MISSING MY WINDOW

While staying warm indoors in New York. I've been thinking about the warmth of Sydney and the beautiful window in the apartment there. So here are a few snaps I thought I'd share.

Sending love from New York to all my Sydneysiders.

QUICK & EASY DINNERS PART 1

OK! So what was supposed to be a 10 day trip back to Sydney, was extended thanks to Sandy the superstorm. We're now back in NYC, with power and hot-water.

After 2 months alone in New York, it was time to have our first international guests! My Mr's cousins from Amsterdam. They are both at university and living out of home, and couldn't wait to spend the week in New York with their cousin and to finally taste my food, rather than just drooling over instagram pictures. (The meal that I prepared for them will be coming in the next few days.)

This recipe however, is for Mu, she's living with eight (yes that's eight) girls in Utrecht and was desperate for some quick, cheap and easy dinner ideas. Looking through my past dinners, I realised almost all of them were done post-work, & post grocery shop.

So without further blabbing - I give you my Sabich recipe. Well maybe a little more blabber, to give the origin. One theory is Sabich comes from the Arabic word "sabach", which means morning, as the ingredients are typical of a Middle Eastern breakfast. The other is that it's an acronym in Hebrew Salad (סלט), Egg (ביצה), More Eggplant (יותר חציל).

Whatever the origin - it's delish and a great option for dinner - not to mention HEALTHY!

Ingredients: (this amount will be perfect for 2-3 dinners and lunches)
1 pkt Lebanese bread (you can use either wholemeal or white)
6 x hard boiled eggs, cut in quarters
2 x eggplant, cut into chips (skin on)
2 tbs olive oil
1-2 tsp Moroccan spices (depending on how spicy you like it)
1 x quarter red cabbage, sliced
3 tbs white vinegar
1/2 tsp caster sugar
3 x pickles, halved
3 x tomatoes, sliced (you can use any that are in season)
2 x Lebanese cucumbers, thinly sliced
Hummus (one of my favourite brands is Yalla)
Flat leaf parsley to garnish
Harrisa, optional

Method:
To cook the eggplant:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 220 degrees, fan forced.
2. Place the eggplant on a line baking tray.
3. Drizzle the olive oil over the eggplant, it doesn't have to completely cover the slice, just a little will do.
4. Sprinkle over the spices & place in the oven for 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven and the size of the eggplant. Take them out when they are a little dark around the edges, but still a little soft in the middle. 

Cut up the veggies while the eggplant is in the oven. 

To cook the cabbage: 

1. Put the cabbage, vinegar and sugar in a medium size pot. 
2. Cook on a medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes. 
3. When the cabbage is slightly opaque it's ready. 

To construct a Sabich:

1. Place a slice of Lebanese bread on your plate.
2. Spread out a spoon (or two) full of hummus length-ways down the middle of the bread.
3. Add a teaspoon of Harrisa if you like an extra kick of spice.
4. Grab the grilled eggplant and place a 4 or 5 pieces, running length-ways on top of the hummus.
5. Repeat with the cabbage, pickles, tomatoes, cucumber, egg, & parlsey - you can use as much or little as you like, but remember it has to roll up. 
6. To ensure the wrap seals, add some extra hummus in the middle. 
7. Fold up the bottom & close in the two sides. 

HINT: the best way to keep it wrapped up, keep on eating and don't put it down :)

PRESENTATION: If you're having people over, serve up the ingredients in different bowls. People can help themselves to what they like.

Also, I have to thank my brother-in-law, who introduced us to the Sabich in Israel, was the perfect pre-flight snack.

SEX AND THE CITY MOMENT #4

While being a typical NYC tourist and checking out the Statue of Liberty - was the fourth Sex and the City moment! There on the Staten Island ferry, Charlotte proclaimed, "You hear that New York, I'm getting married this year!"

While I didn't make the same proclamation - I couldn't help but take a snap aboard the Staten Island ferry, as the ladies did in the episode "Where there's smoke!"

SEX AND THE CITY MOMENT #3

It's been almost 2 weeks in NYC, and I haven't even stepped foot in a museum. Out of the hundreds of museums, I hit MoMA first! But that's not what this post is about...post MoMA, a casual stroll down West 54th street, there in the wall, so subtle I almost missed it, the MECCA for Carrie Bradshaw lovers, and shoe lovers alike.

MANOLO BLAHNIK ... "hello lover!"

SEX AND THE CITY MOMENT #2

I know what you're thinking. Given my obsession with Sex and the City, why didn't I go straight from JFK to Perry St? Well the simple answer is jetlag. But it wasn't long before the steps at 72 Perry Street were calling.

Before I left Sydney, I had found a vacant apartment next door! How perfect...but it wasn't meant to be. So, like all other Sex and the City fans, I walked to the steps where Carrie so often frequented, and took a cheeky snap!

OH SO SWEET

When I arrived in NYC, I felt like a kid in a candy store. So faced with another day of exploring, I headed uptown, to FAO Schwarz. And just like that, I felt like a kid again. Before jumping on the big piano, I was distracted by FAO Schweetz - kid in a candy store!

Trying to keep my self in-check and not blow out in my first two weeks of NYC living. I decided to buy the most amazing looking sweets there were. And trust me the options are endless.

My favourite (yes I'm still Australian, the U is staying) of all, a GIANT box of nerds. It was like the big corn flakes box at the supermarket. But since it was bigger than my head, I thought it probably wasn't the best idea!

But I hope you enjoy some of these delights!

SEX AND THE CITY MOMENT #1

So in my bid to find SJP, other than finding a job, it's my number 1 goal for living in NYC. I've decided to document my Sex and the City moments.

The first, hubby took this snap. It was our second morning in NYC and when he saw me with my laptop on the bed, he said that was the best way to start my SATC New York adventure!