Taste With The Eyes

Chicago I Love You

Chicago Brisket Sandwich

The Brisket Kid’s Most Tender Beef Brisket on a Grilled Roll
With Smoked Mozzarella and Spicy Asian Slaw

To play basketball in the alley with my nephews. To watch Stone’s baseball game at Wells Park. To reconnect with some of the kindest, most caring and fun 125 people I have ever known at our high school reunion. To be visiting my favorite town during the celebration of the Stanley Cup. To dine at fabulous restaurants with my brother and darling sister-in-law. To have a BBQ with a super-talented finalist of Top Chef. To have my brother declare that my “Chicago Brisket Sandwich” is the best sandwich he’s ever had. Last weekend ranks up there. Way. Up.

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Hello? Summer calling…

Hello Summer Salad

Israeli Couscous, Corn, Heirloom Tomato, Zucchini, Jalapeño
Chunky Lemon Basil Dressing, Chervil

I forget how much I like Israeli couscous. It’s airy, toasty, and kind of fun. Perfect for summer. This roasted pasta is shaped like little balls and popular with kids in Israel where it’s called ptitim, we know it here as Israeli couscous. It makes a pasta salad that’s light and not too pasta-y. Vegetables are the star, but the couscous makes it into a meal. A beautiful colorful healthy meal for a hot summer day…

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quinoa & shrimp {pad-thai-style}

quinoa & shrimp {pad-thai-style}

tri-color quinoa, jumbo shrimp, pad thai chili sauce
garlic scrambled egg, cilantro, peanut, pickled thai chili, lime

It must be the plethora of quinoa recipes on Pinterest. I have quinoa on the brain. Here I took a perfectly good Pad Thai recipe and made it with quinoa. And actually, it was a nice twist on the classic. Not that I’m in anyway tired of the classic…

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peas & pasta, garlicky yogurt sauce, smoky chile walnuts

peas & pasta
pea sprouts, basil, feta
garlicky yogurt sauce, smoky chile walnuts

Color, texture, aroma, flavor – it’s all here in this delightful pasta bowl. Beautiful green peas and fresh pea sprouts, summery herbaceous basil, toasty walnuts cooked with hot chile and smoky paprika, a garlicky creamy yogurt sauce, briny tangy feta. Nope, nothing’s missing.

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A Celebration of Green: Herbed Fettuccine, Spinach-Poached Egg

A Celebration of Green

Herbed Fettuccine, Spinach-Poached Egg, Artichoke Heart
Asparagus, Baby Heirloom Tomato, Shredded Parmesan, Raw Pepitas
Tarragon, Marjoram, Thyme, Chervil

I simply cannot go to the Farmers Market without bringing home load of …everything green. Yesterday’s haul included tomatillos, asparagus, artichokes, raw pepitas, spinach, chervil, jalapeños, chervil, chives, little green tomatoes, sage, basil, tarragon, summer squash, thyme, marjoram. And probably more.

What shall I do with all this GREEN stuff? Pairing with pasta sounds good…but not all the produce can end up in the final dish. It has to be balanced, the herbs and other ingredients have to harmonize. Alas the tomatillos, summer squash & jalapeños will be saved for another day. Asparagus stays. I’ll use marjoram for pretty floral and subtle lemony notes, tarragon for its sweet anise-like spice, thyme for pungency and earthiness, and chervil for its bright green color and lacy texture.

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