Mucho Biena

I have been a fan of the stoic chickpea for some time, long before it began to have its “moment.” And yet, I must say that even I have been impressed with the ways in which various foodmakers are using the legendary legume.

Among my favorites has been Biena Foods- the Boston-based, mom-founded, substantially healthy snack food brand that has been packing the perky pea’s powerful protein in surprising places for over 10 years.

Though they were inspired by Founder Poorvi Patodia’s favorite snack from her childhood home of Mumbai, India, Biena snacks are named for the Spanish word for “good.” And appropriately so, for they are as good tasting as they are good for you (and that is saying a lot!).

While many know Biena (as they should) for their roasted chickpeas that come in such satisfying flavors as Habanero, honey roasted, ranch, and the appropriately-entitled lil’ bit of everything, Biena has recently expanded their line of dairy- gluten-, GMO-, grain-, and both pea- AND tree nut-free vegan treats to include two new tasty and healthy options

The first is a set of super crunch mixes that add such tasty treats as pretzels, almonds, dark chocolate gems, and fava beans (which go great with or without a nice Chianti) to Biena’s famed roasted chickpeas and that offer great taste and protein-packed energy without cavities or crashes.

The second is a trio of tasty thins that offer all the satisfaction of chips with much more nutrition (thanks to the inclusion of other veggies that your kids don’t have to know about) and a fraction of the calories, making even mindless snacking mindful! In fact, you can eat twice as many Biena thins for the same guilt index as other equally-dip-worthy tortilla chips and nearly four times as many as popular wheat crackers. And with such delicious options as Hawaiian BBQ, Tuscan herb, and sea salt, it will be easy to put down a bag in one sitting- but who cares?Watch for Biena Snacks at CVS, Roche Bros. and at www.bienasnacks.com

Barking up the Right Tree

Posted by Matt Robinson

Though Earth Day has come and gone again, as there are (fortunately) more of us who want to bring a bit of its special and survivalist spirit into our everyday lives, I am always on the hunt for more products that will help us all help ourselves while helping our planet.

Following the lead of my panda-loving daughter, I have begun to investigate the bamboo forests of China and have found a new benefit to its less insidious harvesting.

Bamboozle is an award-winningly sustainable and renewable set of serving pieces that are made with simple and sturdy bamboo (and other plant-based polymers) yet come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and eye-catching colors.

From their original composters and cooking bowls to serving sets and spoons to a bowl-plate combo they spork-ily call a “blate,” Bamboozle products can take your food from field to plate and back to field again with style and substance. And if you want to get younger ones in a renewable mood, there are even fun and functional dining sets that literally bounce back and resist food stains, making them perfect for your little environmentalist foodies!

Durable and dishwasher safe, biodegradable Bamboozle bundles can be confidently used again and again and go from micro to meal with ease! Though their matte and minimalistic designs are timeless, if you ever tire of them (which would be odd but is still theoretically possible), they can also be recycled and reused to bring more eco-friendly food to others and to help others make ‘Gram-able food photos at home!

As ancient cultures know, the earth is far wiser and bolder than we who visit it for such brief periods. That is why embracing ancient wisdom and ancient ingredients may be the best ways to insure there are future generations who can learn from us.

Bamboozle is a great way to enjoy well-made products while preserving servings for those who may follow us to the table- and they’re cute, too!

BamboozleHome.com

A Lone Star on the Cider Shelf

Posted by Matt Robinson

As a fan of music and food, one of my favorite places to visit is Austin, TX. From beef ribs to fried chicken to donuts, Austin has some of my favorite places for some of my favorite foods.

Though I miss the 6^th Street scene sorely whenever I come home, I can take solace in the fact that I can always enjoy whatever food I am enjoying at home with a li’l taste of TinTin, thanks to the folks at Austin Eastciders.

Though I first fell in love with their fruit-forward flavors like pineapple and blackberry and their best-of-both-worlds hopped cider, I quickly expanded my repertoire (and my refrigerator) to include such sweet and satisfying southern sippers as the Sangria cider, the fresh and fruity light cider series (which ranges in tasty tastes from the spa-tastic cucumber agave and brunch-y mango mimosa to juicy strawberry lemonade and desert-dry Texas Brut) and the TX honey type (which has since been joined by a can that carries Mike’s hot honey as well!).

New this year (and for obvious reasons) is AEC’s limited-edition 10 Year Anniversary cider and a pair of powerful (as in 8.3&% ABV) “Imperial” ciders that are royally good! The Imperial Gold variety is surely worth more than a lone star and the Tropical Punch (which blends AEC’s Imperial Cider base with a passion fruit, orange, and guava juice) packs a punch as well!

As with so many of my favorite food-makers, AEC gives back to my second-favorite city that rhymes with “Coston” through their Austin Eastciders Cares programs that donates proceeds to nonprofit organizations on both sides of the Red River (and even helps keep the river itself clean!). As good as all that is, the best thing that AEC gives to the community is some of the most creative and refreshing ciders on either side of the Mississippi (but preferably the east side). Though the city may have limits, the deliciousness of Austin’s best ciders do not!

https://austineastciders.com

MAKING DISHES THAT FULFILL WISHES

Posted by Matt Robinson

Many moons ago, we touted the wonderful work of a woman who has become one of my dearest friends in the food industry- Jeanie Gruber.

At that time, the experienced therapist and caterer was sustaining and supporting her clients’ and friends’ minds, bodies, and souls by making amazing homemade foods in her shop in Newton in between visits to her second hometown of New Orleans.

When COVID shut that down, Jeanie quickly devised a new plan that allows her to keep cooking and sharing but for a very different community.

WISHDISH is an organization that serves the homeless. But instead of just doling out food at a soup kitchen or making dishes with whatever the food pantry has available, WISHDISH engages and serves individuals in the community directly. After partnering with area shelters, Mis Jeanie visits the residents, asking each of them about the dishes they most remember. Once she has been offered each of international recipes (which range from curries gumbo to plov and porridge to eggplant parm and frybread to Mulligan stew and Shepherds pie, and even to a take on her own famous matzo ball soup), and Jeanie crafts enough of an authentic edition of each request to serve the entire community! In this way, Jeanie and her WISHDISH team not only feed the body but satisfy the soul by showing care and respect for people who many others simply pass by without even a look or smile.

Having established the program in Boston and New Orleans, Jeanie is looking for other communities to support and is also planning a series of city-specific cookbooks that will also share the stories of those who shared their favorite recipes so she can continue to show love through food while supporting those most in need.

As I have touted many times before, there are many organizations that support people in need. And while many of them make a truly vital difference, as is the case with so much of what she has done, nobody does it like Miss Jeanie does!

For more information and to offer support, please go to www.thewishdishproject.org

Now MORE People Can See RED

Posted by Matt Robinson

Whether it is offering lower-calorie or lower-sugar chocolate that tastes as good as (if not better than) anything else on the market or giving away that chocolate to worthy organizations like Project Insulin (www.ProjectInsulin.org) to allow their sugar-sensitive supporters a chance to enjoy the sweet taste of success, RED Chocolate knows how to serve and support its growing legions of foodie fans.

In an effort to engage and satisfy the (fortunately) growing groups of health-conscious eaters, RED continues to add to its luscious list of low-sugar, non-GMO, gluten- and palm oil-free, kosher-, keto-, and Weight Watchers-friendly offerings. Among the most recent revelations is a vegan chocolate that uses healthy oats instead of dairy at its still creamy and mouth-watering base and that also includes RED’s signature blend of sustainable Ivory Coast cocoa with immunity-supporting Spanish citrus and protein-packed Pacific coast almonds.

As they are made in an award-winning “green” facility and have already been approved by professional dieticians, RED chocolates are also perfect for your favorite personal environmental conditioner and nutritionist (i.e., your mom) and make a great gift for her day (or any other)! In fact, if you enter RED4MOM when you order, you BOTH get a special treat!

While many people have been finding RED through Matt’s Meals and in a growing set of stores that now includes Kroger, Hy-Vee, BJ’s and also on many military bases (and that always includes www.red-chocolate.com), RED is reaching out even further through their growing line of top chef ambassadors who take part in RED’s monthly Chef Series (www.red-chocolate.com/chef-series). Though the chefs come from all over the world, they all share one thing in common- a love of RED and a desire to use their favorite varieties in all of their desserts and other dishes. From barks and brownies to cakes and cookies, RED fits in nearly any recipe and also in nearly any lifestyle with ease and flavor!

So order some today and tell ‘em you RED it on Matt’s Meals!

75 Years of Growth

Posted by Matt Robinson

Regardless of your politics, it is pretty undeniable that the State of Israel has been an exemplar in scientific discovery and ingenuity and that, especially as a nation that was born of the desert and still has little water to begin with, is an inspiration for other nations that need to be more aware of and careful with their most precious natural resources (which pretty much includes everyone!).

That is why everyone can learn and benefit from a visit to Foodscape, a new, non-political, nationally-touring immersive art and culinary experience that will be stopping by the Rose Kennedy Greenway on May 28 from noon to 4 PM before wandering to New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington, DC.

Curated by the Jewish Arts Collaborative (JArts) and Israel’s own BAMAH arts, Foodscape offers a multi-sensory journey that strives to define the flavor of Israel and interpret it for international audiences by inviting people from all cultures and backgrounds to engage the 75-year-old nation’s unique and pioneering ecosystem without ever boarding an El Al plane (or even leaving their neighborhood)!

In less than 3,000 feet, people will be able to see, smell, touch, and even taste the pluralistic plantings and Technion-tested tactics that have helped make Israel a leader in environmental preservation and culinary creativity as they join Israeli artists in interacting with the ingredients necessary to make the popular Middle Eastern soda known as gazoz. While traveling through Foodscape, people will also encounter live performance pieces and other sweet, salty, and savory surprises from the food-focused folks at Studio Mela.

For some, Israel is far away geographically or even politically. For others, it may be a distant vision of the soul. Thanks to Foodscape, the nation and its notions can both be made more real and digestible right here in your own backyard.

Learn more by visiting www.jartsboston.org

Back to the Track

Posted by Matt Robinson

I have long been a fan of Rail Trail Flatbread Company and its sister ice cream stop New City Microcreamery and so was thrilled to hear how successful the Valentine’s Day event that we recently promoted was.!

Apparently, people came from miles around to pick up the special heart-shaped pizzas they made that we decorated with poems by neighborhood second grade students. Speaking of students, Rail Trail’s recent Teachers Appreciation Day event on May 2 was another hit, with scores of area educators dropping by for a well-deserved free lunch.

To keep the good vibes going (and the event calendar full), New City will be participating the Best Buddies walk at Polar Park in Worcester on Saturday, May 13, to help even more neighbors in need get support. On the 13^th and 14th, they will also offer special Mother’s Day meals featuring their famed flatbreads and other delicious delights. The next weekend, Rail Trail will join their newest neighbors in Milford, MA (which was recently added to their sought-out addresses in Hudson, Sudbury, and Cambridge) by participating in that town’s terrific Milford Day festivities. As usual, proceeds from sales of their flatbreads and nitrogen-smoothed ice creams will go to support community organizations. May 21 also marks the eighth birthday of the talented team and their terrific treats- I can hardly believe it has been so long since I first fell in love with them!

As they are so dedicated to offering great food and doing so much good for others, it is no surprise that Rail Trail and New City have so many fun and productive events planned. There is even talk of presentations of a book about the Ivy league in the works!

Even if it is just an allegedly average day, however, Rail Trail and New City make any meal special and any day worth celebrating!

https://railtrailflatbread.com / https://newcitymicrocreamery.com/

Make More for Maine

Posted by Matt Robinson

While I often discuss the restaurants that have been doing their best to survive and (hopefully) once again thrive, the fact that many restaurants went away and that many people are still reticent to come back to them has caused issues for another set of food friends- Namely, the farmers who produce the products that most restaurants (and home chefs) use to craft their creative creations.

Fortunately, some pioneering places are coming up with fruitful ways to support their fruit and vegetable suppliers.

The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (which can be found at mainefarmersmarkets.org) recently rolled out a new program called Bumper Crop that sells product vouchers that are valid at over 50 of Maine’s most meaningful markets. From Augusta and Bangor to Kittery and Portland to Wells and York, these handy harvest helpers allow users to go to any of the participating markets and pick up whatever healthy foods and other goods suit their fancies, including Maine’s legendary blueberry and maple products, as well as fresh cheeses, spices and sauces, coffees and teas, and even edible flowers!
In addition to purchasing Bumper Crop vouchers for yourself or other people you hope to keep healthy and happy, the Federation has also been offering the vouchers to employers as an employee wellness benefit (for which they only pay for the amounts that their employees actually use!). So far, over $100,000 worth of the vouchers have been distributed by area employers, benefitting both their employees and their farming friends and neighbors as well!

Speaking of benefits, the program has already added about $25 to each produce purchase and encouraged over 60% of users to visit more markets and to eat more healthy and organic goods- so the benefits go far beyond the financial!

Let’s hope that other areas remember the Maine Federation so their family farms can bump up their businesses and better support other communities as well.

mainefarmersmarkets.org

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Southern Charm on 95 North

Posted by Matt Robinson

As Matt’s Meals fans know, I am a BIG fan of Southern Food.

And while I am yet to find a totally authentic experience in Boston, I am glad to say that I only had to go a bit south to get the flavor of some of my favorite foods

While looking for places in Providence to sell the book on the Ivy League I wrote in honor of my late father’s time at Brown, I was advised by David Dadekian of the RI Food Council to check out Kin.

Thank you, David!!!

From the honey butter cornbread and fried green tomatoes to the chicken and waffles and beignets with Café Du Monde-recalling powdered sugar to the fried chicken and blackened salmon sliders and a side of candied sweet potatoes that doubles as dessert, Kin has everything a Southern food fan could want, all made by authentic imports from the homeland of great American food and cooked with all their familial love. Even their vinegar-based hot sauce is homemade (and worth buying a bottle on your way out)!

Speaking of delicious liquids, Kin also has “Dranks” like the new-fangled Old Fashioned called Cut the Check (featuring Uncle Nearest 1884 small-batch Whiskey), the rum-rockin’ Juju Juice (which is available in a sharable fish bowl), and a Sweet Tea and Henessey-based drink worthy of Busta Rhymes.

In addition to supporting the great food community that is Providence, Kin also supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the RI Black Film Fest and will also be hosting their own Juneteenth block party on June 16. They also offer a Derby Day party (which will take place this year on May 6) that will make everyone yearn for their Old Kentucky Home.

So the next time you want to put some real South in yo’ mouth, all you gotta’ do is head down 95 South to get some 100% authentic (and delicious) food.

www.kinpvd.com / www.rifoodcouncil.org

Just Like “Nonna”

Posted by Matt Robinson

Known for such award-winning Harvard-area hangs as Alden & Harlow, The Longfellow Bar, and Waypoint, Chef Michael Scelfo is crossing the border to Somerville with his latest sure-to-be hit, Josephine. In so doing, he is also crossing a larger border (both in terms of time and space) to the kitchen of the Sicilian grandmother after whom the new spot is named.

While Scelfo has brought joy to many diners with the amazing food and fun and funky atmospheres of his current locations, when it came to his new place, he looked back at the kitchen experiences that brought him the most joy and one woman appeared in nearly all of them. In addition to inspiring his recipes and commitment to culinary excellence, Scelfo’s Nonna Josephine also inspired him as a restaurateur and family man who is already passing Scelfo traditions to his own descendants.

While the menu is sure to offer something for every family, Josephine’s focus is on pizzas that range from comfortably classic to creatively contemporary. From a heavy hitting deep dish edition made with a butter crust and whole milk mozzarella to the Hella good Rosemary’s Baby with roasted chicken, potato, fontina, and caramelized onion to the “peppy” white pie with clam sauce, pecorino and a ton of garlic, the options are plentiful and all delicious. If you are not up for a pie, Scelfo will also be sure nobody goes home hungry with other treats like dry-aged meatballs, a smoked and chilled veal shoulder, a zesty roasted olive plate, warm Focaccia with tomatoes and Crecenza cheese, and fantastic finishers like their torched rice pudding and traditional olive oil cake.

To compliment these complement-worthy creations, Josephine’s bar offers martinis on tap garnished with flavored gelatins as well as many Italian and American wines and beers. And if these are not refreshing enough Josephine’s has an outdoor seating area with a roaring firepit for al fresco alla Siciliano!

Nonna Jo would be proud and you should be getting over for dinner soon!