Tag: beef

  • American Chop Suey, a New England Tradition

    This is a traditional time of year, so why not make a big pot of this area's American Chop Suey. I like to have old fashioned, comfort food around when life gets busy. This is also a great dish to feed a crowd or to bring to a pot luck.

    If you follow the tips you've learned from watching food shows, you can add a note of refinement – a je ne sais quoi – to your version of this hearty dish.

    For example, I started this batch with this recipe from Saveur Magazine. I love their addition of crushed, red pepper flakes and cinnamon. Neither one of those was in my family's version.

    I used red pepper instead of green. And, after I browned the beef, I used some white wine to deglaze the pan and capture all that lovely caramelization. For macaroni, I did use elbows but I selected the elbows with ridges and a bit of a twist because they seem to hold on to the sauce and meat better than smooth ones.

    DSC_9715 - Version 22012-10-30-American-Chop-Suey-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    When we have a stock of something like this in our refrigerator, we are most likely to pop some into a bowl and microwave individual portions. This is a great option if you have a bunch of different schedules to accomodate or some big appetites home for the holidays. A meal for some of us can be a between meal snack for others.

    But, if you're feeding holiday guests and want a different look for this dish on day two, put a twist on tradition. Bake this pasta under a blanket of cheese and breadcrumbs and present it with a golden, cripsy top and a melty, cheesy layer.

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    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 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.

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  • Beef Dumplings & Corn Fritters from Mei Mei Street Kitchen

    Always adding a new twist to our lunchtime pleasure, the team from Mei Mei Street Kitchen provided us with one of the best lunches of the week, last week.

    IMG_5765 - Version 22012-09-11-corn-fritters-mei mei street kitchen-Boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Fritters made with local corn, local habaneros, and fried just right. They were light and crisp outside and filled with corn goodness inside. Mei Mei was serving them with Aioli, but they suggested spicy ketchup when we asked to have them without the mayo.

    DSC_7905 - Version 22012-09-11-beef dumplings-mei mei street kitchen-Boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We love Mei Mei dumplings. These were deep-fried, stuffed full of meltingly tender, braised beef and set off by a serving of rice, pickled zucchini, and tangy dipping sauce. This is a filling meal.

    31336571903

    This is one of the fantastic fleet of Boston food trucks that should be on your must-try list. Here's a recent menu. As you can see it reflects the season, supports local farms, provides vegetarian choices, and demonstrates the exciting twist they add to their food.

    Payment: Cash, Major Credit Cards, and LevelUp

    Website: www.meimeiboston.com

    Twitter: @meimeifoodtruck

    Facebook: Meimeisk 

    Pinterest: Mei Mei Street Kitchen

    For more of our Food Truck/Street Food coverage: click here. Or, anytime you visit BostonZest, you can click on the Food Truck/Street Food tab at the top of the page.

    Link: Boston Food Truck Location Map 

    Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

    What's on your fall shopping list. Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 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.


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  • Beef Dumplings & Corn Fritters from Mei Mei Street Kitchen

    Always adding a new twist to our lunchtime pleasure, the team from Mei Mei Street Kitchen provided us with one of the best lunches of the week, last week.

    IMG_5765 - Version 22012-09-11-corn-fritters-mei mei street kitchen-Boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Fritters made with local corn, local habaneros, and fried just right. They were light and crisp outside and filled with corn goodness inside. Mei Mei was serving them with Aioli, but they suggested spicy ketchup when we asked to have them without the mayo.

    DSC_7905 - Version 22012-09-11-beef dumplings-mei mei street kitchen-Boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We love Mei Mei dumplings. These were deep-fried, stuffed full of meltingly tender, braised beef and set off by a serving of rice, pickled zucchini, and tangy dipping sauce. This is a filling meal.

    31336571903

    This is one of the fantastic fleet of Boston food trucks that should be on your must-try list. Here's a recent menu. As you can see it reflects the season, supports local farms, provides vegetarian choices, and demonstrates the exciting twist they add to their food.

    Payment: Cash, Major Credit Cards, and LevelUp

    Website: www.meimeiboston.com

    Twitter: @meimeifoodtruck

    Facebook: Meimeisk 

    Pinterest: Mei Mei Street Kitchen

    For more of our Food Truck/Street Food coverage: click here. Or, anytime you visit BostonZest, you can click on the Food Truck/Street Food tab at the top of the page.

    Link: Boston Food Truck Location Map 

    Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

    What's on your fall shopping list. Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 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
  • Beef Dumplings & Corn Fritters from Mei Mei Street Kitchen

    Always adding a new twist to our lunchtime pleasure, the team from Mei Mei Street Kitchen provided us with one of the best lunches of the week, last week.

    IMG_5765 - Version 22012-09-11-corn-fritters-mei mei street kitchen-Boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Fritters made with local corn, local habaneros, and fried just right. They were light and crisp outside and filled with corn goodness inside. Mei Mei was serving them with Aioli, but they suggested spicy ketchup when we asked to have them without the mayo.

    DSC_7905 - Version 22012-09-11-beef dumplings-mei mei street kitchen-Boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We love Mei Mei dumplings. These were deep-fried, stuffed full of meltingly tender, braised beef and set off by a serving of rice, pickled zucchini, and tangy dipping sauce. This is a filling meal.

    31336571903

    This is one of the fantastic fleet of Boston food trucks that should be on your must-try list. Here's a recent menu. As you can see it reflects the season, supports local farms, provides vegetarian choices, and demonstrates the exciting twist they add to their food.

    Payment: Cash, Major Credit Cards, and LevelUp

    Website: www.meimeiboston.com

    Twitter: @meimeifoodtruck

    Facebook: Meimeisk 

    Pinterest: Mei Mei Street Kitchen

    For more of our Food Truck/Street Food coverage: click here. Or, anytime you visit BostonZest, you can click on the Food Truck/Street Food tab at the top of the page.

    Link: Boston Food Truck Location Map 

    Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

    What's on your fall shopping list. Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 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
  • Mei Mei Street Kitchen: Food Truck Tracking

    As these rolling restaurants expand their reach and numbers throughout the Boston area, we’re Food Truck Tracking– here's a profile of one of the newest additions to the food truck scene. -The BostonZest Team!

    Name: Mei Mei Street Kitchen

    Do you want to be the first kid on the block to try a new food truck? We do, so we were on hand for their first lunch service! Tell us what you think when you try the food from this team.

    PMC_1897 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1)

    Truck Description: Bright White Truck with Yellow and Blue Graphics

    DSC_3986 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  DSC_3975 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  DSC_3979 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  

    Founding Team: Mei, Andy & Irene Li. (click on a photo for a larger version)

    PMC_1814 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    What’s on the Menu: They call it, "…Creative Chinese-American cuisine made from locally sourced, sustainable ingredients."

    Drinks: Bottled water or Crimson Berry Iced Tea

    PMC_1883 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1)

    Known for/must try/signature dish: It's early days, but we're betting they will have a problem taking the Beef and Cheese Dumplings w/soy-vinegar sauce off the menu. We returned for seconds.

    They say: "We pride ourselves on serving humanely raised meat and some of the most creatively delicious street food out there. Handmade braised beef dumplings with red wine and cheese, yes please! Mac & cheese with Chinese spiced pork, enough said. Steamed pork belly bun with crispy crackling, seasonal pickles, sesame chili aioli and local apple hoisin sauce? Yup, we’ll treat you right. "

      PMC_1839 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Nice Touch: They'll try to have something vegetarian on the menu every day. We noticed their careful attention to the needs of those with restricted diets. The counter has liquid sweetener to mix into your iced tea. And, there's a big bottle of Sriracha for those who want a bit more heat.

    PMC_1816 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Philosophy/Mission: "Grow well, eat well, be well: It’s what we want for ourselves, our family, our business, and our guests." Here's what they are doing to back up these words.

    History: They tell us, "We’ve taken food we have eaten and loved as children in the past, added modern elements and experiences of the present, and also incorporated practices that fit with our vision of how to do business for a sustainable future.  With Andy’s many years in fine dining management, Mei’s experience as a successful entrepreneur and MBA, Irene’s time living on a farm and working as a line chef and our combined love of good times and great eats, we have crafted a deeply personal venture that we hope you’ll enjoy as much as we do."

    DSC_3953 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    Here's Steve Leibowitz ready to order another round. 

    Regulars say: We ran into Steve Leibowitz from www.hubfoodtrucks.com who works at Northeastern and was all smiles after his first Mei Mei meal. "I think it's fantastic!" he said. "I had the Beef & Cheese Dumplings and they were great." A friend of his, who had the same thing, offered the perfect description, "It’s like prime rib in a dumpling!”

    And, a customer named Lisa went up to the truck and ordered, "One of Everything!"

    Did you know? "Mei Mei" is Chinese for "little sister" and the founders are Andy and his Mei Meis.

    DSC_3998 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    They were treating customers to some wonderful French green tea macarons.

    Order and Pick up routine: Step up near the back of the truck, next to the menu board, to order and pay. Pick up is on the other side of the window near the front door. They'll call your name when your food is ready. 

    Payment: Cash, Major Credit Cards, and LevelUp

    Website: www.meimeiboston.com

    Twitter: @meimeifoodtruck

    Facebook: Meimeisk 

    Pinterest: Mei Mei Street Kitchen

    PMC_1829 - Version 22012-04-20-mei mei street kitchen-food truck-Boston- menu-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1)
    Since the city food truck schedule is not up-to-date, right now, here's where to find Mei Mei!

    For more of our Food Truck/Street Food coverage: click here. Or, anytime you visit BostonZest, you can click on the Food Truck/Street Food tab at the top of the page.

    Link: Boston Food Truck Location Map 

    What's on your environmentally responsible shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     


    Details:
    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.