Today is Valentine's Day, a time of love and passion, so it is not an appropriate time for a Rant. Instead, let me ask my readers to embrace their passion.
What is passion? The word supposedly derives from an ancient Greek term "paskho" which basically means "to suffer," and some modern dictionaries provide that as an obselete definition. That meaning has changed over time, and now a popular definition is that it is an intense interest in a person, place, object, activity, cause, etc. To me, passion also helps give meaning to life, elevating mere existence to a higher purpose. Without any passion in our lives, we might as well be automatons, simply going through the motions without experiencing positive and fulfilling emotion.
I have a passion for food and drink, and suspect my readers may have similar passions, or you probably would not be reading me. Continue to embrace those passions, to let food and drink bring joy to your lives. If you possess other passions, embrace those as well. It is not important the nature of your passion, as long as you possess passion for something. And feel free to have multiple passions, as people are certainly capable of possessing more than a single passion. As an example, besides food and drink, I also have a passion for books, being a voracious and eclectic reader.
It is those people who have not embraced their passion though who need to listen the most. They might work too many hours, feeling too exhausted to embrace any passion. But their lives may be monotonous and boring, the same drudgery day in and day out. They exist but they do not really live, not in a fuller sense. They need to find some time for their passion, to bring some light into their dreary existence. You probably know people like that and I encourage you to help them find and embrace their passion.
Embracing your passion can take many forms. You don't have to write about them as I do. The key is simply bringing joy to your life with the object of your passion. That should be easy for anyone to do. Just find what brings you joy and allow it into your life.
Happy Valentine's Day and embrace your passion.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Upcoming Sake Events
March is shaping up to be Sake Month in the Boston area as I will be presiding at several sake events, including a class, a couple tastings and a dinner. These should all be fun, informative and interesting and I hope to see many of you there. This is the perfect time to learn more about sake, and to correct your misconceptions about this compelling drink. Plus, there are more potential events in the near future which should prove equally as interesting.
1) Want to learn more about Sake? Then you can do so at my upcoming "Chilling With Sake" class at the Boston Wine School on Wednesday, March 16, at 6:30pm. This will be a fun introduction to the realm of sake, covering diverse topics such as sake history, the brewing process, sake types, rituals & customs, terminology and much more. No prior knowledge of sake is required to take this class. We will taste through a number of sakes, as well as enjoy sushi. Don't be intimidated by sake any longer. Instead, arm yourself with the knowledge you need to safely navigate a restaurant's sake menu or a wine store's sake selection.
2) After the recent fun and success of the Sherry and Thai dinner, I will be returning to Ronnarong in Somerville on March 8, Thai Tapas Tuesday, for Sake and Thai. The details are still being worked out, such as which Sakes will be poured, but mark down the date on your calendar. Space will be limited so once sign up starts, you should reserve a space quickly to ensure you can be there. Thai Tapas Tuesdays are held on the second Tuesday of each month. Order a drink and your tapas is free! (drink price must equal or exceed tapas price)
3) Almost in my backyard, I will be presiding at a Sake tasting at the Wine Cellar of Stoneham, located in the B.J.s Wholesale Club in Stoneham, tentatively scheduled for March 20, from 1pm-3pm.. The store was a Runner-Up Discount Wine Store in my 2010: Favorite Wine & Spirit Related Items. They have excellent, discounted prices and the sakes I will be pouring will have some of the lowest prices in the state.
4) Pizzeria Posto, located just off Davis Square, was one of my Favorite Restaurants of 2010, and has a top notch brunch, delicious pizzas and killer pasta. I am currently working with Chef/owner Joseph Cassinelli on a Sake-paired Italian dinner for a likely Tuesday or Wednesday night during the last two weeks in March. This multi-course dinner will showcase several different sakes, presenting how sake can pair well with Italian cuisine. Think umami, as that fifth taste will be put to the test. More details will soon follow and I think this dinner will really be an exciting experience.
5) Very tentatively, there could be a Sake-pairing dinner in the future at The Melting Pot. First, Sake and cheese is a great pairing so a cheese fondue would work well with sake. Second, the entree fondues certainly resembles Japanese shabu-shabu, and sake would likely pair well with that too. The type of fondue broth would certainly dictate the type of sake to pair with it, but that would just be a matter of the proper combination. And there are dessert-style sakes you could pair with chocolate fondue too. So, when I know more details about the possibility of Sake & Fondue, I will post about it.
6) There are a couple other potential events that I am working on, but can't reveal the details yet. Please also remember that if you want to run a sake-event at your wine store, restaurant, school, function, etc., please contact me to discuss it. Sake is a very versatile, diverse and delicious beverage.
1) Want to learn more about Sake? Then you can do so at my upcoming "Chilling With Sake" class at the Boston Wine School on Wednesday, March 16, at 6:30pm. This will be a fun introduction to the realm of sake, covering diverse topics such as sake history, the brewing process, sake types, rituals & customs, terminology and much more. No prior knowledge of sake is required to take this class. We will taste through a number of sakes, as well as enjoy sushi. Don't be intimidated by sake any longer. Instead, arm yourself with the knowledge you need to safely navigate a restaurant's sake menu or a wine store's sake selection.
2) After the recent fun and success of the Sherry and Thai dinner, I will be returning to Ronnarong in Somerville on March 8, Thai Tapas Tuesday, for Sake and Thai. The details are still being worked out, such as which Sakes will be poured, but mark down the date on your calendar. Space will be limited so once sign up starts, you should reserve a space quickly to ensure you can be there. Thai Tapas Tuesdays are held on the second Tuesday of each month. Order a drink and your tapas is free! (drink price must equal or exceed tapas price)
3) Almost in my backyard, I will be presiding at a Sake tasting at the Wine Cellar of Stoneham, located in the B.J.s Wholesale Club in Stoneham, tentatively scheduled for March 20, from 1pm-3pm.. The store was a Runner-Up Discount Wine Store in my 2010: Favorite Wine & Spirit Related Items. They have excellent, discounted prices and the sakes I will be pouring will have some of the lowest prices in the state.
4) Pizzeria Posto, located just off Davis Square, was one of my Favorite Restaurants of 2010, and has a top notch brunch, delicious pizzas and killer pasta. I am currently working with Chef/owner Joseph Cassinelli on a Sake-paired Italian dinner for a likely Tuesday or Wednesday night during the last two weeks in March. This multi-course dinner will showcase several different sakes, presenting how sake can pair well with Italian cuisine. Think umami, as that fifth taste will be put to the test. More details will soon follow and I think this dinner will really be an exciting experience.
5) Very tentatively, there could be a Sake-pairing dinner in the future at The Melting Pot. First, Sake and cheese is a great pairing so a cheese fondue would work well with sake. Second, the entree fondues certainly resembles Japanese shabu-shabu, and sake would likely pair well with that too. The type of fondue broth would certainly dictate the type of sake to pair with it, but that would just be a matter of the proper combination. And there are dessert-style sakes you could pair with chocolate fondue too. So, when I know more details about the possibility of Sake & Fondue, I will post about it.
6) There are a couple other potential events that I am working on, but can't reveal the details yet. Please also remember that if you want to run a sake-event at your wine store, restaurant, school, function, etc., please contact me to discuss it. Sake is a very versatile, diverse and delicious beverage.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Sake, Amino Acids & Food
At its simplest, amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins. I won’t go into a more detailed scientific explanation for it is not necessary for my intent here. The key to know is that each amino acid has its own specific function and they play a significant role in the consumption of sake.
There are over twenty different amino acids in sake, a greater variety than found in any other alcohol. As an example, sake contains seven times more amino acids than red wine. During fermentation, about 55% of the protein in rice gets broken down and converted into nitrogen compounds, of which around 45% are amino acids. Higher quality sakes, with greater rice polishing rates, have less proteins available for conversion so tend to have lower levels of amino acids.
As the fermentation process for sake is generally longer than that of wine, it also tends to produce more amino acids. In addition, the more traditional brewing processes, kimoto and yamahai, which can take twice as long to ferment, generally have the most amino acids of any sakes.
The degree of amino acids in a sake is known as the amino sando, and you may see that number listed on a sake label or in the sales materials. Amino sando levels tend to average between about 0.7 and 1.5. Each specific style of sake has an average amino acid level, though obviously there is variation. Some examples are: Futsu-shu 1.3, Ginjo 1.3, Honjozo 1.3, and Junmai 1.5.
In general, higher levels indicate a more full-bodied, rounder, and richer tasting sake. Thus, you are more likely to have a higher level with a Junmai. Lower levels indicate a lighter, cleaner, and more mellow sake. Thus, the more elegant sakes like Ginjo and Daiginjo will have lower levels. But there is more to amino acids than these basics.
Four kinds of amino acids are considered to most affect taste: alanine, arginine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. Alanine is said to produce sweetness while arginine produces bitterness. Both glutamic and aspartic acid can create produce acidity and astringency. But, glutamic acid may be the most important because of its added role in creating umami. As a side note, most wine contains very little glutamic acid.
Umami, the fifth taste, is often defined as “savoriness” and you will find it in foods such as soy sauce, ripe tomatoes, parmesan cheese, scallops, mushrooms and more. When you combine two ingredients with umami, it intensifies the overall umami flavor. Thus, when an umami-rich sake is paired with umami-rich food, it enhances the umami in the whole dish, making it taste even better.
Because of this umami magnification effect, sake can pair well with many different cuisines, and not just Japanese. Would you think of sake and Italian cuisine? Well, an umami-rich sake would pair well with the umami of tomatoes and parmesan so it could go well with many Italian dishes. Or you could pair a high umami kimoto sake with a mushroom dish, like a risotto, and see how the flavors were intensified.
As an added bonus, the amino acids in sake also help to neutralize fishy flavors in seafood, something wine generally cannot do. Thus, sake may be a better pairing with seafood than wine, especially any seafood that might tend to possess a fishy flavor. As an example, some red wines contain minute amounts of iron that cause seafood to leave a fishy taste in your mouth. That does not happen with sake.
The Japanese say, “The skin is the mirror of the internal organs.” This means that your skin reflects your overall health, so good skin means you likely are in good health. As a non-food related bonus, there are amino acids in sake which activate skin cells and help prevent skin cell aging.
For example, sake contains plenty of alanine, which is found in collagen, and it also responsible for skin strength and elasticity. Thus, there are numerous companies which create skin moisturizers, cleansers and bath supplies from sake. You could take a saké-buro, a sake bath, which have been popular in Japan for a very long time. There is even a special Saké sold for that purpose, tama no hada saké, or “skin like a gleaming jewel” saké.
As you can see, there is much more to sake than maybe you thought.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday Sips & Nibbles
I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.
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1) Towne Stove and Spirits is ready to put their new winter menu into practice, as created by Culinary Director Lydia Shire and Executive Chef Mario Capone. The revamped carte du jour at Towne will refresh some signature dishes while adding in some future classics. Towne Stove and Spirits features an eclectic menu with cuisine spanning the continents, with Shire and Capone’s inspired creations conveniently denoted by their respective world flags.
For “starters,” Towne Stove and Spirits will offer the following new options: Clams (1/2 dozen baked littlenecks with croutons, watercress, garlic and Pernod butter - $17); Crisp Semolina Flatbread (Venetian with warm goat cheese, crema & sauce pomodoro - $12); Zucchini ‘Tangle’ (French fried with crisped calamari, sweet & hot pepper pot - $18; $28); Ravioli (Pierogi with potato & ricotta, smoked lamb riblets - $18); Soup (Apple & celery root with chestnut flan - $12); and, Scallops (Day boat with chili roasted pork belly, sugarcane skewered, taro mash, tart yuzu - $21). In addition to Towne’s signature Lobster Popovers ($6 per piece), Shire and Capone now serve up the following preparations: Lobster Tail (Bacalao + beets - $12/tail); and, Lobster Cheddar Toast (with hot teacup of bisque - $14).
Moving onto the “ocean + wood fired” section of the menu, the culinary team at Towne is proud to unveil: Cod “Bullet” (with lobster ravioli in Thai broth, Kaffir lime leaves - $32); Swordfish (Winter’s crisped Maine Shrimp, speckled heart grits, smoked shrimp butter - $31); and, Lobster Tails (Wood grilled, family style with lemony grilled rosemary mousseline or garlic + green chive butter – market price). Towne Stove and Spirits is also featuring new “carnivore + wood fired” options, including: Chicken (1/2 ROTO, Senegalese w/ manioc, yucca and spicy peanut - $24); Double Kurobuta Pork Chop (with sweet potato sformato, toasted pecans & bruleed mini marshmallows - $30); Sirloin (16 oz. prime dry aged, simply grilled or peppered “au poivre” - $26; w/ grilled lobster tail – market price); and, Tomahawk Rib Steak (hand cut & sizzling with Towne steak sauce – market price for two, three or more).
For “sides,” Towne Stove and Spirits will now dish out the following: Colombian Rice (Crisped shredded beef, green onion, cilantro & achiote - $10); King Oyster Mushrooms (Garlicky & wood grilled on whole grist polenta with or without roasted marrow - $12); and, Cauliflower (whole head, golden roasted with golden raisin, pine nut & parsley ‘picada’ - $11).
2) Mohegan Sun has plenty of offer for Valentine's Day and here is a sampling of what you can find. You can get more information by calling 1-888-226-7711 or checking their website.
Dining Offerings:
At Birches Bar & Grill, a special Valentine's Day 3-course meal will be offered both Sunday and Monday beginning at noon. Start the meal off with either Soup du Jour or the Birches House Salad, followed by Surf & Turf featuring an 8 oz. Sirloin Steak with two Seafood Stuffed Shrimp, Chef's Vegetable and Rice Pilaf. And no meal is complete without dessert. Guests will enjoy "Love Thy Chocolate" a Molten Chocolate Heart Cake with Wild Strawberry Mousse on a Strawberry Coulis painted plate. Price is $29.95.
Michael Jordan's Steak House has a special 3-course meal planned. Begin with a Prosciutto Caprese consisting of Fresh Mozzarella with Heirloom Tomatoes, Roasted Red Pepper & Crumble Blue Cheese tossed in Chianti Vinaigrette, followed by a 32 oz. Tomahawk Steak for two that offers Long Bone Prime Aged Rib Eye Steak dressed up with Worcestershire Reduction and Elephant Roasted Garlic. The dessert will be Long Stemmed Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate Ganache. The meal includes a complementary bottle of Cataregia Gran Reserva Tempranillo wine and is served at $149 per couple.
SolToro Tequila Grill is also having the celebration go all weekend long with a Surf and Turf Valentine's Day special. The delectable platter will feature an N.Y. Strip Loin, Cilantro and Serrano Pepper Biarnaise, Wild Mushroom Pilaf, Jumbo Shrimp, Veracruzana Sauce, Chorizo and Jalapeqo Cornbread. This special can be purchased for $29.95 or for two at $57.95
Jasper White's Summer Shack will be serving up a weekend long Valentine's Day special that includes an Oyster, Clam & Shrimp Raw Bar Platter for two. The entrie specials feature either a Surf & Turf option for two which includes Grilled Lobster & Steak Tips or a Whole Steamed Sea Bass for two with Starch & Veggies. Dessert is Bananas Foster for two. This holiday special will run from February 12th - 14th.
Hotel & Spa Specials
Guests looking for something a bit more intimate can enjoy one of Mohegan Sun's special hotel packages. The new "Get Lucky" hotel package feature plush accommodations for a one night stay, an intimacy kit including oils, massaging relaxation tools and more. In addition, guests get a cozy meal for two at Lucky's Lounge which includes a gourmet pizza and two domestic beers of their choice and a $10.00 free bet voucher, per person. The rate for this special starts at $192.00. Couples looking to book should mention code PTGLK.
This Valentine's Day, couples can also take advantage of a romantic getaway with Mohegan Sun's "In Love" package which includes VIP check-in and a dozen Chocolate Covered Strawberries delivered to your room while being greeted with rose petals. In addition, the package includes two martinis at Leffingwells Martini Bar and a couple's massage. This special night can also be capped off with one free in-room movie as well. This package is based on double occupancy and starts out at $520 total.
Elemis Spa will also be running an "In Love" spa treatment that includes a 50-minute couple's massage, a couples lite lunch and a Visible Brilliance Facial for her & Urban Skin Cleanse Facial for him. The total for this package is $625.00 and the duration is two hours and thirty minutes.
**********************************************************
1) Towne Stove and Spirits is ready to put their new winter menu into practice, as created by Culinary Director Lydia Shire and Executive Chef Mario Capone. The revamped carte du jour at Towne will refresh some signature dishes while adding in some future classics. Towne Stove and Spirits features an eclectic menu with cuisine spanning the continents, with Shire and Capone’s inspired creations conveniently denoted by their respective world flags.
For “starters,” Towne Stove and Spirits will offer the following new options: Clams (1/2 dozen baked littlenecks with croutons, watercress, garlic and Pernod butter - $17); Crisp Semolina Flatbread (Venetian with warm goat cheese, crema & sauce pomodoro - $12); Zucchini ‘Tangle’ (French fried with crisped calamari, sweet & hot pepper pot - $18; $28); Ravioli (Pierogi with potato & ricotta, smoked lamb riblets - $18); Soup (Apple & celery root with chestnut flan - $12); and, Scallops (Day boat with chili roasted pork belly, sugarcane skewered, taro mash, tart yuzu - $21). In addition to Towne’s signature Lobster Popovers ($6 per piece), Shire and Capone now serve up the following preparations: Lobster Tail (Bacalao + beets - $12/tail); and, Lobster Cheddar Toast (with hot teacup of bisque - $14).
Moving onto the “ocean + wood fired” section of the menu, the culinary team at Towne is proud to unveil: Cod “Bullet” (with lobster ravioli in Thai broth, Kaffir lime leaves - $32); Swordfish (Winter’s crisped Maine Shrimp, speckled heart grits, smoked shrimp butter - $31); and, Lobster Tails (Wood grilled, family style with lemony grilled rosemary mousseline or garlic + green chive butter – market price). Towne Stove and Spirits is also featuring new “carnivore + wood fired” options, including: Chicken (1/2 ROTO, Senegalese w/ manioc, yucca and spicy peanut - $24); Double Kurobuta Pork Chop (with sweet potato sformato, toasted pecans & bruleed mini marshmallows - $30); Sirloin (16 oz. prime dry aged, simply grilled or peppered “au poivre” - $26; w/ grilled lobster tail – market price); and, Tomahawk Rib Steak (hand cut & sizzling with Towne steak sauce – market price for two, three or more).
For “sides,” Towne Stove and Spirits will now dish out the following: Colombian Rice (Crisped shredded beef, green onion, cilantro & achiote - $10); King Oyster Mushrooms (Garlicky & wood grilled on whole grist polenta with or without roasted marrow - $12); and, Cauliflower (whole head, golden roasted with golden raisin, pine nut & parsley ‘picada’ - $11).
2) Mohegan Sun has plenty of offer for Valentine's Day and here is a sampling of what you can find. You can get more information by calling 1-888-226-7711 or checking their website.
Dining Offerings:
At Birches Bar & Grill, a special Valentine's Day 3-course meal will be offered both Sunday and Monday beginning at noon. Start the meal off with either Soup du Jour or the Birches House Salad, followed by Surf & Turf featuring an 8 oz. Sirloin Steak with two Seafood Stuffed Shrimp, Chef's Vegetable and Rice Pilaf. And no meal is complete without dessert. Guests will enjoy "Love Thy Chocolate" a Molten Chocolate Heart Cake with Wild Strawberry Mousse on a Strawberry Coulis painted plate. Price is $29.95.
Michael Jordan's Steak House has a special 3-course meal planned. Begin with a Prosciutto Caprese consisting of Fresh Mozzarella with Heirloom Tomatoes, Roasted Red Pepper & Crumble Blue Cheese tossed in Chianti Vinaigrette, followed by a 32 oz. Tomahawk Steak for two that offers Long Bone Prime Aged Rib Eye Steak dressed up with Worcestershire Reduction and Elephant Roasted Garlic. The dessert will be Long Stemmed Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate Ganache. The meal includes a complementary bottle of Cataregia Gran Reserva Tempranillo wine and is served at $149 per couple.
SolToro Tequila Grill is also having the celebration go all weekend long with a Surf and Turf Valentine's Day special. The delectable platter will feature an N.Y. Strip Loin, Cilantro and Serrano Pepper Biarnaise, Wild Mushroom Pilaf, Jumbo Shrimp, Veracruzana Sauce, Chorizo and Jalapeqo Cornbread. This special can be purchased for $29.95 or for two at $57.95
Jasper White's Summer Shack will be serving up a weekend long Valentine's Day special that includes an Oyster, Clam & Shrimp Raw Bar Platter for two. The entrie specials feature either a Surf & Turf option for two which includes Grilled Lobster & Steak Tips or a Whole Steamed Sea Bass for two with Starch & Veggies. Dessert is Bananas Foster for two. This holiday special will run from February 12th - 14th.
Hotel & Spa Specials
Guests looking for something a bit more intimate can enjoy one of Mohegan Sun's special hotel packages. The new "Get Lucky" hotel package feature plush accommodations for a one night stay, an intimacy kit including oils, massaging relaxation tools and more. In addition, guests get a cozy meal for two at Lucky's Lounge which includes a gourmet pizza and two domestic beers of their choice and a $10.00 free bet voucher, per person. The rate for this special starts at $192.00. Couples looking to book should mention code PTGLK.
This Valentine's Day, couples can also take advantage of a romantic getaway with Mohegan Sun's "In Love" package which includes VIP check-in and a dozen Chocolate Covered Strawberries delivered to your room while being greeted with rose petals. In addition, the package includes two martinis at Leffingwells Martini Bar and a couple's massage. This special night can also be capped off with one free in-room movie as well. This package is based on double occupancy and starts out at $520 total.
Elemis Spa will also be running an "In Love" spa treatment that includes a 50-minute couple's massage, a couples lite lunch and a Visible Brilliance Facial for her & Urban Skin Cleanse Facial for him. The total for this package is $625.00 and the duration is two hours and thirty minutes.
Stoneham Sun: Winestone, A Gem for Wine Lovers
My new column of "A Passionate Foodie" can be found in the February 9 issue of the Stoneham Sun newspaper. This is a weekly column that concentrates on reviews of local restaurants though it also deals with other food and wine topics.
The new column has been published already and will be available online soon. The new article, Winestone: A Gem for Wine Lovers, is a review of Winestone, a cool wine store in Chestnut Hill. The wine store has an exciting selection of wines, at all price points, including many under $25. This is the type of wine store I really enjoy and I can't wait to return there.
If you have any questions or comments about my column, feel free to add them here.
Drink with passion
The new column has been published already and will be available online soon. The new article, Winestone: A Gem for Wine Lovers, is a review of Winestone, a cool wine store in Chestnut Hill. The wine store has an exciting selection of wines, at all price points, including many under $25. This is the type of wine store I really enjoy and I can't wait to return there.
If you have any questions or comments about my column, feel free to add them here.
Drink with passion
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