Dish This!

Panza in the North End

2009-07-18T17:05:00.006-04:00

North End residents automatically have a second job: Italian restaurant recommenders. It's usually within the first 10 seconds of someone finding out you live in the NE that they ask which of the dozens of Italian restaurants is your favorite. Now, for Dish Gal, I take this question very seriously. And frankly, it makes me a little stressed-- there are so many North End restaurants I've never been to. That's not because I haven't heard anything good about them, but because I can only have Italian so often, and often I sacrilegiously choose my fave Italian restaurants like Sage and Dante over trying a new one in the North End.

So when I tried new restaurant Panza, I crossed my fingers that it would be delicious so I could recommend it to others. At the risk of giving away the ending of this post, I was not disappointed.

Panza offers one main thing that a lot of other North End places don't--reasonable prices. Pasta and entree dishes very rarely break the $20 mark. The low prices don't mean you have to give anything up, though; the food was tasty, classic, un-fussy Italian fare. I enjoyed the free-form lasagna, made up of black pepper pasta sheets tossed with plum tomatoes, ricotta, chicken, mushrooms, and spinach. The dish was successful, as it differed enough to justify ordering a classic, but didn't change so much that it lost its inherent charm. I thought the chicken was an unnecessary addition, though. True, I notoriously dislike chicken in general (chicken=zzzz to me most of the time), but it seemed to me like an afterthought in this dish, intended to placate those people who would never order a vegetarian dish.

My dining companion was a great friend from Dish Gal's childhood. Back in the day, we enjoyed singing along to "Everybody Dance Now" on her boombox and swimming for hours and hours and hours, stopping only for passing lightning storms or a quick Drumstick ice cream cone from the snack bar.

My friend, let's call her Lynn, ordered the penne amatriciana-- pasta with pancetta, onions, roasted eggplant, fontina cheese, and plum tomato sauce.

Sure, it wasn't her mother's famous bolognese sauce (I still dream of that sauce), but it hit the spot.

I'm not sure if it was the comforting food, the wine, the cozy restaurant, or the great conversation (I'm guessing it was a combination of all of them), but I left this restaurant with a great feeling, and I look back upon my time there with great affection. It gave me that great, indescribable buzz that every North End place should-- that feeling that you can't stop smiling, but also that you'd love to lie down and take a nap ;)

Cocktail of the Week: the Hot 'n Dirty

2009-07-18T16:06:00.007-04:00

We were en route to see Jim Gaffigan at Foxwoods, and we were late. Stuck in traffic in Mashantucket, Connecticut, Skylar, Michelle, and I realized as we watched the minutes tick by that we would have to have the fastest dinner of all time at Alta Strada, Michael Schlow's Italian restaurant at MGM Grand Foxwoods (you can read about my first experience there back in December here).

When we finally sat down, I took a courtesy-peek at the drink menu even though I knew what I wanted --a dirty martini. But then I saw it-- the Hot 'n Dirty-- a martini with olives and pepperoncini.

It was heaven. It had the saltiness of the standard dirty martini, mixed with the sassy heat from the pepperoncini.

I'm not sure if this drink is at the Wellesley location (anyone been before?), but if you happen to be at Foxwoods, definitely stop by Alta Strada for a little hot 'n dirty...

Battle of the Seaside Restaurants

2009-07-12T19:56:00.006-04:00

I spend a fair amount of time in Hull, not because it's all that great of a town (or that Nan-trash-ket is all that great of a beach) but because my dear friend Jamie's family has a beautiful place right on the beach there. What can I say, I'm a sucker for an ocean view.

So it came about that within a month I tried two different restaurants there-- The Red Parrot and Barefoot Bob's-- seemingly the exact same restaurant. Both are right on the beach, both offer alfresco dining, and both offer a multitude of fried seafood options and unremarkable beers. Which begs the question: Which one deserves your hard-earned dollars?

In the interest of fairness (and because it's my favorite summertime treat), I ordered the same thing at both places-- a fried fish sandwich with french fries.

First up, atmosphere. The Red Parrot offers its outdoor dining at an elevated level, on a second floor deck. This allows for wonderful views of the ocean.At Barefoot Bob's, if you don't get one of the front tables (we didn't), your view is of whoever it sitting at the bar. Heat radiates off the pavement.

Atmosphere winner: The Red Parrot

Next up, the service. Both places had jovial, summer job-type waiters, who joked around and brought things out in a timely manner. Of course you could tell they didn't give a crap, and you could see them gossiping in the corner in between dropping off food, but that's sort of expected in a seaside, summer town, right?

Service winner: Tie.

Finally, the food itself. Here's The Red Parrot's:

And Barefoot Bob's:

Both offered generous portions of fish (could barely fit on the bun), but the awesomely addictive French fries at The Red Parrot blew away the dull, listless fries at Barefoot Bob's.

And so we have a clear winner: The Red Parrot officially has Dish Gal's fried fish sandwich of choice. And, even more importantly, Dish Nephew's, too!

Fine dining, it is certainly not, but when you're hankering for some fried food and sunshine, it's worth checking out.

Quote of the Day

2009-07-12T19:50:00.004-04:00

"...cooking was mine. It relaxed me...It was a way to make sense out of my internal chaos. There is logic and order to cooking. What you put into it has everything to do with what you get out of it. With love, it's not so cut-and-dried."

- Giulia Melucci, I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti (a fun beach read: chick lit meets Martha Stewart)

Boston Restaurant Deals, part II

2009-07-08T13:14:00.007-04:00

The good news: there are LOTS of restaurant deals in Boston. The bad news: there are so many, it's kind of hard to keep track, and I often end up at the right restaurant at the wrong time.

To simplify things, here are Dish Gal's picks for one delicious week! I picked my faves based on creativity of the offer, bang-for-your-buck, and quality of the food/atmosphere. In addition, these deals give you a nice little tour of our fine city along the way, including many different neighborhoods. ;)

Monday

Combat the Monday blues with Magical Mondays at Sel de la Terre, Back Bay. $1 oysters, $1 charcuterie, and $5 cocktail specials. That sounds pretty magical to me...

Sel de la Terre

774 Boylston Street, Boston

Tuesday

Tuesday seems to be the hot "special" day-- every restaurant seems to offer something!-- but for me, the $2 tacos at Tremont 647 are tops. (Click on that link to read the Serious Eats coverage of it.)Runner-up: $1 mini-burgers at Match.

Tremont 647

647 Tremont Street, Boston

Match

94 Mass. Ave. (around the corner from Urban Outfitters on Newbury Street)

Wednesday

For hump day, head over the river to the chic-and-sexy Noir Bar at the Charles Hotel for their 5-4-3-2-1-0 deal. With a drink purchase, choose from items ranging from $5 flatbreads, to $2 salads, to $0 nuts.

Noir Bar

One Bennett Street, Cambridge

Thursday

Meander down to the Seaport District for this amazing deal from Aura chef Rachel Klein. Flight Nights at Tamo, the bar in the Seaport Hotel, include a flight of beer (Thrillist lists Anchor Steam, Buzzards Bay, and Peak Nut Brown Ale) plus three sliders for just $9! Plus, you'll be automatically entered to win a flight night party for you and 25 of your dearest friends.

Tamo Bar

One Seaport Lane, Boston

Friday

Celebrate the weekend by heading over directly after work for Rocca's 5@5 deal-- 5 appetizers to choose from for just $5 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Rocca
500 Harrison Avenue, Boston

Saturday

Restaurants have figured out that most of us will eat out on Saturday nights whether there's a deal or not. You could take advantage of the many round-the-clock prix-fixe options, like the $35 three courses at dante in Cambridge, but for Dish Gal, $35 is still a lot of money to part with these days.

Instead, explore the North End on a budget: Grab a pizza at Ernesto’s (approximately $15) and a bottle of Barefoot Wine ($7) purchased across the street at the Wild Duck. Enjoy it all al fresco on the beautiful fountain-filled greenway (not that I condone public intoxication, but one might suggest... throw that white wine in a solo cup, and you are good to go). Split between four people, that’s a mere $5.50 each.

dante

5 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge (in the Royal Sonesta)

Ernesto's

69 Salem Street, Boston

Wild Duck

96 Salem Street, Boston

Sunday

Ah, Sunday. For you early-risers, you can save on brunch by heading early (10- 11 a.m.) to Gaslight for their great prix-fixe brunch (click here for menu).

For dinner, head to Cheap Date Night at Myers + Chang (runs Sunday- Tuesday) for a spin on the typical Asian-take-out routine. Only $40 per couple.

Gaslight

560 Harrison Avenue, Boston

Myers + Chang

1145 Washington Street, Boston

Photo credits, top to bottom...

1) Serious Eats

2) Dish Gal

3) New York Times

Mike & Patty's in the South End. Phenomenal.

2009-07-07T21:38:00.008-04:00

Sure, going out to The Best Restaurant in the City is great, but every foodie knows that the biggest thrill comes from discovering that small, hole-in-the-wall place that knocks your socks off.

Such was the thrill I got when I finally got to try Mike & Patty's. Ever since seeing it featured on foodie website, Serious Eats, I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. But everytime brunch rolled around, I stuck with my old favorite North Street Grille.

Finally, Dish Mom picked me up one sunny morning, and I suggested we try it. Best. Decision. Ever.

Remember how Dish Gal talked about how much I love sandwiches? While the sandwiches at Hot Tomatoes left a lot to be desired, Mike & Patty's takes sandwiches seriously-- as well one should!!

I tried one that, according to my research, they're sort of famous for: the torta-- shredded pork with avocado, refried beans, jicama slaw, and goat cheese on a luscious, bouncy, soft seeded roll.

This sandwich is NOT messing around...
The other sandwich we tried was the Bacon & Egg sandwich, fancy. The usual bacon & egg is topped with cheddar, avocado, and house mayo-- which has cayenne, cumin, and "secrets" (as the Serious Eats article cites).

Ohhhhh yeah. Toasted multigrain never had it so good.

In addition to these out-of-this-world sandwiches, the place itself just oozes charm. Located on a corner in Bay Village (like a mini-Beacon Hill but without the popped collars and Lilly Pullitzer), the restaurant is easy to pass by-- if you're even in the neighborhood in the first place. Plus, it is ridiculously tiny. And I don't mean Toro-tiny, I mean my-North-End-closet tiny. I couldn't even get in the door to order for a few minutes. Once inside, I was greeted with bacon-scented air and the lovely sound of sizzling food and clanging pans. A few lucky people sat at the lone, high-top table. Two people worked "the line," flipping eggs with the greatest of ease, smearing butter on bread, maneuvering adeptly in the tiny space. A third person took orders, fielded phone calls, and ran outside to deliver brown paper bags filled with joy.

Oh, and to top it all off, the coffee is great, too.

So, the only question is, why are you still reading this? Go git your sandwich on!

Taste of Cambridge = Time of my Life

2009-06-30T22:36:00.008-04:00

The day after the Taste of Cambridge, I woke up in a haze. Did I dream that amazing night? Was I the only one who had a ridiculous amount of fun? But fellow partygoers, including Alec, Michelle, and Ruth (new character alert! Ruth is a co-worker who enjoys her daily Starbucks fix and loves to read--she chose her name from John Irving's A Widow for One Year), agreed: We all had the time of our lives.

And these people I went with? They aren't the easiest to please. They aren't swayed by free food and free drinks alone. But they agreed- there was definitely an indescribable, amazing feeling that night at the Taste of Cambridge. Let's investigate why.

First off, amazing food. I mean I guess that was a given, but it really was overwhelming the sheer volume of delectable options.

I think this was my favorite savory dish-- pulled duck sandwiches with slaw from Hungry Mother. I still haven't been to this widely-acclaimed restaurant, but after absolutely loving all their food at tasting events, I'm getting really antsy to get over there.

My favorite dessert? From Craigie on Main. When I saw it, I thought wow that looks lame-- a piece of chocolate on a graham cracker? Then I took a bite- holy @#(@&#* that stuff was good! Too bad I didn't actually look and see what they were...This summer gazpacho from Small Plates? Not the best ever, but was so pretty I had to take a photo:

Second element of the "time of my life" event that worked in its favor: the weather actually played nice. For the first time in weeks, the sun peeked out, allowing for the outdoor revelry to take place.

Finally, the DANCING. A sad note just as the event was starting-- the announcement of Michael Jackson's death-- could've put a damper on the evening. Instead, it heightened it. The DJ started playing some MJ tracks, and the rest is history-- a huge dance party spontaneously broke out.Yes, that's a security guard busting a move...

A video even surfaced with Dish Gal's dancing in it (in the background, but still embarassing). Let's just say, thank God this blog is anonymous so I don't embarass myself by showing that!!!

All in all, an amazing night. Many kudos to the event planners on a job well done.

Now I'm going to go play some more MJ to get "I've had the time of my life" Dirty Dancing song out of my head... ;)

Dish Gal's Forays Into Veganism...and a recipe for Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quesadillas!

2009-06-24T15:22:00.008-04:00

When I tell people that I was vegan for four days, the reaction is completely polarized: Either the person is shocked and impressed ("You ate no meat for four days!?") or laughs at me and gives me that "I knew you couldn't do it" face. Hrmph. Neither is really the reaction I was looking for.

But I'm getting ahead of myself... let's start from the beginning. A few weeks go, I attended one of Dish Mom's dinner parties, which I love as the food is always fabulous. I had been eating pretty healthily leading up to it-and even during it-until I reached this beautiful cake that had caught my eye the second it entered my home. Tall, dark, and very handsome, this chocolate cake was sprinkled with fleur de sel, suggesting that whoever made it knew what they were doing. Sweet and salty? Yes, please!!

Finally, the cake was cut. It was heaven. But when the sugar high wore off, my insides were NOT happy-- my system was definitely not used to that much sugar, eggs, flour, etc. The next day, I definitely had a food hangover. I knew I needed to cleanse. I needed to get back to pure ingredients, and get as far away from baked goods as possible.

And thus goes the story of how a salty chocolate cake led me to choose veganism.

During my brief 4 day experiment with being vegan, I noticed some things. First, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks weren’t that hard—even desserts (Whole Foods has a ton of vegan baked goods). But dinner was another story. I quickly even became sick of quinoa salads (I'd been having a lot of them leading up to the vegan adventure, including this one below for lunch, dinner, and then another dinner...) And when I decided to have a veggie burger for dinner one night, I quickly became frustrated when I realized most contain egg whites—and spent a long time wandering the grocery store aisles, pouring over each ingredient list until finally I found this one-- an Amy’s vegan veggie burger.

One fun grocery store discovery—veggie cheese. I bought the pepper jack flavor, which at only 35 calories a slice, I expected to taste pretty crappy. But I was wrong- this stuff is flavorful! And, as the packaging claims, it really does melt well. Downside though—the ingredients list was filled with unknown, chemical-sounding ingredients. Blech.

I wish I could’ve stuck to the vegan-thing longer, but sadly I have the world’s most sensitive stomach, and it completely rebelled against my brain’s decision to go vegan. I mean, it staged an all-out coup, twisting and turning and generally making me want to lie down in the fetal position. So sadly, after four days, I caved and had an omelette. Sigh.

There were things I realized I could never give up, like white fish like halibut or tilapia. I love my chicken sausages (SO easy and cheap). Egg sandwiches are a Dish Gal favorite. And of course, the occasional cheeseburger. But other changes have stuck-- I've been still enjoying soy milk with my coffee instead of regular milk. I've continued with the tofu lunches. And I love the emphasis on fruits and veggies.

And so I’ve decided to join the “flexitarian” bandwagon—those people that eat mostly vegetarian and the occasional meat product. This article explains the term more, and credits the recession for its increasing momentum and popularity. Besides fiscally making sense, I’d add on for myself the environmental benefits of eating mostly vegetarian. Paul McCartney recently brought some attention to the “Meat Free Mondays” cause, which promotes the idea that if everyone in the world gave up meat for one day we could greatly help the environment. New York Times food writer Mark Bittmann has even gotten some attention for his "Vegan Before 6" strategy, where he lets himself choose anything after 6 p.m., allowing him to reap some of the health benefits of being vegan, while remaining a "foodie."

In the meantime, here’s my favorite recipe that I made up from my vegan days. . . This was SO good, I can’t wait to make it again. I have a feeling my meat-loving friends will enjoy it, too =)

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quesadillas
Serves 1
2 tortillas
1 medium sweet potato, cubed, into 1” pieces
1 slice Monterey jack veggie cheese (or can be just vegetarian and use real Monterey jack cheese, but that has way more calories if you’re interested)
1/4 cup black beans, rinsed
handful of roughly chopped cilantro
½ lime, juiced
cayenne pepper
olive oil

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Toss cubed sweet potatoes with a tablespoon or two of olive oil. Place on a baking sheet and roast for about 25 minutes total, tossing once halfway. Remove and let them cool a bit.
3. Smush them in a bowl, and then season with S&P, lime juice, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
4. Spread this mixture on a tortilla. I used a high fiber, low-cal one with flax seeds. Add black beans and the cilantro. Then add the cheese, and top with the other quesadilla.
5. On a greased (with cooking spray) non-stick skillet, heat to medium-low heat and cook quesadilla, flipping once, about 6 minutes on each side.
6. Enjoy!

Hot Dish of the Week

2009-06-18T15:14:00.002-04:00

Once you've had a BLAT (Bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato), I predict you won't be able to go back to a regular, old BLT.

Here's Dish Gal's version. It hit the spot on a sunny day, but I suspect will also cheer you up on a rainy, dismal weekend like this one.

Dish Gal's B.L.A.T.

Serves 2

4 slices of maple bacon

1/2 avocado

1/2 lemon, juiced

1 medium tomato, sliced

red leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce

1 tbsp light mayonnaise

4 slices of toast

S&P

1. Mash the avocado and lemon juice in a small bowl. Season with S&P. Optional: add a dash of cayenne pepper.

2. Cook bacon in a non-stick skillet until crispy.

3. Toast the bread. On one side, spread a tiny bit of mayonnaise-- you don't need that much since you'll have the avocado spread. On the other side, spread the avocado mixture.

4. Add the bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Enjoy!

Asian Chicken Meatballs

2009-06-16T15:05:00.006-04:00

As I started to write this, I realize every recipe I post always has the same intro: [Insert recipe title here] is easy, fast, healthy, and delicious! This one is no different =) I guess one should assume reading a Dish Gal approved recipe that it's all of these things...

These meatballs were kind of a bizarre dinner choice, but really hit the spot! The original recipe suggested they be put in lettuce cups, but I enjoyed mine with my favorite dipping sauce -- spicy szechuan-- and some steamed sugar snap peas and brown rice. This also made for great leftovers for lunch the next day!

Dish Gal's Asian Chicken Meatballs
Serves 2

1/2 pound ground chicken

1 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (should substitute fresh, but I only had dried)

1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 teaspoon rice vinegar

1 teaspoon soy sauce
¼ cup cilantro leaves

1/2 tsp red hot pepper flakes (or more, depending on how much spice you like!)

Here are some of the ingredients all set to go:

First, I set about doing my prep work, chopping my garlic and the cilantro (not pictured).Next, in a large bowl, stir together ground chicken, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, vinegar, soy sauce, and crushed red hot pepper flakes. Form mixture into 12 meatballs. They will seem a little too wet, especially since they don’t contain any egg or breadcrumbs. BUT distress not, and continue on ;) Lightly coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat to medium-high. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.

This is my all time favorite stir fry sauce. It has a major kick to it, which I love, and a little goes a long way:

I also loves these microwaveable brown rice packs; they definitely cut down on the 50-minute brown rice cook times!

Finally, sprinkle the meatballs with your chopped cilantro, et voila! An easy, fast, healthy, and delicious meal ;)

Big Mac: Inside the McDonald's Empire

2009-06-16T09:22:00.004-04:00

I’ve been fascinated with McDonald’s for awhile now. I guess it started back in 2006 when I was studying in London; something about seeing this ultra-American brand abroad, in some quite random places (across from the Pantheon!?), sparked my interest. How does such a brand become so large, so successful, so powerful? I loved its little marketing changes from place to place, discernible sometimes only by the savviest consumer (i.e. Ann and I, equally obsessed with their Cadbury McFlurries in England).

As someone working in the field of marketing, and a student of communications for many years, from an academic and business standpoint I’m fascinated with their brand management, the way it’s evolved over the years and across different markets. Do I morally agree with them entering developing countries? No. Do I support their role in fattening up America? No. But am I fascinated with how a company can last 50 some years and expand worldwide, only starting as a burger shack with 15 cent hamburgers? Yes. Plus, I reeeeally love the filet o’ fish ;) Shhhh, don't tell my fellow foodies out there!!! It's one of my favorite Route 95, road trip stop offs.

In any case, you can imagine my excitement last night when I saw CNBC was airing a 1-hour documentary called, “Big Mac: Inside the McDonald’s Empire.” Sure, as a marketing person I enjoyed the interviews about their business model, and the segment on bringing the brand to Asia. But as a FOODIE, I really enjoyed this segment on their test kitchen!! In this clip, McDonald's head Chef Dan Coudreaut, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and former Four Seasons hotel chef, takes CNBC on a tour around the kitchen and gives a glimpse into the immense amount of research and testing each menu item goes through.

Check it out!!

Who knew so much went into their designing those new menu items?

A North End, Roof Deck Fiesta (plus, Dish Gal's artichoke bruschetta recipe)

2009-06-15T15:27:00.012-04:00

Dish Gal is definitely a city gal. That’s why a BBQ on a North End roofdeck, with grilled fish tacos, Coronas, and great friends is pretty much my idea of a perfect summer night.

A few Saturdays ago, Jacques invited us over for some food and libations. Skylar and Michelle insisted I bring my artichoke bruschetta, which apparently has developed a following despite it not being my all-time favorite appetizer. Flattered, I of course obliged.

Before starting to make mine, I watched as Skylar and Michelle prepped their appetizer—proscuitto-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese and almonds. Holy yum! Here they are before getting popped into the oven:When we arrived at Jacques', I set to work. Sebastian helped out as my sous-chef for the evening—well, part of the evening. In the beginning, he deftly handled draining the artichokes (once I told him what “draining” meant), rubbed garlic on the bread like a true all-star, and read aloud the instructions when I didn't have a hand free to grab the recipe:However, when I hit a mini-crisis when my pan got too hot and oil spurted everywhere, he was nowhere to be found! Couldn’t take the heat in the kitchen, apparently ;) Thankfully, Maeve swooped in, not only with a helping hand, but also with a delicious grapefruit gimlet for me! Woohoo! (Recipe to come later in the week on Dish This! Be sure to check back!) Here’s the recipe for Dish Gal's Artichoke Bruschetta, adapted from Martha Stewart Living.
Artichoke Bruschetta
2 cloves garlic, peeled
10-12 slices rustic bread, about 3/4 inch thick
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
One 12-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1/2 cup fresh ricotta cheese
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Shaved Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Directions:
1) Chop 1 garlic clove, and set aside. Gently crush remaining clove, and rub over one side of each of the bread slices. Brush both sides of bread with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Toast slices on a grill or in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden and crisp on both sides. Transfer to a serving platter, and set aside.

2) Heat remaining tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add reserved garlic and artichoke hearts. Saute until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside.

3) Season ricotta cheese with salt and pepper; spread about 2 tablespoons of mixture on each slice of bread. Top with sauteed garlic and artichokes. Season again with salt and pepper. Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese, and drizzle with olive oil.

***************

Easy, right? And clearly a crowd-pleaser, as they were all gone within minutes.

However, I was much more excited for Jacques' food-- homemade guacamole, tangy cabbage slaw, and three different types of fish tacos (salmon, cod, and shrimp). Also, some amazing corn on the cob with cayenne pepper butter. Oh, and three different types of salsa (hot, mild, and fruit).We finished off the night with some pies, courtesy of Whole Foods—strawberry-rhubarb and a lemon almond. Yummy, and nice not having to get the kitchen too hot! Perfect end to a perfect evening.

Well, actually Titanic was on TNT, so THAT was the perfect end to a perfect evening ;)

Back to the Future Wedding Cake

2009-06-15T10:39:00.002-04:00

Best wedding cake of all time?It just might be...Plus, it's red velvet!

(via Serious Eats)

Project Muffin 2009

2009-06-12T10:14:00.007-04:00

A few weekends ago, I embarked upon what I called "Project Muffin:" I spent one Sunday making muffins with my new muffin pan. The impetus? To make enough muffins that would be a healthy grab-and-go option for breakfast (and keep me from ordering those 500 calorie monstrosities at Dunkin).

As you may have realized from reading this blog, I'm not a huge baker, so this was a very different undertaking for me. All the measuring, the baking soda, the flours-- oy vey! Not to mention the fact that I realized halfway through I didn't even own regular sugar! But I managed to sub in brown sugar quite nicely.

My first muffin I attempted was the espresso banana walnut muffin recipe from Heidi Swanson's book, Super Natural Cooking:

My sister in law gave me this cookbook for my birthday, and I had been dying to try out a recipe from it. The photos are beautiful, and her emphasis on whole, natural ingredients is very thorough and informative.

Here's a link to the recipe. It was straightforward and easy to follow, but boy did I make a mess of my tiny kitchen! I guess baking involves a lot more counter space (that I don't have) than cooking:

Yikes! =)

Here are the muffins before going into the oven:

And the muffins after!

YUM! The walnuts definitely were the best part of these, plus I loved the earthiness from the coffee flavor. One morning I warmed it up and served it with a spoonful of peanut butter, which sounds weird but was awesome.

Next, I cleaned up my area and started on the next muffin recipe: Blueberry banana muffins, a recipe I found from Self magazine. So my first muffin was healthy in a Whole Foods, organic way, and the second one was healthy in more of a low-fat, low-calorie way.

I must've been running out of steam from all the baking, because I have fewer pictures of the process of making this second muffin, but here's the final product:

These were good warm, but didn't hold my attention over the course of the next week like the espresso ones did. Plus, they didn't hold up well, either. In fact, I left my apartment for the next weekend and came back expecting a stale and hardened muffin, only to find one that was completely MUSH. EW.

In conclusion, at first after the long afternoon of schlepping home pounds of flour from Whole Foods (I can't wait for the days when I grocery shop with a car, sigh...), and then making a mess of my apartment and cleaning it all up (twice), and sitting in a hot apartment, I swore to myself that this was not worth it. However, now that I've run out of the muffins, I'm starting to think about resurrecting this project this weekend...

I mean, I already have most of the ingredients! Might as well, right!? ;)

Did you know...

2009-06-10T13:29:00.002-04:00

Did you know that Trident Booksellers & Cafe on Newbury Street now has a mini-patio for alfresco seating!? I don't know if that's old news, but on my walk during lunch today I noticed this for the first time.

I would love to sit outside and enjoy their lemon ricotta stuffed french toast sometime...or perhaps the avocado and havarti melt...or the prosciutto and brie sandwich... okay I'll stop now. YUM.

Of course the question is, can you sit outside and read their magazines for free like at their indoor tables? =)

Here's a post I wrote a long time ago about Trident, one of my favorite spots in Boston.

How going to the gym is like running a restaurant..

2009-06-10T11:38:00.003-04:00

A GREAT article on the Myers + Chang blog today-- very entertaining. Here's an excerpt:

You see all types when you go to the gym. There are those who show up with new work out gear, pump iron furiously for ten minutes, and then disappear after a few weeks when they don’t see results of their workout quickly enough. (Circle in the South End.) There are the buff college students, full of energy, who spend hours at the Y, playing basketball and doing pull-ups and having a blast. (We heart Jamie Bissonette.) I love watching the slow-and-steady older folks who come as a group and walk the treadmill - they arrive at the Y every single day with a smile and work out for a full hour each time. (Franklin South End.) And then there are the preeners- those who seem more interested in looking gorgeous and observing themselves in the mirrors than actually breaking a sweat. (You fill in the blank here….) It’s quite an anthropological show.

I'm totally the old person, walking on the treadmill .. haha ;)

Check it out!

Hot Dish of the Week

2009-06-10T10:19:00.004-04:00

It's a dark and rainy week here in Boston, perfect for indulgent brunches and then sliding back into bed.

While most of us (me included, especially because I'm attempting going vegan this week) can't do this on a Wednesday, we can always dream, right!?

So, Hot Dish of the Week this week is the banana bread french toast at North Street Grille in the North End.

Get ready for some artery-clogging goodness with this insanely rich dish. Jamie went for it, and while she couldn't finish it, did a darn good job at it.

Banh Mi at Pho Viet at Super 88

2009-06-09T14:10:00.004-04:00

Soooo after months of craving one, I finally managed to get a banh mi from Pho Viet's in the Super 88 in Allston. For those unfamiliar with this super-trendy, Vietnamese sandwich, here's the Wikipedia definition of a banh mi: The sandwich is made up of thinly sliced pickled carrots and daikon, onions, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapeño peppers and meat or tofu. Popular bánh mì fillings include roasted or grilled pork, Vietnamese ham, paté, mayonnaise, chicken, and head cheese. Most Banh Mi sandwiches contain a Vietnamese mayonnaise-like spread that is a mixture of egg yolk, cooking oil/butter, and sometimes spices.I went with the tofu option. I gotta say though, after all this yearning, I wasn't that obsessed with it! I mean it was definitely yummy, and at only around $3 an amazing deal, but I think I had classic "too high expectations" let-down =(

I think I need to try another one. I dunno, something tasted bizarre, and it wasn't spicy at all, while I had hoped for some kick.

Hrmph. On a day like today (miserable and rainy in Boston), doesn't a bowl of steaming hot pho sound good, though!?

Super easy pasta dinners

2009-06-08T15:32:00.007-04:00

I am a huge fan of pasta for a quick, healthy dinner on weeknights. As long as you are careful about the portioning of pasta, it's easy to make a healthy yet delicious dinner in just a few minutes. Plus, with minimal ingredients, neither of these recipes will break the bank.

Here are two (very similar) versions of Dish Gal's "Easy Summer Pastas"

Cheesy Rotini with Fresh Basil and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Serves 1

1 cup Barilla Plus (or whole wheat) rotini

1 wedge laughing cow cheese

sundried tomatoes

fresh, torn basil leaves

1/2 tbsp chopped walnuts

1. Boil water, cook pasta according to directions (for Barilla Plus, 10 minutes for al dente).

2. Drain pasta (but you can leave it a little bit moist from pasta water). Add back into pot. Stir in wedge of laughing cow cheese until it creates a cheesy coating on pasta. 3. Add in sundried tomatoes, walnuts, and fresh basil. Season with S&P. Enjoy!

Rotini with Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage, Walnuts, and Sundried Tomatoes
Serves 1

1 cup Barilla plus rotini (or whole wheat)

sundried tomatoes

1/2 tbsp chopped walnuts

1 link sweet apple chicken sausage

2 tbsp EVOO

fresh, torn basil leaves

1. Boil water; cook pasta according to directions.

2. Meanwhile, heat some EVOO in a skillet over medium heat. Slice the link of chicken sausage into small, 1/2" circles and then add to pan. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

3. Drain pasta. Return to pot. Add in tomatoes, walnuts, basil, and chicken sausage. The oil from the sausage should coat the pasta nicely. If you want more "sauce," add in some more EVOO. Season with S&P. Enjoy!

Quote of the Day

2009-06-08T10:44:00.002-04:00

"I'm kind of sick to death of the food police and these emaciated anorexics telling people what to eat."

- Lydia Shire to the Improper Bostonian

She is a sassy one! And I like it.

Breaking News!

2009-06-07T00:11:00.003-04:00

Ken Oringer is opening another restaurant!

The Herald reports that KO is opening a fifth restaurant, which will be located on Shawmut Ave in the South End in the old Dish spot. Will serve Italian small plates.

Italian small plates = Zzzzzz, but KO will be joined by Toro chef Jamie Bissonnette who is awesome. So we'll see! It's exciting news all the same.

Just had a great evening dining on fresh fish tacos on Jacques' North End roof deck.

Hope you're all having a great weekend =)

Love,

Dish Gal

Sunday Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues

2009-06-05T10:57:00.007-04:00

When I originally saw ads for the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues, I thought it was a kind of a lame, half-hearted marketing attempt to distinguish their brunch from every other brunch in town. However, when J.Scrib invited me to join her there this weekend, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to join her—and I’m glad I did, because my initial doubts were allayed.

At first I wondered if anyone would be at this thing—who eats brunch on Landsdowne Street!?—but when I approached the HOB that Sunday morning at 11:30 (when the “first seating” began), passing the Phish trucks unloading at Fenway, I saw a large group of people milling around—not waiting to glimpse Trey Anastasio, but rather to be let into the House of Blues. When we collected our tickets from will-call, a sign read “Gospel Brunch—sold out.” Wow, more people than I thought!

At around 11:40, they started letting people in to the main, venue part of the HOB. The tables were set up “family style” – long tables with white tablecloths—and the food was set up buffet style—long tables, with TONS of food.

We threw our stuff down and headed to said buffet, which was predominantly Southern-style brunch items, with more traditional foods thrown in. As you can see, I pretty much helped myself to everything!!! (Don't judge, it was all for journalistic integrity...hehe)

Clockwise from top left: cinnamon bagel, scrambled eggs, belgian waffle with fresh strawberries, fried chicken, "dirty" rice, cheesy grits, shredded homefries. While the eggs were cold (a common problem at buffet lines), everything else was delicious. I especially loved those homefries!

After eating came some entertainment-- our "spiritual leader" entered through the back of the hall, dramatically playing a trombone to announce his entrance. He goofed around with the little kids there, pretend playing into their ear, standing on tables, etc. He was fun, and I felt a little bit like I was in Disney World. This Disney theme continued throughout the morning/afternoon.On stage, he introduced the band (which of course I'm blanking on the name-- J.Scrib, help me out?!?) a soulful trio singing some gospel tunes.

Before the performance was over, we of course had to stop by the dessert station (I know, more food!?). Clockwise from top left: chocolate croissant, banana bread bread pudding, fresh strawberries and melon.

Now I usually am a sucker for a chocolate croissant, but this banana bread bread pudding was SO, SO good that I barely even touched the croissant! Hands down, best part of the brunch.

For the music side of things, I'm sure J.Scrib will have a more accurate account of the afternoon, but I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was just good, honest, feel-like-a-kid-again FUN. Our "spiritual leader" had us all clapping along, singing, dancing, and generally "feeling the joy" in the room. This was the closest Dish Gal has been to church in a long time! ;)

I'd definitely recommend the brunch for anyone with kids-- it's definitely a great family affair, good for old and young alike. Little kids danced in the aisles, kids-at-heart sang along.

I would not recommend this brunch if you are "too cool for school." You know who you are...

But really, go for the banana bread bread pudding. Because that's definitely something to praise the Lord about ;)

Dish Mom meals

2009-06-04T16:33:00.003-04:00

I don't feature these enough:Isn't this gorgeous? Clockwise from top left: cucumber salad, red cabbage slaw, marinated steak tips, quinoa salad with dried cranberries and peppers. A perfect and colorful summertime meal!

I'm a lucky Dish Daughter! ;)

The Science Behind the PB Puffins Addiction...

2009-06-04T09:54:00.006-04:00

I wrote the Peanut Butter Puffins post in jest, joking around about the power of certain foods over one's willpower. But according to David Kessler and this Washington Post article, there's actually a science behind this phenomenon.

"Kessler, 57, sees parallels between the tobacco and food industries. Both are manipulating consumer behavior to sell products that can harm health..."

Hey, look at that: My Joe the Camel comparison is actually kind of accurate!

This article is fascinating. It not only describes the science behind how food companies can manipulate us into craving foods we don't even want, it also gives suggestions for ways our culture as a whole can possibly solve this food problem:

"What's needed is a perceptual shift, Kessler said. "We did this with cigarettes," he said. "It used to be sexy and glamorous but now people look at it and say, 'That's not my friend, that's not something I want.' We need to make a cognitive shift as a country and change the way we look at food. Instead of viewing that huge plate of nachos and fries as a guilty pleasure, we have to . . . look at it and say, 'That's not going to make me feel good. In fact, that's disgusting.'"

I think it all comes back to my favorite food mantra from Michael Pollan: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

*****

P.S. Another quote from the article: "Not everyone is vulnerable to "conditioned overeating" -- Kessler estimates that about 15 percent of the population is not affected and says more research is needed to understand what makes them immune." I hate these people ;)

(Thanks to MCSlimJB for Tweeting about this which alerted me to this great article.)

Boston

2009-06-04T09:26:00.002-04:00

Other cities around the world might be better known for their "street meat" and food carts, but I'd argue a sausage and Sam Adams outside Fenway Park on a beautiful summer night rivals any of those world-famous places...And one more, because I think it is a cool photo: