Presidential!

Today is Presidents' Day and I don't like it much, but "happy" anyway to you. What happened to celebrating Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays separately? I loved those holidays as a kid and find it awful that this consolidated holiday is now mostly about shopping. Onward...

In the interest of full disclosure, I need to show you a picture of my neighborhood’s (perhaps all of Brooklyn’s) Donut Heaven…Peter Pan Donuts.

This donut shop has been here for decades and their de-lish donuts are the stuff of legends. On Fat Thursday, I couldn’t get near enough to get a picture. People were crammed inside and lined the sidewalks, waiting patiently for their favorites.

There is counter service available but you will wait an eternity for a seat. Many people have had “same seats” since Peter Pan opened in the 50’s and they spend quite a lot of time at the counter, "owning the stool" so to speak, nibbling donuts, washing down each bite with coffee and sharing the news of the ‘hood with their pals.

The staff is dressed in pink and green, speaking Polish to all the regulars and most of the customers and bagging up dozens and dozens of donuts without nicking the perfect glazes or mussing up the powdered sugar. Nutritional content aside, it is nice to see such an anchor in a neighborhood. The children who clamored for a jelly donut opening day are now grandparents. It is also nice to see, too, in the shadow of Manhattan’s gorgeous skyline, that a fresh, really de-lish donut and a robust cuppa coffee only cost $2.00. Make mine a double (not).

To compensate for my Saturday sugar spurge, I made this for lunch. I have shared that I am not much of a bread eater (especially after a marble cruller) but I do like an occasional sandwich, especially when it looks like this! Open-faced makes me happy-faced!

Black Bean Hummus Sandwich

On a luscious slice of whole grain bread, slather black bean hummus. Top with some fresh greens, roasted red peppers, sliced avocado, a sprig or two of cilantro and some mayo spiced up with a little chipotle. Squirt all with fresh lemon juice. Wash it down with some chilled veggie juice or green tea. Yum...presidential stuff!