I can’t take credit for today’s creation, as there’s nothing new about falafel or, for that matter, falafel waffle. Nonetheless, I happen to be a big fan of falafel. The best falafel, no doubt, is one that is made-to-order. The falafels come fresh out of the deep fryer, piping hot, crispy on the outside, moist and … Continue Reading
I happily consumed a fair amount of caponata while recently exploring Sicily. You’ll find it on just about every menu. Essentially, caponata is sweet and sour eggplant (agrodolce). Agro=sour and dolce=sweet. At its core, caponata is a combination of eggplant, onions, celery, tomatoes, vinegar, capers, and olives, sweetened with a bit of sugar. Some versions … Continue Reading
I’ve recently gotten into the PBS series Mind of a Chef, which premiered in November 2012 (have quite a few seasons to binge watch). The series combines travel, cooking, history, science and humor. Each season brings with it new chefs and recipes. It’s interesting to learn how each chef’s cultural identity, family upbringing, and sense of place have … Continue Reading
I love big, bold flavors. Dishes with lots of spice. Am definitely not opposed to a touch of endorhpin-triggering heat (yeah, okay, I have a tendency to add hot sauce or chile oil to just about everything), though sometimes you just need to step back and appreciate something in its unadulterated state, as nature intended. This … Continue Reading
I like an al dente noodle. One with a lot of chew. When I was in Chicago a few weeks back, I had a delicious plate of chestnut noodles with mushrooms at Bad Hunter (Randolph Avenue in the West Loop). The chestnut noodles were pleasantly chewy. As well, the dish just happened to be vegan. … Continue Reading
