Poached chicken is something you will often find in our refrigerator, especially when we're busy. It doesn't take long to poach a whole bird, chicken parts on the bone, or boneless chicken. You can poach it in water and aromatic vegetables. But for the bonus of a super rich chicken stock, start with a low-sodium chicken broth.
Here are a link for learning how to poach a chicken. I use the Chinese White Chicken method.
Once cooked, you can turn the chicken and broth into chicken soup. Here's how we deal with that option. Variations on a Soup theme
Of course, you or your household guests could turn sliced chicken into a wonderful array of chicken sandwiches. We recommend you grab a loaf of When Pigs Fly Bakery's "Savory Cranberry" bread, or as we call it, "Stuffing Bread." It tastes just like a favorite holiday bread stuffing and makes a great sandwich with some swiss cheese, chicken, and a dab of spicy cranberry chutney.
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Then, there are salads. We're not mayo fans, so we turn our poached chicken into a Curried Chicken Salad with an oil and vinegar dressing. But, traditional chicken salad may be exactly what your family will welcome.
And, from there, you can let your imagination fly. Stir fry some veggies and toss in the chicken to warm it. Heat up some pasta sauce and make a quick chicken sauce.
We even make poached chicken for our favorite pup when she's not feeling peckish and we need to tempt her with something special. She loves it.
How do you know if someone is a serious eater and would love this book? Fortunately the team has put together a simple test to help you decide. They say to ask the following:
"Are you a Serious Eater?
Do you plan your day around what you might eat?
When you are heading somewhere, anywhere, will you go out of your way to eat something delicious?
When you daydream, do you often find yourself thinking about food?
Do you live to eat, rather than eat to live?
Have you strained relationships with friends or family by dictating the food itinerary—changing everyone’s plans to try a potentially special burger or piece of pie?"
If you're nodding your head as you read, you'll want this book! And, if you're like me you'll turn right to the pages for your favorite locations.
The Boston area is well represented.
Serious Eats executive editor, food-lab guru, and recipe czar J. Kenji López-Alt has serious Boston connections. He's an MIT grad who has cooked in some of Boston's top restaurants and spent a few years working behind the scenes and in front of the camera at Cook's Illustrated and America's Test Kitchen.
Serious Eats Up and Down the Price Scale & Recipes too!
Lets take burgers as one example. The book covers What Makes A Great Burger, Burger Styles, Regional Burger Styles, The Hamburger Fatty Melt, Got Buns Hon?, Where the Beef Is: 30 Great Burgers, and the Patty Melt.
They tell you where to find the best regardless of price. Five Great Chefy Burgers details the ledgendary offering at Craigie on Main along with others great burgers they've found around the country.
But, they also cover the Five Fast-Food Burgers Worth Your Time, including a new entry in our area, Five Guys.
Finally, they devote pages to Making Burgers At Home. Remember, this team holds a daily conversation with a vast community of food lovers. They have tested and then incorporated the tips from this remarkable resource.
For yourself or someone else, we highly recommend this book. Leave it out, and you'll find yourself picking it up and getting lost in the 368 pages of delicious!
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
Remy is a happy, well-adjusted, 11 month old with a question, “Have you seen my family tree?” Plucked from a New York shelter with the help of PetFinder, this handsome guy is curious about his ancestry.
Remy is very friendly, so the fact that he has a reputation as a "big kisser" won’t surprise you.
Wait, aren’t Bernese Mountain Dogs big kissers? After all, they’re often described as affectionate, loving, and sweet. And, Remy certainly has the same ears and coloring of that breed. But, what about that distinctive tail?
Remy told us he’ll be checking the Comments Section of BostonZest for any ideas you might have about his relatives. What do you think?
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Brrrr! It's chilly this weekend, and we're pulling out some jackets for our little Westie, Maggie Mae. We're always amazed by how well her Fido Fleece Dog Coats hold up after winters of washing. Remember, if you're going to shop at Amazon, start from here, and they will reward us with a bit of BostonZest income.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people who are part of the places, and services we cover. Often those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
'Twas a week before Christmas, we were out for a walk,
Neighbors we met would stop for a talk.
The shoppers were merry, the windows aglow,
The holiday spirit was really a show.
When what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But this '59 Plymouth they called Belvedere.
It was pristine, and pretty, and shiny like new,
And on its front bumper some evergreen grew!
A Rock & Roll Holiday Wreath
Click on any photo to pop up a larger version!
Here's the proud owner. The car was a gift for a special birthday!
For prints of these photos or to put them on all types of merchandise from mouse pads to clothing click here.
It's never too late to shop for Amazon Gift Cards or Certificates. You can send them by email or print them on your own printer. And, when you shop for them from here, they put some coins in our tip jar.
To help you with your shopping for New Years Eve, we’ve added a Sparkling Wine Tab (Top of Page) to make it easier to keep up with Our Sparkling Resolution selections.
Fine wine glasses that are dishwasher safe? While Ed insists on washing our stems, I can't swear to it but the manufacture says that, the Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Forte Collection can go in the dishwasher. We do put our barware from the same line through the dishwaser all the time.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people that are part of the places and services we cover. Often, those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
Ed produced a training video showing how to make a great bow for the Garden Club of The Back Bay's Wreath Week fund raising event. It was intended for them to use to train volunteers, but they decided to share it with everyone.
If you've always wanted to make a great bow for your holiday wreath or a special gift, this video will make it easy for you to use wired ribbon to create the bow of your dreams! And, listen when Margaret tells you that twisting that wire tight is the key– it is!
We'd like to thank Margaret Pokorny for her great presentation and for letting us share her expertise with our readers.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
Here's a run-down of what's open in Boston on New Year's Day and the MBTA schedules for New Year's Eve December 31, 2011, and New Year's Day January 1, 2012, and Monday January 2, 2012 when the holiday is officially celebrated under state law. This year we have a three day weekend!
Some businesses close early on New Year's Eve but with the crowds expected for First Night, others (especially those in the hospitality business) stay open. Call before you leave if you plan to visit a business on the 31st.
Here's what we've learned about January 1st, 2012 New Year's Day and Monday the 2nd.
Restaurants, bars: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Convenience stores:Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Supermarkets: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Liquor stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed:This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.
More after this message…
Make your own holiday wish come true. Find the gift you really want on Amazon! And, by starting from here, you'll be supporting BostonZest and helping to keep the information flowing your way.
Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open.
Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
Boston Trash Collection: The announcement from Public Works from the Recycling & Trash Holiday Collection Schedule for Monday, January 2 – Saturday, January 7, 2012 says: "Delay trash and recycling pickup 1 day only if you live in Allston, Brighton, Dorcheser, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain***, Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury.
***If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."
MBTA Service Schedule for New Year’s Weekend. The MBTA says…
"Saturday, December 31, 2011 – New Year’s Eve
FREE SERVICE AFTER 8 PM COMPLETE SCHEDULE AVAILABLE BELOW
The MBTA is providing extra transit services throughout the First Night festivities and will be offering FREE service after 8:00 p.m. Extra MBTA Police will patrol the system to assist with crowd control and safety.
• Blue, Orange, Green, and Red Line trains will operate on a Saturday schedule. Additional trains will operate and provide rush-hour levels of service throughout the evening from 3:00 p.m. until approximately 2:00 a.m. • Buses, Silver Line, and trackless trolleys will operate on a Saturday schedule. • Commuter Rail Service on New Year’s Eve will operate on a Saturday schedule with extended extra service provided.
THESE ARE THE LAST COMMUTER RAIL TRAINS TO OPERATE. THERE WILL NOT BE ANY ALTERNATIVE SERVICES AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS MUST ARRIVE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TIME.
OUTBOUND FROM NORTH STATION
Fitchburg Line:
1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Departure to Fitchburg
Haverhill Line:
1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Departure to Haverhill
Lowell Line:
1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Departure to Lowell
Rockport Line:
1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Departure to Rockport*
Newburyport:
12:45 a.m. Departure to Newburyport
*There will be a Newburyport connection at Beverly for the 2:00 a.m. Rockport train.
OUTBOUND FROM SOUTH STATION
Providence Line:
12:45 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. Departure to Providence
Franklin Line:
12:45 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. Departure to Forge Park
Greenbush Line:
1:00 a.m. Departure to Greenbush
Middleboro/Lakeville Line:
1:10 a.m. Departute to Middleboro
Needham Line:
1:00 a.m. Departure to Kingston
Kingston Line:
1:05 a.m. Departure to Kingston
Worcester/Framingham Line:
1:00 a.m. to Worcester
Commuter Boat and Ferry • Inner Harbor Ferry will operate a normal Weekend schedule. • Rowes Wharf/ Hingham Shipyard and Logan Airport (Hull) will not operate. • Quincy Fore River Shipyard to Long Wharf will operate on normal Saturday schedule.
THE RIDE will operate extended hours until 2:30 a.m.
Parking As a way to manage traffic volume, customers are urged to pay upon entering the parking garages.
Sunday, January 1, 2012 – New Year’s Day
• Blue, Orange, Green, and Red Line trains will operate on a Sunday schedule. • Buses, Silver Line, and trackless trolleys will operate on a Sunday schedule. • Commuter rail trains will operate on a Sunday schedule. • Inner Harbor Ferry and Commuter Boat services will not operate. • THE RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Monday, January 2, 2012 – New Year’s Day Observed
• Blue, Orange, Green, and Red Line trains will operate on a Sunday schedule. • Buses, Silver Line, and trackless trolleys will operate on a Sunday schedule. • Commuter rail trains will operate on a Saturday schedule. • Rowes Wharf/ Hingham Shipyard and Logan Airport (Hull) will not operate. • Quincy Fore River Shipyard to Long Wharf will operate on a Sunday schedule. • Inner Harbor Ferry will operate on Weekend schedule. • THE RIDE Service will not offer subscription service. Customers should contact their contractors for service information.
For additional information on MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the MBTA Customer Communications Department at (617) 222-3200 or 1-800-392-6100 (hearing impaired TDD 617-222-5146)," or visit the MBTA website.
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: istockphoto.com
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
If first impressions are as lasting as claimed, then we will definitely be regulars at Sweet Cheeks BBQ. While we’ve given you our Sweet Cheeks BBQ – First Look, I saved the “beverage” part of the meal for today.
I’m always ready to try a new beer, especially if the word bourbon is used to describe it. So, when bartender Rich told me about an ale that’s aged in bourbon barrels, I had to have one. I’ve been a bourbon-lover for years. But, that's certainly not a requirement for enjoying this brew.
My first sip of brilliant, amber-colored Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale from that mason jar was outstanding! Full-flavored, but not heavy, with hints of oak and vanilla. It complemented the entire meal, especially our butterscotch pudding dessert.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people that are part of the places and services we cover. Often, those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
Looking for porky goodness? We found it last weekend at Sweet Cheeks in the Fenway. We had to pick up an item at the Landmark Center, so we checked our "restaurants to try" list for that area and decided on lunch at Sweet Cheeks. Smart move!
We grabbed two seats at the bar and put ourselves in the very capable hands of Rich who guided us through our meal, and saw that our every wish was granted two seconds before we thought of it. Phenomenal food with fantastic service. This is our kind of place.
The menu calls for decisions. Ed was too hungry to make many of those, so he went for the pulled pork sandwich on a bulkie roll (rather than Texas Toast) and added a hot side of collard greens. They were served in the blue mug.
Here's a close up on that pulled pork.
Penny went for the tray of ribs and chose her hot side as BBQ beans, and her cold side as the farm salad. There were also two slices of white bread and a pickle pile on the tray.
If this photo is not one of her best, it's because the aroma of those ribs were a serious distraction, and she was trying to hand the camera off to Ed so she could pull that pork off those bones. Ahhhhh! Smoky, sweet, salty, pork candy.
And, that salad! As those of you who follow BostonZest know, Penny is not a salad person. She seldom orders one, but this promised brussel sprouts and she does love spouts. It was a delight and might be a side she would return to Sweet Cheeks for, even if they didn't have all that incredible BBQ.
It may be dangerous that this place is within walking distance of our home. Having Marshall's Fenway Farm Stand a few doors away will only add to our excuses for a replay. We're already planning a table for 8 to fill one of the big hightops and to try the rest of the menu.
This is a Fenway spot, so get out there and enjoy it before baseball season has many of us staying away from anything in this area. Make it a winter of warm, wonderful BBQ from Sweet Cheeks.
Tomorrow, Ed will tell you about his beer and how it matched both meals right down to dessert. If you came in later, here's that post:.)
Here are a few follow up visits to Sweet Cheeks Q:
We try to direct you to delicious. If you enjoy the places we recommend, you can thank us by beginning all your Amazon shopping right here. Just click on any Amazon item or link (like this one), and they will put a few coins in our tip jar for every item you buy.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
Presenting the “Amazing, Cian”– the Welsh Terrier who can read minds!
"You’re thinking, 'What a cute little guy.' Right?"
Besides meaning “amazing,” Cian (KEE-in) is Gaelic for “ancient.”
“What’d You Call Me?"
Whoa! Down Boy! You’re not quite two, so there’s no way anyone could think you’re ancient. But, your breed, is!
“I don’t have to listen to this!"
Born on St. Patrick’s Day 2010, this not-so-ancient Welsh Terrier, full name Cian Finn (in honor of his person’s dad) is said to be “the oldest existing dog breed in the UK.”
While originally raised as a hunter, today’s Welsh Terrier is more at home in the show ring and looking “extremely” handsome just posing for his adoring fans.
"Ya know, I think I’m starting to like this guy.”
Cian’s favorite toy is “any ball.” He plays fetch, knows: rollover, paw, heal, and halt.
This energetic terrier likes people & dogs but HATES SKATEBOARDS! And, he isn’t a big fan of delivery guys wheeling “big” hand trucks either.
Besides being very protective of his person, this pup has learned that good things are often hiding inside stuff, so you always have to sniff out the treats.
"Found it! My favorite cookie!"
Thanks for being our Sunday Dog, Cian. You are truly “amazing.”
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Time to get ready to take our dogs out in Boston's winter weather. We recommend tucking those toes into Pawz dog boots. They're Maggie tested and BostonZest approved. Miss Maggie also has pals who prefer Musher's Secret. That's another way to protect paws from salt and ice damage.
Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people that are part of the places and services we cover. Often, those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
, will make a Seriously Good Gift for a food-loving friend who loves to travel for food or find great food when they travel.
hold up after winters of washing. Remember, if you're going to shop at Amazon, start from here, and they will reward us with a bit of BostonZest income.
or Certificates. You can send them by email or print them on your own printer. And, when you shop for them from here, they put some coins in our tip jar.
can go in the dishwasher. We do put our barware from the same line through the dishwaser all the time.
. They're Maggie tested and BostonZest approved. Miss Maggie also has pals who prefer 
. That's another way to protect paws from salt and ice damage.