea)
• o Garlic Powder
• o Chili Powder
• o Ground Ginger
• o Soy Sauce (I used Tamarind flavored).
• o One lime
• o Dry Dill
• o Dry Basil

Now let’s put the dish together…Make sure your pans are hot to get the sear on the Tuna. I love using a Cast Iron Skillet for the Tuna. For more questions, please feel free to contact us on www.everydayguy.tv.

Born May 15th in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, singer/songwriter Jenni Spiro grew up into a life of music. The only child of two working musicians, performing and writing rock music has been her driving desire since a young age. Her father is the keyboard player/vocalist ‘Mongo’ for “The Nerds,” and her mother is a bassist and lead vocalist for several New Jersey–based bands. Witnessing Jenni’s aptitude to sing at an early age, her parents supported her to cultivate her gift of music.

Jenni’s talent was first noticed at the age of three, singing pitch perfect covers atop a milk crate to a reporter for the local news, who had heard of her musical aspirations and covered a story on the young star. Not long after at the age of seven Jenni began writing songs, and by the time she turned 15 she was playing the bass and acoustic guitar.

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What’s in da Fridge – Seared Tuna with Hash and Salsa with a twist

One of those days, I am trying to loose weight…but hey! It’s Sunday…Worked out 4 days this week. Time to cook something a little enjoyable. Enough of the salads and grilled chicken.

Today I am going preparing one of my favorites – Grilled (or Seared) Tuna. To me good Tuna you can eat raw. In addition, I was at the farmer’s market and bought some carrots, purple potatoes and Portobello mushrooms.

So here we go;
- Season the tuna with kosher (or sea) salt lightly, black pepper and garlic powder to taste.

- Time to Dice. You need to dice the following
o Cucumber
o Tomato
o Carrots
o Celery
o Baby Corn (Asian style)
o Recao (also called culantro)
o Scallions – White and Green separate.
o Potatoes (Purple)
o Mushrooms (Portobello)
o One Apple

- You will also need the following seasoning
o Black Pepper
o Salt (Kosher or Sea)
o Garlic Powder
o Chili Powder
o Ground Ginger
o Soy Sauce (I used Tamarind flavored).
o One lime
o Dry Dill
o Dry Basil

Now let’s put the dish together…Make sure your pans are hot to get the sear on the Tuna. I love using a Cast Iron Skillet for the Tuna. For more questions, please feel free to contact us on www.everydayguy.tv.