Summon your inner Giada DiLaurentis and whip up your own homemade spaghetti sauce. It’s a must have basic for your arsenal, so much better than jarred sauce and it can easily be transformed for multiple dishes.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 clove of Garlic
1 Can San Marzano Tomatoes
Salt & Pepper
Basil

Heat Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a large pan. Saute chopped garlic until fragrant but not browned. Add can of tomatoes, fresh basil and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer on low for 25-30 minutes, stirring as needed.

Variation One: Add blanched broccoli rabe and browned spicy italian sausage for a hearty dinner

Variation Two: Increase the garlic to 2-3 cloves and add a 1/2 cup of heavy cream for makeshift penne a la vodka

Betty is a huge fan of appetizers: mini portions mean you can try everything, eating with your hands is always fun and they are generally accompanied by tasty cocktails.

Check out Betty’s favorite super easy appetizers (these come in very handy for spur of the moment soirées and can be created the night before for ultimate ease). Serve with a chilled bottle (or two!) of Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc.

Goat Cheese Grapes

Ingredients:
25-30 Red Grapes
8 oz Fresh Goat Cheese
1 cup Chopped Pistachios

Directions:
Coat each grape with fresh goat cheese (works best to roll between your palms to get an even coating). Roll grape in chopped pistachios. Slice each grape in half.

Salmon Roll Ups

Ingredients:
Spinach Tortilla Wraps
Cream Cheese
Smoked Salmon

Directions:
Spread a layer of cream cheese over the entire wrap. Place a layer of smoked salmon on top of cream cheese. Tightly roll wrap and cut into one inch sections. Optional: add tomatoes or red onions for a greater punch.

Check back for more of Betty’s favorite appetizers. Cheers!!

Vero, on 77th and 2nd, separates itself from the other four wine bars on the same corner with its free panini night, every Monday. Betty loves having something to look forward to at the start of the week, almost as much as she loves a free meal. With the purchase of any beer, wine or mixed drink, you get your pick of 9 different paninis (Betty’s fave is the proscuitto & black mission fig).

The one downfall - don’t expect to meet a guy. The place is 100% women, with the exception of the chef…. still - on a Monday, this doesn’t so much matter. If after your free dinner you’re feeling frisky, you can head next door to Brother Jimmy’s where there’s an excess of meat.

On any other night, the chopped salad and meat and cheese plate is delicious and totally shareable, and on the weekends, Vero has “wine school” where according to the bartender, Upper East Siders let their hair down and get trashed. That’s Betty’s kind of Saturday.

Vero Wine Bar 1483 2nd Avenue between 77th and 78th 212.452.3354

http://www.veronyc.com/

For a last-minute snack that’s suitable for entertaining others, Betty relies on a recipe passed down from the ultimate resource- Mama Betty. With just three ingredients, you’ll awe your guests in the best way possible.

Brie and Apricot Pizza
- 1 Boboli or Other Ready-To-Bake Pizza Crust
- 3-4 Tablespoons All Fruit Apricot Preserves (No Refined Sugar = Healthier)
- 1/2 wedge of Brie cheese sliced thinly

Spread apricot preserves across pizza crust, top with slices of brie and throw into a 450 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the brie has softened and carmelized in color. Something about the melted brie and the warm apricot goes down really well with a glass of red wine after a tough day at the office. It’s obvious that Magic Hat #9 goes perfectly with this as well.

Slice, serve and prepare for the compliments to come rolling in.

Jennifer Barney, creator of Barney Butter, has announced the launch of her 90 Calorie Packets. Barney Butter has jumped on the calorie controlled bandwagon and Betty couldn’t be happier.

These convenient packets are $2.99 for a strip of 6 (a little pricey for almond butter but they’re super easy to store in your desk or throw in your bag). Pair with an apple or some wheat crackers. At just 90 Calories per pack you’ll derail your hunger, not your diet.

Check out other essentials in Betty’s Desk Warrior Survival Kit.

http://www.barneybutter.com/order.html

It’s still freezing outside but Manhattan is brimming with spring fashion. And though Betty is excited to don a new wardrobe, she knows the warmth means bearing more skin. Translation: time to get in shape.

Betty’s solution is hungry-girl.com, an online newsletter devoted to eating right. Hungry Girl caters to the Manhattan Betty, highlighting the latest diet products, analyzing restaurant menus, and giving alternative (and easy!) recipes for your favorite treats. Betty’s favorite: HG’s Supermarket List- ideal for the Betty who doesn’t have time to scour the aisles.

Hungry Girl is fun, informative, and up-to-date on the latest trends. But most importantly, she actually loves food!

www.hungry-girl.com

Betty love love loves Valentine’s Day - even when she isn’t coupled, because it’s the best candy holiday after Halloween! For a non-romantic, but totally self indulgent V-Day… here’s a short list of the sweetest places in the Big Apple.

Dylan’s Candy Bar

From socialite daughter, Dylan Lauren, a child’s dream playground of disgusting-ly caloric porportions. With all manners of gummy worm, jelly belly and neverending gobstopper - as well as a full menu of ice-cream and dessert concotions - this is a great place to get in touch with your inner Veruca.

1011 Third Ave
646.735.0078

Max’ Brenner “Chocolate by the Bald Man”

The sheer volume of options on the menu here gets Betty’s heart melting: ranging from chocolate overload “Popsicle Fondue,” and non-choco lover “Pear and Almonds French Pie” to the just plain strange, (Don’t think you need comma here) “Nostaligic Pop Rock Candy Chocolate Lick.”

841 Broadway (btwn 13th and 14th) and 141 2nd ave (at 9th st)
212.388.0030

Chocolate Bar

For an inventive, minimalist and sometimes elaborate approach to chocolate tastings, complete with a sake cocktail list to match, this tiny 20 or so seater on the Lower East Side is a good place for enjoying chocolate like you would wine at a wine bar.

21 Clinton Street
212.677.7417

Payard

Do the French do it better? All Betty knows is the Dark Bittersweet Chocolate Souffle with Pistacchio ice cream was the best she’s ever had. Sit in the petit front cafe, order an espresso and take in the mammoth array of amazing French pastry.

1032 Lexington (between 73rd and 74th)
212.717.5252

Betty doesn’t wear Birkenstocks or flannels, but she’s devoted to the granola-esque Westerly Natural Market. This health food store is stocked with fresh, organic produce, hard-to-find health-food items, and tasty prepared lunches for the Betties who work in midtown.

When Betty experimented with the raw food diet last year, she fell in love with their fresh juice bar and extensive bulk-nut section. Although the aisles can feel narrow and crowded, the staff is attentive and the prices reasonable. Dreads are not a prerequisite; Westerly Natural Market is a fabulous find for any Betty.

913 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10019 212.586.5262

After a long day of work, Betty experiences two consistent feelings: exhaustion and hunger. The fact that they always come on together furthers her theory that the world plots against her. Her one salvation: Tortilla Pizza. The simplest of dinners with the highest reward, a tortilla pizza will leave you full and satisfied. She usually eats two at a time, just in case the hunger tries to peep its pesky head!

1. Set the over to 325 degrees to preheat.
2. Put your pizza together. Ingredients are listed in order of use, starting with the tortilla and continuing with those that go on the tortilla.

Tortilla
Pasta Sauce: Classico is a reliable, store-bought brand; the Tomato and Basil flavor is best.
Grated Cheese: A mix of Parmigiano Reggiano and Locatelli is delicious.
Basil: The fresh stuff is best, but the dried stuff works fine.
Ground Pepper: Self explanatory.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Don’t be shy, it’s great for your skin.

Finally, stick the pizza in the oven. You can throw it right on the rack. Then, wait until the edges are crispy and the cheese is melted. This usually takes about 20 minutes.

Buon Appetito!

This 7th Ave Chelsea eatery/lounge has Betty tickled. The exciting, colorful, mosaic décor provides the perfect backdrop for a brunch spent recounting last night’s most exciting and scandalous moments. Elmo serves up a menu of traditional American comfort food including pancakes with bananas and pecans, chicken pot pie, and quite possibly the best veggie burger east of California.

While the menu’s many offerings aren’t exactly delectable, the performance is solid. Elmo’s true appeal lies in the atmosphere (this place is bustling and people watching is prime) and hot waiters (whose slightly aloof service annoys some but provides the chance for a leisurely meal).

Heading to Elmo in the evening? Check out their lounge. The décor has a Miami vibe that is assured to keep you partying through the night. And if you’re feeling saucy ditch your vodka soda order and check out the impressive drink list.  Mojito, please!

http://www.elmorestaurant.com/

156 7th Avenue New York, NY 10011-1813 Phone: 212.337.8000