Tag Archives: travel

More Urban Farmers’ Markets: Getting Local in Chicago

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Yes, I do more than *just* shop at farmers’ markets when I travel. The art and architecture in Chicago is nothing less than stunning.

We all know I love to write about farmers’ markets, whether on my various trips around the world or at home. A few posts of this ilk include Borough’s Market in London and its special Apple Day celebration with the Queen; Union Square Greenmarket in New York City; Copley Square market in Boston (one of my regular markets); and the Cambridge winter farmers’ market. (Cambridge, Massachusetts, that is, UK readers.) Perhaps at some point I’ll dig through my non-digital photos to share more images from Paris, Bangkok, Sydney, and others…

In the meantime, today’s post is a photo blog with a few pictures from two different famers’ markets in Chicago. A massive metropolis, there’s many a market around. The first was blessedly close to our hotel in a city parking lot – much akin to my own neighborhood market here in Brookline Massachusetts. The other, Chicago Greencity Market, was in lovely Lincoln Park. (Where we later enjoyed donuts and truffles at a lovely wine bar in Old Town, incidentally – another opportunity to remind you yet again that I’m a moderate.)

I hope these photos inspire you to check out your own local market as the summer’s seasonal bounty slowly begins. And if you don’t have a market near you, grab your veggies and fruits wherever you can find ‘em & take this opportunity to shape up your diet by incorporating more plants into your day, whether by increasing your consumption of salads or cooking deletable dishes brimming with amazing summer produce. (Search my blog contents and the internet for many a tasty idea.) Most of us don’t get nearly enough, and they are fundamental to health.

Check it out. Aren’t they gorgeous?

A true spring delight, the strawberry and asparagus seasons are short. Enjoy them while they’re at their finest! And forget those extra large strawberries at the supermarket if you can – absolutely no comparison to local, which are naturally smaller and so much tastier. And give purple asparagus a shot, too! Even more nutrients there!

So adorable! Tasty, too.

I love love love beets, and they come in more colors than just purple. Is it time for you to give them a shot this summer? I have lots of wonderful recipes coming …

Not everything is in season, but thanks to hydroponic growers we can still enjoy the diversity and nutrition of lots of local vegetables throughout the year…

… like colorful red and yellow peppers. Yum!

Onions are a fundamental ingredient to almost everything I cook. And sweet spring onions are a special treat indeed! (Pay no attention to the styrofoam cup in the background. Ick.)

Gorgeous peonies, another spring treat, with their glorious scent and magnificent beauty. Not for eating, though. Some flowers are edible; these aren’t. Also note the bright red cherries and the non-pastic shopping bag in the background! Yeah, baby. That’s what I’m talking about.

English peas are another spring favorite. Shelling for some is a chore; to me it’s a Zen-like activity that brings me joy and peace.

A new discovery, this Midwest saskatoon sighting had its very own post, as I’d never seen one before. Are you familiar with this tasty berry?

Now, while we’re on the subject, I need to make my way slowly to my own market before it closes at dusk. I simply must replenish my almost-barren refrigerator for weekend cooking, my very favorite activity. I’m so excited to see what goodies await!

And, with a little luck and a bit more rest, I’ll be sharing more tasty recipes via writing and video very, very soon.

P.K. NewbyDr. P. K. Newby is a nutrition scientist and educator with expertise in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases through diet and the relations between agriculture, food production, and public health. She brings together her passions for food, cooking, science, and sustainability through her writing and videos to help people eat their way towards better health, one delectable bite at a time. If you like what you see here at The Nutrition Doctor is In the Kitchen, please subscribe to my blog from the home page, become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, check out my food porn on Pinterest, watch my cooking videos on YouTube, and peruse my recipe page for soups, salads, seafood, sweets, and more. Thanks for reading!

Remembering Rome (The Good Times, That Is)

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My recent experience in Rome, while harrowing, would have been a lot worse had I not been to Italy before. Granted, it’s one of my favorite cities and I was very much looking forward to taking in sights beyond the Colosseum, as glorious as it is. And lingering over a fabulous Italian pastry and cappuccino in one its splendid coffee shops (actual coffee shops, readers, not coffee shops of Amsterdam ilk). And experiencing Rome’s finer wines and cuisine in an unexpected corner of the city rather than inadvertently coming out in a local hot spot on Gay Street. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) Did I mention that many of the superb wines I enjoyed while in Italy with my husband in 2009 you can’t find here in the states? As they’re made in small batches, they’re seldom imported.

Now I’m just getting depressed.

Hence my need to return to some of the photos I took when last in Rome. I’m including just a few here; perhaps you might enjoy them before my blogging returns to food stuff next week.

I’ll try to get through posting them without weeping.

I mean, I didn’t even have any gelato while there! Or pizza! (Sniff, sniff.)

Among my favorite vistas of Rome, a black and white version of this photograph hangs in my home. #awesome

The Arch of Constantine (AD 315), Romans invented the rounded arch, which is technically known in architectural parlance as the, er, Roman Arch.

The Castel Sant’Angelo (AD 135) is the setting for the final scene of Puccini’s “Tosca.”

The Roman sculpture hall at the Vatican is one of my favorite collections; its staggering opulence cannot be captured in a photograph.

Ancient Roman dude, with mini dude hanging from his toga.

Itty bitty Italian cars, Romans *especially* adore their mopeds. (Pedestrians beware. #seriously)

A grand view of the Roman landscape and one of its many ruins. (Again with the arches.)

A random street in the Eternal City.

The baroque Fontana di Trevi (AD 1762) is the most famous fountain in Rome – and arguably the most magnificent. Find images online to better appreciate its splendor.

I love this photo of the grand amphitheater at dusk + the Arch of Constantine and umbrella pine trees — but it in no way conveys the, um, colossal nature of the Colosseum.

That’s more like it: a view of the Colosseum (AD 70) from the inside. (See how tiny the people are?) Note the viewing stage for postmodern gawkers like me. Pretty sure it wasn’t used in ancient times for, say, a gladiator kick line.

One of Bernini’s famed sculptures in Piazza del Minerva, the elephant (AD 1666) forms a base for one of eleven Egyptian obelisks (BC 589) in Rome.

Some of my most ethereal photographs have been taken in flight, this one of the sun beaming at dusk on the Italian alps below.

Ciao, Roma! May we meet again in happier times. Until then, special thanks to those of you who stumbled across my blog this past week for the first time – mostly photography and travel bloggers – as I recounted my most recent adventure abroad.

Here’s hoping for a more successful journey to Chicago next week.

You know, assuming I can walk, and all.

P.K. NewbyAn avid traveler who normally writes about food, Dr. P. K. Newby is a nutrition scientist and educator with expertise in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases through diet and the relations between agriculture, food production, and public health. She brings together her passions for food, cooking, science, and sustainability through her writing and videos to help people eat their way towards better health, one delectable bite at a time. If you like what you see here at The Nutrition Doctor is In the Kitchen, please subscribe to my blog from the home page, become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, check out my food porn on Pinterest, watch my cooking videos on YouTube, and peruse my recipe page for soups, salads, seafood, sweets, and more. Thanks for reading!

Coming Out in Rome

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This is the third post in a series discussing my recent trip to Rome, with its unexpected happenings while attending a scientific conference on diet and physical activity at the (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It was all downhill after my first day admiring the gorgeous pignoli-giving umbrella pine trees. Minor edits aside, this post was largely written in real time on Thursday, May 17 while enjoying my last meal in Rome.

A simple yet satisfying supper in Rome: a trio of crostini with tapenade, four cheese, and asparagus paté & salad.

The conference was over, at last. Despite severe back pain, I had just given my final talk and chaired the post-conference workshop. My friends and colleagues were heading out to explore the city for our final day. A run along the river was in store with a fellow marathoner, followed by dinner at Piazza de Navona and a night walk to experience the Eternal City under starlit skies. A spectacular ending to a fabulous conference (I’m told – I missed most of it), especially sweet to those of us who had worked so hard on the scientific committee for the past year.

For me, ’twas not to be. With sorrow and envy, I bid them farewell and plodded once again to the medical center for another pain shot, anxious to lie down immediately. My evening plans were far more meager: God willing, I’d be able to make the short walk back to the hotel with a stop off midway for rest and dinner. The fine dining options I had researched were completely out of the picture; all I could hope for was for something decent en route.

Four hours later, I began the excruciatingly slow journey from FAO to my hotel. Happily, the walk took me by the Colosseum, which I never tire of viewing in all its magnificence. One can only muse in wonderment at the glories (and atrocities) Ancient Rome held. I pottered gingerly around its perimeter, hoping to head up one of the many hills of Rome and explore the yonder regions. I struggled with each step on level ground, however, and the seemingly interminable set of small, winding steps leading up a steep hillside gave me pause. I was reminded of the steps at Montmartre my father looked upon with similar trepidation; there are automated options to assist that particular ascent, however. In this case, I was on my own – and decided wisely not to attempt the long trek upwards. I knew I was thus limited to the restaurants on my direct path homeward.

I surveyed a few of the dining options in my immediate vicinity and rejected them all. Obvious tourist traps, the prices were outrageous and the menus included such things as chicken fingers and hamburgers. Pshaw. I continued on my way and, after turning a corner, happened upon a stage with four energetic performers, part of a major LGBT event / gay rights demonstration.

Not a great picture, I know, but the best my IPhone and I could do given the circumstances. You get the idea, though – and there’s the Colosseum in the background, too.

Wonderful! Lovely! I’m always up for some art and music to accompany my food. And supporting gay rights in so doing was just an added bonus. The restaurant to my immediate right thus seemed rather suitable, given its proximity to the stage, lively crowd, and good music. I entered without further adieu, anxious to sit the eff down.

In I go, yet I’m getting the vague feeling that I don’t quite fit in. This, despite the fact that my waiter was adorable and very polite and attentive. And not in a lewd sort of way, either. This was my first sign, you see (to perpetuate the stereotype that the manners of many Italian men towards female tourists are, er, questionable). As it turned out, I had entered a bar-slash-restaurant called “Coming Out,” in which I was one of very few females – and certainly the only straight one. The mood was all the merrier given the major event occurring outside on Gay Street.

Could I make this up? Yes. But I’m not. And here’s the menu to prove it.

I chuckled to myself. Why this struck me as amusing, I don’t really know. (I mean, other than the obvious irony of “Coming Out on Gay Street.”) Goodness knows I’ve spent my fair share of time in gay bars. I run a theater company, remember, and I pretty much assume people are gay unless told otherwise. I think that for the most part I smiled mainly out of happiness: I’ve stumbled randomly across many a music and dancing event around the world, completely by chance. ‘Tis a glorious part of travel – especially when the event is connected with such an important human rights issue.

Sautéed mixed mushrooms: the perfect accompaniment to crostini and red wine.

Further, the food was quite enjoyable indeed, starring a trio of bruschetta with tapenade, asparagus paté, and four cheese. A glass of red wine and plate of funghi completed my supper: don’t doubt how delicious simply prepared vegetables can be, like this plate of mixed mushrooms perfectly sautéed with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of parsley. Dessert was the thickest, richest hot chocolate I’ve had in recent memory, warming both body and soul. So, yes, the food certainly contributed to my feeling of contentment.

Then again, it could have just been the heavy pain killers.

Pain, schmain. It’s good to be alive, I thought, as I paid my bill and prepared to depart.

One critical question at hand now remains, however: can I rise out of this chair???????

P.K. NewbyAn avid traveler, Dr. P. K. Newby is a nutrition scientist and educator with expertise in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases through diet and the relations between agriculture, food production, and public health. She brings together her passions for food, cooking, science, and sustainability through her writing and videos to help people eat their way towards better health, one delectable bite at a time. If you like what you see here at The Nutrition Doctor is In the Kitchen, please subscribe to my blog from the home page, become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, check out my food porn on Pinterest, watch my cooking videos on YouTube, and peruse my recipe page for soups, salads, seafood, sweets, and more. Thanks for reading!

Rome: An Unexpected Pain in the Arse

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Not quite the food and wine adventure I expected, alas, but I did manage to eat one piece of Italian cheesecake with berry coulis.

For the past year, I have participated on the scientific planning committee for the International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods, which convened at the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome last week. A triannual meeting, it is the major conference in my field where scientists focus on the measurement of food intakes and physical activity. Accurately assessing these behaviors is key, as it is the foundation for studies examining important diet and health relationships such as with cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cancer, like my own research at Boston University.

I had been integrally involved in the program planning and was scheduled to chair a symposium, give two talks, co-chair a post-conference workshop, and moderate a panel. I tell you this only to convey that this conference is among the top in my field and it is a big deal. Fellow researchers and friends from across the globe would be in attendance, and I was looking forward to hearing about their work, meeting about potential research projects, and socializing with them over fabulous wine and food in the Eternal City.

I could never have imagined missing essentially the entire conference. While my colleagues and collaborators enjoyed the intellectual stimulation of the meeting and wandered about this magnificent city, I spent most of my time sedated in the medical center following a shot in the arse.

Damn hotel bed! (Or Something.)

Anyone who has thrown out their back can understand the story I’m about to tell, and if you can’t, I hope you never will. But if bad backs are in your genes, it often takes the tiniest thing to lead to unthinkable amounts of pain. My husband once suffered from a toothbrushing-related incident, for example. My back had been a bit sore for weeks but when I entered the hotel and sat on the bed, which was hard as a rock and mattress pad-less, I had a very bad feeling about it. (This is Rome’s version of a 4 star hotel, by the way. Don’t even get me started on the other issues.)

My back was hurting the first morning, which is nothing new albeit the discomfort was a bit more extreme than usual. The bed didn’t help, sure, but who knows how it happened? Lugging my baggage the 0.75 km to the hotel? (Not unusual for me following a long flight; I love walking.) The 4 inch heels the night before? (I do love my heels…) Perhaps a combination, I imagine.

I successfully chaired my first session and gave my first talk, then sat down at the table.

At the session’s end, about an hour later, I could barely rise from my chair.

In spite of that, I managed to survive through the dinner that evening, hoping things would resolve. I took a hot bath back at the hotel, praying things would be better in the morning.

Two sleeping pills and 10 hours later, I could rise from the bed only with agony. (The kind that is slowly beginning to develop now as I finish writing this piece, as any verticality whatsoever is quite painful after 30 or so minutes.)

I nonetheless dressed very, very slowly and prepared to head over to the conference.

I am nothing if not disciplined, after all. I persevere. No pain, no gain. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. That kind of thing.

Until I collapsed on the hotel floor.

*****

As I lay crumpled on the ground, I thought first of calling my husband or my dad, prepared to change my flight and return home immediately. Defeated, tears streamed down my face with pain and anguish.

And then I thought of Team Hoyt, the magnificent duo where father Dick pushes son Rick in a wheelchair during marathons. Oh, and pulls him in a boat during triathlons. With the message “Yes You Can!” they’ve traversed more than one thousand races in the past three decades. I’ve watched them run the Boston Marathon in years past and wept openly. In April I was honored and humbled to run by their side as I accompanied a struggling friend on the final 3 mile stretch to the finish line in the near-90 F degree heat.

And I thought of the millions and millions of people who struggle every day with basic tasks due to extreme physical challenges.

Yes, I was in excruciating pain, but lots of people throw their backs out for all sorts of reasons, in all sorts of circumstances. I would somehow make it to the conference and fulfill the roles I had promised to play.

Long story short. (I Mean, Less Long.)

I did indeed deliver my second talk and chair the post-conference session, as planned. (My cute suit, a short burgundy dress and jacket I bought in Sydney, looked awesome with sneakers.)

And I did, in fact, hear the closing address by the FAO assistant director-general of agriculture in the final fifteen minutes of the conference, which highlighted the importance of biodiversity and sustainability in feeding the world.

I did not, however, attend any of my colleagues’ sessions and spent a good portion of two days sedated in the medical center while getting injections to control the pain and lying very, very still.

I rallied for one evening out with a very patient friend and even plodded around the Colosseum on my last night in Rome, where I inadvertently participated in a gay rights demonstration. (True story.)

And, through the grace of God and power of the human spirit, along with one garrulous Brit with whom I chatted happily for several hours to pass the time while flying across the pond, I somehow made it home as planned in time for Boston University graduation the next day.

What, you ask? You attended graduation after all that?

Yes, yes I did.

Live long and prosper. (No matter how much pain you’re in.)

My student worked with me for more than 3 years, and if I could walk at all I would be there to hood him as nutrition’s newest doctor, pain notwithstanding. And I was. And the following day I dragged myself yet again to the main graduation, as participating in university commencement is an important academic duty of a professor. I would play my part to the degree I was able, and I was excited to hear Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt give the address and see Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek‘s Dr. Spock) receive an honorary doctorate.

You see, after getting through last week – and believe me when I tell you that this is the short story – my bar is reset yet again for what is possible.

Now. If you’ll excuse me, I need a valium.

P.K. NewbyDr. P. K. Newby is a nutrition scientist and educator with expertise in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases through diet and the relations between agriculture, food production, and public health. She brings together her passions for food, cooking, science, and sustainability through her writing and videos to help people eat their way towards better health, one delectable bite at a time. If you like what you see here at The Nutrition Doctor is In the Kitchen, please subscribe to my blog from the home page, become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, check out my food porn on Pinterest, watch my cooking videos on YouTube, and peruse my recipe page for soups, salads, seafood, sweets, and more. Thanks for reading!

Irish Recollections (May Include Year-old Soda Bread)

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Bussing Tables in an Irish Pub: My First Restaurant Job

Still looking and tasting great, one year later!

At the tender age of 15 I began my first job at an Irish pub named Finn MacCool’s, which apparently is named after a giant, semimythical character from an ancient Gaelic legend (semimythical?). My first restaurant job of many, I bussed tables and waitressed throughout high school and on holidays during college. I have many, many stories to tell of those times, but suffice to say that it was there I developed a love of Irish brown and soda breads. And crispy, beer-battered fish and chips, I might add – my regular midnight dinner each Saturday to fuel the shift that lasted until 3am.

Holiday Cooking Plans Gone Awry

Now, most serious foodies and cooks take advantage of any situation to celebrate with seasonal food and drink, especially on a holiday. However, work and new car shopping beckoned today, so my plan of cooking and enjoying traditional Irish fare had to be simplified to its essence. And by that I mean beer, which may or may not be accompanied by a shot of neat Irish whiskey later this evening. (Evidently it’s traditional, or so I’ve gleaned from a recent NYT article titled “Sod off, scotch.”) I’m currently enjoying a Guinness while fondly remembering the many fine meals and beers that were consumed on our 2004 roadtrip throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland. 

That said, I did make one thing, which was whole wheat Irish soda bread with raisins. Very, very delicious! You’ve heard me talk about white whole wheat flour and how it’s a wonderful substitute in many baked goods. (I challenge you to note a difference in brownies, for example, or pumpkin whoopie pies.)  My recipe perfectly melds the flavors of Irish soda and brown breads and the nuttiness of the white whole wheat works really well. How I would love to share the recipe with you! Alas, I can not.

Frozen Food to the Rescue!

Yeah, um, I actually made this bread last St. Patrick’s Day, and stored half in the freezer. It’s amazing how fast 365 days go by, isn’t it? I had no idea whether the loaf would be even remotely edible one year hence, but it really did taste the same (as I recall, anyway) and paired beautifully with my morning coffee. Unfortunately, I don’t remember exactly how I made it. How useless am I? (Don’t answer that.) I do know it was a hybrid of two recipes from Bon Appétit, one for brown soda bread and one for Irish soda bread (these are the closest approximations I could find) and that I substituted white whole wheat flour. I really need to get better about recording recipes that I create, I know, both for my own cooking purposes as well as to share with you.

The Freezer is Your Friend (But Remember What You Put In There and When)

While I’m fairly embarrassed to admit to you I’m consuming – nay loving - year-old soda bread, I have a few other points to make related to cooking and eating that come to mind. First, it’s probably obvious that generally things should not remain in the freezer for nearly that long, as it can impact taste and, in some cases, food safety. This was a very unusual circumstance and I tell you this story more for humor value than anything else. Sampling the bread was mainly an experiment, and I was fully prepared to toss last year’s loaf. I consider myself very, very lucky it was edible (luck of the Irish…soda bread?) and clearly it should have been eaten many months ago. I knew it was there, I just never got around to it. (Do note that it was wrapped extremely well, in plastic wrap, tin foil, and a heavy plastic bag, which no doubt preserved its freshness and flavor.)

That having been said, you all know that the freezer is my best friend, where soups, stews, sauces, and stocks await to assist me in eating healthfully when time is limited.  Baked goods like cookies, cakes, or sweet breads can also be frozen. There are two people in our home, you see, and a major reason I bake infrequently is because it tends to encourage over-consumption in our world. (I want so badly to make the Ranting Chef’s chocolate stout bundt cake! Talk about down-right dangerous. That baby would be tonight’s dinner-for-two. I’m barely kidding.) Best not to keep such things on hand, so when I do bake into the freezer things go for another time. Lots of treats keep well, so do consider storing extra portions or bring leftovers to work to share with friends and colleagues. Perhaps consider joining your local food swap group, if you have one like we do here in Boston.

Speaking of Ireland…

This story sounded better in my head (she says, munching on her fourth second piece of soda bread and sipping her third second Guinness). Ah, well. Perhaps a few photos from our trip to the Emerald Isle will make up for it?

Our trip through counties Cork and Kerry took us along the water’s edge with its many bucolic views and breathtaking cliffs.

We saw a LOT of sheep. In Ireland, they have a unique species that has a single bright blue spot.

Castle ruins were a common sight.

Yup, there are gorgeous beaches in Ireland, too. But look closely at the weird beachgoers.

We stumbled across the remains of many a stone fort, which are pretty cool.

They don’t call it the “Emerald Isle” for nothing.

Another castle, this time including cattle.

A park in Dublin. Know who this is? (Hint: obligatory theater reference)

PS. I wrote this post on St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll note, but I hope you had a great holiday weekend. If you had a little too much fun and find yourself struggling this Monday morning, check out this New Yorker article.

Also—seriously—don’t eat year-old Irish soda bread.

P.K. NewbyDr. P. K. Newby is a nutrition scientist and educator with expertise in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases through diet and the relations between agriculture, food production, and public health. She brings together her passions for food, cooking, science, and sustainability through her writing and videos to help people eat their way towards better health, one delectable bite at a time. If you like what you see here at The Nutrition Doctor is In the Kitchen, please subscribe to my blog from the home page, become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, check out my food porn on Pinterest, watch my cooking videos on YouTube, and peruse my recipe page for soups, salads, seafood, sweets, and more. Thanks for reading!

Getting Local, NYC Style: Union Square Greenmarket

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These past few weeks really have been all about the farmers’ markets for me. (Between the chili, nachos, and guacamole, that is.) I’m just so thrilled that Boston’s winter markets have allowed me to directly support local producers even during the off-season. I’m still dumbfounded that I was able to procure local lobsters, the basis for a truly sublime lobster bisque. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am a lucky woman indeed.

On Tuesday I fondly reminisced about London’s Borough Market. Today’s is another brief post dedicated to a market on this side of the pond, NYC’s Union Square Greenmarket, where I visited last week as I always do when I’m in the city. It’s among the largest outdoor markets in Manhattan with tons of different vendors: produce, cheese, dairy, meats, fish, juices, jams, bread, wine, and Martin’s famous handmade pretzels that even come in whole wheat now. Also, emu eggs.  If you’re not familiar with this market, which opened in 1976, I recommend visiting their site to check out all they do. Beyond its broad array of epicurean delights, it also has educational outreach, cooking demonstrations, textile recycling, and composting, reaching approximately 60,000 New Yorkers each day.

Microgreens: They're not called "micro" for nothing. (Apple shown for scale.)

It’s off-season, of course, so the market is much smaller now than in the summer. Nevertheless, plenty of tasty morsels were still to be found. As there was limited space in the hotel fridge, I thus focused on procuring just a few special treats I haven’t seen at the Boston markets. My wares included micro wasabi and micro scallions, the tiny seedling sprouts of the full plant that are delicious tossed on a sandwich or, say, garnishing seared tuna puttanesca; duck confit (a very rare treat); a bag of100% rye bread thins; and, of course, a few whole wheat pretzels. (I’m pretty sure the only time I ever eat pretzels is at this market, come to think of it.)  I also picked up some apples, pears, and shiitake mushrooms. Fortunately, I had enough veggies and greens at home to get me through this past week. I still can’t believe that I can buy greenhouse spinach and mesclun at the winter markets here. I have some good salad posts in the works.

Until then, here are a few photos from the market

Union Square Greenmarket Photos (and the Occasional One-Liner)

So great to eat local "autumn" apples throughout the winter (but avoid using a plastic bag if you can). Tent for free-roaming ostrich farm in the background.

The first sprout sighting. Huzzah!

Root veggies, etc. (Those white things in the front are parsnips, in case you were wondering. And if you weren't, well, they're still parsnips.)

The second sprout sighting. So colorful!

Carrots and turnips and artichokes, oh my!

Nothing says spring like the glorious scent and vibrant colors of hyacinth. Too bad this isn't scratch and sniff.

Ostrich eggs up front, emu eggs in back. One-egg omelet for 12, anyone?

Third sprout sighting, and check out the size of those vats! I think the technical term is "$%&!load." Also note the license plate in the back. As for the happy pig holding the knife and fork for the pork vendor on the right, I'd say that's poor porcine form. (Inapigpriate? Maybe not.)

Yeah, I didn't see Sarah Jessica Parket at the market eating one of Martin's Pretzels, but how often will I get a chance to reference Sex and the City? Had to take it while I could.

The Andy (Warhol) monument is on special exhibit at the Union Square market until May 2012. Food AND art? Awesome.

Play a Good Knife and Fork is now on Facebook!  Please visit the page to become a fan.  You can also follow me on twitter @pknewby.  And don’t forget to find a farmers’ market near you!

A Slice of Pie on New Year’s Eve in NYC

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NYC pizza is the best in the world! (or on this side of the pond, anyway)

It’s not what you’re thinking. No Times Square, no ball dropping, nothing like that. More like running to catch a train back to Boston following a trip to Long Island, NY and Cape May, NJ visiting with family. Half of you are thinking “What? And you didn’t stay in NY for New Year’s?” and the other half are thinking that there could not possibly be anything worse than the Times Square scene in NY. Both are reasonable sentiments, I think, but let’s just say “been there, done that.” A story to tell, for sure, involving two drunken Marines, a crowded hotel room full of friends, a freezing cold winter’s night, and a dog named Max.

(Yeah, okay. I made up the dog part. The rest is true, though, and about that particular new year’s night oh-so-long-ago: my lips are sealed. Honor, and all.)

Anyhow, I was deposited in Penn Station by my parents to catch a train back to Boston and, as the traffic was much lighter than expected, I was more than an hour early. This is unusual – nay, unprecedented – as I’m usually running rather speedily to catch transportation of any kind. I first considered trying to get myself onto an earlier, more expensive train using my feminine wiles, feeling fairly confident I could bat my eyelashes at the conductor while gasping “But I didn’t know my ticket was only for the 2pm train!” in my finest Southern drawl. Fun, perhaps; tempting, indeed. Nevertheless, I decided instead to do a quick bit of shopping and enjoy a jolt of frenetic Manhattan energy. I had just enough time to buy new gloves and pick up an inexpensive pair of earbuds. (I’d left my high-quality earbuds at home, where they dwell with seven cheap pairs that I’ve collected upon forgetting them under similar circumstances.)

My zippy jaunt through midtown culminated with an obligatory slice of pizza. And I do mean obligatory, as in absolutely, fundamentally required of any trip to NYC. Many of you know that I am a New Yorker, and, like all New Yorkers, I adamantly maintain that there is no pizza like New York pizza, and it’s the best. Period. Full stop. No question.

(Well, um, with the possible exceptions of Naples and Rome, where I’ve had truly outstanding pies though it’s not really the same thing. I’ll say more about Italian pizza next time I’m in the country in May. In the meantime, let’s just say NYC pizza is the best this side of the pond, at the very least. But I digress.)

It’s been a while since I’ve lived in Manhattan, so I can’t really give this topic its due respect by contrasting various slices around the city and so forth; quality varies widely, of course. My favorite pizza spot used to be in the West Village, but now I often find myself enjoying a slice or two at a place right in Penn Station. Believe it or not, it’s one of the best slices I’ve had in the city, and definitely a highlight of my day when traveling from NY to Boston.

I love making pizza at home, by the way, with whole wheat crust, fresh tomato sauce and various toppings such as wild mushroom with goat cheese, caramelized onion and black olive, or zucchini, eggplant, and buffalo mozzarella. I don’t often make pizza for dinner for what I think are obvious reasons, but I do love it and my recipe is fairly healthful for what it is. Also: very, very delicious.

For me, the perfect cheese to sauce ratio is on this NYC slice.

But when I pop into a pizza place for a slice, it’s always cheese. I adore veggies, as you well know, but find that the toppings always disrupt the critical cheese to tomato sauce ratio that I find most pleasing. These things are all about individual preference, certainly, but for me there’s got to be a goodly amount of tomato sauce. It also needs to be piping hot. Finally, the slice must be adorned with four crucial elements: parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and crushed red pepper. If my husband had been with me today, I would have had him take a picture of me eating my NYC slice lovingly, much as I did with my London fish and chips.

Sated, I then boarded the railway for the afternoon’s trip while remembering fondly my previous train journey to London. A mellower New Year’s Eve awaits back in my hometown that is now Boston. Our first gathering is an early evening on a patio overlooking the Boston Common, where we’ll watch fireworks with friends. We’ll then head to Cambridge for a late-night sushi party. (We’re making the sushi, by the way, which is great fun if you’ve never made your own. I’ll show you how one of these days.)

There will be no drunken marines this year, I think – though they do tend to show up where you least expect them, no? (Or Is it just me?) No screaming at midnight in Times Square. And nary a dog named Max. (Oh, right, I already told you I made that part up.) Even so, an intimate evening ringing in the new year with champagne and sushi is a bit more my style these days.

That this year’s holiday also included an unexpected hour or so in New York, with just enough time for my favorite slice of pie this side of the pond … well, that’s just an extra added bonus.

Going Global, Eating Local

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As you know, my diet is built on a foundation of local food (to the extent possible). Not surprisingly, I talk a lot about farmers’ markets and fresh produce, where it all begins. Coming soon, you’ll hear more about why this is so important in a short video filmed at the lively Copley Square farmers’ market here in Boston. Look out for it!

In the meantime, healthy, sustainable eating habits travel with me wherever I go – coupled with a goodly dose of sheer indulgence – so in this post I’m summarizing a few of the outstanding dishes I had when I was recently in London. Meals featured seasonal produce including wild mushrooms and root vegetables; local seafood such as oysters, mackerel, and coley; fabulous British cheeses like stilton; and pints of smooth, local ales.

And all I can say is: Wow.

Fine Seasonal Gastropub Fare

After wandering through Borough Market, we popped into “arguably the cosiest pub in Southwark” for a snack. A combination of classic- and gastropub fare, the food was a delight to the eyes and palate. We started with the mushrooms and stilton cream on rye toast (below) – rich, velvety, and extremely satisfying.

Mushrooms and Stilton on Rye Toast (And a Pint of Ale)

After relaxing a bit we headed back out to do some more browsing, but we liked the food and atmosphere so much we went back to complete our meal. We thoroughly enjoyed the fig, goat cheese, pecan, and roasted squash Wensleydale tart, followed by a chocolate and beetroot brownie with creamy vanilla pod ice cream (both of which we split). I was intrigued by the beet addition: though I didn’t really taste anything beet-y about it, ’twas a great brownie nonetheless, with moist crumb and deep chocolate flavor.

Late Lunch with Local Honey

We pulled a rookie move and thought it would be possible to get a quick bite before heading to the theatre for an early 7.30 curtain for Les Misérables. This was sheer folly, and we should have known better. Europeans don’t rush meals, especially in finer restaurants, and though I was clear about needing to leave promptly at 6.45pm our food came at 6.38.

So much for a relaxing pre-theatre meal.

Which is really too bad, because the food was sensational. “An ardent follower of the ‘field to fork’ movement,” Caxton Grill is a lovely spot. It is beautifully appointed and looked upon our hotel’s gardens, still lush given the warm fall weather. (It was so nice to see deep blue hydrangea and other colorful blooms one last time before next year!) The restaurant prides itself on local cuisine. And they do mean local. Check it out: “Our honey is made by the bees on the roof of St. Ermin’s Hotel, pollinated from flowers in St. James’s Park and Regents Park.”

It was such a pity we needed to scarf down our food! I loathe rushing any meal, especially in restaurants. We tried the “smalls” of smoked haddock chowder, pan fried mackerel with horseradish and roasted beets, and honey-roasted root vegetables. The mackerel in particular was outstanding. We were also thrilled that our meal was preceded by an amuse bouche of phyllo stuffed with goat cheese and tomato confit. Of course, flaky, buttery phyllo could be filled wtih styrofoam and it would still be delicious but goat cheese is even better. And I love being served an amuse bouche in restaurants – it’s always a wonderful surprise, kind of like when someone gives you a present unexpectedly. (The kind you actually want.)

By the way: in case you are not familiar, an “amuse bouche” is a complimentary small dish of the chef’s whim designed to whet your appetite. The literal translation is “amuse [your] mouth.” Which, while accurate, sounds much more lovely in French.

A Modern British Late Night Supper

What a joy when a hotel’s concierge provides a stellar recommendation! We never would have found Hix otherwise, an unbelievable restaurant nestled into the West End a few blocks away from the theatre.

The menu was so local it needed translation by our knowledgeable waiter. Intrigued? This super hip restaurant and its four course meal – I held back – require their own post. Check back soon for more details.

Obligatory Fish and Chips, Locavore Style

Eating fish and chips at least once while in England is a must. And I do mean at least once. On our our first road trip together exploring England, Irelend, and Scotland together in 2004, my husband and I ate fish and chips more times than I could possibly remember. (An aside: V never ate fish before I started cooking it for him; now he loves it. Remember what I’ve been saying about exposure? He even eats oysters on the half shell. And guess what? He’s the one who introduced them to me!)

Though we can certainly find some delicious fish and chips here in New England and elsewhere in the US, it just isn’t the same. One of the biggest differences is that in the UK the fish is generally a full, skin-on fillet. My guess is that they also use better different ale in the beer batter. In tandem, it creates an incomparable fish and chips. Quality can certainly vary across the UK but in general it’s incredibly tasty. (And I have a fairly large sample size.) You may know that many Brits enjoy malt vinegar with their fish and chips, as do Canadians, but tartar sauce is also available.

As I was saying: Quite possibly the best fish and chips I’ve had in England. Ever. And I am so thrilled that now I know exactly where to go for my fix whenever I’m there. This was not the actual Fish!kitchen restaurant, by the way. It was one of the outdoor vendors in Borough Market (near the actual restaurant).

A Look of Bliss Upon Discovering Perfect Fish and Chips.

I’m willing to guess that part of the reason this particular fish and chips was so spectacular, other than its perfectly crisp exterior and incredibly tender interior – i.e, baby, they can cook – was because the fish was delivered early that morning. Now, I had been looking forward to one of my favorite British dishes since arriving in England, but I never expected to stumble across a street food vendor serving up locally prepared fish and chips. I reiterate: Wow. I’ve been thinking about that fish in wonderment all week long.

The voices and choices of the local food movement are growing stronger each year, and the world is better because of it.

Will you join in our crusade?

PS: Lest you think the above statement is a bit over the top, do I need to mention this is from the finale of Les Mis? Then again, perhaps I really am an utter zealot for eating local. Select whichever you think makes me cooler.

P.K. NewbyDr. P. K. Newby is a nutrition scientist and educator with expertise in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases through diet and the relations between agriculture, food production, and public health. She brings together her passions for food, cooking, science, and sustainability through her writing and videos to help people eat their way towards better health, one delectable bite at a time. If you like what you see here at The Nutrition Doctor is In the Kitchen, please subscribe to my blog from the home page, become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, check out my food porn on Pinterest, watch my videos on YouTube, and peruse my recipe page for soups, salads, seafood, sweets, and more. Thanks for reading!

Apple Day in London

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“I wish you apple merriment.”

Don’t hear that very often, do you?

The Harvest Queen

In fact, I found these the perfect welcoming words to market-goers at Apple Day in London’s Borough Market this past Sunday, which celebrated the season in royal style with food, song, and cheer. (See Queen, left.)

Surely it can’t be surprising to you that seeking out local markets is a major part of my travels? This is probably something that was instilled in me at a very young age, as frequent family road trips to Canada always included a visit to the massive, multi-floor market in Kitchener-Waterloo where my grandparents lived. (Butter tarts, anyone?) It’s a splendid way to experience local food culture and cuisine. I am grateful to my mother for this early exposure, as it’s been a high point of many vacations.

Markets vary widely in flavor and offering from place to place. The foundation is usually locally prepared foods and/or produce but many also include crafts and artwork. A huge market, the Borough was limited to food and included gorgeous looking fruits and vegetables, some of which were local and organic; savory English pies, pasties, and tarts stuffed with various meats, vegetables, and cheeses; custard and fruit-studded puddings and pastries; and elegantly labeled jars of mustard, honey, preserves, and chutney. A local farm was selling hard cider, both apple and pear, still and sparkling. There was also a surprisingly large number of people actively preparing tantalizing foods on site, such as seared scallops, duck confit, and Indian delicacies alongside massive vats of three different curries. Last – but definitely not least – there was one vendor selling fish and chips at a place called Fish!Kitchen, whose motto was, er, “Proper Fish and Chips.”

(Yeah, I know. But I saw the fish they were preparing and it looked amazing. As it turns out, this may well have been the best fish and chips I’ve had in London. Ever. I’d love to show you a picture, but the thought to photograph occurred only after I had already devoured half.)

What a delight to wander through the market on an unexpectedly warm autumn day, sipping a cold cider and savoring the local sights and sounds!  (A photo montage of the market can be seen here.)

That it was Apple Day was really just the icing on the, um, apple cake. There was a large selection of farm-fresh apples, including native, local, organic, and heirloom varieties. (The Russet I selected was among the best apples I’ve eaten this season.) And hot mulled cider, of course. Many vendors had also prepared special foods for the occasion. Apple parsnip cake, anyone? No? How about apple cake made with olive oil? Need something more familiar? What about apple pie, toffee apple crumble, apple streudel, apple muffins, apple oat cakes, caramel apples, apple brownies, or apple fritters?

(“Do you want the warm vanilla custard sauce with that?” I was asked after finally deciding on the toffee apple crumble. “Oh, yes…,” I replied, longingly.)

Where was I? Right. If you enjoy traveling, you might consider checking out the local markets if you haven’t done so before. No doubt you will enjoy soaking up the atmosphere, but you may also end up sampling some of the best food in the city. If you don’t fancy leaving your own backyard, I imagine the place you call home has something similar where you can celebrate the season with local fare and flair.

And perhaps you just might get inspired to procure some fresh ingredients and cook up something delicious of your own. Or, in this particular case, pick up a few tasty treats for a whimsical trans-Atlantic plane picnic to conclude a fabulous weekend getaway. WAY better than airline food, eh?

Train Journey to London

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I love a good train ride. I frequently travel from Boston to New York and all too often find myself gazing dreamily out the window. A good deal of the trip passes alongside various waterways and fens in Connecticut on one side with the Atlantic on the other. Quite serene.  A fine place to think, and write.

This afternoon’s journey is taking me from Bristol to London. Less than two hours, much of the voyage passes through English countryside, an arboreal vista dotted with farmland and occasional cattle and horses.

After much debating with myself, I sadly tossed yesterday’s leftovers of fish pie and jacket potato instead of bringing them with me for a train snack. (I did mention the potato was the size of a baby’s head, remember?) Alas, my hands were simply too full with luggage and laptop, so I just took a few pieces of fruit with me instead that I had on hand. I bring this up for two reasons. First, if you’ve never been to London before, you may not know that Europeans really don’t do the whole packing-up-leftovers-and-bringing-them-home thing. They frown upon it, really, and in France find it rather gauche. (On this same note, it’s only in the past decade or so that you can do the whole take-out thing, too, which the Brits call “take-away.” For example: “I’ll have a coffee take-away, please.”)  It occurs now that the “to-go” practice perhaps evolved as an American thing due to massive portions? I’m not sure, but I bear the chagrin regardless and take leftover restaurant food home with me in Europe, even the smallest of remains, both to avoid waste and enjoy a subsequent meal or snack.

I’d like to tell you that the banana I had on the train instead was as gratifyng as the leftover fish pie would have been. Yeah, okay. Sure.

I will arrive in London rather shortly, and by the time I get to the hotel and get settled it will be almost 4 pm. That is a magical bewitching hour when on holiday in London, which means the choice between either late afternoon tea and scones or an early evening out to the pub.

With a little luck, this will be the hardest decision I’ll have to make all day.

P.K. NewbyDr. P. K. Newby is a nutrition scientist and educator with expertise in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases through diet and the relations between agriculture, food production, and public health. She brings together her passions for food, cooking, science, and sustainability through her writing and videos to help people eat their way towards better health, one delectable bite at a time. If you like what you see here at The Nutrition Doctor is In the Kitchen, please subscribe to my blog from the home page, become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, check out my food porn on Pinterest, watch my videos on YouTube, and peruse my recipe page for soups, salads, seafood, sweets, and more. Thanks for reading!