photo by Jamie Beck
Don’t hate me—I’ve always had great NYC Real Estate karma. Despite woeful tales of bathtubs in kitchens and rat-infested hovels, I’ve managed to score great homes with that most elusive Manhattan amenity—private outdoor space. Don’t get me wrong; it hasn’t always been easy. As related in Alphabet City, I battled real-life Japanese Power Rangers to win a spot in the East Village. Later, I ran up against real estate villains like the Lazy Lawyer in my efforts to purchase our current Washington Heights abode. Along the way, I’ve taken to heart the oft-used mantra “With privilege, comes responsibility,” and have endeavored to share the outdoor space with friends. Downtown, that meant a rocking yearly Fourth of July fireworks watching party in the backyard and on the rooftop. Uptown, that has meant inaugurating a new signature celebration around Cinco de Mayo. A couple of years back, when I suggested the South of the Border holiday idea to Chef, a native of Mexico, he balked.
“You know we don’t really celebrate that, right?” he said.
photo by Jamie Beck
“You don’t honor your independence day?!” I replied incredulously.
“Ay, yay yay. That’s what I’m talking about. You gringos get it so confused. Cinco de Mayo is the date of a minor win over the French at Puebla in 1862. Our independence day is September 16.”
“Oh, well that’s too bad. Because beginning of May works better for a party—it’s like the opening our garden for the season.”
“What about a May Day party?” he asked.
“That’s so European. Cinco de Mayo offers better menu options like your famous guacamole. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a margarita?”
photo by Jamie Beck
And so, out of the pure PR logic that a little understood Mexican battle provided superior thematic opportunity, Cinco de Mayo became our new signature celebration. And friends have embraced the idea with creative flare. This year, Joe who works for Madecasse, an amazing Madagascar chocolate company, provided some of their outrageously wonderful vanilla extract for use in my Lime-Vanilla Flan. My new writer buddy Rima brought along her mixologist friend Jason who came with a special concoction called Verdita—a shot of Milagro tequila followed by a chaser of fresh juice made from cilantro, mint, jalapeno, and pineapple. Talk about a crowd pleaser.
Already, people are requesting repeats of some of Chef’s dishes. Our supremely talented photographer friend Jamie of FromMe-ToYou blog insisted on his Jicama-Nopales Salad. Because she has been recording the celebrations in gorgeous images that make us look like we live in a magazine photo shoot, we’re only too happy to oblige. The recipe is below—make sure to check out other pictures from the party at Jamie’s blog.
Cinco de Mayo may be a second rate holiday, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be turned into a first-rate celebration. Thanks for indulging me, Chef. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
photo by Jamie Beck
Chef Juan Pablo’s Jicama-Nopales Salad
Ingredients
1 20 oz. can nopales, drained, rinsed, chiles removed (you can find this at most Whole Foods Markets)
2 medium jicama, peeled and cubed
½ bunch scallions, chopped
½ bunch cilantro, chopped
2 limes, squeezed for juice
3 tomatoes, chopped
3 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Toss all ingredients together. Chill for 20 minutes in refrigerator, then serve.
Chef relaxes prior to guest arrival
Any holiday that means Margaritas is seriously NOT 2nd rate.
YOU are fabulous. I just HAVE to move to NYC. Really there is no place else…but I hate the thought of being poor.
My goal is to retire there. I mean I could probably find one room somewhere with a nice toliet in the kitchen that I could afford and it wouldn’t be any more expensive or worse than a decent Nursing home. and it seems to me that NYC is nice to old people. Have to get my knees fixed first. Field trips would be much better in NYC than in a nursing home.
So, you are becoming my muse, Jon Paul. I have always adored you, but not like this.
Chef and I talk all the time about NYC being such an amazing place to be old – the ability to get around and see museums, etc. So come join us. Maybe we’ll rent you a room in our house and we’ll all grow old together!