Author Archives: Joe

Black Bean Cheddar Burgers (Yum!)

Yes these are as good as they look, and of course they are easy to make also. If you’ve ever wanted to make your own meatless burger this is a good one to try. And also, as usual, this recipe is simply a guide. Change the beans, seasonings, etc., to suite your person liking. AndContinue reading “Black Bean Cheddar Burgers (Yum!)”

A Few Things I Saw (and contemplated) While Riding My Bike Yesterday…

Yesterday was one of those days. And I don’t know why. It was one of those days where the sun was shining and it was beautiful out but still I felt shrouded in melancholy. It’s odd when this happens. Out of the blue. But it did and I don’t know why. I have everything IContinue reading “A Few Things I Saw (and contemplated) While Riding My Bike Yesterday…”

Five (or seven) Quotes from Nelson Mandela

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up toContinue reading “Five (or seven) Quotes from Nelson Mandela”

The Holstee Manifesto via Lifecycle…

You may have seen this before (the Holstee Manifesto), or at least variations of it. Well, this is another one, this time put to video with music and bikes. While I do find the manifesto really inspiring, parts of it are not that practical (how, for example, could a single working mom quit her jobContinue reading “The Holstee Manifesto via Lifecycle…”

Things That Can Be Carried on a Bike (#493)

Slightly more than $30 in groceries. A gym bag with wet clothes. A 16 pound bag of dog food. Urban Simplicity.

Farfalline with Asparagus, Tomatoes, Chicken Broth, Saffron, Garlic Confit, and Fontinella

This is a continuation of a previous post regarding garlic confit…here’s an example of a recipe in which I used it. I made this for staff lunch at work yesterday. At first glance this may look complicated but it is really very simple…and really delicious. Other than the chicken broth this recipe is meatless butContinue reading “Farfalline with Asparagus, Tomatoes, Chicken Broth, Saffron, Garlic Confit, and Fontinella”

Confit d’ail

The French name for this two-ingredient but flavor-packed recipe translates simply as preserved garlic, but what it is in the literal sense is garlic that has been slowly simmered in olive oil. And this has many great outcomes. The most obvious is that it removes the garlic’s sharpness (but I like that, too). It alsoContinue reading “Confit d’ail”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#492)

A cardboard box full of leftover hors d’oeuvres and dipping sauces on their way to a local food pantry. Urban Simplicity.

A Few Things I Saw While Riding My Bike Today

I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions on this blog that one of the (many) things I enjoy about using a bicycle for transportation is that you get to see things that you may not if in a car, or if you did see them you may not be inclined to stop. Anyhow, as often is theContinue reading “A Few Things I Saw While Riding My Bike Today”

Put some stuff on it! (or, Pizza: history in every bite)

Pizzas Pictured (from front to back): Za’atar and shanklish; Margherita; boursin cheese with smoked trout and smoked salmon; pesto and portobello mushroom (click the image for a larger view). One of the aspects of food that I have always found interesting—besides cooking and eating it—is its history. And to study food history is in aContinue reading “Put some stuff on it! (or, Pizza: history in every bite)”

The View from My Handlebars and Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#491)

It was such a beautiful day today and felt really good to be on a bike….not too hot, not too cold, sunny, and a slight breeze. Anyhow, here’s a few things I carried in my travels today: Three framed photos wrapped in cardboard and plastic, a camera bag with a camera, a book bag withContinue reading “The View from My Handlebars and Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#491)”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#490)

A dough rising bucket containing whole wheat dough. A canvas book bag contain a couple books, a journal, and an electronic reader. A nylon camera bag containing an extra camera and a spare lens. A stainless steel hand-crank citrus juicer. Urban Simplicity.

Crispy Baked Tofu Marinated in Yogurt and Spices

So I have to start off with what has become a sort of mantra for my recipes on this blog…this is really easy to make and super delicious. It is so delicious, in fact, a carnivore or someone who says they do not like tofu would like this (really). It’s probably pretty good for youContinue reading “Crispy Baked Tofu Marinated in Yogurt and Spices”

Stick This!

I’m not sure why but I felt like sharing (showing off) a couple new fender stickers (pictured above). They, plus the previously existing ones pictured below, are proudly displayed on my Torker; the Yuba remains stickerless. About a year ago I was at a local peace fair and purchased one of the below stickers andContinue reading “Stick This!”

Spiced Potato, Chickpea, and Asparagus Pancakes with Roast Red Pepper Coulis

Okay, so you’re probably looking at these pictures and recipes and thinking a few things. (1) This looks really delicious…they are. (2) They and their sauce look really difficult to make/use a lot of pans, etc. to prepare….these are really simple to make and require only a knife, skillet, bowl, and hand grater to prepare.Continue reading “Spiced Potato, Chickpea, and Asparagus Pancakes with Roast Red Pepper Coulis”

A City Bird, a Country Bird, a Sleeping Pig, and a few Other things I saw While Walking Recently…

These photos were taken over this past week either in the early morning hours while having coffee in Union Square Park or while on walks at Stony Point Retreat Center. Some of them are obvious of their location while others are not. I find nature in the heart of a city especially beautiful. Urban Simplicity.

Five Quotes from Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862 “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”“Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.” “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny mattersContinue reading “Five Quotes from Henry David Thoreau”

Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#488)

A nylon bag containing a camera and extra lens, a book bag containing a few books, and a cardboard box containing a few pints of spaghetti-and-meatballs. Urban Simplicity.