CYH's Song of the Moment: Cornflake Girl (LIVE)

I don't care how old or played out this song is. If you crank it and don't get chills during her piano solos, you aren't human!

CYH's Song of the Moment: Thievery Corporation, Unified Tribes

Heck yes.

Best Albums of 2011

This is that fun time of year again to tally up my favorite albums of the year. I originally wasn't going to do this because I've been so tight for time, but I couldn't resist. It's always hard figuring out which makes the cut, especially when great albums like My Morning Jacket's Circuital, Radiohead's King of Limbs (as frustrating as the release of this album was, I still adore aspects of it), Mayer Hawthorne's How Do You Do, The Antlers Burst Apart, and the lovely surprise of a new Atlas Sound, Parallex. There was also something endearing about Vetiver's Errant Charm that got me...but I could go on all day with more artists and tracks. Below is my top 10 album list of 2011 (in no particular order), and a fun track on YouTube to bop to while you browse the list.

"Stone Rollin'" from Raphael Saadiq's new one this year. I love his soulful goodness and this video is uber sexy!!

Lauren's Top 10 Albums of 2011:
Washed Out - Within and Without
Youth Lagoon - Year of Hibernation
Braids - Native Speaker
Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
Theivery Corporation - Culture of Fear
Mutemath - Odd Blood

Cut Copy - Zonoscope
Panda Bear - Tomboy
The Roots - Undun
Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire

...and since these are just a few tracks, Pickwick - their only few songs are loaded with soul (album coming in 2012, I hope!)

What were your favorite albums of the year? Do tell-

I Heart Clementines

Clementines are my favorite fruits this time of the year!!! They're effortless to peel, usually seedless, so juicy, and delicious! I like playing a game with myself and seeing if I could peel it without tearing the peel to shreds. It's hard but most of the time I can get it and it looks all pretty and flowery. Here is one that I opened today. :) The best part is the fresh citrus smell they leave on your hands...i love clementines!

Health Benefits
Clementines are a sweet citrus fruit available throughout the wintertime, mid-November through March. They are packed with fiber, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. They are also very rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene as well as ascorbic acid, nutrients which when consumed on a daily basis reduces age-related vision loss. Yay!

History & Fun Fact
The history of the clementine is unclear in many ways. Some believe it was an Algerian monk that first discovered the natural hybrid fruit. (Clementines are a hybrid between a sweet orange and a Chinese mandarin.) Others believe that the clementine originated in China much earlier. Either way, in 1909, the fruit came to the USA, and is now enjoyed as a winter favorite by Americans everywhere. The majority of clementines are imported from Spain, Morocco and North Africa. Although its always better to eat locally grown produce, we can make an acceptation for these! Clementine Jane, (pictured on left) is also my best gal pal's doggie. She is the sweetest girlfriend in Manhattan and each time she see's her Auntie Lauren she starts yelping and screaming with excitement!

Selection & Storage Tips
Clementines should be bright orange and slightly glossy. Purchase those that are firm, yet give a slight indentation when you squeeze them. Make sure they have no blemishes, and especially no shriveled skin. They can be stored up to a week in a bowl at room temperature. They will last two weeks in the refrigerator. Clementines make a great snack anytime, and are also a nice addition to salads, both fruit salads and green, leafy salads. The juice of clementines can be added to salad dressings for a sweet, refreshing tang! However you prefer your clementines, enjoy them all through the winter while they are at their best. Go buy some!

Introducing Fork+Plate! How to Make Hummus Video

I'm excited to announce that I'll be featuring video blogs from my talented and beautiful friend, Davina Thomasula, of Fork+Plate! This past year she was on the reality TV show on Food Network, 24 Hour Restaurant Battle where her and her partner WON! Please visit her site for plenty of more How-To videos in the kitchen!

Here is a video with Davina on how to make hummus!

About Fork+Plate

Forknplate.com is run by a brother sister team and we share our love for cooking and passion for dining with the world. The main focus of the site is to make basic cooking techniques available for your everyday home cook without them having to spend money on cooking classes through simple, fun, how-to videos. We also do restaurant reviews in New York and find some of the most cost effective, trendy and best places to eat in this culinary saturated city. Our site also has a section of food maps of all your favorite food shows on television and the locations of the places to eat that have been featured on each show. We also have an updated version of our app for Android devices and one in the works for Apple devices coming out soon. Forknplate.com also has a section for food events happening in our city and we encourage locals to get out there and support and take advantage of great culinary events happening daily in New York.