The philosophy of this artist centers on his belief that the spaces we live in have a powerful influence over not only how we move through life, but even how we perceive who we are. 

A self-taught, self-made architect

Ando began his career as a fighter, literally. Ando spent time as a professional boxer in the 1950s and drove a cab as a young man in Japan before he took a train through Siberia to Europe. There, he found inspiration and staked his artistic sights on melding his Japanese point of view with the palatial grandeur of buildings he saw in Europe. Without training or mentorship, he sailed back home and got an architecture license, then started building.

Through the 1970s, Ando built a name for himself as a minimalist who pushed the boundaries of mixed architecture. What sets his work apart from others is the gravitas that his buildings hold, all while retaining their airy sense and comfortable aesthetic. Though Ando’s work is largely concrete-based, it exudes warmth and humanity. This juxtaposition makes his buildings irresistible. 

Though Ando’s buildings are largely seated in Asia, his buildings in the United States are notable. Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts in St. Louis. He recently worked on the expansion of the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass., including a visitor and exhibition building, the Clark Center, which opened last July.

The Pritzker Prize is the highest award for architecture in the world, and Tadao Ando won it in 1995. For someone without formal architecture training to rise to this level is extraordinary and speaks to the talent and diligence that runs through Ando’s career. He’s also the recipient of othe Praemium Imperiale from the Japan Art Association, the Danish Carlsberg architecture prize, and the Japanese Kyoto Prize.

“Art Island”

Naoshima Island in Japan, sometimes called “Art Island”, is home to multiple designs by Ando. It sits on a tiny piece of land on the southern coast of mainland Japan, just beyond Honshu and halfway between Osaka and Hiroshima. 

Though Ando is the most fierce influence on the island, its acreage is filled with minimalist and modern designs from a broad range of artists and architects. Brought together by the local council and largely funded by the Benesse Corporation, Naoshima is a place where modernist concrete designs meet nature. 

Multiple museums designed by Tadao Ando are set across the island, including the Benesse House Hotel and Museum and the Chichu Art Museum. The Ando Museum was designed by Korean minimalist Lee Ufan in conjunction with Ando himself. Visitors who make the journey via train, then car, then ferry, are treated to a replica of the Church of Light, one of Ando’s most celebrated works. 

152 Elizabeth Street in Lower Manhattan

Nestled in the bustling streets of Nolita, 152 Elizabeth Street is an outstanding example of how architecture can surprise even the most jaded of city dwellers. 

The noise of Manhattan falls into the background for most NYC residents. Through the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, it all becomes white noise. In keeping with his belief that architecture can shape perception, Ando’s first New York City design serves as a bastion of silence within the cacophony of sound in the city. The building is literally noise-proof thanks to its airport-grade windows. 

Stacked inside the subtly angled glass exterior are just seven luxury residences. There is a quiet sophistication to this remarkable structure, both outside and inside. Each of the units occupies a full story of the seven-story building. Six of the units inside 152 Elizabeth are moderately sized, with square footage anywhere from two thousand to forty-one hundred square feet. The triplex penthouse is the piece de resistance at fifty-six hundred square feet with a private rooftop terrace overlooking Nolita. 

Amit Khurana of the building firm Sumaida + Khurana (S+K) first commissioned Ando after a long process and a great deal of chasing. When S+K was finally able to connect with Ando, Khurana dropped what he was doing in Madrid to fly back to New York to meet with the architect’s representatives. Within a week, he was in Japan with Ando, who made the initial sketch of the building during their first meeting. 

In a statement for S+K about the building, Ando said “A home has to be a place where you can reflect on your life. This project is about that. When you come home, 152 Elizabeth should give a quiet feeling. I have to make something that touches human hearts and leaves a feeling inside of them” Perhaps this is why Kanye West also purchased a $57.3 million home in Malibu designed by Ando. Was he also looking for a calmer space?

Distinct, integrated design

Tadao Ando’s most publicly recognizable work isn’t a building, it’s the Hill of the Buddha in Sapporo, Japan. Opening in 2015, the shrine is a domed structure surrounding a 45-foot statue of the seated Buddha that was previously placed in 2000. The masterwork is nestled in a field of lavender within the Makomanai Takino Cemetery, with only the head of the statue peeking out from beneath the hill. Beyond the hill are further structures by Ando, including tunnels that lead to a massive rotunda and vast, concrete fountains.

Coming full circle from that first trip to Europe in the 1950s that sparked Ando’s passion for architecture, he came back to Paris to put his concrete stamp on one of its most iconic buildings. Last year, his ambitious redesign of the Bourse de Commerce building took an 18th-century landmark of excess and brought it into the future with a minimalist rebirth. French businessman François Pinault commissioned Ando to transform the space into a showcase for the billionaire’s artwork, in addition to adding a sound studio, an auditorium, and meditation spaces. 

Throughout his career spanning more than a half-century, Tadao Ando has carved a concrete mark into the world of architecture. The monumental scope of his work and the enduring nature of the materials they are built from will ensure that Ando’s work will continue to stand in silent strength, from New York City to Naoshima Island. 

(featured image By Christopher Schriner from Köln, Deutschland – flickr: Tadao Ando, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12612973)

The post Eminent Architect Tadao Ando and the Wholeness of Space appeared first on CitySignal.

Peanut Butter Pinwheels

Sometimes called peanut butter pinwheels, this candy is traditionally from Ireland but has a New World twist thanks to the inclusion of peanut butter. It came to the United States with Irish immigrants more than a hundred years ago. Now it’s a staple of Christmas celebrations, New Year’s parties, Easter brunch, and more.

It’s got a salty/sweet combination of flavors that’s absolutely perfect. The balance is what makes it delicious and irresistible. Kids love helping to make it and they love to eat it. 

What’s so great about this recipe is how adaptable it is. You can add a bit of food coloring to make it more colorful. It’s a naturally gluten-free and vegan recipe, but you can make it a nut-free recipe by using sun butter, almond butter, or even apple butter to change it up. Nutella is an option too, but it makes the candy a little sweet for some. 

Add green food coloring to the dough for a St. Patrick’s Day or Christmas candy treat. Try pink or blue for a gender reveal party. Pastels are perfect for Easter! Even in its natural white coloring, potato candy is a beautiful holiday treat for your New York City celebration. 

Old-Fashioned NYC Potato Candy Recipe

Cook time: 30 minutes

Chilling time: 2 hours

Makes 40 pieces

Ingredients

• ¼ lb potato (1 large potato)
• 2 T unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup creamy nut butter 
• 2 T flaked sea salt

Directions

• Peel and dice the potato, then cover in water and boil for around fifteen minutes until soft. You can also microwave the potato in a microwave-safe dish covered in water for fifteen minutes, stirring halfway. 
• Drain and mash with a fork, incorporating the butter. The smoother, the better. Allow to cool completely in the refrigerator.
• Once the potatoes are cooled, put them in a mixer with a paddle attachment with the vanilla. Turn the mixer on low speed, beating until the vanilla is incorporated. Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time. The mixture should form a moldable dough. If it’s too crumbly, add a little water. If it’s too wet, add a little more powdered sugar.
• Split the dough in half and sprinkle powdered sugar on a flat surface. Roll out one of the dough balls to a ¼-inch thick rectangle.
• Spread a thin layer of creamy nut butter on the flattened dough, leaving just a little edge of the uncovered dough around the sides.
• Beginning at the long end of the dough, roll the potato candy into a tight spiral. 
• Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Place both potato candy logs in the fridge and chill for at least an hour before slicing into ½-inch pieces. Sprinkle with flaked sea salt.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks!

This delicious, old-fashioned candy recipe is perfect for putting together on those cold NYC winter nights or warm New York brunches! It’s a great treat to wrap up and share. 

The post Old Fashioned Potato Candy is the Perfect NYC Treat appeared first on CitySignal.

These two Christmas tree pull-apart bread recipes are not only wonderfully easy to make, they’re also absolutely delicious. Both recipes use pre-made pizza dough, and what could be more classic for a New York City Christmas than that?

Christmas Tree Spinach Breadsticks

Prep time: 20 minutes

Chilling time: 1 hour

Cook time: 25 minutes

Makes 24 servings

Ingredients

• 1 refrigerated pizza crust tube
• 12 oz frozen chopped spinach
• 6 oz cream cheese at room temperature
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• ¼ cup parsley, minced
• 1 T Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fontina or mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 egg beaten with 1 T of water

Directions

• Thaw the spinach and squeeze out the excess water.
• Cream together the spinach and cream cheese with a fork. 
• Mix in garlic, shallot, parsley, salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, parmesan, and half of the fontina or mozzarella.
• Unroll the pizza dough, being careful to stretch it as little as possible.
• Make a cut from the midpoint at the top to the bottom left corner, then from the midpoint at the top to the bottom right corner. This will give you three triangles – two small and one large. 
• Spread the spinach mixture over the large triangle on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Place the two smaller triangles over the large triangle to cover the spinach mixture. 
• Refrigerate for 1 hour. 
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Pull the tree out of the fridge and cut 1-inch slices down each side, leaving a one-inch section in the center for the trunk. Use a sharp knife and do this carefully, working not to pull the dough out of shape.
• Twist each of the sections, forming a tree shape and letting some of the green of the spinach show through. 
• Brush the tree with the egg and water mixture, then bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Pull-Apart Cheesy Bread Roll Christmas Wreath

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Makes 24 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough (look for it in on the dairy aisle)
• Handful of all-purpose flour
• 1 block mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, whisked with 1 T water
• Jar of pesto

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut the block of mozzarella into twenty-four pieces.
• Sprinkle flour on a flat surface.
• Knead the dough and divide it into two balls. Roll out each ball to ⅓ inch thickness and cut it into twelve squares.
• Place a mozzarella square in the center of each dough square and wrap the dough tightly around the cheese.
• Arrange the balls, seam side down, in a wreath shape on a greased baking sheet. Brush with the egg/water mixture. 
• Bake for 20-25 minutes. 
• Brush pesto and serve warm.

Having a delicious holiday appetizer for your NYC holiday celebration should be easy! These hearty, vegetarian recipes are sure crowd-pleasers that will wow your family and friends. 

The post Pull-Apart Christmas Appetizers Two Ways appeared first on CitySignal.

To have the best chance of success, parents have to pivot their thinking and rethink their priorities. No one can do it all, and it’s important not to put so much pressure on your family that you burn out. Keeping your family grounded during NYC online learning is easier with these tips for remote and hybrid schooling in New York.

Include a “Genius Hour” to Your Day

One of the positive things that hybrid learning and online schooling offers kids is flexibility. Learning can go beyond books, and it can go beyond traditional subjects. A “genius hour” is simply a time that a child can explore any subject or activity that their curiosity takes them towards. This might be building a robot, learning magic tricks, writing a short story, memorizing and performing a monologue, sewing, building an urban garden – anything that piques your child’s interest. It’s a great chance to get away from screen time and go towards something active, though using a screen isn’t off the table if that’s a needed component.

Younger kids might rotate through a different activity every day, while older kids might create long term goals and work towards mastery of a single skill. The best part about this is that it’s largely self-directed, which gives parents a chance to do other things and teaches kids valuable skills of independence. 

Go Analog for Digital Learners

Online learning necessarily involves a whole lot of screen time. First of all, parents of online learners have to lose the guilt about the amount of computer time their kids are getting – it’s part of the process. That being said, all that screen time does make kids more anxious and impedes their ability to concentrate effectively. 

Incorporate writing activities whenever you can, even asking your kids to do activities that they could do online in handwritten form. You can always take a picture of it or scan the handwritten version and turn it in. A good ol’ pencil and piece of paper can have a truly calming effect on kids who are inundated with online interactions.  

Give Everyone Some Grace

The most important principle to integrate into your online learning is to give everyone some grace as you navigate online learning and hybrid education in New York City. As resilient and flexible as kids are, the transition from traditional learning to remote learning is a major challenge and represents a huge shift in their expectations and their interactions. It also means a huge shift for adults!

Rigor with support is what we all need to succeed, and that can only happen if we’re committed to balance. Learning through online and hybrid methods means isn’t the same as learning in a traditional way, and naturally the outcomes won’t be the same. Remember – just as much as kids are learning facts during this time, they’re also learning how to cope with change and how to adapt, and those are just as valuable as math facts or scientific principles. 

Whether you’re doing online learning through your NYC public school, hybrid education through a New York charter school, or even urban homeschooling, you’re doing well when your kids are growing. Just as we all have to change the way we think about school in a post-pandemic world, so too do we have to change the way we think about success. You can do it!

The post Tips for Remote and Hybrid Learning in NYC appeared first on CitySignal.

These two fall recipes for your Thanksgiving table are new twists on traditional cornbread, and they’re an easy way to bring home made to your New York City family gathering for the holidays. They use the same basic cornbread recipe, done two different ways. The best part is that you can make these the day before Thanksgiving, leaving you more time to enjoy New York City fall weather!

NYC cornbread two ways

Basic recipe ingredients

• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 1 cup plain yellow or white cornmeal (make sure you’re using plain cornmeal, not a mix!)
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup milk (substitute buttermilk or dairy free milk)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• ¼ cup oil of your choice
• 3 green onions, minced
• 2 T minced thyme leaves

Additional ingredients for the stuffing

• ½ loaf bread of your choice, cubed
• 2T butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• ¼ cups fresh parsley, chopped
• 4 T butter
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 3 eggs, beaten
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions – Cornbread

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Mix the dry ingredients in the cornbread recipe in a bowl – flour, cornmeal, baking soda, salt, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder.
• Mix the wet ingredients in the cornbread recipe in a bowl – milk and eggs.
• Combine the two and mix gently. Do not overmix. 
• Stir in the thyme and minced green onions
• If making the cornbread bites, divide the batter into three batches of 1 ¼ cups each. Spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Fill each of the wells in the tray ¾ of the way full and bake for 12 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Repeat with the other two batches. 
• If making the cornbread stuffing, bake in an 8×8 pan for 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Directions – Cornbread stuffing

• Allow the cornbread to cool completely, then cube it.
• Place the cornbread and the bread on parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the garlic, onion, and celery together until soft, 5-10 minutes.
• Add one cup of broth and continue to simmer for 10 more minutes.
• Mix the rest of the broth with the whisked eggs, salt, and pepper.
• Mix together the vegetables, dried cornbread and bread, and egg mixture, then place in a 9×13 inch baking pan.
• Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, then remove the cover and continue baking for 10 minutes until the top is crispy.

Incorporating cornbread thanksgiving side dishes into your New York City celebration is easy and delicious! They’re a wonderful, simple way to enjoy Thanksgiving with your family. Plus they make great leftovers.  

The post Two Twists on Cornbread for Your NYC Thanksgiving Table appeared first on CitySignal.

What makes a Dutch apple pie is the streusel topping that covers the simmered apples. This dense layer of spiced sweet crumble is heavier than a decorative flaky pie crust, making it absolutely perfect for the fall. Use any kind of apples, but granny smiths are at the top of my list.

To Die for Dutch Apple Autumn Pie Recipe

Serves 6-8

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 60 minutes

Ingredients:

For the filling

• 1 pie crust, premade or from scratch
• 8 whole apples, cored, peeled, and sliced thinly
• .5 c dark brown sugar
• .5 c all-purpose flour
• 1 T lemon juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• .75 tsp cardamom
• .5 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• .5 tsp ground ginger
• .25 tsp ground cloves

For the streusel

• .75 c all-purpose flour
• .25 c chopped pecans
• .25 c chopped walnuts
• .25 c light brown sugar
• .25 c granulated sugar
• .25 tsp cardamom
• .25 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 5 T melted butter

Directions: 

• Preheat the oven to 375F/170C/gas mark 5
• If you’re using a store-bought pie crust that’s already in a pan, skip this step and leave it in the fridge. If you’re rolling out your pie crust, sprinkle your counter with flour and roll out a circle that’s roughly twelve inches in diameter. Lift the pastry with the rolling pin, then gently lay it into a standard 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges with a fork. Place it in the fridge until you’re ready to put the filling in.
• Combine the dry streusel ingredients in a bowl. Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with a fork, breaking up any clumps. Don’t be afraid to use your fingers to crumble it. 
• Make the filling by folding together the apples, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Sift together the flour and spices, then combine with the apple mixture. 
• Pull the pie crust out of the fridge and pile the apple mixture into it. If you’ve got oodles of time and patience, you can arrange the apples in a flat, layered pattern. (It tastes just as good if you dump them in and push them around till they’re even.)
• Sprinkle the top with the streusel topping, leaving a decorative circle in the middle so that you can see the apples underneath.
• Cover the edges of the pie crust with foil to prevent burning.
• Place in the oven and bake for sixty minutes, removing the foil halfway through.  
• Take it out of the oven and allow it to cool for thirty minutes on a cooling rack before serving warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Store in the fridge for up to five days (though it’s unlikely to last that long!)

If you’re a beginner in the pie department, this is a perfect recipe to start with, especially if you go for a store-bought crust. If you’re a master pie maker, you’ll find this spice blend unreal and you can pair it with your favorite from-scratch pie crust. Either way, this recipe is extraordinary in all the right ways! 

The post To Die for Dutch Apple Autumn Pie  appeared first on CitySignal.

But keeping one’s kids engaged and interested in trying new things can be tough for parents to figure out. These four children’s museums in NYC showcase different themes and topics that will keep even the most restless child engaged. From fire trucks to interactive art, there’s no reason for kids to be bored in New York.  

Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling

898 St. Nicholas Avenue at 155th Street

Located in the thriving and diverse neighborhood of Washington Heights, Sugar Hill Museum of Art and Storytelling is interactive, imaginative, and keeps its consistent focus on the expansive ways that kids can participate in creativity. Be sure to check out their Studio Labs, where kids can create their own pieces of artwork inspired by the museum’s rotating exhibitions. 

Keep in mind that this museum is only open on Saturdays from 10am-3pm after a long pandemic closure. Storytelling at 11am and 1pm, along with the incredible childhood engagement from the museum’s artists in residence, gives kids and adults an experience that’s both enriching and unforgettable. 

New York City Fire Museum

278 Spring Street

Nothing is quite so classically indicative of kids and excitement than a fire truck. Little ones get worked up about the sirens, the bright red color, and the air of heroism that go along with a fire engine and a fire house. Lucky for us, one of the best New York City museums is the New York City Fire Museum. 

Built inside a more than one hundred year old former firehouse in SoHo, this museum showcases everything from old pump wagons to the newest modern firefighting equipment. There’s also a special area dedicated to the FDNY men and women who showed such incredible bravery on 9/11. This children’s museum in New York City is open from 10am to 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. 

The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)

11 East 26th Street

Can math be fun? Absolutely!

Consistently rated as a top museum by kids, MoMath is innovative and forward thinking in the way that it incorporates math into hands-on activities. Don’t miss the square-wheeled tricycle, the floor based Math Square in the lower level, or the magnetic magic of the Tessellation Station. This unbelievable museum may not make your child and engineer, but it will definitely make them think differently about numbers. Count on visiting seven days a week between 10am and 5pm. 

Museum of the Moving Image

36-01 35th Avenue, Queens

Who says all screen time is bad for kids? At the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, kids learn how the magic of film comes together to delight and entertain them. It’s a truly awesome inside view of how motion pictures, from kid’s shows to Hollywood blockbusters, come together with the help of a huge number of people. 

Stop by some of the fantastic exhibits like the Jim Henson Exhibition, Behind the Screen, and Tut’s Fever Movie Palace. On Saturdays, head over for this New York City museum’s up close Drop-In Studio Sessions, where kids can work on projects from stop-motion to video games to flipbooks. There’s not shortage of things to keep little hands and little minds busy from 2pm-8pm on Fridays and 12pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. 

These four museums for children in NYC cover all of the bases for family activities in the city with something for everyone! They’re the perfect way to spend a weekday afternoon or a weekend morning exploring the wonders of the world. 

The post 4 Inspiring NYC Museums for Kids appeared first on CitySignal.

“Prost!” is the German way of saying “cheers!”, and with lightening pandemic restrictions, this year is a wonderful moment to join in the jollity. Here are three of the best places in NYC to take part in feasting and merrymaking like they do in Bavaria. 

Rock ‘n’ roast at Radegast Hall and Biergarten

For a truly extraordinary Oktoberfest experience, head down to Radegast Hall and Biergarten on any weekend in October for a uniquely German feast. The massive hall feels like Olde World Germany, complete with massive tables and live music. 

Weekends during Oktoberfest in NYC are extra special at Radegast with a traditional roast pig and a ceremonial wooden keg at the opening of the hall. Look out for staff dressed in traditional lederhosen and dirndls, lots of festive competition, and food that you’ll want to eat all year long. 

Satisfy your craving for German tradition at 113 N. 3rd Street in Williamsburg.

Schaller & Weber

At this Upper East Side butcher shop, Oktoberfest brings a once-a-year biergarten in its luscious backyard space. Truly a unique experience, Schaller & Weber not only gives its diners artisan beer straight from Bavaria, it also gives them a hearty and delectable menu of traditional European dishes, right in the heart of New York City. 

Settle in with a treat of apple rings paired with palatschinken crepes, bauernwurst and weisswurst, pumpkin soup, veal wiener schnitzel, and so much more at this fantastic NYC pop up restaurant. After you dine, don’t forget to stop in the shop and take some of Germany home with you!

Raise a stein and fill your belly at 1654 2nd Ave. #1 on the Upper East Side.

Oktoberfest NYC Beer Festival

We leave you with the largest and most expansive way to celebrate this season – the Oktoberfest NYC Beer Festival. This free of charge, six week long festival runs seven days a week and offers a huge selection of German beer, food, and entertainment that’s perfect for the whole family. With both indoor and outdoor serving areas, the Watermark Bar is a breathtaking place to sit back and relax with a mug and a wienerschnitzel. The venue is located right on the waterfront, with views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York City skyline. Hofbrau, Radeberger, and Weihenstephan are just some of the traditional German ales you can indulge in. 

Traditional music, costumed servers, and a delightfully light atmosphere wait for you at this German festival in New York City, but reservations are recommended to snag your seat at the table.

Feast your eyes on the view and your taste buds on German delicacies on Pier 15, 78 South Street.

Every stein full of German beer in NYC is a wonderful one when you’re celebrating Oktoberfest in the city! Whether you’re excited about the food, the music, or the traditional fun, there’s a lot to explore during Oktoberfest in New York City.

The post Prost! How to Revel in NYC Oktoberfest 2021 appeared first on CitySignal.

Fall cooking ideas are usually packed with pumpkins, but be sure to know the difference between a carving pumpkin and an eating pumpkin. Here are some Betty Crocker-style delicious treats.

Should you cook the insides of a carving pumpkin? Absolutely not!

If you try to cook the goo that’s inside a Halloween jack o’lantern, you’ll be wishing you’d headed to a local haunted house instead. Head out to the neighborhood farmer’s market for a choice pumpkin that’s meant for a pumpkin pie recipe or pumpkin bread recipe instead.

Easy Peasy Pumpkin Squeezy

If you’re feeling adventurous, processing your own pumpkin when they’re in season isn’t too much of a chore, it’s as easy as pumpkin pie! Need a quick option to make your fall recipe vegan? You can replace the non-dairy yogurt with Greek yogurt in the recipe as well if you’re in a pinch and you’re not tied to a plant-based diet. The cupcakes will still be a delicious fall confection either way. 

Pumpkin sweets are simple to make and always appreciated. Just be wary of matching the following delicious recipe with a pumpkin spiced latte – there can be too much of a good thing.

Quick Pumpkin Puree Recipe

Yield – 2 to 2.5 cups, depending on the size of your pumpkin

Ingredients:

• One eating pumpkin – NOT a carving pumpkin – check closely before you buy! Or substitute a large butternut squash and follow the same process, then use in your recipes as you would pumpkin puree. 

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400F/200C/gas mark 6.
• Cut the pumpkin/butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
• Lay the gourd cut side down on a lightly greased baking sheet.
• Bake for 40 minutes until fork tender.
• Allow it to cool completely (this will take about an hour).
• Peel away the skin.
• Place the flesh in a food processor and blend until smooth, or mash with a potato masher if you prefer it on the lumpy side.
• Use it in your favorite recipe, store it in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze it for up to six months.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Makes a dozen muffins

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 c all purpose flour, sifted
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 2.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• .5 tsp salt
• 2 cups pumpkin puree (one 15 oz can) – NOT pumpkin pie filling
• 1 c. + .25 c dark brown sugar 
• .5 c non-dairy yogurt
• 1.5 tsp almond extract
• .5 c coconut oil, melted
• .5 c vegan chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350F/180C/gas mark 4.
• Mix the dry ingredients in with the sifted flour, omitting the brown sugar. 
• Whisk together the wet ingredients along with 1 c. dark brown sugar.
• Combine the dry and wet ingredients until smooth, being careful not to overmix.
• Fold the vegan chocolate chips into the batter.
• Scoop into a lined cupcake tin – an ice cream scoop is a perfect way to get the portions just right.
• Tap the pan on the counter to release any air bubbles.
• Sprinkle the top of each cupcake with the remaining .25 c of brown sugar.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops are cracked and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Cook for five minutes in the pan, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
• Store in an airtight container with a paper towel for up to a week in the refrigerator. 

Pumpkin has a bad rap for being a fall-only kind of delicacy, but that’s hogwash. This delicious gourd is accessible all year round in a can, which is how most of us use it even when the leaves are turning. That being said, nothing says “bring in the crisp breeze and the electric excitement of autumn” like a sweet pumpkin treat.

The post The Perfect Pumpkin Cupcake Recipe for Your Fall Cravings appeared first on CitySignal.

Even with the cool autumn breezes blowing, there’s warmth within the walls of a soaring studio space that’s situated right in the heart of SoHo. The wide open rooms and eclectic vintage vibes are a rightful mecca for people who want to live the quintessential Manhattan lifestyle. 

It’s What’s on the Outside That Counts

It’s not only what’s on the outside that counts, but it definitely makes a difference in the charm of a neighborhood. Walking out of your SoHo loft into the crisp autumn air is one reason why people have been flocking to this area for the last hundred and fifty years.

What makes the feel of SoHo so distinctive is its cast iron architecture. In fact, you’ll find the largest collection of cast-iron buildings anywhere in the world right here. The structures in all over this part of the city are literally covered in a veneer of iron that was formed and shaped into beautiful façades during the late 19th century. Though it seems elegant and high end today, this style of building façade was a cheap alternative to decorative brick or stone. 

The lofts of SoHo are situated just south of Houston Street (hence the name SoHo), and it’s not just the buildings that are unique to the area. Lining many of the lanes below the apartments are Belgian blocks paving the hideaway streets. 

No wonder artists have flocked to the converted factories and warehouses of this historic and vibrant area of NYC. Walking the streets of this neighborhood, residents are greeted with a vivacious mix of street artists, fascinating shops, and delightfully unique restaurants. It’s easy to get lost here. 

Warmth in the Heart of the City

If the outside of the spaces in SoHo is charming, just wait until you look at the inside of the industrial spaces that now house some of New York’s most eclectic residents. 

To transform the open spaces inside the utilitarian warehouses of the district, SoHo lofts utilize staircases and doorways that are incorporated into existing open faced brick walls. Apartments like the 1907 built 118 Wooster St #4C5C feature expansive wood floors and winding steps to offer warmth and intimacy within the cavernous rooms. That airy feeling is unlike anything else you’ll find in Manhattan, offering a creative space that can’t help but bewitch even the most jaded New Yorker.

On the other side of the spectrum are SoHo lofts like 519 Broadway, built around the turn of the 20th century but renovated to have a wholly different feel. Relying on sleek, unobtrusive design elements and metal accents, the high ceilings and large windows allow light to bounce off of the white walls in this SoHo space. Here, the charisma comes from an industrial comfort that only a century old converted commercial space can offer.

Filled with innumerable and equally enchanting homes just like these, SoHo is both exciting and relaxed living in the heart of Manhattan. It’s the kind of neighborhood that feeds your soul and warms your heart. 

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