The Butterfly NYC

OK, I've been horrible about posting. Unlike pro-blogger Jen, I get too caught up in everything else. So it's fair to say something has to push me over the top in order to suddenly decide to post something.

This cute little place came up in a random search and I'm hooked - partly because the name of the place is my nickname for her, but mostly because the food shots literally made me salivate.  I mean – Coca-cola ice cream? Squash blossoms with mozzarella? I'm in!

Butterfly Patty Melt – diner food at it's highest

Needs no introduction

All kinds of appetizers

Does it even matter? Yum!

Coco-cola ice cream with caramel corn and cherries. Done.

The Butterfly

225 West Broadway

New York City 10013

646-692-4943

thebutterflynyc.com/

@TheButterflyNYC

Homemade Hash

I like comfort food. Who doesn't? Like everyone, I have my favorites, and near the top of that list (right next to potstickers and bacon) is corned beef hash. More specifically, homemade corned beef hash.

Hash is just so incredibly easy to make and doesn't require a lot of effort - if you've ever done it, you know that it takes more patience than anything else. However, there's a few shortcuts you can take if you're like me and you want it faster.

Traditionally, you've got to have an egg with it. I still preferred a good fried egg but lately, soft-boiled eggs are making a comeback. And here I've tossed some fresh chives and tomatoes to offset the richness from the egg and oils. Good eats!

Homemade Hash

Ingredients:
1 part any fatty deli-style beef - roast beef, brisket, corned beef
1 part potato (use russet or Yukon)
3 Tbs vegetable oil

The reason for a fatty beef is that it will crisp up much nicer than lean cuts. The meat can be already cooked but for a change of pace, try using uncooked meats (take care with some cuts that have a high water content such as stewing beef - they won't cook the same way). If it is already cooked, put it in late in the process.

Bake the potato for 4 minutes in a microwave (not completely).  While "baking," rough cut the beef into small pieces - no larger than 3/8" cubes.  Holding the potato in a towel, peel the skin off the potato and then chop similarly.

Heat the oil in a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. When hot, put the meat and potatoes in and fry until browned on one side, then toss and continue until there is a nice crispness on most of the ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.

Personally I love hash doused in ketchup, but that's a personal preference.


Images by MadeForJen

Grilled Egg and Cheese

I love grilled cheese. I mean, I really love grilled cheese. Something so wonderful about the buttery, caramelized bread filled with oozing velvety cheese stretching and pouring from inside. Brings back memories of childhood and everything in between.

This is a little spin on the basic grilled cheese because, well, I love eggs too. This is a great sandwich when you need breakfast on the run, or just sitting down for a little TV time with comfort food.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 slices bread
Cheese - here I used both mozzarella (in the eggs) and white cheddar (in the bread)
Chopped parsley
1 Tb butter
Olive oil

Blend 1 egg with some of the chopped cheese and parsley in a bowl. Drizzle a bit of olive oil into a skillet over medium heat. Once hot (just beginning to smoke), pour the egg mix into the pan. Fry like an omelette, not scrambled (cook until brown on one side, lifting the edge and allowing the wet mix to slide under every so often, then turn over entirely). Remove from heat and set aside.

Drop half of the butter into a skillet (cast iron preferably) over medium heat and melt.  Place one slice of bread, cheese slices to cover, then add the egg on top, more cheese slices, and the other slice of bread. At this point leave it alone.  Let the bread become caramelized on the one side. Once ready, lift the sandwich with a spatula, put the rest of the butter in the pan, and flip over the sandwich onto the butter and caramelize.

Perfect by itself but even better with a cup of cappuccino!

Image by MadeForJen