Recipes

Eating Through Europe: Gelato

When August rolls into September and I notice the leaves begin to drift lazily to the ground, I usually breathe a sigh of relief at no longer having to wipe droplets of sweat off my forehead and peel myself off of public bus seats. And like the next girl, I always get a little excited thinking about all those comfy autumnal layers I can soon show off.

But this year?

Summer is hanging around a bit longer. The air is still heavy, and I’m still sticking to things. And it really makes me wish I was back in Italy, letting my tongue chase drops of gelato as they rolled down their cone, while I happily sat under a scorching Tuscan sun. Since I’ve been back in Boston, this is what I’ve missed the most: the obligatory afternoon gelato to keep cool (and sane). Unfortunately, it’s hard to find great ice cream here. And when we do, we don’t eat it every day. Which is a damn shame.

So, this is an ode to the gelato I fell in love with in the handful of cities I was lucky enough to visit this summer: Paris, Venice, Florence, Siena, Rome, Parma and Bologna, with the best for last. I hope it inspires you to get yourself a cone before summer slips away. Enjoy!
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September 7, 2015
Pork Chops with Garlic Thyme Sauce

Life’s been a little hectic lately, summer’s almost over and I definitely did not get the vacation I thought I deserved. But then again, what exactly is a summer vacation to a grownup anyway? I had a couple getaway weekends, but it didn’t satisfy my desperate need to lie down somewhere for a week and do absolutely nothing. So here I rant, but I am actually ready for some cooler temps and extra layers.

Recently, I found up an old recipe from Food Wishes that combines pork chops and apple cider – brilliant and too tasty to pass up. Then I remembered that it wasn’t apple-picking season yet and so I gave up. Just kidding, I would never give up on something as sacred as pork chops.

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September 2, 2015
Eating Through Europe, Part III: Italy (continued)

Ciao, bellos!

This is the third and final part of Eating Through Europe – read up on Part I and Part II to whet your appetite. Part III is all about my visits to Florence, Siena, and Rome. Let’s do this.

Florence

Traveling from the red city of Bologna to the gray city of Florence marked the transition from the Emilia-Romagna region into Tuscany. Florence and Siena, my two stops in Tuscany, were by far the most scenic, and were home to the most beautiful works of art.

In Florence, after a full day of walking through galleries and visiting the David, my stomach demanded sustenance. Luckily, there was a nearby panini shop, All’Antico Vinaio, that had a never-ending line out the door. The enigmatic guys behind the counter made ordering a panino easy – either you told them what you wanted, or they surprised you with a combination of meats, cheeses, and veggies that melded so perfectly together you could say they were the Michaelangelo of sandwiches. I can’t even tell you what the specific ingredients were in my panino, but I do know there was a hefty amount of pecorino cream on each piece of freshly baked rustic focaccia. It was divine.

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August 28, 2015
Eating Through Europe, Part II: Italy

Welcome to Part II of this series, Eating Through Europe! This part is all about the places I loved in Italy. More specifically, in Venice, Parma, and the foodie’s paradise, Bologna. (Check out all the places I loved in Paris in Part I).

Venice

I quickly realized that Venice in July was populated by more tourists than locals, and I was a little anxious about falling into one of the many tourist-trap eateries that seemed to be on every corner. Luckily, though, I was able to stumble upon couple spots off the beaten path that offered a more authentic view of Venetian fare. First up, though: the outdoor markets.
As it is surrounded by water, it only makes sense that Venetian dining is heavy on the seafood. The bustling fish markets by the Rialto bridge were a sushi-chef’s dream, and the fresh produce stands that accompanied it were a feast for the eyes.After a full day of getting lost in Venice’s ancient, narrow streets, cicheti (small bites) were the perfect pre-gelato snack. At All’Amarone, these salty cicheti included toast with various salumi, cheeses, olive spreads, and sardines. I was pleasantly surprised by the baccalà mantecato (salted and dried cod cooked in milk to become a creamy, salty spread). It was rich, yet simultaneously light like a mousse, and was one of my favorite foods in Venice.My other favorite? Dinner at Osteria del Cason, a modern eatery well away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist-filled piazzas. Spaghetti al nero di seppia, a black pasta dish with cuttlefish in a sauce of its own ink, was saltily delicious and the cuttlefish were plump and meaty. If black pasta turns you off, that’s your loss – this was seriously good. Although to be fair, it did stain everything from my gums to the tablecloth (sorry I’m not a perfect eater, guys). The shrimp at Osteria del Cason were also plump, herbed and buttery, and downright drool-worthy. When in Venice, this is the place to go.While I was sad to leave Venice, I was thrilled to finally get to my next stop: the Emilia-Romagna region. While each region in Italy has their own cuisine, Emilia-Romagna is considered the foodiest region (yes, “foodiest” is the technical term). It’s famous for some of Italy’s richest foods: meats, cheeses, pastas…basically, all the good stuff. Let’s get into it. (more…)

August 22, 2015
Eating Through Europe, Part I: Paris

Leili here! After gallivanting across Europe for the past month, I’m so excited to be able to share all the things I licked/saw/touched with you guys.

Let’s be honest: a trip to Europe, for me, was always going to be about the food. Seeing the sights is almost a requisite, but tasting everything I could get my hands on has been a life-long dream. What people eat, and how they eat it, says everything you need to know about their culture – and in the last few weeks, my taste buds have tasted a LOT of culture.

First up on this culinary expedition? Paris, the City of Light! (Or as I call it, the City of Bread and Butter).

Being the pastry-crazed person that I am, I felt right at home in Paris. Boulangeries and patisseries are nestled into every street corner, luring you in with the smell of freshly baked baguettes and flaky croissants. (more…)

August 16, 2015
Soaked Oats with Grilled Peaches

I’m not good about breakfast – I know it’s supposedly the most important meal of the day, but dinner stole my heart a long time ago. I appreciate a good, heavy breakfast on the weekends but I usually prefer something light and quick. Mornings are tough enough as it is without added pressure from a breakfast routine. My weekday routine is usually me yanking my bag and flying out the door to work.

Naturally, I like to do everything at night – including breakfast preparations. For several weeks now, I have been soaking oats at night and eating them at work the next day. It’s the perfect chilled breakfast on a summer morning. This jar of soaked goodness is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. (more…)

August 10, 2015
Miso Roasted Vegetables

Do you hear that? August is here and the slow race to autumn has begun. Gradually, the shift in summer attitudes becomes increasingly obvious – light jackets, talk of Labor Day, and warmer beverages. For my sake, let’s hang on to the summer celebrations a little longer.

There are still plenty of fresh vegetables and barbecues to be consumed. It’s been a busy but wonderful summer – Leili went to Europe to fulfill her food dreams and we celebrated our blog’s first birthday this year. This recipe is one of the final salutes to summer of 2015. (more…)

August 5, 2015
Chocolate Elvis Cupcakes

You guys! Today we’re celebrating a very special birthday.

And no, I’m not talking about Harry Potter’s.

Exactly a year ago today, Wei and I published our very first post on this little blog of ours. I remember it like it was yesterday: making pestos together as the smell of roasted garlic filled the warm kitchen, and trying to figure out the best angle to photograph each other’s hands as we mortared and pestled and crushed garlic. We shared Wei’s camera and she taught me all about how to take pictures like a pro. Then we ate a lot of pasta covered in fresh pesto, and pressed “Publish” for the first time. (more…)

July 31, 2015
Grilled Corn Bacon Flatbread with Garlic & Herb Cheese

I’m not the only one in a constant state of craving cheese, am I?Good. I knew we were friends for a reason. (more…)

July 27, 2015
Roasted Asparagus Salad with Dijon Dressing

I think it’s been a while since I’ve posted a salad recipe since I worry that it might be too simple and no one would be interested. Then I thought, ‘Why not? It’s summer and that’s what everyone is eating!’ Tell me I’m right. Either way, this salad is delicious and should not be ignored. Roasted asparagus, golden potatoes, perfectly cooked eggs, and a delightful Dijon dressing. Do I have your attention yet?

As with most fresh summer ingredients, I like to keep things simple and let the vegetables do all the work. My only job is to draw out the flavors and add a bit of heat. The less time I spend on prepping, the more time I have to eat and enjoy the outdoors. (more…)

July 22, 2015