Tag: breakfast

Tompkins Square bagels

Best Bagels in New York City – Tompkins Square Bagels

On our most recent trip to New York City, we checked out the highly recommended, Best bagels in New York City – Tompkins Square Bagels. Our daughter lives in New York and we are having the best time visiting her and letting her show us the New York City that we have never seen. I have done all the touristy stuff, now I want to go to the street fairs and parks that I never knew existed. But the best part is finding all the little restaurants she has found. Now there are three Tompkins Square Bagels locations. One is located on 184 2nd Avenue (between 11th and 12th street) and another is located at 165 Avenue A (near Tompkins Square Park) and the third at 1159 3rd Avenue. We visited the the 165 Avenue A location.

I think my soulmate might be carbs

-Unknown

Our daughter had been talking about this place forever and we were very excited to check it out. Despite the hangovers from our previous nights dining and cocktail adventure (We are not as young as we used to be, so it was painful), we woke up and took a nice walk through the beautiful Tompkins Square Park to the 165 Avenue A location. I never knew this park existed, what a beautiful space. The dog parks were amazing. They had two sections: one for big dogs and one for little dogs. I so wished I had brought our Beau with us, he would have loved it.

Beau

The line was long and I was a bit intimidated thinking we were going to be there forever. However, the employees are so organized and the lines move very quickly. But you just have to know looking at that line that these were going to be fantastic bagels. I can see why my daughter says these are the best bagels in New York City if the people in the line are any indication.

The employees at Tompkins Square Bagels know what they are doing, it’s very impressive. If the line gets out the door, an employee will come out and take your order so I would recommend looking at the menu on you r phone ahead of time if you are not sure what you are going to get. I heard they had gluten free bagels after I visited, which was too bad. But it was my mistake, I just assumed they did not. I lean towards gluten free but I do not have an allergy. I love going to allergy friendly establishments. They go above and beyond for their customers and I always like to applaud that. Next time I will try out the gluten free bagel for you all and let you know how they are.

The employees are quick and organized and you get to watch them in action making the bagels, which I found fascinating. There are so many choices… bagels, cream cheese’s, lox, dairy free, gluten free? I was in heaven. I finally decided on an everything bagel with chive cream cheese. The others got lox, tomatoes, capers and onions….they were so happy and ate them so fast I could not get pictures!

I cannot recommend Tompkins Square Bagels anymore than I have (unsolicited recommendation). As far as I am concerned these are the best bagels in New York City. They are fantastic and a must see on your next New York Adventure! I love nothing more than letting people know about the restaurants I love in my blog Sunday Chefs and I put them all on my page Sunday Chefs Restaurant Reviews.

Tompkins Square Bagels is a must see on your next visit. I have been dreaming of their everything bagel with scallion cream cheese ever since. But the choices are endless and they even have gluten free bagels! Very allergy friendly.
Banana Bread is a staple in most homes and this recipe is one of the best

Banana Bread

Banana Bread is a staple in most homes and is a wonderful comfort food recipe. Our family makes this Banana Bread Recipe at least once a month in either bread or muffin form. Never throw away old bananas, just freeze them and save them for this wonderful bread recipe. I make a great one these days but my first attempt is something that I am teased about still to this day.

There are days when cooking is just not my thing and the first time I made banana bread was one of them. Even now…… twenty five years later, I still feel the sting of humiliation.  I was newly married and wanted to make it for my husband.  My sister had given me one of those homemade cookbooks, that you buy at church fairs and school fundraisers, and it had a recipe I thought I would try.  As I was reading it, even I thought maybe 5 tbsp. of baking powder was a little much, but hey, what did I know?  I am alone in my apartment experimenting and at the exact moment I add the baking powder, it begins to rise like Mt. Vesuvius into some strange, freaking, elementary school science project! As it overflows the bowl, onto the counter and then the floor, the front door opens and who walks in… my husband and is brother!  I must have looked like a deer in the headlights, because they saw their prey and pounced. These are the two most hilarious, sarcastic men I know and they had a field day.  This is one of the many cooking disaster stories that they tell and even I have to say, if it was anyone else but me, it would be hysterical.

After all these years, and lots of practice, I make a great banana bread and they both will agree.

Don’t be afraid to take whisks – Unknown

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    The bananas need to be ripe….not pretty, just over ripe.  I actually freeze the bananas, so I always have some available.  The skin will turn black, but they are perfect inside. Sift all dry ingredients. (Hint: if you don’t have a sifter, use a whisk and very carefully whisk the dry ingredients together). Add in all the other ingredients. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for at least an hour.  Check with toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.

    Pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for at least an hour.  Check with toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.

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    This can also be made gluten free, I have used the King Arthur Gluten Free Flour in the past and it worked wonderful. You can add chocolate chips or nuts too, it would be a great addition. If you would like to see more, check out the Recipes page on my blog Sunday Chefs.

    Allergens: Eggs, Gluten 

    Print

    Banana Bread

    Sometimes the simple recipes are the best. This Banana Bread Recipe is easy enough for everyone and is sure to impress.
    Prep Time1 hour 30 minutes
    Active Time15 minutes
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 2
    Cost: $5

    Materials

    • 2 cups all purpose flour Can substitute whole wheat flour
    • 1 tsp. baking soda
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 2 eggs beaten
    • 1/2 cup canola oil
    • 3 bananas very ripe (brown skins)

    Instructions

    • The bananas need to be ripe… not pretty, just over ripe. They can even be previously frozen.
    • Sift all dry ingredients. (Hint: if you do not have a sifter, use a whisk and very carefully whisk the dry ingredients together)
    • Add in all the other ingredients. (Mix until just combined and no dry lumps)
    • Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for at least an hour.
    • Check with toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.

    GREAT GLUTEN FREE PANCAKES

    I am the only gluten free person in our house (intolerance not allergy), so it can get complicated sometimes. On the rare occasion that something is so good my family likes to eat it even though it is gluten free is a true miracle. This recipe is one of those rare instances. I have tweaked this recipe a few times over the years, but I think I have found the sweet spot. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour is a game changer and I recommend everyone give it a try. This is an unsolicited recommendation. I made Irish Bread the other day (another recipe to come) and it was fantastic. Now I am going to get fat eating all this stuff I had to avoid before!

    We are a big breakfast family and we are always making pancakes. Undoubtedly, I will try them and end up feeling horrible for a few days, so I am always on the lookout for a good gluten free pancake. There are multiple food allergies in our family and this one helps with a lot of them. It is peanut free, tree nut free, gluten free and can be dairy free if you substitute the dairy milk for almond or oat milk. I am always on the lookout for recipes that are family friendly and easily adaptable to be allergy friendly.

    I have also used this in a waffle maker to make gluten free waffles and it came out wonderful also. I do recommend making these on the smaller side. I have found that when making gluten free pancakes they can be a bit grainy and mushy in the middle. Cooking them slowly and on the smaller side helps with this a lot. Also, for leftovers, I find they work best when toasted.

    I hope you enjoy this recipe and if you have tips on how to make them even better, I would love to hear them.

    What nicer thing can you do for somebody than make them breakfast?

    Anthony Bourdain

    Great Gluten Free Pancakes

    With the invention of Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, making pancakes is now a regular occurrence in our house. So good even my non-gluten free family will eat them for breakfast. These gluten free pancakes are easy to make and very easily adaptable. A very kid friendly recipe your whole family will love.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Cup Gluten Free Flour I recommend Bob's Red Mill 1-to1 Baking Flour
    • 1 tbsp. Sugar
    • 1 tbsp Baking Powder
    • 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
    • 2 tbsp. Melted Butter
    • 1/2 cup Buttermilk I only had the light buttermilk on hand and it worked fine. I bet you could substitute Almond or Oat Milk in this for those with Dairy Allergies.
    • 1/4 cup Fat Free Milk This is all I had but I think any would be fine.
    • 1 large egg
    • 1/2 tsp. Vanilla (Optional) I have left this out and might almost like it better without.
    • Chocolate Chips, blueberries, bananas Optional ideas

    Equipment

    • 2 Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring cups
    • Measuring spoons
    • Griddle or skillet Waffle Iron if you decide to make waffles instead

    Method
     

    1. In a large mixing bowl mix all your dry ingredients. (Flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
    2. Put the butter into a microwave dish and cover with a paper towel to avoid messing up your microwave. Melt the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
    3. Combine the milks with the vanilla and the butter.
    4. Add the egg to the milk mixture and whisk together.
    5. Add the liquid ingredients to the flour ingredients and mix until just combined. Will be a little lumpy. Feel free to add a little more milk here if needed.
    6. Warm up your griddle to medium heat. When a splash of water bounces on the griddle it is ready. After the grill is warm enough grease with a bit of butter or cooking spray. You should not have to do this between every pancake. Usually only once but if you are making a lot you may need to add more down the line.
    7. I like to make these on the smaller side because they can be a bit mushy if large and cooked to quickly. So I stick with the 1/4 cup size.
    8. This is where I add some additions, like chocolate chips or bananas. (You can add to the mixture if you want also. When the edges start getting bubbly check to see if they are browning. If they are, give them a flip.
    9. These are best if eaten right away.
    10. Leftovers: I freeze them if I will be eating a lot later or a Ziploc bag in the fridge.
    11. Because Gluten Free pancakes can get a bit mushy inside, I find that toasting them to reheat works best.

    Notes

    These are the best Gluten Free Pancakes I have ever had. Give them a try and let me know how you like them. Also, this recipe could easily be used in a waffle maker too!
    Allergens: Dairy, Egg

    Chocolate Muffins

    These seriously are the best muffins ever and so easy to make.  I cannot take credit for these, someone gave me the recipe and I am not sure of the origin. But thank you to whoever thought of it. The idea seemed strange but I quickly realized what a great way to get a vegetable into my child who seems to be allergic to almost every other vegetable except broccoli and cauliflower.  So here it is …. couldn’t be any easier and they will never even know there is pumpkin in them. Preheat oven to 400 degrees  Fahrenheit.

    It is always the simple that produces the marvelous – Amelia Barr

    • 1  15 oz can of pumpkin puree
    • 1 box devils food cake mix

    Spray the mixing bowl and all the utensils with cooking spray because the mixture sticks to everything without it.  Mix the two together, it will take a while, but don’t give up. ( I have tried to do this in my mixer and it doesn’t work… don’t bother).

    Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray (do not use paper muffin cup liners, it will not work) and use an ice cream scoop to split mixture evenly to make 12 muffins.

    Add to oven and cook for 15 minutes.  That’s it and they are the best muffins. They are so moist and are perfect for breakfast or a snack.

    Chocolate pumpkin muffins

    Allergens: Wheat, Check your cake mix for other allergens.