Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Oh boy.
Baked is the name of a bakery in Red Hook, Brooklyn that is worth a visit next time you are in NYC. Baked is also the title of a cookbook that the bakery recently published, which has been getting lots of press. With good reason—it is exceptional. And perhaps most exceptional of all is their Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Swirl. It is a dream come true.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
I hadn’t tried a Concord grape until I was an adult, and it was quite a revelation. Growing up on red and green seedless grapes from the supermarket, I always questioned the flavor of grape candy and bubble gum—it didn’t taste like grapes! When I first tried a Concord grape a few years ago at Chicago’s Green City Market I was speechless. Ohhhhh, that is where artificial grape flavor comes from! What a confusing chronology to experience a flavor in it’s artificial form for so long before trying the real thing. I still find myself surprised by the flavor every autumn when Concords reach the market.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The organic market on the boulevard Raspail is another must-go Paris destination. I enjoy farmers’ markets wherever they are, but like ice cream, they really are best in Paris. In addition to excellent vendors of produce, cheeses, and meats there are some especially good stands that are worth a stop. Michael Healy, an American living in Paris, sells handmade English muffins that are a real treat—his stand is about halfway down the narrow market. For me the best thing about the market is Les Gustalin, the stand right near the entrance at rue du Cherche-Midi. It sells the most amazing potato pancakes I have every eaten. We kept going back for more…
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
In July I spent a week in Paris with Bryan. We rented an apartment in the Marais and basically ate our way through the city. I dream of moving to Paris—it really is the most beautiful city in the world. And it is full of the best food you’ll ever eat. Recently a friend moved to Paris for the year and I tried to compile a list of my favorite places to eat. This seemed like a good thing to share here because everyone needs to go and you all need to eat at these places.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
I mean it, I love Alice Medrich. If you want to fall in love with her too, you should pick up a copy of Pure Dessert. I have a lot of cookbooks, but this book is the one that I am always excited to open. It is where I go first when I need something special. The recipes are so elegant and work so well. Everything I have tried I have made again—and that is rare for me. Usually I make something once, and even if is very good I will not make it again—unless it is spectacular. Alice’s recipes are spectacular.
Monday, September 22, 2008
In last week’s Time Out Chicago David Tamarkin describes all that is wrong with the localvore movement, likening it to a dangerous cult, which careless, self-centered, trend-obsessed people are blindly joining. The article is offensive and silly for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the irritating illustration which accompanies the text.
Friday, September 5, 2008
I know that cherry season is over, but let this be a reminder that it will come again. And when it does this recipe will be waiting for you. This really and truly was the best pie I have ever eaten. It was also the first real pie I have ever baked. I was always intimidated by them. I had made tarts, bread, candy—but for some reason pie seemed too difficult. It isn’t.
