Food

This section includes pieces related to food products

BABKA BLUE-Y!

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Though I still miss Galit’s Treats in Newton Centre, the growing family of Bakey bakeries has helped ease the pain with their delicious menu of babkas and other bodacious baked goods.

I really can’t get enough of this place and have made their locations in Boston, Brookline, and Newton regular hosts for business meetings and social gatherings. I have also brought their colossal creations to many friends and colleagues and they are always a hit!

While many line up at Bakey for their freshly-made chocolate babka, I recently found an alternative that rivals this fan favorite.
Made with locally-sourced fresh fruit and evident love, Bakey’s blueberry babka is a sweet treat that is good from mouth to bloodstream. I often pick one up to nibble on (Who am I kidding? It is gone in a flash!) for dessert after enjoying one of Bakey’s great bowls and salads (like the scrumptiously healthy lentil and beet or chicken spinach) or when I am picking up treats for family and friends and have been known to buy more than one so I can enjoy one when I reach my destination.

While I heard that an apple babka is also in the works, you really can’t go wrong no matter what you choose!

If this latest addition to a line of glutened greatness that also includes Bakey’s famed broissants (babka-based croissants) and their nutrition-packed Muesli roll inspires you, perhaps you might want to try your own hand under the tutelage of Bakey’s master bakers at an upcoming class. On September 24 and November 6, challah will be the theme and December 4 will be the next babka workshop. All classes take place from 6:30-8:30 PM and tickets and information are available at www.bakeybabka.com.

FRITTER-ING AWAY ANOTHER SEASON

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Whether or not the Red Sox did enough at the trade deadline to make a real run this year. Fenway Park is always a great place to go and now the food selections are even better!

At the bottom of Lansdowne Street just alongside Loretta’s Last Call is a sweet speakeasy known as Back Door Donuts.

Based in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, Back Door started as a donuts-on-demand establishment that has enjoyed lines around the island for years. Now, Back Door has an entry point on one of the busiest streets in Boston (and will hopefully have more on the mainland soon!).

Whether or not you have tickets to the game, this heavenly hideaway is worth a visit – but only after 7, as that is when the magic begins and the Back Door officially opens!

From the legendary (and LARGE!) apple fritter and inspired locally-inspired Boston Cream to the ridiculously creamy buttermilk glazed and super-creative party donut (which can help after a party as well!), Back Door has a menu that is constantly being enhanced with new creations, all of which are baked fresh using the best (and most sweetly sinful) ingredients.

While the donuts may be more a draw than the game (When I last went, the Rangers walked two Red Sox players home and still almost won!), even fans of the other teams can enjoy, as Back Door also ships! So home or away, you can now enjoy the taste that used to be reserved for the privileged but that will surely be a home run for your favorite donut nut (Ahem!).

TIME TO RE-KONNECT

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Before inclusion and diversity were buzzwords, Boston’s Queen of Connection Colette Phillips was forging relationships across neighborhoods, aisles, and other barriers- both real and perceived.

On July 30, Boston’s savviest soiree-ers and supporters will gather at Big Night Live to celebrate her pioneering work and the contributions of her Get Konnected network at the 10th anniversary edition of A Taste of Ethnic Boston. 

Though Boston may be known for its Italian North End (which was originally a Jewish and African-American neighborhood) and its still somewhat Irish Southie, there are neighborhoods and flavors that are just as important that may not get the same publicity (at least not on other media platforms). Get Konnected is out to change that!

During this premiere showcase of Boston’s diverse dining destinations, chefs from all over the area will share their stories and their recipes in a celebration of culinary community.

As part of the decade-marking celebration, the event will include the naming of Get Konnected!’s Top 25 Ethnic Restaurants and Top 10 Chefs of Color in Greater Boston, most of whom get little recognition from most other media outlets. It will also kick off the first A Taste of Ethnic Restaurant Week in Boston, which will encourage diners to expand their restaurant repertoires with special meals and deals at participating venues.

In addition to supporting area chefs and eateries, Phillips’ event will again spread the wealth around by donating part of the proceeds from Get Konnected to The GK Fund, a nonprofit social impact fund dedicated to funding BIPOC entrepreneurs.

Boston is an incredibly diverse city. Especially as so much of the world is falling apart, it is surely time to Get Konnected. And if you can eat great food at the same time- all the better!

(WO)MAN-NING THE MARKET

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I recently raved about the new farmers market that is being hosted on Thursday afternoons by Boston Public Market on the Rose Kennedy Greenway between Milk Street and India Street. As usual, there is even more food news coming from inside the Market- This time having to do with a trio of new vendors.

Curio Spice Co., Parlott Chocolatier, and Oohjacquelina Jewelry are all women-owned and operated businesses that will surely add sweetness and spice to the mouthwatering mix at the Market (which was recently named one of the 10 Best Public Markets in America by USA Today!).

Long a favorite in Cambridge Curio now brings its unparalleled collection of ethically-sourced global flavors to Boston so more home and professional chefs can enjoy. From Sri Lankan cinnamon and Turkish salt to seaweed mixes from Maine, Curio has all you need for any summer recipes and will also be partnering with George Howell Coffee to make a rose cardamom latte just for the Market! 

Brazilian-born Lu Parlott grew up helping her mom make chocolates with the beans her father farmed. As fans of her Westwood store know, that familial love comes through in every bite of her bars, barks, and brigadeiros, all of which are made from the finest ingredients with passion and style.

For those who want to look great in the kitchen or at any summer soiree, Oohjacquelina’s founder Jacquelyn Wells combines semi-precious stones, pearls, and hypoallergenic-waterproof metals together in customizable creations of hand-hammered harmony that are built to last and to impress. 

Whether inside or out, the Boston Public Market always has great things to taste and try and these designing women will surely keep that tradition going strong!

GOING (MORE) PUBLIC

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As Matt’s Meals fans know, there’s always good stuff going on at Boston Public Market!

Before I get to the latest news. I wanted to take a moment to thank the folks at Q’s Nuts for sending the delicious assortment for my guests when I interviewed Jordan Rich at the Needham Free Public Library. I hope to be able to share more delicious treats with more great people when I bring my author interview series back in September and to bring more authors to the Market as well!

In the meantime, I wanted to let people know that the Market is reopening their popular outdoor farmers market on Thursdays from 2-6 PM on the Rose Kennedy Greenway between Milk Street and India Street.

Among the venerable vendors who are scheduled to participate are the forward-thinking farmers of Building Audacity from Lynn and We Grow Microgreens in Hyde Park, as well as Ragged Hill Cider from West Brookfield, and Craic Sauce from my hometown of Lowell. Coffee fans can sample the wonderful wares of Cambridge’s Cini Coffee and Somerville’s Del’s Coffee, and those who prefer tea can steep with Forestopia and Hillside Herbals, all while enjoying something sweet from Quincy’s Asian-inspired Fuful Bakery. For animal lovers, there will also be all-natural, locally-sourced dog treats from Kettlebones in Danvers and appearances by the alpaca farmers at Inkasisa Farm in Salisbury, NH, which is part of the market’s ever-expanding footprint in the regional food space.

If you can’t make it on a Thursday, there are always great things to enjoy at the main location over Haymarket Station, including Beantown Pastrami, the Bagel Guild, Crescent Ridge Ice Cream, Red’s Best seafood, Seven Hills Pasta, Siena Farms, and, of course, Q’s Nuts, which are perfect for author interviews or any other occasion.

BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME

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Though I grew up in the Merrimack Valley, my writing career first took root when I lived in Marblehead.

And when you consider that my family shopped at Shubie’s all the time, it may be no surprise that I now write about great independent food makers.

As they have been around for over 75 years, it is a safe bet that I am not the first person to fall in love with the wonderful wares of independent makers with help from the Shube family. 

From freshly-prepared foods, handcrafted salads and sandwiches, and customized cakes at their recently-renovated Foodbar to candies and treats from other local legends like Harbor Sweets and a wide selection of gifts that includes great books to wine and spirits from around the corner and around the world, Shubie’s has everything you need to feed your family, sparkle a party host, and find a new favorite every time you visit! 

If you need help finding new favorites, be sure to take suggestions from third-generation Shubie, Dougy. 

If you need help finding great food for more than just yourself, Shubie’s also carters and consults on menus that are perfect for any occasion. And while a visit to the store is always fun, Shubie’s also offers online consultation and ordering and can deliver even to far-flung festivities beyond the beaches and beauty of the North Shore so you can keep enjoying even if you do not live nearby anymore (though I hope to go back soon!).

GREEK REVIVAL

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As it was once called the Athens of America, it makes sense that Boston is at the forefront of the Greek revival that appears to be running through the restaurant space like an Olympic (or Boston) marathoner.

And while many popular places have followed, the Farm Grille & Rotisserie in Newton and its sister store, Greek International Market in West Roxbury, have been leading the pack for over 25 years.

Whenever I want to get my Greek on in a fresh and friendly flash, a visit to the Grille always fits the bill(e). But when I want to get the authentic ingredients that make this family-run restaurant and caterer so great or to explore the larger realm of Hellenistic hunger helpers, the Market has all I need….and MORE!

In addition to freshly-imported Greek spices and wines (including Retsina) to imported meats and other prepared foods (including their famed octopus salad!), as well as hand-crafted cheeses and Greek yogurt, an olive bar and enough olive oils and Greek pastries for the Spartan army, the Market offers honey-based health and beauty aids, toys and gifts, and customized gift baskets that are perfect for any occasion. 

Speaking of occasions, the Market has an Aegean Sea-full of fish and a farm-full of plant-based options that are perfect for Lent or just for eating healthy! And Proprietor Katerina Iliades recently debuted a line of children’s clothing for communions and baptisms that will be on display at a VIP fashion show on March 23 at the Maliotis Center in Brookline!

Everyone seems set on catching the healthy and delicious Mediterranean diet train. As is true of so many other things, we in Boston are ahead of the curve, thanks in great part to the Iliades family and their great pair of places to eat.    

SMOKIN’ GOOD FISH

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I lived on the North Shore of Boston for many years and, though I have an ancient photo of my grandfather in front of the famed fisherman statue, the closest I ever came to Gloucester was a box of Gorton’s fish sticks.

These days, between the amazing fermented foods from Pigeon Cove Ferments and the great grub and grooves at The Cut, I am finding my way back more and more.

My latest find is Twin Light Smokehouse. As part of Cape Ann Fresh Catch, Twin Light takes fresh, ethically-caught fish from its experienced pescatarian parents and smokes it into its own set of salmon and shellfish sensations. From authentic Finnan Haddie and salmon-based “bacon” (the relative health benefits of which I need not go into) to savory smoked spreads, Twin Light has all you need for a shmear or a meal.

If salmon and mussels are not your thing, a visit to Cape Ann Fresh Catch will surely lure you in. In addition to offering the freshest fish from the nation’s oldest seaport, Cape Ann also offers a unique seafood CSA, the extras from which are either smoked by Twin Light or donated to area pantries so the unique flavors and nutrients that only fresh seafood can bring can be shared with those who might not otherwise be able to enjoy them. 
If you are new to Atlantic fish or want to expand your maritime menu, the Cape Ann website (www.capeannfreshcatch.org) has a handy guide to their various varieties as well as recipes that can encourage everyone to do more for their own health while supporting a healthy fishing industry.And when you can wash it all down with a Pigeon Cove kombucha- perfect!  / 

LIKE A BOSS

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As I have been talking about food so long, I am comfortable saying again that, especially at this time of year, I often find myself drinking the amazing Maple products from Cochrane’s and UnTapped straight from the bottle, but I recently found another direct-to-mouth product of which I cannot get enough that I wanted to share with everyone!

In addition to being a maple maven, I am also a granola gourmand and I’ve talked a lot about favorites like Forij and Golden Girl and Humble Bones– all of which are great straight from the container yet some of which are not always easy to just scoop and savor.

Fortunately, I recently found a long line of delicious nut-free butters that work everywhere my beloved PB does but takes the taste even further!

Oat Boss butters were made for a little girl with nut allergies but are sure to drive any food fan nuts (in a GOOD way)!

Though they all start with wholesome oats, coconut oil, and honey, Oat Boss butters add such impressively authentic natural flavors as blueberry muffin, shortbread, chocolate chip cookie, chocolate fudge, and even a granola butter donut that deserves a call from Kane’s Donuts!

As the butters are packed with protein and fiber and still only free of nuts, gluten, and soy, they can serve not only as a sandwich starter but also – as I said – as a spoon-fed snack for anyone!

And as they come from a family-run business, I want to get behind them with as many spoonsful as I can…and you will too!

THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET

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With all that’s going on in the Middle East, many are being discouraged to use many of the life-improving inventions that have come from the region.

Fortunately, the food is still too good to ignore!

In addition to Tzurit Or of Tatte, fans in MA can also enjoy the sweet creations of ‪Liron Pergament Gal’s Choc-allure and Uri Scheft and Or Ohana of Bakey and the authentic Lebanese flavors of Cedar’s Foods.

While the Haverhill-based, family-run company has been around for over 40 years, they are not resting on their laurels (or is that cedars?) and continue to innovate and introduce new taste sensations that bring the nutrition of chickpeas and other fresh Mediterranean foods to people all over the world with nothing artificial and everything fresh and founding family-approved.

Among their most recent releases are a pair of authentic labneh (a yogurt made with goat’s milk) that are flavored with scallions or feta cheese and onion and that make for creamy and cooling counterparts to hot and spicy favorites and great toppings for Cedar’s new pita chips.

For those who are familiar with their hummuses, Cedar’s can still help you expand your palate with new flavors like hot honey and pumpkin, each of which adds nutrition and pizzaz to nearly any dish.

For those who want to dip a toe in the Mediterranean, Cedar’s also offers single-serving packs that are also great to take with you on your next adventure (or just to work).

Friends and relatives may be facing unimaginable horrors in the Middle East, but at least we can support our neighbors while enjoying nutritious delicious food.