Category: We recommend!

  • Plan a Jamón Ibérico Tasting

    A twitter conversation with Peter, a West Coast friend, reminded me of our New Year's Eve jamón tasting.

    CHE_0234 - Version 22012-12-31-imberico-jamon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    Lovely curls of Jamón ibérico

    We splurged on a bit of Jamón Ibérico and tasted it with a larger portion of Jamón Serrano. We combined a great bottle of grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs, with a wooden board covered with crusty breat, great cheese, salumi, and the two jamónes. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c32a6a113970b-800wi
    Piles of Jamón Serrano

    We love the combination of salty meat with Champagne. And, when we decide to stay in and enjoy the bounty of our own wine rack, we think it's okay to splurge a bit on the food. 

    There is a theory that your taste buds are most receptive to the first 1 to 4 bites of something. Why not take advantage of that when you want to splurge. Buy the best in a small quantity. Then, buy a larger amount of something wonderful but a lot less expensive.

    We took our time and savored those curls of Jamón Ibérico and then went on to enjoyed the lovely pile of Serrano.

    Someone wrote on twitter today that she loved having guests because she could go to Formaggio for a cheese tray. We love having shops like Formaggio, so we can go and buy one perfect cheese or outstanding jamon, just for us.

    Related Posts:

    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs

    Surryano Ham from Virginia is Peanut-Fed Berkshire Pork 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    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 add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Plan a Jamón Ibérico Tasting

    A twitter conversation with Peter, a West Coast friend, reminded me of our New Year's Eve jamón tasting.

    CHE_0234 - Version 22012-12-31-imberico-jamon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    Lovely curls of Jamón ibérico

    We splurged on a bit of Jamón Ibérico and tasted it with a larger portion of Jamón Serrano. We combined a great bottle of grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs, with a wooden board covered with crusty breat, great cheese, salumi, and the two jamónes. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c32a6a113970b-800wi
    Piles of Jamón Serrano

    We love the combination of salty meat with Champagne. And, when we decide to stay in and enjoy the bounty of our own wine rack, we think it's okay to splurge a bit on the food. 

    There is a theory that your taste buds are most receptive to the first 1 to 4 bites of something. Why not take advantage of that when you want to splurge. Buy the best in a small quantity. Then, buy a larger amount of something wonderful but a lot less expensive.

    We took our time and savored those curls of Jamón Ibérico and then went on to enjoyed the lovely pile of Serrano.

    Someone wrote on twitter today that she loved having guests because she could go to Formaggio for a cheese tray. We love having shops like Formaggio, so we can go and buy one perfect cheese or outstanding jamon, just for us.

    Related Posts:

    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs

    Surryano Ham from Virginia is Peanut-Fed Berkshire Pork 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    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 add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Lions Will Dance in Chinatown!

    It has been a few years since we've attended a Lion Dance Celebration in Boston's Chinatown. It's on our schedule for this year. This year's event will be held on Sunday, February 17th, 2013 from 10AM to 5PM. 

    Update: 02/17/13 from @BostonChinatown: "Event is still going We are delaying about an hour so 11:30am stage will be moved to Beach and harrison ave. http://bit.ly/WQi4fC "

     5443824968_d25f60a4a8

    Photo by Raymond Larose used under this creative commons license be sure to check his photography blog.

    This is a wonderful time to explore the neighborhood and a real opportunity to stretch your photography skills with some colorful subject matter. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: Photo by Raymond Larose used under this creative commons license. Be sure to check his photography blog.

    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 add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Lions Will Dance in Chinatown!

    It has been a few years since we've attended a Lion Dance Celebration in Boston's Chinatown. It's on our schedule for this year. This year's event will be held on Sunday, February 17th, 2013 from 10AM to 5PM. 

    Update: 02/17/13 from @BostonChinatown: "Event is still going We are delaying about an hour so 11:30am stage will be moved to Beach and harrison ave. http://bit.ly/WQi4fC "

     5443824968_d25f60a4a8

    Photo by Raymond Larose used under this creative commons license be sure to check his photography blog.

    This is a wonderful time to explore the neighborhood and a real opportunity to stretch your photography skills with some colorful subject matter. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: Photo by Raymond Larose used under this creative commons license. Be sure to check his photography blog.

    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 add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Lions Will Dance in Chinatown!

    It has been a few years since we've attended a Lion Dance Celebration in Boston's Chinatown. It's on our schedule for this year. This year's event will be held on Sunday, February 17th, 2013 from 10AM to 5PM. 

    Update: 02/17/13 from @BostonChinatown: "Event is still going We are delaying about an hour so 11:30am stage will be moved to Beach and harrison ave. http://bit.ly/WQi4fC "

     5443824968_d25f60a4a8

    Photo by Raymond Larose used under this creative commons license be sure to check his photography blog.

    This is a wonderful time to explore the neighborhood and a real opportunity to stretch your photography skills with some colorful subject matter. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: Photo by Raymond Larose used under this creative commons license. Be sure to check his photography blog.

    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 add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Healthy Storm Munchies: Biena Chickpea Snacks

    One good thing we had on hand during the recent snow storm was a sampler of Biena Chickpea Snacks.

    DSC_1947 - Version 22013-01-30biena-chickpea-snacks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This dish holds a selection of four of the flavors offered by this Cambridge, MA based company: Sea Salt, BBQ, Honey Roasted, and Cinnamon Maple. They were a wonderful alternative to the junk food we learned people were stocking up on for the storm. 

    When companies offer to send us samples of their products, we usually decline. Most of these offers seem to come from big, national brands selling products we would never buy or recommend. But, when an email suggested we try samples of an interesting new snack food with some healthy credentials from a small, local business, we decided to take them up on the offer. 

    We're glad we did. Biena Chickpeas have already been added to our standard shopping list for Whole Foods. We haven't tried the Lime & Chili yet and are looking forward to it.

     DSC_1884 - Version 22013-01-28biena-chickpea-snacks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We taste-tested them ourselves and with some friends and learned that different people had different favorites. Penny likes the Sea Salt for nibbling with a glass of wine. Ed preferred the Honey Roasted to tuck into his pocket for a snack on the go. The 2-ounce bags make them perfect for this use. 

    On the company's website, founder Poorvi Patodia explained how the business came to be, "I love food, and I’ve wanted to start a food company for as long as I can remember. I grew up with a mom who is an incredible cook, and a dad who is really into healthy foods. So I guess it’s not a surprise that as an adult, I’m obsessed with discovering, eating and making healthy foods that taste great."


    DSC_1943 - Version 22013-01-30biena-chickpea-snacks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We'd say she's on her way. If snacks with a simple list of ingredients that deliver salty, crunchy, and healthy are something you'd like to try, click over to this list of stores carrying them. We think the names of the businesses who have decided that they want this product on their shelves is another positive endorsement. You'll find shops you like and trust. And for our readers in other parts of the country, you can buy them online.

    We think the four lines on the front of the package – Protein, Fiber, Low Fat, and Gluten-Free – mean that these can be problem solvers when shopping for snack food. All that and tasty too!

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 Penny Cherubino 

    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 add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Healthy Storm Munchies: Biena Chickpea Snacks

    One good thing we had on hand during the recent snow storm was a sampler of Biena Chickpea Snacks.

    DSC_1947 - Version 22013-01-30biena-chickpea-snacks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This dish holds a selection of four of the flavors offered by this Cambridge, MA based company: Sea Salt, BBQ, Honey Roasted, and Cinnamon Maple. They were a wonderful alternative to the junk food we learned people were stocking up on for the storm. 

    When companies offer to send us samples of their products, we usually decline. Most of these offers seem to come from big, national brands selling products we would never buy or recommend. But, when an email suggested we try samples of an interesting new snack food with some healthy credentials from a small, local business, we decided to take them up on the offer. 

    We're glad we did. Biena Chickpeas have already been added to our standard shopping list for Whole Foods. We haven't tried the Lime & Chili yet and are looking forward to it.

     DSC_1884 - Version 22013-01-28biena-chickpea-snacks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We taste-tested them ourselves and with some friends and learned that different people had different favorites. Penny likes the Sea Salt for nibbling with a glass of wine. Ed preferred the Honey Roasted to tuck into his pocket for a snack on the go. The 2-ounce bags make them perfect for this use. 

    On the company's website, founder Poorvi Patodia explained how the business came to be, "I love food, and I’ve wanted to start a food company for as long as I can remember. I grew up with a mom who is an incredible cook, and a dad who is really into healthy foods. So I guess it’s not a surprise that as an adult, I’m obsessed with discovering, eating and making healthy foods that taste great."


    DSC_1943 - Version 22013-01-30biena-chickpea-snacks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We'd say she's on her way. If snacks with a simple list of ingredients that deliver salty, crunchy, and healthy are something you'd like to try, click over to this list of stores carrying them. We think the names of the businesses who have decided that they want this product on their shelves is another positive endorsement. You'll find shops you like and trust. And for our readers in other parts of the country, you can buy them online.

    We think the four lines on the front of the package – Protein, Fiber, Low Fat, and Gluten-Free – mean that these can be problem solvers when shopping for snack food. All that and tasty too!

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 Penny Cherubino 

    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 add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Healthy Storm Munchies: Biena Chickpea Snacks

    One good thing we had on hand during the recent snow storm was a sampler of Biena Chickpea Snacks.

    DSC_1947 - Version 22013-01-30biena-chickpea-snacks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This dish holds a selection of four of the flavors offered by this Cambridge, MA based company: Sea Salt, BBQ, Honey Roasted, and Cinnamon Maple. They were a wonderful alternative to the junk food we learned people were stocking up on for the storm. 

    When companies offer to send us samples of their products, we usually decline. Most of these offers seem to come from big, national brands selling products we would never buy or recommend. But, when an email suggested we try samples of an interesting new snack food with some healthy credentials from a small, local business, we decided to take them up on the offer. 

    We're glad we did. Biena Chickpeas have already been added to our standard shopping list for Whole Foods. We haven't tried the Lime & Chili yet and are looking forward to it.

     DSC_1884 - Version 22013-01-28biena-chickpea-snacks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We taste-tested them ourselves and with some friends and learned that different people had different favorites. Penny likes the Sea Salt for nibbling with a glass of wine. Ed preferred the Honey Roasted to tuck into his pocket for a snack on the go. The 2-ounce bags make them perfect for this use. 

    On the company's website, founder Poorvi Patodia explained how the business came to be, "I love food, and I’ve wanted to start a food company for as long as I can remember. I grew up with a mom who is an incredible cook, and a dad who is really into healthy foods. So I guess it’s not a surprise that as an adult, I’m obsessed with discovering, eating and making healthy foods that taste great."


    DSC_1943 - Version 22013-01-30biena-chickpea-snacks-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We'd say she's on her way. If snacks with a simple list of ingredients that deliver salty, crunchy, and healthy are something you'd like to try, click over to this list of stores carrying them. We think the names of the businesses who have decided that they want this product on their shelves is another positive endorsement. You'll find shops you like and trust. And for our readers in other parts of the country, you can buy them online.

    We think the four lines on the front of the package – Protein, Fiber, Low Fat, and Gluten-Free – mean that these can be problem solvers when shopping for snack food. All that and tasty too!

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 Penny Cherubino 

    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 add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Dear Poppy, Should I Let Humans Brush My Teeth?

    Dear Duchess Poppy,

    The people I live with read that February is Doggie Dental Month, or something like that, and now they keep coming at me with silly sticks with brushes on the end. Do I have to put up with this? Should I let these humans clean my canines?

    Questioningly,

    Chomper

    CHE_1711 - Version 32013-02-04-poppy-tooth-brushing-dental-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Dear Chomper,

    As you can see from the photograph of moi above, I've trained my retainers to polish my pearly whites twice a day! I started this training the day I arrived here, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Who wants fuzzy teeth???

    And, as much as I love my dear veterinarian team, I don't want to visit them too often. Do you have any idea how many presents I could have for the cost of one dental cleaning at the vets? Brushing means more money to spend on travel and jewelry!

    I've had my research team post a video (below) for you to review and pass on to your servants.

    Yours truly,

    Poppy, Duchess of Whitehead

    February is National Pet Dental Month

    Have your family take 5 minutes to watch this video on why they should brush your teeth and how to do it.

    Editor's Note: Among Poppy's fan mail are occasional requests for advice from her canine and feline friends. She has agreed to answer a few of them in our Sunday Dog Spot. Add your questions in the comments below or send Poppy an email.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Dutchess Poppy Whitehead as dictated to her assistant Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino   

  • Dear Poppy, Should I Let Humans Brush My Teeth?

    Dear Duchess Poppy,

    The people I live with read that February is Doggie Dental Month, or something like that, and now they keep coming at me with silly sticks with brushes on the end. Do I have to put up with this? Should I let these humans clean my canines?

    Questioningly,

    Chomper

    CHE_1711 - Version 32013-02-04-poppy-tooth-brushing-dental-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Dear Chomper,

    As you can see from the photograph of moi above, I've trained my retainers to polish my pearly whites twice a day! I started this training the day I arrived here, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Who wants fuzzy teeth???

    And, as much as I love my dear veterinarian team, I don't want to visit them too often. Do you have any idea how many presents I could have for the cost of one dental cleaning at the vets? Brushing means more money to spend on travel and jewelry!

    I've had my research team post a video (below) for you to review and pass on to your servants.

    Yours truly,

    Poppy, Duchess of Whitehead

    February is National Pet Dental Month

    Have your family take 5 minutes to watch this video on why they should brush your teeth and how to do it.

    Editor's Note: Among Poppy's fan mail are occasional requests for advice from her canine and feline friends. She has agreed to answer a few of them in our Sunday Dog Spot. Add your questions in the comments below or send Poppy an email.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Dutchess Poppy Whitehead as dictated to her assistant Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino