always occupied

Guess what today is folks? National Corned Beef Hash Day! I’m elated. May the record show that September 27th annually is a day for celebrating one of the most revered, and feared, breakfast items known to many as “that stuff that looks like dog food.”

Now, I fully understand that loving corned beef hash and all its greasy glory makes me an outsider. Not many can stomach the granular goodness of minced meat product mingled with potato. I’m talking Hormel out of the can and into the pan, sizzle sizzle, the smell of preservative wafting through the kitchen. Slap a sunnyside up egg on that mountain of yum and enjoy. Reminds me of childhood, cross-legged on the couch eating hash and watching My Little Pony. Mom was a epic canned food cook. CBH was always in the house.

And CBH has followed me into adulthood. Let me share a little story with you: I’d say I’m a frequent flyer, if 7 international trips and 10 domestic flights in the past year cuts it. And nothing sucks more than a 6 a.m. business flight followed by back-to-back meetings. However, a recent experience at the Jet Blue JFK terminal turned this bitch ass traveler into a cooing, complacent passenger. Why? Corned beef hash. Yes siree! Imagine my delight as I scuffled over to the terminal breakfast buffet – yep, there’s a breakfast buffet (JetBlue = 2) – and saw a beautiful, aromatic vat of CBH.

Now, you know that somewhere along the terminal planning process the brilliant folks at Jet Blue F&B were having a heated conversation about whether or not to include CBH on the buffet table. I can see it now: “But who the hell eats corned beef hash anyway?” “Well, surveys show that at least 30-percent of breakfast eaters would help themselves to a scoop” “But who are these vile people? Everyone knows that corned beef hash is really dog food parading around as a breakfast item” “I guess it does kinda look like dog food.” “Well, maybe that will appeal to pet lovers…” And so on..

Well – naysayers be gone. CBH prevailed.

So now, I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Jet Blue exec that valiantly fought for the inclusion of CBH on the breakfast buffet at the JFK terminal. You, sir/gal, are a good person. A strong person with an even stronger stomach. Dog food argument aside, CHB is not only a sound breakfast choice that packs a punch of much-needed early-morning protein, but it’s also an American institution. A truck stop staple. A family pantry mainstay. Even Mrs. Lincoln, as in Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, was a fan; here’s her 1884 hash recipe.

Fun Facts:

• According to The Encyclopedia of North American Eating and Drinking Traditions “The word ‘hash’ (fried odds-and-ends dish) came into English in the mid-17th century from the old French word ‘hacher’, meaning to chop. Corned beef hash…probably has its origins in being a palatable combination of leftovers. In the 19th century, restaurants serving inexpensive meals–precursors to today’s diners–became known as hash houses…By the early 1900s, corned beef hash was a common menu item in these places.”

• One serving of canned corned beef hash contains 387 calories, 24g of fat and 1,003 mg of sodium. Add 2 eggs fired in butter and tack on 242 calories, 21g of fat and 221mg of sodium. That’s a total of 629 calories, 45g of fat and 1,224mg of sodium. We’re talking breakfast of champions here.

• Here is a delicious 3-minute video montage of CBH, courtesy of Food Wishes Video Recipes LLC (a whole other blog entry…), enjoy

• Martha Stewart thinks CBH is worthy of a recipe, so there. Though, hers calls for root vegetables and grainy mustard… Whatever. Here you go.

• Besides JFK, other places to get great hash in NYC include:

1. Viand, 75th and Broadway – a dinerific joint with a great counter on the UWS.
2. Hector’s Café, 44 Little W. 12 and Washington St. – basically, a truck stop in the Meatpacking, open from 2 am to 5 pm, so you know they their hash done up right.
3. Sarge’s, 3rd and 37th – um, yum. Deli style.
4. Maggie Browns, Clinton Hill – a home cookin’ version of CBH they call The Beryl Evans, hot off the skillet.
5. The Libertine, in the Gild Hall hotel – this hash comes with a side of snoot. See, even the snobs recognize the worth of a good pile of CBH. Even if it is all fancy like.

Now – go forth and enjoy. I know I will.

Looking for a diet plan?  Food, Inc.  See it and prepare to be horrified.  And bunk those reprehensible companies.  Doesn’t anyone have a conscience anymore?  Today I am an all organic, buying local, non-chicken eating chick.   I’m feeling good and sanctimonious on my way to a new healthful, thoughtful state of being. As my husband is wont to say, he is hopeful, but not optimistic.  Here’s to proving him wrong (even if I’m also hopeful, but not exactly optimistic – just don’t tell him as the chances are, he will never read this!).

I crammed in way too much this weekend. I’m feeling it today…but easily the highlight was from Saturday night: The Very Best - check them out at their MySpace page (link).

Here is a video from a recent live performance:

And here is a video from vocalist Esau Mwamwaya’s home country, Malawi:

Each year, in honor of our humble “business plan on a cocktail napkin” beginnings, Maloney & Fox sends our friends and family a package of custom coasters—just to let you know we’re thinking about ya.

If you’ve been checking the mail daily for your annual M&F coasters, and worry you’ve been left off our list…

FEAR NOT.

This year, in lieu of our traditional coasters, we thought it better to reach out and lend a hand. Recessions blow and everyone’s load seems to be getting heavier.  But when the going gets tough, the tough make bags for charity.

Our friends at Operation Smile work hard every day to heal children’s smiles and transform lives across the globe. By purchasing this limited edition Maloney & Fox Smile Tote for just $35, you can help them give a child the smile they deserve.

Besides, don’t you think it’s time your cocktail stood up on its own?

(click on the images below for a better look at the bag and for information about our good friends at Operation Smile)

It’s no secret if you follow me on Twitter (bmaloney212), Facebook or are around me for at least five seconds you’ll know about my newest obsession in fantastic talent – Lauren Zettler (myspace.com/laurenzettler).  I’ve always been a fanatic about women with great voices who play the guitar but don’t think I’ve ever been this close to being a stalker or giving up my job to be a LZ groupie.

In addition to her first EP “Call Me Out” (which I have copies for anyone who wants one) she’s just released her newest EP “On Your Back Porch.” Both bodies of work are the type of music for me that just either stays in my CD or locked on constant play on my iPod.  Favorites are “So Much Here,” “Over My Head,” “Call Your Bluff,” “Killed a Man,” I Want You Back,” and “Persevere.”  Lauren also composed and sings “Fresh Pair of Eyes” on the www.maloneyfox.com Web site along with two other fun and catchy branded ditties.

Her upcoming show is at Rockwood Music Hall (www.rockwoodmusichall.com) Monday, May 11th at 9PM.  There is no cover and it’s a great (and important) venue for artists to showcase their stuff.  Lauren will also perform with Allison Weiss in the Pacific Northwest beginning May 21st (see schedule below).

Portland, Oregon

Thursday, May 21 @ 8:00PM

House Concert - Woot - PNW Mini Tour with Allison Weiss! RSVP inside

Friday, May 22 @ 8:00PM

Someday Lounge w/ Allison Weiss

Saturday, May 23 @ 8:00PM

The Waypost w/ Allison Weiss

Seattle, Washington

Sunday, May 24 @ 7:00PM

The Skylark Cafe & Club w/ Allison Weiss

Vancouver, British Columbia

Wednesday, May 27 @ 7:00PM

The Railway Club w/ Allison Weiss

I hope you can check her out sometime and tell your friends of your newest musical discovery!