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Returning to the New York City sentiment, I was in Manhattan in May 2018 for my company’s annual conference. While cabbing to my hotel (yes, I stay in hotels when on the company dime), a friend tagged me in some food magazine article on Facebook to alert me to a unique offering in NYC: pickle ice cream.

On a perfect Spring afternoon, I hiked up to the West Side to the Lucky Pickle Dumpling Company. A semi-open-air, seasonal Asian dumpling shop that is only open in the warmer months serves a delicious vase of frozen green delight.

Ever so efficiently, you order from an iPad and BAM, your order arrives in record speed. The ice cream is soft-serve consistency and probably three times the portion that I could ever really eat. (For the record, I polished this off.) A mysterious mix of sweet and salty, yet creamy, it was garnished with salty dehydrated pickle chips. In fact, they could’ve been salted bread & butter chips. Such a unique flavor, it was hard to discern!

The base tastes like a traditional sweet vanilla soft serve mixed with a traditional cooked pickle juice. I really don’t think it’s much more complicated than that.

Next door is the mothership: Jacob’s Pickles. “Beer. Biscuits. Pickles.” http://jacobs.picklehospitality.com/

Jacob’s claims to be a Southern-inspired restaurant, and since I’ve lived in the Deep South for 20 years, I think I can spot a valid menu from 20 paces. Jacob gets it.

Open year round, long lines to get in (remember how I detest lines?) I hovered over someone’s table, zooming in on their appetizers with my cell phone camera. After an awkward stare, I explained that I was admiring their pickle appetizer for my blog, but wasn’t sure if I’d have time to get a table. And whaddya know? They had an empty chair and invited me to join them to sample. New Yorkers are truly a friendly, awesome bunch.

A pickle flight of hot and spicy pickled cukes, carrots, green tomatoes, and green beans was offered to me.

The carrots were heavy on the cinnamon and cloves, while the cucumbers were crisp and spicy. Jacob’s web site describes each veggies pickling process and displays beautiful visuals. Visit http://jacobs.picklehospitality.com/pickles/

If you find yourself in the middle of Central Park, head west to Jacob’s and the Lucky Dumpling for unique Southern treats and the most refreshing dessert your friends will envy!

 

I’ve had a few varieties of pickle-flavored popcorn in my time, and one fan fave is definitely Trader Joe’s. I hear that it’s a seasonal item (unconfirmed), so just to satisfy my cravings, I bought 5 bags.

Here’s a review that I came across that I know my pickle fans will enjoy!

Trader Joe’s Pickle Popcorn is Everything You’ve Ever Wanted From a Snack

 

French fries and coleslaw on a sandwich, with a pickle on the side. What could go wrong? 80 years after its birth…nothing. Nothing has gone wrong.

The history of Primanti Brother’s sandwiches isn’t as debatable as this high-end magazine wants you to think. https://www.saveur.com/pittsburgh-sandwich-history/. I have an intense, immeasurable affection for my hometown of Pittsburgh, and this post is a bit of a love letter to its history with pickles.

This iconic sandwich started in the 1930’s in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, the industrial longitude that spread from the East Side to the downtown area with bays upon bays for warehouses, so the truckers could deposit their wares. The drivers needed a hand-held meal to take them to their next destination. So grill some high quality sliced meat with provolone, stuff it between 2 slices of pillowy Mancini’s Italian bread (which sports quite a sturdy crust dusted with cornmeal), and add the best handcut fries, fresh sliced tomatoes and vinegar-based coleslaw. A legendary masterpiece is now being franchised throughout the country. Truly the authentic experience comes from 4 places: the original in the Strip District, Market Square, South Side-Carson Street (all in Pittsburgh) and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. South FL ships their ingredients in daily.

Often known as the last stop after the bar, Primanti’s has grown into a popular lunch and tourist spot. Put the hot sauce on your “sammie,” as we ‘Burghers call them, and order the whole pickle on the side. It’s everything an Eastern European pickle should be — crisp, just enough salt to get your attention, and simple. The perfect acidic balance to a meaty, cheesy, bready sammie. I envision the markets in Poland and the Czech Republic serving up cukes preserved in this very brine.

Primanti’s doesn’t cure the pickles themselves, but their meat purveyor does (another Strip District legend.) To back up a bit, Pittsburgh has a fabulous history with pickles.

When you think of Heinz, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Ketchup, right? Well, the Heinz family also was known for its pickles! But when HJ Heinz started peddling his delicacies in the late 1800’s, his first product was horseradish (stash this tidbit for trivia night.) He sold it door-to-door from a barrel. Pittsburgh was built by Eastern European immigrants, and they are experts at pickling and fermenting. Sauerkraut was a staple in our dinners growing up, as were pickles. Huge jars of pickled eggs dot the homey bars with aluminum screen doors where the purveyors live upstairs. Steel workers loved these places. Sometimes they were pickled with beets and bright purple, my personal favorite.

A common tradition in many Pittsburgh homes is the glass pickle Christmas tree ornament. It is often used as a reward for the first child who finds it. I’ll let you read up on it here: https://www.today.com/food/what-christmas-pickle-tradition-where-does-it-come-t144159

On my week-long pilgrimage back home, my son and I also took in a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. While whooping the Phillies 5-1, I downed a capicola (Itlalian spicy ham) and cheese with a glorious pickle to offset the spice from the hot sauce. Raise The Jolly Roger!

PNC Park is often voted the best ballpark in the US. I couldn’t agree more. Its elliptical design affords every seat an impeccable view. The Pittsburgh skyline is one of the most recognizable and beautiful in the country.

We had amazing seats. 27 rows back from home plate. Look at that view! I PROMISE you this is a cell phone shot. It looks like a professional water color. Zoom into the center and you’ll catch the Pirate Parrot! How s/he pulled this off during a 100-degree heat wave gets kudos!

The steel industry collapsed in the late 1970’s, but a progressive government sought to build on the other existing strengths: education, technology and medicine. Those industries have made “the ‘Burgh” a tourist attraction and food destination. Old school food like pierogies now have themed restaurants. Cultural attractions like the Warhol Museum (Carnegie Mellon alum) many top-rated theaters, museums, botanical gardens, kayaking the three rivers, restaurants that have been thriving since the 1930’s, the History Center, all combine to make my hometown a memorable experience. And you can find pickles – edible and ornamental — everywhere! Be sure to pick up a Heinz pickle pin. They’re everywhere.

One final note: PPG Plaza is around the corner from the Market Square Primanti’s restaurant. Pittsburgh is known for making headquarters out of the products it makes. ALCOA’s is built out of aluminum and looks like airplane windows. The USS Steel building is built from yes, steel, and is the shape of a triangle, just like the city is. And PPG (Pittsburgh Paint & Glass) is in fact a 6-building glass complex of glass straight out of a Tolkein book. If you remember the film Inspector Gadget, you’ll recognize it.

 

I love a good story. The genesis of Chicken Salad Chick is one of my favorites and one that resonates with my own history. Although I haven’t made millions off of chicken salad. Or anything else…yet.

The founder unexpectedly found herself a single mother with no income in Auburn, Alabama. A lover of chicken salad, she sought to make the perfect blend. But much like chili, no two are alike. So she made several different kinds and sold it door to door. Through many trials and tribulations, her restaurant and eventually franchise was born. https://www.npr.org/2018/06/29/624713103/chicken-salad-chick-stacy-brown

I unexpectedly became a single mom of a first grader while in the aftermath of a work layoff many years ago. The sheer terror of how am I going to keep the heat on, food on the table, job hunt, keep up a home, and dual parent is nothing I would wish on anyone. At one point, I, too, did catering and personal chef-ing to make ends meet. I wanted to continue in my chosen profession of umpteen years but made a deal with myself. If I didn’t have a full-time job with benefits by the start of school, I would invest in the cooking journey.  I started back to work literally on the first day of school with one of the largest non-profits in the nation. (Bupkus pay, boo.) I took it as a sign about fulfilling a calling.

Founder Stacy Brown names each varietal of salad after a strong woman in her life. While I am partial to the Classic Carol with only celery and onion (I don’t like fruits, nuts and other gravelly things funking up my chicken salad), I discovered a life-changing salad today.

Dill-icious Diva is a classic mayonnaise-based chicken salad with plenty of dill and small-diced cucumbers instead of celery. I think there’s a hint of onion in there, and I’m pretty sure that some pickle juice made the cut. Perhaps the chicken is marinated in pickle juice, such as Chik-Fil-A’s secret recipe? It’s totally refreshing in this Southern July heat and humidity and perfectly balanced. Pickled chicken salad! It is heavenly.

As you can see, I bought the last tub! She sells everything by the pound in the grab & go case. This is seriously good stuff, so I really hope it’s not a seasonal offering.

I love how the chicken is shredded (some are partial to chunks, but not me) and super tender. The sides are so classically Southern: grapes with cream cheese and pecans, broccoli with mayo and bacon, mac & cheese, pimento cheese. I love how many men I see in the store every time I go. Reminds me of when I got a boyfriend to embrace quiche by calling it scrambled egg pie. And the founder firmly believes in a sweet bite after a meal, just to know that you’re truly full. So a small, frosted vanilla cookie comes with every order.

Chicken salad really is ubiquitous in the South. When I lived in Alabama, tea houses dotted every town, where ladies would lunch and perhaps purchase antiques or other homey decorations on display in the store. Often you could catch a bridal shower or bridesmaid luncheon. And they all featured chicken salad — either in a scoop, sandwich, stuffed into a tomato — and a soup and other side salads. Lots of them have boutique pickles for sale, too!

Near my house was The Chocolate Biscuit. Various chicken salads highlight their menu, as do traditional southern sides like broccoli salad, mandarin orange salad, and pimento cheese. And of course, chocolate biscuits, chocolate bread pudding, and chocolate cobbler.

But sadly, no pickled chicken salad. The local Chicken Salad Chick employees are very proud of their workplace and the mission and values of the company. That’s the kind of place I like to patronize.

I cannot bear to spend birthdays that contain zeroes at home. I want to go somewhere so fabulous that the aging part is only the background excuse for why I’m spending a bunch of money far away from home in February. Bear with me…this is longer than my usual posts! Humor me, folks. You won’t be disappointed.

My favorite city in the world is New York, and my son had been begging to experience it as a real tourist. When I lived and spent an inordinate amount of time in Northern New Jersey, I inexcusably spent little time doing the things that have long lines in the boroughs. While that’s kind of my style anyway, I realized that it was a self-disservice not crossing the harbor in 15 degree 30 mph wind gusts to learn about the Statue of Liberty or sit in the original chairs that perhaps my grandparents sat in on Ellis Island.

We paid respects at the WTC memorial amidst mourners and other tourists. We were less solemn-seeming, as my son wasn’t born until 4 years after 9/11 and had lots of questions. Three hours in the museum felt like I attended a funeral for every single victim, and it took me days to digest it. Re-living every bit of it. One wallet on display wound up being a man from Douglasville, GA, and would’ve been a neighbor of mine (based on the address on his driver’s license and where I moved to.) Although I lived in Alabama back then. White flowers are placed on a person’s name on the monument on their birthday. Victims from all 4 terrorist acts are etched into the walls protecting the massive waterfalls in lower Manhattan.

On my big day, we had lunch at Rockefeller Center, ice skated in the famed rink (I achieved USFSA Freestyle 6 in my more agile days–my salchow jump is very rusty), and had a bucket list dinner at Le Benardin (Chef Eric Ripert’s place and BFF of the late Anthony Bourdain.) Thank goodness for my holiday bonus! Prixe Fixe menu.

I was supremely impressed by how my son took to the busiest streets in America like salmon swimming upstream. Hands in his pockets, head down, focused, and uttering, “This is lit,” about 20 times an hour. The man child was hooked from the moment we flew over the island.

Our first day we gorged at Junior’s in Times Square where I introduced my son to the best matzoh ball soup I’ve ever eaten. And…if you know enough to ask…order the (wait for it!) side of PICKLES! Not only does a small bowl of the perfectly sliced and spiced half sours show up, but also a pickled cabbage slaw (no mayo) and pickled beets. An outstanding house-made Bloody Mary washed down my pastrami half sandwich perfectly. Once walking 50 New York City blocks wore off that food, we gorged again on supremely authentic Italian-American pasta and salad at Carmine’s in the theater district before treating ourselves to Hamilton! (I bought tickets months earlier on-line for a steal, not to mention it was a Wednesday in February.) My son knew every word of the show.

Pho in China Town, riding the subway everywhere, Upper West Side, Central Park, Imagine mosaic, Upper East Side, avoiding eye contact with every vendor in the Diamond District, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Empire State Building, the Washington Arch in the West Village, Golden Wings at Ainsworth in the East Village (they really are coated in liquid gold, for $45 for 10), cheap slices of the best pizza, Grand Central Station, bagels and lox, Times Square, NY Public Library, the Lego Store, street hot dogs and pretzels, Katz’s Delicatessen for corned beef that started out tasting like feet but wound up being the best I’ve ever eaten (cured for a month) and a side of classic pickles. We even unknowingly sat at the table where the woman from When Harry Met Sally famously said “I’ll have what she’s having.” (Google it.) I also had my first egg cream. For you non-NYC-files, it contains neither eggs nor cream.

So if you need a travel itinerary for 5 days in New York City, copy and past the above. I recommend getting a CityPass. It’s far cheaper than ala carte attractions, and you skip lines. Did I mention that I hate lines? And before I get to the grand finale and last stop of my over-the-moon birthday excursion, I have to recommend trying VRBO for lodging. I have no need for a hotel in NYC. I’m there to experience everything outside of my lodging. I need a bathroom and a bed, not a maid. On 8th Avenue, butting up to the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, between 45th and 46th Streets, staring at Hell’s Kitchen, was a pure Manhattan experience for $79 a night. It was safe, and remember this was February. It’s not that cheap when it’s warmer. In a one bedroom plus a spare futon, we enjoyed not being able to control the radiator heat, hearing sounds all night long that you don’t hear living at the beach as we do, non-stop sirens, and walking on the building’s tiles from the turn of the last century. It was truly glorious. #Authentic.

Our very last stop in Manhattan involved crossing Delancey Street (Google Crossing Delancey) to Grand Street on the Lower East Side to what can best be described at a religious experience. The Pickle Guys. https://www.pickleguys.com

My son complained the entire time. Oh, it gets worse…stay tuned.

Throughout the first half or more of the 1900’s, people flocked to pickle shops each week as part of their regular shopping. Given the store’s very hip and colorful icons, mascot, and social media presence, I didn’t expect to learn that The Pickle Guys’ shop is over a hundred years old. What used to dot many a corner on the Lower East Side, these are the last chaps around. Their web site is worth perusing for a better history lesson, their continued Rabbinical Supervision, plus they now ship! Look at the pickle candy canes on the shelf. Yeah, they’re mine now.

These people will seriously pickle anything. Barrels of cherry tomatoes, pineapple, other fruit, peppers, carrots, cukes in so many different brines, soaked for different periods of time, kraut, olives, corn, fresh horseradish…I was wonderfully overwhelmed.

They offer generous taste testing and offered to package up my 3-digit purchases in military-grade layers of plastic wrap so that I could pack it in my luggage, which had to be checked because of the brine, to enjoy back at home.

Given all that we accumulated in a mere 5 days, the only option logistically was to pack the pickles in my son’s school backpack. Imagine being at LaGuardia Airport with luggage but asking Delta Airlines to ONLY check your black backpack in this day and age. We got more than security side-eyes. And a nice card inside it confirmed TSA did in fact take a tour through the bag. I explained to the gate agent that it was just pickles. She wasn’t taking any chances.

A bit of the brine apparently either leaked or left its essence in my pickle-hating son’s bag that only an entire bottle air freshener could solve. He tells me that he still has nightmares about it. I again question his DNA!

Thanks for taking a virtual tour of my brined birthday adventure with me in my favorite city! It made the new wrinkles and sore feet every bit worthwhile. I hope you’re making the best memories on your birthday!

Charleston is a culinary mecca, often recognized as the #2 travel destination in the world. While most restaurants are trying to out-Southern each other, Bon Bahn Mi is Southeast Asian-ing to an epic yet simple proportion. I’ve been begging the universe for more ethnic offerings in this scrumptious town , and BBM does not disappoint.

Just across the iconic Ravenel  bridge is the suburban utopia of Mt. Pleasant, where several restaurants from the peninsula have put satellite locations. Many downtown staples will branch out to the various suburbs, thus the “satellite” concept. Mt. Pleasant is often the first place they choose to come. We have a large local population, plus we pull the beach tourists from the two barrier islands.

This fresh, fast-casual restaurant offers rice bowls, salads, Bahn Mi sandwiches, noodles, and other ethnic dishes that we’ve been craving across the harbor. But guess what??? In addition to their bowls, sandwiches, and salads, one notable side dish is…you guessed it…homemade pickles!

Dubbed “Sweet + Spicy” on the menu, the name is spot on. These gems fit my perfect pickle profile: crisp, thin, and vinegary. Upon the first perfectly-brined, crispy, thinly sliced bite, the sweet quickly takes over. A few moments later, the heat shows up around the middle of the tongue thanks to what looks like chili pepper flakes. (I suspect another hidden ingredient is in there!) The heat is at perfect pitch — enough to get your attention, then you’re romanced by the sweet return to make you want to eat more. The balance of vinegar, sugar, salt and spices is perfect. Sweet and spicy combos often make for a surprise addiction.

The outdoor picnic tables are fun for large groups, and the wine and beer selection is impressive. Half-sweet jasmine tea and lychee sangria dot the bar. And I have to applaud any Asian joint that pairs Taylor Ham Pork Roll and eggs in a bowl/taco/sandwich. That’s next on my list. Along with a side of Sweet + Spicy, of course!

PS: I went back for the Taylor Ham Pork Roll bowl and it was absolutely perfect! If you’ve never pork roll, it’s a New Jersey breakfast sandwich staple. Think of it as Spam in a tuxedo.

 

 

 

 

 

You learn something new every day! Who knew that Michigan was the center of the pickle universe? I had no idea that the soil and climate were sensitive to growing cucumbers, much like grapes grown for wine.

And I learned something else! That cucumbers can be traced back to India as far back as 2030 B.C. Now I have to go back to NY and visit the NY Food Museum. There’s a whole section on pickles I hear!

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/special-report/why-michigan-center-pickleverse

While my personal favorite is to use leftover brine in a martini, marinating chicken is my second favorite. Adding to a Bloody Mary is a must. Food & Wine published an article with 15 ideas that you will probably enjoy!

https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/15-ways-to-use-leftover-pickle-juice

Garlic has been used since ancient times as an antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal. While raw garlic can make you quite lonely, pickling it takes that pungent edge away. When I visited the Georgia Renaissance Festival a couple of years ago, I was delighted to find the Garlic Festival Foods booth.

I found garlic mustards, sauces, and a wide variety of flavors of my favorite pickled teardrops. The mustard-dill is tangy with a hit of Dijon and a sweet finish of dill. I’ve been enjoying a new flavor – pickled and smoked. The clear brine will fool you! You’ll think you’re eating barbecue.

My favorite and go-to is the Teryaki Pickled Garlic. The buds are still a bit crisp, with a salty, vinegary burst, with strong notes of Asian sweetness. The brine is even martini-worthy!

I literally eat this every day as a preventive measure against the ailments winter and spring like to dish out. I also stock up at back-to-school time when my son is carting home who-knows-what germs. Gut health also gets a boost!

Garlic Festival Food is out of Hollister, California and ships directly to you. They are also on Facebook – see if they’re visiting a festival near you! You will be happier and healthier for it.