February 2012
4 posts
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Greetings from 'hidden gem' restaurants of Florida...
“Hidden gems of Florida” is an annual column I enjoy researching and writing. A recent trip to the Sunshine State brought me to St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa. The area has 35 miles of white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Waterfront villages, art enclaves, quiet beach towns, boutiques, award-winning museums, golf and water sports all make for a well-deserved...
3 tags
Ola from Chef Lopez - splash of citrus gets the...
Found: Martha Lipowski of North Haven wrote, “I think Ola, (350 Boston Post Road, Orange, www.olarestaurantct.com) has the most incredible ceviche. Can you get their recipe?” Chef and owner Melvin Lopez was happy to pass along the recipe for Ceviche de Camaron or Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail. Ola’s Nuevo Latino cuisine is a splashy, exuberant culinary form that celebrates Latin heritage and spirit. I...
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Spread a little love and chocolate on Valentine’s...
Did you know World Nutella Day was Feb. 5? While sitting on a plane recently, I was reading a magazine and learned of this food celebration where thousands of fans around the world would celebrate their love for one of Italy’s national, edible treasures, Nutella. This year’s event was the sixth annual World Nutella Day honoring the chocolate-hazelnut spread. American writers in Italy, Sara Rosso...
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Welcome to chef Prasad Chirnomula's Oaxaca Kitchen...
Prasad Chirnomula, well known for his Thali group of Indian restaurants, added to New Haven’s palette of cuisines with Oaxaca Kitchen Bar & Restaurant, 228 College St., www.oaxacakitchen.com. This inventive gourmet Mexican restaurant’s ambience makes you feel as if you were in a Mexican cantina. Chef Chirnomula traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico, to work with the local chefs so he could offer us an...
January 2012
3 posts
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Welcome to downtown's Elm City Market
New Haven is a food town, yet the city that invented the hamburger, perfected the pizza, and is home to just about all cuisines had no full-service grocery store in the heart of downtown, that is, until recently. There has been lots of buzz about the recently opened Elm City Market, 777 Chapel St., at the corner of State and Chapel streets. What people don’t know is that you don’t have to be a...
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Melting pot of restaurants has New Orleans...
It is a city of smiles, the birthplace of jazz, a city of spices and Old World trade routes. New Orleans is known as America’s most haunted city with its infamous spirits and French Quarter known for paranormal activity. The recovery of New Orleans since Katrina can be seen in the faces of the warm and friendly people, who have persevered with their quiet reserve and resilience. The restaurant...
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Cafe Romeo in New Haven bakes one large and...
Found: Steve Siperas of North Haven wrote, “I am looking for the blueberry muffin recipe from Cafe Romeo,” 534 Orange St., New Haven, www.cafe-romeo.com. Owner Chris Mordecai and baker Sean Madden were delighted to share the recipe. Freshly baked on premises, these muffins are supersized. Cafe Romeo is Old World Italian with a modern flair. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Cafe Romeo is...
December 2011
4 posts
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Ibiza’s Juan Carlos Gonzalez raises a glass to the...
J
uan Carlos Gonzalez, owner and bartender at Ibiza, 39 High St., New Haven, 203-865-1933, is always busy at his bar creating new cocktails. For those who are staying in the comfort of their home on New Year’s Eve, try one of his newest creations to welcome 2012. The Hot Buttered Rum is sure to put a smile on your face and warm you up. Pisco is said to have been created by Spanish settlers during...
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Sweet potatoes are popular at the holidays, but...
Sweet potatoes are center stage in the kitchen during the holidays, but for many people, the not-so-good-looking vegetable goes backstage for another year after next week. As a sweet potato lover, I enjoy this vegetable year round. I have used the tuber in appetizers, soups and even desserts. If you are like me, you probably enjoy the sugary, caramelized flavor of sweet potatoes, but don’t let...
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More gift ideas for foodies
I put on my Santa hat again to bring you the second installment of food gifts for the foodies in your life, or perhaps yourself. Cuisinart’s Blend and Cook Soup Maker caught my eye. Soup is one of the most diverse dishes in a home cook’s repertoire and has been a staple of kitchens around the world. Traditionally, soups of all kinds are prepared in stages: chopping vegetables, slicing meat,...
5 tags
Enjoy an evening of French cuisine at John...
Sometimes French-inspired cuisine is no farther away than an elevator ride to the 19th floor, home of John Davenport’s, the restaurant at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, 155 Temple St., New Haven, 203-772-6664. If you haven’t taken this ride, you are missing a hidden gem in New Haven’s culinary scene. The panoramic view is spectacular, overlooking Long Island Sound and historic New Haven, when...
November 2011
4 posts
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Those on your gift list who love to cook will...
Each year, I look forward to bringing you interesting ideas for food gifts for the foodies in your life or, perhaps, yourself. Throughout my travels, I come across gadgets, books and products, and sometimes I say to myself, “this has got to be featured in my holiday gifts column.”
My first suggestion is Microplane’s manual-style herb mill, which allows home cooks to finely cut all kinds...
9 tags
Soup’s always on at Liquid Lunch in Shelton and...
The recent “fall back” clock change reminded me of the long cold winter ahead, the season that I feel like hibernating. The positive thought that came to my mind was the hearty homemade soups I enjoy making for those chilly nights. Campbell’s slogan “soup is good food” is true, when you use fresh vegetables, herbs and spices. It can be a meal in itself, served with some crusty bread from your...
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Chef Edgar Ortiz of La Luna shares broccoli rabe...
Found: Helen Pignone of Madison wrote, “I had broccoli rabe and haricot verts combo at La Luna Ristorante in Branford. Can you get the recipe?” Chef and owner of La Luna, 168 North Main St., Branford, www.lalunact.com, 203-483-9995, Edgar Ortiz, was pleased to share the recipe, actually two recipes using broccoli rabe. On the day of my visit, haricot verts was unavailable, so he prepared...
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When taking a break from shopping, treat yourself...
Found: Alise Emerson of the Northford section of North Branford wrote, “While recently shopping at the Clinton Crossing in Clinton, I came across this wonderful restaurant: Ceniccola’s Italian Deli. “I expected to just order a sandwich, but when I saw penne ala vodka on the menu, (my favorite) that’s what I ordered. While it was a little longer of a wait than the sandwich, it was well worth it....
October 2011
4 posts
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The great pumpkin time of the year has arrived!
I know fall is around the corner when I see the display of pumpkins at the farmers market I attend every Labor Day weekend, although I put off buying my miniature pumpkins until October, savoring those last days of summer. The market sells the traditional round, orange pumpkins, but also a variety of other shapes, colors and textures. It is such a versatile ingredient, because it can be baked,...
7 tags
So many reasons to celebrate pasta
October is National Pasta Month, so I thought it was appropriate to pay homage to a food staple that is probably in your kitchen. I recently walked down the pasta aisle in the supermarket and realized how much space is devoted to one of America’s favorite dishes. At Eataly, the Italian Emporium in New York City, or other Italian specialty markets, you will find less-familiar shapes and names of...
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They served this at their wedding - Branford...
Found: Stephan Ariyan of Branford wrote, “My wife grew up in Bristol, Conn., where every Sunday her father used to bring a Cherry and Nut Cake from Harvest Bakery in Bristol. This was her favorite cake. “When we married many years ago, she had asked Harvest Bakery to bake her wedding cake, specifically selecting this Cherry and Nut Cake. It was absolutely fabulous. We moved to California and...
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The big chill - Looking back at earlier versions...
Harvest gold, avocado green and copper were the “stylish” colors of the refrigerators we all remember from the 1970s. These hues replaced good, old-fashioned white, the color of most refrigerators in the 1950s. What got me thinking about refrigerators and how much we have come to depend upon them is a conversation I recently had with a colleague, Sheri Valentin of Madison, after Irene. To see...
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Key fixtures from New Haven's 500 Blake Street...
Did you ever meet someone and say, “I know you from somewhere?” This happened to me in the summer of 2010, but not with a person. It was a bar in Bethel, N.Y. I visited The Dancing Cat Saloon and the Catskill Distilling Co. the week it opened. I knew I had seen the antique bar and piano in another place and time. asked the bartender if the bar and piano were from Connecticut, and sure enough it...
September 2011
5 posts
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Behind the Scenes at the Fine Cooking Test...
While we were enjoying the things that define summer, like long warm nights and barbecues on the grill, editor Jennifer Armentrout and her staff of photographers, chefs and food stylists were busy indoors in the test kitchen of Fine Cooking magazine, creating a beautiful Thanksgiving feast, sure to warm our spirits long after summer has given way to the colder nights of autumn. Fine Cooking, a...
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At least 1 good thing came out of Irene — cookies...
What’s in a name? In the case of the “Hurricane Irene Cookies,” it is the story of time and place. On the morning of Hurricane Irene, Kathleen King, owner of Tate’s Bake Shop, 43 North Sea Road, Southampton, N.Y., 631-283-9830, had power until 10 a.m. so she gathered open packages of ingredients from her pantry and refrigerator and thought, “I should bake a cookie that was like a storm, a...
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Ripe for a second career, Heide Lang opens the...
Participating in cooking classes locally and during my “On the Food Scene” travels is a joy and a learning experience, especially when it gives me the opportunity to learn about the regional flavors of that locale. I recently was introduced to Fig Cooking School in Hamden. Unique to this school is that all of the equipment used is home appliances, since the school is located in Heide Lang’s...
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The coleslaw’s just one reason why a crowd gathers...
Found: Jane Milas of Meriden asked for the recipe for the coleslaw served at Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale on Route 1 in Westbrook and Madison. She says, “It is outstanding.” This Labor Day weekend, picnics and barbecues will celebrate the unofficial end of summer. Coleslaw is a popular side dish served at these gatherings, so I thought I would share the requested recipe today. I was curious to...
August 2011
5 posts
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‘Connecticut Farmer & Feast’ points the way to...
It is the time of year when I add extra time to my driving trips that take me through the countryside. Not because of traffic or antiquing, but to stop at the farmers markets and farm stands that sell quality and locally produced goods. It is a win-win-win situation. I have access to food that is picked just hours before I make my purchase, I’m supporting the local community, and it enables the...
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With any luck, you’ll get away for a stay at...
What a change, from cornfields to Turning Stone. I remember 30-plus years ago, as a college student, traveling from the University at Albany to visit my friends at State University of New York at Buffalo. The area where Turning Stone Resort & Casino now sits was open fields of corn. My recent trip there was indeed a surprise, a hidden gem in the middle of New York State. Perhaps it is no...
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No such thing as too many cooks; welcome to a...
The popularity of “Top Chef,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Iron Chef America” and the many new entries such as “Rocco’s Dinner Party” and “Extreme Chef” prove that the food scene remains on our front burner. Beginning Sept. 26, my DVR will be set to record “The Chew,” a new talk show devoted to celebrating and exploring life through food. The show will be co-hosted by experts in food, lifestyle and...
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Almost Too Pretty To Slice
We’ve all got a favorite dessert or two or three: Cheesecake happens to be one of mine. First, a bit of history about this infamous dessert. Was the treat invented in New York, thus New York Cheesecake? No, it’s actually believed to have its roots in Greece. Perhaps that is why the cheesecake in Greek-owned diners is always delicious. Alan Davidson, author of the “Oxford Companion to Food,”...
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Check out these Mushrooms!
Found: Candy Serra of New Haven wrote, “I would love to have the recipe for the Log Cabin, (232 E. Main St., Clinton) Stuffed Mushrooms. The recipe has not changed in 25 years; they are delicious!” Chef Russ Keith was happy to share it. His brother-in-law, Fred Stango, bought the restaurant 30 years ago, and it is popular not only with Shoreline visitors and residents, but also with visitors...
July 2011
5 posts
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At the plate - players from Yankees, Red Sox and...
My search for cookbooks seems endless. I could spend hours in a bookstore looking through them. How would I get my fix if brick and mortar stores became extinct? I don’t get the same experience shopping for cookbooks online because I need to make sure that the book tells a story, which is difficult to do in cyberspace. dustin pedroia A new book in my collection, Julie Loria’s “Diamond Dishes: From...
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So, campers ... Remember the last time you...
Last week, I was looking through my rapidly growing collection of vintage recipe pamphlets and this one, “A Book of 150 Recipes prepared with Campfire® the Original Food Marshmallows” fell from the pile. How timely, I thought, since it is the time of year that marshmallows take center stage while we sit around the campfire. It brought back fond memories, too, the sleep-outs in the woods when I...
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Help yourself to the Michael's Trattoria Banana...
Found: Debbie Marcus of Wallingford wrote, “I had a delicious New Year’s dinner at Michael’s Trattoria in Wallingford, which was capped off by a slice of their fantastic Banana Cream Pie. It was far better than any other I’ve ever had. Their menu says that it’s the chef’s secret. Do you think you might be able to persuade him to reveal it?” To see the rest of the column and recipe click here.
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Ice cream - it's one thing 90 percent of Americans...
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by 90 percent of the nation’s population. In the proclamation, Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.” I wanted...
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Just up I-95, WaterFire and an Enticing Food Scene...
PROVIDENCE — Just under two hours from New Haven, the capital of Rhode Island is similar to our city yet offers its own distinct and eclectic food scene. The Federal Hill section is an Italian culinary enclave with family-operated restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and markets, which go back to the early immigrant settlers. East Providence emerged around the diverse population of the...
June 2011
4 posts
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Recipes Call for Beer, So Don’t Drink ’em all
Beer batter, beer bread, beer can chicken, brats in beer. These are familiar uses of beer in recipes. The beverage is finding its way out of the mug and onto our plates with recipes that incorporate it in all kinds of new ways. According to www.grillingwithbeer.com, “beer is much less acidic than wine, vinegar or citrus juices commonly used in BBQ sauces and marinades. It will tenderize meats...
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Help Yourself to the Bread Pudding and Potpie From...
Found: Melissa Gatica of Glastonbury wrote, “We have been finding ourselves eating at Atticus more and more over the last four months. The food is great. Is there any way you could get their chef’s recipe for the yummy Chicken Potpie and the sinfully delicious Chocolate Bread Pudding? Our comfort food palates would appreciate it.” General Manager and Chef Ben Gaffney of Atticus Bookstore Cafe,...
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Light the Grill and Check Out the Smile on Pop’s...
What beter way to celebrate Father’s Day than getting outside and soaking up the sunshine. Even on his big day, he probably won’t mind manning the grill and hanging out in the backyard, perhaps with a favorite beverage in hand. Nothing says summer quite like barbecue, considered by some to be America’s national cuisine. And nothing brings people together for a fun time quite like a cookout. John...
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Nibble the Night Away
What event will showcase samplings from 40 restaurants, many from the top echelon of Connecticut’s culinary scene, as well as wine and spirits? And where can you meet the legendary chef and author Jacques Pepin of Madison and Food Network personality Duff Goldman of “Ace of Cakes”? To read the rest of the column and see Chef Francesco’s recipe for handmade ravioli click here
To see my food...
May 2011
4 posts
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A Recipe From a Vintage Cookbook
With the arrival of yard sale season, my never-ending search continues for vintage recipe books and pamphlets published by food manufacturers. During the winter months, I get my “fix” scouting eBay and visiting used book and thrift stores. The graphics used on the covers are as intriguing to me as the recipes within. This pamphlet, a recent addition to my collection, was published in 1939 by the...
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And the winner of Iron Chef Elm City is...Chef...
In the closest race ever, the fourth annual Iron Chef Elm City on April 17 crowned Chef Prasad Chirnomula of Thali as the champ. Gateway Community College and Visit New Haven, the marketing and tourism arm of the Elm City, organized the crowd-pleasing competition for an audience of culinary enthusiasts at Delia, the Viking Center of New England in Wallingford. To see the rest of this column,...
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One Stellar Salad to Enjoy
Janet Sandella of Guilford enjoyed the Beet Salad With Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette served at The Suburban, 2 E. Main St., in Branford. Chef and owner Arturo Franco-Camacho was pleased to share the recipe. Nestled in the center of town, Chef Franco’s inspired design has created an ambience where his eclectic menu can be savored. By the way, May is National Salad Month, so Chef Franco’s...
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Here's One Columnist Who Celebrates Every Cinco de...
Thursday is a day for celebration. It’s Cinco de Mayo, and it also happens to be my birthday. Many think it is the celebration of Mexico’s Independence, which it is not. It is the day in 1862, when the Mexican Army surprisingly defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla. What I find interesting is that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the United States than Mexico, although it is a big...
April 2011
3 posts
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Look What They are Cooking for CASA
Please join me at Amarante’s Sea Cliff, 62 Cove St., New Haven, at 6 p.m. May 4. This seaside spot with unparalleled views of spectacular sunsets is the backdrop for the 10th annual Cooking for CASA. My friend, fellow food writer and restaurateur Claire Criscuolo and I are honorary co-chairs of this event, which will showcase many of your favorites from Amarante’s Sea Cliff, Atticus...
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A Sandpiper special — Blackened Cajun Swordfish
Found: Jo Ann Esposito of New Haven loves swordfish and has enjoyed the Blackened Cajun Swordfish served at the Sandpiper Restaurant, 161 Cosey Beach Ave., East Haven. The restaurant, famous for its fresh seafood, overlooks Long Island Sound on the town beach in Momauguin. She requested the recipe, and chef-owner Bobby Bertsos was pleased to share it. To see the rest of the column including...
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The Kitchen Heats up for the 4th Annual Iron Chef...
(Photos from Iron Chef Elm City 2010, Photos courtest of New Haven Register)
Gateway Community College, where I am on the faculty, and Visit New Haven, will turn up the heat once again for the fourth annual Iron Chef Elm City competition at 11:45 a.m., April 17 at Delia, the Viking Center of New England in Wallingford. The event’s format is based on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef” program and...
March 2011
4 posts
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Go to Brazi's for celebrity sightings, stay for...
Found: Gloria Barbiero of North Haven wrote, “I have had dinner at Brazi’s (201 Food Terminal Plaza, New Haven), numerous times and always order the Chicken Cutlet Scarpariello. Could you get the recipe for me?” Owner Val Capobianco and chef Jesse Melgar were pleased to pass on the recipe. Located adjacent to the Long Wharf Theatre, the restaurant has had its share of celebrities come through...
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Kitchen Tour and a Tapas Reception featuring...
Food enthusiasts, armchair kitchen designers and the just plain curious, will want to get ready for a unique experience. Spring is in the air, and many of us start thinking about sprucing up our kitchens. I have been working with the Gateway Community College Foundation, and we have cooked up a new fundraising event April 3. First, from noon-5 p.m., motor coaches will take you to five...
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Say so long to winter with a tortellini soup from...
Recently, I asked for a soup recipe you prepare on a cold winter’s day. Congratulations to Susan Huff of Hamden who submitted her recipe for Tortellini Florentine Soup With Hot Italian Sausage. Huff won a cooking class at Delia, the Viking Center of New England in Wallingford. I visited her home to watch her prepare the soup and she told me, “Several years ago, my husband and I went to visit...
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Heavenly Restaurants on Florida's Paradise Coast
Everyone is familiar with Miami, Palm Beach, Key West and Orlando’s theme parks, but Florida also has gems farther west. Part of the Paradise Coast, tranquil Marco Island and Naples hug the Gulf of Mexico. The area is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches, golf courses, fishing, boating and spectacular sunsets.Naples has the feel of a New England fishing village and the warmth and charm of...
February 2011
4 posts
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CT Native Angelo Sosa, a Top Chef Contestant...
TV food competitions are a popular genre today. Are we obsessed with the thrill of watching chefs prepare an entire meal in a flash, or perhaps watching the chefs create a dish using a strange combination of ingredients? Maybe it is learning new techniques or enjoying a contestant’s unique personality. To see the rest of this column, video and Angelo’s recipe for “Canned Tuna,”...