Food

This section includes pieces related to food products

BLISSFULLY MISNAMED

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A few months ago, I thanked the gods of food that the Donut Villa Diner had doubled in size from its original location in Malden to a new spot in Cambridge.

Apparently, the gods heard me because the donut-forward eatery recently added a third Villa in Newton!

And while the donuts are among the best I have ever had (which is saying something!) and come in such amazing flavors as double-chocolate toasted almond and white Belgian chocolate and Oreo (not to mention their ridiculously fresh apple fritters!) and variations as donut pizza, donut cheeseburger, donut breakfast sandwich (of course!), donut French toast, and a maple donut bread pudding that is worth another trip on its own, the restaurants seem to be greatly misnamed.

Though it started as the Donut Villa Diner over 50 years ago and is now called (at least around Newton) the Donut Villa Brunch Club and Bar, the fact that the diner-like menu is so lacked with so many amazing items that have no donuts in them. Among my favorites (which is admittedly a difficult decision) are and an Ahi tuna burger that is so good it should be il-Legal (especially when paired with the pickle fries, as every meal should be!). For those who need more choices (as they will surely come back again and again), there are also such creative offerings as lobster-packed and waffle-based Benedicts, corned beef hash-burger, a chicken parm sub, crab cakes, tofu scrambles, a banana split waffle, and what is appropriately named the Bonkers Breakfast, as well as healthy sets of gluten-free and vegan options as well.

Oh and did I mention that, as the new name implies, the latest Villa has a both a full coffee bar and a full bar bar that features tons of taps of local and international beers and customizable creative cocktails? Well yes and yes!

It has been said that you can’t judge a book by its cover and asked what’s in a name. In that spirit, I urge you to go for the donuts but stay for everything else!

www.donutvilladiner.com

HOLDAYS AT HAYMARKET

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Now that we are (hopefully) visiting others for the holidays it is time once again to get gifts for them all!

As usual, our friends at Boston Public Market have everything we (and everyone we know) could ask for…and more!

From gifts to groceries and treats to trimming, BPM makes holiday prep easy. And not only will you be helping the Market’s marvelous makers, you will also be supporting area entrepreneurs through the “Market on a Mission” non-profit program as well.

As part of its December Happenings series, the Market is hosting such special events as Pine Bar tap takeover featuring Shelburne, VT’s Fiddlehead Beer on December 22, a visit from Frosty the Snowman December 18, and a Holiday CrEATor Market (with an emphasis on the “E A T”) every weekend right up until Christmas Eve! There will also be a sleigh-full of tours, tastings, and classes, including pasta ornament making with Seven Hills Pasta December 17, ornament decorating with Laurel Greenfield Art December 20, and a coffee tasting with George Howell on the 23rd that will help you power through the final shopping days and get ready for what is sure to be a great holiday (or at least better than last year)!

No matter when you visit, there are always plenty of pretty and practical pieces from the enviro-conscious crafters of Peterman’s Board and Bowls, American Stonecraft, and the ever-able artists at HOPe Unlimited. If you have already finished your holiday shopping (as if!), you can still enjoy local legends like Beantown Pastrami, Crescent Ridge ice cream, Red’s Best seafood, and the ever-popular gift-makers at Q’s Nuts (as well as bagels from Bagel Guild for those who prefer to shmear through the snow).

Whether you need gifts for others or a well-deserved treat for yourself, Boston Public Market is always ready to deliver. And as we prepare to give to others we love, a visit to the Market is a great opportunity to also give to some of our most creative our friends and neighbors as well!

www.bostonpublicmarket.org

BAA-BAA-AAH!

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While Chanukah may be a favorite for the younger set, I have always been a fan of Passover. Though I have long enjoyed the family time, in recent years, my yearning for the Exodus has been enhanced by the annual arrival of my mother-in-law’s amazing meringues!

Black Sheep CBD meringues combine all-natural, responsibly-sourced, soy-, gluten-, dairy-, and GMO-free inspired ingredients such as pure cane sugar and fresh egg whites with what many are finding to be the best ingredient of all- CBD.

As they offer the healing elements of 100% hemp-derived cannabidol (which has been shown to minimize anxiety and pain, among other benefits) without any of the “high” that comes from another hemp-based element commonly known as THC (or even any of the aftertaste that many other CBD products have), Black Sheep stand out, but in a good way- just like my mother-in-law’s meringues.

As they are so yummy, it can be tempting to overdose. Fortunately, Black Sheep come in both 100 and 200 mg varieties, making it easy to control how much of a tasty treatment you take.

Speaking of variety, Black Sheep meringues and THC gummies come in a wide range of flavors that includes cappuccino, caramel, chocolate, cotton candy, vanilla, and even an appropriately celebratory birthday cake flavor, all of which come in at just 20 calories per treat!

Though nothing may make me feel as good as having my family come to visit and having one of them bring mouth-melting meringues, Black Sheep can at least keep me feeling no pain the rest of the year while I wait to leave Egypt once more.

https://blacksheep-cbd.com

WORK WITH WATCHA’ GOT

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Though many of us may not be cooking at home as much as we had before the masks (thankfully!) started to come off, when we do have the urge, it can be frustrating to be foiled by a lack of foil (or other pantry staples).

Fortunately, our friends at America’s Test Kitchen have come up with another great guide that will help get even reticent or retired rotisseurs revived and ready to go!

The Complete Modern Pantry offers nearly a year’s worth of ideas for ways to make what you want with what you have.

Realizing that everyone sees different items as “must-haves” in their kitchens, The Complete Modern Pantry puts common items in categories (e.g., bulk and base items, frozen foods, baking-based bites, creamy and crumbly foods, and textured toppings) each of which is elaborated upon so that you can choose your favorites and be sure to have at least them on hand so you can make food you like and will actually eat (which is the point, no?!). The book also suggests substitutions and multiple uses for various items and offers alternative and even improvised edits so that almost any chef can comply with the books’ guidelines and reap the rewards from their own refrigerators. It also offers encouraging advice so readers can feel more comfortable and confident moving about the kitchen even if they feel it may be understocked (at least in terms of certain foods or food categories) and so they can take their available foods and this great guide and make unique recipes that are truly efficient and their own!

From breads and baked goods to drinks and desserts to sweet and savory snacks and soups and stews to a Little Italy’s worth of dishes based on one-pot pastas to other internationally-inspired dishes and spice blends that bring you the world without going to the international market, this book has what it takes even for those who may not.

Forget the shopping list at home? Head back there, grab this book, and make a great meal anyway!

www.AmericasTestKitchen.com

One GIANT Step for nutrition

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As a food fan, I am constantly offered foods that are supposedly healthy or that have so-called “superfoods” that will take care of my every ailment- either actual. potential, or hypochondriacal.

And while some seem legit, the fact that there is not much of a supervisory system makes me wary.

That is why I am so glad that I am getting into the Step One family of snack foods!

Not only were they created by a cardiologist, but they have also been put through a series of independent tests and clinical trials at the world-famous Mayo Clinic to confirm the accuracy of their nutritional claims.

Though Step One foods are geared to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and support cardiac health with just two servings a day, the non-GMO, antioxidant-, fiber- and plant sterol-packed, plant-based, real food products also reduce inflammation throughout the body and can even help you lose weight.

Oh- and did I mention how delicious they are? Well let me just say that it is pretty easy to enjoy two a day!

From well-portioned bars that come in such great flavors as chocolate crunch and cranberry pecan to oatmeal, smoothie and pancake mixes, and what they call “anytime sprinkles” that can be put on pretty much anything to add flavor and nutrition, Step One has great options for any meal or in-between-meal snack. They even have a book by the founder Dr. Elizabeth Klodas that explains how prevention of medical issues is far better than treatment after they arise. This being the case, eating Step One foods can lower your medical costs as well!

As we all learned during the pandemic, we are nothing without our health. That is why I am excited to take Step One (and step two) into the world of a clinically-proven set of foods that make good health easy and delicious!

www.steponefoods.com

Spicy Shark swims back

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I know that I talk a lot about Spicy Shark, but when their sauces are so good and they do so much good for the environment, they deserve all the lauding I can load on them!

We recently talked about their first annual New England Hot Sauce Festival, which took place at the end of July at the Smuttynose Brewery in NH.

In that segment, we mentioned how, in addition to hosting over 25 other area spicy sauce slingers and legendary heat eater Mike Jacks, the event would also support area marine life by donating proceeds to their shark-saving partners at Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation and the Seacoast Science Center.

Well, I am thrilled to report that the event attracted over 2,000 guests and raised nearly $10,000 for the two organizations! I am also excited to say that the second annual event is already in the works.

In the meantime, I wanted to say that, especially as Spicy Shark supports others, we need to support them as a local independent company. That is why I am urging my fellow condiment crazies to visit www.thespicyshark.com to see all they have to offer.

Among my personal favorites (as if I could possibly narrow the list!) are the Nurse Shark jalapeno (which is a good entry point for those who may fear the sear), the smoked maple sriracha (which combines local syrup with Asian-inspired awesomeness), and the Blue Shark blueberry syrup that brings a bit of pleasant pain to my pancakes and helps me wake up in the morning.

No matter what you choose (there are also collections and other cool gear), you are sure to enjoy and, even when your mouth is burning, you can still feel good knowing that you are helping cool friends survive and thrive.

Sweet variety

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As a chocolate fan who is always looking for excuses to eat more, I have long been a fan of such suppliers as Red Chocolate (who offer chocolate with no added sugar that tastes as good as any), and Flava Naturals (which packs in so much extra health-supporting flavanol that I feel like running to the store for more every time I eat or drink one of their delicious products!).

Speaking of running out to get more, Red has recently launched a series of web-based chef partnerships that will bring their delicious bars and recipe ideas to more people. They will also be donating a ton of tasty treats to Project Insulin

at the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade on October 6 in Salem, MA, so people with diabetes and other sugar sensitivities can join in the fun as well!

As for Flava, they recently redesigned their bars to allow fans to enjoy a double portion of their power-packed chocolate in bars that can be broken into smaller scored pieces (as if anyone can control themselves once they taste them!). If you cannot decide which to break first, Flava is also offering variety packs that pack in even more nutrition by packing a pair of their Classic Dark, Blueberry, and Roasted Almond + Himalayan Pink Salt bars, so you can enjoy a new flavor (or Flava) sensation any time you want.

And while the price of chocolate and so many other important things (like other foods) is going up, the folks at Flava are so dedicated to helping everyone stay as healthy as possible that they have actually lowered their price by 22% per serving!

Everyone knows that chocolate can help your heart, but your blood is sure to get a little more Red when you enjoy this much Flava!

www.red-chocolate.com / www.flavanaturals.com/

EXTRA Happy Halloween for diabetics

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Having grown up just outside of Salem, MA, I am well aware of the wild world-famous wonder that is their annual Haunted Happenings celebration. And while my friends and family and thousands of other revelers have been able to participate in this moving party every Halloween, there are many for whom this time of year is especially challenging.

I often talk about the generous food makers who cater to the many people who cannot handle gluten or nuts. Another major demographic to consider is the large group of people with diabetes for whom too much sugar is dangerous and potentially deadly? Needless to say, it can make Halloween a real drag!

That is why I am excited to announce that, on October 6, the folks from Project Insulin will be handing out tons of low-sugar and lower-calorie but still crazy delicious and sweet tooth-satisfying candy from our friends at Red Chocolate.

Project Insulin is a not-for-profit agency that is working to develop a generic insulin that diabetics will be able to buy at cost, making it more available to more people.

Red Chocolate is the only no sugar added chocolate that has only half the calories of most other chocolates and yet tastes just as great! Together, they are making life easier and sweeter for the millions of people dealing with diabetes. Hopefully, this Halloween parade will be just the first step.

Whether or not you can join the parade, be sure to join Red in their support of Project Insulin and be sure to share some of their delicious lower-sugar and lower-calorie treats with your costumed crowd.

Projectinsulin.org / red-chocolate.com

Generally Great

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As kids go back to school and holidays lurk just around the corner many are looking for places to stock up on supplies and other good stuff.

In my town of Needham, we are fortunate enough to have most of it taken care of at the Needham General Store!

Located just across the street from the Hersey stop on the Commuter Rail, the General Store offers not only a full Dunkin’ Donuts but also great food and gifts from other local makers. They even have books from folks who have been on my TV show “The Writer’s Block” (including my book, Lions, Tigers, and…Bulldogs? An unofficial guide to the legends and lore of the Ivy League)!

One of their latest offerings is a weekly meat pick-up from Bianco’s in Medford that allows participants to trim their weekly shopping list by a few delicious pounds.

They also offer all-natural salts from Saltire Brands, a woman-owned business that took inspiration from Paris markets and now hand-harvests sea salts from Duxbury.

If you need a quick gift (or yummy snack), bags of small-batch Minute Man kettle corn are always a hit! This Worcester-based company takes inspiration and recipes from the American Revolution and is sure to change how you see (and taste) popcorn.

Another great snack that is especially popular in my house is the GIANT peanut butter cup from Swampscott’s CB Stuffers. They apparently make the largest peanut butter cups available, as well amazing bars and other sweet treats, including items with the Red Sox logo that can let you end a sour season on a sweet note.

If you need a bit of a bridge from your typical store to one that offers as much as this specifically-situated “general” store does, remember that it also has a full Dunkin’ counter so you can enjoy a “regular” while finding unique gifts.

Keep track of wine tastings, author talks, and other events by following www.facebook.com/NeedhamGeneralStore or visiting https://the-needham-general-store.business.site and have a General-ly better shopping experience!

Chick it out!

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We have often sung the praises of our friends in food trucks and celebrated those – like Clover and The Dining Car – who have grown into successful brick-and-mortar businesses. But perhaps no trucker has traveled further than Avi Shemtov, who started with his pioneering Chubby Chickpea truck and recently opened a second location of his Mediterranean-minded Hummus v’Hummus at The Street in the tony Boston suburb of Chestnut Hill.

I remember waiting in line at the Chubby truck, smelling the fresh felafel, salivating over Shemtov’s signature stuffed grape leaves and artichoke blossoms, and sweating out the seconds until I could enjoy a cool cup of limonana.

As the second-generation chef has so much culinary culture and talent behind him, it is no surprise that he has not only added other trucks (including the travelling beer bar known as the TAPPED), but also created an eponymous restaurant group that includes award-winning area favorites like Simcha, A La Esh and the original Hummus v’Hummus at the Speedway in Brighton, MA.

While meal bowls continue to be popular, Hummus v’Hummus takes the health-conscious concept to new places by basing bowls on Shemtov’s historic hummus. In addition to the healthy bowls (that can be filled with the area’s favorite falafel or authentic Israeli chicken shawarma…or both!) Hummus v’Hummus also offers Shemtov’s superior selection of salads, sauces, and spreads. 

While those on Boston’s North Shore can learn more about Shemtov’s story and savory stuff at the Jewish Community Center in Marblehead, MA, on November 13 when he discusses The Simcha Cookbook (which is based upon his South Shore store Simcha) as part of the 2022 Jewish Book Month Speaker series (see https://jccns.org), the best way to get to know him is to taste his food and Hummus v’Hummus is a great place to start!

http://hummusvhummus.com