Food

This section includes pieces related to food products

Boston Gets Spice-ier All the Time

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In addition to being a huge fan of condiments, I am also a devoted spice lover. One of my oldest friends in the spice space is Boston Spice.

Born out of Steven Bortnick’s basement in South Easton (where he still hand-mixes and packs his spice selections), Boston Spice’s ever-expanding menu of offerings runs from the historically-accurate to the forward-thinking, all with a taste of Boston firmly in mind.

Whether you were making meals with meat, fish, or vegetables, and regardless of whether your palette prefers low or no salt or sugar, Boston Spice has plenty of freshly-pressed packets that can help you start a Revolution in your mouth. They even have varieties that work for baking and beverages as well!

Though they currently offer over 100 varieties, among some Boston Spice favorites are their Battle Road rub, lemon peppah (that’s with an “-ah,” of course!) seasoning, their Asian-inspired Chinatown blend, the spicier Ole’ Boston and Boston Bueno southwest sets, a just-in-time-for-St.-Patrick’s-Day Southie corned beef pickling spice, and a Back Bay seasoning salt that tastes as fresh as if it were just dredged this morning.

As so many of their rich recipes are taken from Boston’s equally rich history, it is no surprise that Boston Spice products can be found at the Old North Church and the Boston Tea Party Shop and Museum (where their Boston Wine Party mulling spice is celebrating the dumping’s 250th anniversary). Just as their menu expands so too does there a list of retail outlets, which now includes the Kitchen Sink Candle Company in Groton and Bolton and Lilac Hedge Farms in Rutland, which has been bundling Bortnick’s blends with their own meats. And while Steve is happy to reach out to whomever has interest in his spicy sellables, Boston Spice products are also available online through Walmart.com (and, of course, BostonSpice.com).

Huzzah! Another local company makes good (or, as is so often true of our favorite food friends- makes GREAT!).

https://bostonspice.com

Redder and Bedder than Edder

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By now, I have gone on and on about Valentine’s Day and chocolate and realize that it may be getting a little fattening even to listen to.

Still, there is one of our favorite makers that deserves yet another mention- RED Chocolate.

As the first (or at least best) no-sugar-added, palm oil-free, non-GMO chocolate, RED is already one of the best options for fans who want to enjoy their favorite sweet treat while staying healthy(-er). But Red has been doing even more of late!

Not only have they been donating chocolates to our friends at Project Insulin so that their blood sugar-sensitive friends can also enjoy, RED has recently released versions of their amazing offerings that are kosher, keto- and Weight Watchers-friendly, and…wait for it…100% vegan!!

Using healthy oats instead of dairy, the master chocolatiers at RED have figured out a way to take out even more of the stuff that can bother people while keeping all the great flavor and satisfaction in (and then some!).

As if that were not enough, the new vegan variety uses their signature orange and almond recipe. So not only are you not getting gluten, GMO, or palm oil, you are getting heart-healthy oats, immunity-supporting citrus, and even protein-packed nuts all in one sweet (and, some might say, sexy) package!

Speaking of packages, RED now comes in their standard-sized bars that have an average of 30% fewer calories than other brands and also in new grab-n-go bars that have only 80-100 calories each, so not only can you get more out of each bar, you can also get less- when you want it.

And let us not forget RED’s famous pralines with their combination of creamy milk chocolate and crunchy, satisfying, and, of course, nutritious hazelnut and macadamia-packed centers.

Chocolate may be for Valentine’s Day, but RED chocolate is for EVERY day!

https://red-chocolate.com

Grandma’s Cakes beat H.M.’s Crumpets ANYTIME

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During the recent Royal visit to Boston, many people wondered about who the Royals were wearing, where they were staying, with whom were they meeting, etc. Perhaps not as many pay attention to what they were eating. If this were the case, they would have missed out a one of our region’s greatest delicacies – cake from My Grandma’s of New England.

While sharing high tea with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Prince William and Princess Kate put aside their scones and picked up delicious slices of My Grandma’s cake. In so doing, they were introduced to one of the greatest improvements upon their native ways since the Declaration of Independence first overshadowed the Magna Carta.

For Mayor Wu and her fellow revolutionaries, the fact that My Grandma’s cake kicks any crumpet’s rump is no surprise. Having started with a cinnamon walnut variety in 1990, Grandma has expanded her handmade menu to include cakes with New England blueberries, Cape Cod cranberries, locally-sourced pumpkins, tropical bananas and healthful walnuts, and even apples from her fellow foodie Granny Smith. In honor of another one of Boston’s best, Grandma also offers a Ted Williams cake that will surely score at the top of anyone’s top 10 list. 

Though she started baking just outside of Boston, Grandma has since spread her sweet sales internationally, winning awards in both Inc. and People magazines and on the Food Network and QVC. She was even added to the ”O” list by food expert (and American royalty) Oprah Winfrey!

So the next time you have the future king and queen for tea or just need something that is fresh and delicious sure to do with so many other friends and neighbors in the Boston area and around the world do- Call Grandma!

www.mygrandma.com

Organic Love

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At this time of year, a lot of people talk about sweet treats like chocolate. And while I too am guilty of promoting such things, I at least take some solace in the fact that the brands I promote are primarily family-run and all made with fresh and healthy ingredients.

For people who want to try other brands while maintaining the confidence that they are made with quality and care, one of the best food trends these days is organic food. As all ingredients are grown without pesticides, chemicals, and other nasty stuff, you can be sure that they are fresh and beneficial.

When it comes to organic food, there are also many options, but my favorite has long been Boston Organics.

In an effort to combine Valentine’s Day treats with healthy food, Boston Organics is offering gift baskets that will be good for your heart in more ways than one!

Featuring such local faves as Equal Exchange and Taza chocolate, as well as Grandy granola, Boxford Bakehouse dried mango slices, and Field Day pretzels, these beautifully-presented baskets are great not only for those you love but for those you like enough to offer them healthy, delicious foods (which hopefully includes people like healthcare professionals, teachers, clients, co-workers and even bosses and supervisors).

Once you find your favorites, it is easy to have Boston Organics keep you supplied on a regular basis- and not just with sweet and savory treats. Each customizable delivery can contain everything from soup to nuts (literally) as well as familiar and exotic produce that can fit into any recipe and also encourage exploration in the kitchen or other locations. In fact, they even have suggested sets for the office, so your clients and colleagues can continue to enjoy the benefits all year!

Valentine’s Day is a great day to share hearts with others, but it is also a great day to think about your own. That is why the healthy deliciousness of Boston Organics products is always on the beat! 

https://bostonorganics.grubmarket.com

Great Greeks

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I have long been a fan of Farm Grill in Newton and its sister store, the Greek International Market in Boston. The only problem I have with them is that, no matter what I try when I visit either place, there is always something new and amazing that I have not tried before, so I have to go back again and again.

Some problem to have, right?!
Among the latest temptations have been the growing selection of Ambrosi-c Greek honeys (which are not called “the food of the gods” for nothing!). While most Greek honeys are particularly delicious and particularly important this time of year as a balm against bacteria, infections, and, of course, sore throats, the Market features one variety from another great Greek food family – the Fragiadakises – that comes from the pine forests of Crete and that retains much of that Retsina-like floral flavor. 

While the honeys are delicious on toast or even on a spoon, they pair particularly well with the Market’s mega-collection of Greek teas, including the chamomile that owner Katerina Iliades used to prepare with her grandmother back in the land of Helena and which she now ships (along with pretty much anything else) around the world through the Market’s website, https://greekintlmarket.com.

Another recent great Greek find has been the vegan Greek-style kabobs from Mega Meatless that offer all the flavor and protein of a freshly-sliced gyro without all the GMOs, soy, or guilt that other meaty meals contain. They even include authentic Greek olive oil (which is some of the best in the world) and Greek herbs and spices for that authentic taste!

If you want more real Greek flavor, drop by Farm Grill in Newton for lunch or dinner (their traditional Greek salads, grape leaves and kabobs are always amazing, as is their sweet and flaky kataifi) or have them bring their homemade treats to your home or office. All you have to do is go to www.farm-grill.com to see (and almost taste) what amazing new stuff is on the menu- and enjoy!

Harvest great food and fun in Harvard Square

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While fall is typically considered a time for Harvest, when it comes to enjoying the bounty that results, Harvest in Harvard Square has been a staple for decades.

As my book is about the Ivy League, I have been hanging around Harvard a good deal of late and always make an effort to at least grab a drink at one of the Square’s longest-lasting and most popular venues. While there, I often take a peek at the latest offerings, all of which I know are made with the freshest local ingredients and, even after 45 years, the same great creativity.

From such stellar starters as smoked eggplant ravioli, lobster and shrimp fondue, and duck-based bacon to butter-basted ribeye and scallop ratatouille, as well as a bountiful board of locally-sourced cheeses, Harvest always has something (or, to be more precise, LOTS of somethings) to satisfy every taste, thanks to Executive Chef Nicholas Deutmeyer and Executive Pastry Chef Tab Volpe.  

Speaking of desserts, Harvest is also a great place to drop by after theater or some other Harvard-area activity to enjoy everything from cinnamon rolls to Concord grape tarts to a rotating selection of housemade ice creams and sorbets. In short, Harvest is always a great place to enjoy all that our region has to offer! 

On February 26, Harvest will up the attraction when they bring back their popular Ice Party to remind people of how much fun winter can be.

Featuring hearty chili and fresh charcuterie, as well as adult snow cones, ice luge Michter’s old fashioneds, and a special Karmin Amber Ale from Lamplighter Brewing, the 80’s-themed thermal throwdown will also offer music and, of course, amazing food.

Tickets are $60/person and include two drink tickets, as well as all the food and entertainment a would-be hibernator can handle

As if the food and fun were not enough, a portion of ticket sales and a raffle will both benefit Furnishing Hope of Massachusetts, a charity that provides support for families transitioning out of homelessness.

www.harvestcambridge.com 

Hit the Deck and cozy up in Boston’s Seaport

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As Boston’s swanky Seaport continues to become overburdened (and apparently begins to sink!), it is reassuring to know that there is a great hotel called Yotel where you can eat and drink and even stay right at the entry (or exit) point so you can ease your way in or enjoy a last drink on the way out (and, if you have too many, stay for the night).

In addition to great food and drink and comfy and cozy rooms that you check into using their resident robot, Yotel also offers packages that include everything from Children’s Museum passes to bed and brunch packages, as well as discounts for government agents and Federal employees who may be dropping by the nearby courthouse or just getting away from the gun and badge set.

Among the most popular parts of Yotel Boston is the rooftop resto-bar known as Deck 12. While this swanky see-and-be-seen site offers great food and some of the best views of Boston all year, it has recently been converted into the seasonal sensation APRÈS…@ Deck 12. If such a rooftop would come across any mishaps, the owners can Explore Services.

To celebrate the season and replicate a cozy mountain lodge, Deck 12 has been decked out with gondolas, chair lifts, and ski-themed Adirondack chairs. And if a rooftop in winter does not sound appetizing, rest assured that every guest gets personalized heaters and cozy blankets to keep them warm even without an adult beverage.

Speaking of beverages, the APRÈS…@ Deck 12 menu will also include such seasonal sippers as the yummy rum-my Naughty Toddy, the Norse-inspired Thor’s Hammer (featuring real Brennivin aquavit), and the cinnamon-y Sugar Mountain, as well as fiery fondues and other great grub. There are even special menus for dinner after 5 and weekend brunches from 10 to 3 and also the option of dining away from the elements but still in touch with all the winter-themed fun in their equally cozy indoor space.

So if skiing is not your thing but après is, take the Yotel gondola (er- elevator) up to Deck 12 and enjoy a slope-side celebration in the city!

www.deck12bos.com

MEET ME AT THE CLUB CLUB

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Though I firmly believe that most golf courses should be used for low-income housing, I am a fan of the miniature edition.

Unfortunately, around New England, the “putt-putt” season is relatively short.

That is why I was psyched to find a place where I can play regardless of the weather and even enjoy an adult beverage while enjoying what some may say is a child’s edition of a pastime that otherwise takes up far too much space, time, and money.

Combining great food and even greater beverages with some of the most creative and electrifying (or at least electrified) miniature golf holes around, Puttshack in the Boston Seaport is a great place to combine the 19th hole with the rest of the front nine!

Using country club technology that keeps track of your game for you and offers bonus points for especially chic shots, Puttshack not only allows you to drink while you play and not have to worry about keeping score but encourages it with such swing-saving swillers as the porn star martini (with passion fruit liquer and a smoke-filled side of Sofia Coppola’s sparkling rosé), the umami bomb bloody Mary (with umami ice, pecan wood bacon, and pepperoni), and the peach tea on a peachtree (featuring Tennessee whiskey from our old friends at Ole Smoky).

If you need something to absorb the liquid fun, Puttshack has such savory stroke savers as wood-fired Thai octopus, Korean BBQ bao buns, Puttshack poutine with red wine bacon gravy, and lobster mac n’ cheese rolls known as Boston tailpipes, proceeds from which are donated to Wonderfund to bring joy to the thousands of Commonwealth kids who are involved with the Department of Children and Families.

No matter what you eat or drink (and drink…and drink), the soul of the Shack are the holes, some of which replicate such other party-themed faves as beer pong and others of which involve trivia questions about Boston (though you might want to tackle that one early before your beverages bogey your bid).

And did I mention the TVs and DJs all around? Well, there’s that too!
So grab a club and head to the club that lets even duffers have a ball!

www.puttshack.com

PINK SAUCE

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From the days of Anthony Martignetti and for generations before, Boston’s North End has been known for amazing handmade Italian food that is at least as good as your parents made it.

That is why I was so surprised (and pleasantly so!) to find a new eatery in the historic area called Pink Carrot that offered alternatives to pasta and pizza (as delicious as they may be!).

Basing their healthful and delicious offerings on the medically-sound EquiLife products that were created by Dr. Stephen Cabral (which have apparently not only helped customers deal with health issues but the venue’s Miami-based and -inspired owners as well!), Pink Carrot ‘s menu brings a range of protein and produce-based products to the land of Carbonaro and carbs.

The drink menu pours from freshly-crafted coffees and drinks that includes nutrient-packed golden milk and golden coffee as well as brain-benefitting ‘shroom coffee to a produce section’s worth of freshly-pressed juices and both regular and enhanced “super” smoothies. If you want something to wash down with those, the food menu includes creative bowls with chicken, fish, and veggies, as well sandwiches and wraps inspired by international flavors that reach beyond Italy, and a menu of baked potatoes with sweet or savory toppings! Though all of the food is prepared and served fresh and fast, the menu also offers even quicker bites like a set of toasts that goes way beyond avocado and salads that combine fresh veggies in ways that release all their flavor and nutrition and that can be enhanced with a wide range of proteins and sauces to customize to your taste.

For those who do not want to brave the busy streets of this popular and populated neighborhood, Pink Carrot also has a special app that offers with specials and incentives, including delivery to anyone within the borders of Boston.

Que bella!

www.pinkcarrotboston.com

EIGHT NIGHTS OF NOSH

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It’s Chanukah again and that can mean only one thing on Matt’s Meals- a mention of our favorite shmearing shamash- Steve Peljovich!

I know that we talk about Steve a ton, but when your food is so good and you do so much good for the community, you deserve all the support you can get (especially when your food is so good- did I mention that?).

As with all Jewish holidays Steve has pulled out all the stops and upped his creative level to new heights with his famed (and well-named) mishigas knishes. This year’s selection includes latke and apple knishes, holiday brisket knishes featuring his famous family recipe, and even a sufganiyot knish that will have even the most devoted Dunkin’ denizens converting.

If you want ein bissel to eat before the sweet treats, Steve has appetizer-sized latkes, blintzes, chopped liver, and the ever-popular dynamic duo of Auntie Bev’s noodle kugel and Auntie Gayle’s matzo ball soup. And no Peljovich family meal would be complete without brisket and fixin’s as composed by Steve’s culinarily adept wife!

Chanukah is a time to recall the strength and perseverance of the Jewish people and to share delicious traditions with friends of all faiths. Especially in these times of anti-everything, it is more important than ever to come together around the communal table. When that table is topped with tastes from Michael’s Deli, you’d have to be some kind of shmendrik to miss it!

If you ARE too busy lighting candles and spinning dreidels to make a holiday order, have no fear! The true miracle of Michael’s is that, no matter when you visit, there are sure to be lots of fun and fabulous choices, including Steve’s ever-growing menu of themed knishes, special offerings that raise funds for community organizations and, of course, the best corned beef around.

Give Michael’s a spin. You are sure to win!

www.michaelsdelibrookline.com