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A Spice Exploration: Oleana Comes To The James Beard House
I also love her cookbook.
Ana is very much a farm to table chef. She and her husband, Chris Kurth own Siena Farms– named for their daughter. Serious Eats readers have read Chris in a couple of my Market Scene reports.
In this one he talks about how they inspire and challenge one another.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/06/market_scene_copley_square_market_in_boston_1.html
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
I asked that question and Chef Gale said, "People think the marinade's apple cider & brown sugar, so I'll leave it at that. If that's what they think, they can think that."
The marinade and basing liquid are the same mix.
In Season: Pears
My husband adds a pear to his morning cereal every day. He convinced me and I tried it. Delicious!
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Recent Posts
Market Scene: Season Ending at Boston's Copley Farmers' Market
Posted by BostonZest, November 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
Posted by BostonZest, November 2, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Market Scene: Boston Farmers' Markets Open Until November
Posted by BostonZest, October 19, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Market Scene: Boston Public Market at Dewey Square, Boston Massachusetts
Posted by BostonZest, October 12, 2009 at 3:15 PM
See more posts by BostonZest »
Recent Favorites
Serious Eats Presents 'The Greenmarket: One Farmer's Story'
Posted by Ed Levine, August 11, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Market Scene: Copley Square Market in Boston
Posted by BostonZest, June 17, 2009 at 1:30 PM
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
Holly, Thanks so much for adding that link to a photo of Ezra "Speed" Anderson. I'm sure it will bring a smile to many long time fans of the man and his hot dog legacy.
A Spice Exploration: Oleana Comes To The James Beard House
I also love her cookbook.
Ana is very much a farm to table chef. She and her husband, Chris Kurth own Siena Farms– named for their daughter. Serious Eats readers have read Chris in a couple of my Market Scene reports.
In this one he talks about how they inspire and challenge one another.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/06/market_scene_copley_square_market_in_boston_1.html
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
I asked that question and Chef Gale said, "People think the marinade's apple cider & brown sugar, so I'll leave it at that. If that's what they think, they can think that."
The marinade and basing liquid are the same mix.
In Season: Pears
My husband adds a pear to his morning cereal every day. He convinced me and I tried it. Delicious!
Hot Dogs from Blue Light in Provincetown, Massachusetts
About that lobster roll... I'm from Rhode Island and grew up with lobster rolls that consisted of a toasted roll with lobster served with drawn butter on the side.
Sorry, I'm not a fan of lobster salad rolls with mayo. But, I do understand that many Blue Light fans love their version. One more thing that they do very well.
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
The Whole Foods and Colavata are my usual choices, depending on where I happen to be shopping. I'll have to try the Trader Joe's.
How about a bruschetta party. Between grilling the bread and making the toppings, you can use up a lot of Olive Oil.
The Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship in Scotland
Now I want a spurtle!
With the cold weather on the way, I really need one to make great hot porridge. I wonder how it would work with risotto?
Meet Your Farmers: Lisa and Ali Moussalli of Frog Bottom Farm, Virginia
Tressa, good job--- great photos-- both creative and good communication of your farmers' lives.
I love hearing from young farmers who will feed our future.
Meet Your Farmers: John Lee of Allandale Farm, Massachusetts
I don't have a car but, I've decided that Allandale is one of the places that is worth a trip in a Zipcar. You feel as if you've driven an hour out of the city but it only about 6 miles from downtown.
There is something about buying food right at the farm that feels so good to this city girl.
In Season: Corn
My favorite this time of year is my own invention - corn and potato salad. I use the corn milk as part of the salad dressing. That enhances the corn flavor.
http://www.bostonzest.com/2008/07/summer-corn-and.html
The favorite corn experience here in Boston is Ken Oringer's corn at Toro. Here's a link to that one.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/04/earlyshow/saturday/main2762526.shtml
Do You Have a Favorite Greek Yogurt?
Another vote for both Trader Joes and Fage. I only buy the plain so perhaps you might want to do the plain and then the flavors.
Tips for saving money at farmers markets?
Ask about a market CSA. Two of the farms at the Copley Square Farmers' Market in Boston offer a different type of CSA where you make a payment upfront and they give you a discount on everything you buy.
At Atlas Farm, for example, I paid $90 for $100 in product. In addition they offer specials for CSA members only.
You pick out exactly what you want and they have you sign for your purchase. When your share is gone, you can buy another. They also offer larger shares at a better discount. ($300 in produce for $250 or $600 for $500.)
Where to buy lobsters in Somerville/Cambridge/Boston?
I usually buy my lobsters from James Hook & Co. on the Waterfront in Boston. They will have just about any size you want. And, they will also have steamers, oysters and just about anything other seafood you might want for your feast.
http://www.jameshooklobster.com/
I do have to get over to Alive and Kicking. I hear great things about them but have never tried their lobsters.
Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 80: Remembering Our Serious Eater Beagle Brass
Four legged serious eaters with melting eyes are hard to resist. It was lovely of you to share the story of Brass with all of us.
Please extend the heartfelt sympathy of our family with yours. We have a little Westie girl who will turn 13 this week and thinking of Brass makes me hold her closer and enjoy every day.
In honor of Brass I just took her out and spent an hour in the park with her. It means I'll be at my keyboard later tonight but it was worth it.
"When we think of those companions who travel by our side down life's road, let us not say with sadness that they left us behind, but rather say with gratitude that they once were with us. " Russian proverb
Salty Coffee?
My mother who made the "world's worst" of any culinary attempt always added salt to her coffee percolator basket. It was bad, bad, bad!
Serious Cheese: Rogue River Blue Wins 2009 American Cheese Society Competition
What timing! I wrote about Rogue River Blue exactly one year ago today. Naturally, I had to write about your post today.
My husband says this is a blue cheese for people who don't think they like blue cheeses but do love full-flavored cheeses.
http://www.bostonzest.com/2009/08/rogue-river-blue-amercian-cheese-society-winner.html
Serious Eats Presents 'The Greenmarket: One Farmer's Story'
It feels so good to listen to others who see farmers the way I do. Bravo!
Meet Your Farmers: Rick Bishop of Mountain Sweet Berry Farm, New York
Putting farmers in the spotlight is a great idea.
They are so important to so many of us. Over the piles of produce at farmers' markets, friendships grow. I've believe that we can trust these friends to feed us well and safely.
Market Scene: Mar Vista Farmers' Market, Los Angeles
I listen to the "Market Report" for the Santa Monica Farmers Market each week on KCRW's Good Food and turn a bit pea green with envy.
We do have wonderful farmers and great markets here in the East, but hearing about the products you have in the LA markets does make us wish we could stop by about once a month.
Best wishes for happiness in your new place and have fun getting to know your new farmers.
Market Scene: Newton, Massachusetts
I just recommended the Old Friends Farm ginger on a BostonZest post. It is fantastic. It's hot and so full of flavor that I have to tell myself that it is another product that I can only get for a very short time. It makes you wish all ginger could be so fresh.
You can use the leaves and stems to make ginger tea or ginger broth. I like to use them when I make Asian chicken stock.
Market Scene: Newton, Massachusetts
Yes, and the news is sad. More than 400 farms have been affected according to an article last week in the local paper.
Here's a link to that article:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/31/disease_that_spawned_irelands_potato_famine_hits_new_england/
Meat Lite: Chickpea, Chicken, and Tabouli Salad
I always put chickpeas in my tabouli! I'm so happy to find others who complete the protein this way. I also sprinkle on some feta if I need more calcium in my food that day.
I make it with different grains. My current favorite is the Kashi pilaf mix. That packs in lots of goodness and flavor. Here's my version.
http://www.bostonzest.com/2009/04/tabbouleh-the-perfect-meal-for-a-hot-day.html
I also learned about the lettuce a few years ago and like the cool, crisp flavor and texture.
Video: Guinea Pigs Eating Watermelon
Watermelon makes me happy too. I'm glad I have some on hand right now. Heading for the refrigerator to make like a guinea pig.
Market Scene: Harvard University Farmers' Market, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Here in Massachusetts we have weekend markets and it's easy to find them with the Mass Federation of Farmer's Market site.
http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/
And, there are a lot of markets that you can shop on a lunch hour. Certainly the Harvard Market had lots of shopper who were having their lunch and shopping.
Our public radio station has also created a locate a Farmers Market button on their Public Radio Kitchen site. They produced a great map.
http://storage.wbur.org/prk_farmersmarket/
Nationally, Local Harvest can help find markets that will fit your schedule.
http://www.localharvest.org/
The other great idea is going out to farm stands on weekends.
My (Sort Of) First Taste of White Castle's Burgers
I can't imagine a Serious Eater loving White Castle if introduced to it today. It is fuel for the midnight masses. A bag of go-food for the hungry driver.
Most of all it is memories. My father loved WC burgers and adored having a big bag of them to pass around. It was a part of visiting NYC for me as a kid.
We get the funny little burgers and Dad would dole out another one as fast as you finished the first. My cousins would always out-eat me, racking up high burger counts in a contest their parents would never allow. But, they weren't with their parents, and my Dad, with his bag of burgers, was the biggest kid of all!
Do You Have a Favorite Greek Yogurt?
Cabot's Plain Greek Style Yogurt is absolutely wonderful! The price is right, too....much less expensive that Fage. Trader Joe's brand yogurt is also very good....especially the Honey flavoured. I like plain yogurt with a dollop of lemon curd....YUMMY!
Fage is fine but way too expensive.....rather make it myself than pay that amount. Oixos and Chobani, not so much.
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
@green...
First-pressed... aka, extra virgin olive oil is not necessarily the best for every method of preparation. It's good in salads and raw appetizers or as a last minute addition to liven up a dish. You should never saute or cook with extra virgin olive oil... especially over high heat since the smoke point is relatively low. All you will be left with is a burnt taste devoid of any flavor that you expect from high cost evoo.
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
Looks great, been to Boston a few times and never heard of it and yep its now on my list to visit. Thanks for the tip.
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
Completely thought it was baked beans too -- cannot believe I have never eaten one in Boston before. And *now* I want a hot dog topped with baked beans on a brown bread roll.
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
Not the most appetizing picture you've ever published. Before reading the article I thought it was covered in baked beans.
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
Speed's originally used a dog from Pearl. The new owner switched to Grote & Weigel. Both dogs are good; the Pearl being a little spicier. The all beef dogs sold loose behind the counter at Stop & Shop are Pearl's. I have access to them in New Jersey. Grote & Weigel beef dogs are available at their N.J. distributor and at Father & Son Luncheonette in Linden, N.J.
The dog is the same recipe beef dog that you can get at the above mentioned places. It is only custom made in that Speed's is perhaps the only customer using a half pound beef dog from G&W.
In my opinion basting and marinating takes away from the flavor of the dog. Unless you like the flavor of the marinade, or the apple cider and brown sugar. A place in Newburgh, N.Y. marinated some of their Sabrett dogs before grilling. I had one marinated and one plain. I preferred the plain dog with mustard.
While Speed's serves a quality beef dog, I wouldn't consider it the "best". There are other brands of beef dogs that I consider superior to Grote & Weigel or Pearl. Namely Best Provisions (N.J.), Usinger's (Milwaukee), Sabrett (N.Y./N.J.), Boars Head (now made in Florida but a N.Y. dog originally), and the fairly new Hatfield's New York style dog (Pennsylvania).
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
Some things shouldn't be photographed.
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
the frist pressed is the best look for the best price on frist cold preesed olives
pasta with the beans
1 cup cooked and drained ditalini
1 can[8oz] cambells pork and beans
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup spaghetti sauce or ketchup
salt/pepper to taste
combine everything and enjoy
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
Isn't the key to quality how recently the olives were harvested? How long have those bottles been sitting on the shelves and when were the olives picked?
My guess is that there's a ton of bottle-to-bottle variation with these oils.
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
When shopping for olive oil, if you abide by these two rules, you will usually have a winner.
1) Made exclusively from 100% Italian Olives
2) Bottled in and imported from Italy
An old chef told me this info and it has never let me down. There's something about Italian olives that scream flavor. Greek, Tunisian, Spanish, American... they just don't taste the same.
Egg in Toast: What Do You Call It?
A Hole in One!!!! My grandfather used to make these for me when I was a very little girl, visiting him in Lancaster, PA. He was not a golfer. He was first-generation American of Swedish descent, who had grown up in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
My Costco has an olive oil in a box (think wine in a box) that is easily the best olive oil per liter I've found.
Another option is to buy in the large five gallon tins. So long as you store your oil properly, it's fine. Since olive oil is only harvested once a year (in the fall), the oil you're pulling out of your tin in august is as fresh as anything you're pulling off the shelf at the store.
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
Take all your leftover least-favorite oils, pour them into the fuel tank of your bio-diesel-ready vehicle and make a trip to buy the brand you like. Don't use them to make bad food ...
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
Costco has an organic extra virgin olive oil that I swear by.
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
Hmm, we buy Filippo Berio olive oil and I swear it tastes awesome (maybe we don't get the extra light?:) My boyfriend went to Italy in May and ever since he's been a huge olive oil snob. I just introduced him to Filippo Berio and he actually admitted it tastes good! :)
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
If I remember correctly, Cook's Illustrated recommends DaVinci brand as an inexpensive but good olive oil...
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
For tb404, who posted looking for "a spanish brand that came in a little glass carafe (about 8 0z) with a cork stopper with red wax on the top. It had a name like "marquis de Pres"" - Could it be NUNEZ DE PRADO you're thinking of? I haven't seen it in such a small bottle but it does come in 500 ml size (about 17 oz.) in a square bottle with cork and red wax. It's fabulous oil, my all time favorite, and I wouldn't be surprised you'd want to find it again.
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
How about some type of confit? Maybe Garlic Confit? Or make your own flavored oils and condiments. That is what I would do with a lot of extra oil. Maybe pestos of different herbs?
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
Back to the laboratory I hope.........PLEASE try Red Island green lablel from Austrailia.....the best on the market in my mind. Fresh, fruity, no bitterness, first press/cold press, it tastes like you just squeezed the olives yourself.......so good it's almost drinkable!!!
In Season: Pears
I make an Italian-inspired buttery cake with ground nuts, and top it with pear halves poached in a wine syrup:
http://mostlyfoodstuffs.blogspot.com/2009/09/piedmontese-nut-cake-with-wine-poached.html
Hello, fall!
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
Don't overlook wonderful Greek olive oils. I like the Horio brand. If your local ethnic grocery store does not carry it, it can be purchased online for as little as $10/liter, in the larger cans.
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
Can someone comment on De Cecco?
Taste Test: Cheap But Good Olive Oils
Nice article! I like the Goya, and I typically buy that since it's widely available. I wish I'd read your article sooner! I just picked up a bottle of the Trader Joe's Italian olive oil instead of the Spanish one. Oh well, next time.
As for things to make, I'm still curious about olive oil ice cream. I've seen it, but have not tried it. You definitely would need a pretty strongly flavored oil, I suspect.
Recent Posts
Market Scene: Season Ending at Boston's Copley Farmers' Market
Posted by BostonZest, November 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Boston Speed Dog: A Rite of Passage
Posted by BostonZest, November 2, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Market Scene: Boston Farmers' Markets Open Until November
Posted by BostonZest, October 19, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Market Scene: Boston Public Market at Dewey Square, Boston Massachusetts
Posted by BostonZest, October 12, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Hot Dogs from Blue Light in Provincetown, Massachusetts
Posted by BostonZest, September 30, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Meet Your Farmers: David Gilson, Gilson's Herb Lyceum in Massachusetts
Posted by BostonZest, September 28, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Market Scene: Provincetown Farmers' Market, Massachusetts
Posted by BostonZest, September 21, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Market Scene: Prudential Center Farmers' Market, Boston
Posted by BostonZest, August 31, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Meet Your Farmers: John Lee of Allandale Farm, Massachusetts
Posted by BostonZest, August 24, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Market Scene: City Hall Farmers' Market in Boston
Posted by BostonZest, August 17, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Market Scene: Newton, Massachusetts
Posted by BostonZest, August 3, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Market Scene: Brookline Farmers Market in Brookline, Mass.
Posted by BostonZest, July 23, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Market Scene: Harvard University Farmers' Market, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Posted by BostonZest, July 6, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Market Scene: Copley Square Market in Boston
Posted by BostonZest, June 17, 2009 at 1:30 PM
A farm-to-table salad for a Boston Farmers' Market
Posted by BostonZest, May 10, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Recent Favorites
Serious Eats Presents 'The Greenmarket: One Farmer's Story'
Posted by Ed Levine, August 11, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Market Scene: Copley Square Market in Boston
Posted by BostonZest, June 17, 2009 at 1:30 PM
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About BostonZest
Website: http://www.bostonzest.com
Location: Boston MA
About: Publisher of BostonZest.com - Boston for Grown-ups. A perpetual student of food, wine, cheese and the good things in life. Love cooking, dining out and being part of the Boston food community.
Favorite foods: Potatoes, great breads, cheese, apples, asparagus, artichokes, roasted root vegetables, fish, shellfish, green beans, and on and on.
Last bite on earth: Excellent butter on a great piece of bread. With Champagne and lobster on the side!
Holly, Thanks so much for adding that link to a photo of Ezra "Speed" Anderson. I'm sure it will bring a smile to many long time fans of the man and his hot dog legacy.