JeanMarie Brownson – Page 14

A cheese sauce enriched with cream cheese and plenty of herbs boosts a croque-monsieur.

Grilled cheese reaches pinnacle in white-sauce-slathered croque monsieur

June 9, 2018 at 7:35 a.m.

As the days grow shorter, my cooking leans toward comfort. Be forewarned, I like my comfort food with a bit of flair and plenty of warm cheese. Freshly shredded, it...

19th-century Viennese chef Franz Sacher would be pleased, I think, by the version of his eponymous chocolate cake served at Café Selmarie in Lincoln Square. First, the top of each slice of Sacher torte is decorated with his name, elegantly written in chocolate script. Second, the cake is a real looker: Layers of chocolate cake are mortared with raspberry preserve and chocolate buttercream; the whole thing is then frosted with more buttercream and wrapped in a smooth sheet of bittersweet chocolate — firm enough to be eaten on its own, if you like, with a fork. Third, every bite is delicious. The devil's food cake is firm and pleasant, while the raspberry offers a deep berry counterpoint to all the chocolate. $4.20. 4729 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-989-5595, <a href="http://cafeselmarie.com/" target="_blank">www.cafeselmarie.com</a>. — Bill Daley

Pour hard cider for dinner, in a glass and into the stew pot

June 9, 2018 at 11:22 a.m.

Nowadays, hard cider, an alcoholic beverage, shows up on menus everywhere. Made from the fermented juice of tart apples (and/or other fruit), this pleasingly acidic, slightly bubbly beverage pairs beautifully...

Homemade pumpkin spice mix flavors both the batter and the streusel topping for this coffee cake -- which has pumpkin puree folded into the mix.

Pumpkin spice mix is secret to stellar fall baking recipes

May 2, 2019 at 1:06 p.m.

Black coffee. Preferably an espresso, cut with hot water. Perfection. I am not the audience for the crop of mocha lattes, candy cane cappuccinos and salted caramel dirty chais. However,...

Six wild Burgundian snails are the star of the wood-grilled escargot ($12) at Le Sud. The Roscoe Village restaurant's version of this dish is not hiding in a pool of garlic butter or served in a scalding hot dish. Presented on a skewer, the mollusks are brushed with olive oil infused with herbs de provence before they're grilled, absorbing a delicate smoky flavor that lingers in your mouth. Tender and buttery, the snails are served with a few generous pats of herb butter that melt, adding another layer of fragrance and lusciousness. A side of green salad dressed with olive oil, lemon and salt provides a bright contrast to the skewer and a hearty country bread serves as a foundation for assembling a makeshift toast point. The portion is small, so make your dining companions order their own. $12. 2301 W. Roscoe St., 773-857-1985, <a href="https://lesudchicago.com/">lesudchicago.com</a> — Grace Wong

The Zen of homemade pizza: Losing yourself in the doing

May 2, 2019 at 1:06 p.m.

Some people do woodworking; some paint; some garden. I cook. I find pleasure in the craft. Truly. Nearly every day, I look forward to working on my granite countertop using...

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

Punch up your work lunch with open-face smorrebrod sandwiches

May 31, 2019 at 1:49 p.m.

Some folks welcome the routine that back to school generates, not just for the kids, but for adults as well. As parents again step into the school lunch-making routine, I...

Shakshuka normally has eggs cooked in tomato sauce, but this version relies on fresh herbs, greens and leeks for a spicy green sauce. Serve each serving with one or two eggs, accompanied by green garlic naan.

Summer’s overflowing herb harvest transforms breakfast recipes

May 2, 2019 at 1:05 p.m.

Mom started our family's Sunday traditions long before brunch became a popular way to while away the day. She cites a thin hardcover cookbook, "Gourmet International Pancakes Waffles" (1970) as...

How to enjoy your farmers market haul at its peak, with tips and recipes

June 10, 2018 at 11:04 a.m.

Kohlrabi, sweet and hot peppers, broccoli, kale, spinach, cucumbers, summer squash (including tatume, eight ball, light and dark green zucchini, light and dark yellow zucchini), radishes (red, white and striped),...

Your summer grilling secret weapon: Red chili steak sauce

December 18, 2018 at 2:33 a.m.

This always happens: I eat one meal while devising the next. Recently, while tableside cooking thin slices of garlicky pork, golden chicken and spicy mushrooms at a Korean barbecue restaurant,...

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

Your go-to summer burger: Mix it up with Old World meat blend

June 30, 2019 at 9:17 a.m.

Cooking, more than any other sport, brings out my competitive side. When I have a restaurant meal better than I can cook, I immediately go home to improve my skills....

How to turn summer berries into purees and syrups for myriad recipes

May 31, 2019 at 1:48 p.m.

Hooray! It's berry season. Pick your own, go to the farmers markets, go to the local store. Stock up now. You will be inspired. When buying berries, I inspect them...

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