The Shed Mountain Ale

The state of Vermont has a fantastic tradition of beer brewing. With such breweries as Long Trail, Magic Hat, and Harpoon being staples, there are great things happening in the Green Mountain State. While the aforementioned breweries might get all of the attention, there is much more to discover in the Vermont beer scene. The Shed Brewery is a brewery that I just found out about. The Shed has been around for about 50 years being based in Stowe, Vermont until moving to Middlebury in 2011. I tried their Mountain Ale for the first time and I was blown away by just how delicious it was. It is a strong English Brown Ale that is a perfect compliment to a crisp, cool fall day. While it is a strong ale at 7.4% ABV, it is an extremely smooth ale that is easy drinking. Do not underestimate its smoothness however, drink too many and it will knock you on your ass. The Mountain Ale has a malty smell and taste with slight caramel notes. There is a slight bitterness from Mt Hood and Northern Brewer hops. Its amber color make the Mountain Ale an extremely beautiful beer to drink. If you can find The Shed Mountain Ale i would highly suggest it. Its another Vermont beer that is a winner and a must try for beer lovers. Cheers!

Apple-Cranberry Crisp

A classic way to utilize all of your apples you picked at the local apple orchard is to make apple crisp. It is a classic fall dessert that is amazing to make at home. To make it even more representative of the fall season is to pair the apples with fresh cranberries. This apple-cranberry crisp is sure to be a hit. This would also be a great addition to your Thanksgiving meal this year.

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh cranberries
3 cups sliced, peeled apples
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup crushed corn flakes
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup unsalted butter

Method:
You will need to use a 2 quart casserole dish that has been greased for this recipe. In the 2 quart casserole, combine the cranberries, apples, sugar, and lemon juice. Mix the ingredients until they are fully incorporated. Next mix together all of the topping ingredients. Once the topping has been mixed together, spoon it over the fruit in the greased casserole. Bake for 1 hour at 325°. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Baked BBQ Chicken

Barbecue Chicken is one dish that is American to its core. There is no discussing whether it is or not. It is a purely American invention and has been perfected here. There are many ways in which you can prepare your barbecue chicken. Whether it be on the grill, or in the oven it will be a crowd favorite no matter what you do besides burning it obviously. For this recipe I used a new barbecue sauce that I had not tried before. I saw that Annie's Naturals makes their own barbecue sauce and decided to give it a try. I gave their smoky maple flavored barbecue sauce a try. If you like maple flavored things you should try this barbecue sauce. For this recipe I decided to cook the chicken in the oven. I used only the legs and thighs for this recipe due to the fact that is what I had on hand, but you could use chicken breasts also just make sure it is on the bone and not boneless.

Ingredients:
bone-in chicken legs and thighs. Two legs and two thighs
Annie's Naturals smoky maple flavored barbecue sauce
5 sprigs fresh thyme
salt
pepper
teaspoon smoked paprika
teaspoon garlic powder
teaspoon onion powder

Method:
About three hours before you want to start cooking your chicken, wash under cold water and pat dry. Sprinkle salt onto the skin of the chicken and make sure to rub it into the skin and not the meat. This process makes the skin become crispier and it helps render more of the fat. Place in your refrigerator until you are ready to cook. I would not do this process for more than five hours. When you are ready to start cooking, preheat your oven to 400° F. Make sure to wipe off the salt and moisture from the chicken with a paper towel. You will notice that the salt has brought out some of the moisture from the skin. Season the chicken with onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Cook for 30 minutes at 400° F. After cooking for 30 minutes, baste the chicken with a kitchen safe brush with the barbecue sauce. Baste with barbecue sauce every five minutes so that the barbecue begins to caramelize on the skin. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes while basting the chicken every five minutes. Serve with whatever side dishes you like. Freshly made coleslaw, cornbread, corn on the cob, or steamed vegetables are good suggestions as side dishes to serve with your barbecue chicken.

Drinktime: Harpoon Octoberfest

Many breweries today offer seasonal beers that evoke the season. For fall, many breweries brew a pumpkin flavored beer that features pumpkin and spices such as cinnamon, and nutmeg. While the pumpkin beer craze is very much an American autumn beer tradition, another autumn beer tradition is Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is the largest fair in the world held annually in late September in Munich, Germany. One of the traditional styles of beer that is served at Oktoberfest is a Marzen style of lager. The Marzen style of lager originates in Bavaria, which is coincidentally where Oktoberfest is located. Marzen is a very malty, rich, and deep colored beer that is perfect for the cooler weather of fall. It is no wonder that Harpoon Brewery celebrates the autumn season by brewing a Marzen style lager which they call Octoberfest. The Octoberfest is a classic fall beer which I highly recommend you sample this fall before it is gone. Its deep malty aroma and flavor, deep garnet color, and its gentle finish with a touch of bitterness makes the Octoberfest a great beer to have on a cool autumn day or evening. The Octoberfest has a very typical 5.3% ABV for a lager which will not knock you down after one or two pints. This is a beer that is very enjoyable and like I said before is a perfect session beer for fall. If you are getting bored of the typical pumpkin fall seasonal beer and are looking for something different, the Octoberfest by Harpoon is the beer for you to try out. Cheers!

Tortilla Chip Gnocchi

The worst part of snacking on tortilla chips is always the crumbs at the bottom of the bag. They are not really usable for salsa or guacamole and are really just okay to eat plain. I was thinking of a way to use the rest of a bag of tortilla chips when I thought of gnocchi. What if I used the tortilla chips instead of the potato used in making gnocchi. I put the tortilla chip scraps into my food processor until it was finely ground. I then added about a half cup of flour, half cup of bread crumbs, one egg, and a half cup of water. I then pulsed everything in the food processor until a dough was formed. I added some seasonings such as ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder to flavor the tortilla chip gnocchi. I formed little gnocchi out of the dough until I used all of the dough. Next, I boiled the tortilla chip gnocchi until they floated to the top of the water. Once they float the gnocchi are ready to eat. If you would like to make your tortilla chip gnocchi a little more fancy, melt a tablespoon of butter in a pan. Cook a large green onion, mint, parsley, and thyme until the herbs are fragrant which should be about 2 minutes. Now add the tortilla chip gnocchi until they are heated through fully. These gnocchi are good on its own for a meal or as a side dish. Next time you think about throwing out the crumbs of your tortilla chips, give this gnocchi recipe a try. It is a very unique way to use your leftovers. Enjoy!

The Corrib Pub

There is nothing quite like having a perfectly poured pint alongside delicious pub grub. While the food and drink of a pub must be of the utmost quality, a pub's atmosphere and service must be held to the same standard as the food and drink. The Corrib Pub in Brighton Center is a wonderful example of what a pub should be. The Corrib Pub is very friendly, and inviting with a bar for grabbing a few drinks alongside a dining room for family friendly dining or for larger gatherings. The menu has something for everyone including vegetarian options. Like most other pubs, the menu has a plethora of pub grub classics such as burgers, sandwiches, steak tips, curries, bangers and mash, and boneless buffalo wings for example. The real reason to check out The Corrib is to have a perfectly poured pint with your friends. The Corrib is a fantastic option for meeting up with friends and sharing a few or many drinks. The Corrib's prices are extremely reasonable so if you want a night out without spending a ton of money, the Corrib maybe the place to check out. When I went to The Corrib, I had an Irish bacon burger which came with thick cut french fries which reminded me more like British or Irish chips. Irish bacon is very similar to Canadian bacon in that it is made from pork lion instead of the typical pork belly. This makes the bacon more substantial and is not as salty or smoky like belly bacon. It is fantastic on a burger. I highly suggest you have a perfectly poured pint of Guinness alongside your burger. If you are not a fan of Guinness, there are a variety of other beers on tap to choose from. Besides having a location in Brighton Center, there are locations in West Roxbury, and Brookline. If you are looking an Irish pub with a great atmosphere and reasonably priced food, The Corrib is the place.

Dolcezza

In the world of ice cream, there is nothing more delicious than a good cup of gelato. Gelato if you do not know is Italian ice cream. There are many differences between gelato and regular ice cream however. Gelato has less fat in it as gelato is made with more milk versus cream and uses less egg yolk. Gelato has less air whipped into it during the churning process which results in a denser product. This also results in a much more flavorful product. For great gelato  in Washington DC, Dolcezza is the place to check out. Starting in 2004 in Georgetown, Dolcezza serves gelato using local, seasonal, and only the best ingredients on the market. Besides their flagship location in Georgetown, Dolcezza has scoop shops in Dupont Circle, at 14th and P St, Bethesda, Maryland, and Fairfax, Virginia. You can also sample their divine gelato at Union Market, Penn Quarter Market, and the Dupont Market. Besides serving some of DC's best gelato, Dolcezza serves sorbetto(sorbet), and coffee. There is never a set menu of flavors at Dolcezza as they use only the freshest, seasonal ingredients. This guarantees a different gelato experience every time you stop by Dolcezza. When I stopped by for my gelato treat, I sampled lemon ricotta cardamom and peaches and cream. The peaches and cream reeked of fresh peaches. If you like peaches this is the flavor for you. The lemon ricotta cardamom was extremely refreshing. The lemon essence makes this flavor a delight to eat. It is not very If you are wary of the cardamom flavor please note that it is very subtle. This is a great flavor to have on a hot, muggy DC day or night. If you are craving gelato in DC, Dolcezza is your best bet for answering your gelato cravings.

Drinktime: The Duck Rabbit Milk Stout

There might be nothing more perfect than indulging in a fantastic stout. There are many varieties of stout which makes it a very unique style of beer. There are oatmeal stouts, imperial stouts, chocolate stouts, and the curiously delicious milk stout. Milk stout is different from all other varieties of stout in that it is brewed with lactose. The lactose in the beer gives it a sweetness that helps to balance the bitterness from the roasted malts. I have tried milk stouts before such as Wachusett Milk Stout brewed by the Wachusett Brewing Company based in Westminster, Massachusetts. The Wachusett Milk Stout is one of my favorite stouts on the market and since I liked it I am always on the hunt for other milk stouts on the market.While I was in DC, I got to try another milk stout. Based out of Farmville, North Carolina, The Duck Rabbit Brewery brews a fantastic interpretation of the milk stout. Like the other milk stout I have tried, the Duck Rabbit milk stout is full of roasted malt flavor with a dash of sweet smoothness. With an ABV of 5.7%, this milk stout is not going to blow you away by its alcohol content, but will blow you away by how good it tastes. This is the first beer I have had from Duck Rabbit since their distribution is limited to the Mid Atlantic region of the United States and does not reach New England. This is a beer I could easily get use to drinking on a regular basis. It is in fact Duck Rabbit's number one selling beer. I can fully understand why their milk stout is their number one beer, its because it is so damn delicious. If you are a fan of stouts and can find Duck Rabbit in your local bar or liqour store, please give it a try. It is absolutely delicious and will become a favorite for sure. Cheers!

Cambridge Brewing Company

In 1989, Cambridge Brewing Company began its beer brewing journey as pioneers of the brew pub movement in the Greater Boston area. Since then, Cambridge Brewing Company has become a staple of the craft beer scene in Massachusetts. Their philosophy is all about seasonal ingredients that evoke the character of New England. It is not a surprise that Cambridge Brewing Company was one of the first brewing companies to brew seasonal beers. Probably their most successful beer is their Autumn seasonal beer the Great Pumpkin Ale. The brewmasters at Cambridge Brewing Company use pumpkins sourced locally from the Farm School in Athol, Massachusetts, and Wilson Farms in Lexington, Massachusetts. They even source organic barley grown in Massachusetts for the brewing of their Great Pumpkin Ale. Like many other pumpkin beers, the Great Pumpkin Ale is brewed with a combination of spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to give the beer a true taste of the autumn season. The Great Pumpkin Ale has a distinct orange color which lets you know you are drinking a pumpkin beer. The Great Pumpkin Ale has a typical ABV of 5.4%. Besides their Great Pumpkin Ale, Cambridge Brewing Company brews a variety of styles of beer such as a porter, an American IPA, an amber ale, a pale ale, and an American cream ale for example. I have sampled their Charles River Porter and their American IPA called the Flower Child besides their pumpkin ale. Their porter is dark, rich, and robust that is a great beer to have once the autumn and winter weather comes. If you are a fan of IPAs, their Flower Child IPA is a beer you should definitely try. You can sample their wide variety of beers alongside some delicious pub grub at their brew pub in Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Most of their menu items are suitable to be eaten alongside one of CBC's award winning beers. Besides their brew pub in Kendall Square, you can find their beers on tap at a variety of bars and pubs throughout the Greater Boston Area. I highly suggest you try their beers out if you are a beer fanatic and live in the Greater Boston area. Cambridge Brewing Company is one of the many brewing companies that make Massachusetts a beer lovers paradise.

Duke's Grocery

Sometimes when you want to eat out you want a restaurant that is very casual, has a friendly and inviting staff, has a great drinks, and has extremely comforting food. A few blocks east of Dupont Circle in Washington DC, Duke's Grocery is a fantastic neighborhood spot to kick back, have a couple of drinks, and indulge in delicious food. Duke's Grocery pays homage to the corner pubs and eating establishments found throughout London, England. The English influence is very prevalent on the menu as Duke's Grocery offers a full English breakfast, curries, HP sauce on the tables,Walkers Crisps which are ubiquitous in pubs across England, and they call sandwiches sarnies in the true English way. Another English inflection in the menu comes in their use of rocket, or arugula on their sandwiches. This is very English touch as many sandwiches have arugula in them in England versus romaine or iceberg lettuce. The menu at Duke's Grocery does change everyday depending on the season and availability of ingredients. There is one item that is pretty much on the menu at all times and that is their Proper Burger. This burger is one of the best burgers you will find in DC. The Proper Burger features two ground angus beef patties from Creekstone Farms, Gouda cheese, house garlic-dill pickles, arugula, sriracha, garlic aioli, grilled red onions, on a brioche bun. You can add on a runny fried egg, and or a piece of chicken pate for an extraordinary burger experience. If you are a fan of burgers and live in DC, please stop whatever you are doing and order the Proper Burger at Duke's it is amazing. Another delicious sandwich which you should not miss is their Posh BLT. This BLT is not like any other BLT on the market. It features a locally baked ciabatta bun, peppered bacon, fresh sliced tomato, sriracha, arugula, herb salad, smashed avocado,garlic mayo, and iceberg lettuce. This BLT has so much more flavor than your typical BLT. The smashed avocado really makes this a luxurious experience. If you are a fan of happy hour, Duke's Grocery was offering a happy hour lasting from noon to 7 when I stopped by. With fantastic craft beers, Duke's is a great option for the happy hour inclined. Besides having a happy hour that lasts almost all day, they also offer late night drink specials from 10 pm to 1 am. The service at Duke's was absolutely outstanding. The manager even stopped by to make sure everything was alright. Duke's Grocery is one of the best places for food and drink in Dupont Circle area. It has great food and drink, a comfortable ambience, and a staff that cares about your experience. In short, this is a must try spot in DC.

Grilled Scallops and Vegetables with Tomato Dressing

I love grilling vegetables. It gives your vegetables more flavor and a depth of flavor that you cannot achieve if you steam or boil them. The same can be said about grilling seafood. One of my favorite things from the sea to grill are scallops. They take absolutely no time at all to cook and takes well to grilling. The scallops alongside the grilled vegetables will make a fantastic and healthy meal that is sure to please. Use whatever vegetables you like to eat. In this recipe I used zucchini, red onion, red pepper, and tomato.

Ingredients:
extra virgin olive oil
half a red onion
one large zucchini
half a red pepper
one large tomato
half a pound to a pound of scallops
salt
black pepper


Dressing:
one tablespoon of red wine vinegar
tablespoon chopped cilantro
teaspoon dried mint
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
pulp of the large tomato
tablespoon finely minced red onion
salt
black pepper

Method:
First wash the vegetables under cool running water. With the zucchini you should cut it in half length wise and then slice the zucchini on the bias so you make zucchini half moons. Next you should cut the large tomato into wedges. Make sure to take out the pulp from the tomato and reserve for the dressing. Cut the red pepper into large chunks. Cut the red onion half into wedges. You should get four wedges out of the red onion half. Place the vegetables into a mixing bowl with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Make sure that the vegetables are thoroughly coated with the olive oil.

Prepare your grill or grill pan to medium to medium high heat. Coat the grill grates or your grill pan with some canola oil. Wipe off any excess oil with a wad of paper towel.

While the grill is heating up, you should prepare the dressing. In a small mixing bowl combine the tomato pulp, tablespoon of red wine vinegar, tablespoon chopped cilantro, teaspoon dried mint, 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika, tablespoon of finely minced red onion, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix all of the ingredients until they are fully mixed. Set the dressing aside for serving later.

Preheat your oven to 300°F to keep the grilled vegetables warm after they are done grilling.

Grill your vegetables for 3 minutes per side. If you cannot fit all of the vegetables on your grill or grill pan, cook in stages to promote even cooking. If you have to cook the vegetables in stages, place the already grilled vegetables on a foil lined baking sheet in your preheated oven.

While the vegetables are grilling, rinse the scallops under cold running water and pat dry with a paper towel. Place the scallops into a bowl with two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Make sure to thoroughly mix the scallops with the extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. When you have grilled all of the vegetables you can grill the scallops for 1 1/2 minutes per side.

Serve the grilled scallops alongside the grilled vegetables. Drizzle the tomato dressing over the scallops and vegetables and you are ready to eat. Enjoy!

TaKorean

The Korean-Mexican mashup concept is almost everywhere now across the United States. The Korean-Mexican concept might sound quite disgusting to some people, but trust me it is one of the best food mash up creations ever made. It started with taking traditional Korean BBQ beef(bulgogi) and putting it in a taco thanks to the Kogi food truck based out of Los Angeles. Besides the Kogi truck in Los Angeles, you can find Korean taco and burrito concepts in New York, San Francisco, Austin, and now Washington D.C. TaKorean is Washington D.C.'s only Korean taco truck and restaurant. At TaKorean, you can sample Korean tacos, rice bowls, slaw bowls, or half and half bowls. You can choose from a variety of fillings which include Korean marinated chicken, bulgogi beef,  bo ssam pork, or hoisin marinated tofu. There are three kinds of slaw to choose from which include kimchi style cabbage slaw, a Napa cabbage and Romaine lettuce slaw with sesame oil and vinegar, and a spiced kale slaw featuring shredded kale, purple cabbage, and shredded carrots with a soy sauce and Korean chili flake dressing. TaKorean keeps the toppings simple by having toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, lime crema, and sriracha sauce. TaKorean uses the best and freshest ingredients they can source to create delicous, healthy, and reasonably priced cuisine. TaKorean started as a food truck serving the hungry masses working in Washington DC. You can follow the food truck on TaKorean's twitter account to find out where and when the food truck is open for business. Besides the food truck, TaKorean has two permanent locations located at the Navy Yard and at Union Market. You can feel good about eating at TaKorean as they give 1% of their gross sales to local non-profit organizations which shows their dedication to the greater Washington DC area. You can get great food and feel good about it as well which is always good. TaKorean is a must try for the DC foodie or anyone who is willing to give their taste buds a wild ride. Give TaKorean a try and I guarantee you will want to eat their food again.

The Local

The casual dining revolution is in full force. Where ever you go, there are new casual restaurants that offer inventive, family friendly, and flavorful dishes. The Local, is suburban Boston's take on the casual dining establishment. With locations in Newton, Wellesley, and Wayland, The Local serves creative, family friendly American cuisine. Each location has a slightly different menu with different dishes,but does have certain dishes available at all of their locations. Each menu features a variety of dishes that are sure to please even the most picky of eaters. Some of their better dishes includes the lobster roll which comes with hand cut french fries, their baked chorizo haddock with corn chowder and spinach, their pan roasted salmon with English peas, New Hampshire smoked ham, pistachio and creamy orzo, and their burger with hand cut fries which you can add bacon and cheese to if you like. Other menu items include macaroni and cheese with add ins such as lobster or chicken, a variety of flatbread pizzas, steak tips, fried pickles, fried calamari, mussels, a variety of salads, and pasta dishes for example. The menu also features vegetarian and gluten free options which makes The Local a great place to go out to eat if you have some dietary restrictions. There is even a kids menu which is always a plus for families. Besides having a varied menu, The Local also has a variety of beer and cocktail options . Much of the beers on tap hail from local New England breweries such as Harpoon, Sam Adams, Jack's Abby, and Mayflower for instance. Their wait staff is always friendly and will always give their honest opinion on all of the dishes on the menu. The Local is just a great place to unwind, and enjoy the fantastic food and drink.

Armsby Abbey

There are certain characteristics that epitomize a great hang out. There must be a variety of fantastic beers on tap and available in bottle . The food must be delicious, inventive, and preferably locally sourced. The atmosphere  needs to be friendly, inviting, and not pretentious. These characteristics that make for a great hang out. All of these characteristics can be found at Armsy Abbey in Downtown Worcester. Armsby Abbey specializes in craft beers and beer friendly, locally sourced food. The beer list at Armsby Abbey would make any beer snob happy. If you are a fan of Belgian beers, Armsby Abbey has you covered featuring over 30 Belgian brews. New England Beers are well represented with appearances by Cambridge Brewing Company, Allagash, Trillium Brewing Company, High Horse Brewing, Maine Beer Company, and Jack's Abby. The beers on tap change regularly so you are guaranteed to have a different beer every time. Besides being a beer lovers paradise, Armsby Abbey has a fantastic menu that features locally sourced meat, produce, seafood, and cheeses. Everything is made in house or sourced from a local provider. Much of the menu features beer friendly food such as Jerk chicken wings, hummus, flatbreads, a burger, and a pull pork sandwich. Armsby Abbey also offers high end items such as local New England oysters, Adams Farm charcuterie, and a smoked bone marrow dish which you would never expect to find at a bar and restaurant in Worcester. Armsby Abbey is one of the best places for a beer and food in Worcester. Centrally located on Main St, Armsby Abbey is a perfect place before going to a concert at the Palladium, or the DCU Center. It is a must try for any beer lover in the Worcester area. As for restaurants in Worcester, Armsby Abbey is true gem that makes the dining scene much more interesting. For a casual time out, Armsby Abbey is your place to go.

Kaju Tofu House

In the pantheon of cuisine, Korean cuisine is extremely underrated and misunderstood by many outsiders. Here in America, Korean Americans are fiercely proud of their cuisine and seem to have preserved their food traditions. You will not find Americanized versions of Korean favorites like you would at the local Chinese take out where most of the dishes are geared toward American taste preferences. This preservation of cuisine makes Korean cuisine exciting and the authentic article. Kaju Tofu House in the Allston neighborhood of Boston is a fantastic example of a Korean restaurant keeping things simple and with tradition. As its name would indicate, Kaju Tofu House does specialize in tofu dishes, more specifically soft tofu. Most of those soft tofu dishes are soups or stews served bubbling hot from the kitchen. If you do not like tofu do no fear, there are a variety of other amazing dishes to choose from. Kaju serves Korean classics such as bulgogi(Korean BBQ beef), kalbi(BBQ beef short ribs), clay pot rice, and bibimbap. Each table is served a variety of banchan before your meal is served. Banchan are small plates of pickles, or salads that are traditionally served to accompany any meal in Korean cuisine. Some of the banchan included cabbage kimchi, cucumber kimchi, sesame bean sprouts, potatoes cooked in soy sauce, a bean salad, and a glass noodle salad. I had one of their clay pot rice dishes that was filled with a variety of seafood such as squid, fish, and octopus. It featured Korean chili paste, nori flakes, chopped scallions, and sesame seeds on top.  If you like spicy food and seafood this dish is probably up your alley. The clay pot rice and almost everything else is served piping hot from the kitchen. It literally sizzled on its way to the table. This place is always packed during dinner time. My best advice is to go early in the evening as it is a neighborhood favorite and can fill up quickly. As for price point, Kaju is very reasonable with most of the dishes costing between $10 and $20. Kaju is a great option for Korean cuisine and at a reasonable price.

Mexico City Taqueria

There is nothing better than a great taco. Finding a great taco however can pose a problem. Here in America we have taken a Mexican favorite, the taco, into something that is nothing like the authentic article. There are no hard shell tacos in Mexico. Tacos are double wrapped using soft corn tortillas. Tacos are not topped with shredded lettuce, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mexican tacos are topped with cilantro, diced onion, salsa, and a lime wedge. Here in America we like seasoned ground beef in our tacos, which is not something you would see at a roadside taco stand in Mexico. Seeing Taco Bell makes me angry because it is not the real thing. So I was happy to find a place in my hometown of Ashland, MA, that serves great Mexican street tacos that are not the tacos you would find at Taco Bell. Mexico City Taqueria is serving authentic Mexican street tacos, burritos, tostadas, enchiladas, tamales, and flautas. While they do serve those crispy tacos that we Americans love, you should give their Mexican street tacos a try. The tacos come as a double wrapped corn tortilla and topped with cilantro, salsa, onion, and lime on the side. Your choice of fillings include lengua(slow cooked beef tongue), al pastor, carnitas, carne asada, and pulled chicken for example. I opted for two al pastor tacos and one lengua. The al pastor is traditionally marinated pork and pineapple that is cooked on a vertical spit like a gyros or shawarma. At Mexico City Taqueria they grill the pork on a flat top grill instead. The al pastor was not dry at all and was full of flavor. The lengua was extremely tender and had a lot of beefy flavor. Mexico City Taqueria is a must try if you are a fan of the real deal Mexican food and live in Metrowest Boston. It is much better than settling for Taco Bell for your Mexican food cravings.

Zucchini Pancakes

There are many ways in which you can cook zucchini. You can stir fry, grill, steam, boil, roast, or stuff them. A great way to cook zucchini is to grate them and use them as a substitute for potatoes in your potato pancake recipe. This is a fantastic recipe and would be a great recipe to make for people who do not like zucchini.

Ingredients:
one large zucchini
one medium yellow onion
4 green onions
2 eggs
1/2 cup of bread crumbs
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
salt
vegetable or canola oil

Method:
Grate the zucchini and yellow onion. With a kitchen towel squeeze out all of the liquid from the grated onion and zucchini. Once the liquid has been removed, place the onion and the zucchini in a large mixing bowl. Finely chop the four green onions and once chopped place in the mixing bowl with the zucchini and onion. Add two beaten eggs, 1/2 cup of bread crumbs, 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/8 teaspoon of smoked sweet paprika, and salt into the mixing bowl. Combine all of the ingredients until mixed together. In a large frying pan heat 1/3 cup of canola or vegetable oil on medium to medium-high heat. When the oil has heated to a frying temperature, place a tablespoon of the zucchini mixture into the hot oil. Fry the zucchini mixture for about 4 minutes per side. When they have achieved a golden brown color you are ready to serve.

Drinktime: Clown Shoes Clementine

I think you have a great thing going when you name your brewing company Clown Shoes. It has to be one of best names in beer brewing for sure. Clown Shoes for those that do not know is a legit brewing company based out of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Their unusual name is not a gimmick at all. Clown Shoes makes fantastic beers and should become part of your beer rotation. One of their better offerings is their Clementine White Ale. This is one of the better white ales on the beer market today. The problem with some white ales on the market like Blue Moon is that they are too sweet and are not balanced. The Clementine White Ale avoids this problem with high carbonation, and a balance of clementine, orange peel, and coriander with the Summit hops used in the brewing process. This balance makes the beer dry, crisp and very drinkable which makes you crave for another sip. Besides their Clementine White Ale, Clown Shoes brews other exceptional beers such as their Tramp Stamp which is a Belgian India Pale Ale. Clown Shoes also offers a variety of India Pale Ales, Stouts, and seasonal brews if you are not interested in trying their Clementine White Ale or are not a fan of the Belgian India Pale Ale. Clown Shoes is a definite try if you are into craft beers or if you are looking to trying something completely out of the ordinary. Happy drinking and Cheers!

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan is one of those Italian-American classics that is timeless. You can find it on many menus of Italian restaurants here in the States. The one problem that I have with the traditional Eggplant Parmesan is that you taste more of the fried bits than the actual eggplant. To lighten up the traditional Eggplant Parmesan I grilled my sliced eggplant as opposed to battering and frying. I then made a simple and fresh tomato sauce. This is a great way of using produce from trips to your local farmer's market. Serve with a side salad, and some pasta if you wish.

Ingredients:
one medium eggplant
one large tomato
half an onion
5 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon dried mint
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
salt
freshly ground black pepper
one tablespoon of unsalted butter
slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
two cup of water for soaking the slices of eggplant
extra virgin olive oil

Method:
To prepare the eggplant wash it under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Peel the eggplant in a way leaving a space each time you peel. Then slice the eggplant. Place the sliced eggplant into a bowl of salted water for about 20-30 minutes. Preheat your grill or grill pan to a medium to medium high heat. Coat your grill grates or grill pan with canola oil. This will prevent the eggplant from sticking. Grill the eggplant slices for 5 minutes per side. When the eggplant has been grilled set aside in an ovenproof casserole dish.

For the tomato sauce grate the tomato using the cheddar cheese side of your grater. Throw away the leftover tomato skin from grating. Mince half an onion and set aside. It does not matter if you use a red, yellow, or white onion. I had a red onion on hand so that is what I used. Mince 5 cloves of garlic and set aside as well. In a small sauce pan melt a tablespoon of unsalted butter along with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. When the butter has melted add the minced onion to pan. Cook the onions until they begin to soften. This is where you should add some salt, freshly ground black pepper, and the minced garlic. Cook for about a minute. Next add the dried mint, basil, and parsley. Cook for another minute before adding the grated tomato. Bring the mixture to the boil and then lower the heat to a simmer and cook while covered for about 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.

The grilled eggplant slices should be in a single layer in the casserole dish. Pour the sauce over the eggplant making sure all of the slices are fully covered. Top each slice of eggplant with a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese. Place the casserole under your broiler until the cheese has melted and is slightly brown.

Drinktime: Mayflower Summer Rye Ale

It is the beginning of September, summer is coming to an end, and that means everything fall will be inundating the market. That includes pumpkin and fall beers. For my personal taste it is still too warm to be indulging in the bounty of fall right now.  The warm weather still warrants a light, crisp, and refreshing offering that is perfect to quench any thirst. While pumpkin and fall beers are some of my favorite, they can wait a few more weeks. A great summer beer that is perfect for the transition between summer and fall is the Summer Rye Ale from Mayflower Brewing Company. The Summer Rye Ale is brewed with a blend of rye, pilsner, and wheat malts combined with American Hops. It is a pretty mild beer with a hint of fruitiness which is perfect for a warm day. It's mildness makes this beer enjoyable to have more than just one at a time. With a low alcohol content of around 3.8%, the Summer Rye Ale will not knock you down. Besides the summer Rye Ale, Mayflower brews a fantastic IPA which I highly recommend. Mayflower is just one of the many microbreweries in Massachusetts that are brewing fantastic beers. If you have not tried any beers from Mayflower, give them a try if you see them in your local bar, pub, or liquor store.

Baked Pasta

I don't know a person who does not like a good baked pasta. It does not really matter what kind of pasta you use, the result will still be a delicious meal that is full of melted cheese, pasta, and sauce. You can use cavatappi, penne, ziti, rotini, or any other pasta you like to eat. This recipe is pretty simple using plain tomato sauce but you could use a meat sauce if you like. Add any ingredients you feel like using to make it your own.

Ingredients:
Precooked pasta of your choice
two cups of tomato sauce
Parmesan cheese
mozzarella cheese
non stick spray

Method:
Preheat your oven to 350 F°. Spray non stick spray into a casserole dish. Mix two cups of your favorite marinara sauce with your precooked pasta of choice. When the pasta is thoroughly mixed with the marinara sauce transfer to the casserole dish. Top the pasta with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and then cover with aluminium foil. Bake the pasta for about 45 minutes at 350 F°. The pasta should be hot and the cheese melted after 45 minutes of cooking. Serve the pasta with garlic bread and a salad.

Grilled Eggplant Salad

There are many ways to prepare eggplants. During the summer eggplants are at their best and freshest. Nothing is simpler than to cut the eggplant into slices and grill the eggplant. Combine the grilled eggplant with fresh tomatoes and thinly sliced onions to create a wonderful summertime dish.

Ingredients: 

two small eggplants or one large eggplant 

one large tomato

Pulp of the tomato

1/3 cup of thinly sliced red onion 

1/8 teaspoon dried thyme 

1/8 teaspoon dried basil 

1/8 teaspoon dried mint

extra virgin olive oil 

fresh squeezed lemon juice 

salt 

freshly ground black pepper

Method: 

Slice the eggplants into half moons. Marinate the eggplants in about 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Marinate the eggplant for 15 to 20 minutes. Cut wedges from the tomato while at the same time removing the pulp. Reserve the tomato pulp for the dressing. Next thinly slice half a red onion. In a salad mixing bowl, combine the tomato wedges and the thinly sliced red onion. 

To make the dressing combine the juice of one lemon, the pulp of the tomato, two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, dried basil, dried thyme, dried mint, salt, and fresh ground black pepper. When the dressing ingredients are combined set aside. 

While the eggplant is marinating, prepare your grill or preheat your grill pan over medium heat. Make sure to coat the grill grates or the grill pan with canola oil. Wipe the excess oil with a paper towel. Grill the eggplant for 3 minutes on each side. When all of the eggplant has been grilled let it cool down slightly. Once the eggplant has cooled slightly, combine with the tomato wedges, sliced red onion, and the tomato dressing. Stir to combine and serve as a lovely side dish for any meal. 

Drinktime: Jack's Abby Leisure Time Lager

Based out of Framingham, Massachusetts, Jack's Abby Brewing has been making a lot of noise locally in Metrowest Boston. Since 2011, Jack's Abby has created over 30 styles of beer that are mostly largers versus ales. The first beer that I tried by Jack's Abby was their Mass Rising Double IPL which was surprisingly delicious. After drinking the Mass Rising I was interested in trying other beers brewed by Jack's Abby. While out to dinner, I had the opportunity to try Jack's Abby Leisure Time Lager. The Leisure Time Lager is a wheat lager that is brewed with spices, lemongrass, coriander, orange peel, and chamomile. The Leisure Time Lager is brewed like the traditional Belgian White Ale, but is brewed as a larger instead of as an ale. The Leisure Time Lager is a perfect beer for summer time. It is a refreshing beer that will not knock you down by its alcohol content. With an ABV of 4.8%, the Leisure Time Lager is an ideal beer to have after a long day. The prevalence of the spices and flavorings were not overpowering and you could taste the malt and the hops. Sometimes beers brewed with spices and other flavorings can be overpowering with the spices and flavorings, yet the Leisure Time Lager had the perfect balance between the flavorings and the hops. Another plus to drinking the Leisure Time Lager is that they use local Massachusetts grown wheat in the brewing process. By drinking Jack's Abby Leisure Time Lager you are supporting a local brewing company making delicious beers, and you are supporting local Massachusetts farmers which is always a plus. This is a must try beer this summer if you can find it. Cheers!

Grilled Chicken Teriyaki

As I have said before, Americans love grilled chicken. We devour it just as much as any or food during the summertime. We love to marinate it before hitting the coals and that is where you can add flavor. I have showed a flavorful lemon and mustard marinade which gives a ton of flavor to your grilled chicken. Now I am giving you a great teriyaki marinated chicken that is perfect for the grill.

Ingredients: 

Teriyaki Sauce:

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon sesame oil 

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons honey

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground clove

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic 

1/2 teaspoon granulated onion 

Chicken: 

Two boneless and skinless chicken breasts

Method

In a small mixing bowl combine the ingredients for the teriyaki sauce. Whisk the ingredients until they are fully incorporated. Wash the chicken breasts under cold running water. Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag along with the teriyaki sauce marinade. You can marinate the chicken breasts overnight if you have the time. If you only have 30 minutes to marinate the chicken that is okay too. I marinated the chicken for 4 hours. Make sure that before you start grilling that the chicken is at room temperature so that the chicken cooks evenly. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium to medium high heat. While the grill is preheating, place in a sauce pan the teriyaki marinade and bring to a boil. Once at a boil lower the heat so the sauce simmers. This sauce will be used to baste the chicken while it is grilling. Once the grill has come to temperature grill the chicken 3 1/2 minutes before turning the chicken to create the diamond grill marks. Grill the chicken for 7 minutes on each side for a total of 14 minutes. While cooking the chicken, baste the chicken with the teriyaki marinade every 3 1/2 minutes. Serve with whatever side dishes of your choosing. 

Ashland Ale House

Here in New England there is a strong beer brewing tradition which can be seen by the amount of breweries based in the region. With so many beers to choose from, beer drinkers demand that their local watering holes offer a large variety of beers to choose from. Alongside a plethora of beer options, clientele also demand a diverse menu which can satisfy even the most pickiest of eaters. One of these eating establishments that offer a wide variety of dishes and beers is Ashland Ale House. Ashland Ale House has a large selection of beers on tap, bottles, and cans which will make any beer snob happy. New England beers are prominent on the beer list with selections from Jack's Abby, Sam Adams, Mayflower, Blue Hills, Clown Shoes, Allagash, and Wachusett. Ashland Ale House also features domestic beers from around the country. Their menu features favorites such as sandwiches, burgers, salads, steak tips, traditional New England seafood,and appetizers like chicken wings. Their entrees are sure to fill you up as Ashland Ale House has big portions so beware before you order those appetizers. The steak tips I ordered were cooked to the medium rare like I asked for. The salads are very substantial and will fill you up. When we ordered boneless honey BBQ chicken wings we did not have to wait forever to get them which was great. As for the prices, Ashland Ale House keeps their prices honest for what you get which is always a plus when dining out. The atmosphere at the Ashland Ale House is very fun with good music playing in the background, a multitude of flat-screen TVs so you do not miss any of the game, and an extremely dedicated wait staff that is friendly. Ashland Ale House is a fantastic option in the Metrowest area of Boston for the beer inclined. The menu offers great variety which lends itself to being a great neighborhood restaurant for families. Ashland Ale House is a great place to unwind, have a pint, and a bite to eat. It is definitely a place to check out in the Metrowest Boston area.