Category: We recommend!

Farmers Market Asparagus Ragout à la Jacques Pepin

We have had Asparagus Ragout for supper repeatedly in recent weeks. We visited the Provincetown Farmers Market on a recent trip to our favorite spot on the tip of the Cape and bought a bunch of asparagus from Silverbrook Farm. We didn't want to turn on the oven in our rental apartment to roast it, so Penny remembered a Jacques Pepin cooking technique for cooking fresh vegetables in a little water and a bit of butter. We both loved the result.

After returning home, we located a Jacques Pepin video with instructions for what he calls Asparagus Ragout. (This dish is first up on this the program.)

Via Wikipedia we found this about Ragout, "The term comes from the French ragoûter, meaning: 'to revive the taste." The Italian ragù (the word being borrowed from French) is a sauce such as Ragù Napoletano used typically to dress pasta."

While this farm fresh asparagus did not need reviving, this method of cooking it certainly results in great flavor complete with a light sauce. (Naturally, Ed selected his favorite utensil – a slice of fresh bread – and sopped up every drop of the sauce remaining on his plate.)

When we returned to Boston, we bought more asparagus at the Atlas Farm stand at the Copley Square Farmers Market and had a second supper of lovely, local asparagus.

We do peel the stalks and this time we had watched the video and followed Jacques' method. If you have the time, you can make an asparagus soup from the trimmings.

We highly recommend this quick and easy cooking method for many of the fresh, local vegetable you'll be gathering at local markets this summer.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino

May 30, 2018
We Toast May 2018 with 2013 Argyle Brut Rosé and Look Forward to 2023

We just returned from Provincetown where the ever reliable wine folks at Perry's had the 2013 Argyle Brut Rosé chilled and waiting for these two Argyle lovers to enjoy.

This year we're celebrating old friends and wines we already love as we choose our sparkler of the month. We are so happy we discovered Perry's curated wine selection. It's always great when your wine merchant has similar taste to your own.

The friends connected to this wine begin with Argyle founder Rollin Soles. He's the man with the great big smile in the photo. We corresponded with him long before we had the pleasure of meeting him. We have a great history of friendship with his wines.

This wine is a stunner! We tend to be one glass of wine people these days but, with this one, we couldn't resist a second pour.

The 2023 mentioned in our post title is because Argyle says,

"Like all Argyle Sparkling wines, Argyle Brut Rosé is made to be long aging, maintaining its richness & minerality. It was cellared and aged on the yeast for 3-5 years and disgorged on demand, just prior to release. A portion of this vintage will remain on yeast 10 years to become Extended Tirage Brut Rosé in 2023."

We've made a note on our calendars to find that wine in 2023.

We enjoyed one bottle in Provincetown, but stopped by Perry's to buy a second one to bring home and share with friends on May 1st!

Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! Join our Sparkling Resolution!

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino, Rollin Souls photo courtesy of Argyle.

May 1, 2018
We Toast May 2018 with 2013 Argyle Brut Rosé and Look Forward to 2023

We just returned from Provincetown where the ever reliable wine folks at Perry's had the 2013 Argyle Brut Rosé chilled and waiting for these two Argyle lovers to enjoy.

This year we're celebrating old friends and wines we already love as we choose our sparkler of the month. We are so happy we discovered Perry's curated wine selection. It's always great when your wine merchant has similar taste to your own.

The friends connected to this wine begin with Argyle founder Rollin Soles. He's the man with the great big smile in the photo. We corresponded with him long before we had the pleasure of meeting him. We have a great history of friendship with his wines.

This wine is a stunner! We tend to be one glass of wine people these days but, with this one, we couldn't resist a second pour.

The 2023 mentioned in our post title is because Argyle says,

"Like all Argyle Sparkling wines, Argyle Brut Rosé is made to be long aging, maintaining its richness & minerality. It was cellared and aged on the yeast for 3-5 years and disgorged on demand, just prior to release. A portion of this vintage will remain on yeast 10 years to become Extended Tirage Brut Rosé in 2023."

We've made a note on our calendars to find that wine in 2023.

We enjoyed one bottle in Provincetown, but stopped by Perry's to buy a second one to bring home and share with friends on May 1st!

Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! Join our Sparkling Resolution!

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino, Rollin Souls photo courtesy of Argyle.

May 1, 2018
Here’s to April with a Glass of Dibon Cava Brut Reserve, a Can’t Miss Favorite!

When we set out to make 2018 a year of celebrating some of the best, most memorable sparkling wines we’ve tasted during the years of keeping Our Sparking Resolution, Dibon Cava Brut Reserve immediately came to mind.

Not only is this a perfect, everyday bubbly that’s very reasonably priced, but it’s also extremely versatile and an exceptionally handy sparkler to have on hand at all times. We’ve seen Dibon used as a mixer at some top restaurant bars. And, when one prestigious eatery first came to Boston a few years ago, it charged more for a glass of Debon than for the entire bottle! (Perhaps an oversight, however it did give us some idea of the markup they were using on wines.)

It’s a wine we often recommend to anyone who likes bubbly whether a lifelong aficionado or someone just beginning to explore sparklers. It’s a great way to share with friends (Our Westie Poppy gifted a bottle to her favorite butcher and he is now a Dibon fan.) It's also a great way to make new friends as you share not only a bottle, but also show them how delicious a value wine can be.

Another plus, in this year of old friends, is that Dibon comes from another favorite, trusted, and local importer, OZ Wine Company of Haverhill, MA. Our many OZ experiences make up happy to choose any wine from this line when we explore a shop or wine list. (We do wish wine lists included categories for some of the great importers.)

Here's some of what we said in our first post about this outstanding cava:

"If 'balance' is a fault, then it’s this wine’s only fault! It will please a wide range of tastes …"

"It's light, refreshing, and inviting. Very food-friendly …"

"Dibon Cava would be a perfect opener for a party, at a restaurant with friends, to begin a meal or an evening. And, a special way to celebrate the start of a new month. Salud!"

Related:

Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino (Top) The others are courtesy of Dibon.

April 1, 2018
Here’s to April with a Glass of Dibon Cava Brut Reserve, a Can’t Miss Favorite!

When we set out to make 2018 a year of celebrating some of the best, most memorable sparkling wines we’ve tasted during the years of keeping Our Sparking Resolution, Dibon Cava Brut Reserve immediately came to mind.

Not only is this a perfect, everyday bubbly that’s very reasonably priced, but it’s also extremely versatile and an exceptionally handy sparkler to have on hand at all times. We’ve seen Dibon used as a mixer at some top restaurant bars. And, when one prestigious eatery first came to Boston a few years ago, it charged more for a glass of Debon than for the entire bottle! (Perhaps an oversight, however it did give us some idea of the markup they were using on wines.)

It’s a wine we often recommend to anyone who likes bubbly whether a lifelong aficionado or someone just beginning to explore sparklers. It’s a great way to share with friends (Our Westie Poppy gifted a bottle to her favorite butcher and he is now a Dibon fan.) It's also a great way to make new friends as you share not only a bottle, but also show them how delicious a value wine can be.

Another plus, in this year of old friends, is that Dibon comes from another favorite, trusted, and local importer, OZ Wine Company of Haverhill, MA. Our many OZ experiences make up happy to choose any wine from this line when we explore a shop or wine list. (We do wish wine lists included categories for some of the great importers.)

Here's some of what we said in our first post about this outstanding cava:

"If 'balance' is a fault, then it’s this wine’s only fault! It will please a wide range of tastes …"

"It's light, refreshing, and inviting. Very food-friendly …"

"Dibon Cava would be a perfect opener for a party, at a restaurant with friends, to begin a meal or an evening. And, a special way to celebrate the start of a new month. Salud!"

Related:

Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino (Top) The others are courtesy of Dibon.

April 1, 2018
So Many of Your Questions About Healthy Eating Answered by Mark Bittman and David L. Katz, MD in This Long But Very Worthwhile Article

Our Friday Link is to a Grub Street article with the long title "The Last Conversation You’ll Ever Need to Have About Eating Right."

The subtitle is "Mark Bittman and doctor David L. Katz patiently answer pretty much every question we could think of about healthy food."

Where We Found It

The great folks at Boston Organics shared the link to this on their Facebook page. They not only deliver food that helps us eat right, but also work hard to educate us about the topic and support local, sustainable, and healthy foodways.

Why We Recommend That You Spend Some Time with This Long Read

We've both spent a lot of time reading and writing about food and health over the past few years as a part of our own effort to improve our lives. We find a lot of nonsense that gets passed off as fact and a lot of great information that is difficult to understand and digest. These two men have found that great middle ground of giving you the guidance you need to make better choices with a touch of humor and great clear writing.

What They Say:

The subhead says it all, "Mark Bittman and doctor David L. Katz patiently answer pretty much every question we could think of about healthy food." That's why it is such a long scroll.

Here are three favorite quotes to give you a flavor of the piece:

"What should I care about on nutrition labels? Calories, fat grams, or sugar grams?
The best foods don’t even have labels, because they are just one ingredient: avocado, lentils, blueberries, broccoli, almonds, etc."

"What about avocados? Are they bad for you or good for you? Everyone says they’re full of fat, but that it’s 'good' fat.
Think of avocados as you do nuts: They’re 'good for you' but with limits. One a day is certainly fine. Their nutrient profile is great, with fat that’s a lot like the fat in olives."

On beans and farting: "Given the prevalence of heart disease associated with poor diets in the U.S., we say bring on the beans! (And, as far as farting is concerned, anecdotally at least, the more frequently you eat beans the better your gut tolerates them.)"

We suggest you keep a link to this piece on your phone and read a bit as you sit and wait for something – especially an appointment with a doctor – or when you are waiting for a prescription to be filled. Who knows, with this information you might see less of the doctor and need fewer medications, that's how healthier eating worked for us.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Screengrab Courtesy of Grub Street
Photography: © 2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 30, 2018
So Many of Your Questions About Healthy Eating Answered by Mark Bittman and David L. Katz, MD in This Long But Very Worthwhile Article

Our Friday Link is to a Grub Street article with the long title "The Last Conversation You’ll Ever Need to Have About Eating Right."

The subtitle is "Mark Bittman and doctor David L. Katz patiently answer pretty much every question we could think of about healthy food."

Where We Found It

The great folks at Boston Organics shared the link to this on their Facebook page. They not only deliver food that helps us eat right, but also work hard to educate us about the topic and support local, sustainable, and healthy foodways.

Why We Recommend That You Spend Some Time with This Long Read

We've both spent a lot of time reading and writing about food and health over the past few years as a part of our own effort to improve our lives. We find a lot of nonsense that gets passed off as fact and a lot of great information that is difficult to understand and digest. These two men have found that great middle ground of giving you the guidance you need to make better choices with a touch of humor and great clear writing.

What They Say:

The subhead says it all, "Mark Bittman and doctor David L. Katz patiently answer pretty much every question we could think of about healthy food." That's why it is such a long scroll.

Here are three favorite quotes to give you a flavor of the piece:

"What should I care about on nutrition labels? Calories, fat grams, or sugar grams?
The best foods don’t even have labels, because they are just one ingredient: avocado, lentils, blueberries, broccoli, almonds, etc."

"What about avocados? Are they bad for you or good for you? Everyone says they’re full of fat, but that it’s 'good' fat.
Think of avocados as you do nuts: They’re 'good for you' but with limits. One a day is certainly fine. Their nutrient profile is great, with fat that’s a lot like the fat in olives."

On beans and farting: "Given the prevalence of heart disease associated with poor diets in the U.S., we say bring on the beans! (And, as far as farting is concerned, anecdotally at least, the more frequently you eat beans the better your gut tolerates them.)"

We suggest you keep a link to this piece on your phone and read a bit as you sit and wait for something – especially an appointment with a doctor – or when you are waiting for a prescription to be filled. Who knows, with this information you might see less of the doctor and need fewer medications, that's how healthier eating worked for us.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Screengrab Courtesy of Grub Street
Photography: © 2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 30, 2018
Toasting March with Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani Imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant

We are toasting March with a favorite from Italy, Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani Imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant.

The last time we told you about his wine was back on March 1, 2012, but we've shared this favorite with favorite people many times since then.

About Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani

This delightful, bone dry sparkler checks so many of our favorite aspects. It is light and lively with good fruit balance. It's 11% Alcohol by Volume, so we can sometimes enjoy a second glass.

It's a great value. As one critic said, "Small, delicate bubbles, elegant and balanced, this lovely fizz from Italy cannot be labeled prosecco because it’s got a flip-top cap. Fine. Who cares? It’s the best on the market and it’s under $20."

If you plan to pop a bottle of this beauty with us, reach for your favorite bottle opener because it has a “Spark Cap” also know as a Crown Cap.

The second old friend featured this month is Neal Rosenthal. He is one of our favorite and most dependable importers of wine. We have been following his work and learning from his writing for years.

Penny had the opportunity to meet him when his book, "Reflections of a Wine Merchant: On a Lifetime in the Vineyards and Cellars of France and Italy," was published and found him as charming as his wines.

When a friend asked for a way to deal with wine lists when she was entertaining clients, we suggested she ask, "Do you have anything imported by Rosenthal?"

If you have ever seen the Mondovino series on wine, you may agree with us that Neal Rosenthal is the hero of the world of wine as explored in that documentary.

Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! This year we've decided to revisit a lot of old friends – wines that are usually in our wine rack, that we often order when we dine out, and that we choose for special occasions.

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 1, 2018
Toasting March with Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani Imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant

We are toasting March with a favorite from Italy, Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani Imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant.

The last time we told you about his wine was back on March 1, 2012, but we've shared this favorite with favorite people many times since then.

About Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Trevigiani

This delightful, bone dry sparkler checks so many of our favorite aspects. It is light and lively with good fruit balance. It's 11% Alcohol by Volume, so we can sometimes enjoy a second glass.

It's a great value. As one critic said, "Small, delicate bubbles, elegant and balanced, this lovely fizz from Italy cannot be labeled prosecco because it’s got a flip-top cap. Fine. Who cares? It’s the best on the market and it’s under $20."

If you plan to pop a bottle of this beauty with us, reach for your favorite bottle opener because it has a “Spark Cap” also know as a Crown Cap.

The second old friend featured this month is Neal Rosenthal. He is one of our favorite and most dependable importers of wine. We have been following his work and learning from his writing for years.

Penny had the opportunity to meet him when his book, "Reflections of a Wine Merchant: On a Lifetime in the Vineyards and Cellars of France and Italy," was published and found him as charming as his wines.

When a friend asked for a way to deal with wine lists when she was entertaining clients, we suggested she ask, "Do you have anything imported by Rosenthal?"

If you have ever seen the Mondovino series on wine, you may agree with us that Neal Rosenthal is the hero of the world of wine as explored in that documentary.

Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! This year we've decided to revisit a lot of old friends – wines that are usually in our wine rack, that we often order when we dine out, and that we choose for special occasions.

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 1, 2018
Toasting February with Another Longtime Friend, Raventos i Blanc de Nit

We will welcome February 2018 with a delightful cava, Raventos i Blanc de Nit. This will be a year of welcoming each new month with longtime friends. This cava was a gift from one of the first friends we made after we moved to Boston. He's also one of the friends who has joined our sparkling resolution to toast each new month with a glass of bubbles.

Our friend discovered Raventos i Blanc de Nit at a Bauer Wine & Spirits tasting, loved it, and decided it was something we would also love. However, when he placed his order, there was only one bottle left in stock. Being the sweet person he is, he bought the bottle and gave it to us.

We enjoyed our New Year's bottle of a longtime favorite so much that we have decided to make 2018 a year of rediscovering some of our favorite sparkling wines from across the years. (It will also help us enjoy the wine gathering dust in our collection. In our attempt to live a healthier life, we are drinking far less wine than we used to and our collection of sparklers keeps growing.)

The last time we enjoyed this wine, we were relaxing in Provincetown and enjoying the views from a special place on a rainy day.

Whether you have seen these sparklers before or are new to our monthly feature, we'll be linking to our past posts on each of them.

Join us as we raise a glass to celebrate the month ahead.

Related Posts:

Our first report on Raventos i Blanc de Nit

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post: Join Us as We Toast …

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here Are All the Wines We've Covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2014-2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino

February 1, 2018