Monday, July 16, 2012

Brooklyn is for Picnics

The apartment I shared in Brooklyn this summer was minutes away from Prospect Park, probably one of my favorite parks of all time. Yes, I liked it even more than Central Park. For one, the landscape allows for excellent people watching. The main field, or Long Meadow, is just that, long and skinny, so you can watch so many people at once. Also, it feels like you are part of the community, everyone there together playing and laughing.
It's huge and includes its own lake, zoo, live music venue, dozens of trails, little waterfalls, and a sweet carousel. The best part of all? At dusk the fireflies come out, zipping all around making firefly magic. This was real special for me as we don't have the little guys on the west coast or in Hawaii. I had only seen them once before in my life, so it was natural for me to head down to the park and enjoy them as often as possible during my stay in Brooklyn.


Fireflies from Gwen Edwards on Vimeo.



And I didn't just oggle the fireflies, I ate some food, too. There are few pleasures like bare feet in grass and a good sandwich in hand on a balmy evening.


Or some cheese, New Jersey apples, and rose petal jelly.


And if you're really prepared, some pasta and a good rose.


I have finally emerged from summer laziness with a recipe for you. Feet in grass required.

The Brooklyn Sandwich (pictured above)
makes 2


4 thick slices ciabatta bread
4-6 slices prosciutto
a piece of pie sized slice of camembert cheese
4 large kale leaves
1 garlic clove, chopped fine
juice from 1/2 lemon
4 TBL olive oil
1/2 dijon mustard
salt & pepper

In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking the olive oil into the garlic, lemon juice, mustard, and some salt & pepper to taste.

Wash and trim the kale leaves by removing the ribs. Cut into approximately 4" pieces. Place kale into the bowl with the dressing and stir to coat.

Layer cheese (cut cheese into chunks, see photo below) and meat on bread and top with dressing coated kale. Drizzle remaining dressing on bread  and stack your sandwiches. Pack em up and take em somewhere. Enjoy!



11 comments:

  1. I hear you on PP's wonderfulness! There's no better place to enjoy that beautiful sandwich you concocted (well other than maybe Citi Field)!

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  2. It's lunch time and this sounds FABULOUS. I wish I had some kale right now!

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  3. There's nothing I now want to do more than get my tablecloth, sunglasses, some nice nibbles and to go and sit in the sun! Pictures and food look great!

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  4. Rose petal jelly? Sign me up! And yes, Prospect Park is WAY better than Central Park. I love having picnics there, which reminds me, I should probably have one before summer passes me by!

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  5. Picnics are awesome. I feel like we don't do that enough in life. I loved your fireflies video. I saw my first firefly a couple week ago in Tuscany. OH MY, I acted like a little kid. I had to apologies to the other guests and explain to them that we don't have fireflies in Hawai'i. They thought I was crazy. LOL Fireflies are so magical.

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  6. Looks like a fun picnic! Thanks for stopping by Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party! Come back Sunday and vote for your favorites!

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  7. Looks delicious! I'm originally from Queens! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday! Please come back tomorrow to VOTE!

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  8. YUM! thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday.
    marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com

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  9. Oh man, that bread looks so good! I'm very late to this blog post, but is that Sullivan St Bakery bread? Since you were close to PP, did you get it from Union Market? Also, did you try the awesomely dense egg (or any) bagels from the Bagel Hole? How about pizza from Toby's Public House? I live in Wakoloa now (and am loving it), but it think you can see I am currently missing a few things from my beloved BKLYN. PS: your winning Kona Coffee entry looks amazing! Congrats! Carl

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  10. That bread looks amazing! Is it Sullivan St Bakery bread? Since you were close to PP, did you get it from Union Market? And did you try the awesomely dense egg (or any) bagels from the Bagel Hole? Or how about pizza from Toby's Public House? I currently live in Waikoloa (and love it here), but am also missing some of my favorites from good ol' BK. BTW, your Kona Coffee entry winner looked incredible! Congrats, Carl

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    Replies
    1. Hey Carl,
      Thanks for checking out the blog. I honestly don't remember the name of the bakery the bread came from but I do remember have amazing food in Brooklyn everywhere I went! Let's def keep in touch since you are in Waikoloa:)
      Gwen

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Aloha Saturdays with Maggy reader! Thank you for your comments, I love hearing your thoughts and feedback.

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