July 15, 2014

7 layered mediterranean dip



I recently hosted a small party for one of my co-workers who is moving to Dallas next month.  Given her vegetarian diet, I whipped up some vegetarian-friendly party foods including this jazzed up hummus dip.

If you want to get super fancy, you can make your own hummus and pesto, but I decided to take it easy on myself and used store-bought hummus and pesto.  It took me all about 15 minutes to assemble this 7 layered mediterranean dip, and it was a crowd pleaser!  This recipe is cost/time efficient, requires no extra utensils and is sure to impress your guests!

7 Layered Mediterranean Dip

2 cups hummus
1 cup pesto
1/2 diced cucumber
1/2 cup diced sun dried tomato
1/2 cup diced feta
1/3 cup diced olives
1/4 cup pine nuts

Spread hummus on bottom layer of serving dish.  Spread pesto on top of hummus, making sure not to combine the two.  Sprinkle remaining ingredients on top of hummus/pesto layers.  Serve with pita chips or other chips of your choice!

July 12, 2014

franklin cafe

bread + hummus spread

crab + corn fritters ($11) 

steak frites ($20) 

cioppino ($18)

VENUE //  I usually place a lot of emphasis on venue and ambiance when dining out, but definitely can overlook this aspect because the food is just so darn good at Franklin Cafe.  Franklin Cafe is a narrow space divided right down the middle with a full bar on the left side and ten or so booths along the right side.  The atmosphere here is definitely more pub-like than cafe, with an equal number of people drinking and dining.  My only knock on this place is that there is no waiting area or hostess stand so you are constantly moving around to avoid the servers walking down the restaurant and standing over other diners.  Oh, and be prepared to wait!

FOOD //  Great food at great prices.  The hummus dip is addictive.  The corn + crab fritters are meaty, lightly breaded and served with old bay seasoned sour cream.  The steak is tender, juicy and marinated in port.  Served with crispy fries and roquefort (blue cheese) butter, the steak frites here might be the best I've ever had.  The tomato fennel broth of the cioppino is delicious and perfectly complements the fresh hake, mussels and clams.

DRINK //  To be honest, my boyfriend and I came here because I wanted some hot soup to cure a prior night's hangover so we didn't do too much drinking here.

SERVICE //  Minus the wait, service here is great, and the food is served quickly.

Overall, Franklin Cafe is a no frills, quintessential South End neighborhood establishment that serves great food at great prices.  We will definitely be back for late night dinner and drinks.


Franklin Cafe
278 Shawmut Avenue
website

July 11, 2014

healthy chocolate muffins (120 cal)







Once in while, I have a craving for sweets -- chocolate, muffins, croissants, you name it.  Instead of running to the nearest bakery to satisfy my craving, I try to keep a batch of healthy baked goods on hand.  

Over the past year or so, I've experimented with quite a few healthy baking recipes, and can say that my top priority when baking is definitely keep the calorie count in check.  Thus, I usually avoid using oils, butters (including nut butters), sugar, dried fruits, and other high caloric sweeteners.  Instead, I usually substitute sugar with zero calorie liquid stevia, oils/butters with applesauce or mashed fruits, and high caloric sweeteners with spices.  Spices are definitely my secret ingredient as it gives my healthy snacks a bit of punch without the calories and fat.

My healthy chocolate muffin recipe is slightly sweet, spicy, under 120 calories per muffin, and a great way to beat those chocolate cravings!

Healthy Chocolate Muffins
Cook time:  25 minutes
Serving:  9 muffins
Calories Per Serving:  ~120 calories

1 egg
2 mashed bananas
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 
1 tsp vanilla
12 drops of liquid stevia 

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder 
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp instant coffee
1 tsp cinnamon 
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips 

Preheat oven to 350ºF.  Grease muffin tin.  Whisk wet ingredients.  Mix dry ingredients and add to the wet ingredients.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Bake for about 20-25 minutes.











July 6, 2014

seoul


upper level

 lower level + sushi bar

 traditional korean rice wine ($12.95)

 kimchee pancake ($8.95)

vegetable porridge ($8.95)

 stone pot bibimbap

 stone pot bibimbap + beef bulgogi combo ($18.95)

 her pov

 his pov


Having grown up in Duluth GA (which has become a mecca for non-LA or -NYC Koreans), I definitely used to take good, cheap Korean food for granted and assumed that every city had a sprawling Ktown.  One of the challenges of living in Boston, is being without good, cheap Korean food!  I don't eat Korean food on a regular basis, but there are just some of those nights when I crave some good Korean grub.  Last night was one of those nights.  

I dragged my boyfriend to Beacon Hill to try Seoul, which underwent a rebranding strategy around two months ago (formally Ma Soba).  Given Seoul's traditional and extensive menu (easily trumps Samurai and Jae's Cafe), I was really excited to try this new spot!

VENUE //   Located on the intersection of Cambridge + Hancock street right in front of Whole Foods, Seoul has a great location and is hard to miss.  The venue is spacious, bright and clean and complete with a full bar and sushi bar.  The best part of Seoul though has got to be the open window seating -- nothing beats a cool breeze and good Korean food on a warm summer night.  

FOOD //   I was really impressed by the menu here.  Seoul goes beyond the traditional Korean appetizers and entrees, and offers Korean + Chinese fushion dishes as well as sushi.  I was feeling a little under the weather so ordered the vegetable porridge and my carnivore boyfriend ordered the stone pot bibimbap + beef bulgogi option.  Oh and can't forget the massive kimchee pancake we ordered as well.  Including our traditional rice wine and side dishes, I was surprised our table could hold all of our food.  

I'm usually hesitant to order porridge at restaurants because it's so easy to end up with a bowl of bland mush, but the porridge at Seoul was wonderful.  The tender bits of cooked rice + carrots + mushrooms was cooked perfectly and seasoned well.  My boyfriend's stone pot bibimbap + beef bulgogi combo was also delicious -- the bibimbap was teeming with fresh veggies + ground beef, and the bulgogi was tender and sweet.  My only knock on Seoul would be that the kimchee pancake was tad on the greasy side (interestingly enough though, this was my boyfriend's favorite dish). 

DRINK //   We usually always order the traditional rice wine when we dine Korean.  Made from fermented rice, makgeolli is creamy white, a tad bit sweet, and is about 6-8% alcohol by volume.  Makgeolli is also traditionally served in a clay pot + laddle + metal bowls which adds to the authentic dining experience.  It's definitely the perfect complement to spicy, hot Korean food.  

SERVICE //   Service here is great.  Our waitress was incredibly friendly, and the food and drink service were timely.  Definitely no complaints here. 

FUN FACT //   Same owners as Ma Soba, just a different chef = same drink menu.  Seoul offers a full bar with great domestic / imported beers and wines.

DINING TIP //   The traditional way to eat the stone pot bibimbap is to mix the rice + veggies without scraping the rice from the sides of the stone pot.  That way while you are enjoying the rice + veggies, the rice on the sides of the stone pot will crisp up for a tasty snack.  I know this sounds a little odd, but I love eating it this way, and is probably one of the only reasons I even order this dish!

DRINK TIP //   Makgeolli can range in terms of sweetness, creaminess and carbonated / non-carbonated options.  I always opt for the sweeter, creamier and carbonated option.  Although Seoul offers a full bar, try the traditional option.  Nothing says authentic Korean dining experience like drinking alcohol out of a metal bowl.


Seoul
156 Cambridge Street