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  • Compound Butter Is Sous Vide Cooking’s Best Friend

    As I learn to get the best results from my new Joule Sous Vide circulator, I check a number of sites and recommendations for each new item I cook. Often a writer will recommend marinating or adding oil and herbs to the cooking bag with meat or fish.

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    Sometimes a plan calls for searing with herbs and butter as in this guide for Butter-Basted Sous Vide Halibut from one of my food mentors Kenji Alt-Lopes over on Serious Eats.

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    It dawned on me that a lot of the time I spend preparing a bag of goodies for their sous vide bath includes using a Microplane or chopping ingredients to add to the bag or to use in the final sear in my trusty cast iron skillet.

    Compound Butter is a Sous Vide Winner!

    Kenji's recipe inspired me to make a compound butter of parsley, thyme, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and unsalted butter. I melted a bit in the microwave and mixed it with olive oil to add to the sous vide bag with the halibut. Another chunk was added to the pan when I was searing. As this melted, I tipped the pan and spooned the buttery mélange over the fish. The rest of the batch was popped into the freezer.

    IMG_6263

    You can use a food processor to mix the flavor agents into your butter, but unless I'm making a large batch, I just mince my flavors together and use a fork to blend them into the butter right on my cutting board.

    This technique not only allows you to prepare a bunch of small batches with different flavors, but it also makes cleanup a lot easier.

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    Form a log with the butter you are not going to use.

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    Wrap it, label it, and pop it in the freezer for your next sous vide adventure. With a selection of compound butters in your freezer, your next sous vide dish will take even less prep time. 
     

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Morning 5K with Hill Work on Boston Common’s Historic Beacon Mall- Then and Now!

    I've been trying for an early morning 5K (3.1 miles) walk these days. My path is a loop that runs along Commonwealth Avenue from Massachusetts Avenue to the top of the Common (across from the State House) and back. You could jump in anywhere along this path and loop around to where you began to walk or run a 5K.

    IMG_1748 copy

    As you can see, a lot of people use the hill, officially called the Beacon Mall, for early morning exercise and as a walking commuter route. Thankfully this path had been clear and salted since the weekend storm. 

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    Looks like back in the day [ca. 1873–1877], Bostonians would "take the air" and perhaps their "daily constitutional" along this path. (Lithograph from The Boston Public Library Collection) 

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    Here's an 1865 photo from the top looking down from the Boston Public Library Collection.

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    Here is what it looked like as walkers and runners enjoyed the balmy day on Wednesday. 

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    Look how lush and shady the Beacon Mall was in 1892! (Photo from the Boston Public Library Collection)

    You can map any loop you like on Google maps. Just set the walking option and watch the mileage add up to something around 3.1 miles. My loop looks something like this.

    Screen Shot 2017-01-10 at Tuesday, January 10, 20171.10.51 PM

    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 Cherubino
    Photography: © 2017 Penny  Cherubino  

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  • Brussels Sprouts, Celery, and Cottage Cheese Are Mainstream These Days

    Three foods that we feel have reached mainstream status this year are Brussels sprouts, celery (especially the leaves), and cottage cheese!

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    A blackboard special of baby Brussels sprouts with bacon was the highlight of a recent lunch at Select Boston. Considering how much we love the food here and that Penny was having her favorite lobster salad, this veg dish really had to shine to stand out from the rest of the meal. It was a bowl of smoky, salty, sprouty, bacony, fun! 

    However it is not just Boston's star chefs and highly rated restaurants that are presenting great sprouts.

    Sitting around a table of friends at the Corner Tavern on Mass Ave last month, it was the roasted Brussels sprouts that disappeared instantly and were reordered – twice!

    When a vegetable becomes popular at this type of homey neighborhood spot, you know that it has become mainstream. We are both happy to say, “Goodbye kale,” and “Welcome sprouts!”

    Celery? Yes, Celery!

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    We wrote about “cutting celery” which is used for its leaves. Penny has always treasured the leaves on celery and uses them as an herb to finish or garnish dishes. Lately we hear TV chefs and food writers praise this leafy bonus in every head of celery and talk about the importance of celery, in general, in their cooking.

    Cottage Cheese as a Yogurt Alternative

    Cottage cheese has always been a favored snack around our house. (For us and for our Westie Poppy!) But now we see this simple dairy product is appearing paired with more fruits and herbs in single-serving containers. It is a great source of protein and calcium. We're seeing cottage cheese as part of more recipes. You can turn it into a quick dip or a spread by adding herbs, garlic, and perhaps some shredded cheese like a strong cheddar.

    Related Posts

    Cutting Celery, Chinese Celery, Smallage, Par-Cel, Have You Tried It?

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino – Adapted for BostonZest from one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns.
    Photos: ©2016-2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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  • Brussels Sprouts, Celery, and Cottage Cheese Are Mainstream These Days

    Three foods that we feel have reached mainstream status this year are Brussels sprouts, celery (especially the leaves), and cottage cheese!

    IMG_6139 copy

    A blackboard special of baby Brussels sprouts with bacon was the highlight of a recent lunch at Select Boston. Considering how much we love the food here and that Penny was having her favorite lobster salad, this veg dish really had to shine to stand out from the rest of the meal. It was a bowl of smoky, salty, sprouty, bacony, fun! 

    However it is not just Boston's star chefs and highly rated restaurants that are presenting great sprouts.

    Sitting around a table of friends at the Corner Tavern on Mass Ave last month, it was the roasted Brussels sprouts that disappeared instantly and were reordered – twice!

    When a vegetable becomes popular at this type of homey neighborhood spot, you know that it has become mainstream. We are both happy to say, “Goodbye kale,” and “Welcome sprouts!”

    Celery? Yes, Celery!

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c88547d8970b-800wi

    We wrote about “cutting celery” which is used for its leaves. Penny has always treasured the leaves on celery and uses them as an herb to finish or garnish dishes. Lately we hear TV chefs and food writers praise this leafy bonus in every head of celery and talk about the importance of celery, in general, in their cooking.

    Cottage Cheese as a Yogurt Alternative

    Cottage cheese has always been a favored snack around our house. (For us and for our Westie Poppy!) But now we see this simple dairy product is appearing paired with more fruits and herbs in single-serving containers. It is a great source of protein and calcium. We're seeing cottage cheese as part of more recipes. You can turn it into a quick dip or a spread by adding herbs, garlic, and perhaps some shredded cheese like a strong cheddar.

    Related Posts

    Cutting Celery, Chinese Celery, Smallage, Par-Cel, Have You Tried It?

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino – Adapted for BostonZest from one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns.
    Photos: ©2016-2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

    Related articles
    Julia Child Wisdom: "You don't have to cook fancy …"
    Bun Thit Nuong: A Fresh, Cool Summer Dish from Vietnam

  • Your Dog’s Winter Weight and the “Thrifty Gene”

    Poppy, our Westie, puts on a little weight every winter. Ed, who weighs her regularly and keeps a log, has noticed this seasonal increase for the past three years.

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    Besides snow walking, Poppy loves “snow hopping” (her favorite sport). Both give her a good workout and help control winter weight for all of us!

    This winter, because she’s had more exercise than in past years, we’re scratching our heads to figure it out. We weigh her food and monitor her treats so we’d know if she were eating more. She’s not. Is there something in a dog’s nature that hangs on to calories in winter? Does her metabolism slow down?

    The Thrifty Gene

    After some research, we learned the answer to those questions is,”Yes!” Ken Tudor, DVM, on the Pet MD website wrote, “Shorter days signal to the dog brain that winter is coming. This sets off hormonal changes to slow metabolism and conserve calorie expenditure.” He says, “These changes also promote the deposition of fat. This phenomenon is a result of a genetic adaptation called the ‘thrifty gene.’ The thrifty gene prepares the dog for the harsh winter and allows for normal performance in harsh conditions.”

    We have to offset the thrifty gene with more attention to the “food in/exercise out” balance. Just as it is with humans, dogs have to eat less or exercise more to keep from gaining weight.

    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 adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns. 
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Your Dog’s Winter Weight and the “Thrifty Gene”

    Poppy, our Westie, puts on a little weight every winter. Ed, who weighs her regularly and keeps a log, has noticed this seasonal increase for the past three years.

    Unspecified

    Besides snow walking, Poppy loves “snow hopping” (her favorite sport). Both give her a good workout and help control winter weight for all of us!

    This winter, because she’s had more exercise than in past years, we’re scratching our heads to figure it out. We weigh her food and monitor her treats so we’d know if she were eating more. She’s not. Is there something in a dog’s nature that hangs on to calories in winter? Does her metabolism slow down?

    The Thrifty Gene

    After some research, we learned the answer to those questions is,”Yes!” Ken Tudor, DVM, on the Pet MD website wrote, “Shorter days signal to the dog brain that winter is coming. This sets off hormonal changes to slow metabolism and conserve calorie expenditure.” He says, “These changes also promote the deposition of fat. This phenomenon is a result of a genetic adaptation called the ‘thrifty gene.’ The thrifty gene prepares the dog for the harsh winter and allows for normal performance in harsh conditions.”

    We have to offset the thrifty gene with more attention to the “food in/exercise out” balance. Just as it is with humans, dogs have to eat less or exercise more to keep from gaining weight.

    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 adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns. 
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • What’s Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2018 in Boston Plus Trash, Parking & MBTA Links & More

    Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 15, 2018. We are updating these resource pages rather than creating a new one each year. 

    Updated January 3, 2018

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    Free at Last sculpture, by Sergio Castillo is located on Marsh Plaza, Boston University (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )

    • Restaurants, Bars: Open
    • Convenience Stores: Open  
    • Supermarkets: Open 
    • Retail Stores: Are allowed to open, if the owners choose
    • Liquor Stores: Open 
    • 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.
    • Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the Stock Markets in the United States closed. International markets are open. 
    • Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
    • Boston Public Libraries closed.
    • BCYF Community Centers are closed.

    Free Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston 

    If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.

    Screen Shot 2018-01-03 at Wednesday January 3 20187.17.17 AM

    Boston Trash and Recycling:

    The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information. 

    Street Cleaning: 

    The city says, "On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night. On the weekends, we sweep some streets at night. Please always check posted street sweeping signs for information. If you still have questions, please contact 311."

    Parking:

    "Monday, January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    City offices closed. Sunday parking rules in effect."

    You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

    MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2018: 

    The MBTA no longer publishes holiday schedule in an easy to use format. You must now go to their website and click around to find the information.

    For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, (TTY 617-222-5146) or go to www.mbta.com

     

    Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers to keep you toasty.

     

    Details:
    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )used under creative commons license AttributionNoncommercialNo Derivative Works Some rights reserved 

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    A Few of Our Favorite Kitchen Gifts

  • What’s Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2018 in Boston Plus Trash, Parking & MBTA Links & More

    Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 15, 2018. We are updating these resource pages rather than creating a new one each year. 

    Updated January 3, 2018

    8609103883_2394134237_z copy

    Free at Last sculpture, by Sergio Castillo is located on Marsh Plaza, Boston University (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )

    • Restaurants, Bars: Open
    • Convenience Stores: Open  
    • Supermarkets: Open 
    • Retail Stores: Are allowed to open, if the owners choose
    • Liquor Stores: Open 
    • 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.
    • Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the Stock Markets in the United States closed. International markets are open. 
    • Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
    • Boston Public Libraries closed.
    • BCYF Community Centers are closed.

    Free Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston 

    If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.

    Screen Shot 2018-01-03 at Wednesday January 3 20187.17.17 AM

    Boston Trash and Recycling:

    The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information. 

    Street Cleaning: 

    The city says, "On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night. On the weekends, we sweep some streets at night. Please always check posted street sweeping signs for information. If you still have questions, please contact 311."

    Parking:

    "Monday, January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    City offices closed. Sunday parking rules in effect."

    You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

    MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2018: 

    The MBTA no longer publishes holiday schedule in an easy to use format. You must now go to their website and click around to find the information.

    For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, (TTY 617-222-5146) or go to www.mbta.com

     

    Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers to keep you toasty.

     

    Details:
    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )used under creative commons license AttributionNoncommercialNo Derivative Works Some rights reserved 

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    A Few of Our Favorite Kitchen Gifts

  • Perfect Tea with a Joule Sous Vide

    I thought I had an original, brilliant idea when I thought of making tea with my Joule Sous Vide immersion circulator only to find that smart people were already doing this. 

    IMG_5816 copy

    If you are particular about the tea you buy and want to brew it the way a tea master would, the temperature of the water, teaspoons of tea per cup, and steeping time should be precise. As you can see, the Joule fits right into my warmed teapot and will keep the water for my favorite Moroccan Mint tea at exactly 180 degrees. 

    I measured my loose tea into a basket filter, removed the Joule, popped in the tea, and steeped it for exactly 2 1/2 minutes. I was very pleased with the result. At warmer temperatures, the mint overwhelms the green tea. This pot was nicely balanced with both tea and mint flavor.

    If you are a coffee lover who uses a pour over coffee method or an Aeropress, you will also find this a great way to heat the water to your favorite brewing temperature.  

    Of course, like some of my friends, you may have an intelligent tea kettle that lets you set the temperature of your water for these purposes. I don't, but remember the tea kettle can just heat water, while my Joule can cook a steak, make perfect Eggs Benedict, or as we showed you in the post below, produce perfectly-cooked, moist chicken breast.

    Sous Vide Chicken Gremolata

    As we experiment with this new kitchen tool, we'll tell you more about our favorite uses and show you our results. 

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

      

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

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  • Perfect Tea with a Joule Sous Vide

    I thought I had an original, brilliant idea when I thought of making tea with my Joule Sous Vide immersion circulator only to find that smart people were already doing this. 

    IMG_5816 copy

    If you are particular about the tea you buy and want to brew it the way a tea master would, the temperature of the water, teaspoons of tea per cup, and steeping time should be precise. As you can see, the Joule fits right into my warmed teapot and will keep the water for my favorite Moroccan Mint tea at exactly 180 degrees. 

    I measured my loose tea into a basket filter, removed the Joule, popped in the tea, and steeped it for exactly 2 1/2 minutes. I was very pleased with the result. At warmer temperatures, the mint overwhelms the green tea. This pot was nicely balanced with both tea and mint flavor.

    If you are a coffee lover who uses a pour over coffee method or an Aeropress, you will also find this a great way to heat the water to your favorite brewing temperature.  

    Of course, like some of my friends, you may have an intelligent tea kettle that lets you set the temperature of your water for these purposes. I don't, but remember the tea kettle can just heat water, while my Joule can cook a steak, make perfect Eggs Benedict, or as we showed you in the post below, produce perfectly-cooked, moist chicken breast.

    Sous Vide Chicken Gremolata

    As we experiment with this new kitchen tool, we'll tell you more about our favorite uses and show you our results. 

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

      

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Healthy Alternatives for July 4th Cookouts, Pot Lucks, or Picnics
    Simple Spring Supper: Asparagus & Eggs
    Mastering Hamersley's Roast Chicken Recipe