Restaurant Week: T.W. Food & Bergamot

For the last two weeks, restaurants have been participating in Boston Restaurant Week. We like to visit a couple new spots whenever the occasion rolls around, and if I do say so myself, we picked two winners this time. Our first stop was at T.W. Food, almost hidden in a nondescript neighborhood in Cambridge, about a mile from Porter Square. It's not the most glamorous location, and it's hardly accessible without a car, but if you manage to find it, I think you're sure to enjoy it.

We were seated at a cozy table in the corner, and I started out with the rich "creme brulee" foie gras served with toasted buttery bread, a tart cherry compote, and fresh local plums. For the main course, my husband's seared flat-iron steak was just as delicious as my swordfish in an asian-inspired broth.  Why can't I cook swordfish this perfectly at home? We opted for wine pairings with the first two courses, and the selections (mostly French) paired beautifully with our dinner. When dessert rolled around, I'm so glad that I opted for the cheese plate. My favorites were both from Vermont: Twig Farm Butterwick and Mt Mansfield Inspiration. 

Also off the beaten path (read: not on the T), we enjoyed another fantastic dinner at Bergamot in Somerville.  Light from the early evening sun flooded into the dining room from their tall windows as we were taken to our table. The staff was friendly and helpful, recommending fantastic (and adventurous) beer and wine pairings for our meal. (My other favorite thing about Bergamot? They have a parking lot! That is just unheard of around here!)

After warm, freshly baked bread smeared with a basil parmesan compound butter, I started with the duck confit salad. Tender duck with its perfectly crisped skin was tossed with romaine, radishes, braised celery, wheat berries, and a light vinaigrette.  Things only got better for the main course. My husband really enjoyed his bluefish, but I think my pasta was the star of the show: a house-made tagliatelle with zucchini, chanterelle mushrooms, mozzarella, and tomato fondue topped with a fried squash blossom. It managed to be light and summery yet hearty and comforting at the same time.

Both meals were wonderful, memorable experiences, and I can't wait to pay another visit to both T.W. Food and Bergamot. These may not be the flashiest restaurants in the hippest Boston neighborhoods, but they are well worth a trip off the beaten track. They're truly hidden gems! 

A Hike Around Lower Mystic Lake

Not too far from our house is the Lower Mystic Lake. It's a beautiful, serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and trees. While it's not very large, you see folks boating, kayaking, fishing, hosting cookouts in little hidden spots along the water's edge, and hiking and biking around the water's edge. The funny thing is, it took us about a year to even realize this lake was there, as they're so surrounded by trees or little out of the way neighborhoods. This weekend we finally went for a little trek along the Lower Mystic Lake and then down to where it feeds into the Mystic River, which continues on a winding path through Medford. 

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day without a cloud in the sky. If only Boston could be that nice year round! We followed little paths, worn down from foot and bike traffic over the years, to wherever they led us. We came upon a quiet little spot at the edge of the water, where we plopped down on a raised tree root to rest our feet,skip some stones, soak up the sunshine, and admire the view. I find lakes so peaceful and relaxing. 

Here we are, and while we're quite good looking, I think the water is probably the better view!

Eventually, we left our little perch and continued our walk, eventually arriving at the point where the lake feeds into the Mystic River. The water becomes shallower and greener, lilly pads clump together in little inlets, and tree branches hang low over the water. Walking paths continue along much of the river, and you can find large grassy areas dotted with sun bathers, dogs playing fetch, cyclists, couples strolling hand in hand, and shaded benches to take in the view.

I'm so glad to have discovered this right in our backyard, as it's a perfect way to spend a sunny weekend afternoon! Hopefully we'll get to enjoy a few more hikes in the area before the weather turns cold. Hopefully another sunny weekend is in store as the long Labor Day weekend approaches!

Blackberry Apricot Jam

Last week I wanted to preserve every piece of fruit I could find, probably because I am desperately clinging to summer, trying to make it last forever. I know the long New England winter is on its way, and maybe a little summer in a jar will help get us through it. First I made honey-preserved plums with some pretty yellow plums from the Medford Farmers Market. Then I tried a variation of this gorgeous Blackberry Apricot Jam from Food in Jars (the force behind my favorite canning cookbook).

This weekend we ate our way through the one odd jar that wasn't quite full. We swirled heaping spoonfuls into steel coat oats. My husband made biscuits that we spread generously with butter and jam. Then we stirred some into plain greek yogurt. It's sweet, a little tangy, and the hint of cinnamon gives it a little taste of fall so that the change of the seasons doesn't feel quite so scary. 

Finally, if you're new to jam and canning, dive right in! It's not nearly as intimidating as you might think! If you're looking for a kit to help you get started, I like this one.

Makes ~2.5 pints

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup blackberries (two 6-oz containers)

3 1/2 cup apricot puree (one 1.25 lb container + a pint basket)

2 1/4 cup sugar
1/4 - 1/2 orange, zested and juiced

1/4 tsp cinnamon

3 Tb classic pectin (or 1 pouch of liquid pectin)

Directions

First, prepare to sterilize your jars in a large stock pot. Fill the pot with water, and place a metal steamer basket (or canning rack) in the bottom to keep the jars completely surrounded by water. Submerge the jars, cover the pot, and let it come to a boil while you prepare your jam. When ready to fill the jars, simply remove them from the boiling water with tongs, and place on a clean dry towel.

While the water is coming to a boil, prepare the fruit.  Coarsely mash blackberries in a bowl. I used a muddler, but you could also use a potato masher or a fork. Halve and pit the apricots, and puree in a blender or food processor.

Heat a non-reactive pan (enameled cast iron dutch oven, stainless steel) over medium-high heat.  Add mashed blackberries, apricot puree, and sugar, and let the mixture come up to a boil stirring frequently, scraping the bottom of the pan periodically to avoid burning.

Add the cinnamon, orange zest, and orange juice. Once the mixture starts to thicken, stir in the pectin, and let the jam boil for about 5 minutes, continuing to scrape the bottom periodically to avoid burning.
(Note: I used classic pectin which is said to set more firmly than liquid pectin).

Remove the jars from the boiling water onto a clean dry towel. Meanwhile bring about an inch of water in a small saucepan to a very gentle simmer (not a boil), and drop in the lids for a few minutes to soften the sealing compound while you fill your jars.

Fill your jars with the jam (I use a ladle and a canning funnel). Wipe the mouths of the jars clean with a damp cloth or paper towel. Remove the lids from the simmering water and place over the mouths of the jars. Then screw on the rings to hold the lids in place.

Submerge the jars in the boiling water and process for 10 minutes. Remove the jars and place them back on the clean dry towel.

Once the jars are cool, remove the rings and check to ensure that the lids sealed properly. If sealed, stash the jam in your pantry, saving it for some cold winter's day when you need a taste of summer fruit. If any jars don't seal, merely refrigerate them, and use them within the next couple of weeks.

(Note: This recipe makes enough for 2.5 pint jars. I still processed my half-full jar but stored it in the fridge and opened it this weekend to use immediately, as it will not keep as well since half the jar contains some air)

A Very "Mini" Addition to Our Family

Guess what?? This has been a pretty exciting week for us, because we (and by "we" I mean my husband) negotiated for a sparkly new Mini Cooper, and we've been eagerly awaiting it's arrival . Finally, yesterday afternoon, we got the call. Our car had arrived!

We pulled into the dealership, and there it was. Tiny. Adorable. And very orange! 

I still kind of can't believe that it's actually ours and that they let us take it home! It made our commute this morning so much more fun!

Can you tell that I'm just a little excited?

Now we just need to come up with a good name for her! Update 8/29/13: We have officially christened her as Clementine!

Date Night Idea: deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

Sometimes we get in a rut when it comes to dates, and thanks to a work function (of all things), my husband and I had a really fun date night this week at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum.  A coujple years ago, I visited with a group of girlfriends, and ever since I've been wanting to go back with my husband. Sculptures are scattered around the rolling landscape.  Some are hard to miss, like a hot pink pole brazenly displayed in full view, while others are more hidden, tucked into nooks and crannies where if you blink, you might miss them. You can view it all at your own pace and see as much or as little of the grounds as you like.  It's a great way to soak up some sunshine together, stretch your legs, and feel a little more cultured!

While there are exhibits inside the museum, I enjoy the rotating sculptures outside the most. And I think my favorite part about deCordova is the variety. I'm admittedly one of those people that doesn't quite "get" modern art, yet deCordova seems to cover the gamut of sculptural pieces. Some I find truly beautiful, others are thought-provoking, and then there are those that I just find comically ridiculous  (example: an overturned 4-wheeler is considered a sculpture).  It's so much fun to walk around the park varying between admiration, confusion, awe, and laughter. You find something different at every turn.

So if you're ever in the mood for an outing that's a little out of the ordinary, grab a hot date or a friend and check out the deCordova Sculpture Park!