Guest Post: Post-Workout Veggie Burgers

I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing bloggers through Taste As You Go, some in person and some virtually via Google Reader and Twitter. In an attempt to introduce my readers to some bloggers they may not know about and to highlight the writing skills of some incredibly talented people, I will be featuring Guest Posts on Taste As You Go from time to time.

New York City is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to welcome the participants of the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, so it is fitting that today's Guest Post was written by Ashley Hicks, one of my fabulous Twitter friends and one of my virtual running coaches. Ashley has been offering invaluable support and running tips as I prepare to run the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November. Seriously, I don't think I'd still be dragging my butt out of bed to train if it weren't for her. When you're finished reading Ashley's Guest Post, you should check out her blog, Black Girls Run. Thanks for writing, Ashley!

Ginger Sweet Potato Muffins

Confession time.

When I sat down to write out a new recipe for autumn-inspired muffins, I did not have Ginger Sweet Potato Muffins in mind. I originally envisioned pulling a batch of freshly baked Pumpkin Maple Muffins out of my oven but was foiled by the lack of proper ingredients in my neighborhood grocery store. I was dumbfounded when I went to purchase a can of pumpkin puree and could only find cans of pre-seasoned pumpkin pie filling. Sure, I could have purchased an actual pumpkin and roasted it and pureed it at home, but I was testing a new recipe and didn't want to invest that kind of effort (or money) in something that had the potential to end badly. (You never can tell when you're working with a new recipe.)

The VIP Ocean Spray Party with Tyler Florence and Duff Goldman

My invitation to Ocean Spray's "Bogs Across America" event at Rockefeller Center not only included the opportunity to meet and interview Duff Goldman from the Food Network's Ace of Cakes, but it also included the opportunity to attend the VIP Party later that evening, where Tyler Florence was scheduled to present the awards to the Grand Prize winners of the 2009 Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest. We all gathered at the Loft & Garden of Rockefeller Center, taking in the breathtaking view and sipping on drinks before heading in to taste samples of the finalists' recipes and to hear the announcement of the winners.

Guest Post: Healthiest Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner Ever

I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing bloggers through Taste As You Go, some in person and some virtually via Google Reader and Twitter. In an attempt to introduce my readers to some bloggers they may not know about and to highlight the writing skills of some incredibly talented people, I will be featuring Guest Posts on Taste As You Go from time to time.

Today's Guest Post was written by Melissa Schenker, one of my newest friends on Twitter. Melissa knows how important nutrition is to me lately, especially since I've been training for the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November, and has been giving me advice and support in response to my tweets about my running. When you're finished reading Melissa's Guest Post, you should check out her blog, Nutrition By The Numbers. Thanks for writing, Melissa!

"Bogs Across America" with Ocean Spray and Ace of Cakes's Duff Goldman

A couple of weeks ago, Ocean Spray kicked off it's 2009 "Bogs Across America" tour in Rockefeller Center in New York City with their "Big Apple Bog," a 1,500-square-foot free-standing cranberry bog that was constructed and filled with more than 2,000 pounds of cranberries. Under normal circumstances, an event centered around cranberries would be an event I'd skip due to my odd cranberry allergy. However, thanks to my awesome friend Grace, I was offered the opportunity to interview Duff Goldman from the Food Network's Ace of Cakes, who had created the cake for the celebration of Ocean Spray's 80th anniversary. Of course, I agreed to the interview (who wouldn't??) and made my way over to Rockefeller Center.

Downtown Eats Food Tour in Lower Manhattan

My friend Candice and I got the inspiration for our third "let's explore a neighborhood in New York" adventure during a discussion we were having with one of our sorority sisters, Michelle, at our Book Club meeting back in September. Michelle, knowing I was a food blogger and always on the lookout for affordable things to do in the city, suggested that we sign up for a Downtown Eats Food Tour sponsored by the Downtown Alliance. For $25 ($26.62, including service fee), you're guided on a culinary tour through Lower Manhattan that also includes a little bit of history about the stops along the way and about the neighborhood itself. Candice and I signed up for a tour right away. [Note: The tickets prices for these tours has increased since I went. I originally paid $20 for my ticket ($21.49, including service fee).]

Guest Post: Chocolate Zucchini Cake from Chef Renee

I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing bloggers through Taste As You Go, some in person and some virtually via Google Reader and Twitter. In an attempt to introduce my readers to some bloggers they may not know about and to highlight the writing skills of some incredibly talented people, I will be featuring Guest Posts on Taste As You Go from time to time.

Today's Guest Post was written by Renee Fontes, a chef and caterer in The OC and one of my favorite friends to tweet with on Twitter. Even though Renee and I have never met in person and live on opposite sides of the country, she has been amazingly supportive as I try to fumble my way through life as an unemployed twenty-something in New York City. When you're finished reading Renee's Guest Post, you should check out her blog, Fresh Ideas.... Thanks for writing, Renee!

Scharffen Berger Chocolate and a Cooking Class with Chef Elizabeth Falkner

(Photo courtesy of RF Binder)

I was invited to attend a very special cooking class at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) a couple of weeks ago to help kick-off the 3rd Annual Chocolate Adventure Contest, sponsored by Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker and TuttiFoodie. Not only was I given the chance to spend an evening cooking with and dining on dishes that incorporated chocolate as one of the ingredients, but I was also given the chance to take a class led by Chef Elizabeth Falkner from Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Growing up, my family did not enjoy much variety in the dinner department. We had certain dishes on regular rotation - tuna casserole, beef stew and rice, baked chicken and broccoli casserole. If at least one of the ingredients didn't say "Campbell's" on the can, chances are, we weren't eating it. Cooking just wasn't my mother's thing.

My Quirky Queens Kitchen

When I started the process of looking for an apartment in New York over a year ago, I had it all planned out. I'd shoulder the expense of having a broker do the work for me since, at the time, I lived in Connecticut and wouldn't really be available to hoof around the city on my own. (I was also operating on a very short timetable.) I'd look at at least three apartments to get a better sense of the type of space I could get on my budget. And I wouldn't take the first apartment I saw without seeing another apartment for the sake of comparison.

Guest Post: Comfort Foods from the Runner's Kitchen

I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing bloggers through Taste As You Go, some in person and some virtually via Google Reader and Twitter. In an attempt to introduce my readers to some bloggers they may not know about and to highlight the writing skills of some incredibly talented people, I will be featuring Guest Posts on Taste As You Go from time to time.

Today's Guest Post was written by a fellow Foodbuzz Featured Publisher and fellow runner, Megan Kretz. I first "met" Megan after discovering that she tried my Montana Whoppers recipe. Then, by complete coincidence, we met in person last night at an event for Ocean Spray (post to follow, at some point...)! Megan is a fantastic girl and I can't wait to get to know her more through her blog and, hopefully, at more food events throughout the city. When you're finished reading Megan's Guest Post, you should check out her blog, The Runner's Kitchen. Thanks for writing, Megan!

Hog Wild for Pig Candy

When my friend Candice and I got together for our second adventure around New York City, we decided to explore the Lower East Side, Chinatown, and Little Italy. It was, after all, the final weekend of the Feast of San Gennaro and we wanted to take in the scene on Mulberry before the celebration ended. That, and the idea of enjoying a cannoli sounded like a fabulous one when we were finalizing the details of our afternoon.

Apple Oatmeal Muffins

There's no doubt about it -- fall is definitely here in New York City. The air is crisper. The temperatures are cooler. And every day, I have to fight off the temptation to pull on my favorite (and most pitiful-looking) sweater and go for long, slow rambles through Central Park. It's right around this time of year that I proclaim that fall is my favorite season - the vibrant colors of the leaves beginning to turn and the promise of satisfyingly warm comfort foods like beef stew and chili and, as we approach Thanksgiving, chestnut stuffing (my absolute favorite) and apple and pumpkin pies. The New Englander in me begins to ache -- I love the fall.