Cooking with Butter Beans Kitchen in Battery Park City

Last week, I got to join FIDI Families and other NYC Mommy bloggers out for a fun cooking class with Butter Beans Kitchen at their new Battery Park location inside Asphalt Green.  On the Menu: Jeweled Pomegranate Rice Pilaf, Sweet Potato Hummus, Kofta Kebab with Seasonal Market Veggies, and Honey Pistachio Baklava.  The Mediterranean menu sounded exotic and I knew I was in for a fun night out including a complimentary wine tasting by Simply Wine.  butter beans kitchen , nyc cooking class I guess Juliet was right.  Moms do drink wine at their “mommy play dates!” cooking class nyc ny cooking class, nyc cooking class

We all had a bunch of fun thanks to the easygoing and super approachable chef who taught us handy tips along the way including how to best cut an onion, tell if your oil is heated and what not to do to with your knife in order to avoid dulling it.  She was terrific at explaining step-by-step and was unbelievably not phased at all by our social-media obsessed crew who constantly had camera-in-hand documenting each and every instruction, step and photo opp.

These exotic dishes were surprisingly easy to make and tasty too!  My favorite recipes from the night included the pomegranate rice pilaf and the sweet potato hummus.

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The sweet and savory flavor combinations of Middle Eastern cuisine made for fresh and elegant meals with a minimum of ingredients–no special equipment required.cooking class, nyc cooking class, cooking class in ny

I love how Butter Beans demystified this new cuisine for me and helped me feel comfortable cooking up these amazing dishes!

It really was a fun class for people of all skill levels!  asphalt green cooking class, manhattan cooking class, nyc cooking class, Thank you so much to Butter Beans Kitchen, Asphalt Green, Simply Wines and FIDI Families for hosting us!  The candlelit dinner was scrumptious and the cooking class was such a treat!

 

In addition to their Thursday adult classes, be sure to check out the  farm-to-table kids classes on Wednesdays.  Use code BBFRIENDS to receive $10 off their first class.  Use code BBSIBLING to receive 5% off registration for siblings!

Classes are held at Asphalt Green Battery Park City Culinary Center, 212 North End Ave, New York, NY 10282.

$95 per class, 15% off for Asphalt Green members.

DISCLAIMER.  We received a complimentary class and event experience in exchange for the review but all opinions are my own.

Top 5 Trendy Asian Ice Cream Spots to Hit This Summer in NYC

There’s no better place to find your new favorite ice cream than NYC.  And surprisingly (or not), the most trendy ones today happen to be Asian-owned!  I know, you may not equate Asians with ice cream at first, but we Asians love taking photos so when it comes to picturesque treats, it’s no wonder the cutest, and most Instagram-able ones are Asian-owned!  We’ve done the taste-testing, and have rounded up the top 5 that NYC has to offer.  New summer bucket list, anyone??

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Store: Justin Tea

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Location: 69 Mulberry (Chinatown)

Trains:  J, N, Q, Z to Canal

Open: 10am-12am, yes people, you can have your late night ice cream binge here at midnight!

Most Instagram-able must trys:  There are tons of creative desserts to try including liquid nitrogen ice cream (watch them make this from scratch and feel like a scientist eating your smokin’ cold scoop), mango tower drinks, pop rocks toppings etc. but we opted for the cutesy teddy bear waffle cone and my little one was NOT disappointed!

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Store: Soft Swerve NYC

 

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Location: 85B Allen St (lower east side)

Trains:  B, D to Grand st.

Open: 12pm – 12am everyday except Sunday 12pm -11pm (gotta love these Asian-owned places for staying open late!)

Most Instagram-able must trys:  What’s special about this place are the exotic flavors such as black sesame, matcha, or the ube (purple yam) will beg you for a try! If your kid is like mine and loves the color purple, ube will be the best pick, (get it with the red cone for an extra vibrant pic) and watch as your kid’s tongue and mouth turns Barney-purple!  I took this shot right outside the store in front of a grafitti covered love wall.  They do a cute job with the mochi sprinkles by adding a ring around the base of the ice cream, making for a super cute cone – next time I’d get that too!

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Store: Milk & Cream Cereal Bar

 

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Location:  159 Mott St (border of Little Italy and Chinatown)

Trains: J to Bowery, B,D to Grand, 4,6 to Spring St.

Open: 12pm – 10pm everyday except Fri & Sat (open til 11pm)

Most Instagram-able must trys: With 4.5 Yelp stars and almost 200 reviews, you know you can’t really go wrong here.  Specialties include birthday cake and matcha flavored cones plus an endless selection of all the nostalgic cereals from your childhood.  Pick your favorites and they’ll crush and mix it into your ice cream!   Also, the store is so cute, you’ll wanna stay and take shots of your tasty cone from all angles!

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Store: Taiyaki NYC

 

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Location: 119 Baxter St

Trains: J, N, Q, Z, 4,6,N,R to Canal

Open: M – Th 12pm – 10pm, Fri 12pm -11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10pm  (so confusing by changing it up so much..)

Most Instagram-able must trys: Let’s start by mentioning the over 1050 reviews and 4.5 stars..that is a mighty feat!  It’s a tiny store with hardly any space to sit and enjoy so plan on taking your shot by the quote wall or out in the city for a cool street shot.  Beautiful presentation includes a unicorn option (not pictured here).  The fish cone with red bean inside is served warm making for a tasty contrast to your soft serve of choice!

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Store: Cafe Bene’ (don]’t let the French- sounding name fool ya, this is truly a Korean chain..one that we frequent both in K-town and beyond)

Location:  www.caffebeneusa.com

Trains: so many locations to choose from.. K-Town, Tribeca, Brooklyn, East Village, Union Sq, Times Sq. etc

Open: see website Most Instagram-able must trys: This all – in – one coffee/gelato/bubble tea/ waffle/sandwich/ice cream shop is a must-stop for anyone who loves a shaved ice (with ice cream).  Our favorite is the matcha one with green tea ice cream, matcha sauce, almonds and whipped cream but the cutest one for pictures is the choco devil.

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So there you go!  It’s National Ice Cream Day today.  Time to start checking off that list!  Leave a comment to let me know which one takes top priority for you to visit or if you see that I missed something, please let me know!

Here’s to summer!

 

For tips on how to get those coveted Instagram-able photos, click here! 

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