Get to Know a Serious Eater.

Jelena's Profile

Website:

Location: Chicago

About: I love to travel the world to see new places, get to know the cultures, meet new people and try their foods (preferably as I have the meals with the new people I have just met). I also enjoy photography and capturing the people, places and their food.

Favorite foods: I enjoy most types of foods, but my favorites are dark chocolate, pumpkin, kale, hamburgers, gelato (preferably while in Italy), pizza, pasta, curries, and on, and on....

Last bite on earth: Dark chocolate mousse gelato while in Rome with family and friends.

The Ten Most Recent Comments By Jelena

From Talk

6-10 inches of snow and -20 wind chill...whatcha cookin'?

On the weekends I sometimes make a very big pot of chicken soup with lots of carrots, celery, onions and a good amount of garlic, herbs, spices and some noodles or whatever I feel like adding that day or happen to have on hand. If I have the end of a chunk of parmesan, I scrape the lettering off the edge a bit and add that to flavor the soup even more. I let it simmer all day and partake of it all day long. Very yummy and soul satisfying. Makes staying inside enjoyable.

I also enjoy a good cup of Bigelow Ginger Snappish Ginger Tea with Lemon. It's very satisfying and keeps me warm.

Jelena at 12:30PM on 02/12/08

From Talk

Ideas for "no white food" diet?

I really enjoy whole grain tortillas from La Tortilla Factory (I find them at the local grocery store, but I think you can also buy them online directly from the company). They used to look like whole grain and not be white, but they changed their recipe so that it looks more white so that it will appeal more to the general public, but they still have a ton of fiber.

Natural Oven breads and cereals. I know that their distribution is limited to a few states, but you can check them out online.

Jelena at 11:47AM on 02/12/08

From Talk

Are you sick of winter? What is your ideal summertime meal?

I miss picnics during the winter, so any food that you'd have at a picnic -- hamburgers, etc.

Jelena at 11:43AM on 02/12/08

From Talk

Valentine's Day Chocolate Candy - The Best is _________

I enjoy searching for different types of dark chocolates. Over the years I've found some great ones. There were some phenomenal ones I found in a small village in France and they had so many different herbs, pepper and exotic flavors. I also found amazing chocolates while on a 6 hour chocolate tour of Paris. So many chocolates and they were soooo heavenly. But since I can't remember their names or tell you how to get them, here are a few dark chocolates that I've recently discovered that are causing parties among my taste buds:

Dark chocolate bar made by New Tree, a Belgium chocolatier (www.newtree.com). It is truly a chocolate to be savoured and I find it at my local Jewel food store.

Dark Spicy Aztec bar that's made by Lake Champlain Chocolates (www.lakechamplainchocolates.com). It has cayenne, pumpkin seeds, and cinnamon. It's an amazing flavor combination.

I've also been enjoying a variety of chocolates from Trader Joe's including a very petite box of mini gourmet chocolates. On Valentine's Day we're having a girls luncheon, and I plan to bring those. Yum!

Jelena at 4:05PM on 02/04/08

Responses to Comments by Jelena

From Talk

Are you sick of winter? What is your ideal summertime meal?

I'm not necessarily sick of winter food, but I am sure sick of winter SNOW! (I live in Chicago...sigh). But anyway, I could go for a summer caprese salad, some watermelon and a glass of lemonade right about now...

Hillary
Chew on That

Chew on That at 5:34PM on 02/15/08

From Talk

Are you sick of winter? What is your ideal summertime meal?

Well, amist making brioche for chocolate bread pudding for Valentines day, if there wasnt 10+ inches of snow on my doorstep right now, I would be in the freezing cold grilling steaks tomorrow for dinner. The most snow I will drag my prize grill out in is 2 inches. So, for tomorrow it is chicken breasts baked with garlic butter and lemon under the skins, roasted white and sweet potatoes, broccoli roasted with soy and sesame seeds and the bread pudding. South Beach be damned!

I really would sell my soul to the devil himself for a juicy tomato, still warm from the sun, the smell of the vine still on it and a basket of teensy fresh picked strawberries to nibble while dinner cooks. Hot corn slathered with butter, lime and cojita cheese and in ice cold margarita..fresh, no mix.

Sigh.

ChelleyD01 at 2:29PM on 02/13/08

From Talk

6-10 inches of snow and -20 wind chill...whatcha cookin'?

I'll be trying Lidia's broccoli/ cauliflower gratinate tonight or tomorrow!

Kerosena at 11:20AM on 02/13/08

From Talk

Are you sick of winter? What is your ideal summertime meal?

actually what i'm looking forward to is watching the progression of the crops at the greenmarket. first the ramps. then the sugar snaps. then the apricots. then the peaches. then the corn. then the tomatoes. then the cherries. then the berries. then the apples and pumpkins. i love to see different things come into season and then leave for the year.

it's so cold out today that i'm not craving anything except hot food. it would be the perfect day to make a few loaves of bread and some soup.

cybercita at 9:26AM on 02/13/08

From Talk

Are you sick of winter? What is your ideal summertime meal?

I'm dreaming of gazpacho. Paella. And a Miller Highlife, the champagne of beers.

Susquehanna at 8:51AM on 02/13/08

From Talk

6-10 inches of snow and -20 wind chill...whatcha cookin'?

Oh my gosh, Kerosena - I just made my very first gnocchi a la Lidia a few weeks ago and it turned out perfectly. I was so impressed with myself! The tuna sounds awesome. I really want to try that. I have Lidia's Italian American Kitchen. I think the lady knows what she's doing. You've been keeping good company.

frederika at 11:14PM on 02/12/08

From Talk

6-10 inches of snow and -20 wind chill...whatcha cookin'?

when its cold i like to make things that are comforting and easy and things i already have all the ingredients for, chili, grilled cheese and tomato soup, casserole type dishes, mac and cheese, or pot pie if i have one in the freezer and for side dishes i like roasted brussel sprouts or cauliflower or garlicky broccoli n

sustarz at 10:52PM on 02/12/08

From Talk

6-10 inches of snow and -20 wind chill...whatcha cookin'?

We have some freezing rain on top of snow here in central Ohio, and I think our dinner was the perfect complement to the weather: risotto. We used a Jamie Oliver version with ricotta, tomatoes, and basil, which was fantastic. Risotto felt like the perfect dish for this night; it takes a little time, but since I had a "snow day," I had some time to spare anyway.

July at 10:21PM on 02/12/08

From Talk

Ideas for "no white food" diet?

PS to KarynMC, lucky me, Heidi from 101Cookbooks is a very close friend of my boyfriend and sometimes I even get to eat at her house! I should invite myself over soon... she has taught me so much about appreciating healthier and veg foods. Anyone who hasn't been to 101cookbooks.com you should definitely go. Her food photos and recipes are incredible.

karenita at 7:41PM on 02/12/08

From Talk

Are you sick of winter? What is your ideal summertime meal?

The summer meal I am dreaming of right now consists of prawn, sausage and pineapple skewers with a side of couscous salad and tomato & avocado salad. With plenty of fresh berries for dessert. Mmmmm

brooke29 at 7:40PM on 02/12/08