The Cheapest Thing at NYU

My search for cheap eats in NYC all started while I was a student at NYU.  As you can imagine the combination of being 18, living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, and NYU’s hefty $50,000 per year price tag left me poor and on the hunt for places to eat that were better than the NYU dining hall. (If any of you lived in Hayden Hall before the 2007 renovation then you know why this was so important!)  

Hidden behind scaffolding on the corner West 4^th Street btw Mercer and Broadway is a little NYU gem called DOJO and it is my original Skinny Apple, Fat Appetite favorite.

Don’t be put off by the neon signs, unassuming décor, Japanese inspired but slightly confusing menu, or mildy sticky tables… Dojo is a no-frills diner where the food is always delicious, super cheap, and healthy (well...they have healthy options!). I have also been known to encountered the random celebrity here and there (last week Alexander Skarsgard from “True Blood” was eating at an outdoor table!).  It is also close to impossible to walk out spending more than $10 for a meal or $15-$20 if there is alcohol involved.

Last night I ventured to Dojo for dinner with none other than my best friend from college, Emmy, and our favorite 3^rd musketeer, Andrew. 

 (from left: Andrew, Emmy, Me)

(my all-time favorite picture of us!)

Before I jump into what food we ordered I need to make one thing clear, the best thing about eating at Dojo is, hand down, the Tahini Dressing.  I know what you might be thinking, you can’t center a meal around salad dressing…or can you?  This Tahini Dressing, or “Orange Dressing” as I like to call it, is like nothing I have ever had before.  It is not creamy, or oily, and seems to be made with a lot of carrots, garlic, and crack. (I kid, I kid, I have no idea if there is actual crack in the dressing but I can only assume that there is something addictive because once I start eating it I can’t stop.) Since there is no cream and the oil content seems to be fairly low I like to think that Orange Dressing is healthy…it probably isn’t, but I like to THINK that it is.  I try to use Orange Dressing sparingly but at the end of the night Emmy and I are usually doing this…

 (YEP! Eating it with a spoon)

Now for dinner

Emmy ordered what we call “the usual” but on the menu it is called the Fifth Avenue. This sandwich is made of grilled chicken, pesto, tomatoes, and cucumbers and is served on your choice of bread (I usually go with a whole wheat pita).  It is also served with a side salad and ORANGE DRESSING!!!  For only a measly $6.95 this sandwich is my favorite thing on Dojo’s menu.

I ordered my 2^nd favorite menu item, the Steamed Vegetable Dinner served over brown rice with grilled chicken and ORANGE DRESSING!!!  This meal is pretty self explanatory and may sound a bit boring but the Orange Dressing will make it the most amazing steamed vegetable dinner you have ever had in your life.  The whole plate costs $5.95 + $3.5 (for the chicken) and, if you ask me, $9.50 is pretty great for a huge plate of food at a sit-down restaurant.

Andrew’s meal is where the menu gets a bit confusing.  Although Dojo is a diner with a little bit of everything, most of the items on their menu are salads, sandwiches, and vegetarian options (like soy patties) with a slight Japanese flare.  However, Andrew managed to find a lovely Italian dish hidden between the Oriental Tofu, Miso Ramen, and anything covered in ORANGE DRESSING!!!

Andrew ordered Salmon Basil Linguine with peppers, asparagus, and onions served in an olive oil and garlic sauce with garlic bread and a side salad.  I have to admit, I didn’t try the pasta but the garlic bread was delicious (and even better dipped in Orange Dressing).

Some other notable menu items are the Chopstick Salad (grilled chicken, buckwheat soba noodles, and veggies mixed with peanut sauce), California Salad (Shrimp, avocado, and mixed veggies with Orange Dressing), and the Hummus Appetizer (served with whole wheat pita).  They also have delicious French fries!

Our entire check for dinner last night came out to $30.  Slap down a $10 bill and call it a night!

THE GRIDDLER

For the past 2 ½ years I have lived with the best roommates a girl could ask for, Emmy and Andrew.  In June we decided to end our domestic partnership and, in addition to losing amazing roommates, I lost all of my favorite kitchen gadgets (they were Emmy's, EEK!).  In true Emmy/Andrew fashion they took note of my kitchen depression and for my birthday bought me the mother of all kitchen tools (that will fit in a tiny apartment)…a Cuisinart Griddler!

This baby has removable and reversible plates that are half grill and half griddle.  It also opens up to become a flat top!  I am sure that I will get miles of use from this Griddler but for my inaugural run I decided to make one of my all time favorites.

TURKEY PEPPERONI PIZZA PANINI

2 slices multi-grain bread, light style

1 slice low-fat mozzarella cheese

1 ounce turkey pepperoni

1 green pepper, sliced

1 onion, sliced

½ cup tomato sauce, jarred, your favorite brand

Cooking spray

1.     Spray a sauté pan with cooking spray. Saute onions and peppers on medium/high heat for 10 minutes, or until vegetables are softened and onions are caramelized. (NOTE: this recipe makes extra onions and peppers which are great to use in omelettes or put on top of a salad)

2.     Add turkey pepperoni into the pan and sauté for a minute until the pepperoni is heated.

3.     Put grill pans onto the griddler and heat (this can also be done on a George Foreman Grill or any other indoor grill)

4.     Build your sandwich with the multi-grain bread, mozzarella cheese and a generous portion of the onion, pepper, and pepperoni mixture.

5.     Spray grill with cooking spray and put sandwich onto grill.  Close top of grill and cook until cheese is melted.

6.     Serve Panini with a side of tomato sauce.

This Panini is delicious, easy, quick, and healthy. 

HELLO VEGGIES!!! (and turkey pepperoni isn't too bad for you either) 

It is a perfect Sunday snack or weeknight dinner.

Get FREE STUFF at Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar!

I was introduced to Ayza about two years ago on a first date, the guy wasn't anything special but Ayza turned out to be a hidden gem nestled on the outskirts of Korea Town (West 31st btw Broadway and 5th Ave). Their outdoor patio is beautiful on a summer evening with a crisp glass of white wine to cool you off.  Of in the winter the patio is covered and heated so you can pretend that it is summer and escape the Manhattan chill for a little while.

photo courtesy of http://newyork.blackoaknights.com

Ayza is a wine bar so it's a given that they have a wonderful and extensive wine list featuring an array of reasonable priced wines by the glass or bottle.  They also have a menu that features healthy dishes such as Grilled Baby Shrimp, Hummus and Pita, or Chopped Mediterranean Salad and well as some more splurge worthy items like the Smoked Chicken Breast Panini, Wild Mushroom Pita Tart, and Hot Artichokes with Irish Cheddar Cheese.  Don't forget to top off your meal with decadent chocolate truffles by Jacques Torres or Martine's.

As you know I am always on the hunt for a great deal, so while the food, wine, and ambiance are always fantastic they aren't the best things about Ayza... If you play your cards right at Ayza you can get FREE STUFF!

FREE STUFF #1- Ayza's Facebook Special

If you "like" Ayza on FB you will be emailed a coupon for a free glass of wine! You can only do this once but it is a great way to try the restaurant for the first time and enjoy a drink without spending any money! WOOHOO!

FREE STUFF #2- Girls' Night Out

Tuesday night is ladies' night at Ayza.  You and your girlfriends will get a complimentary chocolate shot and Belgian chocolate covered strawberry when you reserve a table through their website and type in the code "Girls' Night Out"

FREE STUFF #3- Sunday Couples' Night

If you are not a single gal, like myself, then you may enjoy Sunday Couples' Night where you and your honey will get complimentary Jacques Torres chocolate truffles when you reserve a table using the code "Romantic Sunday Special".

FREE STUFF #4- Live Jazz Mondays

Once again you can get a FREE chocolate shot when you use the code "Live Jazz Mondays" to reserve a table.  You'll also enjoy your shot while listening to live jazz musicians playing on the outdoor patio.

Ayza makes it easy to enjoy a Girls' Night Out or a romantic date while still saving money...what could be better than that? 

Oh yeah...FREE CHOCOLATE!

Granddaughter's Matzo Ball Soup

It is currently raining in NYC and I'm feeling a bit under the weather so naturally I'm in the mood for soup.

Yes, I am aware that it is August and soup may not be the first thing that you crave, however, my mother ALWAYS made me matzo ball soup when I was a kid and just the aroma wafting through my apartment is enough to make me perk up a bit.

I call this "Granddaughter's Matzo Ball Soup" because "Grammy's Matzo Ball Soup" takes hours to make and I just don't have the patience to do that. PLUS, I really hate when you make chicken soup from scratch and a layer of fat forms on the top of the pot, then you have to let it cool and scrape it off! (GROSS!)

Here is everything you will need to get a little taste of Grandma's kitchen in under an hour.

GRANDDAUGHTER'S MATZO BALL SOUP

1 package Matzo Ball and Soup Mix (I am partial to the Manischewitz reduced sodium kind but you can use whatever you like)
2 Eggs
2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

1 cup Carrots, cut into bite sized pieces

1 cup Celery, cut into bite sized pieces

1 pound Chicken Breast, boneless and skinless
Water

Dill, fresh, a few sprigs

Black Pepper, to taste

1. Follow preparation instructions on the Matzo Ball Soup box.

2. Before adding matzo balls to the broth add in the chicken, celery, and carrots. Then add matzo balls.

3. Remove dill leaves from the stems and add leaves to the soup.

4. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes (this may be a bit longer than the package suggests but I find that the chicken becomes more tender this way)

5. Remove chicken from the soup and shred.  Add chicken back into the pot.

6. Serve in bowls with fresh cracked black pepper on top.

There you have it! My secret to delicious, no-fuss, matzo ball soup! And best of all this pot is super cheap, you can eat it for days, AND it's so low-calorie that you won't feel guilty about enjoying some comfort food.

www.manischewitz.com

SHHH...Don't tell anybody that it came from a box!