Passover Treats from Rosie's Bakery

I didn't grow up in a Kosher family. A little bit in the spirit of keeping Kosher, we didn't cook pork products in the house, but you can bet we were eating bacon and sausage at restaurants - and especially Alice's inimitable pork-filled Peking ravioli at Mandarin Taste. But every year when Passover rolled around, we'd dutifully celebrate two Seders and eat only Kosher-for-Passover food for eight days. I don't remember doing a strict removing and burning of all the chametz in the house - the forbidden leavened foods - but we'd keep all the kitchen cabinets closed and slowly eat our way through the boxes that accumulated across the counter: boxes of matzoh, egg kichel, those little jelly fruit slices, and other traditional Passover goodies of questionable quality.

My favorite Passover food is undoubtedly my mom's breakfast fried matzoh. Others call it matzoh brie and make it mushy, but we'd keep the matzoh fairly solid and crunchy with just a quick swipe under a running faucet. Now that I don't live at home, I can never make it quite as well on my own, and there's no one around to force me to drink a tall glass of apple juice with every portion. (I'll leave you to piece together that connection on your own.) But whenever I smell eggs frying, even if it's French toast being cooked, I immediately think of fried matzoh.

I'm also a fan of egg kichel - airy little cookies with sugar on top. In general, though, Passover foods - and especially baked goods - are notoriously bad. I won't go into a whole discussion of foods that are prohibited during Passover, but in a general sense, most leavened things are out, and many Jewish families (mostly Ashkenazi) also omit rice and corn. This knocks out everything containing corn syrup, which, in the processed food world, is pretty much everything.

When a representative from Rosie's Bakery reached out to me to see if I'd sample their line of Passover goods, I was a little worried that I'd be disappointed, but I like Rosie's and figured that if anyone can make Passover desserts taste great, it'd be them. Fortunately, they succeeded, so I wanted to share my recommendations based on the products I tried. Rosie's Passover menu is available in stores for the duration of the holiday, but to pick up an order on Sunday 3/24 and Monday 3/25, you must place it by 5 PM tomorrow, Monday 3/18.

First up, the Passover Brownie ($2.75 each): not only is this brownie outstanding for Passover, it is the best brownie I've had in ages. (This isn't too surprising to me as I had previously found Rosie's non-Passover brownies to be excellent as well.) From the cracked, crispy bits on top to the fudgy, melty interior, the Passover brownie thoroughly impressed me. You will probably not regret ordering a whole platter of these - unless you eat them all at once, that is.

At first glance, I thought this was a Passover version of a half-moon (aka black-and-white) cookie, but one bite in, the extreme almond flavor (and lack of white icing) gave it away: it's a Chocolate-Dipped Almond Macaroon ($2.65 each). Nope, it's not one of those chewy little mountains that Manischewitz sells in large tins that people either love or hate, and that's a good thing. This soft, sweet cookie reminded me of the almond cookies I occasionally get at bakeries in Chinatown, and the chocolate dip added a little something extra. Like the brownie, this macaroon made me think, "This is delicious!" rather than "This is delicious...for Passover food."

The Chocolate Coconut Macaroon ($2.65 each) may not be the most attractive baked good, but its taste makes up for it, provided you like coconut (I do). This one tastes most like a Passover item to me and does conjure up thoughts of those Manischewitz macaroons, but not in a bad way. If you like fudgy cookies packed with coconut, you'll love this.

The Chocolate Caramel Matzoh Crunch ($19.95/pound) was the only one in the bunch that didn't completely wow me, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I'm not a huge caramel fan. I did manage to eat quite a lot of it, and it went something like this: "Too sweet! But wait, I need another bite to make sure." (And repeat.) The texture's great, a gradient that starts chewy on the caramel side, gets crunchy in the middle, and ends with the smooth chocolate on the opposite side. I'd probably be happier with just plain chocolate-covered matzoh, but those with a sweet tooth for caramel will adore this.

The Chocolate Delirium ($5.50 small, $32 large) is appropriately named as its richness will make your eyes roll back in your head as you slowly take a bite, and then another, and then another...at least that's what happened to me. This flourless cake is decadently rich, and I could only handle a few bites at a time. True chocolate lovers may sneak away from the table with this only to be found later whimpering in a corner and covered with melted chocolate.

So, I guess it's possible to make excellent Passover baked goods after all. I'll definitely still be found munching on box after box of commercially-produced egg kichel, but without hesitation, I can also recommend Rosie's Bakery's Passover menu.

Disclosure: Rosie's Bakery provided me with complimentary samples of several of their Passover menu items. While I agreed to post a review of the products, positive coverage was not guaranteed, and all opinions expressed in this post are my honest thoughts.

Restaurant Review: Blue Inc. (CBS Boston)

After five years as Executive Chef at Somerville’s now-defunct Gargoyles on the Square, as well as a few months earning a second-place finish on Fox reality cooking show “Hell’s Kitchen,” Jason “Jay” Santos has opened up Blue Inc. in the Financial District, bringing over his signature duck dish and his recognizable bright blue hair. In its early months, Blue Inc. has already gained substantial buzz for its hints of molecular gastronomy – culinary magic tricks – and whimsical menu.

Read the rest of my article over on CBS Boston.

More photos:

2011 Chocolate Buffet at The Langham

A little bit of food porn for your Friday - some photos from last night's complimentary press sampling of the 2011 chocolate buffet menu at The Langham's Cafe Fleuri. (We were also given a tasting of some of the non-chocolate brunch options; I'll post those tomorrow.) I stand by what I said last year; it's on the expensive side. While I personally would not be likely to go here for $40/person, I can see the appeal for something like a bridal shower or fancy girls' afternoon out. Without further ado...chocolate:

Cheeseboy

Cheeseboy, a glowing beacon of cheese and bread and butter, welcomes travelers from near and far to South Station. A cheesy treat upon your arrival? Maybe one to carry onto the commuter rail after work, driving your fellow commuters mad with jealousy?

I was in transit; after work, I headed to South Station to attend a nearby event on sustainable food businesses - more on that later - but with 20 minutes to spare, it was finally time to try Cheeseboy.

"The best things in life are cheese," says the company website. A few years ago, I probably wouldn't have agreed. Aside from pizza and French onion soup, I neglected cheese for quite some time. I just didn't think I liked it. It slowly crept back into my life. First, I'd sprinkle a little bit of grated asiago or parmesan on my pasta. Then, in college, I realized that one of the dining halls made an amazing grilled cheese, and it was all downhill from there. Now, I'm even getting into softer cheeses, slowly. Goat cheese is my newest obsession. Yesterday, every meal I ate featured cheese.

At Cheeseboy, you can choose your bread (Italian, rye, multigrain, wheat), your cheese (American, cheddar, light Swiss, muenster, provolone), and toppings (a variety of meat and veggies). There is, of course, tomato soup.

I got Italian bread with provolone, topped with basil and tomatoes, and accompanied by tomato soup. The sandwich comes packaged in a perfect cardboard box, much like a pizza:

Finally, cheesy goodness:

Ah, bliss. Perfectly buttery and gooey and cheesy. The tomato soup was thick and comforting.

I have no idea why there wasn't a line out the door for this place; I was there right at rush hour and only had to wait a few minutes. Next time you find yourself in South Station, you should definitely visit Cheeseboy.

Chocolate Buffet (and Non-Chocolate Brunch) at the Langham

There's a chocolate buffet in Boston. That should really be all you need to know to get up, put on your coat, and head out the door right now. (Actually, stay where you are for now, unless today is Saturday - it's only available on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm, early September through late June.)

The folks at the Langham were nice enough to invite me to come by the Cafe Fleuri and gorge myself on their selection of chocolate goodies (as well as some of their Sunday brunch dishes...but I definitely used up most of my stomach space on the chocolate).

Here are some photos to make you drool:

Some kind of chocolate martini, probably from heaven

White Chocolate Strawberry Parfait (one of my favorites)

Manjari Pave with Fleur de Sel (salt and chocolate never fails to be delicious)

Raspberry Dome

Espresso-Soaked Opera Slice

Milk Chocolate Mousse with Passionfruit Curd (a little bit odd but very tasty - another favorite!)

Banana Meringue Tart with Crispy Bacon (Banana +Bacon = YES, as I have previously discovered at East Coast Grill.)

House-Smoked Maple Atlantic Salmon with Traditional Garnishes and Lavash

Maine Shrimp "Martini" with Boston Lettuce and Organic Tomatoes

Roasted Beets, Lakes End Goat Cheese, and Marcona Almond

The chocolate buffet is certainly not cheap at $38 for adults and $25 for children 4-12 years old. Sure, it's all-you-can-eat, but...well...it's all-you-can-eat. Probably not the healthiest idea. In any case, I would recommend this for a special occasion along the lines of a bachelorette party or a bridal shower. The Sunday brunch is $48 for adults and $25 for children. For both events, kids under 4 eat free.

Disclaimer: I was invited to this tasting event along with other local food bloggers. All food and drinks were provided free of charge. This does not obligate me to write a positive review - or any review at all. The opinions expressed in this post and throughout the rest of the blog are honest and complete, regardless of the cost of food.

A Quick Lunch at Zo

Quick to say, quick to serve, quick to eat!

Normally I don't venture out to Government Center for lunch as it's about a mile from my office, but today was a good day to catch up with an old friend who works around there. Due to a massive blister on my heel (ouch!), I hopped the T instead of walking, and it was a quick enough ride to Zo.

Gyros, wraps, spanakopita, dolmadakia, baklava - it's all there, ready to be eaten in the breezy, shady courtyard of Center Plaza. It's a perfect place to meet up with old friends to compare notes on love lost and found, our lives in the working world, and such. Note: if you have long hair, put it up. It's abnormally windy over here, probably due to the configuration of buildings, and getting a big bite of your own hair with your gyro is never fun...although better than someone else's hair, I suppose.

I've been searching for the perfect tomato, basil, and mozzarella sandwich for awhile. I haven't quite found it yet, but I do like variations on it at L'Aroma Cafe, Tealuxe, and Iggy's at the farmers' market. (Perhaps I should make this an official quest?) Zo's version is wrapped up in a pita...

...but not just any pita. So soft, so warm, so comforting. Swoon. The rest of the ingredients were good too, but I'm thinking I could probably survive quite some time solely on Zo's pitas from heaven.

If you're looking for something meatier, try the original gyro, which my friend gives an enthusiastic thumbs up.

FYI: Weekday lunch only. No dinner, no weekends.

"Steakcation" Blogger Feast at KO Prime

When you get an email inviting you to a five-course "Steakcation," it's impossible to refuse. Nicole Kanner from All Heart PR asked a group of food bloggers to come downtown to KO Prime to try out Executive Chef Josh Buehler's menu. Although Buehler has been there for a couple years, most people associate KO Prime with Chef/Co-Owner Ken Oringer, but it's Buehler who is mainly responsible for the day-to-day workings of the restaurant.

I met up with Michelle (Fun and Fearless in Beantown) and Megan (Delicious Dishings) at Marliave for a pre-steak cocktail in the awkward time between work and dinner. Stay late at the office? Go home and come right back out? Cocktail? Cocktail! I plan on writing more about Marliave in the future as it's one of my Boston favorites, but here's a quick tip: the cocktails are ridiculously good. And ridiculously strong. All of them.

Perhaps a bit tipsy, we wobbled around the corner, skirts billowing in the eerie dusky pre-storm winds. KO Prime, which is in the Nine Zero Hotel, is located up a flight of glowing stairs (are we at a club?) with an elaborate antler chandelier at the top.

Slowly, our group filtered in: Michele (Foodie Mommy), Fiona (A Boston Food Diary), Aaron (Eat Boston), Robin (Doves and Figs), Will (The Boston Foodie), One Food Guy, who prefers to remain anonymous, and one other guy at the far end of the table whose name/blog I unfortunately didn't get. We had assumed "Steakcation" meant a vacation of steak, but it turned out to be a vacation from steak: since KO Prime is widely known as a steakhouse, Buehler wanted to show us what else he could do. Fair enough...I don't think I'd feel too well after five steak-based courses! As it turned out, it was actually ten courses. Hello food coma.

Due to the sheer number of courses, the rest of this post is just going to be food porn with very minimal discussion.

One ~ Creamy (but not cream cheesy) crab in a lightly battered and fried squash blossom. The accompanying duck sauce had a surprising bit of a kick.

Squash Blossom Crab Rangoon | Duck Sauce

Two ~ Local tomatoes. Nothing better in the world.

Heirloom Tomato Salad | Crispy Manouri Cheese, Tomato-Basil Vinaigrette, Peach and Apricot Aioli

Three ~ Ah, here's the beef.

Roasted Jalapeno Beef Tartare | Smoked Poblano Jam, Crispy Quail Egg

Four ~ I tried, I really did, but snails just aren't my thing. Delicious carrot puree, however.

Fricassee of Escargot | Thumbelina Carrots, Mushrooms, Salsify, Lardons, Brioche

Five ~ Many found this to be their favorite course. I wasn't really into the vegetables or cockles, but the fish was enjoyable and the chorizo was excellent.

Seared Striped Bass | Summer Succotash, Cockles, Homemade Chorizo

Six ~ A unique and tasty palate cleanser.

Apricot Soda | Yuzu-Mint Creme Fraiche Foam

Seven ~ Wait, now we're getting steak knives? But I'm already full!

Pork and Beef Duet | Dry Rubbed Pork Loin, Stewed Olives and Tomatoes, Chanterelle Polenta Cake, Grilled Flat Iron Steak, Pickled Ramps, Harissa

Eight ~ With little pieces of pineapple in it! Yum!

Pineapple Sorbet

Nine ~ Yes, yes, yes.

Dark Chocolate Marquise | Buttery Popcorn Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce

Ten ~ Oops, almost missed the last little assortment of goodies!

These weren't on the menu, but I believe the waitress said that it was raspberry gelatin, chocolate sandwiches with raspberry cream, and coconut cookies. We weren't really into the gelatin, but the others were a nice way to end the evening!

I can't vouch for the service on a normal evening, but our servers were friendly and informative. The presentation, as you can hopefully tell from the above photos, was colorful, clean, and creative, and there were plenty of strong flavors.

Based on this experience, I would definitely return to KO Prime. Even taking into account that we were a large table of food bloggers receiving an elaborate free meal, I assume that what we ate is still a fair representation of KO Prime's usual standards. I'd love to go back and actually get steak next time. (By the time course seven rolled around, I was too full to really enjoy the flat iron steak, but what I had was excellent.) As always, it was very nice to spend time with some other food bloggers from the area.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go take a nice long nap. I'm still in full-on food coma mode.