Saturday, June 30, 2001
Cold-Brewed Coffee Extract
My dear friend Suzanne Hamlin, “That Hamlin Woman,” as a listener once called her and I continue to when I want to tease her a little, were talking about coffee and how to make it the other night. It’s a subject we visit frequently. [more]
Thursday, June 28, 2001
Wine Buy: Barossa Vines Shiraz
It was love at first sip. But then robust red wines are my “type” and Grant Burge Barossa Vines Shiraz 1999, from the Barossa region of southern Australia, is a particularly sensual, easily lovable big red. It’s not an aggressive wine. It won’t, as Californians like to say, (I hate this expression) “knock your socks off.” It has elegance as well as boldness. In fact, you might say, to take this anthropomorphic description to the hilt, that it is a masculine wine in touch with its feminine side. It has deep, deep ruby color, easily detected red berry flavors and a sort of spiciness in both the seductive bouquet and first taste impression, generous, forward flavors and aromas and a rich mouthfeel, backed up with good acidity and a haunting “finish,” wine jargon for the flavors and impressions that linger on the palate and in the nasel passages. And this one does linger. It is upfront, while it also takes its time revealing its complexity. [more]
Wednesday, June 27, 2001
Fred Plotkin's Italy Recommendations
As promised, here is a detailed accounting of the restaurants that Fred Plotkin recommends in Rome, Florence, Venice and Trieste. Most of Fred’s recommendations, as well as others, can be found in his book Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, the most comprehensive book on its subject, and I think the most reliable. It includes not only restaurant recommendations, but background information on the cuisines of Italy’s 20 regions, and entries on all kinds of food shops and markets. [more]
Tuesday, June 26, 2001
Fred Plotkin on Eating in Rome, Florence, Venice and Trieste
I know that many of you will be enjoying Italy this summer, and while you’re there you will want to experience food traditions that haven’t changed in centuries. Last Friday and this Monday I had my very good friend, Fred Plotkin, on Food Talk and we chatted about the dishes, customs, and restaurants found throughout Italy. [more]
Monday, June 4, 2001
Bagels
I started a new segment on Food Talk today. It’s called. “It’s Not a Good Thing” and you can expect me to continue it on Mondays. [more]
Sunday, June 3, 2001
Wine Buy: Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva 1997
Taurino is a producer in Puglia (the stiletto heel of the Italian boot) and Salice Salentino is one of the most important red wines of the region. The Taurino Salice Salentino Riserva 1997 is proof of the greatness of southern Italian reds. The wine , which is a blend of the Negroamaro and Malvasia Rossa grapes, possesses the rich, ripe fruit that the southern climate produces. I would want to drink it with important meat: a pork roast flavored with rosemary and garlic (arista, the Tuscans call it), or braised, grilled or roasted beef. It would be marvelous alongside some short ribs cooked in a dark, dense sauce. It would be fabulous with venison or duck, or wild game. I would open a bottle to drink with a collection of southern Italian cheeses. For those, I might click on Esperya.com. [more]
Saturday, June 2, 2001
Semifreddo di Amaretti
I suppose the word “semifreddo,” which means “half cold” in Italian, and refers to a category of frozen desserts that aren’t truly gelato or sorbetto -- ice cream or sorbet -- comes from the fact that semifreddi (the plural) are usually eaten softer than true ice cream. [more]
