Salamis & charcuterie
In 1927, Italy suffered a dreadful outbreak of swine fever, since when all imported salamis must be pasteurized which can dim the flavor of the original. For individual Italian salumi, check in Ingredients for Pancetta, Coppa and Guanciale.
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A Spanish charcuterie primer - 5 Jun 2011
With charcuterie increasingly on offer on restaurant menus, and more and more often made by Washington DC chefs themselves, it's useful to have an understanding of what these dried sausages are.
Santi Zabaleta, owner of Bethesda's A & H Gourmet & Seafood Market has come up with a primer covering charcuterie traditional to Spain. read more...
Cornucopia - one of my favorite markets - 4 May 2011
Sicilian Ibraim ("Ibo") Selmy trained as a geologist. Luckily for us, his interest was more in people and food than in rocks. So in 2003, after 15 years in Washington, the Palermo-born Italian opened Cornucopia in Bethesda, a food store and cafe to sell the specialties of his native land. "It's about people, sharing time with them." read more...
News to chew on for charcuterie lovers - 10 Feb 2011
I'm almost happiest, eating out, sitting at a bar counter with a glass or three of good wine in front of a plank of charcuterie. It was one of the things I missed about Europe when I first arrived in the capital. Not just the word but the concept drew blank stares.
Now, though, some area chefs have become specialists in making their own, Robert Weland at Poste for one. For others, read Zora Margolis' excellent article in Flavor Magazine read more...
Chinese sausages - 4 Feb 2011
Lap cheung - Chinese sausages - are worth having a packet of in the refrigerator. They are cured, not unlike a salami. So they will keep. read more...
Robert Weland - Chef of Poste - 20 May 2010
Chef Robert Weland makes his own charcuterie — and more — at his Penn Quarter restaurant, Poste. He grows his herbs and tomatoes in the garden beside the restaurant and he hosts a weekly Market to Market dinner, taking small groups on a tour of the Penn Quarter Farmer's Market then cooks a 5-course meal with the produce. read more...
Starters: Flambéed Figs with Goat Cheese and Prosciutto - 23 Sep 2009
Janis McLean, chef of The Morrison-Clark Inn, turns fresh or dried figs into an appetizer or something to pass around with cocktails that's a little out of the ordinary. read more...
A & H Gourmet and Seafood Market - one of my favorite markets - 11 Mar 2009
There was a time when A & H Gourmet and Seafood Market was just plain A & H Seafood Market. And plain it was. While it had fresh fish flown in from Portugal once a week, it was a little dark and dingy. You wouldn't recognize what ex-Taberna del Alabardero executive chef, Santi Zabaleta, has done to the place. read more...
German Gourmet - 18 Feb 2009
Paying a visit to The German Gourmet is almost like going to the doctor. The assistants behind the counter wear crisp white jackets, they serve you with efficient civility, and move you through as fast as they can. read more...
Balsamic vinegar - a sour note - 7 May 2008
If ever there was a food fad that didn't do the original product any good, it's balsamic vinegar. read more...
Prosciutto & other cured hams - 22 Nov 2007
Prosciutto di Parma from Italy and Jamon de Serrano from Spain are among the most seductive of cured meats. read more...
Sausages, plain and fancy - 20 Nov 2007
The humble sausage can now be bought in all international variations, filled with flavors representing every part of the globe. read more...
Drew Trautmann - Chef of Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar - 15 Nov 2007
Drew Trautmann focuses on locally sourced foods at Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar in a fashion that reflects the West Coast sensibilities of his dining room and bar. read more...
Salamis & charcuterie - 15 Nov 2007
In 1927, Italy suffered a dreadful outbreak of swine fever. Since then, by law, imported salamis, cotecchinos, even some cured hams must be pasteurized. Europeans would argue that this diminishes their flavor quite considerably. read more...
Mains: Grilled Watermelon Salad with Country Ham, Pine Nuts and Watercress - 10 Nov 2007
This is a stunningly pretty summer salad, pitching the raspberry red of the watermelon against the deep green of the watercress, from Tom Green, chef of the Kennedy Center. And it's refreshing, unusual and easy to make. read more...
The lunch shift is over and chef Peter Smith, owner of PS 7’s restaurant is surrounded by gin. No, he’s not relaxing over a drink. The gin is in bowls in an pre-formed state. It’s the mash, a mix of herbs and berries and peels and roots that Smith has worked out how to use in his food as flavorings.
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