French Onion Soup!!

Hello Everyone! I haven't been updating as much as I'd like. I've been so busy volunteering this winter as a snowboarding instructor, but (lucky for you) it's all winding down. I'll have a lot more time to cook and update.

Since this weekend is going to be 70 Degrees out, I'm going to celebrate by attempting to make basil gelato with a strawberry balsamic vineger glaze!!! Keep a look out for that one!!

In the meantime, I thought I'd update with some older pictures. Last month my friend Elissa made this AMAZING french onion soup (recipe borrowed from Joy of Cooking). She was lovely enough to let me take some home :) :) [click images to englarge]

I reheated the soup in some little creme brule cups. Then toasted some bread I cut into cubes And grated some gruyere cheese.




Afterwards, I put a layer of toasted bread on top of soup, followed by a nice thick layer of grated gruyere cheese. MMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!




Bake and broil in oven for final result:



Bon Apétit!!!

Sibling Rivalry

Hi Everyone! It's been a while since I've updated. I was so busy last week, the only time I have to update right now is during lunch! I guess it is a suitable time to update.

Last Thursday I went to Sibling Rivalry for Restaurant Week. The food was amazing, to die for! The had a HUGE menu to choose from. I had my camera, but didn't use the flash for fear of disrupting everyone around me. The pictures came out dark, so I have to lighten them before I post them up. Sorry for the delay!!

I ordered:
APPETIZER:
Chef Bob ~ Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels in a spicy thail chili-ginger-coconut milk curry with cilantro and lime.

ENTREE:
Chef Bob ~ Roasted baby rack of lamb with roasmary and roasted pearl onions. Drizzled with a garlic confit-syrah sauce, and anna potatoes.

DESSERT:
Chocolate Bombe with Grand marnier Ganach, chocolate mousse and espresso anglaise.

Paired with a nice bottle of wine and you've got yourself an AMAZING meal!! Our waiter was really awesome as well!! Definitely make your way there this week since there's only a couple days left. Make those reservations if you haven't already!!

Restaurant Week!!!

One of my favorite times of year is RESTAURANT WEEK!! This year it's going to be lasting TWO WEEKS! MARCH 14 - 19, MARCH 21 - 26, 2010!! Make your reservations people!

It's two weeks in Boston where restaurants all over the city have prefixed menus for lunch and dinner at lower prices.

2-course lunches for $15.10, 3-course lunches for $20.10 and 3-course dinners for $33.10

Visit: Restaurant Week Boston to get a list of participating restaurants!!

HOMEMADE PASTA II - AMORE!!!

Hi Everyone! So I've been taking a Pasta course at Brookline Adult Education. Yesterday was the last night of my two day pasta class. I'm so sad it's over!! I had so much fun, learned a lot, and met some really nice people. (I was eating a lot of the time and didn't get to take as many pictures. I'll probably update with another entry of pasta making as I attempt to make dinner outside of class)

To recap my first class: we concentrated on making ravioli and some fettuccine. YUMM!!!



1. Butter herb Sauce
2. Butternut squash ravioli with a butter sage sauce!!!!

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Last night was a class that concentrated on making sauces, pasta, and dumplings:


1. Me folding dumplings the way my grandma showed me
2. I did two with the pasta presser ( half moon shapes) and 2 old school grandma style :)

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Jonathan teaching me a thing or two: how to fold tortellini [click images to enlarge]


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Jonathan and I with our pasta!


For the Dumplings we pan fried them a little then poured in 1/4 cup of water and steamed. DELICIOUS!!
For other pasta, just boil and serve with your favorite sauces!

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A look at some pretty awesome people:


These are the only pictures I have of everyone
1. Gloria, David (holding the perfect Dumpling), Ilene
2. Toni, Gloria, Tammy, Edgar, Sung

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Special Thanks to Chef Edgar!! This class exceeded my expectations, thanks for taking the time to teach and share some great cooking secrets! I love the Julia Child quotes as well :)


Edgar made the most DELICIOUS Basil Gelato served with strawberries, whip cream and drizzled with a balsamic vinegar honey glaze. What a sweet treat!



Next time you're looking for something new and fun to do, try some cooking classes at Brookline Adult Education!! Edgar also teaches other classes besides pasta, so be on the lookout for him!

"Wasabi!?!" "Not much, Ginger!"

"Wasabi!?!" "Not much, Ginger!" get it?? get it?? HAAAAAAAAA I CRACK MYSELF UP!!haha....yeah ok...I thought it was funny..

Anyways, one of my FAVORITE types of food is SUSHI!! I'm pretty sure I could eat sushi every day. I have been known to clean out half a boat. I guess I'll list some of my favorite places.

One of my old favorites called:

Sushi Express It's located on Beacon Street in Brookline near St. Mary's Street. (take C-line to St. Mary's Street)
I went there recently with my friend Jonathan.

We Ordered: Miso soup, Volcano roll, Salmon, Octopus Roll, Soft Shell Crab Roll and a Spicey Tuna Roll. YUMMMMMY!!! It's a rather small restaurant with only about 5 tables, but the sushi is very fresh! Also, if you're planning to go, pay with cash. They charge a little extra to use a C/C.

My next favorite would have to be:
Snappy Sushi or what used to be known as Shino Express on Newbury Street. (Green line to Copley)

Their fish is fresh and it is actually fairly priced compared to a lot of other places. Definitely a great find on Newbury Street. They also have a location in Davis Square.

I also went to an amazing place called Mr. Sushi (C-line to Washington Square)
They also have very fresh fish at a reasonable price. Remember to get there early, seating is very limited. they have about 4 tables that seat two and about 4 seats at the sushi bar.

If you've never tried sushi, take a little risk, be adventurous and check these places out!!!!

Side note: Many thanks to all of you who take the time to read my blog!! and a special thanks to jonathan for being my 1,000 th viewer!!!!!

Sunset Bar and Grill

I love this place: Sunset Bar & Tap on Brighton Ave. I spent a lot of my college years at this place. They have great beer on tap, creative drinks and delicious food. All for a great low price. Perfect if you're hungry and not looking to empty your wallet. I went last night with Megan (amazing snowboarding/food friend) after our day of boarding.

[ sorry about the color, the lighting was a little wierd - click on pics to enlarge]

SWEET POTATO FRIES!!!!

BONELESS CHICKEN WINGS - ORIGINAL RECIPE....A MUST HAVE!!!

NACHOS - they were alright this time.

If you're thinking about eating there, you must order the boneless wings - original version. SOOOO DELICIOUS!!
pair those up with a nice cold beer of your choice, and you're golden.

Gone Fishing!

Tonight I made a delicious Baked Haddock. It's SO easy to make!! If you're lazy, in the mood for fish, and have some ritz crackers laying around, than this is your dish!!

Ingredients:
2 fillets of Haddock
1 sleeve of RITZ CRACKERS - crushed
1 egg- beaten
2 TBSP milk
2 TBSP butter or oil
1/4 tsp salt and pepper

PREHEAT OVEN TO 450°s
Mix the crushed ritz crackers and thee butter/oil so crackers are moist. Beat the egg and milk in a separate bowl. Dip haddock fillets in egg/milk mixture, then coat fish with the ritz cracker crumbs. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 mins!

A relaxing Sunday

What better way to end your week than with a massage and great food?




Yesterday I went to Dellaria's in Newton Center for massages with my lovelies. (to the left)
If you're looking to relax, I would definitely recommend going there.
Make sure you make your reservation with Glynis!!!!! She's amazing!!





Anyways, I started the morning off with some DELICIOUS pork dumplings. I admit they were store bought, BUT SO GOOD!! Make sure you line a deep dish with lettuce and some oil, and steam the dumplings for 20 mins. You MUST eat it with a soup spoon or else all the juice inside will trickle out and go to waste! I also had some warm soy milk with fried dough. You can buy all these at any asian supermarket! I have to double check what the name is for the dumplings, I'll be sure to update with a picture of the package.





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After our relaxation sessions, we went to Starbucks for a sweet treat!
Two caramel macciatos, 1 rice crispy treat and 1 red velvet cupcake!





REMEMBER IT'S IMPORTANT TO TREAT YOURSELF TO A DAY OF RELAXATION AND DELICIOUS FOOD!!
YOU DESERVE IT!! :)