Condiments, relishes and sauces can make or break a well prepared dish. A tasty addition to anything from simple scrambled eggs to a perfectly broiled steak can take a meal from ho-hum to sublime.
Next week in Long Island City, NY, the creme de la creme of cheese mongers will convene for the Cheese Monger Invitational. Caitlin O’Neill, the assistant manager of Sickles Market’s cheese department will be competing along with 49 other invitees to see who knows the most. There is a trip to France on the line here, and O’Neill, who has been invited back to this convention would like very much to win.
So far, this season is turning out to be quite pea pleasing. We grew three varieties and they all came up gangbusters. One of the favored side dishes from our kitchen is a saute of sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and basil. Lots of sweet veggie crunch to a dish like this and it leaves you with the taste of summer in your mouth.
There is something very old school romantic about a cloth covered table and low lights. Add to this a bottle of wine, delicious comfort food and someone you love, and voila, it becomes a special night. For some of us, we need to find that romantic dinner where and when we can. One of my favorite restaurant’s to unwind and catch up in is Puglia in Red Bank, NJ.
“Patience is a virtue, Possess it if you can, Seldom found in woman, Never found in man.” This quote from an unknown source about sums up many of our dining experiences.