In a 2004 article about the summer Fancy Food Show, I referred to Indian food as “a culinary powerhouse waiting in the wings for its turn as a trendsetter.” Ten years have passed and I’d say its turn has come. Indian food has pretty much become ubiquitous and, aside from the numerous Indian restaurants around, some element of … Continue reading
July’s Best Bites (and into August…)
I’m late doing my July wrap-up, so have included a few photos from early August, too, although they are in no particular order. From hot dogs with First Field Jersey Relish to Foie Gras enjoyed at the bar at the Peacock Inn (sooo relaxing there), it was a great month. I especially enjoyed getting to … Continue reading
Meat is killing it in Chicago (and artisanal trumps farm-to-table)
Aha! The recent food trend charts published by Eater.com confirm what I’d been thinking to myself – there’s a certain amount of “message fatigue” when it comes to the whole farm-to-table thing (inevitable, although it doesn’t invalidate the concept), but we are increasingly interested in small-batch artisan-produced food products, like the house made pickles so many restaurants are … Continue reading
National Farmers Market Week August 3-9
I just got an email from Slow Food USA about National Farmers Market week which starts on Sunday. I’ve posted that information on the Slow Food Central New Jersey website, and am pasting in below a very nice recipe that was in the same email. Bon Appétit! What’s Cooking… Grilled Zucchini with Salsa Verde By … Continue reading
Terhune Orchards Just Peachy Festival – Summer Harvest Tastings
Yay for New Jersey Peaches! Here’s some information from Terhune Orchards about their peachy tastings this weekend: “Summer Harvest” Farm-to-Fork tasting featuring local chefs using Terhune Orchards produce and locally sourced ingredients to prepare recipes for visitors to sample. Enjoy the bounty of the summer! August 2 & 3, 12pm -4pm or while supplies last … Continue reading
Recent Reads
The Princeton Packet (@PrincetonPacket) recently tweeted their followers to ask what they’ve been reading this summer. Loyal Packet freelancer (and print subscriber) that I am, I responded with My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead, lots of Anthony Trollope (working my way through his novels on my Kindle), and I added that I’d also read a few foodie … Continue reading
Peach Bonanaza
Brother’s Moon in Hopewell celebrates the season with special peach dinners this time of year, and Chef/Owner Will Mooney just sent me a slew of recipes in an email. From grilled peaches and chicken salad, cucumber-peach soup, quinoa with black beans and peaches, and more, I plucked the recipe below, for a vegan rice pudding, to share … Continue reading
Food in the News
It seems that each day brings more troubling news about our food supply. Mind you, we in this country, at least in its more affluent areas, are surrounded by excellent food and food sources. It’s just that you increasingly have to educate yourself, and maybe go out of your way and pay more, to access them. … Continue reading
Bhelpuri – the pause that refreshes
I’ve been meaning to make bhelpuri for ages, and finally got to it the other day. This is a form of Indian chaat, or street food snack. My first experience of bhelpuri was years ago at an outdoor ethnic fair in the parking lot of the West Windsor Plainsboro High School in Princeton Junction. I lived … Continue reading
New hours for La Costeñita in Hillsborough (original review pasted in below)
I had dinner at La Costeñita up in Hillsborough last week, and noticed that owner Alicia Aragos has new hours. She hasn’t been able to update her website yet, but they are: Monday-Thursday 11:00am-9:00pm; Friday-Saturday 11:00am-10:00pm; Sunday 11:am-8:00pm The night of my visit, we enjoyed the items you see pictured here, and of course it … Continue reading
NJ SPICE 