I’m back home in Toronto after a thrilling week in New York City spent exploring this great city, meeting new friends and eating and drinking up all along the way. The opportunity to stay in New York City (affordably) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I savoured each of my days in the Big Apple.
A few weeks ago while I was on Twitter and reading my friends’ updates, did I perk up and read of an offer to stay in New York with the mere caveat of tending to someone’s dog in their absence.
Personal Chef Mark Tafoya of the Remarkable Palate was the fellow who extended his generosity to me by offering up his home for the week and allowing me to explore New York in 
leisurely seven days.
The only “catch” was that I had to watch his doggy, Stiva during his absence. Mark was also the bearer of good fortune by receiving an invite to attend a food blogging forum in Indonesia. This arrangement proved to be a “win-win” for both Mark and myself.
I would like to thank Mark for his immense generosity and for giving me the week in New York that filled me with fond memories of the city, meeting new friends and enjoying some great food and drink during my stay.
Of the course of the next few days, I’m going to share with you my experiences and cooking inspiration triggered by my glorious trip to New York – enjoy!
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I arrived in New York City on an overcast afternoon that was unseasonally mild and rainy. After settling in to the apartment, I bought some groceries, plotted my week ahead in New York and set out immediately on Friday night to explore the city.
First stop? Times Square. This “crossroads of America” still thrills me with all the lights, the many people who come here from all around the world and the sheer energy of it all.
Although New York City and Times Square are safer than ever, I got this 
sense of “Disney New York”, what with the big-name stores all around and the presence of families and children all around.
I felt a little like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and her famous line, “this don’t look like Kansas, Toto”!
Traveling through New York is best done by subway…it’s cheap, it’s serviced well by a vast train and bus infrastructure and once is always entertained….take a look at the breakdancing!
Friday night was pretty mellow and it was more about getting my bearings straight, learning the subway system and resting up for a busy week ahead. I’ll be writing about each of my days in New York in the coming days and more photos will be uploaded in my Facebook profile.
If you’re a Facebook member, look for me and view all my photos of New York along the way (there’s a Facebook link on the right column of my blog) and if you’re not…what are you waiting for?
In the meantime, sit back and let me make you a Greek coffee. For those not in the know, a Greek coffee is brewed in a small briki which is filled with a demi-tasse measurement of water, finely ground roasted coffee and sugar to taste is added to the mix.
The coffee is then brewed on the stovetop (over a watchful eye) and as soon as the coffee is a bout to come to a boil, the briki is quickly removed and the coffee is poured into the demi-tasse cup.
One accompaniment with a Greek coffee is a paximadi and the other favourite of mine are Koulourakia.
Koulourakia are a twisted butter cookie which are easy to make, not expensive, last long in storage and yes…wonderful for dunking in coffee.
There are many small variances to the Koulourakia recipe but this is our family’s and naturally, my favourite.
Get a pen and paper and jot down these easy instructions on how to make Greek Koulourakia…
Koulourakia (κουλουÏάκια)
1/4 cup unsalted butter 
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening (Crisco)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1/2 cup warm milk
1/2 shot of Ouzo
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups of flour
eggwash
sesame seeds
Pre-heated 350F oven
- Add the butter, shortening and sugar in a bowl and cream together with your hand mixer. Now slowly add the oil and continue to cream.
- Add eggs one at a time and continue mixing. Now add the milk and Ouzo and again mix until incorporated.
- Sift your dry ingredients and add the dry to wet ingredients (use your hands to incorporate the mixture). Your dough should be very soft.
- Form the twists but pinching a piece of dough about the size of a walnut. Now roll out with your hand and then fold in half and twist into form. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat until all the dough has been formed into Koulourakia.
- Whisk an egg with some milk and brush the cookies with eggwash and sprinkle each cookie with some sesame seeds.
- Bake in a pre-heated 350F oven (middle rack) for about 10-15 minutes or until golden. Carefully remove the cookies from the baking trays and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks.
Looks like you had a wonderful trip to NY. Wish i could do that.
Glad you’re back…look forward to hearing about your adventures in the coming days…over many coffees and “koulouria”.
It looks like you had a great time in NY! Those Koulouria looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
It looks like you had a great time in NY! Those Koulouria looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
It looks like you had a great time in NY! Those Koulouria looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
It looks like you had a great time in NY! Those Koulouria looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
It looks like you had a great time in NY! Those Koulouria looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
It looks like you had a great time in NY! Those Koulouria looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
It looks like you had a great time in NY! Those Koulouria looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
Nice to have you home! I’m really looking forward to these posts.
Can’t wait to read all about it!
Welcome Welcome!I can’t believe how you managed to pass another Greek recipe even after your NY trip! Sounds like you had loads of fun. I can’t wait to hear more of your stories.
I’m so looking forward to this series – I’m from NYC and am in the process of moving my mom to Michigan, in fact we missed each other by days, Peter, but now I spend pretty much all my time there in my mom’s apt., and reading about all the wonderful things is well… wonderful! I’m so glad you had this opportunity!
Welcome home! Looking forward to your tales of the big apple :)
Salut Peter – I want koulourà kia for my breakfast – if it has ouzo in it, it’s good for my cold, right?
Love the pic with Stiva, can’t decide who looks the looniest.
Hi Peter.
Great photos, and enjoyed meeting you last week in NYC.
Hope to see you in Toronto!
Stacey
You were missed! I’m looking forward to the rest of your posts. Don’t you just love those subway performers?! That’s so NY!
I would have jumped at the chance to stay in NY for free too, Peter. Looking forward to hearing more about it!
Hola Chico!!!!! YOur N.Y. experience sounds fantastic… can’t wait to hear more stories :D. YOur particular Toto looks so cute and a bit scared in that picture… what where you whispering at its ear?
I’m also back from Budapest and posted a bit about it but tomorrow and following days there will be more ;D. Please save some koulouria for me and a warm coffee :D
Hey you… isn’t NY the absolute best place in the world!! Glad you had a great (free of board charge) visit!
Glad you had a great time & how wonderful to be able to stay in NYC so cheaply. I'm about to have breakfast but certainly nothing as yummy as those look
Cookies with a shot of ouzo?? my kinda cookies :)
And New York – lucky you! It's one of my favourite cities & I can't wait to hear all about your trip.
Good Morning and welcome back Peter! Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your adventures there. I hope you post alot here, because I wouldn’t begin to know what to do on facebook!! I’m excited to hear about your lunch with those fantastic NY bloggers!!
Very cool looking trip my friend! How fun for you and a dog for a companion to boot!
I can’t wait to see more of NYC through your eyes (er tummy lol!)
Hi Peter,
Welcome back! Can’t wait to hear of your New York escapades! Thanks for the cookie recipe, consider it “jotted down.”
I love times square. Isn’t the overall energy there amazing? I remember being there one night at like 1am (and I like to go to bed at 9pm) and I felt so awake and alive even though it was 89 degrees at 1am. Insane. Glad you had fun, and you were oh so lucky to have a friend like that.
Welcome back darling. I know you hada blast in NYC. What a great opportunity. I will check out your Facebook page later.
Glad you’re back Peter!!
I’m so looking forward to hearing about your trip – it sounds like you had such a great time. I love the pictures on Facebook!
I also love those little butter cookie things too!
Ps: No I am not going to attempt to spell their correct name LOL
Ο.Κ, I would like a greek coffee (metrio) and one of your koulourakia and then tell me everything about your trip;-)
A trip to NYC and the price is dog-sitting? Cool. Doesn’t everyone like chillin’ with a dog at the end of the day? My daughter laughs about the Univ. of Wyoming breakdancing club, which consists of 3 skinny white guys; I should try to remember to show her your picture.
Glad you’re back; looking forward to more pictures and tales!
Wow, that’s a pretty good deal on the accommodations! =)
It looks like you had a great time in N.Y. Glad to see you back. I read about your trip at Jiff’s blog. There’s an Award for you on my blog.
What a wonderful chance you had to live like a New Yorker. Glad to know you had a good time. That picture of you and the dog??? A little scary — I never pictured you as a skull and crossbones kind of guy!!!
I’m glad you had a safe trip home, but we miss you in NY. Come back soon.
Nice picture of you and Stiva! He tells me he misses you already!
what a great way to enjoy a NY holiday, in the home of a New Yorker, even if it meant looking after rambo!
your koulourakia look delicious
Lucky you! I can’t wait to see all your New York posts! And since, I finally found some ouzo, I’ll have to try these cookies.
Welcome home Peter.
I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to spend a morning. Sipping on coffee and nibbling on these savory treats.
How much sugar goes into this recipe? Thanks… they look great!
welcome back–that coffee looks super luscious. hopefully, some of the new york picts will be here too as I don’t do facebook.
welcome back–that coffee looks super luscious. hopefully, some of the new york picts will be here too as I don’t do facebook.
welcome back–that coffee looks super luscious. hopefully, some of the new york picts will be here too as I don’t do facebook.
welcome back–that coffee looks super luscious. hopefully, some of the new york picts will be here too as I don’t do facebook.
welcome back–that coffee looks super luscious. hopefully, some of the new york picts will be here too as I don’t do facebook.
welcome back–that coffee looks super luscious. hopefully, some of the new york picts will be here too as I don’t do facebook.
welcome back–that coffee looks super luscious. hopefully, some of the new york picts will be here too as I don’t do facebook.
Thanks for the recipe… they look delicious!
I avoid times square like the plague! :)
It was great seeing you in the city and I only wish I’d had a chance to head out for drinks with you one evening. Btw, couldn’t seem to find you on facebook (that facebook widget seems to link just to your blog homepage)
I really missed NYC and hope I can be back soon … the flight is more than 20 hours from Singapore hehe… your post brings back so many fond memories :)
What did you do to that poor dog!!?? She looks traumatized! haha.
Glad you’re back at blogging!
It was an honor to meet you Monsieur Peter. Come back often!
Peter, it’s good to have you back, but I’m glad you had such a good time. It is a wonderful city.
How fun! I didn’t realize you were watching Mark’s dog. He’s a nice guy; interviewed me once a long time ago. Glad you had fun, I love New York!
nyc is so my town
born and raised
and i love it
i go about 3 or 4 times a year
sorry i missed you peter….
woulda been fun
Hey, where’d you find an amputee break-dancing? Only in NY, that’s where!
How fortunate for you that you had a place to stay for a week in New York City and a dog! Bliss! The cookies look delicious and I think it would be fun to try real Greek food in NYC.
Another wonderful trip so soon after Greece…you lucky man!!!!Can’t wait to see all your NY posts!
Welcome back, Peter! Glad to hear you had a great time in New York and can’t wait to hear about it.
Coffee and koulouria look fabulous!
I’m so happy that you had a great time. Did you pick up the slang like a real New Yawka? haha ;)
Looks like someone had great fun!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
first of all, the dog has crazy eyes. :)
secondly, breakdancing is awesome and a skill i wish i had.
finally, the cookies look delightful, no coffee required.
What a great opportunity! I love NYC and hope to make it back there soon. I love koulouria, although, I prefer them with American coffee :)
Your trip sounds wonderful.I look forward to hearing more about it. Your family Koulourakia recipe is a bit different than my family’s, but the method is similar and I am sure the result is just as delicious. Now you have made me crave them, as they are a favorite of mine.
Cool! Sounds like a great time, can’t wait to read more! I want to hear about the pooch too!
Nice looking hottie that you’re dancing with!!!
I ADORE sardines, and Mike won’t touch them. Well, to be fair, he ate a dish of sardines on a tapas table when we were first dating, but I think that was an attempt to impress me….which he no longer does. Sigh. I LOVE sardines, and I absolutely agree that they are far too hard done by these days!!!
Your trip to New York in looking and sounding like great fun!