Tag Archives: Food

In the Kitchen

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In the Kitchen
Yesterday after a long day at the catering kitchen, I decided to do a little something for me. I made my way over to Bartlett’s Farm, purchased a little blue quart container and walked through the strawberry fields. Item #1 on Summer Bucket List… done!

I had originally planned to make strawberry jam but when I read all the fine print about canning sterilization, I thought to myself, not tonight. So instead, I braved the grocery store at 5:30 pm (to my surprise, the parking lot wasn’t complete chaos) and got myself a baguette, some goat cheese and organic baby spinach. My thought was this: a simple spinach salad with fresh strawberries, cottage cheese and a little balsamic vinaigrette for dinner followed by a sweet crostini with goat cheese and balsamic macerated strawberries. So easy, so delicious.

Crostini

Strawberry Crostini
Here is what you will need:
– 4 1/4 inch slices of a baguette
– 2 Tbs. goat cheese (or more if you like)
– 1/2 cup thinly sliced strawberries (about 6 strawberries)
– 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar (I recommend Ariston Balsamic. This stuff is amazing)

*Note: I made a very small batch. These measurements can certainly be doubled/tripled should you want to use the entire baguette.

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with tin foil.
2. Cut 1/4 inch slices of your baguette on an angel, which allows for more surface space.
3. Place bread slices on sheet pan and lightly brush with extra virgin olive oil.
4. Cook in the over for about 10 minutes, until lightly brown and crunchy.
5. While the bread is cooking, thinly slice strawberries and place in bowl with 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar and stir occasionally.
6. Remove the bread from the over, spread on a little goat cheese and arrange strawberries on top.
7. Enjoy!

And the good news, checked #2 off the Summer Bucket List as well. I’m on a roll!

Found

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Found
When it comes to kitchen essentials, I don’t have a very lengthy list: a great skillet, a dutch oven, Emile Henry baking dishes, and my kitchen aid. I still remember the Christmas I opened my pistachio mixer. My reaction was almost as good as when I got a Nintendo the Christmas I was 9. I literally freaked out and was on top of the world for days.

One item that I have been on the hunt for as of late is a great pairing knife. I purchased this chef’s knife last summer but it’s just a bit too big for julienning my produce. Last week while perusing the new arrivals over at Provisions at Food52, I came across this beauty. The wood will compliment my chef’s knife and has a lovely story too: the manufacturer uses reclaimed metal from the bandsaw blades of local Georgia lumber mills to forge the blade, and reclaimed walnut wood from Florida to shape the curved handle. Think I will use the tip money from my first catering gig to add this to my kitchen.

Places

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Alden & Harlow
As we know, I love food and nothing brings me more pleasure that reading a recent issue of Food & Wine and planning my next getaway around where I’m dining. I’m one for the details and thus love to find a place that has it all – great food, great décor, great vibe. I love sitting down at a table and instantly noticing how much attention went into every detail of the place setting… the weight of the water-glass, the curve of the knife, the napkin itself. And let’s not even get started on menu design. My all-star list of places that just nail it include: Island Creek Oyster Bar, ABC Kitchen, Gjelina and Founding Farmers. I can now add Alden & Harlow in Cambridge to this list, and you should too. I went on a Saturday night a few weeks back and had a 9:30 reservations. Coming from island life, dining after 8 pm made me feel very hip! The space is subterranean (in the former Casablanca space on Brattle Street) with beautiful exposed brick, great lighting, an open kitchen, a killer wrap-around bar, vintage signs adorning the walls and shelves filled with things you would have in your home kitchen.

This is the first solo project for chef Michael Scelfo, who wanted Alden & Harlow to be representative of the food he would serve at home. And what food it is. Since opening earlier this year, this Harvard Square gem has become what many refer to as a “food-industry darling.” My friend and I started with the ubiquitous kale salad, featuring thin slices of fennel and an ever-so-delicious creamy pistachio dressing. The menu is meant to be shared so we decided on four plates: the golden corn pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and pop corn (interesting indeed); the rye pasta with confit chicken thigh and fig-liver butter and topped with crispy skin; the crispy Berkshire pork belly with grits, roasted kumquat and bergamot cure; and the highlight of the evening… the beef neck that was slow roasted and served with a parsnip puree, radishes and vinegar. For a selectarian (I try to stick to a mostly vegetarian diet), I must say it was to die for and worth every bite. Did we keep it to the basics, most certainly not but wow, what a meal.

The cocktail list was impressive and a bit overwhelming so we both decided on a great craft beer. Unfortunately dessert was not an option (my friend gave up sweets for Lent… who does this?) but I can tell you, the next time I’m in Boston, I’m heading back to Alden & Harlow for cocktails and dessert. Let me know if you want to join.

In the Kitchen

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lunch
Have you all tried baby kale? It is simply delicious. I had it for the first time last year at one of my island favorites, The Boarding House, and have since realized that they not only stock it at my local farm but at Stop & Shop no less. I pulled together a really simple salad the other night for dinner that I thought I would share. Doesn’t take much time at all (except the roasting of the butternut squash). Give it a try and let me know what you think.

May’s Winter Salad
2 cups baby kale
1/2 cup roasted butternut squash (I cut mine up into 1 inch cubes, toss with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast for 25 minutes or so at 350 degrees)
1 to 2 Tbs. Dijon vinaigrette (recipe below)

Toss and enjoy. I had plans to add pomegranate seeds but the store was fresh out of them this week. Next time.

Dijon Vinagrette
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. champagne vinegar
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil (Once blended, I always do a taste test and sometimes I add just a little more oil to round out the flavors.)
1 tsp. honey
squeeze of lemon
salt and pepper

Whisk together and pour over your favorite greens.

My Crush, Part II

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Giada
I hope you all enjoyed meeting my John last week. Today, I am sharing my girl crush… Ms. Giada. Isn’t she beautiful?! I can’t tell you how many times I have dreamed that we are cycling through Tuscany together. I think we could be besties. I also read that she has a love affair with tequila, just like me.

Seriously, if I could be any woman, I would want to be this lady. Grew up in L.A. with a grandfather in the film business, attended cooking school in France, married her college boyfriend (who just so happens to be designer and simply adorable), a mother and an Oxfram Ambassador. What a life! I may have just blown off a day of work and joined a B.J.’s Wholesale Club (my only purchase was Giada’s cookbook) to meet this woman a few years back. And let tell you, it was one of the best days of my life and my signed cookbook, one of my prized possessions.

Giada has one more thing to soon add to her resume… a restaurant. Yes, it’s true. She is finally opening up her own place in Las Vegas at The Cromwell, a boutique hotel, set to open in May. The restaurant, which will seat nearly 300, will showcase Italian food with a California twist with impeccable views. As Giada says, picture a modern Milan osteria, not a rustic Italian dining spot. My father has had a place in Vegas for years and I may just finally take him up on his offer to visit. Can’t wait to try this place!

Places

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Farm & Fable
There are times when I go back to my beloved city of Boston and wonder why did I ever leave. Seeing that Farm & Fable hosted their first Cookbook Club party this past Sunday was certainly one of them. As mentioned last week, Farm & Fable is my dear friend Abby’s new venture. And I must say, the buzz around her new shop just warms my heart.

A little vintage, a little curation of killer kitchen products, a little cooking school, and a whole lot of love… this place has it all. Oh and did I mention her adorable tote bags? Still trying to decide which design I need in my life (recommendations welcomed, of course). What I love most about Abby’s shop is her creation of community space. A place where food lovers can come together, enjoy food (and wine) and learn not only from an expert but from each other. Such a brilliant concept and one that I hope I can take part in very soon.

If you are visiting Boston and looking for to fill an afternoon, my recommendation is this. Head to B&G Oysters for lunch, located on Tremont and Waltham. I hear their lobster roll is amazing. I would then stroll the neighborhood as the South End has some of my favorite shops including Flock, South End Formaggio, M. Flynn and Hudson. End your walk at Farm and Fable, which is across the street from Coppa, where you can finish your stroll with some delicious bites. A delightful afternoon in the South End of Boston, I promise.

Take Me There

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When planning a trip, I always have a food itinerary. Yes, I do plan trips around food and I’m not ashamed to admit it. And thus I was quite pleased when I came across this little Food and Wine piece highlighting the best new shops for food lovers. Don’t they just sound fabulous? And the best part, my sweet friend Abby’s shop made the list!

What can I say, Abby and I are kindred spirits. Not only did we both leave our first law firm on the same day but food really is our shared passion. We first met back in 2006 at a co-worker’s cocktail party. I was getting ready to embark on a cross-country adventure and she said “I have the book for you… Eat Your Way Across the USA.” Thanks to Abby and this little gem, I certainly did eat my way across the states. The best part, this initial bond over food and travel sparked a lifelong friendship. And now to see Abby’s dream of a vintage kitchen store and cooking class space come to life and featured in Food and Wine, I couldn’t be more proud. I’m off to Boston tomorrow and Farm & Fable is certainly at the top of my list of places to visit. I promise to bring you a full report next week highlighting all my finds.

Until then, dear friends… any great food shops this foodie should know about? With this cold, I am dreaming of lots of little weekend getaways.

Places

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THE ATL
Atlanta. It only took five visits but finally you and I have bonded. I have always loved to explore a city through its food, and I most certainly did just that on my recent trip.

My first introduction to the Atlanta food scene was Krog Bar, Kevin Rathburn’s tapas bar housed in an old stove factory. One of the most intimate dining experiences I’ve had, there are only 5 communal tables in this little gem. The highlight of my meal, pimento cheese. Rathburn’s was a bit different from the traditional recipe (not as chunky and creamy) but the flavor, out of this world. And the Krog Cocktail, a St. Germain and grapefruit libation with a hint of rose-water… how could you go wrong.

Next up, JCT Kitchen and Bar. Located in the very hip West End neighborhood, JCT Kitchen is located on the first floor with the bar being on the second. I ordered the chicken and dumplings at the suggestion of our waitress but after I saw the plate of fried chicken, I knew I made a mistake. Thankfully one of my fellow dinner guests had ordered correctly and let me try a few bites. Best friend chicken and biscuits this northern girl has ever tasted. After dinner, we headed upstairs to JCT Bar, where I was introduced to Georgia Crackers, a 3 piece soul band who pride themselves on faithfully recreating the sounds of 1920’s Georgia bluegrass. Add to that a La Fin du Monde (translation = end of the world), my new favorite beer, JCT Bar is one not to miss.

Wanting to partake in a tradition southern brunch experience, we headed to South City Kitchen. While known for their chicken and waffles, I opted for the crab cake benedict with grits, and I’m so glad I did. And I should note, their pimento cheese was sinfully good.

One thing not to miss in the ATL is the Georgia Aquarium. With its doors opening in 2005, the Georgia Aquarium features more animals than another other aquarium in more than 10 million gallons of water. Quite impressive indeed. My favorite exhibit was the Ocean Voyager, which ends in a room where you can sit and feel like you are living under sea, surrounded by sharks and stingrays and fish galore.

Needing a little afternoon pick-me-up, we headed over to The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in, accommodating some 600 cars. Thankfully, we weren’t with 600 patrons, though. You must try the Frosted Orange. Just like an orange creamsicle but better. I promise!

As I have mentioned before, I always try to find the perfect bakery/sweet shop in any city I visit. Cacao, a delicious little chocolate shop that I had spied on Pinterest, also happens to be in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Virginia Highlands. And since the temperature was near 60 on Sunday, I decided it was only right to indulge in a vanilla gelato. Reminded me that summer is only a few months away (wishful thinking).

So Atlanta, I’m so glad we finally bonded. Your southern hospitality, pimento cheese and insane driving and traffic will be missed. After indulging in all you have to offer, this week will be a green juice diet for me!

An Island Holiday

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I know I am biased but there is no better place to celebrate Thanksgiving than Nantucket and you know what, the Vice President thinks so too! I have only missed two in my entire life. This year, with my parents being out in California, my sister and I decided to host our very first Thanksgiving dinner at our family home and what a day it was. The prep started Wednesday with Michelle mastering the art of baking a pie. After getting home from the shop, I took to the kitchen to make my Aunt’s delicious cranberry mousse and apple butter for my sister Marie’s Thanksgiving brunch (and checked another two items off the fall bucket list). Check out the recipes below.

While waiting for the apple butter to bake, I turned to our tablescape. I knew I wanted to incorporate the collection of beautiful gourds in yellows and greens I purchased at Bartlett’s Farm so decided on a purple, yellow and celdaon green color palette. I placed my favorite John Robshaw table-cloth on the table with our Simon Pearce belmont dinning plates and my “only for special occasion” Kim Seybert napkins. I have these fantastic yellow bud vases for Bodega that I turned into candle holders for our green tapers. Feeling a bit DIY, I made place cards and the menu from old Rifle Paper pieces I had on hand. We made little wreaths from rosemary and Michelle added a personal touch by writing each of our guests a little note letting them know we were thankful for them. I just loved the way it all came together.

I was a bit hesitant to handle the actual bird… 16 pounds and all. I guess I know why I call myself a selectarian (raw meat totally squimishes me out). Luckily I had some help and got the bird cleaned, filled the cavity with oranges, lemons, garlic, thyme and onions and put her in the oven. I used Ina’s recipe as a guide cause really, the Barefoot Contessa has never failed me.

My absolute favorite sides with my Thanksgiving meal have always been stuffing and butternut squash so I knew I wanted to try something different. I had seen a picture on Pinterest for a butternut squash bread pudding with leeks and prosciutto and I knew that was the winner. Absolutely sinful (2 1/2 cups of half and half) but well worth it. For the stuffing, the verdict was in that sausage is a must so once again I turned to Smitten Kitchen to be my guide. Add in some roasted carrots and brussels sprouts, mashed new potatoes and a kale salad with roasted acorn squash, pomegranate seeds and a Dijon cider vinaigrette and we had ourselves a feast.

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Hope you all enjoyed a lovely day with your friends and family. And now for those recipes!

Auntie Deb’s Cranberry Mousse
– 1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple
– 2 3 oz. packages of raspberry gelatin
– 1 12 oz. bag of fresh cranberries (Nantucket has one of the largest bogs on the east coast)
– 1 large navel orange
– 1/2 cup sugar
– 1 cup sour cream

Directions
1. Open pineapple and drain liquid. Reserve 1 cup of juice.
2. Bring pineapple juice to a boil and stir in gelatin until dissolved.
3. In food processor, chop cranberries, sliced unpeeled orange and sugar to make a relish.
4. Combine relish and pineapple with gelatin in large bowl. Chill 1/2 hour, or until slightly thick.
5. Fold in sour cream and pour into a 2 quart mold. Chill until firm.
6. Unmold onto a serving plate.

* I should note I couldn’t find a mold so just poured into a large serving dish. Not as pretty as my aunt does but let me tell you, this cranberry mousse brings a leftover turkey sandwich to a whole new level.

Apple Butter
– 4 pounds assorted apples, peeled and chopped
– 2 cups apple cider
– 1 cup packed light brown sugar
– pinch of salt
– 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
– 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
– 1 tsp. vanilla extract
– pinch of ground clove

Directions
1. Preheat over to 250 degrees.
2. Combines the apples, apple cider, brown sugar and salt in a dutch oven (I’m obsessed with my Le Creuset) over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook until apples are soft, about 20 minutes.
3. Remove apples from the heat and stir in lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla extract and cloves.
4. Puree the mixture in a blender in batches until smooth.
5. Return the mixture to dutch over and bake uncovered, stirring every 30 minutes. The total cook time is about 3 hours. The mixture will become thick and a deep amber color.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Transfer to n airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

* My sister Michelle used the remaining apple butter on Saturday night when she hosted friends for turkey soup. She spread it over brie, wrapped it in her pie crust and baked. Absolutely delicious!

Places

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gram
I’m not quite sure about you but I seem to always find myself thinking “where was I a year ago today?” And you know what, a year ago today I was in Istanbul. Yes, you read that right, Istanbul. 4,827 miles away from this little island. Constantinople. East meets West. Old versus new. No wonder it’s the 5th most popular city to visit in Europe. In one word, Istanbul is magical.

One of my favorite past times is perusing travel magazines. Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar… I can’t get enough. Over the years, I have collected my travel stories of places I dream of traveling to in a binder and thus when planning my next adventure, I always have a go-to source. In a collected little piece from Travel & Leisure I was introduced to this amazing bakery Gram and immediately put it on the top of my list of places to visit. If you read my little blog regularly, you know I have a thing for bakeries.

365 days ago today I parted ways with my traveling mate, who was in the city for business, and ventured in a cab (with a non-English speaking driver) to Gram. Much to my dismay, the address I shared with the driver was not where I was dropped off. I got out of the cab with not a single idea of where I was. My heart raced. My palms started to sweat and for a minute I was quite worried. But then, I realized, these are exactly the moments I need. To not know my path or where I am. And one must remember that the worst thing to do while traveling alone is to look like you’re lost. So, off I ventured. I walked the city street for a good half hour until a kind gentleman inquired if I was looking for something (guess I stuck out a little more than I had thought). Thank god… someone spoke English! I let him know that I was looking for a bakery called Gram and he was shocked that I had even heard of this place. The good news was, I was right around the corner.

And what a lucky girl I was since I was becoming quite famished and needed some nourishment. When I saw the facade, I knew I found home. The picture above is just a peek into this little piece of heaven. The baked goods were breathtaking to look at and I loved the owners collection of cook books on display. It almost felt like you had walked into her kitchen. After much deliberation, I decided on a piece of banana cake and a latte. Simply divine. I have since tried to recreate this delicious cake but haven’t perfected it just yet. When I do, I promise to share.

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If you are planning a trip to this magical city, do let me know. And I wonder… where will I be a year from now? Time will only tell!