Cooking With Ideas

Green City Market -- Windy City Style

One of the things about Chicago that makes one pine for Geneva, NY has to do with farmer's markets. The one in Geneva is wonderful. (For a related youtube, click here.) And so, it seemed sad to be away. And it was. 

And yet, we are not utterly at a loss, because my partner discovered Green City Market and we went off to it several Saturays (and look forward to going to the inside version soon). It was, I have to say, amazing. In fact, it was amazing. Have I said it was amazing?

Here are a few things that were particularly dandy. First: the first stall we saw was a mushroom stall, where all the muhrooms were hand picked -- and there were truly a LOT of mushrooms. We bought some and have had them and they do indeed taste earthy and shout mushroom at you. We also purchased some mushroom burgers they make -- and though I initially anticipated that I was humoring the burgeoning vegan (or at least more veg person than I) in our household, I loved them. I loved them so much we bought more and also some related tamales to try. 

Also wondeful is a person who sells mainly pears of various sorts (the exception being paw paws, which just do nothing for me). She says things like "I do nothing, it is the soil that makes these so amazoing." She helps you pick out ones that are rip and ones that will ripen well. And the varieties abound. We had some boscs; the first time we did our usual treat with them involving blue cheese and gastrique. The second time we . . . just ate them. And they, like the other pears we purchased from her, tasted delightful and nearly melted in one's mouth. Mmmmmm. They converted me from pear skeptic to pear lover. 

Finally, we have also purchased some quite dandy goat cheese (or is it sheep?) from a person who makes a really good blue cheese. I love blue cheese -- and this one really passed inspection. Their feta was also quite good. 

So: though I am pining a tad for Geneva and home, this market is a Windy City wonder -- and you too should discover it. 

Eating Out in Chicago

We have been cooking a lot in the condo, but have also been out a few times that are worth mentioning. The places are very different from each other, but all easily accessible in Chicago. 

1. Salpicon is a Mexican restaurant that a friend took us too, located in Old Town. The chef has two things going for her before I even ate a thing: (1) she was at Topolobango and the Frontera Grill (ok, I have never been there, but I am a fan nonetheless, so this meant something to me, even though she really has much more going for her than this) and, (2) as the promoun makes obvious, she is a woman chef. And I like to support them. Here's a bit from their website about her acolades:

"Chef Satkoff’s passion and unique culinary fingerprint has since paid off with countless accolades from theChicago Tribune, USA Today, TV Food Network, Chicago Sun-Times, as well as being named “Chef to Watch” and “Rising Star Chef” by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times, and co-hosting the TV Food Network’s show “Melting Pot.” Over the years Chef Satkoff’s star has continued to shine from publishingThe Salpicón Cookbook to being named “One of the Top Chefs of Mexico” by Larousse Gastronomique. Most recently, September 2011 saw the induction of Chef Satkoff into the Chicago Culinary Museum’s‘Chefs Hall of Fame’. In honor of her induction, Mayor Rahm Emanuel proclaimed September 29, 2011 as “Chef Priscila Satkoff Day”."

But really, the food that really did it. Every bite was flavorful, and hte blending of tastes was delightful. We began with an adventure dish involving cactus, something I had never previously tried. While it remains hard to describe in terms of texture, the taste was on the edge of lemony and the pork that came with it was cheerfully hot. I then, being who I am, followed with more pork. My partner had a dish that involved a fungus that grows on corn. And, our friend had swordfish that was lighter than air. 

Check it out here on urbanspoon:

2. Nana is located in Bridgeport, on Halstead, and I went there for a business lunch. I had a lovely lunch -- despite the somewhat difficult topic of the meeting. I had hte baked chillaquiles (turning down my all time favorite, huevos rancheros) -- and was thrilled with the meal. The corn tortilla casserole (as the menu described it) is layer upon layer of tortillas, drenched in a poblano like cream. The spice was there -- subtle and hot simultaneously. Yes, I would go there again. And, I hear that the Sunday family style meals are both fun and tasty. Check it out here at urbanspoon: 

3. Acadia is located in our neighborhood and is walkable. Yes, the South Loop has a high end (michelin rated) restaurant. We have been there twice; once we ate in the restaurant per se and once at the bar. Several things are worth noting: (a) there seems to be a real effort to make south loopers feel welcome (including special evenings for the neighborhood); (b) the food is delightful -- and not as expensive as one would think given its level of amazingness. The first time we ate there, we did the three course prix fixe -- and I was a bit hesitant about the lobster I had -- when I ordered it -- because I am not a lobster hound but wanted the corn that came with it. I was converted. We returned another night to the bar and were not disappointed. And this despite the fact that one reason we did so was we wanted the potato chips that we got with the prior meal and I am not at all sure we got them again. Hmmm. Drinks are good, with a wealth of smarts associated with them. And, they carried a finger lakes gin (Seneca Drum) until their distributor stopped carrying it. Hmmm. 

 Check it out here at urbanspoon: 

All in all, it is amazing to be regularly in a city where there are so many options. I know there are likely cheaper eats than at least two of the above, but once in a while, just once in a while -- really, really worth it. 

The New York Times Take on Food Recently

Recently (aka October 20), the New York Times included in its Sunday edition -- as always -- its magazine. What was not so ordinary for me (and for my partner who loaned me the magazine) was the topic of hte magazine. You guessed it. Food. It was the occasional "food and drink" issue, entitled, this time, Here Comes Dinner. I admit it; long ago (pre-partner) I subscribed to the NY Times book review. But, I am not and never have been a real newspaper person. So, I am in debt to her for this magazine (as is often the case). 

This time, the reading was heartily fun. Three great things popped out: (a) There is a piece in this issue with the title "Hunting the Perfect Fork" by Max Chafkin. I have recently been the person who is really frustrated by forks -- too many of them have tines that are too short, in my opinion. And I say this as a person who loves forks (and ignores, for example, chop sticks). The visuals with this piece are dandy, especially the chatty little comments near the forks. (b) an interview with a chap named lynch entitled "Some wines are in, some are out. It's not quality." This interview, by Daniel Duane points to the way demand rather than quality affects wine prices. This made me happy since I cannot afford $1000 bottles (or really even $100 bottles or $50 bottles or. . . . ). I love it that the title of the piece says it all -- appearing in direct reply to the questiobn "is there no reliable difference betweem say, a great $100 bottle and a great $1000 bottle?" (c ) The incredible factory of frites is just wonderful for its visuals (yes they begin at 4:30 am and end at 1:58 am -- showing the site of production of frites (clueless about the term? really?). Behind the scenes at Balthazar frites are . . . well, you'll see. 

So: I enjoyed the read (and the glance and the visuals and the fun) -- check it out if you want to. But really: what would you say is the most needed article in next year's food and wine issue?