It's The HoliGAY Season!

So I know I've been MIA for over a week but between working like a slave and baking up a storm to send out my Gay Gourmet™ holiday packages and I haven't had a moment to breathe, blog, nor shop for people's Christmas gifts! Well, except for Momma Gladys who is getting fabulous items as always! (I mean I had to go through a bottle of Visine® tired eye relief I've been working so hard!)

So let me catch you up and share some last minute gift ideas as I scramble to make some last minute purchases myself!!

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Well my good friend and NYC employee Christopher Miller had his annual HoliGAY party which is always a blast! I have to mention it for three reasons...

1. I always end up drinking a little too much. I'm always surprised by how drunk I am and how quickly it happens! (see exhibit A) But I'm always glad I'm in good company that is equally as jolly!!

2. Chris is not a cook but boy does he know how to order some pasta for a house full of Gays and employ his friends to make dessert! I always say if you really can't cook then you better have a little black book set aside of people who can! Special shout outs have to go to that lasagna that was delivered and John Mcgarry who can throw down when it comes to holigay cookies!!

(Exhibit A.)

3. I ended up bringing a faboo holigay cocktail! (and I ask how'd i get so drunk..ha)

The Caramel Apple Bowl

1. Bottle Svedka Vanilla - (I know, I know..I'm Stolichnaya Vodka's biggest fan and it seems like blasphemy for me to be using Svedka but they are both fabulous in their own right and to be honest when you're on a budget Svedka is a fantastic vodka that you can buy for under 20 bucks! You'll always be my wife & love Stoli but I unfortunately I am polyamorous and have taken on a mistress!)

1. gallon of your favorite Fresh Apple Cider

several packages of candy canes for garnish.

In a very large punch bowl combine bottle of Svedka with gallon of cider. Ladle over ice, garnish with a candy cane and drink responsibly!! DELICIOSO!

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My favorite little gay marketing firm Target 10 also had a fabulous holigay party at the lounge at Elmo! You may know Elmo as it is owned by Bob Pontarelli and Stephen Heighton of Barracuda and now Industry Bar fame!

I have to say I love the lounge at Elmo and Christmas isn't Christmas if I don't attend at least one event there during the season. Plus they make a fierce Blood Orange Cosmo...maybe they'll share a recipe with me so I can pass it on to all of you! It's FIERCE!

The Target 10 Holigay party was a blast and I even met some fabulous ladies from Ink & Roses PR. (See Exhibit B.)






Good times were had by all!!
Pauric & Louise
Matt in a sensible riding cap!









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Continuing on through the holigays I was honored to be invited by the Fabulous Paige Turner (click the link & then see exhibits C. D. E.)

to check out Next Magazine's Snowball Event at The Limelight Marketplace.



So I grabbed my besty Gabe, hailed a reindeer and off we went! (see exhibit F)
Although I am a Limelight purist and remember what it was like in the days of yore (& still wish it was that way) I have to say that it's quite beautiful what they have done to the space.


The Snowball event was a blast! Paige Turner did a bang up job of hosting as always, there were tons of giveaways, friendly sales people ready to give you free samples, tiny noshes of grilled veggies and dips, free & DELICIOUS VeeV Spirit drinks (the sage cocktail was my favorite) and last but certainly not least the hot boys of Undergear (see exhibit G) helping Ms. Turner and giving away cute undies and delicious Mango Lip Balms!! Santa was also there somewhere but he definitely was upstaged by his "elves." I love you MARK where ever you are!! sigh...

Shopping highlights were definitely the counter at Mari's New York..try the Thai Coffee Brownie! YUM!! and the OM beauty products...ugh I could've spent a fortune!

Gabe & I

Undergear Elves. (Mark is on the right..so what if he can't talk intelligently about art?)

Me & the boys!


Thank You NEXT Magazine, Paige Turner & VeeV for what was a most fabulous evening!



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Speaking of products I have to take a moment to mention Korres Yoghurt Body Butter. (extra moisturising cream for dry skin conditions)

(insert old timey jingle here...ha! it's coming as soon as I can think of it!)

but seriously..

If you haven't discovered Korres RDW (run don't walk) to get some!!! I have to say I'm not a body butter type of gay but I received a bottle as part of a gift and I decided to give it a try as my apartment is freezing so any extra layers I'll take!

Well, since I started using it I've already gone through a bottle and ran out to buy another! I'm OBSESSED! It smells delicious, it's 94.4% natural, and it's doing a bang up job protecting my skin during this winter in NYC!! brrr.

Who would've thought Shea butter, Quince extract, sunflower, avocado & almond oils would make me a body butter junkie? The people at Korres did and you all need to know about it! (no they aren't paying me for this...I'm honestly obsessed)

So spread the work my little gays and gay friendlies!! It comes in all sorts of scents and it's a perfect last minute gift for anyone!!! (well except my family cause if I bought it I'd probably keep it for myself..so you're on your own Muñoz family!)
They also have a full line of other body/beauty products!


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Other great last minute holigay gift ideas can be found here..

The Original Flask

gifts for food people

My favorite/fabulous gift guide

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What else? hmm.. I put up a fabulous little tree named Liza in my tiny apartment...and they said it wouldn't fit! I showed them! (don't you get any ideas...) (see exhibit H)

(exhibit H)
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Oh! The Gay Gourmet™ holiday gift box included some fabulous things!

White & dark chocolate Peppermint thin-mint cookies
Martha's Rosemary Carmel Corn (which I was calling Rosemary Clooney Corn)
Figgy Sugar Cookies with a Brandy Glaze (the brandy glaze makes it!)
Salted Pumpkin Caramels (my favorite)
Rainbow Sugar Cookies (recipe to come)
and Pecan Sassies! (orange ginger and sour cherry) (recipe to come)

This took forever to make and put together but it was worth it and if you were lucky enough to get one you know what Im talking about! Even hottie Andy Cohen of Bravo fame tweeted that he got the package and I quote "mmmmm"


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Other than that I hope you all have a happy and healthy Christmas/holigay and a safe and prosperous New Year! Drink and Eat your faces off (resposibly of course) cause you can go on the Weight Watchers Pointsplus™ program starting January 1st!

Oh and look how cute my niece Penelope is!!! If this doesn't make you feel all warm, fuzzy and Christmasy I don't know what will!!

Frankly™ catching up with The Gay Gourmet™

Frank is an everyday guy. Borough born & bred he goes to work, comes home, has a beer..lives the Italian American dream! He is also the annoying next door neighbor who always has something to say, an opinion to give or a poignant question to ask... and always unprovoked!

Just recently he came knocking at my blog door A-GAIN and after berating me cause I haven't been around to make him some good braciole he told me that he had some things to say about past posts...so without further adieu..


Frankly on Queery the Gay Gourmet Vol.1






Frankly discovers Momma Gladys






Frankly on Deconstucting a Turkey




It's Frankly who he is...




Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™
©2010 Michael Muñoz

GOURMET ALERT! - INDUSTRY BAR NYC OPENS! - The Gay Gourmet™

Well Gays, Lesbians, bachelorettes, fruit flys, Jerseyites and everyone in between Hells Kitchen welcomed a new fancy GAY bar last night called Industry! Owners Bob Pontarelli and Stephen Heighton (of Barracuda & Elmo fame) boasted a 4,000 square foot space with a game room complete with pool table, performance space, lounge & party room with a private bar and boy did they come through! Just walking up to the front door one gets this feeling that the space is going to be intimidatingly huge and fabulous!

I walked in last night not knowing what to expect with it being a Tuesday night & ass-cold outside! What I walked into was a party to which I was apparently late and it was only 8:45pm! Mind you the doors opened at 8! The space upon walking in was not the intimidatingly huge that one gets from the entrance but warm and cozy as it is sectioned off in a fabulous way...oh yea and gorgeous with tons of amber lighting! (which really is the best lighting..why everywhere isn't amber lit is beyond me) People were already knees deep in liquor and fully exploring the space. What was a Gourmet to do but jump right into a Hendricks gimlet and booty shake it through the space myself!

4,000 sq feet indeed..I mean I didn't measure it but I'm pretty good at guestimating size if you know what i mean! (Don't you get any ideas) The performance space is a good size with a cute loungey area and the back bar was definitely the place to be as it was a little hidden and therefore easier to get a drink! (What? I like a good gimlet!)

I knew I was in love immediately for a few reasons...Lady Bunny spinning hot tracks all night & dancing her face off in the booth, Flotilla De Barge whom I haven't seen out in forever, Hendricks & Stoli Wild Cherry were amongst the liquors behind the bar, hot boys a-plenty and some of my favorite faces from the hood were in attendance!

Rumor had it that Natasha Bedingfield was playing at 12:30am but this Gourmet has been having long days and needed to get some shut eye before work so unfortunately I couldn't stay much past midnight. A source told me that at 1am she still hadn't gone on so maybe it was just a rumor in passing? I guess I'll have to see what the neighborhood buzz is to really find out!

A Homo-fabulous mention has to go out to the boys of OutspokenNYC who helped get that party started by throwing their first Tweet-up party! @aurosan @TJKelly10 @StevieNYC @jonathan_bender @TylerHWilliams (of Queery The Gay Gourmet™ fame) @DrCorton @Pardee are certainly gay, opinionated and super fun to be around! It was great to finally meet and connect with them seeming how our twitter conversations and recommendations are endless!! Maybe it's even time to join forces and write a joint blog or do a Gay Gourmet™ homo-fab video blog just for you all!! Who knows?!?

What I do know is that Hell's Kitchen is now more fabulous than ever with this new addition and if you are in the hood definitely stop by and check them out! Tell them I sent you! It may not get you very far but at least you'll be the fabulous one in the know!!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™
©Michael Muñoz 2010

Photo Highlights from the opening!!


The Gay Gourmet™ & Tyler H Williams finally meet!


Fabulous friends - Anthony & Francesca Darling!


Of course I had to get in the middle!


Hey Ladies!


Werqin' a hot orange chain that I thought was yellow last night!





Flotilla Photo Shoot!





Paige Turner & I in our bathroom Headshot shoot!

Man Keepin Mac & Cheese!

They say the way to a man’s heart it through his stomach. Well I don’t know who “they” are but if there is any truth to that this recipe will have them on their knees beggin’ for more! (And who doesn’t like to be a little dominant every once in a while?)

This serves 8-10 in a 13x9in pan.

Sometimes I get small rectangular baking dishes and separate it into smaller batches and then freeze it for later!

That way you can have an intimate evening for two with a smaller portions & leave room for dessert if you know what I mean!!

8 oz block of yellow or white sharp cheddar (reserve about a handful for topping)
8oz pepper jack (reserve about a handful for topping)
4 oz of muenster cheese
6oz of manchego
small canister of ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup grated Romano

1/2 stick butter.
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup of flour

1 tsp grated nutmeg
Heaping tsp of paprika
6 or so squirts of Frank's Hot Sauce (or any Louisiana style hot sauce Frank's is the best though!)
heaping tsp of freshly ground pepper

3 cloves garlic (grated, pureed or pressed)
1 box of pasta shells

I cup of diced Proscuiitto
13x9x2 pan or dish.

Start to boil water for pasta on a back burner & preheat oven to 350

In a heavy bottomed sauce pot, over medium heat begin to melt butter. Once butter is soft whisk in flour to make a roux. Once combined add milk and whisk till thickened, about 3 mins or so. Add nutmeg, paprika & Frank's Hot Sauce.

Add cheddar, jack, muenster & manchego cheeses handfuls at a time till melted and combined! Add 1/4 cup of both Parmesan and romano as well. Depending on your stove you may have to lower heat to medium low as to not burn cheese sauce.

Season water with salt and add pasta to boiling water and cook till Al Dente as pasta will continue to cook in oven with cheese sauce..so you don't want it too soft.

Once pasta is done put it in pan and stir in garlic and pepper. Carefully pour in cheese sauce and stir! Top with ricotta cheese and smooth evenly over top to create a nice creamy layer! Once evenly spread top with reserved Cheddar, Jack, Parmesan & Romano. Put in oven for about 20 mins till bubbly and then under broiler for about 5 to 8 mins till top is crusty, golden and the littlest bit burnt!

As mac is baking, heat a pan with 1tsp of Olive Oil over medium heat and add Proscuitto. cook till crisp! Once crisp transfer to a paper towel to drain oil.

Pull Man Keepin' Mac out of the oven and top with crisp Prosciutto! Let sit for 10 to 15 mins to cool slice and serve!!!



Deliciously Living!

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™

©Michael Muñoz 2010

EAT ME OUT! Ep.1 Peter's Since 1969

Eat Me Out is the segment of my blog where I give you the inside look at new Gourmet places that I find and LOVE!!

The jingle kinda looks like this!

"When You're trying to decide where to eat,
And you wanna find a place that can't be beat,
Who's the gay with the hand on the where about?
Take a seat, listen up & eat me out!"


I am so honored and happy that this FABULOUS restaurant is my first guest on Eat Me out!

Peter's Since 1969 is an amazing place! When you walk in it feels like walking into someone's home and the food is definitely soul warming!! But wait..forget about reading this blog watch the video and let me and owner Melissa Magal take make your mouth water!! (at the food not at how hot we are...either way drool on!)





Peter's Since 1969 (Williamburg)
168 Bedford Ave
(between 7th St & 8th St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 388-2811
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 11 pm


Peter's Since 1969 (Hells Kitchen)
587 9th Avenue New York, NY 10019 -
(212) 868-0600
Open Daily 11am-11pm



Many thanks to Melissa & her husband Arnan for being fabulous people and making such good food!!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™
©Michael Muñoz 2010

Wishful Eating Vol. 2 Fruitcakes & Abercrombie & Fitch

COCKTAIL TIME - Pour it - Sit - Sip & Read!

Hot Apple Bang!

2oz Stoli Wild Cherry
4oz Apple Cider
1 cinnamon stick

Get large cozy mug

Heat Apple Cider with cinnamon stick till hot over medium heat in sauce pan
Pour in mug add Stoli Wild Cherry!

Sip carefully & Enjoy!

As always drink responsibly!
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SO the holiday season is upon us and I don’t know about you but each year that passes it feels less and less festive to me. Maybe it’s because Radio City starts advertising for the Christmas Spectacular way too early or maybe it’s just because the day before Halloween I saw Christmas stuff at Duane Reade.

I LOVE Christmas! I mean I'm the type of guy who wants to be snowed in at a ski lodge/log cabin sitting round the fire, my baby by my side (Yigit Pura will you marry me?), family and friends singing carols, drinking till they do things they regret, Judy Garland’s Christmas Special on the television and the Christmas Goose ready for the feast! I know Vomit! Right? Call me a hopeless romantic or whatever but I will have my cinematic Christmas one day! Just not in October!!

I think where I’m heading with today’s segment is that there is a right way to do “the holigays” (yes HoliGAYS) and a wrong way AND I feel like most choose the latter!

Im not saying everyone has to have a Dolly Parton Christmas or whatever my version of Christmas is. But what I am saying is that everyone gets so crazy about the holidays for the wrong reasons. I mean Black Friday isn’t called Black Friday because it’s joyous. It’s awful! Does anyone really need to be at work at Macy’s at 4am so Aunt Jo and Grandma Lil can knock them over because there is only one leopard print Snuggie® left? NO! (even though they are cute!)

The best gift my Momma Gladys, ever gave me, besides life, was this handmade sterling silver necklace.

Now every year we would have a discussion about how I didn’t really need clothes. I would say “MA! Do not buy me any Abercrombie & Fitch! I may have pictures of their models everywhere but their clothes really don’t fit me!” She’d smile and nod and Christmas morn I would end up with all these A&F clothes with the excuse "What if you want to wear a shirt under it?" (Im gay we wear tight clothes...it was a long battle but she gets that now)

This particular Christmas I was doing a show at a fabulous little theatre in Wisconsin and I had mentioned in passing that I would love to have a lumberjack-chic wardrobe to take with me… (what?? Im gay!!!) You know what I’m talking about…red & black plaid, shearling insulated jacket, Timberlands etc etc. I came home for 2 days for Christmas and on Christmas morn she began to get teary-eyed. When I asked what was wrong she replied “I didn’t know what to get you and I was gonna buy you clothes but you said not to. But I went all over the city looking for that jacket you wanted and all I found was one at this place called Rags-a-GoGo and I couldn’t bring myself to buy you “vintage” clothing…so all I got you was this…”

Well I certainly felt ungrateful…but upon opening the necklace I myself felt a little verklempt! She said it meant luck & prosperity, it looked like a squiggle to me and for all I cared it could’ve meant ice cream and sausage. The fact of the matter was that she had put so much thought into this Christmas and didn’t fall into the let me buy things for my kids just cause I have to mindset. (Not that momma G didn't put thought into the A&F clothes but you know what I mean..it was a long battle and it really meant something)


No I didn’t have a fireplace, nor was I surrounded by a family of 400 but it was the warmest Christmas I could remember and it sure felt like what I long for every year.

I guess the moral of the story is don’t buy a beef stick just because you see the Hickory Farms catalog all over Aunt Ida’s house but put a little thought into it. Ooo big revelation Gay Gourmet..”It’s the thought that counts” like we haven’t heard that before and what does this have to do with food anyway?!?!

Well, no.1 I would put large sums of money on the fact that this would really and actually be true if people were really thinking about the holiday and of the people as opposed to just thinking about getting it over with.

No.2 Wishful Eating is my segment that is basically conversations over coffee, breakfast, lunch etc that I have with you. Feel free to talk back!

No.3 I am at Starbucks…”Who are you to judge me?” having a Weight Watcher® friendly Skim Cap. And a delicious “James” Sandwich from City Sandwich (649 9th Ave NYC).

Really folks, as we get into the hustle and bustle I wish you the most joyous of holiday seasons this year. And remember whether your Kris Kringle is the poor unfortunate at the office, your secret crush or your deaf Uncle Moe everyone deserves their own Jimmy Stewart Holiday, bells and all. So go the extra mile and maybe if you walk down one more street or in one more outlet you’ll find that fruit cake that’s is liquor soaked (how bad can fruit cakes really be?), the non-existent skinny section at Abercrombie or that perfect something!

Here’s to an extra GAY holiday this year! Make it one to remember!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Munoz
The Gay Gourmet™

You may find some fun meaningful items via 3 people & their gift guides that I'm completely obsessed with! (Pink = link, CLICK AAAAAWAY!)

Ms. Rachel Zoe - so good!

Tyler H Williams worked hard on this list and it shows!!

It's New York & Im a New Yorker

oh and a great holiday cover by the HOT boys of Astoria Boulevard to put you in the mood! YUM!

Click here to download their hot Christmas Cover!

Frankly!™ Ep.1 Frankly asks who is The Gay Gourmet™?

Frank is an everyday guy. Borough born & bred he goes to work, comes home, has a beer..lives the Italian American dream! He is also the annoying next door neighbor who always has something to say, an opinion to give or a question to ask... and always unprovoked!

In this first Episode of Frankly!™ Frank knocked on my blog door to find out who I am...



Well Frank, I'm glad you're curious! The Gay Gourmet™ is not a what it's a whom! And the Whom is me! Michael Muñoz! I had this idea two years ago, while watching and being bored by normal cooking shows, to put together a show that encompasses my love for food, musical theatre, style & culture. A reality/variety/cooking show if you will. Well, 2 years later here we are with the blog and a lot of momentum and I couldn't be happier!

Things to coming in the next weeks/month.. The Gay Gourmet™ theme song, fun musical food dance numbers, more recipes, interviews an lots of gay love from yours truly.

So no I unfortunately haven't come across a gay carrot just yet..but if I do I'll be sure to save it for you. As for what's "gay" about it.. I guess it's just one gay man's opinion on the world as he sees it..fortunately it revolves around good food and gay(happy) times!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™

©2010 Michael Muñoz

THE GREAT GAY COOKIE CONTEST!

It's simple...

If you are twitter follower no. 200 leave me a message and you get a free batch of cookies made by yours truly! I will try to be as accommodating as my pocket/kitchen allows!


If you are Facebook Fan Follower no 210... you get a batch of cookies!! You must leave a comment here to win!

If you are blog follower no. 25 COMMENT TO WIN and you get a free batch of cookies!!

What's better than free cookies?!?!

Weight Watchers® I think I can swing healthy energy bars just for you!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Munoz
The Gay Gourmet™
©Michael Munoz 2010

WEIGHT WATCHERS® ALERT!!

So I figured I would just pass the word along cause as you all know I love my good friend Penny who is a lifetime member and many of you have been asking what I know about the new PointsPlus™ program that's being instituted very shortly!

Well in doing some research and with the help of Penny I found another fabulous blogger Lisa Lillien (aka Hungry Girl) who had this to say about what's to come of the new plan:

BREAKING NEWS ALERT: An All-New Weight Watchers Plan Is Here!

There have been a lot of rumors circulating about Weight Watchers' plans to completely overhaul its famous POINTS® program. Well, the new PointsPlus™ program has finally arrived, and we are SUPER-EXCITED! The new plan takes protein and carbs into consideration when calculating a food's value -- not just fat and fiber. Since emerging science establishes that the body processes each of these nutrients differently, the new values will be more effective in terms of weight loss. Some foods have higher values than they did on the old plan, but you get a bigger "points budget" to work with. And -- HUGE news -- just like most veggies, all fruit has a PointsPlus™ value of ZERO!!!! (That's right, people. Enjoy those ZERO PointsPlus™ value BANANAS. AHHHHHHH!) The plan also emphasizes what it calls Power Foods, stuff that's both filling and healthy. The WW plan is still super-flexible, but it's designed to help you make smarter food choices without even thinking about it. THAT ROCKS. Look for new PointsPlus™ values rolling out VERY soon in your HG emails, and consult Weight Watchers for all the details on the new plan. Congrats, WW!

I agree! Congrats WW! Like I said in my Cookin' for Penny Blog, upon entering the food blog world I wanted to try to appeal and help as many people as possible come up with new food ideas and enjoy eating, learning and cooking! I tried WW via all the info I found online to see what it was like to be on one of these commercial diets. I picked this one especially cause I knew of so may success stories. It's a FANTASTIC program that No.1 does help you make good eating choices with out thinking about it too much and No.2 Helps you lose weight healthily and quickly!

This new plan sounds FANTASTIC and I'm super excited/cant wait to see what it holds and how I can adjust all my food to fit it's needs!! Till then my little hungry happy(gay) followers live deliciously!! You can also read up about the plan at these sites...PINK = Link click away!! Oh and Stay tuned for more Cookin for Penny Segments/Weight Watcher® Addendums to come!!

Weight Watchers

The Examiner

USA Today

Wall Street Journal

There is a video as well - click here

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™

©Michael Muñoz 2010

Big Gay Thanksgiving Relived!

So I hope all of your Thanksgivings were as joyous as the 3 that I had! Here is the breakdown of my Big Gay Thanksgiving just for you!! Like I mentioned in an earlier post some of the recipes are mine, some I found and I love, and some I found but they needed a little homosexual touch to make it perfection! Before I start I have to give a special shout out/thank you/licks/kisses & hugs to John Dolan who took all these amazing photos! I am forever indebted to you! MUAH!

SO the first course was my Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Carrot soup with Grilled Blue Cheese Croutons!

(recipe to follow as this make a great Autumn/Winter Soup! Weight Watcher® Friendly!)

It's so delicious all you'll want to do is serve it up and cuddle up with a good movie or a hot mans! (yes I said mans)


Dinner was scrumptious! The array went like this!


There was a warm salad of Caramelized Brussel Sprouts and Cannellini Beans Tossed in a light homemade vinegrette and garnished with freshly shaved Pecorino Romano!

(recipe to follow - Weight Watchers® this is a good one for you! low points & delicious!!)









Then there were Wild Mushroom Bundles courtesy of Shelly Wiseman of Gourmet Magazine via Epicurious.com. This recipe is slightly labor intensive and was one that needed a homosexual touch to make it just right. I took the suggestion of someone who commented on the recipe and added goat cheese to it. I can't imagine them with out it really! They are so freakin'delicious make sure you make extra just for yourself and store them away!

I also have to give a special shout out/thanks to my sous-chef of the day, Gabriel Beck, who essentially took this project under his wing and perfected it!





Next came my Man Keepin' Mac & Cheese! Is there really much more I need to say about this? A delicious combination of Pepper Jack, Cheddar, Manchego, Romano, Parmesan, Muenster, & Ricotta that will have you screaming in ecstasy!

(recipe to follow - Weight Watchers® there is no point in making a low point Mac & Cheese..Flex baby Flex!!)





Next came my twice baked sweet potatoes! I went a-searchin' for some fun sweet potato recipe and didn't find anything I really loved. I did come across one that inspired this recipe though. The recipe I found just had you place a streusel on top of the backed potatoes. But I thought well that makes no sense cause I wanna taste the goodness throughout! So i dug em out Gay Gourmet'd™ them up then added the streusel and they were UH-MAZING!!!

(recipe to follow... Weight Watchers® It's Thanksgiving for goodness sake! lol Just close your eyes.. or better yet a baked sweet potato with some salt pepper and smart balance is super delicious too!)



On to Ms. Rachel Ray's Stuffing Muffins. In my stuffing muffins I used cornbread, chorizo, celery, apple & leeks and then followed her recipe on how to put it all together.. sadly they didnt stay together when taking them out of the muffin tins. I dont know whether it's because there is no binding agent or cause I substituted cornbread...but I need to figure it out and report back! The Stuffing was still delicioso nonetheless!




As for sauces for my turkey I has a mushroom gravy which I sadly dont have a picture of cause it was beautiful and delicious! and then I had a Cosmopolitan Cranberry Sauce! Courtesy of Rick Rodgers via Epicurious.com! I like to doctah (yes I said doctah) this just a hair. I throw in a little extra sugar and then I used 1/2 cup vodka splitting it between half Stoli Ohranj & Half Stoli Applik! I also jullienned a green apple and added the zest of one orange after it had cooled. Throw the juice of half a lime in there along with the Grand Marnier and this recipe goes from perfect to brilliant!


Last but certainly not least was the Turkey! So delicious and I don't really need to say much as there have been 3 blogs about this bird already! But i do need to show you the picture one more time and give the idea credit to Chef Stephen Lewandowski who did this for his family last year. It seemed so good and intriguing that I needed to try this process for myself this year and against his recommendation I Gay Gourmet'd™ it and stuffed it. But is was SO GOOD!!



Dessert consisted of Ms. Martha Stewart's Chocolate Pumpkin Tart which I have been making for years and it's soo good! I have to go into my backlog of recipes to find this one as the one they have on the site has been updated to make it easier but I dont think it's as good as the original recipe!

Good food is worth the time and effort folks!

There was also a White Cheddar Apple Pie! Just take your traditions Apple Pie recipe and layer in delicious slivers of while cheddar. You'll thank me later!

Top it all off with a little homemade Grand Marnier Whipped Cream (two pints heavy cream 2 TBS of Grand Marnier 1/2 cup of confectioners sugar & whip away) and the evening is complete!

Other than that there was wine and liquor galore!

Oh you must be saying to yourself wow this is so much food and it must have cost an arm and a leg! I was contemplating giving you a price breakdown but Ill just say that I spent around $160 dollars which when broken down per head is a little over $13 dollars a person. I didn't buy or bring any of the liquor. The Gays brought that and I sent two of my friends the dessert recipes as I just didn't have the time nor the oven space to bake dessert.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I did cooking it! More to come!!

Deliciously Living

Michael Munoz

The Gay Gourmet™
©Michael Munoz 201 for The Gay Gourmet™

All photos are ©John Dolan Photography 2010 and may not be used without permission

Pounding, Stuffing & Rolling!

Here is the segment where we pound out our deconstructed turkey, stuff it and roll it! DELICOSO!!!



After it's stuffed, and rolled you want to wrap it in two layers of plastic wrap and then foil. You should end up with two large sausage like rolls. Bring a large pan of water to a boil and drop them in for about an hour or until the reach just over 140 degrees. Take them out and let them cool and store in the refrigerator. The next day preheat the oven to 350 and put them in for about an hour or until they reach 160 degrees! Baste with butter and turkey stock. You can also garnish with fresh bacon bits and parsley. When done take it out of the oven and let rest for like 10 to 15 mins and serve. DELICOSO!





Many Thanks to Tribeca Grill, Drew Neiporent, Stephen Lewandowski, Martin Shapiro, Meaghan Sause & of course Sous-Chef Tony Ferrante


Tony Ferrante
©Michael Munoz 2010 for The Gay Gourmet™

A Thanksgiving Greeting!!

Well the turkey has been eaten and Gladys and I are well onto our 4th bottle of wine! Dont you love her nails?!?!



So Glam! I hope all you of have the most joyous of Thanksgivings wherever you are!

Deliciously Living

Michael & Momma Gladys!
aka The Gay Gourmet™

©Michael Munoz for The Gay Gourmet™ 2010

Deconstructing a Turkey Lurkey!

Sous Chef of Tribeca Grill, Tony Ferrante, takes me through deconstructing a turkey!!

You may be asking yourself...now why would I want to do this? Well if you have a small kitchen/oven like myself, the Turkey is smaller and therefore fits easier into my oven. Even if you have a big oven, since the Turkey is smaller it takes less time to cook therefore giving you more space and time to use your oven for whatever else you may need to cook this holiday season!

Watch on!!




©Michael Munoz 2010 for The Gay Gourmet™


Many Thanks to Tribeca Grill, Drew Neiporent, Stephen Lewandowski, Martin Shapiro, Meaghan Sause & of course Sous-Chef Tony Ferrante

Turkey Teaser!!

©Michael Munoz for The Gay Gourmet™

Many Thanks to Tribeca Grill, Drew Neiporent, Stephen Lewandowski, Martin Shapiro, Meaghan Sause & of course Sous-Chef Tony Ferrante

"Wishful Eating!" Vol. 1

Wishful Eating is the forum on this blog where fans, friend and I discuss life, food, love & everything in between!

This here is loverly note that I received from one of my best friends the other day! He was so moved he had to share his experience!


The Note:

So yesterday afternoon I had a date and afterwards I wanted to dunk my entire head into a vat of Haagen Daz because it was so bad. Luckily, I'm a vain gay man and just had a couple of chocolate chocolate chip cookies and a slice of chocolate cake with buttercream icing to ease the pain. After my snack I noticed that I was actually hungry and being that it was now 4:30 and I had pork chops thawed in my fridge I thought why not start making dinner. Well what does one do with pork chops? I realized at that precise moment that I had never in all my 33yrs of living had never cooked a pork chop.

I'm sure you're thinking is this guy a Jew?

No but I've always wanted to date one, but I digress,

I'm actually a beautiful black man whose bacon eating/ham sandwich for breakfast eatin ass never had cooked a pork chop. Luckily I knew exactly what to do. I would gchat one of my best friends in the whole world, Michael Munoz aka The Gay Gourmet, and ask what to do!

He of course knew all the right questions to ask.

"What do ya mean you ain't never cooked pawrk chops!?!? You're ethnic ain't chew??"

After that the questions were a little less harsh and more on the lines of

"Do you have salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder?"

"How big is the meat?" he asks, if I had a dime for every time....

I took the chop and put it up to the camera and he said

"Oh just take those ingredients and make a rub and fry those bitches up!"

I used about a Tbs of each mixed it together and rubbed it all over the meat. By this time I had my skillet, with about a Tbs of olive oil in it, good and hot and dropped the meat onto the pan. The smell of the meat was so amazing and I couldn't wait to take a bite!!!

He, The Gay Gourmet, was finished with me yet.

He said "Do you have any nuts?" to which I replied two, he didn't react but replied "Then put them in a pan on medium high heat and once they start to smell throw about two Tbs of maple syrup in there add some water and let that reduce then put that on top of the chops when they're done!"

I realized that he was talking about actual nuts and realized I had some walnuts in the cupboards and quickly went to work. The result of this was so autumnal and delicious I took a photo and had to share it with him and of course all of you avid The Gay Gourmet readers.

Here's to eating well, better dates & happiness.

Thank You Gay Gourmet!

<3 Michael Bragg!



©2010 Michael Munoz

If you'd like to share an experience, a lovely note on how I may have helped or put something out there that maybe I can help with in this open forum, hit me up at hesthegaygourmet@gmail.com

Queery The Gay Gourmet™! Ep.1

Hello Gorgeous!

Welcome to Queery The Gay Gourmet™! The Q & A section of my blog where I answer your questions! Whether it's a kitchen disaster, you need a menu idea, or just want to shoot the ham I'm here for you! Feel free to send all "Queeries" to hesthegaygourmet@gmail.com

Now I received this letter the other day and boy what a predicament! But this is an easy fix! Read on!

----

Hey Michael!

I am Tyler Williams, a luxury/lifestyle publicist and fashion blogger in NYC and I'm not exactly well-aquainted with my kitchen. Whenever my boyfriend needs to hide something from me (i.e. birthday presents), he hides it in the kitchen.

Please keep in mind that this is approximately a 5x5 space, as we live in Manhattan. I digress.

The other day, the boyfriend gently suggests that I cook something, so I reluctantly agree to put the mango-chutney turkey burgers he did on the George Foreman grill.

In college, I mostly survived on a diet of grilled chicken (created with said George Foreman), peanut butter and red wine, so I thought I could handle grilling two patties. Instead, the patties stuck to either side of the George Foreman for their dear lives, creating the shredded mess you see in the picture. I ended up cooking the shreds as they were, creating a kind of shredded turkey burger sandwich. Meanwhile, I burned the flatbread (also seen in the picture) for the burgers. So, essentially, can you help me figure out how to keep my grilling appliances from destroying my food so I am less distracted and can remember to take the bread out of the oven? Help me Gay Gourmet!!

Tyler Williams
http://hauteandthecity.com/




Oh where to begin!

Someone once said a way to a man's heart is through his stomach and I believe it..even though I may have been accused of trying to get there other ways...I digress. My point is that every girl, boy and in between should have a back pocket of tricks (other than bedroom ones or a phone full of them) that can keep things fresh, spicy and your significant other wanting more! moooore! moooooore!

So i want to touch on a couple things here

First Tyler I need to applaud your efforts and tell you BE NOT AFRAID of your kitchen or its appliances! By the time I'm done with you you are gonna be a pro!

Second...So you have a 5x5 kitchen...well baby here I''ve got you beat as I maybe have 2 feet of kitchen space in which I'll be cooking Thanksgiving for 12. So what I'm trying to tell you is that SIZE DOES NOT matter in this instance! Not that we are comparing sizes!



Thirdly it sounds to me from your letter that your Mans (yes I said mans) made the burgers and you cooked them. What a great way to spend some new quality time together! Especially since it seems like he's often alone in the kitchen. The kitchen can be very sexy..raw meat aside (don't you get any ideas..)

Alrighty the burgers & Mr. Foreman...

First off it sounds like you didn't grease up Mr. Foreman. Think of it like a gay man! He needed those big muskles (yes I said muskles) greased up before a fight and his grill needs some grease before you cook on it. Whether it's some PAM®, some olive oil on a napkin that you wipe the grill with or some DELICIOUS pats of butter that you soaked the burger in you need it. Especially since it doesn't sound like this is the newest of appliances and that's why it comes it that little grease pan..it'll all drip out at the end!

PLUS remember when I was talking about kitchens being sexy? I have one word for you.. Grease..

Another thing that may have caused your sticking problem is that you didn't leave the grill closed long enough. Depending on how big your burgers were they take a good few mins to cook and cook through. If you were grilling on a normal grill an 8 ounce turkey burger probably would take about 4 to 5 mins per side. If you lifted your ungreased Foreman too early of course it was gonna stick.

Lastly your meat should be dry before putting it in a pan or on a grill. The last thing you want it to do is to seize and get tough! (dont you get any ideas..)

Here's what I would have done in your situation cause it sounds like you had a good thing going!

Turn on the Foreman as soon as you start seasoning cause you want it nice and hot.

I would have taken your turkey meat and seasoned it with some fresh chopped garlic, cilantro or parsley (don't forget to wash it) and some salt and pepper. (some people, like my mom, Gladys, like to put an egg or egg white into the meat cause it acts like a binding agent..you can or cant..i don't think it matters in this instance)

You also can throw a few jalepenos in there if you want to spice it up. Cut them length-wise and using a spoon remove ribs and seeds as that's where all the heat is. (CUIDADO! that you don't touch your face, eyes, mouth or any other delicate body part on you or your man as it'll burn and be very unpleasant!) chop them up and throw 'em in!

Whether you add the jalepenos or not mix it well..yes with your hands lady!

Once the meat is seasoned, form them into palm sized pattys and set them aside on a plate. (wash your hands) Then, depending on how many pattys you have take about a tablespoon of butter for each patty and over med low heat watch it melt. It will melt fairly fast and burn if you don't watch it. Pour it into a bowl and then dip each patty in it, throw them the Foreman Grill and close it. (Weight Watchers® are cringing yet salivating at this point - if you don't want to be a fatty you can use PAM® or an Olive Oiled Napkin and wipe the grill with it before you heat it)

Chutney is basically vinegar, sugar and fruit.. so if you wanted it heated in the same pan that you melted the butter toss the chutney till lightly browned. Should only take a couple of minutes. You don't have to do this and it would make a nice topping unheated.

Lastly after you put the burgers on wait 5 minutes and then put your flatbread in your toaster, toaster oven or oven and set a timer for 5 minutes if you cant remember! Correct me if I'm wrong but don't all Foremans come with a bun warmer attached?? Lord knows I love some warm buns!

And there you have it my lovely!!

Treat your man well, feed him delicious things, give him good lovin' and he'll never leave your side.

P.S. The Gay Gourmet™ is single so do either one of you have a hot gay brother?!?!

Till next time!

Live Deliciously!

The Gay Gourmet™

The Gay Gourmet™ will answer your questions too! Send all "Queeries" to hesthegaygourmet@gmail.com

BIG GAY THANKSGIVING!

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

The Gay Gourmet™ has cordially invited you to witness the deliciousness that will be my 2nd annual Big Gay Thanksgiving!

12 Fabulous NYC Gays will gather on Sunday the 21st of November at the gallery roof deck of my apartment building to wine, dine, talk about men and give thanks!

7:00pm Cocktails

8:00pm Dinner & a gay ol' time!

The Menu is comprised of old recipes that I've found and love, some of my own recipes and some recipes that I found, liked but then doctored to make better!

(Weight Watchers® may want to cover your eyes for the rest of this or save up them Flex Points!)

Appetizer

Pumpkin, Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup

Main

Turkey Roulade stuffed with leek, chorizo & apple! with mushroom Gravy

Cornbread, leek, chorizo & apple stuffing muffins!

Man Keepin' Mac & Cheese!

Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese bundles!

Twice baked Sweet Potatoes!

Fried Brussel Sprouts with Cannellini Beans and Shave Parmesan

&

Cosmopolitan Cranberry Sauce

Dessert

White Cheddar & Apple Pie!

&

Chocolate Pumpkin Tart!


Recipes, Drunkenness and Goodness to follow!!!

Deliciously Living,

The Gay Gourmet™












-

Cookin' for Penny! the Weight Watchers® Addendum to Spread 'em & Dip it!

I have known my friend Jennifer, (Penny) I'm the only one allowed to call her that so back off, for about 12 years now. When I first met Jennifer I knew it was gonna be one of those everlasting, jolly, mayhem filled relationships and I was fully prepared. Jennifer is an opera singer and you better watch out cause she is FIERCE! Over the years of her auditioning and performing, there has been only one thing holding my Penny back from greatness... her weight.

A few years back, as she tells the story, she was doing a production where she was playing a supporting role. The lead girl was this petite thing that wasn't bad but Penny could have totally sang the hell out of that part.

(I know that sounds bitchy but really as a singer/performer myself you know when you can out sing/dance/act someone and I guess this was one of those instances. Another side note is that a lot of times in the performing world you get the part cause you are pretty and skinny not because you are talented.) I digress..

One night during the performance something clicked in Penny's head and the next day she got on a treadmill joined the Weight Watchers® and never looked back!

I have researched the program and even tried it for myself for a little while, as an experiment, as I endeavored into this world of food blogging and it works. Ive seen it in Penny, in my Drag Queen friend All beef Patty and many others!

So from this day forward I will dedicate all Weight Watchers® addendums to you Penny and to all my friends struggling with weight issues! hopefully I can inspire you to find ways to still eat deliciously and lose weight at the same time!

So lets begin..the other day I wrote the first installment of recipe blog called Put It In Me! (those dark pink words are a link to it..click it!) You will have to reference that for the recipes but I've given you point break downs and maybe even some changes to make it lighter, healthier and points friendly so you can beast!!!

The Olive Tapenade!

1 lb of Olives will cost you 13.5pts

2tbs capers 0pts

3 to 4 Roasted Garlic cloves is about 2 points depending on how much Olive Oil you used when roasting it.

If you make the Tapenade a little less rich with EVOO by using

1 TBS in the processor 4pts
1Tbs for Garnish 4pts

The cilantro, pepper, oregano, lemon zest and juice are 0pts

total points = 23pts total

which is basically 4 points a serving for 6 servings.*

*Remember you are dipping and spreading..so you could possibly not even eat a full serving..Granted you can B.L.T (bite lick & taste) your way into a predicament but be your smart Weight Watcher self and this could be a healthy and delicious snack!!

Moving on to my Oh So Delicioso Cannellini Bean Dip it!

15oz can of Cannellini Beans is about 3 cups - 7.5pts

If you use 1/3 cup light sour cream instead of full fat 2.5pt (or fat free is 1pt)

My jar of Sundried Tomatoes is telling me that it's 1 point for 4 pieces but I don't believe it cause they are oil soaked! I'm gonna give them 2 point per 4 pieces cause I bet I can squeeze out 2 teaspoons of oil from it or at least a 1.5 tsp.

So You figure 6 to 8 oil packed sundried tomatoes is 3 or 4pts.

Again 3 to 4 Roasted Garlic cloves is about 2 points depending on how much Olive Oil you used when roasting it.

The rest of the ingredients are 0pts.

So the tally is.... 20pts total 6-8 servings 3.5pts or 2.5 a serving*!!! DELICIOSO!!!

*Who cares if you eat a full serving cause its only 2.5pts and freakin' delicious!

Now this mushroom, blue cheese, maple walnut spread('em) maybe a challenge but lets see what we can do here...

Portobello Mushrooms 8 large is 7pts

3 to 4 Roasted Garlic cloves is about 2 points depending on how much Olive Oil you used when roasting it.

use 1/2 cup blue cheese instead of 3/4 cup - 6.5pts (a little B.cheese goes a long way)

1/3 cup walnuts - 7pts

3tbs maple syrup is 3 points

and use 2 tsp EVOO instead of a Tbs - 2.5pts

salt & pepper don't cost you anything except maybe a little water retention.

The grand total - 28 points - 6 servings will cost you 4.5 points a serving*

* Ill say it again - Remember you are dipping and spreading..so you could possibly not even eat a full serving..Granted you can B.L.T (bite lick & taste) your way into a predicament but be your smart Weight Watcher self and this could be a mildly healthy and delicious snack!!

SO there we have it folks! My first installment of Cookin' for Penny! She's an inspiration, gorgeous & a diva!! (see photo below! Courtesy of yours truly)

Stay true to yourselves and your diet and you too could look just as fabulous!! And remember activity points come in all forms! So pick up the pace on your way to the supermarket, work or to pick up the kids, break a sweat and earn an extra point or two for the Mushroom, blue cheese and maple walnut Spread('em)!!

Deliciously Living!

The Gay Gourmet™