With a blizzard making its way towards New York City on Friday, I wasn’t sure whether I should play it safe and give up on going to the highly talked about “Sleep No More.” An exhilarating, eerie, spooky and interactive performance which lets guest wander through a fictional hotel to piece together a silent adaptation of “Macbeth.” Don’t want to say TOO much because the internet has done a great job of keeping it a mystery and I would like to do the same. I DO want to say though if you live in NYC or coming to visit you better get your hands on some (pricey) tickets before the run is over. It was the most bizarre and unique experience I have ever been a part of and I’m glad I ended up going.

I’m glad my group ended up going because this blizzard was just some snow…falling from the sky…ya know…what happens during the wintertime. By the time we had left the performance, the snow was piling up giving me a reason to finally wear my snow boots!

Let It Snow

Hey Nemo

There was no better way to spend the next day–Saturday– looking at all the snow and indulging with hot chocolate at Jacques Torres’ chocolate store. I remember watching his chocolate “show” on Food Network when I’d stay home “sick.” His stores are a chocolate lover’s dream and a dieting person’s nightmare. My boyfriend’s friends were in town this weekend and having all just “survived” Nemo a celebratory hot chocolate was necessary. Jesse and I split a small cup which was PLENTY. After a few sips I told him it felt like we were drinking from Willy Wonka’s chocolate river– the one that Augustus Gloop falls into. Am I the only who would think of something like that? Hah. It was boiling liquid chocolate velvet that probably packed one too many calories per sip. I don’t even want to know but the walk through central park afterwards helped ease my pain. I’m so dramatic .

Jacques Torres

Chocolate Lipstick, Anyone?

Jacques Torres

Hot Chocolate (Snow Is For Dramatic Effect)

The snow was pretty for about 2 hours until everything started slushing up and mixing with the streets of New York (watch out for the yellow snow). I’ve never seen Central Park completely covered with so much snow reminding me of my childhood in Ohio where everything would be covered in snow for eternity 6 months out of the year. Seriously, I once had a snow day on April 25th.

Central Park

It was a fun weekend and it ended with an amazing meal that left me feeling a little healthier than the hot chocolate. I attempted SkinnyTaste’s asian glazed drumsticks which were finger lickin’ good. This is a great dish for those that want to remain healthy but add a little variety to their boring ole’ dinners.

once everything comes to boil, cover, and simmer.

after simmering, reduce sauce by bringing back to boil

Gina’s recipe indicates that once you have simmered the chicken (covered) for 20 minutes bring it back to a boil (uncovered) for 8-10 minutes to thicken the sauce. I found that 8-10 minutes was not enough so I simply removed the chicken from the pot and reduced the sauce for an additional 10 minutes. Once the sauce thickened, I added the chicken back into the pot.

garnish with sesame seeds

I was so impressed with myself. I’ve always been a bit skeptical of recipes that have a glaze because they seem too technical however, I promise this dish is so easy. Watch your timer and the flame to make sure you’re not burning the glaze and you’re good to go. Jesse and I had it alongside garlic brown rice and roasted Brussels sprouts and both agreed it tasted like we ordered in from a Chinese restaurant. Two drumsticks WITH the glaze is only 213 calories and packs 27 grams of protein!

Asian Glazed Drumsticks

This recipe would also work with wings, chicken thighs, and even beef. It’s all about experimenting! Go get a tissue I can see you drooling.