Best Brunch in Town!

Clinton Street Baking Company

storefront

Best Brunch in Town! I can’t believe I’ve lived in NYC for over 5 years
and I haven’t tried this amazing little spot on the Lower East Side yet.
Originally opened in 2001 as an artisanal baked goods spot by husband
and wife team Neil Kleinberg and DeDe Lahman, this popular brunch spot
has become a favorite among New Yorkers and famous for their blueberry
pancakes and delicious homemade comfort food menu.

Baked Goods

Their baked goods spread is impressive, including pies, muffins,
cookies and tarts and the atmosphere is busy and buzzing – a sure
sign of good food in New York City!

Interior

My friend and I visited yesterday and despite the long wait had
the best brunch we’ve had in a long time. I ordered the Crispy
Smoked Bacon and Potato Pancakes which were perfectly crisped
to a golden brown and served with a delicious side of homemade
apple sauce and a cinnamon sour cream that complemented the
tart apples and crunchy, golden pancakes.

Bacon

Potato Pancakes

My friend ordered the Banana Walnut pancakes which were
stacked to the ceiling, topped with sliced fresh bananas and
walnuts and served with a side of warm maple butter to top
the fluffy cakes off. So delicious!

Banana Walnut Pancakes

Their menu is well rounded with Breakfast, Sandwiches,
Soups, Salads, Burgers, Pizzas, Quesadillas, as well as a
variety of delicious Main Dishes such as Braised Short Ribs,
Grilled Chicken, Crab Cakes and Shrimp and Grits. They also
serve lunch and dinner (delivery and takeout!), their featured
dish on Wednesdays is Fried Chicken and Waffles! Gotta go
back for those!

cookbook

They recently released their own cookbook, and make
custom birthday cakes to boot! This place has a comfy
diner-like atmosphere in a hip location with comfort
food to die for. Definitely worth a trip next time you are
in the LES in New York City!

menu

4 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002  | 646.602.6263

http://www.clintonstreetbaking.com/

Spice up Your Night w/ Southern-Style Taco Soup

 

Southern Style Taco Soup

Southern-Style Taco Soup is something I discovered when I lived down South in Atlanta. My ex-boyfriend’s Mom (a great Southern cook from Alabama) made this for us everytime we came home to visit on a chilly winter night and it was completely delicious – similar to chili yet a warm flavorful soup with corn, black beans, kidney beans and green chilies and diced tomatoes.

The key is the taco seasoning and ranch salad dressing mix – it gives it tons of flavor and a super creamy consistency. Top it off with corn chips, sour cream, jalapeños, cilantro and grated sharp cheddar and you’ve got a hearty soup that eats like a meal. Delish!

Spice up Your Night w/ Southern-Style Taco Soup

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Yield: 10-12

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 cups diced Sweet Vidalia onion
  • 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can pinto beans
  • 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can black beans
  • 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can dark red kidney beans
  • 1 (15 1/4-ounce) can sweet white kernel baby corn, drained
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomatoes with chiles (Rotel)
  • 1 (4 1/2-ounce) can diced green chiles
  • Dash of Tabasco or hot pepper sauce (optional)
  • 1 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix
  • 1 (1-ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
  • Corn chips, for serving
  • Sour cream, for garnish
  • Grated sharp cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, for garnish
  • Sliced jalapenos, for garnish
  • 1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large stockpot.
  2. Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, hot sauce, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove. Alternatively you can cook the soup in a slow cooker on low for about 6 hours which really makes the flavors meld together.
  3. Serve with corn chips in the bowl and pour soup over the chips. Garnish each bowl with a dollop of sour cream, grated cheese, fresh cilantro and sliced jalapenos. 
https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2010/12/spice-up-your-night-with-some-southern-style-taco-soup/