casing in point

Stuffed and baked red peppers are classic in cold weather, but the ground mix of beef, veal and pork is hard to find here in the Bronx.

Still, red peppers are plentiful and only 99cents a pound, so we took a short cut to stuff them.

We used sausage. Hot and sweet.

While you soften a chopped onion in a bit of olive oil, split the sausage and pull the meat into a bowl. Toss the casings.

We added fresh oregano and we had some fresh mozzarella on hand, too. Cut the tops off the peppers and scrape out the membranes inside.

Pack in the sausage mixed with the onion and oregano.

We put the mozz inside near the end. That’s all it takes.

Arrange them in a baking dish, open that can of crushed tomatoes and pour it over the peppers, then cover the whole thing in foil.

350〫for about 75-90 minutes, if you like the peppers really soft.

Over penne, with a hearty-rough Italian red and plenty of grating cheese. 

Bring it, winter!

we’ve been gourd and that’s no bull

Star-struck fans often hang around stage doors for a glimpse of celebrity.

Yesterday on west 67th Street I saw a 2,058 pound superstar, the largest pumpkin grown in the United States.

It was waiting in the rain to make an appearance on abc’s Kelly and Michael, a yearly event. 

Here is last year’s proud appearance:

Grown in Napa California, this beauty broke last year’s record of 2,032.

Pumpkin festivals all over the Golden State gather the best specimens and weigh them in dramatic, drum roll ceremonies.

The winner is flown to New York to make personal appearances, this morning live at 9am on channel 7.

And who do you think is charged with the care of this luminary while it is visiting New York City?

Have a great weekend!

heal and soul

Do these look like shoes to you?

Back on the 14th CTT featured the wonderful shoe show at the Brooklyn Museum.

http://clocktowertenants.com/2014/10/shoe-in.html

If you like women’s shoes as I do, you’ll flip.

It starts with history and documents designers, styling trends and manufacturers to present day.

1889

Some of the shoes are just plain silly.

Some are sublimely beautiful. 

Even calming.

But all remind us of how prosaic foot protection can be art when in the right hands.

I’m just glad I can enjoy them all without having to wear them.

Worth a trip on the 4 train.

ar15.com

leaves on time

but still off peak.

my, look how you've grown

reddit

Pelham Manor House

You might believe you’d have to leave town for a walk by the water like this. 

But you don’t.

Take the 6 train to the end at Pelham Bay, then a short bike ride on a sun dappled path.

To this!

The spectacular Bartow-Pell Mansion, right here in the Bronx. 

Parts of this property go back to 1654.

It was enlarged and renovated to the Federal Style between 1836 and 1842.

Dozens of colonial figures you’ve heard of have lived, worked or stayed here. 

The house passed from Bartow to the Pell family and then sold to the city in 1888, two years after our ClockTower opened.

The gardens and reflecting pool date from 1916.

There’s an old stables.

And an even older graveyard.

The property gained Landmark status in 1976 and today is considered one of the finest examples of Federal housing in our entire country.

You can tour the mansion Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12noon to 4pm.

Next week we’ll go inside and I’ll post pictures of the interior rooms and passageways.

http://bartowpellmansionmuseum.org/

They really knew how to live.