Tag: resource

Pecorino Caggiano From Formaggio Kitchen South End

On Fridays we link our readers to a resource that deserves applause. Today we are using the Pecorino Caggiano we bought this week at Formaggio Kitchen South End as an example of how and why you should use the Formaggio cheese shops as a resource.

Often our approach to buying cheese at Formaggio is to ask the cheesemonger, "What is great today?" In the right hands, cheese is a living organism that evolves from day-to-day. At any given moment, the Formaggio staff knows of something in that case that is extraordinary.

This time Penny had a few moments to read some of the descriptions before she chatted with the staff. The sign for Pecorino Caggiano intrigued her and she asked for a taste.

At first it seemed like a good but rather ordinary pecorino. But, as we have learned over the years, you have to let it warm in your mouth or hold a slice on a wrapper in your hand until it warms to get the full flavor. In this case, if you give it a moment, you experience an explosion of sheepy tang.

We had it for supper with a bit of fennel salami and a Clear Flour baguette.

Formaggio Kitchen, as a resource, is more than a store, they are also food educators. Above you see their page on this cheese. It tells you the story behind the product and suggests pairings. If you are in the shop, your cheesemonger will do the same.

Formaggio also has classes you can attend and an education section on their major product lines on their website.

We are very fortunate to have this resource in the Boston area.

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

Details:

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

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May 12, 2017
Provincetown Shopping Primer

We have been visiting Provincetown for many, many years and we've seen the town change over the years. On a recent morning, Penny took photos of some of the places we are always recommending to friends when they travel to our favorite home away from home.

We often sing the praises of Utilities If you find the place you rented doesn't have good wine glasses, a sharp knife, a cutting board or any home essential, this is the place to find a quality item that you will be happy to take home with you.

You will often see us wearing shirts and hats with fabulous Provincetown graphics. Those all come from Birdie Silkscreen Studio. Once upon a time, we owned a company that created silkscreen designs. We know how difficult it is to do that well and we are long time fans of this graphic artist.

If it is something odd that you need or if you are looking for a way to spend a bit of time inside on a rainy day, make your way to Marine Specialties. This year we found and bought some fish net that we could use to block off the stairs to the deck and keep our dog Poppy contained.

We both have shoes that we've bought at Cape Tip Sportswear. Ed swears by them as the source of his running shoes and the sales they have before and after the prime season are always great.

Supporting independent bookstores is important so make sure you visit and make a purchase at Provincetown Book Shop.

Forgot to pack a sun hat? Visit Mad As A Hatter and you'll find exactly what you want.

There was a time when we brought the wine we wanted to P-town. Now we have two favorite wine shops in town. Glass Half Full is in the center of town.

Perry's Wine and Liquors is in the West End. Now we bring wines back to Boston with us because both these shops have excellent.

This is not a complete list. We shopped at both hardware stores in town and made a couple of supermarket visits. Later in the season more places will be open and will win some of our trade. Our full collection of articles on Provincetown can be found here.

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: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

ANDMy Little Sunday Dog …

The Polite Wet Dogs of Provincetown Harbor

Back When Harvard's Weld Boathouse Was Drafted as a Navy Training Facility…

May 3, 2017
Edible Boston Spring 2013 Issue Has Arrived!

When my preview copy of Edible Boston arrives, it goes to the top of my reading file. Not only because I want to read about all the local food news and meet some of the people who supply the food I love, but also because I want to look at it. As always, this month's cover is another stunning photo by Michael Piazza.

I often smile and nod as I read Publisher/Editor, Ilene Bezahler's letter from the editor. This month, it was her comment on her gratitude to those who have made winter farmers' markets a part of our long dull winter and again when she wrote about cooking more meals at home. I've been doing that too!

This edition, the incredible Edible Boston team and their readers have given you the information you need to become a master of lamb. Writer Elizabeth Gawthrop Riely takes you to Springdell Farm in Littleton, MA and then gives you a primer on lamb, its history, recipes, and talks about the increasing interest in this red meat. A second article provides more lamb recipes from Edible readers who entered their favorites in a recent recipe contest.

(I never got around to entering, but here is my favorite lamb recipe: Lamb Shanks Braised in Chipotle-Coffee Sauce.)

Of course, there is much more to read in the issue from a tour of the Medford food scene to a piece on growing those beautiful mushrooms on the cover. Here's where you can pick up a copy.

How do you support a publisher like Ilene Bezahler and her remarkably talented team?

May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on Facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

You can also buy the Edible cookbook! Edible: A Celebration of Local Foods or find more local food in The Boston Homegrown Cookbook

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Artwork: Courtesy of Edible Boston

March 4, 2013
Edible Boston Spring 2013 Issue Has Arrived!

When my preview copy of Edible Boston arrives, it goes to the top of my reading file. Not only because I want to read about all the local food news and meet some of the people who supply the food I love, but also because I want to look at it. As always, this month's cover is another stunning photo by Michael Piazza.

I often smile and nod as I read Publisher/Editor, Ilene Bezahler's letter from the editor. This month, it was her comment on her gratitude to those who have made winter farmers' markets a part of our long dull winter and again when she wrote about cooking more meals at home. I've been doing that too!

This edition, the incredible Edible Boston team and their readers have given you the information you need to become a master of lamb. Writer Elizabeth Gawthrop Riely takes you to Springdell Farm in Littleton, MA and then gives you a primer on lamb, its history, recipes, and talks about the increasing interest in this red meat. A second article provides more lamb recipes from Edible readers who entered their favorites in a recent recipe contest.

(I never got around to entering, but here is my favorite lamb recipe: Lamb Shanks Braised in Chipotle-Coffee Sauce.)

Of course, there is much more to read in the issue from a tour of the Medford food scene to a piece on growing those beautiful mushrooms on the cover. Here's where you can pick up a copy.

How do you support a publisher like Ilene Bezahler and her remarkably talented team?

May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on Facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

You can also buy the Edible cookbook! Edible: A Celebration of Local Foods or find more local food in The Boston Homegrown Cookbook

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Artwork: Courtesy of Edible Boston

March 4, 2013
Edible Boston Spring 2013 Issue Has Arrived!

When my preview copy of Edible Boston arrives, it goes to the top of my reading file. Not only because I want to read about all the local food news and meet some of the people who supply the food I love, but also because I want to look at it. As always, this month's cover is another stunning photo by Michael Piazza.

I often smile and nod as I read Publisher/Editor, Ilene Bezahler's letter from the editor. This month, it was her comment on her gratitude to those who have made winter farmers' markets a part of our long dull winter and again when she wrote about cooking more meals at home. I've been doing that too!

This edition, the incredible Edible Boston team and their readers have given you the information you need to become a master of lamb. Writer Elizabeth Gawthrop Riely takes you to Springdell Farm in Littleton, MA and then gives you a primer on lamb, its history, recipes, and talks about the increasing interest in this red meat. A second article provides more lamb recipes from Edible readers who entered their favorites in a recent recipe contest.

(I never got around to entering, but here is my favorite lamb recipe: Lamb Shanks Braised in Chipotle-Coffee Sauce.)

Of course, there is much more to read in the issue from a tour of the Medford food scene to a piece on growing those beautiful mushrooms on the cover. Here's where you can pick up a copy.

How do you support a publisher like Ilene Bezahler and her remarkably talented team?

May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on Facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

You can also buy the Edible cookbook! Edible: A Celebration of Local Foods or find more local food in The Boston Homegrown Cookbook

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Artwork: Courtesy of Edible Boston

March 4, 2013
Edible Boston Summer 2012 Issue is Out!

Just as I look forward to the local food each new season brings my way, I look forward to the new issue of Edible Boston for each quarter of the year. The new issue is out and is our Friday Link, today.

This is your alert to start looking forward to the Summer 2012 issue available at most of the local businesses that support this great publication with their advertising.

When my preview issue arrived, the first article I read was "Seta's Rules to Cook By," a feature on Chef Seta Dakessian. Many of you know her from her Seta's Mediterranean Foods stands at farmers' markets around Boston. You'll learn about Seta's background, food philosophy, and some of the rules this farm-to-fork chef sets for herself to achieve the wonderful balance you find in her food.

Publisher Ilene Bezahler said of this, her 25th issue, "I think it has solidified my transition from a magazine about food to a magazine about people and food. Food is the common denominator, of course, but the exploration into who produces our food, who has access to local food and where to find it seems to be as important as whether it tastes good or, for that matter, is good for us."

Also in this issue, you'll learn about: "Earth Mothers," a cover story on young female farmers; Everett's Nanobreweries; Feeding Boston, the growth of Boston Organics; and many more features, plus the tasty tidbits supplied by the regular columns.

How do you say thank you to a publisher like Ilene Bezahler and her remarkably talented team?

May I suggest that you: let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine, grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. And, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, that you write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on Facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

You can also buy the Edible cookbook! Edible: A Celebration of Local Foods

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Artwork: Courtesy of Edible Boston

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.

June 8, 2012
TerraVino Wines: Places We Shop

We live a city lifestyle. Our shopping trips are more likely to take us to three or four small shops than to one big box store. Here in Boston, and on the road, we'll share our great shop finds with you. -The BostonZest Team!

Update: Alas we can't shop here any longer because the store closed a few months later.

Name: TerraVino Wines

Address: 234 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446 (Map & Reviews)

Phone: 617-232-1180

Do you have a roster of small, well-curated shops where you find the best selections? Let us know in the comments below or send us an email. We're always ready to add new resources to our list.

(Click on any photo for a larger image)

Shop Description: Calm and soothing. You can see the thought that was put into designing the shop. What you may not see is that it is also very green– environmentally responsible that is! Here are the details about that aspect of this store.

People: Christopher and Rayna Carbone are the owners. Christopher (above) is a Certified Specialist of Wine. But, more important than the letters after his name is his ability to communicate his love of the wines he stocks to customers with any level of wine knowledge. He asks the right questions, tries to figure out what you like, what food you are matching, offers tastes, and refines his recommendations from there.

What makes this shop special: A very warm welcome. Great wine knowledge. A carefully curated selection. Plus, a great location right off the Green Line in Coolidge Corner. You know you'll be going there soon, for something, so stop by and explore this new shop while you're there.

They say: "We believe in wines that are Real, honestly made, in the most Natural way. We offer wines that we truly believe in, allowing them to express their origins, the talent and commitment of the producers, and the inherent quality of the vintage. We put our dedication to work through our commitment only offering exceptional Natural wines that are sustainable, organic and biodynamic. "

We Say: Our first visit was like walking into a room filled with old friends. As we circled the selection, we took turns saying, "Look they carry…." followed by the name of a longtime favorite wine, producer, or importer.

Nice Touch: They have four reds and four whites available for tasting. This allows you to try wines that might be a bit out of your comfort zone and helps guide the staff to offer better recommendations for you.

Regulars say: Richard Auffrey, The Passionate Foodie said, "This is very much a hand sell store where customer service is key. Many of these wines will be unfamiliar to the average consumer, and even the avid wine lover is likely to find plenty of wines they have not tasted before. It is a very intriguing selection of wines, and there were plenty of wines which interested me."

Gretchen (@MoralBeast) and Urban Wine Dweller wrote: "The brilliant Thierry Triolet Champagne Brut from @terravinowines. Really great stuff. Perfect with sushi." Our thanks go to Gretchen for recommending TerraVino Wines.

Did you know? Another part of this couple's green and natural lifestyle is a gluten-free, vegetarian diet.

Don't Miss: Their sparkling wine selection on the center table. Here's a Grower Champagne we bought from TerraVino. You know how we love sparkling wines!

Phone: 617-232-1180

Website: www.terravinowines.com

Twitter: @TerraVinoWines

Facebook: Terra Vino Wines

While you're in the neighborhood: Coolidge Corner is home to many great, local businesses, and a fabulous farmers' market on Thursday afternoons from mid-June to late October.

Here are reports on a few of our favorite places in the area:

Michael's Deli

When Pigs Fly Bakery

Party Favors

Brookline Farmers' Market

While we love to support local shops, we also hope you'll support us when you shop on Amazon. When you click over to Amazon from one of our links, they put some change in our tip cup. It doesn't cost you anymore, but it helps keep BostonZest coming your way.

Fine wine glasses that are dishwasher safe? While Ed insists on washing our stems, I can't swear to it but the manufacture says that, the Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Forte Collection can go in the dishwasher. We do put our barware from the same line through the dishwaser all the time. How about this Stemless Snifter?

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. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

May 10, 2012