Recipes

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Birthday Benedict

My Birthday was on a Sunday this year, and that made me immediately think of one thing…Sunday Brunch.

For some crazy unknown reason I haven't been out for delicious brunch food in far too long! The horror! So that is what I decided I wanted to do.

I’ve read great things about Eastern Standard’s Brunch, especially their eggs Benedict! Done.

I was also very much looking forward to trying my first bloody mary! Yes that’s right…my first one. I just never thought I’d like them…spicy, vodka, tomato juice!?? As a drink!? I love tomatoes but just couldn’t wrap my head around this drink.

That is until I tasted a sip of one this summer. Aside from leaving my lips burning for an hour after said sip, I LOVED IT! It’s like drinking delicious gazpacho! Plus you can barely taste the alcohol (I’m not a fan of strong drinks).

I was a tad worried this would be too spicy for me, but it was juuuuust right.

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This one tasted like cocktail sauce, but in a good way. Still seems weird to drink cocktail sauce, but it works….and the olives and celery just made it that much more fun. Now I just need to try more…who has the best in the city??

I also had a cappuccino (good, but honestly I make better foam)

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and a sip of my friend’s mimosa

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You already know what I ordered, so let’s check out some of my friend’s selections first…

Quiche with leeks and truffles…SO GOOD!! Luckily my friends and I are good sharers ;)

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Smoked Brisket Hash with Roasted Red Peppers and Poached Egg…I didn’t try this one but it looks delicious right?

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THREE of my friends ordered the French Toast, that’s gotta say something right there…esp when two are pregnant! (check out the cute pregger bellies!!)

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Brioche French Toast with Autumn Apples Bacon and Maple Syrup

AMAZING. Of Course I had a bite.

Somehow I missed a picture of Brian’s meal, but he had the House Smoked Salmon with a Toasted Bagel, Cream Cheese, Red Onion, and Capers! A classic, and always a great choice…he could of used more capers though. We looooove capers!

Finally, the piece de resistance!

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Eggs Benedict: Biscuit, Hollandaise, Ham, Spinach. Although I do have a confession, I have not worked up to runny yolks yet. I’m just not a fan…they look delicious, and I don’t mind them and I WANT to like them! I think I need to try some other peoples first :) Anyways so I got them with scrambled egg whites. Still fluffy and eggy, but no runny yolk.

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To die for… seriously, this is THE BEST eggs Benedict I’ve ever had! Even edges out my favorite from growing up, a small cafe near my hometown that uses sweet Portuguese muffins.

The biscuit really made it…tender and flavorful and the hollandaise tasted divine; just the right amount of lemon. IMG_6115

So happy my friends could come enjoy a delicious brunch with me…but really who can resist a brunch invite ;)
Eastern Standard on Urbanspoon

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And what would be a birthday without cake…

Thanks Mom! I received an offer for a cake of my choice, and my choice was a classic homemade chocolate cake with my very favorite vanilla butter cream

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This is a very simply classic butter cream: butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla, and milk…perfect every time, and I’d take it any day over a fancy Italian, Swiss, or any other butter cream!

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And yes I added a few candles so I could blow them out…what?

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Mmmmm cake! I had to take some to work so I didn’t have 3/4 of a 9”x13” cake sitting on my counter, but don’t worry I saved some.

Thanks for the Birthday wishes, you guys are awesome!