Chicago Foodies

How to Make Polenta

Polenta is one of those dishes that is fancy, sophisticated and also extremely easy and cheap to make. There aren't many meals that fit into this category. You'll find polenta on the menu at fancy Italian restaurants, but why? Well, it's delicious, especially when it's made with plenty of cream and cheese. But you can make a lighter version at home that will cost you far less. Plus, a little bit goes a long way with this dish.

Serve your polenta as a main dish or as a side to grilled steak or chicken marsala. I topped mine with roasted acorn squash. Some balsamic roasted mushrooms or peppers would also make a great addition to the dish. Here are the basics. 

Chickpea and Spinach Stew Recipe

One of my favorite things about cooking is that certain ingredients can transcend seasons, cuisines and price barriers. They don't follow a strict recipe, yet they always taste delicious.

This chickpea and spinach "stew" is exactly one of those flexible recipes. I've actually never made it before, but I imagine that you could add in any number of ingredients and it would still taste great. 

I did an Italian take on this dish by adding basil and garlic. Just by altering the spices and seasonings, you can change it up to have a more Mediterranean or Indian flair. Serve it with herbed chicken skewers and a side of hummus in the summer, or add some coriander or cumin and pair with basmati rice. Here's my version. 

Spoon Thai – A Poor Man's Next Restaurant Tour of Thailand?

Not sure if this is the "Poor Man's Next Thai Menu" or the "Luckless Man's Next Thai Menu" but either way it's way cheaper and waaaay easier to get a table! That being said, while the rigamarole is apples and oranges, the food is far more similar. It's a testament to Next that they are able to shift to a Thai menu that provides a combination of authentic flavors while adding wonderful proteins and preparations that go a long way to create something more unique.

Spoon Thai has always been notorious for their Thai-language menu, which has changed a bit over the last 10 years. The last 2 pages look like an appendix but you can, and should, order off of that menu for unique and tasty fare that they, in the past, deemed too unusual for western palates. The lettuce leaf salad here is in that part of the menu.
 
I wasn't planning on writing this as a comparison but when I saw the catfish curry in banana leaf, it made me think of my dinner at Next. Those flavors were there but not in the same dish in the same way. In any event I ordered the Hor Mok which is steamed catfish in curry that is pressed into a banana leaf. Think of it as a curry-catfish-cake.

Corona's Cafe

The other day I stumbled upon a great little spot on Irving Park. Corona's Cafe serves up sandwiches, wraps, coffee drinks, and smoothies.

Eddy ordered a turkey and bacon club sandwich and I ordered the tomato and mozzarella foccacia. I also got a pineapple and coconut smoothie.

The staff was friendly and accommodating. The restaurant is small and cozy and has unique decorations.

We sat in the front by the window in comfortable cushioned love seats.

Siam Café – Chicago's Oldest Thai Restaurant

Chicago's Oldest Thai Restaurant Offers a Tasty Lunch Buffet. Siam Cafe (Uptown) is one of the many low-key Thai restaurants in the city. Its claim to fame is that it's the oldest. What really helps it stand apart is that it has one of the best deals for lunch - a $6.50 buffet. Green curry, pad thai, papaya salad, tom yum soup and a dozen other choices.

TAC Quick: A Welcome Variety of Thai Food

Usually I like picking out restaurants due to word of mouth, but in this case I credit the feedback from food writers for sending me to this place.   My big gripe with Thai food is that it's almost all the same stuff: pad thai, pad see ew, red curry, yellow curry, panang curry, etc.  After a while it begins to taste the same, though of course there are variations in quality.

Siam Noodle & Rice

One favorite place of ours is Siam Noodle & Rice. It's a small, cozy, zero-ambiance place in the tough neighborhood of Uptown... but boy does it have great authentic Thai. The dish that beats out all the other Thai places in Chicago is Pad Kee Mao.

It's the prefect blend of thick rice-noodles, eggs, bean sprouts, basil leaves, black bean sauce and (what makes it different) collard greens. It's a zesty delight that's sure to please the Thai newbie or the authentic Thai food lover. Other dishes like Basil Chicken, Tom Kha Kai Soup, and the Thai Iced Coffee will make you glad you took the trip to this whole-in-the-wall in this often-overlooked neck of the woods.

Hendrickx Belgian Bread Crafters

Consider it not being up on my game or just plain laziness, but it took me eight months to visit this specialty bakery that has been open since May of last year.  Operated by the husband-wife (correct me if I'm wrong?) team of Renaud Hedrickx and Dominique Schewebach, I instantly got the feeling of this place being a labor of love.  I ordered a tuna salad sandwich on a croissant roll, which was simply tuna mixed with homemade mayonnaise on a very soft, dense, and fresh croissant role where you could see the layers of dough like rings of a tree, not the fluffy types where everything seems to congeal together in one big lump with a few air pockets.

Films Offering Food For Thought

In the era of Jamie Oliver and Food, Inc, it only makes sense that documentary filmmakers get on-board, too. For the next two Sundays the Chicago History Museum will offer two poignant and provocative films on food. Free with the cost of museum admission, the films, “The Future of Food” and “Fresh” take a peek into the minds of farmers and consumers.

“The Future of Food” showing this Sunday at 1:30, explores the genetically modified and unlabeled realities of our grocery store shelves. On the 17th, “Fresh” looks at the transformation of our society and environment. It also offers some solutions for a healthier planet and a reduction to morbid obesity plaguing the United States. For more details, take a look at this link.

Hoagie Hut... Closing Thursday.

Hoagie Hut - A Lincoln Park Tradition is closing Thursday 9/30

You knew it was too good to last. Located in prime Lincoln Park real estate, this long time establishment served Vienna Beef Chicago-style hot dogs, cheesy cheese fries, and (of course) hoagies of all kinds. Restaurant wise, it wasn't much to look and there wasn't much seating but it was the quintessential hot dog joint... ketchup stained bench seats, a classic arcade machine, and quite the friendly staff who even brought your order to your table.

We spoke to the staff today and they said Thursday is there last day in business... with the future unknown... take a stroll down to this Lincoln Park tradition before it's gone.

Hoagie Hut
2580 N Lincoln Ave

Sherman's Dairy in South Haven

Home to the Blueberry Festival and Sherman’s Ice Cream, South Haven, MI is a weekend get-away gem! My family has been visiting this mecca of relaxation, breathtaking sunsets, and good food for over three generations.  Located on Lake Michigan and just a two-hour car ride from Chicago, South Haven is a great place for families and couples alike. Besides sun, ice cream is the only other thing sure to lift spirits time and time again! Most sane people can agree that ice cream evokes feelings of leisure, joy, and happiness.

Started in 1916, Sherman’s Dairy and Ice Cream is still a place worth waiting in line to enjoy.  Generation after generation, children love the tuti-fruity flavor of Sherman’s Blue Moon ice cream, while adults often prefer ice creams like chocolate turtle (my favorite) or pistachio or strawberry cheesecake or peanut butter cup or black cherry… and the list goes on. They offer over 45 flavors at very reasonable prices for the size.

Pour Drinks & Eats - Lakeview's Primo Patio

We Chicagoans have an unequivocal obsession with outdoor patios and rooftop bars – from the swanky Loop hotspots to the neighborhood 4-table patios, we’ll take ‘em all. One patio that really nailed the outdoor ambiance we yearn for is Pour Drinks & Eats in Lakeview. Located on the 3300 block of N. Ashland, Pour has a cocktail menu that that is dressed to impress. Spiked lemonade muddled with strawberries and basil topped our list – but one can’t go wrong with a cocktail menu loaded with infusions of ingredients like basil, brown sugar and Cava. 

Roscoe Village Burger Fest...This Weekend!

Summer grilling or winter comfort, burgers are a food for all seasons, and they never go out of fashion. This weekend you can see the Gin Blossoms, 10,000 Maniacs, and eat a lot of burgers!

Formerly known as the Belmont Arts and Music fest, The newly renamed Roscoe Village Burger Fest will run 12-10pm on Saturday & Sunday at the Belmont and Damen intersection.

Live music both days and a wide variety of burger vendors is a scrumptious choice for Chicago summer fun.

Sample burgers from Goose Island, Select Cut, John's Place, Village Tap, The Bad Apple, and Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro.

Consumption highlights include: The Bad Apple offers up hormone-free all natural beef from New York, Village Tap is likely to serve cajun veggie or bacon and egg steak burger, and don't forget to try the Goose Island burgers, which may be topped with either a goat cheese croquette and onion marmalade or stilton cheese and roasted garlic cloves. Delicious!  - Here's the link to the website.

Mullen's Apple Sauce – Like Apple Pie in a Jar.

A few months back, Jim Mullen offered us a sample of Mullen's Applesauce feeling confident that we'd like it. Sure enough we did. The tag “Like apple pie without the crust!” is honesty in advertising. The sauce is chunky with pieces of apple, a taste that evenly mixes tart lemon juice with earthy spices, sugar, and salt. With each bite I was brought back to fond childhood memories of Thanksgiving apple pie and family dinners where I enjoyed apple pie a la mode, the sweetness of ice cream melding with apples and cinnamon. As more Americans worry about what is really in their food, it is refreshing to taste a product that has no additives or questionable ingredients.  

Homemade Limoncello - A Toast to the Ladies

If you have ever been to Italy, chances are, you’ve had the joy (call it as you wish) of tasting the legacy that is limoncello. In my first visit to Italy, we were introduced to the phenomenon as an after dinner digestive drink – served chilled, and in a tiny glass. Instantly falling in love with the sugary liqueur, we set out to find the nearest liquor store. Upon entering, we explained to the owner that we were unsure what type of Italian liquor that we (all girls) might be able to handle, but that we really loved the taste of that “lemon stuff” we had at dinner.  After laughing at us for a few minutes (not that I blame him), he showed us the many options of limoncello that were at our disposal. After an evening sitting out on our tiny balcony in Lido, Venice – sipping our new found cup (okay, bottle) of joy - we were in love.

To take my adoration a step further, I recently came across an article on ImbibeMagazine.com on how to make your very own limoncello, from the comfort of your own home. Within hours I had all of the ingredients needed, and one of the best "cooking" experiences of my life is now underway.

Flirty Cupcakes: Tweets for Treats

Here’s the thing: any form of delivery service that brings sweets within walking distance during the workday is an automatic win in my book. But Flirty Cupcakes has one-upped my dessert-loving hopes and aspirations.

Think cupcakes on demand.

Launching on Monday, Flirty Cupcakes set out to take over the streets of Chicago, one sweet tooth at a time. Comparable to an ice cream truck, the Flirty Cupcakes van pulls up, stops and sells to those lucky enough to be in the area (and those smart enough to plan ahead).

The name of the game is simple: Every day, Flirty Cupcakes will inform its followers (via Facebook and Twitter, of course!) with details on the van’s current location and its next stop. Not coming to your neck of the woods any time soon? Not to worry. Just shoot Flirty Cupcakes a tweet (@FlirtyCupcakes) or post on their Facebook wall, and they will find a way to make it in your direction.

Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen in Chapel Hill, NC

Though I was technically born a southerner in Louisville, KY, my family later moved off to New England, where I quickly lost my habit of saying "ya'll" and acquired a penchant for saying "wicked." Thus, I am somewhat ashamed to say that I have never had a slice of Derby pie, and the only fried chicken I tried while in Louisville was the KFC variety. Having been safely ensconced above the Mason-Dixon line for a number of years now, I figured I would simply have to make do with whatever ersatz barbecue joints I came across up north. Then, my old college roommate moved to North Carolina, in a "temporary" relocation. And so, over the last few years, I've made several trips to NC, traversing the state from the Research Triangle to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Oh boy, an exciting opportunity to explore my Southern heritage anew, pimento cheese, collard greens and all!

Buttermilk biscuits are another foodstuff that is ubiquitous throughout the South, but Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen is unique in their single-minded devotion to creating carbohydrate perfection. Here, the biscuit is elevated from a mere side starch to an entree unto itself. These are flaky, buttery pillows, a downy blanket carefully cradling a meat of your choice. 

Kawaii Japanese Outlet

Chicago has well-developed neighborhoods for Chinese, Southeast Asian and Korean goods, but if you are yearning for Japanese items, your best bet is to scour the dusty back shelves of general Asian shops or take a trip to Mitsuwa in Arlington Heights. Thus, I was tickled to stumble upon a new kid on the block, Kawaii Japanese Outlet, which just opened about six weeks ago. Located in the middle of University Village on Halsted, Kawaii's warm, brightly lit storefront will transport you to the land of the rising sun, with the beats of J-pop playing on the speakers.

The offerings here include assorted sundries that you never knew you needed, like Hello Kitty tote bags, laundry baskets, a vast array of fake eyelashes and other efficiency gadgets that are the cornerstone of Japanese products. There are wall hangings, office supplies, and beauty supplies, all with a Japanese bent. Needless to say, everything in sight is kawaii, or cute to the max.

What does this have to do with you, foodies? Well, in addition to the other neat items, they have a decent selection of cooking utensils and dry goods. You can pick up all the basics here, like sushi mats, rice paddles, knives and ladles. With the Japanese love for compact storage and packaging, you will not be surprised to find a large assortment of heavy-duty tupperware and other specialized food containers. There is also a well-thought-out section of snack and dry goods, where you can get dashi powder, instant miso soup base, soba noodles, and Hello Panda shortbread biscuits. Mochi ice cream is available in a handful of flavors.

Tacos on Ashland: La Pasadita and Tierra Caliente

Chicago's food scene has won plenty of attention for its pizza and hot dogs, but I have often thought that the city's greatest unsung achievement is its Mexican food. Sure, we may not be in Texas or Southern California, but it is nearly impossible to throw a rock without hitting a corner taqueria in this town. We have legions of roving Tamale Guys who satiate our drunken cravings for tamales out of ziplock bags. We have Maxwell Street Market, where street food is served with the excitement of an open-air bazaar. Then, we have Mexican titan Rick Bayless to cover the haute gourmet end of things as well. Take that, San Diego.

However, fancy 30-ingredient mole sauce is not the reason we are gathered here today. Instead, we are here to celebrate the classic taco, elegant in its simplicity, difficult to master. With all the taco joints around town, how do you separate the fresh tomatillos from the canned? I will not pretend to have exhaustive knowledge of the city's taquerias, but here are two of my favorites, which happen to be conveniently located within a couple blocks of each other.

M Burger. Good, Fast or Cheap. Pick 2... right?

Well it's not exactly fast. So fast food that's not fast is what? The line outside of M Burger is long. It's not likely going to get short anytime soon. You'd think that's because foodies make a point to head over for burgers made in a kitchen that used to house TRU's pastry kitchen but it's more likely that it's across the street from the hospital. Nearly the entire lunch line was badged hospital staff. Considering nothing is over $5 it's a welcome addition to the local workforce.

Truth told the line for takeaway took 20 minutes. The walk back to the office 2 minutes. When I opened my bag and saw that they forgot a burger I was really disappointed. I've never had it happen to me at a McDonald's... so that's not good.

With a twinge of frustration I decided to just deal, I mean who goes back for a burger? Granted I ended up paying ten bucks for a burger and fries, albeit unintentionally, but they're swamped. I'll bug them later and see what happens.

I did get the M burger... they left out a regular burger. The M is awesome. It's really what I like about fast food burgers. The meat is not livery. It's well done (as any thin fast food patty should be). There may be a bit of salt on the burger but I think it's the sauce. Until I get that damn plain one, I won't really know. The fries were a bit salty but not as salty as the 5 Guys fries.