This Sunday will mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

No doubt every television channel will have a ‘special’ on or there may even be a 10 year commemorative coin issued from the bank of Liberia, which probably has more credibility than the Bank of America right now!

I don’t know about you but I can’t sit through one of these ‘shows’ without feeling great anger and immense sadness, I guess that’s the aim of the makers of these documentaries is to get  reactions like this but I want no part of it. 

 I, like most of you was there that day and we will all have our memories of it so I will not dwell on that but I would like to say that whilst NYPD, FDNY and EMS officers are not invited to the tenth anniversary ceremony of 9/11 because apparently Mayor Bloomberg claims there is not enough room for them, 10 years ago, they weren't invited either, but they showed up when everyone else was running out!

{This was blatantly stolen from Facebook but I thought that it was pretty apt}

So in the past 10 years life has changed for most of us, I swapped Brooklyn for the Beach and moved to Miami in 2003 and although I miss the hustle and bustle of New York I have grown to like it down here.

Really when you come to think of it Miami is like the 6th borough of New York or Manhattan South as some people call it. The people are obnoxious and the traffic is terrible.

In terms of people, I can definitely see how one would think that New York and Miami are alike. There's this pervading cut throat, direct to the point, no-nonsense attitude, and while some call it rude, it's really just people who are driven and outspoken, which is where a lot of people find fault {who, let’s be honest are wimps anyway!}

Miami and NY share quite a lot, tons on folks come down from NY to weekend/party and there are lots of people in South Florida who hail from NY (permanent, weekenders and snow birds)
We know NY is the money capital of the world with Wall St and the NYSE but Miami has the largest concentration of foreign banks in the U.S. (mostly in Brickell Ave) and it's also the financial capital of Latin America. Miami's very big financially just like NY.

Also both cities have their own CSI franchise going on and look at it this way-when the Jets play the Dolphins in Miami, it's a home game for both teams.

So this week we are going to have a breakfast ‘cook off’ between the Big Apple and the Big Orange the two cities that I love {with big thanks to the Fire Departments from both cities for their time and recipes.}

Miami will be bringing a little tropical flair to the table whereas New York will bring a bit of glamour and tradition. Make them both and see which you like better

COCONUT-CRUSTED FRENCH TOAST
City of Miami Fire Rescue Team

Ingredients
Challah bread (8 slices)
1 dozen large eggs
1 cup of coconut flakes (shredded coconut)
2 Tbsp confectioner's sugar
1 tsp powdered cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pam cooking spray
4 ripe bananas
1 box of strawberries
2 mangos, peeled & sliced
1 cup maple syrup
½ cup Grand Marnier

Method
Take eggs and scramble in a bowl.
Add in cinnamon powder, sprinkle in some sugar and 1 capful of vanilla extract, coconut flakes and whisk all together.
Take the bread and soak each side; make sure you drain excess.
Grease a skillet. Heat to a medium heat.
Place toast in skillet and cook until brown. Add coconut flakes on top
In the same skillet, add bananas, strawberries and mango. Flambé with the Grand Marnier.
Add the maple syrup and heat.
Put the French Toast on a plate and drizzle the fruit and sauce on top.

POACHED EGGS WITH SMOKED SALMON AND CAVIAR HOLLANDAISE

Fire Department New York FDNY
Serves 4 {or 2 firefighters}
Ingredients
4 pounds of butter (unsalted)
1 dozen eggs (12 eggs)
1 tsp white vinegar
8 ounce of smoked salmon
1 loaf brioche bread
1 ounce of Osetra caviar (black)
1 tsp lemon juice

Method
Poached eggs:
Use a medium sauce pot and fill halfway with water.
Add a teaspoon of vinegar and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Swirl water around and drop in the eggs one by one. Cook for 2 minutes.

Slice and toast the brioche and cut into triangles.

Hollandaise:
Put 2 egg yolks in a stainless-steel bowl and whisk vigorously over a double boiler until ripples appear in the egg and then slowly incorporate into the clarified butter.
Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
Fold in caviar to finish the sauce.

AND FINALLY…Even the baby Jesus hates the Dolphins.