Orange Strawberry and Banana Kernik

Will you just get a load of this?

Orange Strawberry and Banana Kernik

12 ounces banana pulp (I used 3 purple bananas and one yellow banana)

juice and zest of one large orange

1 pound strawberries, washed and hulled, plus more berries for the top, if desired

1 12-ounce package soft silken tofu

1 cup soymilk (I use Westsoy unsweetened)

¼ cup coconut oil

¾ cup maple syrup

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups apple cider

4 tablespoons agar flakes

Puree the fruit, tofu, soymilk, oil, and syrup in a blender on high speed for several minutes until very smooth. You may have to do this in a few batches. Pour the apple juice into a saucepan and sprinkle the agar flakes on top. Heat the juice until the agar dissolves. Blend the juice into the fruit-soy mixture, and pout into a 9-inch springform pan, and chill an hour or two until set. If you happen to have a chocolate shortbread crust in that springform pan, so much the better. Top with beautiful strawberries, if you got ‘em.

Red Stuff

3 ounces red currant jelly

3 ounces apple cider

1 ounce port wine (optional)

1 tablespoon agar flakes

Melt the currant jelly with the juice and wine in a small saucepan. Sprinkle on the agar flakes and cook until the flakes dissolve. Allow the red stuff to cool slightly and carefully pour it over the back of a spoon onto the surface of the cake, or brush a bit over each berry.

Intriguing Street Names of New York Part VI

Troon Road, Jamaica Estates, Queens

I took a ride to the farthest-out reaches of our farthest-out borough yesterday and came upon Troon Road. This word makes me thing of small, furry and highly intelligent space aliens, but it is in fact the Dutch word for throne, appropriately enough for Queens.
I still get lost trying to find my way back from Queens, but I have learned one thing. If you come to a sign that says "Welcome to Great Neck," you are going the wrong way, unless of course you live in Great Neck, in which case welcome home.
If you find yourself in these parts, don't miss the mango pudding at Buddha Bodai.

Are You Discriminant?

Kostas Cleaners, East 33rd Street, Manhattan