The Smorgasburg

 

Recently I've been on the prowl for new and exciting things to do around New York City. Summer in the city is an exciting time with tons of free concerts, art exhibits, and street fairs. So  this weekend my boyfriend and I decided to check out The Smorgasburg.

The Smorgasburg is a weekly food market held in Brooklyn every Saturday and Sunday in the summer.An easy subway ride down took us straight to Dumbo, right on the water. The food market is right by a beautiful park with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Hudson River. It's a beautiful place to grab a bite and walk/bike around enjoying the views.

The market offers a large variety of food ranging from homemade sodas to lobster rolls to gourmet grilled cheeses. (I personally recommend the three cheese grilled cheese with apple chutney and the truffle popcorn!)

For any food lovers or anyone just looking for something different and fun to do in New York, check out the Smorgasburg!

The Taste-Tester : Chobani Restaurant

I've decided to add a new section to my blog titled "The Taste-Tester" where I'll post about any special eats and treats I've discovered and where to find these delicious creations.

I first heard about the Chobani restaurant from a few friends of mine and was so surprised and excited to hear there was a restaurant centered around Chobani yogurt and fresh ingredients. I was fortunate to discover that this haven for yogurt and health lovers alike was a short walk away from my office in the heart of SoHo.

Chobani's yogurt bar is an inviting atmosphere with original yogurt bowl flavors such as pistachio and dark chocolate or peanut butter and jelly. I tried the Blueberry Power which is a mixture of Chobani plain yogurt, fresh blueberries, walnuts, chia seeds, and agave nectar. It was delicous and the perfect light lunch. Also the yogurt is served in a Chobani-labeled glass bowl which makes for a nice souvenir after your meal. If yogurt and fresh ingredients are your thing, I highly recommend it!

The Chobani restaurant is located on 150 Prince St, New York, NY

Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt

I am a sucker for cookie dough. It is impossible for me to resist licking a spoon (or three) while baking cookies. Honestly, I prefer cookie dough to the finished product. This is why I love my cookie dough greek yogurt. It tastes like dessert but is actually a healthy meal for only 200 calories!

You'll need:
1 container of fat free greek yogurt
1 teaspoon of reduced fat peanut butter
1 packet of sweetner (I prefer truvia)
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
1 teaspoon mini chocolate chips

Mix all your ingredients together and enjoy a great tasting "dessert" that won't leave you feeling guility.

Low-Carb Zucchini Lasagna

So after my previous experimentation with Spaghetti Squash (see my Spaghetti Squash recipe here) I was ready to try another attempt at replacing pasta with vegetables. For me, the combination of carbs, tomato sauce, and cheese can do no wrong. There's something comforting and home-y about the beloved combination. Lasagna fits this category perfectly but it is a dish I usually stay away from due to its high calorie content. Therefore when my friends and I decided to cook our annual "Pinterest Dinner" I jumped at the chance to make zucchini lasagna.

This zucchini lasagna is completely pasta-free. The trick is to subsititue your pasta sheets with thinly sliced layers of zucchini. This lasanga is also vegetarian, but feel free to add ground beef or turkey if you prefer.

Ingredients:
1 jar of tomato sauce
3 medium zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
15 oz fat free ricotta
16 oz low fat mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmegiano Reggiano
1 large egg
1 cup of broccoli
2 cups of spinach

How to:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Using a mandelin, thinly slice your zucchini so that they look like wide, thin noodles. Mix together your cheese, egg, brocoli, and spinach. In a 9x12 pirex dish layer your sheets of zucchini, tomato sauce, and cheese mixture until the pirex is filled.

 

 

Once fully layered, cook the lasagna covered for 30 minutes, then contine to cook it uncovered for about 15 more minutes. The result should be a delicious, healthy lasagna that can satisfy even the worst cravings for comfort food!