Tag: MA

Bun Thit Nuong: A Fresh, Cool Summer Dish from Vietnam

Do you think cool, crisp, and refreshing when you think of Asian food? If not, it’s time to begin exploring the food of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. When dining out, we’ve even surprised some of our dedicated ethnic-food-loving friends when we add a selection of refreshing summer items to our table’s order.

Here's one of our favorite versions of Bun Thit Nuong from Pho Basil. We opted for grilled lemongrass chicken as our protein addition to this lovely noodle salad.

Asian Salads

In their treasure of a cookbook, Hot Sour Salty Sweet: A Culinary Journey Through Southeast Asia, authors Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid talk about the salads they found along the Mekong river.

“Salads are such a basic part of eating along the Mekong that they can almost be considered a staple food. They can be as simple as a wedge of parboiled cabbage and a plate of fresh cucumber slices or as elaborate as a mixed array of greens and herbs flavored with a dressing of succulent fried minced pork and a hot-sour-salty fresh dressing …”

Here's the take out version from Pho Basil. However, if you are not near their Back Bay/Symphony location, you can find a food truck take on this dish from Bon Me.

They call it noodle salad. Wikipedia says the name, “literally means ‘rice noodles [with] grilled meat.'" At Bon Me and local restaurants, you may have the choice of topping it with the pork, lemongrass chicken, tofu, or beef.

The next time you visit a great Vietnamese restaurant consider adding a salad to your order!

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Words: Penny Cherubino (adapted from one of her Fresh & Local newspaper columns)
Photos: ©2010- 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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July 22, 2015
Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us

Instead of thinking, “Time to walk the dog,” try turning it around by saying, “Time for my dog to take me outside.” Say it in a tone of appreciation, because being outside can be very good for both of you.

Here are Leo (front) and Wolfgang (rear) taking their humans outside this past spring.

Cameron Woo, co-founder and publisher of The Bark magazine, brought to my attention recently the importance of the time I spend outside with my dog. He wrote, “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 87% of their life indoors with another 6% spent in automobiles for a total of 93% habitating in enclosed spaces. That leaves only 7% of one’s entire life to spend outdoors. Translated to daily life, we average only about 100 minutes of our day outside”

Even with the cold and snow last winter, Poppy made sure we had some time outside each day. She likes the cold better than the heat and loved those high snowbanks.

Living in one of the country’s most walkable cities (where 15% of us walk to work), Bostonians may do a bit better than average at spending time outdoors. But, Bostonians with dogs have the advantage of taking a few more trips a day to the streets and parks with their canine companions.

Where Do You Walk?

Most days we walk the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. That's our routine dog place. But, we also love to explore the city and discover other great dog neighborhoods. Where do you walk your dog? What places do you recommend that we explore? And, how much time do you spend outdoors each day?

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. And, we highly recommend a subscription to The Bark. It is one of the few print publication subscriptions we still receive.

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino (Adapted from one of her City Paws newspaper columns)
Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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July 19, 2015
Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us

Instead of thinking, “Time to walk the dog,” try turning it around by saying, “Time for my dog to take me outside.” Say it in a tone of appreciation, because being outside can be very good for both of you.

Here are Leo (front) and Wolfgang (rear) taking their humans outside this past spring.

Cameron Woo, co-founder and publisher of The Bark magazine, brought to my attention recently the importance of the time I spend outside with my dog. He wrote, “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 87% of their life indoors with another 6% spent in automobiles for a total of 93% habitating in enclosed spaces. That leaves only 7% of one’s entire life to spend outdoors. Translated to daily life, we average only about 100 minutes of our day outside”

Even with the cold and snow last winter, Poppy made sure we had some time outside each day. She likes the cold better than the heat and loved those high snowbanks.

Living in one of the country’s most walkable cities (where 15% of us walk to work), Bostonians may do a bit better than average at spending time outdoors. But, Bostonians with dogs have the advantage of taking a few more trips a day to the streets and parks with their canine companions.

Where Do You Walk?

Most days we walk the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. That's our routine dog place. But, we also love to explore the city and discover other great dog neighborhoods. Where do you walk your dog? What places do you recommend that we explore? And, how much time do you spend outdoors each day?

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. And, we highly recommend a subscription to The Bark. It is one of the few print publication subscriptions we still receive.

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino (Adapted from one of her City Paws newspaper columns)
Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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July 19, 2015
Canoe Racing on the Charles: 1930s Marathon Style

Paddling on the Charles has been popular for many years. Back in the 1930s, regular reports on the results of canoe races were included in the Boston Globe. Most of the races covered were five or eight miles. But in one 1931 report, paddlers were challenged with a marathon course of 26 miles.

Photographer Leslie Jones covered one of these events along the way. Both of his photos are titled, "Canoe race, Charles River." Here are links to the one above and the one below. The records say they were taken in June of 1931.

The Boston Globe reported on a Canoe Marathon on June 22, 1931. It was won by Howard Chapin in a time of 3 hours, 56 minutes, and 20 seconds. While this was the only race on the Charles River that the newspaper covered, we have no way of knowing if this was the race that Leslie Jones photographed since he worked for a rival news organization.

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: Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

July 15, 2015
Canoe Racing on the Charles: 1930s Marathon Style

Paddling on the Charles has been popular for many years. Back in the 1930s, regular reports on the results of canoe races were included in the Boston Globe. Most of the races covered were five or eight miles. But in one 1931 report, paddlers were challenged with a marathon course of 26 miles.

Photographer Leslie Jones covered one of these events along the way. Both of his photos are titled, "Canoe race, Charles River." Here are links to the one above and the one below. The records say they were taken in June of 1931.

The Boston Globe reported on a Canoe Marathon on June 22, 1931. It was won by Howard Chapin in a time of 3 hours, 56 minutes, and 20 seconds. While this was the only race on the Charles River that the newspaper covered, we have no way of knowing if this was the race that Leslie Jones photographed since he worked for a rival news organization.

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: Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

July 15, 2015
William Lloyd Garrison Looks Concerned, Wouldn’t You?

As workers with respirators wait on the scaffolding for cleaning products to be passed up to them, Mr. Garrison seems a bit concerned.

Rest assured sir, they mean you no harm. This is a crew of conservators from Rika Smith McNally & Associates hired by the Friends of the Public Garden to give the statue a check-up and perform and annual cleaning and maintenance.

Earlier in the week, Rika spotted the potential for damage on the top of Mr. Garrison's head and perhaps that called for stronger cleaning materials than the mild ones this group normally uses.

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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: © 2015 Ed Cherubino

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July 13, 2015
William Lloyd Garrison Looks Concerned, Wouldn’t You?

As workers with respirators wait on the scaffolding for cleaning products to be passed up to them, Mr. Garrison seems a bit concerned.

Rest assured sir, they mean you no harm. This is a crew of conservators from Rika Smith McNally & Associates hired by the Friends of the Public Garden to give the statue a check-up and perform and annual cleaning and maintenance.

Earlier in the week, Rika spotted the potential for damage on the top of Mr. Garrison's head and perhaps that called for stronger cleaning materials than the mild ones this group normally uses.

Related Post:

Tidbits About William Lloyd Garrison & His Statue on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall

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: © 2015 Ed Cherubino

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July 13, 2015
Boston Chowhounds Give Watertown Ethnic Markets Tips

If you are a regular reader or contributor to the Greater Boston Chowhound board, you may have saved a link to a great conversation this month titled: Favorites from Watertown Markets? (Map)

This spice olive mix at Arax Market is a favorite with the BostonZest team.

Board member Klunco asked, "There are so many little grocers in a small area and was curious if anyone could give a run down of the strengths or must try items at each?" The responses from a number of regulars, who have won my trust over the years, were detailed and fabulous.

I had to admit that I do tend to buy the same things in the same places. The Chowhounds have inspired me to get out of my rut and do more comparison shopping. I tend to buy ingredients like those in the photo above. However, on a recent visit, I brought a friend who was drawn to the prepared foods and gave them rave reviews.

I made a quick visit last week, specifically hunting for Rose Harissa, and once again was thrilled with the outstanding service at each shop.

If you want to try something like the authentic string cheese soaking in a brine bath shown above, ask about it. Where does it come from? How do I store it? How do I prepare it? I did that many years ago and when a discussion popped up on Serious Eats, I was able to sell my editor on a feature on this treat. I just had to stop by and review what I knew with the experts in the shop.

My current favorite falafels from Fordee's.

I now have a list of prepared foods that I'll buy on my next visit based on the recommendations offered by other food lovers. I also plan to do a few taste-offs. I'll get fewer of my old favorites and try the comparable product from one or two other places.

One bonus Chowhound tip: like any public forum there are great resources, people with a single agenda, trolls, and time wasters. Over the years, I've learned which members I can rely upon for good information and which ones will waste my time with worthless or inaccurate ramblings. I read Chowhound on an RSS feed and watch the source of comments. I click right through to my favorites and don't read or respond to those who offer nothing of value to me.

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June 26, 2015
Boston Chowhounds Give Watertown Ethnic Markets Tips

If you are a regular reader or contributor to the Greater Boston Chowhound board, you may have saved a link to a great conversation this month titled: Favorites from Watertown Markets? (Map)

This spice olive mix at Arax Market is a favorite with the BostonZest team.

Board member Klunco asked, "There are so many little grocers in a small area and was curious if anyone could give a run down of the strengths or must try items at each?" The responses from a number of regulars, who have won my trust over the years, were detailed and fabulous.

I had to admit that I do tend to buy the same things in the same places. The Chowhounds have inspired me to get out of my rut and do more comparison shopping. I tend to buy ingredients like those in the photo above. However, on a recent visit, I brought a friend who was drawn to the prepared foods and gave them rave reviews.

I made a quick visit last week, specifically hunting for Rose Harissa, and once again was thrilled with the outstanding service at each shop.

If you want to try something like the authentic string cheese soaking in a brine bath shown above, ask about it. Where does it come from? How do I store it? How do I prepare it? I did that many years ago and when a discussion popped up on Serious Eats, I was able to sell my editor on a feature on this treat. I just had to stop by and review what I knew with the experts in the shop.

My current favorite falafels from Fordee's.

I now have a list of prepared foods that I'll buy on my next visit based on the recommendations offered by other food lovers. I also plan to do a few taste-offs. I'll get fewer of my old favorites and try the comparable product from one or two other places.

One bonus Chowhound tip: like any public forum there are great resources, people with a single agenda, trolls, and time wasters. Over the years, I've learned which members I can rely upon for good information and which ones will waste my time with worthless or inaccurate ramblings. I read Chowhound on an RSS feed and watch the source of comments. I click right through to my favorites and don't read or respond to those who offer nothing of value to me.

Related articles

Best Bite: Blue Prawns on the Plancha at Select Oyster Bar

Boston Public Library's 2015 Concerts in the Courtyard Series

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

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2010-2013 Penny Cherubino

June 26, 2015
The Polite Wet Dogs of Provincetown Harbor

We all know the standing joke about the wet dog who runs to the nearest dry human and shakes the water off his or her fur. On our last visit to Provincetown, I watched this group of very polite wet dogs.

A kind man waited patiently on the sand to throw and rethrow the balls the dogs love to fetch.

Perhaps that man had worked on some special beach training to direct wet dogs racing his way to the place where he wanted them to shake.

If it did, the training was a success because these dogs did their shaking far from him.

This one had a good shake before leaving the water.

This one shook as soon as his paws hit the sand.

The trio would line up politely and wait for the next batch of balls to be tossed.

This young pup was the strongest swimmer but the other two did get their share of the prizes.

Thanks for the fun I had watching you romp and swim. See you all next trip!

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 Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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June 21, 2015