Did Somebody Say Brownies?

You know how people are trying the no-sugar diet or the Whole 30? Well I do and I have no desire to try and be a sugarless hero.  I like sugar, I like sweet, I love chocolate and I have no intention of axing those things from my diet. That said, I try and eat healthier versions of sweets.

Brandless Peanut Butter. If you haven't checked out Brandless, go. Go now!

I might love sweets and the like but I also love not feeling sick from over indulging.
Thank goodness Pinterest is with me on this. There are endless amounts of recipes to pick and choose from. I've tried cauliflower cake, black bean brownies & even zucchini oats. Some recipes are better left in the vault.

Smorgasburg!

My brother convinced me to tag along with him and the girl he's been seeing to Smorgasburg in Brooklyn this weekend. What is Smorgasburg? you ask. It's a Flea Market of local food vendors. There are sweets, savory, outlandish & comfort foods being sold by Brooklyn's finest underneath the Brooklyn Bridge*.

I didn't really want to invest time in meeting said girl, I have a feeling she won't be around for long, but there was food involved so I slapped on my polite face and took the ride to Brooklyn.  Luckily she brought a girlfriend with her as well, so I wasn't the awkward 3rd wheel.

This day trip would be exciting for a few reasons; 1) my brother hates people and doesn't do well in crowds, 2) I saw Porchetta on the menu and 3) I haven't spent a lot of time in Brooklyn and was excited to check out Pier 5. Not 10 minutes in and I convinced my cousin to join us. Copious amounts of delectable food is right up her alley.

First things first, we made our way to the Porchetta table. Good thing, because they were one of the first tables to sell out of food. For $7 you get a little bun filled with slow roasted, salty pork goodness.  I was sure to split mine with The Friend since I knew I needed room to taste as much as I could!

We made our way to get an "ice cold" coconut to drink out of. Do I like coconut water? Not particularly but When in Brooklyn, Do as The Hipsters do and walk around with a bowling ball sized fruit and a straw.  The wait for the coconut turned ugly when they ran out and had to restock. Of course I'd get a luke-warm nut. It was tasty and still somewhat refreshing in the surprising heat. No breeze off the Hudson today!

mmm coconutty!

Meanwhile my brother and his Lady Friend unwisely decided to EACH get a mac & cheese. It was pick your own toppings, not one to shy away from animal by-product, my brother got sausage and bacon on his large order of cheesy bow ties. It was delicious but more than any one (or two) people could eat, especially on a hot day. 

mac & cheesy goodness!

Collectively, we consumed Empanadas, noodles, ice cream sandwiches, pigs-in-a-blanket, fried chicken, tacos and ice pops. We were all over the place!
It quickly turned into a lot of line waiting and being overwhelmed by your choices. Do I want pigs-in-a-blanket or a Ramen burger (the line was insane)? 

Apricot Vanilla ice pop. Hipster Potpourri as my brother calls it.

My options were limited since I try to stay away from wheat. It literally makes me sneeze and does a number on my stomach. I eat it occasionally, but I pick my battles.
I just gazed at the massive, scrumptious looking black & white cookies. I was DYING to try one but I knew I'd pay for that decision for about a week. Not worth it. It looked worth it though...

I would definitely go back but with a better idea of what I wanted, head straight to that vendor and then make my way to the picnic tables along the Pier. Check it out if you want your taste bud's to party!

Smorgasburg
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Porchetta
Brooklyn Piggies

* There are 2 Smorgasburgs. One on Saturday  in Williamsburg and the one I went to at Pier 5 on Sundays. 11am - 6pm