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Tag: board

  • Plan a Jamón Ibérico Tasting

    A twitter conversation with Peter, a West Coast friend, reminded me of our New Year's Eve jamón tasting.

    CHE_0234 - Version 22012-12-31-imberico-jamon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
    Lovely curls of Jamón ibérico

    We splurged on a bit of Jamón Ibérico and tasted it with a larger portion of Jamón Serrano. We combined a great bottle of grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs, with a wooden board covered with crusty breat, great cheese, salumi, and the two jamónes. 

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    Piles of Jamón Serrano

    We love the combination of salty meat with Champagne. And, when we decide to stay in and enjoy the bounty of our own wine rack, we think it's okay to splurge a bit on the food. 

    There is a theory that your taste buds are most receptive to the first 1 to 4 bites of something. Why not take advantage of that when you want to splurge. Buy the best in a small quantity. Then, buy a larger amount of something wonderful but a lot less expensive.

    We took our time and savored those curls of Jamón Ibérico and then went on to enjoyed the lovely pile of Serrano.

    Someone wrote on twitter today that she loved having guests because she could go to Formaggio for a cheese tray. We love having shops like Formaggio, so we can go and buy one perfect cheese or outstanding jamon, just for us.

    Related Posts:

    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs

    Surryano Ham from Virginia is Peanut-Fed Berkshire Pork 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2013 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.

    Related articles
    Pig out with a Spanish specialty at Jamon Iberico Pata Negra
    Uncorking 2013 with a Grower Champagne, Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs
    Going local in Andalucia
    Spanish Chronicles: Jamón Jamón
    Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List
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  • Guacamole, Hand Made: Keep It Simple in the Kitchen

    Do you buy packaged guacamole because making it is too hard and messy?

    DSC_0264 - Version 22012-01-04-guacamole-simple-few-tools-knife-granite-mortar-pestle-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Well, it can be– if you pull out a food processor, avocado pitter/slicer, a couple of knives, cutting board, lime juicer, herb chopper, garlic press, mixing bowl, and chip & dip set.

    A small kitchen can be a blessing because you quickly learn you don't need all that stuff to whip up something fresh and delicious. To make a batch of guacamole I use a cutting board, my granite mortar & pestle, a fork for mixing, spoon for tasting, and a favorite knife. When it's ready, I bring it to the table in that beautiful hunk of granite! 

    DSC_0252 - Version 22012-01-04-guacamole-simple-few-tools-knife-granite-mortar-pestle-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Sometimes, I even short cut the shopping by picking up a "guacamole kit" at Trader Joe's. 

    Here's a raft of guacamole recipes.

    Tips:

    • If you don't like cilantro, substitute parsley. That's what I do!
    • Start by grinding the garlic with some salt then add the lime juice. 
    • Let your lime come to room temperature or zap it in the microwave to make it juicier. 
    • Roll the lime with a firm hand on your cutting board before you cut it, to break up the pulp a bit.
    • Use the fork to help you juice the lime.
    • Next, mash in the avacados with the pestle and fork.
    • Smooth or chunky style are both delicious.
    • Finally, add your chopped accents of pepper, tomato, onion, and herb.

    Related Posts:

    Here are two more "Keep it Simple in the Kitchen Posts."

    Cabbage & Kielbasa Stir-Fry: Keep it Simple in the Kitchen

    Use Your Lid: Keep it Simple in the Kitchen

    And click here for more Tips & How To. 

    What's on your efficient kitchen shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! And, did you know you can sell things there too?

     


    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny 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.