Mr Bigglesworth's Profile
May 2012 Openings and Closings
Looks like Mixx is opening on the same block as Basho. I've heard good things, but not sure that hood needs another froyo place given Berryline.
Fresh montreal bagels
Hi,
The market across the street from the old Baker's Best in Newton just emailed that they received a shipment of fresh Montreal bagels. I'm not a fan, but thought others might like.
This is just a friendly reminder...
FRESH St. Viateur (Montreal) Bagels have arrived!!!
Today MAY 24, 2012
FRESH BAGELS AVAILABLE!
If you would like us to reserve some bags for you,
PLEASE CALL
617.965.1170
My cookbook challenge! (long...)
I might need to cook my way through this book. Everything looks AMAZING!
My cookbook challenge! (long...)
I think I might be making soft shell crabs this weekend now!
My cookbook challenge! (long...)
Without having the book in front of me, looks like the one. I loved this dish and really need to dig into this book more.
My cookbook challenge! (long...)
OK. Fairly simple and I want to temper people's expectations that half of what I loved was how good this was coming out of a steak book... but...
1 lb dried black beans
2 slices bacon (I prefer whole foods) diced
3/4 cup diced onion
3/4 cup carrot diced
1 small rib celery diced
1 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (I upped as I love garlic)
8 cups stock (I use homemade but I'm sure box / canned is fine)
2 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (I freshly ground)
3/4 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper
salt
4 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions for garnish
optional dollop of sour cream (i always use low fat)
I added a pinch of ancho powder as I like smokiness
I've also experimented by adding a few drops of canning liquid from chipotle in adobo)
rinse beans and soak (8 hours min)
render bacon down
cook veggies / garlic until tender
add beans, broth, chili, cumin and optional ancho / adobo liquid
boil simmer apx 90 min
Season
Puree until smooth. I personally like texture and only pulsed a few times to create a mild chunkiness.
This is also really nice cold, with crumbled tortillas on top.
My cookbook challenge! (long...)
Sounds like I have a project after my put my son to bed tonight. Happy to summarize for everyone!
My cookbook challenge! (long...)
I've had many other wonderful black bean soups, but this one was so unexpectedly good. One of the things I tried to do was dive into the various books a bit, dig for dishes that weren't as obvious (i.e. a steak from the Morton's Cookbook.) I just think this version had a particular depth of flavor that I haven't always found in other versions. Good stuff.
My cookbook challenge! (long...)
Happy to get them to you (especially for a fellow Bostonian!) Can you message people privately on CH?
My cookbook challenge! (long...)
Of course my wife immediately noticed the typo in the first sentence.
My cookbook challenge! (long...)
Hi,
Like many people on this board, I've developed a bit of a cookbook buying addition. Despite my habit, I was always an improvisational cook, preferring to grab a bit of this and that.
One day I found myself reaching for the same set of spices, trying to coax a new creative way to experiment with mace. I felt uninspired, grabbed a cookbook, and decided that I wanted to refine my technique by cooking at least one dish from every book I owned.
I imposed a soft deadline and set out on a many month challenge that concluded with a spectacular lobster bouillabaisse from the Morimoto Cookbook. Along the way, I tortured my wife, as it was all I talked about - strategy, what I was making that weekend, and how she was going to have to suck it up when I finally cooked from the two Rachel Ray cookbooks that were given to me as a gift.
The vast majority of the dishes were solid, a bunch exceptional and a few almost warranted a call to the local pizza place. The real fun was in discovering unexpected gems, such as the Morton's Cookbook black bean soup (an incredible version of my favorite soup,) which I picked up at a restaurant opening function, as well as scratching a bunch of dishes of my bucket list, like the above-mentioned bouillabaisse.
I am not expecting anyone to read the entire list, but I listed all the recipe titles and thoughts on the individual books (but not actual recipes given Chow rules.) I'm happy to share privately if anyone wants info a specific dish!
Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking - Lobster Bouillabaisse (my favorite dish of the bunch, which led me to a new obsession for Gochujang, a fiery Korean chili paste.)
Barbara Lynch: Stir - Ham and cheese puff pastry bites with honey mustard; Slow roasted clams with spicy tomato sauce; Butcher Shop Bolognese; Linguini with spicy clam sauce; Torn pasta fagioli with shrimp polpettini; Rigatoni with spicy shrimp and cannellini beans; Spicy clam stew; Pan fried cod with chorizo and clam ragout; Saffron steamed mussels with crème freche; Pork chops with caramelized apples, celery and spiced walnuts (My favorite cookbook, with the shrimp polpettini, rigatoni and pork chops standing out.)
Jody Adams: In The Hands Of A Chef – Monkish and Clam Bourride (soulful dish and my first homemade tapenade, inspired by my pain-in-the-*** brother-in-law, who upon a suggestion of a meal of rack of lamb, stated by lamb, if I meant local fish and clams, brilliant!)
Patricia Green: Quinoa 365: The Everyday Superfood – Quinoa Bean salad (I’m all about healthy grains for lunch and love this filling and flavorful protein-packed salad.)
Jacques Pepin: Essential Pepin - Zucchini and tomato gratin (glorious side dish from Jacques.)
Grace Young: Stir Frying To The Sky's Edge – Hong Kong style mango ginger chicken, Cashew chicken (both flavorful dishes.)
Tyler Florence: Tyler’s Ultimate – Hunter Minestrone, Peach barbecue chicken (the soup is a classic in my house, and the peach BBQ sauce is a go to as well.)
Mario Batali: Molto Mario – Mussels in a spicy saffron broth
Donald Link: Real Cajun: Rustic Home Cooking from Donald Link’s Louisiana – Old school chicken and sausage jambalaya; spicy sausage stuffed chicken thighs, Post-K Meatloaf, Lake Charles Dirty Rice (amazing book, with the jambalaya and meatloaf among my new favorite dishes. I need to visit Link's restaurants.)
Thomas Keller: Ad Hoc At Home - Crispy braised chicken thighs with olive, lemon and fennel; Pomegranate glazed quail; Meatballs with pappardelle; Herb crusted rack of lamb with honey mustard glaze; Lentil and sweet potato soup (Love everything save the quail. Chicken thighs are so moist and tender, and the rack of lamb is decadent.)
Marissa Guggiana: Primal Cuts: Cooking with America's Best Butchers -Armenian lamb shish kabob; Braised chicken thighs in rosemary jus (nifty book with a number of interesting dishes from top butchers and chefs. Loved both dishes.)
Clara Silverstein: The Boston Chefs Table (compendium of recipes from Boston chefs) - Coffee marinated rack of lamb with corn salad and espresso vinaigrette (the lamb was ok but the corn salad was a real knockout.)
Ming Tsai: Simply Ming - Scallion crusted cod with mango salsa (now in regular rotation and finally got my wife to embrace cod. The salsa packs a nice punch!)
Jay Harlow: Williams Sonoma Seafood - Salmon in parchment - (Not sure if I'd make this again, but cooking fish en papillote was a new technique for me.)
Stéphane Reynaud: Pork and sons -Grandma Babke's roast pork (didn't love the pork, but looking forward to diving into this book come winter.)
Klaus Fritsch: Morton's The Cookbook - Black bean soup (I'm obsessed with soup, and black bean is one of my favorites. I love the depth and smoky flavors in this version.)
David Chang: Momofuku - Ginger scallion noodles (These noodles are mildly addictive. The first few bites, you wonder what the hype is all about and then you look down and realize that nearly all the noodles are gone.)
Bobby Cooks American - New Mexico style soft tacos with hacked chicken and salsa verde (great easy weeknight dish. Love the heat from the fresh chilis.)
Nigella Lawson: Feast - Pasta primavera (why did I buy this book?)
Anna Sortun: Spice - Beet tzatziki (OK, I cheated by not cooking a main dish, but the tzatziki was remarkable, just like her two restaurants.)
Claudia Roden: Arabesque - Bulgar and chickpea salad (I need to explore this book in greater detail. I eat this for lunch several times a month.)
Jacques Pepin: Complete Techniques - poached egg (Yes, I made a poached egg, but I never had done so before, and it's my challenge.) Are you really still reading?!?
Fergus Henderson: The Whole Beast - Mussels grilled on barbecue. (Nice dish, not loving the cookbook.)
Ferran Adria: The Family Meal: Home cooking with Ferran Adria - Caramelized pears – (thought the book was a bit too simple for my tastes - my one dessert of the bunch.)
Tess Mallos: North African Cooking - Grille Moroccan spiced chicken (remarkable whole chicken with so much flavor! My 2 year old gobbles this up and calls it Daddy Chicken.)
The Essential Cookbook - Cuban black beans and rice (my wife had this book. We are now giving it away.) Next.
Rachel Ray: 2,4,6,8 - Veggie chickpea and couscous salad with yogurt dressing (next.)
Rachel Ray: 30 Minute Meals - ginger soy chicken (yummo, uh, no. Next.)
Cook's Illustrated: The Best New Recipes - Hoisin Ginger shrimp with sticky rice (surprisingly good and simple weeknight meal - includes several possible iterations of each dish.)
Ming Tsai: Blue Ginger - Teriyaki salmon with mirin cucumber salad (Liked the salad, but a bit of a dated dish.)
Teresa Barrenechea: The Basque table - Pureed mixed vegetable soup (simple and light, but surprisingly addictive, just doesn't freeze well.)
Cook's Illustrated: The Best Light Recipes - Soy glazed salmon and rice bake with mushrooms and bok choy (nice, clean weeknight dish.)
Charleston Cooks: Taste Of the Low Country - Shrimp and cheddar grits with homemade shrimp stock (intensely flavorful version from this beautiful kitchen shop owned by the Maverick Restaurant Group in Charleston.)
Biba Caggiano: Biba's Italy - Pan fried sausage and broccoli rabe with orecchiette (free book, largely uninspiring. Solid dish but not likely to repeat.)
Sondra Bernstein: The Girl and The Fig Cookbook - Asparagus and English pea soup with pistachio butter, Carrot Ginger Soup (the asparagus is light and perfect for spring....)
Donald Barickman: Magnolias: Authentic Southern Cuisine - Mac and cheese. (My arteries hated me and I might have grabbed fat kid sweatpants after eating this, but wow this was good.)
Rick Bayless: Mexican Everyday: Chipotle shrimp and meatballs; Mushroom Crema soup, tomatillo enchiladas, classic enchiladas, red chili chicken, luxurious guacamole and multiple salsas. (I have a man crush on Bayless. Everything was great save the soup. The tomatillo enchiladas made me buy another Bayless cookbook and the guacamole is insanely good.)
Rick Bayless: One Plate At A Time – Grilled Salmon Vera Cruz with Lemon and Thyme scented salsa (exceptional dish with a flavor profile that was unlike any other Mexican dish I’ve had to date. The flavors were distinctly Mediterranean but fiery from the pickled jalapenos. Man crush confirmed.)
Keith McNally: The Balthazar Cookbook -Potage St. Germaine; mushroom soup; striped bass with tomato and saffron; glazed pork belly; mustard crusted salmon with lentils and sweet garlic jus. (Wonderful cookbook from the once beloved and now touristy restaurant. Everything is worth cooking again, especially the lentils.)
Adam Perry Lang: Serious BBQ - Asian Pork Meatball Skewers (labor intensive dish with sauce and glaze, but seriously flavorful. I can’t wait to make his paella on the grill!)
Stephanie Izard - Girl & The Goat Cookbook: Truffled white asparagus soup; manila clam and sausage linguini with horseradish crème freche; apple pork ragu with pappardelle (all wonderful, with the ragu exemplifying Izard’s ability to meld numerous delicate flavors.)
Giada: Giada's Family Dinners - Italian wedding soup; broccoli florets with Meyer lemon olive; penne with sausage, artichokes and sun dried tomatoes. (Simple but solid weeknight food.)
Giada: Everyday Italian - Farfalle with turkey sausage, peas and mushrooms (see above.)
Tom Colicchio: Think Like a Chef - Clam ragout with pancetta; roasted tomatoes and mustard greens; polenta gratin with mushroom bolognese (the clam dish was way too salty but loved the polenta gratin.)
Daniel Holzman: The Meatball Shop Cookbook – Lamb Meatballs, Mediterranean Style (One of my friends ate 10+ of these in one sitting. OK, that was me. Can’t wait to dig deeper into this book.)
Marcella Kazan: Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking - The Bolognese (best version I’ve made, courtesy the Julia Child of Italian cooking.)
Jean-Georges: Asian Flavors of Jean-Georges: Roast chicken with chunky miso and grapefruit (remarkable dish with incredible complexity from such diverse ingredients.)
Bobby Flay - Mesa Grill Cookbook : red chili honey glazed salmon with black bean sauce and jalapeño crema (exceptional dish, with the black beans being the real star.)
Bobby Flay: Boy Meets Grill - Red chili citrus marinated chicken breasts with grilled tortillas and avocado tomatillo sauce; Jerked chicken with mango cilantro relish (both a bit flat)
Various: The 150 Best American recipes - Roasted mushroom-leek soup with crispy pancetta (hated it.)
Jonathan Waxman: A Great American Cook: warm sweet onion tart, asparagus with oranges and hazelnuts, corn soup with saffron (tart was very rich and wonderful.)
Penelope Casas - Tapas : Gambas al ajillo, Tortilla de Espanola (great versions of Spanish classics.)
Dean & Deluca - Classic minestrone (phenomenal, chunky version of my favorite soup.)
New Basics Cookbook - Nutty quinoa salad (meh)
Ellie Krieger : The Food You Crave - Lemon chicken soup with orzo; Penne with roasted tomatoes, garlic and white beans; Balsamic chicken with baby spinach and couscous; Sesame teriyaki chicken thighs; Maple mustard chicken thighs; Jerk chicken with cool pineapple salsa; Roasted salmon with shallot grapefruit sauce; Baked shrimp with tomatoes and feta; Scallops with succotash (Wonderful healthy weeknight cookbook. Simple but flavorful dishes, most repeated multiple times.)
Ellie Krieger: So Easy - Chicken mushroom quesadillas; garlic basil shrimp; salmon with chickpea Ragu; roasted tomato and black bean soup with avocado mango salad (simple but clean dishes, all repeated save the salmon.)
Ina Garten: Barefoot Contessa Cookbook - Gazpacho; lentil vegetable soup, Rosemary white bean soup (My go to gazpacho and lentil recipes.)
Ina Garten: Barefoot Contessa Parties - butternut squash and apple soup (love her version.)
This has been a wonderful experience in that I tried and learned how to cook so many new dishes. I'm already pondering new ways to push myself in the kitchen! Thanks for reading.
need cookbook suggestion
In the spirit of the thread, http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/black-bean-and-quinoa-salad
I make this twice a month and it never gets old.
need cookbook suggestion
Hello,
In the interest of eating healthier, I've been subbing out my turkey on wheat in favor of quinoa, couscous and other grain salads. I'm wondering if anyone has come across a book with a ton of recipes focused on healthy grains!
Thanks!
Macaron class?
http://www.macaronsweeterie.com/ I haven't been yet but plan on swinging by the next time I pay a visit to Wilson Farms...
Post Your Three Favorite Things You ate in Boston in 2011
Lobster bucatini at Rialto.
Potato bacon and scallion pizza @ Otto.
Oyster slider (and the biscuit) at Island Creek.
January Cookbook of the Month 2012: Essential Pepin by Jacques Pepin
First time participating in COTM- hurray! I made the tomato and zucchini gratin as a side to rack of lamb for new year's eve. What I loved about this as opposed to other more traditional gratins was the lack of butter, cheese or a ton of cheese. I used two tablespoons of parm instead of three. I really liked that he uses wheat toast for the bread crumbs. I also appreciate the flexibility of the dish in that you absolutely could add in things like yellow peppers, shallots, etc. and I'm sure it would be delicious.
Can't wait to dive into this book and participate in COTM!
Macaron class?
The Flour cookbook has an approachable but delicious recipe for almond macaroons.
Satsuma oranges in stores yet?
Russo's had them this weekend. I need to go back and get more - so so good!
Need Newton/Framingham rec
if you are in Newton, the biltmore of the local probably will do the trick. I have zero clue about the quality of the food, but maybe british beer company in framingham?
Dinner help for tomorrow
final night in Paris, this trip has felt like a second honeymoon. It's our first extensive trip away from our baby... Everything gas been perfect, making us long to return in coming years.
Our week has been filled with highlights, including spring, verjus, the wine bar at Frenchie, L'Ami Jean, and Le Pantruche.
We are staying in the 1st on Place Vendome but are certainly mobile. I think we would love to end the meal with something classic, intimate but not refined like a spring. What I'm looking for is truly great bistro cooking. I was considering chez George but would love any suggestions. Bonus points for a truly great roast chicken....
Best markets in November & dining advice [Paris]
Thanks Parigi. Your posts have been beyond helpful in figuring out where to go and eat in Paris.
Best markets in November & dining advice [Paris]
Hello,
I'm visiting Paris for five nights this month and wondered about two things - any favorite seasonal markets worth hitting?
Also, we have reservations to eat at chez l' Ami Jean and Pantruche, with a lunch reservation at Spring. We want to keep the rest of the trip casual, with a mix of wine bars and bistros.
We are staying at Hôtel de Vendôme in the first arrondissement.
Any favorite wine bars or bistros in our general part of Paris?
Thank you
Is dinner at Septime a no-choice menu?
What are the current prices for dinner and lunch for Septime?
September 2011 Openings and Closings
Not sure if anyone has been to the original location in west roxbury, but noticed a sign for http://www.roxdiner.com/RoxDiner_Menu.pdf, opening in Newtonville. This could be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
Dinner in newton area
I've heard good things about the Cottage in Wellesley as well...
Need Great Chef Driven Restaurant Recommendation Near Fanneuil Hall for our CEO
He's a short cab ride from many great restaurants, but could walk to the North End for Prezza. Taranta's also a board favorite in the North End, but that might be slightly avant garde.
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Prezza
24 Fleet St., Boston, MA 02113
Rialto: 4 course dinner with wines, prepared by Jody Adams - Rue La La coupon
With wine, and cooking demonstration, and essentially dinner with the chef?
the Hungry I, charles st
Scampo at the Liberty is fantastic.
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Scampo
215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
