February 14, 2017 Maca
This year I want to focus some posts on women run companies. One #ladyboss who is killing it is Malden native, Tamy, owner of Maca. Not only does she make these labor intensive macarons, but she also has a 9-5 job! By day she is a project manager at a financial company and then she makes macarons out of an incubator kitchen up in New Hampshire. On top of that, she is usually at the Somerville Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and the Lowell Farm Market at Mill No. 5 on Sundays. I asked her if she ever sleeps.
Tamy’s baking started as a friendly competition with her mother. She would make an apple pie, and her mother would try to one up her and vice versa. So Tamy started making macarons, her mother begged her to teach her how, but she’s keeping this delicious recipe to herself! Her macarons are FRESH, as in when you bite into one it has a little crispness to the shell but it is soft (hint: if you bite into a macaron and it crumbles – it’s not fresh). She has a killer buttercream recipe that is not too sweet and works well with the wide range of flavors she uses.
Now you’ve all seen the unicorn Instagram sensations that you can’t get shipped to you from Georgia. Don’t sweat it, Tamy takes special orders! And how adorable are her unicorns?!?
Her pokemon macarons are quite popular and you can get them during the week at Cha Shu Bubble Tea & Coffee Shop in Malden. So what flavors did I get?
Pikachu (Milk Tea), Unicorn Face (Fruity Pebbles), Hello Kitty (Cookies n Creme), Pink Velvet Heart, Panda (Cookies n Creme), Purple Totoro (Chocolate Dulce De Leche), Snorlax (Cookies n Creme), Red Velvet, Choc PB, Simply Vanilla, Fruity Pebbles, and Cake Batter (gluten free).
Verdict: Some of the most delicious macarons I’ve had. I especially loved the vanilla and the cookies and creme flavors, but they were all pretty tasty. All the macarons are gluten free except for the cake batter and cookies and creme. Note that the gluten free cake batter macarons do have a different flavor to them, let’s just say it’s an acquired taste (they’re made with garbanzo bean flour).
Make sure to stop at one of the markets to see Tamy and try some of her delicious macarons – trust me you’ll be hooked!
Tags: dessert, macarons, shop local
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February 13, 2017 Refreshing My Home with Fresh Wave
The new year for me was like a reboot, I wanted to get my home in order. We moved in this past summer and I have yet to feel settled. I took some time after the holidays to organize, purge and clean. I met the team from Fresh Wave at The Biggest Baby Shower and they were kind enough to send me some products to get my project jump started. Not sure about you, but one of the smelliest places in my house is the litter box. Fresh Wave has this odor removing gel that is super easy to use. It is effective for a 200 sq ft area and the gel will disappear as it evaporates. The 7 oz gel lasts about 30 days and it has made a huge difference! Not only is the litter box small gone, but there is a pleasant fragrance in the air. What cat!?! The 7oz gel is $8.99, the 15oz gel that will last you 30-60 days is $14.99 and the 3lb 15oz refill is $39.99.
Another great product they have is the fresh pod, you can stick it almost anywhere with those easy command strips. I stuck my pod in our smelliest garbage can in the garage (where the diapers and cat litter go) but it would also be great in the diaper genie as well. The case is refillable and each pack will last you 30-60 days. The pod is $5.99, a package of 6 odor removing packs is $9.99.
And for everywhere else, try the odor removing spray. Good for smelly shoes, gym bags or sports gear. I love that it comes in a travel size (2oz for $4.49) and a regular size (8oz for $7.99)
So here’s the lowdown on Fresh Wave: their products are a safe and natural way to remove odors. They are made from natural ingredients like plant extracts. There are no harsh chemicals and no strong fragrances. It’s not an air freshener, it removes odors with plant extracts. Don’t worry, this stuff is safe even near kids and pets.
For more information, head over to the Fresh Wave website.
What do you use to get rid of those tough odors in your house?
Disclaimer: I was sent Fresh Wave products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
Tags: natural products, products
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February 11, 2017 Benedetto
Located in the old Rialto space, Benedetto is the new Italian restaurant from the team that brought you Giulia. The space is lovely and my favorite part was the pasta table in the back. By day they make fresh pasta on it and by night it is set for large dinner parties.
I was at the restaurant for a party for the Charles Hotel, but they were serving a lot of items that they have on their main menu. The polenta cakes were delicious, they just melted in your mouth. Very light and creamy. Other small plates they offer in the menu are things like warm semolina cakes with taleggio, roasted mushrooms, parsley and lemon; ricotta crostini with pomegranate, aged balsamic and sicilian pistachios or duck heart ‘speeding’ with picked red pearl onions, heirloom apples and cider agrodolce. Sfizi run from $6-$12.
Another popular dish was the octopus, fresh and flavorful! Other antipasti dishes on the menu include: prosciutto di parma with heirloom apples, escarole hearts, grilled rosemary flatbread and parmigiano; yellowfin tuna crude with bottarga di tonno, cucumber, radish and citrus or grilled mackerel with yucca ‘in soar’ (sun choke, pine nuts, golden raisins and coriander). Antipasti dishes are $15-$19.
I didn’t have a chance to snap a photo of the pasta that we tried, I guess I was just so excited to try it. Take my word for it, the pasta is delicious, it just melted in my mouth. I’m already planning my next trip back to try the bolognese (traditional ragu served with beef short rib, pancetta and chicken livers). Other picks on my list are the braised duck leg tortelloni served with broccoli rabe, dried cherries and parmigiano or the torchio served with lobster, roasted squash, burrata and Umbrian lentils. Pastas range from $19-$32.
Secondi options include branzino, a roasted duck breast, veal and a grilled swordfish.
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest of the Charles Hotel to a cocktail party at Benedetto. Complimentary appetizers and wine were served. All opinions are my own.
Benedetto
1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA (in the Charles Hotel)
http://www.benedettocambridge.com
Tags: bolognese, italian, pasta, restaurant
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February 10, 2017 Love at First Bite
If you’re going with heart shaped boxes of chocolates for Valentine’s Day this year, you certainly can’t go wrong with one from Phillips. They are Boston’s oldest chocolatiers, founded in 1925, and every chocolate is handcrafted. Two choices I personally love are the sea salt caramel assortment and the turtle assortment. I’m pretty fussy about my assorted chocolates, but these satisfy my sweet tooth.
The sea salt caramel box is $16.95. They have a top secret caramel recipe that they pair with both milk and dark chocolate. The caramels are finished off with a little local Cape Cod sea salt.
The caramel is the perfect consistency (I’m not a fan of the gooey, runny caramels) and the sea salt brings out the sweetness of the chocolate. I dare you to try and eat just one!
And how could you not give that special someone one of Oprah’s favorite things?!? They are a best seller and rightly so. The signature milk and dark turtle box retails for $36.75 and uses the same secret caramel recipe as in the box above. There are 15 turtles in the box, each made with premium roasted cashews, almonds or pecans. I love the foil heart shaped solid milk chocolates that are added in to this box, just as a pop of color!
Another option is a heart shaped assortment from Charbonnel et Walker. The UK based company was founded in 1875 and iconic customers include Princess Diana, Lauren Bacall, and oh yes, the Queen of England (no biggy…) I picked out the milk and dark selection and the pink champagne truffles made with milk chocolate and Marc de Champagne centers for my friends. Each box will run you around $50. You can order online at Charbonnel et Walker’s website or you can order from Saks. A luxury item that I wouldn’t necessarily buy for myself, but loved treating my best gal pals to them this year!
Located in a little kiosk in the Natick Mall, Favarger chocolates is my top swiss pick. Not a traditional pick by any means, but this adorable tin will run you $11.50 and comes with 15 pieces. The Avelines are gianduja hazelnut milk chocolate pralines with caramel crunchy pieces. I amy or may not have picked these up for myself…
Who makes your favorite chocolates?
Disclaimer: I was sent two boxes of Phillips Chocolate (caramels and turtles) for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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February 9, 2017 Modern Map Art
I love maps. When Jennifer reached out to me about her new company, Modern Map Art, I jumped at the chance to work with her. As you may know, we recently moved (check out the dining room transformation here) and I’ve been busy trying to decorate our new space. For some reason, the master bedroom for me is always the last room on the list. I had picked out the paint color and picked out a killer light fixture but we have been living without any art on the walls for months now. Maybe I’m slow to finish because I figure most of our guests will never see the bedrooms or that I was just waiting for the right pieces to call out to me. We are still working on the bed as far as pillows are concerned, but I am in love with the way the wall behind the bed turned out.
There are so many options to choose from, map prints come in 5 sizes: 8×10, 12×18, 16×20, 18×24, and 24×36. The Boston print comes in white, black, blue, green, red and yellow so you can find something that will go with your color scheme. I love the black and white prints, they make a bold statement (these are 24×36). I went with the black frame (that I picked up from Michael’s) so as not to detract from the art itself. My husband is from DC and I am from Boston, so this was a really nice way to customize our room. I love the way that this turned out, now I just need to work on the other walls!
You can choose a city or a country print or even a cell phone case or a throw pillow, the options are endless. The museum-quality posters are made on thick, durable, matte paper and use UltraChrome ink. They are printed on archival, acid-free paper. It’s fingerprint resistant (perfect because tiny kid hands were touching these while I was opening them up) and perfect for framing.
Check out the website here (affiliate link)
Disclaimer: I was provided with two complimentary prints for review purposes. All opinions are my own. Affiliate link provided above.
Tags: decor, home design, interior design
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February 8, 2017 Where to Eat for Valentine’s Day
So Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. So much pressure to go out and do something fantastic with that special someone. Here are a few options at all price points to help you celebrate the day.
(Photo provided by Del Frisco’s)
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House Boston will offer guests an intimate dinner for two, featuring:
- Oysters & Pearls – Chilled Oysters on the Half Shell, Caviar Mignonette paired with two Glasses of Veuve Clicquot Champagne or Grey Goose VX Vodka
- Chateaubriand– Roasted & sliced tenderloin, butter poached Lobster, Green & White Asparagus, Hollondaise, Peppercorn Sauce & Bordelaise
- Godiva Chocolate Mousse Cake – Warm Chocolate-Caramel Sauce and Shaved Chocolate
- The Blushing Valentini Cocktail – ABSOLUT Vanilla Vodka, Cointreau and Fresh Lemon
The menu is available from February 10th to February 14th and guests can make reservations by calling the restaurant directly at 617-951-1368.
250 Northern Ave., Boston, MA
(Photo provided by Branch Line)
Dinner For Two from Branch Line – $32 I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea for a takeout Valentine’s Day meal!
Skip the over-crowded restaurant and last-minute scramble for table reservations this Valentine’s Day and opt for a night in with a decadent dinner for two from Watertown neighborhood rotisserie, Branch Line. Let Chef Stephen Oxaal take the stress out of dinner with the signature Whole Green Circle Rotisserie Chicken, Arugula Salad and a House-made Chocolate Chunk Brownie. Call anytime to place your order and enjoy a quiet night in with your loved one without the hassle of reservations or cooking! 617-420-1900
321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA
(Photo provided by Outlook)
The Envoy Hotel’s Outlook Kitchen and Bar is offering a special 3-course prix-fixe menu for Valentine’s Day, this year. Executive Chef Tatiana Rosana’s Valentine’s Day feast is available on Tuesday, February 14, for $75pp, which includes a Champagne Toast. Look online at their full Valentine’s Day menu – abbreviated menu below.
Outlook Kitchen and Bar’s Valentine’s Day Menu
- Fried Wellfleet Oyster– saffron aioli, pickled shallots, micro amaranth
- Beet and Burrata Salad– gold and red beets, burrata, crostini, Hearts on Fire microgreens
- Duck Confit– polenta, watercress, red grapes, shaved fennel, Champagne and Honey Gastrique
- Pineland Farms Tomahawk Steak for Two– crispy potatoes, charred scallions, roasted garlic, Au Poivre
- CoCoa– Spiced flourless chocolate cake, pistachio brittle, vanilla cream, stout caramel
- Honey– Honey lemon cake, crème fraiche, honeycomb toffee, almonds
70 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA
(Photo provided by Deuxave)
The whole team at Deuxave has worked tirelessly on this beautiful four-course menu ($150/$75 for wine pairings), and they’re confident it’ll mean a dining room full of happy, smiling couples. (Perigord-truffled terrines of foie gras and Scituate lobster and hazelnut dacquoise tend to have that effect on people.) See their full Valentine’s Day menu here.
371 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA
(Photo provided by Blackbird)
Did you just start dating someone? Not that serious yet? Don’t want to make Valentine’s Day a big deal? Just love doughnuts? Blackbird Doughnuts has your sweet tooth covered. Doughnuts will come with a “sweet” message or with a “naughty” message, and all the pink, purple, hearts and sprinkles one can hope for and imagine. Regular prices at $3 a doughnut.
492 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
Whatever you decide to do, hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Tags: dessert, dinner, holiday, prix fixe, restaurant, takeout
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February 7, 2017 5 Candy Ideas for Valentine’s Day
When I was a kid, all I ever wanted to get for Valentine’s Day was that heart shaped box of Russell Stover chocolates, the bigger the better. Now that I’m an adult, I’ve moved on from those chocolates and wanted to share some heart shaped boxed chocolate alternatives for that someone special in your life.
First up, Neuhaus, fine Belgian chocolates that I was introduced to years ago in New York. Don’t worry, if you still want they heart shaped box, they sell them for Valentine’s Day! An 8 piece 1/4lb box will run you $16, a 14 piece box is $32, and a 27 piece heart shaped box will cost you $64 (many other sizes and options available). The chocolates are smooth and creamy and just melt in your mouth. They offer dark, white and milk chocolate in pralines, caramels, ganaches and more. The fillings are by far my favorite, and there isn’t one chocolate in this box that I wouldn’t eat. Visit their boutique in Faneuil Hall Marketplace (1 South Market Street in Boston) or order online.
In 1881, Louis Sherry introduced the French chocolate making tradition to New York. Every chocolate selection is packaged in the traditional Sherry’s tin, which is a recast of the original. There are 12 chocolates in the collection and they are available in 2, 12 and 24 piece tins. The flavors are Coconut Almond, Strawberry Romanoff, Coffee Costa D’Oro, Jamaican Rum, Fleur De Sel Caramel, Mexican Vanilla, Piedmont Hazelnut, Pistachop Di Bronte, Raspberry, Sicilian Orange, Pomegranate, and Toffee Creme. 2 piece tins are $8.50, 12 piece tins are $35-$40 depending on the tin you choose and the 24 piece tin is $65. The tin above is by designed Harrison Howard and is the “China Sea” pattern. The fruit fillings generally aren’t my thing, but these chocolates are made with the finest ingredients, and the ones without the fruit are delicious enough to make me overlook the ones with fruit. These chocolates can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel, Dean and Deluca or you can order them online.
Lolli and Pops is the Willy Wonka candy shop of suburbia. Located in the Natick Mall, this shop has every kind of candy you can dream of. From delicious truffles you can buy by the piece in their display case, to specialty chocolates from Mexico or Asia. If you can’t make it out to suburbia, you can order pre-designed gift boxes on their website with things like champagne truffles, chocolate covered potato chips, astronaut ice cream, gummy bears, rock candy and pop rocks just to name a few.
I think of Sugarfina as the Tiffany’s of candy stores. The shop sells candy in clear plastic cubes, stacked in perfect rows with their signature blue labels tying things all together. It’s a gourmet candy bar, selling candy for grown ups with items like: champagne gummy bears, rosé all day bears, birthday cake caramels, pumpkin pie caramels, and milk chocolate milkshake balls. Each cube will run you about $8. Visit the store in the Prudential Center or order online. If you buy online you can order in a few different sizes: the taster packet size for $2.50, the small cube for around $8, a large cube for $18 or a 2.5lb size for about $40. Their gift packaging is adorable, they sell “bento boxes” that can hold 3-8 cubes.
And I had to throw in one old time candy shop just for nostalgia: The Wayside Country Store. You can buy prearranged boxes in the store or make your own from the large selection in the display case. They have a nice selection of nut free chocolates and candy as well as some penny candy that will bring you back to your childhood. They’re located at 1015 Boston Post Road in Marlborough or you can purchase online.
Where do you get your favorite chocolate from?
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February 6, 2017 Morning Salute
I am always on the hunt for a GREAT breakfast sandwich. We went to the Maynard Farmers’ Market this past fall and had brunch at the Morning Salute food truck. The farmers’ market is located on Main Street next to Mill Pond. It runs every Saturday from 9am – 1pm beginning the last Sat in June and running through the first weekend in October.
The food truck is owned by Billerica native, Rob Whitten, who is also an Army vet. The menu is pretty straight forward with about 8 items. All of the breakfast sandwiches are served on a Portuguese roll, which are my favorite.
I order “the captain” which is a pork breakfast sausage, muenster cheese and two fried eggs on a Portuguese roll. The sandwich is $6 and will definitely keep you full until your next meal. Super simple ingredients, really great flavor profile. Check out their website and follow them on social media to find out where they will be next!
Morning Salute
Tags: breakfast, casual dining, food truck
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- Posted under Food Trucks
February 2, 2017 Super Bowl Snacks with Willow Tree Farm
With Super Bowl 51 just around the corner I thought I would do a post on easy to make snacks for the game. My friends at Willow Tree Farm sent me over some of their chicken dips to get the party started. So no matter which team you are cheering for (ahem, the Patriots), you’re sure to be stuffed by the end of the game!
Let’s start with the Layered Buffalo Chicken Dip using Willow Tree Farm’s Buffalo Chicken Dip. This was super easy to make and you can serve it in the dish you baked it in. I added in extra bacon, the original recipe had 4 slices, but I bumped it to 6 because you know if you’re the 4th person to get to the dip, there’s not going to be any bacon left… You can serve it with tortilla chips (make sure they are the sturdy ones) or veggies.
Ingredients:
- Willow Tree Buffalo Chicken Dip
- 1 can of refried beans
- ¼ cup of hot sauce
- ¾ cup of crumbled blue cheese
- 1 block of cream cheese
- 6 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
- 3 scallions
- Tortilla chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- In a small bowl mix refried beans with ¼ cup of hot sauce and then spread into baking dish as first layer
- Spread the cream cheese on top of the beans
- Spread Willow Tree Buffalo Chicken Dip on top of cream cheese layer
- Top with blue cheese
- Bake for 20-25 minutes
- Remove from the oven and top with scallions and bacon bits
- Serve with celery and tortilla chips!
Next up , the Chicken Caesar Dip Artichoke and Spinach Pizza using the Willow Tree Farm Caesar Chicken Dip.
Ingredients:
- Store-bought pizza crust
- Willow Tree Farm Caesar Chicken Dip
- Chopped spinach (I used 3/4 of a frozen container)
- Chopped artichoke hearts (I used about 4)
- Parmesan cheese to taste
- Olive oil
- 4 Garlic cloves
Directions:
- Let pizza crust sit out on the counter and come up to room temperature. Dust store bought crust with flour and spread into pizza pan.
- Mix the olive oil and chopped garlic and spread on pizza crust
- Spread Willow Tree Farm Cesar Chicken Dip on top of the olive oil and garlic
- Top with the artichoke hearts and spinach
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese
- Bake in oven (according to crust directions). I baked mine at 450 for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool
I might have even added some mozzarella cheese to this pizza – but it was delicious. You can cut the pizza into small squares or slices and have your guests serve themselves (that way you can enjoy the game!)
And finally, the Chicken Salad with Cranberry & Apple. The original recipe called for this to be on a rustic white bread. I decided to make these with a baguette, they are so cute when they are bite sized and this way people can help themselves (read: less work for you). I added the apple slices first because it was easier to balance the chicken salad on top rather than vice versa. I loved the flavors here, a little sweet, a little tart from the Granny Smith apples, creamy chicken salad and crunch from the toast.
Ingredients:
- Rustic white bread or baguette
- 1 tablespoon Willow Tree White Meat Chicken Salad
- 1 teaspoon dried cranberries
- ¼ apple, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon Vermont sharp cheddar, shredded
Directions:
- Lightly toast the bread so that it is crisp but not overly crunchy.
- Mix the cranberries into the Willow Tree White Meat Chicken Salad, then spread over the toast slice.
- Arrange the apple slices over the Willow Tree White Meat Chicken Salad and top with sharp Vermont cheddar.
- Place under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbling, golden brown.
Disclaimer: Willow Tree Farm sent me complimentary samples of their dips and chicken salad to use for these recipes. All opinions are my own.
For more information on Willow Tree Farm, check out their website.
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January 31, 2017 Friendly Toast – Back Bay
The Friendly Toast moved into the Back Bay into the former Zocalo space. You have to walk down Stanhope Street and resist popping into Flour Bakery or Red Lantern before reaching the restaurant.
The space has a similar look and feel to the Cambridge location with its kitschy decor, but the space is much smaller. This family friendly restaurant offers almost as many items on the menu as the Cheesecake Factory and the best part is that they serve breakfast all day!
This is a great place to go if you have a group: Sarah wants a pancake as big as a dinner plate, Bob wants an egg sandwich, John feels like a cottage pie, Amy is a vegetarian and gets the avocado burger and you’re vegan so you get the vegan nachos (or do you get the vegan pancakes?).
We were there for a late breakfast/early lunch and it wasn’t super crowded (we got in and out before the lunch rush). Our waiter was super friendly and even put this fun face on our pancake!
Don’t feel like trekking out in the cold for a meal? Don’t worry, you can order from the Cambridge and Back Bay location and have it delivered right to your door with Dashed!
Friendly Toast
35 Stanhope Street, Boston, MA
https://www.thefriendlytoast.com
Tags: back bay, breakfast, casual dining, gluten free, restaurant, vegan
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- Posted under Restaurants
