Tag: Boston

Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins

Last week we told you a bit about Jordan Marsh the department store. This week we are remembering those wonderful Jordan Marsh Blueberry muffins.

Just as you see tourists today walking around the North End with boxes from Mike's Pastry, you once saw box after box of both visitors and locals in Downtown Crossing carrying white boxes with blue lettering filled with dozens of Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins.

Old Jordan Marsh building, side entrance off of Summer street, 1975 photo by Andrew Zalewski from the Boston Public Library print department.

The New England Historical Society explained that it was not unusual for a department store to be known for an edible specialty.

"Each department store had a signature food item: chicken croquettes were a favorite at Shepard’s in Providence, almond macaroons at Gilchrist’s in Boston. Sage-Allen in Springfield smelled like sticky buns, so spicy they almost burned the tongue. The aroma from the bakery wafted up the escalators, drawing customers into the basement. Date nut bread sandwiches with cream cheese were a favorite at G. Fox. And Jordan Marsh’s blueberry muffins were a required treat at the end of shopping trips to Boston."

Here's a Collection of Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffin Recipes

First up is the Boston Globe where this was a favorite topic with food editors across the years. This one is from the team that worked under Sheryl Julian in 2013.

Yankee Magazine offered both history and a recipe.

King Arthur Flour is another source of trusted baking recipes. Here's their version of Famous Department Store Blueberry Muffins.

The Diva of Dining offers a recipe and a bit more muffin history.

My own recipe for the muffins comes from this little book, Mostly Muffins that I borrowed a number of times from the Boston Public Library until the copy they had was literally falling apart and then disappeared. Eventually, I found a used copy on Amazon.

In my favorite version, you mash some of the blueberries to create a deep blueberry color and flavor and the sugar on top is mixed with nutmeg. Nutmeg sugar is now a constant in my pantry adding zing to everything from cereal to banana on toast.

By the way, the muffin in the top photo is fromThe Wholy Grain bakery Café in the South End and they make my favorite bakery version of this treat.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny, Entrance photo by Andrew Zalewski, used under creative commons license.

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March 30, 2016
Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins

Last week we told you a bit about Jordan Marsh the department store. This week we are remembering those wonderful Jordan Marsh Blueberry muffins.

Just as you see tourists today walking around the North End with boxes from Mike's Pastry, you once saw box after box of both visitors and locals in Downtown Crossing carrying white boxes with blue lettering filled with dozens of Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins.

Old Jordan Marsh building, side entrance off of Summer street, 1975 photo by Andrew Zalewski from the Boston Public Library print department.

The New England Historical Society explained that it was not unusual for a department store to be known for an edible specialty.

"Each department store had a signature food item: chicken croquettes were a favorite at Shepard’s in Providence, almond macaroons at Gilchrist’s in Boston. Sage-Allen in Springfield smelled like sticky buns, so spicy they almost burned the tongue. The aroma from the bakery wafted up the escalators, drawing customers into the basement. Date nut bread sandwiches with cream cheese were a favorite at G. Fox. And Jordan Marsh’s blueberry muffins were a required treat at the end of shopping trips to Boston."

Here's a Collection of Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffin Recipes

First up is the Boston Globe where this was a favorite topic with food editors across the years. This one is from the team that worked under Sheryl Julian in 2013.

Yankee Magazine offered both history and a recipe.

King Arthur Flour is another source of trusted baking recipes. Here's their version of Famous Department Store Blueberry Muffins.

The Diva of Dining offers a recipe and a bit more muffin history.

My own recipe for the muffins comes from this little book, Mostly Muffins that I borrowed a number of times from the Boston Public Library until the copy they had was literally falling apart and then disappeared. Eventually, I found a used copy on Amazon.

In my favorite version, you mash some of the blueberries to create a deep blueberry color and flavor and the sugar on top is mixed with nutmeg. Nutmeg sugar is now a constant in my pantry adding zing to everything from cereal to banana on toast.

By the way, the muffin in the top photo is fromThe Wholy Grain bakery Café in the South End and they make my favorite bakery version of this treat.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny, Entrance photo by Andrew Zalewski, used under creative commons license.

Related articles

Then & Now: 176 Marlborough Street by Developer Eben Dyer Jordan #throwbackthursday

The Dogs of the Boston Public Library Collections

Then & Now: Filene's Corner Holiday Decorations #Throwbackthursday

March 30, 2016
Time to Get Your Dog a License

March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

How to Apply

I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you.

Low-Cost Clinics

The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing.

Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

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

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 20, 2016
Time to Get Your Dog a License

March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

How to Apply

I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you.

Low-Cost Clinics

The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing.

Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

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

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 20, 2016
Where to Dine in Boston on Easter, March 27, 2016

Those in the know already have reservations for Easter brunch and dinner. This is one of the big days for dining out, and popular restaurants will fill their tables for Sunday, March 27, 2016, quickly.

First up, the list of places that organize information about Easter reservations and special offerings:

Open Table seems to have the most complete information, and you can click right through to make reservations. They also give you some idea of prices and special menus. And you'll find a few places that are offering their regular menus as well.

Boston Chefs has a list of offerings from their member chefs and restaurants.

Gayot lists favorite Easter brunches at places like Henrietta's Table in Cambridge.

Next, places we picked from these lists (we'll add more as we learn about particular offerings):

Erbaluce invites you to join them for an Easter Feast.

Bistro du Midi says, "For brunch we are only serving a three course prix fixe menu with 5 options per course for $55 pp. For dinner, join us for our a la carte menu and early spring specials." We say, you can plan a walk through the Public Garden after your meal.

Craigie on Main is offering both an Easter Prix Fixe menu and special additions to their regular menu for Passover.

To meet up with family who don't want to come into the city, consider AKA Bistro in Lincoln. We're happy to see that they're offering their regular brunch menu in addition to some Easter specials. The nearby deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is the perfect place to walk off your brunch and take Easter photos.

Another good suburban/urban meeting place is La Morra in Brookline. They are serving a $38 prix fixe menu.

Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when some people would try to book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can cause the restaurant to turn away other potential customers and makes the venues require a deposit to hold a place.

One thing we would look for, if we were dining out on a holiday, is a place that is offering its regular menu for the day. That's always a plus for us. We're not fans of special menus.

If you know of places where the regular menu will be served, let us know. If it's a place we can recommend, we'll add it to our list. And we'll add updates and links to this post as we find them. Check back here or follow us on Twitter to learn about updates!

Opting Out of Easter

If this holiday stuff is really not part of your life, this is a great day to go ethnic. Chinatown will be wide open and filled with great menu options. Your neighborhood Indian, Korean, Chinese, or Persian restaurant will be happy to feed you. And most BBQ and Pizza places do not have Easter menus.

Sign-up for the comment feed or follow us on Twitter for a notice if we add updates to this page.

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
Photo: from iStockphoto.com

March 18, 2016
Enjoy a Zeppole This Weekend! March 19th Is Zeppole Day

We have been zeppole fans for years and love to keep trying all the different versions made by local bakeries.

This particular zeppole smiled up at Penny from the display case at Antoine's Pastry Shop in Newton.

Antoine's makes a lovely example of the pastry with a light, crisp shell, abundant filling …

… and a nice dollop of cherries on the top.

A big thank you to our friend Vinnie for introducing us to this shop!

Here are our "Zeppole Posts" from other year's pastry celebrations.

This post from 2015 tells you a bit about the history of zeppole and a different style that we enjoyed during our years in Rhode Island.

Zeppole from Modern Pastry

It's Zeppole Season!

March for Zeppole di San Giuseppe! features Maria's Pastry Shop in the North End.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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March 16, 2016
Enjoy a Zeppole This Weekend! March 19th Is Zeppole Day

We have been zeppole fans for years and love to keep trying all the different versions made by local bakeries.

This particular zeppole smiled up at Penny from the display case at Antoine's Pastry Shop in Newton.

Antoine's makes a lovely example of the pastry with a light, crisp shell, abundant filling …

… and a nice dollop of cherries on the top.

A big thank you to our friend Vinnie for introducing us to this shop!

Here are our "Zeppole Posts" from other year's pastry celebrations.

This post from 2015 tells you a bit about the history of zeppole and a different style that we enjoyed during our years in Rhode Island.

Zeppole from Modern Pastry

It's Zeppole Season!

March for Zeppole di San Giuseppe! features Maria's Pastry Shop in the North End.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

March 19th Is Zeppole Day!

A Weekend of Irish Whiskey and Zeppole!

March 16, 2016
Of Dalmatians & Other Historic Firehouse Dogs

On a walk this week, a Dalmatian trotting along ahead of us set off a conversation about the dog breeds that were once abundant in our neighborhood and now are rare.

Leslie Jones photograph of a Dalmatian as fire chief.

We all think of Dalmatian's as firehouse dogs, but their work began in Dalmatia (a region in what is today Croatia) where they guarded the borders. Wikipedia goes on to outline all the other tasks this working breed has performed.

"The roles of this ancient breed are as varied as their reputed ancestors. They were used as dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs. Dalmatians have a strong hunting instinct and are an excellent exterminator of rats and vermin. In sporting, they have been used as bird dogs, trail hounds, retrievers, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. Their dramatic markings and intelligence have made them successful circus dogs throughout the years. Dalmatians are perhaps best known for their role as fire-fighting apparatus escorts and firehouse mascots. Since Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the carriages to help clear a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires.^[39] Dalmatians are often considered to make good watchdogs, and they may have been useful to fire brigades as guard dogs to protect a firehouse and its equipment. Fire engines used to be drawn by fast and powerful horses, a tempting target for thieves, so Dalmatians were kept in the firehouse as deterrence to theft.^[39]"

Dalmatians were not the only dogs to serve as firehouse mascots. Leslie Jones titled the photo above as, "Dog responds to every alarm, Braintree."

This one, photographer Jones noted as, "Dog goes to every fire, Braintree." Both are from 1928.

Here's a photo of one of our current Dalmatian neighbors. His name is Cy Young and he's a year old and very friendly.

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

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny Cherubino, Leslie Jones photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

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March 13, 2016
Of Dalmatians & Other Historic Firehouse Dogs

On a walk this week, a Dalmatian trotting along ahead of us set off a conversation about the dog breeds that were once abundant in our neighborhood and now are rare.

Leslie Jones photograph of a Dalmatian as fire chief.

We all think of Dalmatian's as firehouse dogs, but their work began in Dalmatia (a region in what is today Croatia) where they guarded the borders. Wikipedia goes on to outline all the other tasks this working breed has performed.

"The roles of this ancient breed are as varied as their reputed ancestors. They were used as dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs. Dalmatians have a strong hunting instinct and are an excellent exterminator of rats and vermin. In sporting, they have been used as bird dogs, trail hounds, retrievers, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. Their dramatic markings and intelligence have made them successful circus dogs throughout the years. Dalmatians are perhaps best known for their role as fire-fighting apparatus escorts and firehouse mascots. Since Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the carriages to help clear a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires.^[39] Dalmatians are often considered to make good watchdogs, and they may have been useful to fire brigades as guard dogs to protect a firehouse and its equipment. Fire engines used to be drawn by fast and powerful horses, a tempting target for thieves, so Dalmatians were kept in the firehouse as deterrence to theft.^[39]"

Dalmatians were not the only dogs to serve as firehouse mascots. Leslie Jones titled the photo above as, "Dog responds to every alarm, Braintree."

This one, photographer Jones noted as, "Dog goes to every fire, Braintree." Both are from 1928.

Here's a photo of one of our current Dalmatian neighbors. His name is Cy Young and he's a year old and very friendly.

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

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny Cherubino, Leslie Jones photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

Related articles

Boston Fireworks from Another Time …

The Dogs of the Boston Public Library Collections

Messing About in Boats, 1939 Style

March 13, 2016
All That Spring Jazz from Berklee (and it’s Free!)

Summer isn't the only season for free concerts in Boston this year! We recently received the following announcement from Berklee College of Music!

Berklee Global Jazz Institute Hosts Concerts By World-Renowned Jazz Masters Performing With Students

The Berklee Global Jazz institute (BGJI), led by pianist-composer-humanitarian Danilo Pérez, artistic director, and Marco Pignataro, managing director, is hosting a series of free concerts, workshops, and jam sessions in Boston featuring world-renowned jazz artists mentoring and performing with students. In addition to Perez, performers include visiting artists Terence Blanchard, Ricardo del Fra, Paris Conservatory Jazz Department Director, Alan Pasqua, and David Sanchez; BGJI artists in residence Adam Cruz, Ben Street, and David Liebman; and Grammy-winning BGJI faculty drummer and composer Terri Lyne Carrington, bassist John Patitucci, and saxophonist Joe Lovano.

The BGJI’s spring events run until May. All events take place at The Zero Gravity Room at 1260 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, and are open to the public free of charge. For more information, visit berklee.edu/bgji.

“We are opening the doors to the Berklee Global Jazz Institute to enable the community to experience some of the best performers of the international jazz world performing with our students – the foremost jazz artists of tomorrow,” explained Pérez. “What better way to combine the spirit of our programs – an extremely high level of musicianship with the advancement of the social power of music!”

BGJI Spring 2016 Events:

BGJI Forums, Wednesdays, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm:

March 2, featuring Terri Lyne Carrington and David Sanchez

March 9, featuring Danilo Pérez and Alan Pasqua

March 23, featuring Ben Street and Terence Blanchard

March 30, featuring Joe Lovano and John Patitucci

April 6, featuring Danilo Pérez and Ricardo del Fra

April 13, featuring Terri Lyne Carrington and Dave Liebman

April 20, featuring Ben Street and Adam Cruz

April 27, featuring Joe Lovano and Adam Cruz

(Photo of Danilo Pérez courtesy of Berklee Global Jazz Institute)

BGJI Workshops, Tuesdays at 6:30 pm:

March 8, Danilo Pérez workshop

April 5, Danilo Pérez workshop

May 3, Danilo Pérez workshop

Back row, from left: Anthony Fung, Seungho Jang, Jerry Leake, and Mao Sone. Foreground: Ga Young Bae, Marco Pignataro

BGJI Concert Series and Jam Sessions, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm:

March 1

March 22

March 29

April 19

April 26

April 30

The Berklee Global Jazz Institute seeks to develop artists as both musicians and human beings to become role models for a new generation of musicians. Its programs promote traditional musicianship through classes, workshops, concerts performances, recording and jam sessions, and service learning through teaching and outreach programs. Throughout the program, students travel together, accompanied by their teachers and mentors, performing at concerts and festivals in the U.S., Europe, and South America. They are also teaching and giving outreach performances at various care homes, hospitals and correctional facilities in the Boston area. In addition to its undergraduate program in contemporary performance, the BGJI launched its master’s program in contemporary performance this academic year (2015-16).

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: Courtesy of Berklee Global Jazz Institute
Photography: Courtesy of Berklee Global Jazz Institute

March 11, 2016