VittlesVamp

Beauty, Thy Name Is Porchetta

My friend Dori recently graduated from culinary school. I know it was a tremendous slog, alongside a full-time job and being a full-time Mom. That said, having the pleasure of eating at her home last night, I can say without hesitation that the slog was worth it -- at least for me and my tastebuds.

The star of the show (besides Dori herself) was a dark brown, caramel crackling, hunk of porky love in the form of a succulent Sara Jenkins-inspired Porchetta. Pictured above, it was truly a thing of majesty, providing heaps of porcine pleasure unabated.

The rest of the spread was mighty fine as well...Tiny Latkes topped with fig jam and duck confit...Crostini slathered with bone marrow butter, slivers of radish and a sprinkling of sea salt...Farro Salad glossed in brown butter, served with butternut squash, cauliflower and goat cheese...

The bar was dutifully stocked as well, and her Blood & Honey Punch -- featuring bourbon, honey, blood orange juice and more -- was downed right quick.

All in all, I'm a little concerned.

Still no kitchen and I already feel like I need to get my culinary game on. How else can I continue to claim the title VittlesVamp? Once that kitchen is done -- please let the countertops come tomorrow! -- I'll be grabbing my whisk and game on!

Dori best come hungry.

Must Keep Breathing Through My Kitchen Renovation

I don't live in a big apartment. So, when I decided to renovate my kitchen -- re-Vamp it, if you will -- I knew it'd be a bit chaotic. I just didn't realize that overhauling my kitchen meant dispersing its contents throughout my whole place.

At present, my dining table is brimming with pots, pans, strainers, silver and ramekins piled high. Groceries are plopped around the place in a variety of Bloomingdale's, Aerosoles and I Love NY bags. The coffee maker has claimed its own chair, as has my collection of cutting boards. Dishes, flatware and bowls are shoved into the armoire. Spices, bakeware, glasses, bowls aplenty and more are taking shelter in my clothes closet.

In other words: I'm hanging by a thread.

The work is coming along nicely. Scratch that -- beautifully. I know I don't want a slap-dash job, but right now my home is feeling rather slappy and dashy.

I should only have a week or so to go. I'm breathing deep. Trying to remain calm. But, from the trivets and salt and pepper shaker sitting on the window sill to the whisk, spatula and potato masher being kept on my nightstand, it's hard not to be worn down.

Wait! Never mind. That last one might end up being a good thing after all. And, my contractor is awfully cute...

Austrian Obsession

What's a nice Jewish girl doing in an Austro-German place like this?!? You'd think I'd be put off by anything with even a whiff of Aryan allure, but instead, I'm drawn in hook, line and schnitzel.

From Brooklyn's Prime Meats to Cafe Sabarsky, I delight in spaetzle and strudel.

Most recently, I paid call on Midtown's Seasonal Restaurant & Weinbar, a Michelin-starred hot spot that puts a contemporary spin on edelweiss classics.

Case in point: an appetizer of Makrele.

I was promised a tasting of smoked mackerel, cucumber, crème fraiche, trout roe, and dill. What I got was a dish that took me to Vienna by way of Tokyo. As seen above, it was a symphony for the eyes. I can also attest to the fact that it was a full-on concert for the palate too.

What's next on my lederhosen restaurant romp? A return trip to Brooklyn's Prime Meats.

C'mon? How's a girl supposed to resist Sürkrüt Garnie alongside a housemade pretzel, a righteous cocktail and Carroll Gardens hipsters?

Heil!

Cookbook Giveaway - "Quick-Fix Southern"

Don't those biscuits look good? Learn how to make 'em, along with other Southern staples like Three Cheese Grits, Lime Mint Juleps, Fried Green Tomatoes and Benne Seed Sugar Cookies, from a new cookbook destined to make your mouth water - "Quick-Fix Southern". The cookbook's author Rebecca Lang (who also happens to be a contributing editor for Southern Living magazine) promises homemade hospitality—Southern style—in 30 minutes or less.

Just comment below on your favorite Southern dish or send a Tweet with the hashtag #southernfix before end of day Sunday and you'll be in the running for a giveaway of this Dixie quick-fixie. The winner will be selected at random on Monday morning.

You know you want to get your Southern on!