Tag: baguette

  • Pain D’Avignon Is at the City Hall Farmers’ Market

    Last week was the first time we made it to the City Hall Farmers' Market this year. Had we known that Pain D'Avignon Bakery from Hyannis was there every Monday, we would have scheduled more visits during the summer. 

    Photod - Version 22012-10-15-pain-d'avignon-bread-city-hall-farmers-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino 

    But, the market is open until Thanksgiving week, so we have another month of decisions about which of their truly great breads we'll try next.

    This week we had a ginger scone, a blueberry scone, a blueberry muffin, oatmeal cookies, a cheese bread, and a baguette. The Cheese Bread is a long time favorite that we've shared with readers in the past. We used it for an example in our post, Keep Bread Fresh by Cutting from the Middle.

    Photo - Version 22012-10-15-pain-d'avignon-bread-city-hall-farmers-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    They bring many more selections to the market than we have found offered in the retail outlets where we usually find their breads around the city. And, to help bread-a-holics like us try more varieties, they bring in mini loaves of some breads. 

    Photoa - Version 22012-10-15-pain-d'avignon-bread-city-hall-farmers-market-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Later this week we'll tell you about what we made with our loaf of cheese bread when we returned from the market.

    UPDATE 10.25.12 : Here's that promised post about what we made with the bread.

    After meeting the very nice crew at the market, we plan to take a side trip to the Pain D'Avignon bakery and their Café-Boulangerie on our next trip to Cape Cod.

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    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

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  • Ancienne French Baguette from Clear Flour: A Best Bite

    With a dedicated bread-a-holic in residence, we have tried all the recommended baguettes in the Greater Boston area. Our favorite is from Clear Flour Bread. While we pick up their regular baguette when we see it at Whole Foods or another shop, we will go out of our way to get their darker, richer Ancienne style.

    • DSC_6969 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6946 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6949 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6953 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6968 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6974 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6972 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    DSC_6972 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This bread deserves a slide show to flaunt its star power. Click on any thumbnail to open any photo in the space above. 

    On their site, Clear Flour describes it as, "rustic french baguette with a very open texture & a fully caramelized crust for those seeking bold crunch and mildly sweet flavor." It's always the first item we order at the bakery or at their stand at the Brookline Farmers' Market.

    Important tip: This bread is not available until after 1pm so plan your shopping trip with that in mind.

    When the poster, doctorandchef, over on Boston's Chowhound board asked for the areas's best Parisian-style Baguette, Penny quickly nominated the Ancienne French and it won applause from the locals. (That conversation also discusses other wonderful, local, favorite baguettes.)

    Some of the criteria doctorandchef requested were: 

    "1) a crisp (yes, I want crisp!!) and light crust
    2) proper reddish brown hue
    3) open crumb structure with a creamy appearance
    4) chewy texture
    5) firm enough that when you break the baguette in half, it makes noise, yet soft enough that it doesn’t break apart completely
    6) Smell of wheat…" 

    We've tried to show these characteristics in the photos above. 

    What's your favorite Boston area baguette? Have you tried the Ancienne from Clear Flour? If so, let us know what you think.

    Related Posts:

    Cherry Tart Season at Clear Flour Bakery: A Best Bite

    Clear Flour Pain Meunier or Miller's Bread

    Clear Flour Bread– Clearly Artisan, Clearly Charming…

    Brookline Farmers' Market – Thursday is Market Day

    What's on your food lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Ancienne French Baguette from Clear Flour: A Best Bite

    With a dedicated bread-a-holic in residence, we have tried all the recommended baguettes in the Greater Boston area. Our favorite is from Clear Flour Bread. While we pick up their regular baguette when we see it at Whole Foods or another shop, we will go out of our way to get their darker, richer Ancienne style.

    • DSC_6969 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6946 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6949 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6953 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6968 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6974 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    • DSC_6972 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    DSC_6972 - Version 22012-07-20-clear-flour-ancienne-french-baguette-brookline-massachusetts-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This bread deserves a slide show to flaunt its star power. Click on any thumbnail to open any photo in the space above. 

    On their site, Clear Flour describes it as, "rustic french baguette with a very open texture & a fully caramelized crust for those seeking bold crunch and mildly sweet flavor." It's always the first item we order at the bakery or at their stand at the Brookline Farmers' Market.

    Important tip: This bread is not available until after 1pm so plan your shopping trip with that in mind.

    When the poster, doctorandchef, over on Boston's Chowhound board asked for the areas's best Parisian-style Baguette, Penny quickly nominated the Ancienne French and it won applause from the locals. (That conversation also discusses other wonderful, local, favorite baguettes.)

    Some of the criteria doctorandchef requested were: 

    "1) a crisp (yes, I want crisp!!) and light crust
    2) proper reddish brown hue
    3) open crumb structure with a creamy appearance
    4) chewy texture
    5) firm enough that when you break the baguette in half, it makes noise, yet soft enough that it doesn’t break apart completely
    6) Smell of wheat…" 

    We've tried to show these characteristics in the photos above. 

    What's your favorite Boston area baguette? Have you tried the Ancienne from Clear Flour? If so, let us know what you think.

    Related Posts:

    Cherry Tart Season at Clear Flour Bakery: A Best Bite

    Clear Flour Pain Meunier or Miller's Bread

    Clear Flour Bread– Clearly Artisan, Clearly Charming…

    Brookline Farmers' Market – Thursday is Market Day

    What's on your food lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Romancing the Rhubarb

    It was a rhubarb spring for me. Looking at the photos I took during an early season trip to Provincetown, a big smile crossed my face as I recalled taking these pictures early one morning in our Chandler House kitchen, before enjoying a perfect breakfast.

    PMC_1114 - Version 22012-04-14PB Boulangerie-rhubarb-rhubarbe-preserves-wellfleet-massachusetts-cape cod-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    That little, lovely jar, shining in the morning sun, was full of rhubarb preserves from PB Boulangerie in Wellfleet.

    DSC_3661 - Version 22012-04-15PB Boulangerie-crossiant-rhubarb-rhubarbe-preserves-wellfleet-massachusetts-cape cod-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We always stop there on our way into P-Town to supply ourself with their crusty baguettes, buttery croissants, and bike trail cookies. 

    These oh-so-satisfying, sweet/tart preserves (made by the owner's mother when she visits from France) inspired me to seek out rhubarb in other forms all spring.

    20100518DSC_5617%20-%20Version%202

    I bought fresh rhubarb at the Copley Square Farmers' Market and, following my Grandpa's lessons, turned it into a rhubarb compote. He didn't actually use recipes. He just cut the rhubarb in his back yard, removed the leaves, washed it, chopped it, and then cooked it down with a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of water. 

    Here is a basic recipe. But, read the comments. There are great ideas there that I'm going to try.

    I've spotted strawberry rhubarb pies at the markets. Barbara Hamiltion of Hamilton Orchards said she's planning to make some rhubarb preserves and may even make some with low sugar or honey for those who like a touch of sour.

    On my tasting list are Fee Brothers Rhubarb Cocktail Bitters, Rhubarb soda, and– when she makes them– Vianne Chocolat's Raspberry Rhubarb Truffles!

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    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino