JeanMarie Brownson – Page 12

Kusanya Cafe is the kind of place where you can get a cup of coffee, check out the community board, print a school paper or simply jump on the internet. You'll see people huddled together over papers strewn across the wood tables or someone walking in simply to say hello to the small staff. Because the nonprofit cafe roasts its own coffee on-site in small batches, don't hesitate to order that lavender iced latte ($3.49) or a plain cup of coffee. The breakfast and lunch menu is lush with references to famous musicians, like the Lupe Tabasco breakfast sandwich ($2.29). It features a thin egg patty, with melted cheese and Sriracha on ciabatta, and you can add sausage, spinach and tomato for an extra charge. The cozy and brightly lit environment is exactly where you want to catch up on some work or meet up with friends. 825 W. 69th St., 773-675-4758, <a href="http://www.kusanyacafe.org/">kusanyacafe.org</a> — Grace Wong

Shrimp burgers and herbed gin and tonics: A Labor Day to remember

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

We enjoy burgers all summer long — their charred goodness never ceases to satisfy. For Labor Day weekend, we'll splurge on a departure from the usual beef: crispy shrimp burgers...

Ramen Takeya devotes an entire section of its menu to "otsumami" or drinking foods — nestled among them the Japanese street snack takoyaki. The ball-shaped snacks are made with a batter that crisps up into a golden shell while remaining creamy and soft inside. Hidden away are Chiclet-size pieces of octopus, tiny surprises in the center of each ball. Six balls are served in a red and white paper boats and drizzled with sweet and salty Japanese barbecue sauce, creamy mayo, aonori (dried seaweed) and fishy-but-in-a-good-way bonito flakes (cured fish shavings). Between the crispy-meets-creamy texture and the sweet-meets-salty flavors, it's easy to see how a refreshing beer (or soda, for non-drinkers) would pair nicely. $6. 819 W. Fulton Market, 312-666-7710, <a href="http://www.ramentakeya.com/">ramentakeya.com</a> — Grace Wong

Bored with vegetables? These recipes add extra flavor to summer’s harvest

May 31, 2019 at 1:52 p.m.

By midsummer, my vegetable-recipe repertoire starts to veer toward boredom. Grilled ratatouille, planks of summer squash, skewered tomatoes and mushrooms begin to run their course. Yet the stunning selection at...

Sausage lover’s menu, from breakfast to dinner to salami crisp snack

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

I've devised a food day that will surely please my father on his 89th birthday. A long-retired butcher, my dad has marked many special occasions making and cooking sausage. From...

Grill-smoked fish answers all your summer needs — salads to spreads to omelets

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

My grandfather, a bricklayer by trade, fashioned his own smokehouse under the stairwell of a small Chicago bungalow. He filled it with fresh hams, homemade bacon and garlicky sausage to...

Slice, season, skewer: The secret to building flavor when grilling lean meat

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

We all struggle to add flavor and intrigue to lean meats, such as chicken breasts and pork tenderloin. The grill helps. Heck, the grill adds interest to most everything we...

Toasted bread is spread with ricotta, then covered with a strawberry sauce flavored with cardamom, bay leaves, coriander seeds, ginger and thyme. Food styling by Mark Graham.

Strawberries go sweet or savory to spice up Father’s Day recipes

June 30, 2019 at 4:11 a.m.

My father loves dessert. My mother baked spice cakes, brownies, pies and cookies daily, so he'd have a homemade treat after dinner and in his brown bag lunch. His first...

What to do with all that asparagus (and other spring goodies) at farmers markets

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

Spring always feels full of promise. By early June, those promises come to fruition. Green shoots from last year's herbs sneak up in the garden, the rhubarb grows sturdy and...

Grilled lobster tails are served with a pat of herbed butter. (Food styling by Mark Graham.)

Think small: Quick grilling for Memorial Day with thinner cuts

May 31, 2019 at 1:52 p.m.

Empty-nesting opens new doors. I've come to appreciate a mostly empty fridge — no pressure to cook. Grocery shopping takes less time, especially with an expanded budget. The menu contains...

Mother of all grains, quinoa, for Mother’s Day menu

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

Pale purple, yellow and nearly translucent white blossoms sway all over the emerald green hills of Peru's Sacred Valley. Fields and terraces along the roads and train route to Machu...

A trip to Veracruz, Mexico, brings back recipes for salsa and empanadas

July 2, 2019 at 3:59 p.m.

They dance on the streets in Veracruz City. A couple of nights a week, locals and visitors dress up in their Sunday best and assemble in the town square to...

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