Cayenne Orange Zest Brownies

I know there are tons of ways to doctor brownie mix. You have the OBVI's: you can add nuts and different types of chips (peanut butter, butterscotch or chocolate chips). The LESS THAN OBVI's: adding cream cheese into the batter, or crumbling up peppermint patty's into the batter. And then there's MY WAY: (hint: my way is always going to be more savory over sweet) I add one tsp of cayenne pepper and a healthy dose of orange zest (about 1 tbsp). The result: a spicy chocolate brownie with a citrus finish! How do YOU doctor your brownies?

Bar 10 at Westin, Times Square

I met up with an old friend last night and boy did we catch up for lost time! Our evening started out really nice and tame. We went to Bar 10 located at the Westin hotel in Times Square. Actually, they call it Times Square but it was really 43rd and 8th (near Port Authority). Technically, I guess it is Times Square, but it's two avenues too far over IMO. Anyways, why did I go here? Great question! I purchased a TravelZoo deal back in late February and I had failed to use it. Since it was expiring soon,  I cashed in! I paid $35 for a voucher that gave me 4 drinks and a Mediterranean platter. The drinks alone were $16 each! Our tab was over $80 and we only had to pay the tax and tip. Awesome! If you don't know about TravelZoo, you need to know. The first beverage I had was a blood orange Manhattan. It was good, but super sweet. I switched over to a nice Sauvignon Blanc after that and I enjoyed that too. The atmosphere was okay. We sat by the window so we could people watch outside but inside was a lot to watch too. People were dressed up getting ready to go out, business men were yapping it up at the bar and a bunch of girls were giggling together for what probably was their girl's weekend. A mixed crowd and not my scene at all but I didn't mind it. The server was attentive but not annoying. Overall, I could go back but only if I had another coupon. I'm not paying $16 for a drink.

Egg Salad on Potato Chive Focaccia

I've never made egg salad with curry powder before and I've also never made it without onion. I have to say, Martha Stewart's recipe for egg salad was pretty good in my book. I served mine on fancy bread but you can serve it on whatever - whole wheat bread, kaiser rolls - even crackers.

You need:

• 9 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 1/3 cup prepared mayonnaise
• 1 celery rib , diced into small pieces
• 3/4 teaspoon mustard powder or 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon Madras curry powder , optional you can also add cayenne pepper instead of the mustards if you like a spicy flavor
• salt and pepper
• 1 small radicchio or 1/2 c arugula, washed and spun dry
• 8 -12 slices Potato Chive Focaccia (found in the bakery of a gourmet grocery)

Directions:

1. In medium bowl, place eggs, mayonnaise, celery, mustard powder, curry powder, salt, and pepper and gently mix until combined.
2. You can toast the bread or leave it untoasted and spread an additional layer of mayonnaise on each half of bread. Line half of the slices with radicchio or arugula leaves. Spread with an even layer of egg salad. Top with remaining slice of bread.

Bison Burgers

Last night we dined on bison burgers! Bison is apparently healthier for you than regular ground beef. I wanted to know by how much so I looked it up. It has the fewest amount of calories and fat than beef, pork, chicken or salmon. What the?

NUTRITION

	Fat (grams )	Calories (kcal)	Cholesterol (mg)	Iron (mg)	Vitamin B12 (mcg)
Bison	2.42	143	82	3.42	2.86
Beef (choice)	10.15	219	86	2.99	2.65
Beef (select)	8.09	201	86	2.99	2.64
Pork	9.66	212	86	1.1	0.75
Chicken (skinless)	7.41	190	89	1.21	0.33
Sockeye Salmon	10.97	216	87	0.55	5.80
Source: USDA

Ingredients:

1 pound ground bison meat
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 c shredded mild cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
lettuce and tomato (optional)
4 buns, split


Directions

1. Preheat a griddle to medium-high. In a bowl combine meat, garlic, cheese, salt and pepper.
2. Make 4 equal-size hamburger patties, taking care not to overwork the patties.
3. Place on griddle. Cover the burgers with a stainless steel bowl or other heat-proof, dome-shape object, and cook for 6 minutes. Turn the burgers over and cover with the dome and continue to cook for 4 to 5 minutes, for medium.
4. Put buns in toaster oven and cook until lightly toasted. Serve each burger on a roll with 1 lettuce leaf and 1 tomato slice per burger.

Pork Stir Fry

This  hard to see photo is my pork stir fry bake... it's super easy to make and tastes delicious. Not to mention very healthy for you.

What you need:

8 oz pork center cut loin chop (no bone)

Assorted veggies cut bite sized (I have carrots, green and red peppers, red onion, broccoli, baby corn, and water chestnuts)

1/8 c low sodium soy sauce

1/8 c ponzu sauce

1 tbsp Mirin

2 tbsp EVOO

What you do:
Heat oven to 350. Dump veggies into casserole dish. Cut the pork into tiny bite sized chunks (removing any visible fat). Add pork to veggies. Pour in the EVOO and combine well (coating all the pieces). Add soy sauce and ponzu sauce. Toss and make sure everything is coated. Cook uncovered for about 20 to 30 minutes. Serve with noodles or rice or nothing at all.

London Broil Rub

 I made this for dinner and we ate it on the roof with friends. I was so distracted that I didn't take a photo of the final product, but it was delish. I went slightly heavy on the chili powder but otherwise - it was good. I'd rather have over seasoned food than under seasoned food.

Ingredients

• 1 (2-pound) London broil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 recipe Dave's Rub, recipe follows

Directions

Rub London broil with olive oil and then coat generously with the dry rub. Let stand for about 15 minutes at room temperature.

Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
Place meat on grill and grill for about 5 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing on the bias.
Serves 4, Calories: 354

Dave's Rub:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 4 pinches salt
• 15 grinds black pepper

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly in a small bowl.

Mexican Scramble

So, it was hard for me to take a photo of this and have it actually look appetizing, but trust me - it tastes good! This is a very hearty breakfast that kind of feels bad for you, but really isn't. Made without any healthy substitutes, this clocks in at 385 cal.

What you need:
4 eggs (You can substitute 6 egg whites or Eggbeaters for a healthier version)
3 tbsp skim milk
1/2 c black beans, rinsed and drained
1 chorizo, diced
1 slice American cheese (or fake cheese, like Smartbeat)
1 tsp fake butter
Salt and pepper to taste

What you do:
In a frying pan saute the chorizo with the butter for one minute. Add the beans. Cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes. Whisk eggs and milk together and dump on top of bean mixture. Take the cheese and break into 4 pieces, scattering them in each corner. Cook eggs on medium heat by stirring them occasionally. Serve once eggs are cooked and cheese is melted.