Hot From The Kettle ®
This afternoon, the Knowles Family, who have operated the Highlawn Pavilion at Eagle Rock Reservation since 1984, held a celebratory lease signing and press conference with Essex County Executive, Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., and James Paganelli, Executive Director of the Essex County Improvement Authority, at Highlawn Pavilion.
We’ve all heard it more times than we can remember: Olive Oil is heart healthy and we should all consume more of it, but how many salads can we eat! 
In this class Hot From The Kettle's John Lee is going to release Olive Oil from being trapped in the salad bowl and show how this golden liquid can be used for baking, cooking, and poaching both sweet and savory dishes.
I'm not really into sports, but I've been told that Superbowl Sunday takes place this coming weekend. I recently read that about 53 million pounds of avocados are consumed on this one particular Sunday annually. While I'm not really a fan of football, I am a big fan of avocados. In this recipe, I've altered everyone's favorite guacamole dip but crossing it with salsa verde and coming up with a salsa-guacamole hybrid. Despite the two jalapenos, this salsa-mole doesn’t have much heat to it, so if you like things spicy, add more of them, or use something hotter, like habanero peppers. This recipe makes a lot of dip, so there will be plenty for all of your friends at your Superbowl Party this Sunday.
Over the weekend Veggieguy and I were talking about how we wished there was a place we could have simple no-fuss vegan sandwiches for lunch. Cinanci on Church Street used to be our favorite lunch spot, but sadly it closed its doors a while ago. I suddenly remembered that a few people had recommended Red Eye Café to me, so we decided to give it a try. I know, I know… Red Eye Café opened last May, how has it taken me this long to try it? I really have no excuse.
The Thai Elephant Food Truck, often seen at lunchtime at Montclair High School, and evenings at either the Walnut Street Train Station, or, in front of Olive That and More, played an important role in Sandy Relief starting while the power was still out. But, they are continuing their good work, and will reward their customers for being a part of this effort.
Right after the storm the truck made its way to Jersey City and, casting aside its usual menu, served up free coffee and hot cocoa to residents who were without power. At times the glow of the Thai Elepant truck was the only light in a neighborhood. (They even became a mobile charging station for phones.)
Shortly thereafter, the team on the truck started making runs to the shore areas that were most gravely affected by the storm briging and serving donated food. While most of us have gotten our lives back in order here in the suburbs, the folks on the Aroy-D truck know just how bad things are for people in the affected areas, and they continue to make runs to the shore feedin
g people, and at times lending a hand in the rebuilding and recovery efforts.
Between shore runs, the truck plied the streets of Montclair offering their usual menu of great Thai food. I've known about the shore runs and have sought out the truck to support their business as they do so much to support
new friends they are just meeting for the first time. I'd love to say get the drunken noodles, but then I'd forget the Pad Thai, and if I mentioned the Masaman Curry I might forget the Tom Kha soup. They are all brilliant, and picking out a favorite is challenging, so go several times, try everything, and leave a comment below about what you loved most.
On January 27th, the Elephant will be goi
ng back down the shore to provide food AND needed supplies to the workers rebuilding the shore. Until that time, Elefans (fans of the Thai Elephant) can bring supplies to the truck any day and get $2 off your order in exchange for your much needed donation.
Where will the truck be today? Follow them on twitter to find out https://twitter.com/Aroy_D or call at (201) 474-5432 to find out and place an order for pick up.
I like superlatives; the freshest produce, the creamiest burrata, the frothiest cappuccino, the best restaurants! Maritime Parc, the yacht-like gem nestled in Liberty State Park, is absolutely fit for superlatives – the problem is picking just one!
On a recent cold, clear night, Mr. Hot and I ventured to Jersey City to join a few friends at a press dinner at 
Chef and owner, Chris SiversenMaritime Parc. In a steely, open kitchen, perched above Liberty Landing Marina, Manhattan's pulse rippled across the Hudson, as chef and owner, Chris Siversen, created an evening of undeniable cuisine.
Over cocktails, we compulsively picked at a refreshing, colorful plate of pickled pearl onions, zucchini and feta. Balthazar bread, always pleasing to any carboholic, was served alongside sea salt and sweet cream butter.