May 2009
12 posts
Eh: Kite and Key and Adobe Cafe
I realized the other day that I generally only post about places that I felt I would strongly recommend, or would avoid at all costs. There’s also the vast middle range of places that are just fine. The places you go to because they’re in the neighborhood, or they’re cheap, or is open late, or someone you know really likes it, and it’s not worth making a fuss to go...
Co-cooking stuffed pastas: mushroom ravioli
There are two ways to make pasta: the right way (demoed by Paul) and the wrong way (demoed by me.) We made 4 batches of pasta, which could not be simpler.
Pasta
flour
2 eggs
1.5 tablespoons olive oil
Put the flour in a bowl. Make a well in the center. Crack the eggs into the well, and pour in the olive oil. Muddle the egg mixture to break up the yolks. Then start incorporating flour.
...
Co-cooking stuffed pastas: Duxelles!
For this month’s co-cooking, Paul and I tackled filled pastas. Why Paul is my co-pilot (I mean, co-blogger): when he says, “let’s try stuffed pastas!”, I know only I am trying; he’s an old hand.
This month, I lured him (read: his wife) to my place with my foster kittens, and he arrived with armfuls of bags. Fillings, cheeses, cookie cutters, and, of course, a pasta...
XIX: Oysters at my ultimate lunch spot.
XIX (nineteen) is probably my favorite lunch spot in the city. I had long been aware that they have a daily $19 three course prix fixe lunch. The first time I had lunch there, though, they were setting something up in the cafe, so lunch was being held in the main dining room. I walked in, and the raw bar had a spectacular array of desserts laid out across it. Only when I sat down and looked at...
Mmmm, homemade pizza dough (just not from my home)
Anna was kind enough to make me some pizza dough this weekend in exchange for some kitty cuddles. I needed only to transform it into a pizza. In true secretsalt fashion, each step calls for salt. Salt makes the world go round.
Basic Margherita Pizza
1 ball pizza dough
4 plum tomatoes
4 cloves garlic
1/2 ball fresh mozzarella
6 basil leaves
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat...
Philly Mag Top 50 of 2009
Philly mag posted their list of the top 50 restaurants in Philadelphia. See the Philly mag comments there; for your vicarious menu-browsing pleasure, I have linked to the restaurants’ own sites. From the top, they are:
Zahav
Vetri
James
Osteria
Lacroix
Fountain
Distrito
Amada
Talula’s Table
Blackfish
Bindi
Gayle
Morimoto
Marigold Kitchen
Modo Mio
Chifa
Barclay Prime
...
Philly Kitchen Share?! →
A new organization to help potential purveyors of gourmet goodies cross the chasm from home kitchen to storefront/restaurant. What an amazing idea!
Finding time in the freezer. →
I am a huge proponent of freezing things (even if I feel like my repertoire of freezer-friendly recipes is somewhat limited.) When I go out to eat, I want to do so because it’s something I really think I will enjoy, not just because it’s easier than cooking something (or there just isn’t anything at home to eat.) Filling your freezer with things you like guarantees that...
Revision: Cinnamon buns -> indulgent bread
Inspired by the success of the pretzel rolls, and suckered by the sweet sinfulness that is cream cheese frosting, I set my sights on smitten kitchen’s cinnamon buns.
Let me start by informing you that I have never made a recipe before that required yeast. At least, not with me in charge of it. I make cookies, though, so I know I like to have my ingredients pre-measured.
Dough 1 cup...
Misfire: Rice pudding cupcakes
One of my favorite reasons to travel is to eat. You can tell how much I enjoy the food of a place by how eager I am to return there. In Asia, one of the things that makes me happiest is the proliferation of glutinous rice desserts. As dumplings, soups, cakes and puddings, preferably with mango…. I love them.
So, whenever I find myself with extra rice, and some time to kill, I find myself...
Club Chifa
It seems ever more popular to have restaurants that are like eating at a club. Very dark, loud music, somewhat inappropriate seating. bda and I went to Chifa last night; they are definitely following that model. Don’t get me wrong; the food was stellar. But the music was loud when we walked in, and got louder still around 8:45. And there were a series of tables downstairs that required...