It’s official, I’m obsessed with tomatoes; can’t stop buying them (and really, what better way to help support local farmers?). Tomatoes, so incredibly beautiful in all their various shapes, sizes, and colors. Especially love the small grape varieties — bursting, literally, with flavor. What to do with all those wonderful tomatoes? The options are limitless. … Continue Reading
Brandade is traditionally made with rehydrated salt cod. However, I decided to go with one of my favorite oily fish, (Boston or Atlantic) mackerel. Given that I used mackerel in lieu of cod, not sure you can technically call it a brandade. That’s okay. How about we just call it smoked fish spread or salad. I … Continue Reading
I kept peeking in the oven as this bread was baking. Didn’t want to interrupt the baking process, but couldn’t overcome my curiosity. Just wanted to make sure it was progressing along, and didn’t all of a sudden collapse in the oven. Each time I took a glimpse, the bread was looking good — nice … Continue Reading
Taralli, a typical Southern Italian crunchy snack, kind of like a bread stick, but formed in the shape of a ring. They are simply made with flour, olive oil and wine, and flavored with various spices/herbs, like fennel seeds, rosemary, oregano, chili peppers, black pepper, or cheese. Similar to baking bagels (well, proper bagels at … Continue Reading
I rarely eat bagels anymore. It’s not that I don’t like them, on the contrary. Rather, authentic bagels are simply not available in Chicago. However, last year, I was in Philadelphia visiting family, and made a special trip to the Bagel Hole (a quintessential “hole-in-the-wall”) in Park Slope, Brooklyn, to get a dozen bagels to … Continue Reading
