Oct 27

Oct 27 Cambridge: Beat Hotel

Beef, Boston, Cambridge, Chicken, Dinner, Fish, Fresh, Indian, Lebanese, Massachusetts, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Music, NEW RESTO, Olives, Romance, bar

Aug 2

Aug 2 TEA WITH: Ana + Alaina at Tatte

Smita Jacob

Bakery, Boston, Breakfast, Brookline, Cafe, Cake, Cambridge, Coffee, , Dessert, Massachusetts, Tea, bread

Aug 13
Aug 13 Cambridge: REI Camp Cooking Challenge

Smita Jacob

Boston, Cambridge, Camp, Farm fresh, Fish, Outdoors, Recipe, Seafood, Sushi

On July 28, 3 local area chefs battled it out on a grassy hill-top using only 1 local (and secret) ingredient.

The 3rd annual Camp Cooking Challenge was sponsered by REI and the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, hosted by Dane Tullock, Outreach Specialist, REI Boston and videographed by Jeremy from Studio603films.

Using REI's camping gear and fresh produce from The Food Project the chefs were challenged to serve two dishes to the judges using the red fish as their master ingredient. The judges were DAR commissioner Greg Watson, Editor of Northeast Flavor Magazine, Jean Kerr (whose current issue features Julia Child), Founder and President of Chop-Chop Magazine, Sally Sampson and Director of Food Initiatives , Edith Murnane.

The winners were Chefs Chris Douglass and Nuno Alves from Tavalo for their seafood risotto (I tried it, it was delicious!)

Coming in second was Chef Jay Murray from Grill 23 with Chef Patricia Yeo (from tv's Top Chef Masters fame and Moksa) coming in third. (I'm a huge fan of Top Chef so it was a pleasure to meet Chef Patricia Yeo).

Here, some highlights (my interview by Dane made it to my Instagram feed!)

Happy Birthday Julia Child!

Jun 27
Jun 27 Cambridge: Helmand

Smita Jacob

Afghan, Boston, Cake, Cambridge, Dinner, Fish, Herbs, Recipe, Seafood, Vegetarian

Location:

143 1st Street Cambridge, MA

Finally! Something tasty in this city!

I've never tried Afghan cuisine, but it certainly has very distinct flavours. Mint to coriander to pumpkin to cardamom. Curries and rices but crispy pastries and soft breads.

We ordered Bowlawni, the pastries filled with veggies, the Qoremay Ma-He, sea bass that's pan fried and sauteed, and served with rice. Absolutely delicious! The vegetarian special which includes baked pumpkin (out of this world!) eggplant, spinach, okra, and rice.

The cardamom cake (called "our cake" on their menu) is a must try. I make a cardamom cake, too, although this was much more moist and soaked in the essence. Mine is more of a tea cake (also a must try!)

It was also fairly busy even on a weeknight, but the service was still attentive and beyond wonderful.

I can't recommend this place more!