VittlesVamp

Book Giveaway - The Kitchen Daughter

Every once in a while I like to move my kitchen -- move it to my bedside nightstand. Happily, I was able to do just that, reading "The Kitchen Daughter," a debut novel from author Jael McHenry. The book opens the door to a world that includes family secrets, ghosts brought to life through recipes and a love of cooking that leads to one woman's journey of self-discovery.

All in all, it's a very satisfying read with recipes served in each chapter as a bonus side dish.

One giveaway copy is up for grabs! Just post the the name of your favorite hand-me-down recipe from family or friends in comments below or Tweet it out with the hashtag #KDgiveaway and you'll be entered to win. The winner will be selected at random via Random.org on Monday at 5:00pm Eastern.

Ikea, Stieg Larsson & Now Sockerbit

It felt only right to post something Easter-themed after yesterday's Passover post. But, not being one to actually celebrate this springtime holiday, I decided to forgo the requisite bunnies, chicks, peeps and Easter baskets. Instead, I turned my attention to candy, pure and simple.

Pure and simple...and Swedish.

Visiting the West Village's new home to sugary Swedish delights -- Sockerbit -- I couldn't help but want to get my gummy gluttony on. It took a lot of will power, but I left with nothing except this snapshot of Scandinavian sweets gone wild.

Quite a mouthwatering display, ain't it?

Anyone want to quickly invite me to an Easter party, so I have a legitimate excuse to high-tail it back to Sockerbit to buy a basketful?

The Chosen Mint

Figured that it was time for the obligatory Passover post.

Over the years, I've reported about the glories of my Matzoh Ball Soup, the Pesach Tam-Tam crisis and the 2010 Chinese takeout seder. This year, I went back to a traditional "let my people go" fete, complete with Roast Chicken, Caramelized Carrots & Fennel, Matzoh Polenta with Wild Mushrooms and a screening of "The Ten Commandments." So, nothing really new on the Passover front to report from my kitchen.

Luckily, a PR pitch landed in my in-box at just the right moment. It was a pitch about a breakthrough in the kosher confectionery market.

Kosher Candied Bacon!?! Nope.

It was the introduction of Rabbi Mints, created in part with the talmudic guidance of Rabbi Adam Mintz. (Mints. Mintz. Get it?!?) I couldn't resist. Besides, these breath-freshening lovelies are also a mitzvah, with a portion of all mint sales going to the American Jewish World Service, an agency that supports refugees in Darfur.

Good friends at my table, bowls of Matzoh Ball Soup, a platter of delicious Roast Chicken, Yul Bryner in his prime, fresh breath and money donated to charity?

Can't really ask for more at a seder in Brooklyn. No need to wish for "next year in Jerusalem!" Next year on Joralemon will do me just fine!

Back To The City Of Brotherly Love

Mama Vamp has been in need for the past month. So, dutiful daughter that I am, I packed my bag and headed down to Philadelphia.

As Mama Vamp prepared for another foray into the hospital and physical therapy, she insisted on a stop at Koo Zee Doo, Philly's lauded Portugese BYOB in Northern Liberties. There, we tucked into Moelas. Sounds enchanting, huh? Moelas...

It's Portugese for braised chicken gizzards.

Your stomach may be turning at that description, but let me tell you this: one bite into these deeply satisfying, rich nuggets of tenderness and you'll be a convert. Hallelujah!

We followed up our bowl o' gizzards with Arroz de Pato. Pictured above, this was a steaming pan of delicate rice tossed with slivers of juicy confit and topped with slices of perfectly roasted, skin-crackling duck.

Mama Vamp was mighty satisfied. Thank goodness. It would have to hold her for a while. I was pretty sure that her hospital tray wouldn't sport a plate of gizzards next to the Saltines.

Been back and forth over the past four weeks. Happily, Mama Vamp is on the road to recovery and I can breathe a sigh of heavy relief. I've stopped for a few cups of coffee along the way. I've even grabbed a meal or two with Philly friends. Still, I look forward to Mama Vamp's return to full-throttle.

Time we got her on a train up to New York City for some Big Apple eats, not to mention an in-person tour of my new kitchen.