The Cheesemonger's Kitchen

Fresh Goat Cheese "Pears" with Pistachio Dust

Burrata with Asparagus, Pine Nuts, and Golden Raisins

Roasted Butternut Squash with Fresh Tuscan Pecorino and Devil's Honey

Ricotta Fritters with Chocolate

Just in time for dinner party season.  Clever, creative, cheese-y ideas for both the savory and the sweet.......(having a very difficult time not drooling all over my keyboard).....Can you dig those pears!?  Roasted butternut discs with pecorino?  Buratta with asparagus!

I can't get over the simplistic beauty here, nor the crazy-tastiness.  Plus, I know texturally cheese can get a little tiresome, but Chester Hastings, Capt. Cheesemonger and Chef extraordinaire, has nailed nearly every suggestion in his new cookbook by pairing his arsenal of dairy with something either fresh, al dente, or kick-in-the-pants spice.

all images | by Joseph de Leo from The Cheesemonger's Kitchen

You can find this cookbook, as well as other glorious foodie books, and wonderful entertaining accoutrement at pod.  Right in Brookline Village.  

Trunk Show Alert

image | pod

image | ok

Trunk show of fabulousness with local wonder, Susy Pilgrim Waters + jewelry artist, Margaret Solow of the stunningly understated gems will both be at pod today, 12-5pm.

 pod
313 Washington Street
Brookline Village, Massachusetts 02445
617-739-3802
info@shop-pod.com

A Thing for String

angela liguori, inc.

When I was dreaming-scheming up a plan to open up a cheese shop in Brookline Village a couple of years ago, I envisioned this old-authentic-Vermont-general-store with the creaky wooden floors (the space I wanted was painfully perfect), crooked windows, and a screen door that would slam. 

And items purchased would be wrapped up in butcher paper that came from a giant roll at the end of a big, wooden farm table and then tied up with string that came from some massive spool hanging from the ceiling (ala Mike's Pastry, if yaknowwhattamean).  You can totally picture it, right?  I'd even have an apron on fergodsakes!

angela liguori, inc.

I've always had a thing for string.  I use that awesome butcher's cotton twine a lot when I wrap my gifts or to spiffy up an envelope with a simple bow.  Often wondered what I could knit with it.....or how many Turk's Head bracelets I could craft.

angela liguori, inc.

And then Brookline's own, Angela Liguori, upped the ante with this fabo cotton twine.  But she's not just limiting us to string.....her studio is filled with all sorts of simple and wonderful goods, mostly of the natural fiber kind.

angela liguori, inc.

A Little Redemption

It's been a while since I've posted - mostly due to the fact that I got a sweet little part-time job and we're in the midst of that high-speed chase that happens at the end of the school year aaaaaaand it looks like we are back in Brussels for the month of July.  So, this blog has been neglected.  Forgotten.  Ignored.

But no nothing else in my life has been put out to pasture - least of all my wrist.

image | julie rofman

Purchased here.  It's all too easy to swing into pod, since I walk right past it on my way to pick up a kid from school.  Plus, there's this magnetic force field that's way to hard to ignore around Mother's Day.

Stage Soup!

Allow me to take a minute to plug an awesome program in Brookline Village:

At Stage Soup we will play all of the fun and crazy theater games that we don’t always have a lot of time for at play rehearsals.

Bing Bang Boom, Viking/Bunny, “Darling,
I Love You,” Hitchhiker, Zippers, and
Fairy-Tale Movies are just a few of the games we will play. 

They’re fun and also help you develop skills like confidence, quick-thinking, and creativity.

Whether you find yourself lying on the ground imitating a crocodile head, brushing your teeth while jumping up and down, or acting out a Kung Fu version of The Wizard of Oz, you’ll definitely laugh, make new friends, and find out that no two days are ever the same.

Attend the following FREE SESSIONS to get your first taste of the Soup…

Thursday March 31:
3:00-4:20 (ages 7-11) or
4:30-5:50 (teen)

LOCATION: Inner Space Annex
                     17 Station Street
                     Brookline, MA 02445
                     (across from Brookline Village T)

After that, all classes will be $15 each and you can either register in advance or just drop-in when you want. (pending space availability.)

Contact Ryan@stagesoup.com, or call 617-735-5664 today if you would like more details on either SPRING or SUMMER programs.

Bonanza at Cabin Fever

I had the pleasure of going to the Cabin Fever Indie Gift Show yesterday and I thought I'd share some of the hot finds I stumbled upon.  There were close to 80 artists, designers, bakers, illustrators - an inveritable whirlwind of creativity packed into the Cathedral High School Gymnasium.  Here are some of the highlights:


24 year old and Little Rhody resident, Stephen Fitch of Moondust Macarons, has mastered the art of the macaron.  I can honestly say they are light and crispy and très authentique.  Picked up a lovely box for dessert.

image : GoLocalProv

For clever and attractive vintage design tees, hoodies, and other great stuff.

 

I'm such a fan of Leah Giberson.  I first saw her art on a post from beachbungalow8, and then

met her this past Fall, at West Elm's We Heart Handmade Art event.  Not only is she local-Brookline talent,  she's a very warm person and a delight to chat with.  Her work has been featured many times on the blogosphere - and elsewhere, but one can never tire of her appealing photography, paintings, collages, and images.  I find them absolutely captivating.

-And seeing as St. Valentine's Day was right around the corner, a shiny gemstone caught my eye.  Sara Danielle Designs - handcrafted precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry,  was a lovely place to linger and play dress-up.  Only, it wasn't just dress-up.  I did manage to pick up a couple of gems for myself.  Happy Valentine's Day, Karen.

There were also beautifully designed and handcrafted note cards and prints from everythinglittlemiss -

Following our stroll around from artist to artist, I managed to forget to circle back and grab a couple of crazy-delicious-looking brownies.  I know.  Easy enough to replicate, but these just seemed spectacularly good.  From Yummy Mummy Brownies.

Treats for all the senses.  Cabin Fever was a great indie show and I'm looking forward to checking out more events in the area for handmade artistry.

Les Chips d'Allauch

from France des Saveurs

I know.  But here's the thing - if you've traveled overseas can you not deny the simple fact that junk food and soda taste incredible?  Seriously.  No matter how jet-lagged or out of sorts, the junk tastes comforting and good.

And I think one of the most delicious drinks I've ever had was an Orange Fanta in Italy.  I swear.

And so when I saw that my favorite stalking stalker spots local foodie shop was carrying these super-fantastic Provençal potato chips, I thought to myself, "here's an opportunity to transport some friends to another land through the simple means of a tater chip".

See, we're having a little holiday shindig at 33 Kent St. And now it's basically no-holds-barred,  since I got me some French junk food.

Buy + Local = Way Better Gifts

One more reason NOT to get into your car and haul out to the suburban hinterlands for holiday gifts - pod is having a 30% sale on select Fall clothing.  Or just stay in your jammies and shop-pod online.

Pod
313 Washington Street
Brookline Village, Massachusetts 02445
888-739-3802

shop-pod.com

Pie in the Sky

This Fall, Pod, located right in our very own Brookline Village, is joining one of the world's greatest bake sales-Pie in the Sky.  Proceeds from this amazing effort go directly to feeding 750 critically ill neighbors and their families in Greater Boston. These meals not only feed the sick, they also keep families intact and provide hope for those who are unable to leave their homes.

Now in it's 18th year, Pie in the Sky involves more than 150 of Greater Boston's best chefs, restaurants, caterers, and hotels donating their time, talent, and resources to provide the freshest and finest Thanksgiving pies to each and every pie buyer--that's you!

So, here are the details: Now through November 17th, please donate or purchase pies from the Pod Team. Each pie (apple, pecan, pumpkin, sweet potato) is $25.00. You can purchase online here or come into Pod and order in person. Pies will be available for pickup AT POD Wednesday November 24th from 11am-6:30pm, as well as any of the other locations listed. The goal is 25 pies and with your help, Pod can do can reach this goal and help the many needy in Greater Boston!

pod
313 washington street
brookline, ma 02445
617.739.3802
www.shop-pod.com

  

Stamp Me Some Vintage, Please

Just like old, faded maps, I love me some vintage stamps.  Maybe it's the color, the classic design, the tiny works of art they portray...... whatever it is, I really do love them.  And I know the vintage stamp bandwagon has been banging around for a while. I'm hardly the first blogger to post a little something about them.  However, I maybe the first - no, probably second or third, to post about a

v i n t a g e   s t a m p   g i v e- a w a y

 

By leaving a comment on creative wonder talent, Angela Liguori, you will have an opportunity to win a large vellum envelope filled with hundreds of vintage stamps.  October 11 is the deadline.

Angela Liguori is a woman of many talents, one of which is creating some amazing cotton ribbon, hand bound books, stationary, lovely twine,etc., all of which you can find by visiting her shop, carta inc. or clicking on her logo below:

and she lives in Brookline

Celebrate homegrown tomatoes at Allandale Farm

 They come but once a year.  

The real ones, that is.  

Not the pink, firm, sponge-y ones....

but the ones that actually have a sweet, juicy flesh that transport you to the middle of a green field, on a sunny summer's day, maybe with a little hot breeze blowing through.

 

6th Annual Tomato Festival ::Saturday, August 21st, 2010

11am-3pm at Allandale Farm
$7 per person
Children 12 and under free 

"Join us for a day of music, corn on the grill and generous samplings of tens and tens of tomato varieites: Heirlooms, hybrids, pastes and cherries will be available in abundance for tasting. We'll keep you busy between plates with hayrides and other activities. See you there!"

 

 www.allandalefarm.com

 Allandale Farm
259 Allandale Road
Brookline, MA  02467
617-524-1531 (voice)
617-323-5044 (fax)

Store Hours:
Weekdays 10am-6:30pm
Weekends 9am-6pm

I'll Take the Box of Rosé

Perfect picnic wine you ask?  Something that's easy to sneak into that public outdoor concert?  Would rather avoid the creepy brown-bagged wino gig?  I couldn't recommend Y+B Wines and their very stylized TetraPak libations more heartily.  This Spanish Rosé pictured here stands up to any goopy cheese, Triscuit, homemade salsa, or those  crispy particles of potato glass   Cape Cod chips that seem to make it into every picnic basket during the summer.  Plus, these guys are 1 full liter, 33% more than the standard 750ml.

All Y+B Wines are made from 100% handpicked organic grapes.  The packaging is not a gimmick.  It's a serious effort to minimize the already maximized carbon footprint created by the wine biz. This is a sustainable, organic, great tasting wine.  And they run about $10 at The Urban Grape.

Stars Align at Pod in Brookline Village

What happens when two creative forces come together? A supernova you say? Maybe not quite a stellar explosion but it certainly seems like that when you see what glorious work has come forth.

Sherry Olsen, known mostly for beautifully hand-painted ceramic plates, has teamed up with Fog Linen Work to create a gorgeous collaboration found only at pod in Brookline Village for the month of June.

Read more here.




The lovely images are from pod.

The Urban Grape

Allow me to introduce my newest friend, The Urban Grape. A couple of weeks ago I received a warm email from co-owner, Hadley Douglas inviting me, a local blogger, to their 'Media Day" at their new wine store. Always up for a new discovery, I marked my calendar for the event after conducting a little research on their website and blog. I wanted to know more about what kind of future we might have.....

I'll admit, I was a little suspicious going into to this. After a fairly disappointing experience with other local wine stores, I was not entirely hopeful that yet another wine boutique might meet the needs of me, my friends, or Brookline.

And new relationships can be a little overwhelming, maybe a little unsettling....not sure how much one might have in common, how opinionated, or agreeable...

...but this one is a keeper.


Located conveniently on Boylston Street in Chestnut Hill, I am happy to get in my car and drive the easy 3 miles for a 'date' to check out the latest selection out of their 850 bottles of wine.


The interior is all shiny and new. In fact, the clean lines, organized, and efficient interior might beg for a chilly reception one would find in NYC or any other large city but to the contrary, the greeting I received and conversation that followed with both owners and staff could not have been more congenial, warm, and intimate.



Owners TJ and Hadley Douglas (TJ on the far right, Hadley on the far left) have really done their homework and have created an outstanding environment for sampling and purchasing wine.

I. did. not. want. to. leave.

Add to that, they have a healthy selection of spirits and craft beers (including the ever elusive Saison from St-Feuillien). Staff is available and informed. The whole experience is one I look forward to having again and again.

Expect to hear more about this friend...I'm sure I'll have loads to say about our future together.

7 Boylston Street Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 | 617.232.4831

MY oilcloth | sample sale

Don't forget the MY oilcloth
BLOWOUT SAMPLE SALE -
up to 70% off
Inner Space, 17 Station St., Brookline
8am - 6pm

- or -

online
MYoilcloth.com
all day

MY oilcloth handbag sample sale!

If you haven't experienced the outstanding quality and practical design that goes into every MY Oilcloth bag or purse, you are missing out on an exceptional product.

And now is your chance to be sure not to miss out on an exceptional sale!


Event: MY oilcloth handbag sample sale

When: Friday, June 11, 2010 , 8am-6pm
Where: Inner Space, 17 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445


MY oilcloth's first ever open-to-the-public, sample sale. MY's handbags, totes, and accessories can be snatched up at a deep discount (up to 75%) for one day only- Friday, June 11th.

MY oilcloth has been featured in Real Simple and Parenting magazines and will debut in the Neiman Marcus catalog this Fall. Help them clear out their end of season merchandise or get lucky
and snap up a vintage piece you thought was sold out!

And if you can't be in Brookline on June 11, this sample sale will be available online at MYoilcloth.com.

How to NOT Boil Water

Just a coupla tips:

• don't watch the pot
• don't get distracted while not watching the pot
• don't forget that you're distracted while not watching the pot
• maybe don't leave the house with your distracted self, forgetting that you were boiling water

and finally,

• don't be surprised to find a wrecked pot with no boiled water upon your return. And a super hot kitchen.

And just a head's up if you're a Brookline resident::

Boil Water Advisory for Brookline is in effect.

UPDATE::ADVISORY IS OFF. WATER IS CLEAN. (AND PLEASE WATCH YOUR POTS.)

Dear Editors, That's just gross.

Today's Brookline TAB food column included an article and recipe that included chicken and Coke. Coke as in cola. As in that high-fructose corn syrup brown stuff.

After swallowing vomit a strong feeling of aversion, I decided to wax nostalgic and take a ride back to those highly nutritional 70's that soda and poultry entrees were born.

From Betty Crocker, it's a Party Sandwich Loaf - a delightful take on a Dagwood.
That's cream cheese doubling as frosting. Wow.

Tuna Melts.
Toasted fish and cheese.
Canned fish and melted, greasy dairy product.

It's so colorful!
Those are lima beans floating in that yellow castle of jello.

Canned crunchy things top canned green beans.
And canned cream of mushroom soup.

More gooey goodness with tuna and noodles and peas. And goo.
Baked goo.

Stacked bologna with stacked white stuff. Stacked.


Picturesque molded meatloaf.
Personally, I think I would enjoy patting the raw beef into the mold
the best part of this culinary wonder.

Molded Asparagus. Straight up.
Like, don't walk around the kitchen until it sets.

And here's my letter to the editor:

Dear TAB Editors,

Count me as a loyal TAB reader. Like many of my fellow Brookline community members, I find the community anecdotes, photos, and event news a weekly treat along with the general local news.

I also understand that the Brookline TAB is owned by the news conglomerate, GateHouse Media. Decisions to include more general articles in the regional papers are probably made in the national office, based in Fairport, NY. However, one might think that the slow and steady death of print media might explain why the paper would include a completely disgusting and outdated recipe in Linda Bassett's "Kitchen Call"? Or maybe it would help explain the demise of print media? Or that GateHouse Media seems to be stuck in 1973?

In the February 11 TAB food column "Kitchen Call" included a recipe that included scallions, mushrooms, chicken....and Coca Cola. I'm sure I'm not the only one that finds that to be a) utterly disgusting, b) offensive given all the evidence of how unhealthy soda is, and c) completely outdated and uncreative. With the endless information on home cuisine, surely one can find a better recipe than "Co'Cola Chicken" that calls for "2 cups of Coca Cola (not diet)".

We know that the author of "Kitchen Call" that is behind this culinary wonder is Linda Bassett, a teacher at North Shore Community College. She writes, "Southern cooks are equally creative in making stews and braises. They use...soda.... The concept isn't so strange when you think about Europeans using wine as a cooking medium." What? Did Linda just equate cooking with wine with cooking with canned sody pop? Really?

Would it be too much to ask the editors to find a more appropriate food contributor? Or, at least someone that can suggest and describe recipes that are updated. And healthy.

Sincerely,
Karen Sutton