powella's Profile
Busy parent Meals
I am in the same boat a couple of nights a week. I recently roasted a salmon fillet and boy, was that quick and tasty! Paired with salad, bread or rice/pasta. Generally on those nights, I tend to do the big portion of cooking early and reheat separate portions later for straggling family members.
What Are Your Most and Least Favorite Pasta Shapes?
I am with you on this one, CanadaGirl. I can never seem to figure out how to get bucatini into my mouth. Dead last on my list. First place is a tie between elbows and shells!
Condiments and Eggs
I swipe my hard boiled eggs in miso, straight out of the jar. My family is also fond of using toum (Lebanese/middle eastern garlic sauce) on fried egg sandwiches, or mixed into egg salad.
Your favorite freeze ahead meal recipe?
This is not a cooking idea, but a good friend gave us a huge bag of sliced bagels when our daughter was born. I promptly ate about half of them but then we put the rest in the freezer. What a gift! Quick, warm half-bagels toast quickly and got us through many a hunger pang in those post-partum weeks. Best of luck and congratulations in advance!
Restaurant or pub with function room in West Roxbury / Jamaica Plain / Brookline / Newton area?
My friends held my baby shower at James' Gate (South Street, JP) about a decade ago (gulp). They set us up on the "restaurant" side and we had the full menu/bar access. We loved it.
Fill Belly's - Jamaica Plain - Report
Many thanks, that makes it a walkable lunch destination for me!
Etiquette- The holidays. traveling and the vegan
I like the idea of cooking while you are there so that maybe, just maybe, someone in the family will hang out with you and observe what you are doing ("What's Earth Balance?"), as well as what you are NOT doing ("Why don't you just add some cream to that soup?"). Maybe seeing how you make your dishes will make a lasting impression on your family, so that in the future they MIGHT be able to make dishes which are truly vegan.
This reminds me of a dear family member who thinks red meat is undercooked beef and that as long as he cooks his beef really well, it's not "red meat." For years he has told his doctor (truthfully, he thought) that he doesn't eat red meat. :)
Good luck!
What's for dinner? #116 [old]
Thanks for the inspiration, 'hounds! I am having a difficult time thinking of a menu plan for those pre-Thanksgiving night dinners, what with so much planning for the day itself going on in my mind. Tonight we enjoyed hazelnut-mushroom-tempeh "burgers", with green beans and pickled beets on the side. They aren't the most photogenic burgers but they are the tastiest homemade veggie burger recipe I have found- a Didi Emmons recipe.
What's for dinner #114 [old]
Sweet potato latkes with apple sauce, asian-style cabbage slaw, and meatballs. Some may find it a strange culture combo, but it was delicious and successful!
Favorite "make on weekend, eat during the week", meals
Just made a huge batch of Indian dal that will feed us many lunches this week, used the new Slow Cooker Revolution recipe (by the America's Test kitchen folks.....it's pretty good but if it's for adult consumption i would triple the spices).
Another idea: refrigerated pizza dough can be quickly stretched and sprinkled with weekend-prepped toppings, popped into the oven and enjoyed 15 minutes later or at room temp much later. We've been in your shoes and although it's been many years now we still remember what that stage is like. Best of luck finding a way to enjoy it all.
Hummus--what else besides a dip?
While on one of those extreme detox diets, we came across a great recipe using hummus to coat chicken before baking. This particular recipe recommended coating breasts on both sides with hummus before squeezing some lemon juice on top. Sprinkle with chopped rosemary, place a few lemon slices on each breast, drizzle it all with balsamic and bake. Absolutely delicious.
Four ways in four days ?
On State Street, not too far from Long Wharf where you'll catch the ferry for the Boston Harbor Islands, is Sultan's Kitchen
http://www.sultans-kitchen.com/
We find it to be a good place to gather picnic items before getting on the ferry. Closer, and more upscale, is Sel de la Terre (255 State Street). They open at 11am and have a boulangerie with top notch bread, pate, sausages, and some pastries.
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Sultan's Kitchen
116 State St, Boston, MA 02109
Sel de la Terre
774 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199
Coffee Shop/Wine Bar for Book Club Meeting
You might consider giving Tres Gatos in JP a call. Before the renovation this was Rhythm and Muse, a bookstore/record store that was owned by a great guy who was very welcoming to book groups. He still owns the business, which has been transformed into a tapas/wine bar with a bookstore/record store nook in the back. The food is excellent and the service lovely.
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Tres Gatos
470 Centre St, Boston, MA 02130
Orange blossom water??
I've purchased it at Watertown middle eastern markets along the Mt. Auburn corridor.
Moving to Hyde Square - your advice requested
Welcome to JP! I echo cwinboston, VeeVee is a fave of ours. Depending on how frequently you eat out and how long you'll live here, you'll probably try everything at least once.
The Haven is a very welcoming place- we've only eaten there once so far but we liked it a lot.
There is a liquor store right on Centre Street in Hyde Square but I don't know the name of it. You really can't miss it, very close to Video Underground and Miami Restaurant. Blanchard's is down Centre Street closer to the Monument .
Whole Foods isn't open yet, so if you're searching for a similar alternative to Stop and Shop a quick bike ride down to South Street will get you to Harvest Coop. It's a smallish grocery store with bulk bins and a selection of wine/beer. Next to Harvest is Fiore's Bakery, which serves organic coffee, sandwiches and bakery items.
RE: Asian flavors, we have some tasty options in JP including Wonder Spice Cafe, which describes itself as Cambodian/Thai. JP Seafood is Korean/Japanese, including sushi. Both are on Centre Street towards the Monument from Hyde Sq. We have no bahn mi or pho places that I know of, and for anything better than americanized chinese takeout, you'll have to head to neighboring towns.
Lastly, JP is home to some Irish pubs worth checking out, if only for a pint and to say you've been there. Doyle's on Washington is the most well known example of these. James' Gate on South Street has some pretty good food, and in the winter you'll not find a better spot in JP for a burger and beer next to the fireplace.
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Wonder Spice Cafe
697 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
bulk yeast in JP or Cambridge?
Thanks, hounds. I should have specified that I meant baking yeast, not nutritional. Needham's a bit far afield for me but I'll definitely check out BMS.
bulk yeast in JP or Cambridge?
Has anyone spotted any bulk yeast? Harvest in JP was my source for many years, but they are falling down on the job despite my making a plea to the manager. TIA.
Affordable JP eat-in or take out
Head to Centre Street at the intersection of Burroughs. Start walking up and down, you'll see quite a few places. For sushi/Korean hit JP Seafood. For Cambodian/Thai go to Wonder Spice Cafe. Kinda crunchy/hippie - check out Centre Street Cafe. There are a couple of Indian food places on the same block (between Burroughs and Eliot). Purple Cactus Burrito is not exemplary Mexican but at the same time, it isn't bad. There's definitely more in JP but without knowing your tastes, this is the area of JP with the greatest concentration of offerings. Enjoy.
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Centre Street Cafe
669 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Wonder Spice Cafe
697 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Knife Sharpening in Boston?
Recently, City Feed and Supply in JP has been hosting monthly knife sharpening nights. A woman named Patti, who has her own business called "On the Edge Knife Sharpening" comes in and sharpens while you wait. I took a few knives in just before Thanksgiving and I was pleased (still am) with the results. The CF website mentions her here: http://cityfeedandsupply.com/
What's Good at Carlo's Cucina in Allston?
Try to get a seat as far away from the entrance as possible.....I had the coldest restaurant meal of my life there in January.
Montreux/Vevey recs?
Hello, 'Hounds- Boston hound here traveling to the Montreux/Vevey area. We will be doing the (admittedly, touristy) Chocolate/Cheese train one day, but need good recommendations for reasonably priced but good lunch/dinner options for our other 3 days. We will be staying at the Astra Vevey, near the Vevey train station. Thanks in advance!
Reef Cafe: RIP
Ok, hounds- just had to resurrect this old thread in the hopes that someone, somewhere might know something about Salaam and family's plans. Any word? Please, oh please?
What's For Dinner? Part XXXIX
Yum, LindaWhit. We got both of our CSAs today (fruit/veg and fish, which I guess is CSF?). So, we grilled our huge pollock fillet over fronds of fennel and topped it with pesto, alongside some corn grilled in the husk. Beet greens sauteed and finished with some balsamic on the side. Daughter is clamoring for Klondike bars for dessert, and we'll probably give in!
Drivin' from RDU to Greensboro....where can I get good groceries?
Thanks, y'all. Will be driving mid day on a weekday. I will definitely hit Giacomo's and probably whichever of the above grocery stores that is closest to my route (I guess I'm taking I-40 to US 70) from the RDU airport to Greensboro. Thanks again!
Drivin' from RDU to Greensboro....where can I get good groceries?
I mean not only "groceries" as in produce and other fresh items (I'm looking to stock a hotel mini fridge for decent breakfasts with my 8 year old), but also groceries meaning good, local flavored grub. TIA.
Starter idea, please
Do you like to bake? Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day dough (or use your favorite dough) makes great little breadsticks, which when homemade always seem to be a hit. I sprinkle them with sesame seeds and salt before baking. Add those olives, a hunk of good feta cheese (or whatever you like) and you'll have a happy crowd.
Middle Eastern fare on/near the North Shore?
Searched the board but couldn't get a handle on this one. I would like to meet a friend for Middle Eastern food somewhere between Boston and Manchester, MA. If necessary she can come all the way into the city, but if there is good stuff to be had in between, we'd like to try it. TIA.
