Minty Pea Soup

I'm not a fan of cold soups. And yet, every time I see a recipe for one, I feel compelled to try it. Gazpacho, for example, has always tasted like tomato juice to me. I once found a great cold avocado soup recipe, but I decided it was better as a sauce for lamb than in a bowl by itself.

And so, when I found this recipe for minty pea soup, I obviously felt the urge to make it, especially considering how ridiculously easy it is to throw together. And of course, I wasn't crazy about it cold. So it's good to know that it's pretty good warmed up too :)

Minty Pea Soup
2 10-ounce packages frozen peas, thawed
3/4 cup mint leaves
4 scallions, roughly chopped
3 cups chicken broth
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp sugar

Combine all ingredients and puree until smooth. (Yes, that's it.)

*Yeah, no photo. There was a slight mishap with the bowl and the not-putting-it-on-something-level and the resulting spillage and the sheer frustration of having to clean green soup off the counter...

Foodbuzz Dinner at Dali, Somerville

Frog-shaped candlesticks, a bubble gun, and crazy wine-pouring contraptions all spell "party" at Dali, a tapas bar in Somerville. Surprisingly, the group I was with (a bunch of local food bloggers, all Featured Publishers on Foodbuzz) didn't get to partake of any of that craziness directly.

Ryan from Foodbuzz was on hand to talk to us about and thank us for working with the Featured Publishers program. Click on the button on the top left of the page to check the site out. They've been making their way through cities with large amounts of FP, trying to meet as many people as they can, and it was finally Boston's turn.


Tapas was actually a pretty perfect thing to order for a bunch of foodies - we all got the chance to try a little of everything without getting overly full. And dishes came only one or two at a time, allowing us to savor each for its own merits without any competing flavors.

We started off with sangria and the Plato Mixto, an assortment of meats, cheeses and olives. I have a hard time with cheeses, though, if there's no explanation of what they are - none of us were quite knowledgeable enough about them to tell exactly what they were. Next up were the Esparragos Blancos (above), tender white asparagus served with an herb sauce and a seafood sauce, both delicious enough to warrant wiping the plate clean with bread.


Dishes started coming a little faster, but we managed to keep up with them. I really loved the Queso Rebozado con Miel (above), little fried chunks of something akin to goat cheese, served with awesome honey-sweetened onions. It was oozy and crispy, sweet and tangy, and all-around delicious.

We also shared the Gambas al Ajillo (which came steaming and bubbling in their own little pot), Alcachofas Salteadas (tender artichokes with a little bit of kick), Pato Braseado (duck that tasted almost like pork in a rich and hearty berry sauce), Cordorniz de Castilla (a tiny roasted quail - they always look so naked on the plate, poor quails), Calderata Genoveva (braised lamb with almonds and peas, a little too wintery for my current tastes), and Patatas Bravas (cooked perfectly with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft interior).


We were all full by then, and our hearts weren't much into dessert. But we couldn't not look at the dessert menu, and as soon as we saw the featured desserts of the month, we knew we had to order them. First was a very simple and refreshing combination of cava and lemon sorbet. It reminded me of what we considered our "classy" drink in college (cheap champagne and melty sorbet), only much more elegant and refined. The other dessert, the Fresones (above), was another must as soon as the waitress explained it - two huge strawberries, dunked in a sherry batter and deep fried, and served with a strawberry sauce and chocolate ice cream. Sounds a little strange, but it was a really fantastic dish, and the batter on the fruit was surprisingly delicate. I would never think to fry a strawberry, but now I'm glad I don't have a fryer in my apartment, or I would want to try it myself.

And what about the frog candlestick, the bubble gun, and the crazy wine contraption? Apparently if you're celebrating some kind of event at Dali (we got to see a bachelorette party, a going away party, and a birthday), they turn the lights off, bring in a tall candle being held by a frog, and blow bubbles at you while the waiters all sing. And nothing quite says celebration like a porron, or communal drinking glass, that forces cava into your mouth through a tiny little spout. Unfortunately, the tables with the porrons also tended to be a little on the wild side, so it was often hard to hear our own conversation for all the screeching going on nearby (wow, do I feel old just for writing that...). Seeing how much fun those tables were having, I would definitely head back for a large group dinner.

Cambridge 1, not in Cambridge

Last week, my coworkers (archaeologists and non-archaeologists alike) headed off to see the new Indiana Jones together. Only problem was that we were going to the Fenway movie theater, and a day game at the ball park had just gotten out. Places like Boston Beer Works were too busy. Instead, we headed down to the new(ish) Cambridge 1, right across from the movie theater, for some pizza and beers.

The decor of the place is sleek and minimalist. I really like the high booths, which raise you up enough that you don't feel tiny in the large room and that was large enough to fit our whole party.


There are so many interesting choices on the menu (despite only offering pizza and salads) that I shared two different with a couple of people. The lobster pizza with corn and scallions was my favorite - the corn was really sweet, and there was a fair amount of lobster on it. It was oily because there was nothing to hold the oil onto the pizza, but it was delicious. We also shared the potato pizza, topped with mashed potates, thin slices of potato, fontina cheese, and scallions. I didn't think I'd like potatoes on pizza, but the crust is so thin and crispy that it added a great textural difference.

And how was Indy? Better than Temple of Doom... but that doesn't really say all that much. Overall, it was enjoyable, and it didn't destroy the franchise like so many people are saying it did.

Cheap Eats: Pizzeria Regina

There are few places in this city where you'll find locals and tourists lining up next to each other to wait for a table. But at Pizzeria Regina in the North End, this is a common occurance. True, it's not a classy place, what with the waiting outside, the old school booths, the pitchers of beer, and the occasionally surly waitstaff, but the food is good, and really, that's all that matters.

If it's your first visit to Regina's, a basic cheese pizza ($7.75 for a small, $12.25 for a large) is the way to go. The crust is crisp, with just a little bit of char from the brick oven, which has been in continuous use since 1881. The sauce is filled with fresh tomato flavor; there's nothing weird in it to gunk up the taste. And the cheese - well, it's a little greasy, but what good pizza isn't? Bostonist also likes the Formaggio Bianco pizza ($9.99/$17.99, pictured above), topped with mozzarella, ricotta, pecorino romano, parmesan, garlic olive oil (instead of tomato sauce), and tons of fresh basil. The different cheeses blend together to form a creamy, salty, gooey, fantastic meal.

The original Pizzeria Regina is located at 11 1/2 Thatcher Street in the North End. Sure, you can get Regina's at many local malls, but it's definitely not the same as the real thing from the original store.

Originally posted on Bostonist.

Good Intentions Arugula Soup

So I have this problem (I'm sure I'm not alone in this) where I always buy way too much produce than I can use. It stems from good intentions - to eat fresh and healthy. But sometimes the last thing I want to think about is how to use those items before they go bad.

Luckily, my brother was watching Giada on the Food Network last week, and in my grand lazy tradition, I just couldn't be bothered to get off the couch to do something else. The episode was all about how to use leftovers, and one recipe was for lettuce soup. And what did I have in plenty in my fridge, just on the verge of no longer being edible? Lots of arugula, my favorite salad green.

I tweaked the recipe a little, especially to add my favorite arugula accompaniments - honey and pecorino. The original recipe calls for little disks of goat cheese to top the soup, so give it a try either way.

Arugula Soup adapted from Everyday Italian

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large or 2 small shallots, diced
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
4 cups chicken stock
washed and dried arugula (about 6 ounces)
salt and pepper
honey
pecorino Romano cheese

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until shallots begin to brown. Add potatoes and chicken stock and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in arugula. When the greens are cooked down (about 3 minutes), puree with a hand blender (you can transfer the solids to a blender if you prefer). Salt and pepper to taste.

To serve, top soup with a drizzle of honey and a handful of shaved pecorino. If you put leftovers in individual containers, add honey and cheese - the cheese gets all melty when the soup is reheated.

Great Food, Bad Decor

It's graduation season, and like so many other families, we spent Saturday celebrating my brother's newly-minted master's degree (congrats!). We headed over to the new Capital Grille in Wayside Commons in Burlington.

We ended up having to wait a while for our table despite our reservations, which would normally be no problem, but don't keep telling me it will only be one more minute... for half an hour. Just tell me it's not ready; I can understand that.

Before I go any further, let me just say that we had a fantastic meal. The food was delicious and plentiful - calamari, crab cakes, wedge salad, steaks all around, creamed spinach, mushrooms, giant onion rings, and parmesan fries. Yes, it's pricy, but for a special occasion, well worth it.

Which is why the decor and layout of the restaurant astound me. I have never been in a restaurant that was louder. We had to literally shout to each other and the waiter, which made things like ordering and holding a conversation quite difficult. At one point, with some guy behind us laughing like his head was going to explode, my mother leaned across the table to me and said (shouted) "I feel like I'm eating at a carnival!"

So why is it that a high-end restaurant would build a new branch that is so deafening? The Capital Grille in Chestnut Hill doesn't have this problem. Despite the great food, I doubt I'll be heading back if it means leaving with a full stomach and a headache.

Cheap Eats: Dave's Fresh Pasta

At first glance, Dave's Fresh Pasta in Davis Square may just look like a tiny market - there's a display case filled with ready-to-take-home meals, bottles of wine and beer, and freezers filled with assorted appetizers, pastas, and ice cream. Take a look at the wall above the cash register, though, and you'll see that there are plenty of options for eating right away.

Sandwiches run from $6 to $8 and come in some fantastic combinations. The Mediterranean Wrap ($6.50), pictured above, is one of the most flavorful wrapped salads around - fresh lettuce, tomato, red onion, carrot, cucumber, and kalamata olive covered in creamy, garlicky, homemade tzatziki sauce. Any of the sandwiches, especially the heartier ones filled with awesome combos of meats and cheeses, can be pressed on Dave's panini grill.

For other ready-to-eat options, Dave's offers a handfull of salads (including the Spinach Salad ($6.50) topped with apples, brie, walnuts, and a sweet and tangy honey poppy seed dressing), a soup of the day, and a hot entree or two (served at lunch time until it's gone). And there's always plenty of baked goods around to quell your sweet tooth after your meal.

Another bonus? Dave's offers free wine and beer tastings on Friday from 5pm to 7pm. Dave's Fresh Pasta is on Holland Street in Somerville and is open Monday through Friday, 11am to 7:30 pm, and Saturday, 11am to 6pm.

Originally posted on Bostonist.