Date Night In | Cheese Board for Two

Last weekend, I prepared an Italian feast for a cozy date night in.  I stopped at Whole Foods, picked up some goodies and started with this absolutely delicious cheese plate.  It was my first time preparing a plate with cured meet or preserves so I thought I'd share my secrets to a beginner's plate for two.

Here are what I believe to be great components of any cheese plate:

- Aged cheese like cheddar or gouda.  I used some Cabot cheddar from our trip to Vermont a few months ago.  Cheddar also adds a familiar component to the plate for those whose cheese palates aren't too adventurous.

-Soft cheese.  I usually like a high-quality goat cheese, but all I had on hand was a cheaper version that is more of a spread than a main attraction which is why it is pictured in the accompaniments category in the picture above. Camembert or brie would also work in this category.

- Firm cheese.  I used parmigiano-reggiano and pecorino.  These are slightly similar and can be salty, so be sure to have something on the plate to balance it out.  

-Blue cheese.  I didn't use any for the plate above, but blue cheese adds a flavor variation that is nice to have.  If you think you don't like blue cheese go to the cheese counter and just try them out!  I'm a Stilton fan.

-Cheese garnishes and other accompaniments.  Some cheeses just lend themselves to being garnished.  Have you tried blue cheese with honey?  Yum!  In this case I dressed the pecorino with two garnishes that we picked up in Italy.  One is a truffle honey (I'm a self-proclaimed truffle fiend) and the other is vin santo --or Holy wine-- jelly.

Other accompaniments I love include pickled veggies, roasted red peppers, or caramelized onions.  I used a fig jam but also love a good fruit chutney.

-Meat.  Just as a good charcuterie plate is made better with a few cheeses, a good cheese plate is made better with some charcuterie.  But that's just one foodies opinion.  If you're a purist, stick to one or the other.  I went to the cheese counter at my local Whole Foods and the very knowledgeable butcher helped me with the cured meat, let me sample, and I walked out of there with a 78 cent serving for two.  Yes, 78 cents bought me enough for this plate and it was plenty!

-Bread.  Honestly, nothing is complete without bread to me.  I used some sliced ciabatta bread that I had on hand.  The combo of the fig jam and goat cheese on the bread was incredible!  Top that with a slice of the bresaola (cured beef) that I had chosen and it was perfection.
 

What are your cheese plate must-haves?  Or better yet, any restaurants serving a cheese plate or charcuterie that I simply can't miss?

Boston Brunchers | Ride and Dine

A few weeks ago I participated in a blogger event with the Boston Brunchers in Chestnut Hill Square.  It was a double-header of an event, where we were invited to "Ride and Dine" --ie. attend a class at SoulCycle then sample the new brunch menu at Brio Tuscan Grille.

Those that know me, know that working out is not really my favorite.  In fact, I never do it.  It's more of a motivation problem than anything else which is exactly why my experience at SoulCycle was so amazing.  The instructor, Molly, was the most motivational instructor I've ever had.  She was high energy, positive, and said just what we needed to hear to keep us going.  The class was hard, but it flew by.

SoulCycle's facilities are top-notch.  They provide towels, clothes for purchase, and even have bathrooms filled with toiletries you might need to freshen up after class.  It was a great experience, and I love a place that is so welcoming to beginners.
 
After our ride, we headed right next door to Brio Tuscan Grille for brunch.  Brio has long been one of my favorite chain restaurants.  There is one in my hometown and we have had several big family dinners there over the years.  If you're ever in for dinner, do yourself a favor and try their Bistecca Insalata (Brio's version of the classic wedge salad).  You won't regret it.  But onto their brunch menu...

We started with plenty of fresh fruit which made all of us feel a little better about the fact that we had just worked out and were now stuffing our faces.  If it has fruit on it, it's healthy right?

 {Left: fresh fruit bowl, Right: mascarpone cream cheese stuffed French toast with honey, cinnamon, and fresh berry compote} 

Next up was one of the most delicious items I've ever had: eggs benedict served on a biscuit!  The fact that I have never thought of this was shocking to me.  It was rich, buttery, basically a southern girl's dream.

I hope to recreate this menu item at home sometime soon so look out for that.  In the meantime, I might have to make a trip or two back to Brio and luckily I know a good gym next door to work off all the extra calories.

Are you brunching this weekend?  I'd love to hear about places I should try next!

*The cycling class and brunch were compliments of SoulCycle and Brio Tuscan Grille respectively, but all opinions are my own.

 

 

Around Town - Parla, Boston

Last Friday we tried out one of Boston's newest restaurants, Parla.  It's in the North End right on Hanover Street, and the buzz has been great so far.  It has an Italian speakeasy vibe with some of the most thoughtful decor you every did see.  
 

The cocktail menu is unique and ambitious and for the most part didn't disappoint.  It should be noted that we had MANY cocktails on this particular night.  Our favorites? The Bee Sting Julep (traditional with a habanero twist), The Bootleg Old-Fashioned, and The Rhuby Mule (grapefruit spin on a Moscow Mule). 

First, we were served a little bite of beet salad and goat cheese compliments of the chef.  Then we feasted on the oxtail arrancini which were some of the best I've ever had!  For our entrees, we ordered the Squid Ink Gnocchi with Wild Boar Bolognese and New York Strip with Truffle.  The gnocchi was the hands-down winner.  It was light and fluffy and flavorful and beautiful to boot!  The perfect contrast to the heavier bolognese.  

While we didn't get a chance to see it, there is also a late night menu available that we will definitely be coming back to try.  Thanks Parla for a great first impression.  Here's to many more!

Parla Boston
230 Hanover St. Boston, MA
parlaboston.com 

Around Town - Giulia, Cambridge

A few weeks ago, a friend and I checked out Giulia in Cambridge.  It was one of the last truly cold evenings of the winter and Giulia provided a warm, inviting place for us to indulge in some really amazing food.  

Our first and only mistake in choosing this restaurant?  We didn't have reservations.  It was a Thursday night and this popular place was packed.  We were told it would be 45 minutes but the wait ended up being much, much shorter.  Happily, we took our place at the bar and started drooling over all of the yummy items on the menu.

The bar staff were friendly, knowledgable, and attentive.  They sold us on the day's special crostini so we started with that.

We then shared a salad with citrus and fried fennel.  All I can say is that fried fennel will be sweeping the nation one day because it was that good.

The entrees didn't disappoint either.

Neither did the wine or sides.  Their spicy, citrusy take on brussel sprouts is so different and unique, making this trendy side seem new again.

If you love fresh pasta or (heaven forbid!) don't know if you've ever had it.  Try it here.  You won't be disappointed.

Giulia
1682 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
617.441.2800

Weekend Brunch

This very special edition of weekend brunch is brought to you from The Big Easy. 

Beignets and cafe au lait from Cafe du Monde. Pure powdered sugar-covered heaven.

Weekend Brunch

Everyone loves a good cocktail with their brunch and today I have exactly that for you.  Best thing is that this one is as simple as they come.  I give you, the Pink Grapefruit Screwdriver.

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Start with one part pink grapefruit vodka.

 Add two parts your favorite OJ.

 And a splash of grenadine.

 Enjoy!

Pink Grapefruit Screwdriver

One part grapefruit vodka
Two parts orange juice
Splash of grenadine

Serve cold or over ice.

Weekend Brunch

Last weekend, Kevin and I checked out Stephanie Cmar's (of Top Chef fame) new pop-up endeavor called Stacked Donuts.  The first few weeks she held donut sales at The Butcher Shop in The South End, but last week she moved over to Cambridge and set up shop at The Commonwealth, a cute market and restaurant in Kendall Square.

Donning an adorable donut-emblazoned apron, Stephanie was front and center handing out her delicious creations and talking to patrons.  She was so incredibly sweet and gracious. 

 Yum. Look at all of those sweet things. Stacks on stacks on stacks.

The featured flavors for the week were salted chocolate raspberry and maple crumble.  She has mastered the glaze.  There is something very Krispy Kreme about it, which makes this southern girl very happy and a little homesick.

Bostonians: have you checked out Stacked Donuts yet?  It's well worth waiting in line for!  Lucky for you, maybe the weather will be in your favor, and you won't freeze your fanny off before you get inside!

Weekend Brunch

Today marks the beginning of a new series here on the blog.  Every weekend I will be sharing something brunch related--recipes, cocktails, restaurant review, etc.  Breakfast has always been my favorite meal, so on weekends we do it up big.  I can't wait to share with you some of my weekend brunch favorites!

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This weekend, in honor of St Patrick's Day, I made Irish Soda Bread.  In my family, we are big bread eaters, and this is one that I vividly remember my grandmother making.  Traditional soda bread contains just baking soda, flour, salt, and buttermilk, but I wanted something with a modern twist so I looked to this recipe from Ina Garten.  Unfortunately this one tasted nothing like my grandmother's, but it was an easy bread to throw together and had great flavor. 

Am I the only one who starts a recipe and then realizes they don't have something? As usual I had to make a substitute buttermilk with lemon juice and regular milk, which tastes nothing like the real thing but works in a pinch.

Above is an example of what it looks like when your dough is way too wet.  Wasn't it sweet of me to purposely mess this recipe up halfway through just to show you what not to do?  Oh yes, I totally did this on purpose.  Lesson learned: Be sure reserve a little milk or flour to adjust amounts as you go since dough is notoriously inconsistent depending on temperature and other conditions.

Historically, an cross or X is cut across the top to ward off evil, but as you can see mine mysteriously disappeared in the baking process.

Irish Soda Bread
adapted from Ina Garten

 

4 cups all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 1/2 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

In a small bowl, combine buttermilk, egg, and orange zest. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture until dough comes together. Combine the raisins with 1 tablespoon of flour and fold into the dough. 

Place dough onto a well-floured board and knead into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Serve warm with butter and/or honey.

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Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!  Have a green beer and relax, you deserve it!

Del Frisco's Lunch

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a Blog and Tweet Boston event at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in the Seaport.  We sampled from their lunch menu and let's just say no one went hungry.  There was so much delicious food! 

We started out with some signature cocktails: The VIP and Pomegranate Martini

The VIP (which stands for vodka-infused pineapple) was citrusy and not too sweet.  The pomegranate was also delicious, but I'll be honest I'm sort a sucker for pomegranate martinis so this was a no-brainer for me.
  
We were seated in the Harbor Room, which is a beautiful private room surrounded by glass and the beautiful view that the Seaport area is known for. Then the food started rolling in.  

Crab Cake with Cajun Lobster Sauce

This was one of the best crab cakes that I've ever had.  Basically all crab with just the right amount of breading.  And the sauce really complemented the dish.

Shanghai-Style Fried Calamari with Sweet Chili Glaze, Bean Sprouts, Cherry Peppers, Crushed Peanuts & Scallions

I love calamari.  It's the go-to appetizer for me and Kevin when we go out to eat.  This was such a nice spin on the same old plate of fried squid.  It was tossed in a slightly spicy sauce, and the bean sprouts added a fresh crunch to each bite.

Beer Battered Onion Rings

The picture sort of speaks for itself.  This stack of onion rings was an eye-catcher.  Best of all, they tasted great.  Plenty of onion and breading that stayed on, not at all greasy.
 
Ahi Tuna Tartare with Citrus, Capers, Kalamata Olive Spread & Crostinis

This tuna dish was served family style.  It was so beautiful and the portion was huge!

Steakhouse salad with broiled prime strip steak, deviled egg, baby mixed green, watercress, avocado, cherry tomato, bacon, parmesan, blue cheese and horseradish lemon dressing

This salad of course was a winner because steak is what Del Frisco's does best.

Seared Ahi Tuna with shaved Napa cabbage, arugula, mango, chilled noodles, toasted almonds, tomato, avocado, ginger-sesame dressing

Definitely a lighter salad option than the steakhouse salad, but also delicious and filling.


Prime Shaved Steak with Au Jus, Horseradish Sauce, and Potato Chips

As much as I love steak, I never find myself ordering steak sandwiches.  This one was great though and the house potato chips also scrumptious.
 
Sole Francese with Lump Crabmeat, Baby Arugula, Cherry Tomato, Lemon Chive Beurre Blanc

This fish was good, but if I'm at a steakhouse, I'm going to order steak.  It's as simple as that.

Six layer lemon cake with lemon buttercream

Holy moly this cake was good.  Dense but light, sweet but tart.  Delicious and house made daily.

Overall, the food was excellent and I can't wait to try it out for lunch again when the weather is nice and the patio is open!

I had been to Del Frisco's once before and I have to say that neither time was I disappointed with the food or service.  If it's your first time though, I will say that it's a different environment than other fancy steakhouses.  It's best for a group outing or a fun celebration for two (ie. promotion, closing on a house, etc) rather than a romantic occasion.  The vibe inside is more upbeat and youthful and less stuffy than other places in this price range.  Which makes sense because this place makes some delicious cocktails, perfect for the after work crowd or fun night out! 

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

250 Northern Ave

Boston, MA 02210

(617) 951-1368

*Lunch and drinks were compliments of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, but all opinions are my own.