Best of the Wurst

The other day, after handing over more than a few pennies to my mechanic for replacing a steering part and adding more oil to my car, I came home to the realization that my kitchen was infested with moths. Now, those who know me and have seen my pantry know it was filled to the gills with goodies. Alas, the goodies had to be cleared away (8 bags!) and the shelves cleaned with bleach. By the time lunch rolled around the last thing I wanted to do was cook. Besides, the cupboards were bare!

I suggested to Emma that we walk around the corner to Chez Pascal’s newest delicious venture: The Wurst Window. Open for lunch Tuesday Saturday 11:30am-2:30pm. The window features house made sausages, cured meats, made into scrumptious sandwiches with homemade condiments to top it all off.

You can either sit outside or inside (where you can enjoy a nice cold brew) at a counter stool or table. We opted for inside to catch up a bit with Chef Matt Gennuso.

Emma ordered a Hot Links “BLT”, a spicy smoked bratwurst with bacon and aoli. I opted for a Rabbit & Dijon Sausage Sandwich w/charred green cabbage and spicy peach compote. Em & I opted to share our sandwiches so we each had a half. These were seriously delicious sandwiches. It was good Chef Matt was busy, I really did not want him to see me inhale my lunch! How unladylike!

Hot Links BLT and Rabbit Dijon Sausage

 

Wurst Window at Chez Pascal

 

Here…..piggy, piggy!

 

Rocket to Thayer!

It was a crazy busy Saturday. Cleaning & organizing the apartment and running my oldest here and there. It was the day of Classical High’s Spring Ball and my oldest was very excited! After stopping by her friend’s house, taking a million pictures and then dropping the teens off at the dance; my youngest daughter and I realized we were starving! By now it was 6:30pm and there was no way I was going to cook and dirty more dishes. While idling at Classical trying to decide what to do, the light went off in my head (it does that occasionally.) A FOOD TRUCK! There are so many I had yet to try. I am a huge fan of Hewtin’s Dogs Mobile Food Truck but had yet to try others.

We made our way to the Eastside near Thayer and George and found The Rocket Truck. I have been wanting to give them a try ever since they landed on the scene 6 months or so ago. I had read about their awesome burgers and chocolate pudding for a while now. So of course I was talking about it to Zoe the whole ride over. What 7-year-old doesn’t like chocolate pudding?!

 

We scored a great spot right behind the truck. The first thing I noticed was the chalkboard sign listing the specials. The next thing I noticed was a big sign alerting me to the fact that they were OUT of pudding……. Sorry Zoe. No worries. We settled on 2 Sliders for Zoe and a French Burger for me: Gruyère Cheese, Caramelized Onions & Aoli Sauce. We were so hungry Zoe begged me to let her eat in the car. No, no mess, let’s go home and eat in the comfort of our kitchen!

Well friends I would love to show you what we had, but as I said we were famished and pretty much could not wait to dig in! I was 3/4 of the way thru my burger before i realized I had not taken any pics of the food! Oh well. Zoe devoured her sliders with a huge grin on her face. Me? Divine absolutely divine. Juicy, flavorful, the onions melded with the cheese and the aoli just topped it off(I don’t even like mayo!!) brilliantly while the puffy bun held it all together. “What do you mean I only ordered 1?! ” I thought to myself.

Waiting at the Rocket Truck

If you’d like to know where the Rocket will be landing next or if you’d like them to cater your next event, you can follow them on Twitter: @rockettruck or give them a call: 860-689-5585 or even e-mail: rocketstreetfood.com

A Valentine Who Will be True

I am considering glossing over this day completely. I’m in the early stages of dating where you’re just not sure how it’s going to go. However, being a true romantic, I will hold out hope that my dinner tonight of homemade Bolognese Sauce with Rigatoni will pierce the heart of my date and make him swoon.

Whether you spend you Valentine’s evening at home with a comforting meal, with the love of your life at a great restaurant (Chez Pascal), alone with a good movie (“Love Actually”) or with your tried and true love over a cupcake, I hope it is wonderful!

Zoe and the Mixing Bowl

Happy New Year!

Neighborhood Treasures

Seven Stars on Hope

One of the things I love the most about my apartment, is its close proximity to Hope Village located on the East Side of Providence, RI. Everything I need is walking distance! The bank, library, pharmacy, restaurants, independent shops,  farmer’s market and more. It really has that charming “small town” feel. Of course when I have company for the weekend, visiting Hope Village is a must on our list of Little Rhody Sightseeing.

I usually start and end a visit with a trip to Seven Stars Bakery. I’d have to say, despite the toaster and coffee maker in perfect working condition sitting on my counter….I still find myself at the Bakery 2-3 times a week! I suppose I could call myself a regular. I cannot help it…with a staple of fabulous breads and baked goods (Chocolate almond croissants,  country loaves and cinnamon sticks are among my faves) who could resist?

A friend of mine from New York was visiting for the weekend. He had to catch a very early bus back to the city, so we ended his visit at the bakery. We decided to try a few different itemsand a seasonal ( summer) specialty, Blueberry Turnovers with local blueberries.

and start our Sunday off right with some Lattes.  Great Latte art!

Seven Stars Anniversary Day!! On January 2, 2011 

The owners of Seven Stars Bakeries, Lynn and Jim Williams, are celebrating their eleventh anniversary of serving the finest “handmade from scratch” breads and pastries in Rhode Island. In honor of this milestone, the three bakery locations (Hope Street, Broadway and Newman Avenue) will donate their entire day’s sales on January 2 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Cost: Just the price of the goodies you buy!

The three locations are: 820 Hope Street and 320 Broadway in Providence, as well as a store in East Providence at 20 Newman Avenue in Rumford Center (in the old Rumford Baking Powder Building). You could head over to each one for Breakfast, Lunch and an Afternoon snack!

Happy Anniversary Lynn and Jim!! I am so happy to be your Hope St. neighbor and a very frequent customer. Here’s to many more scrumptious years to come.

For more information: www.sevenstarsbakery.com  or lynn@sevenstarsbakery.com

Last Minute Entertaining?

Curried Crab on Water Crackers

Last Minute Entertaining? Let’s face it, we can’t always do it all. I would love the Holidays to be about relaxing by the tree with friends and family while sipping egg nog or mulled cider. Alas, it is usually about running from place to place after work , scrambling to find that perfect gift . Trying to find the energy to bake some cookies, so that Santa will not go hungry! Fear not, there is help out there. I recently attended a Holiday open house at my local Whole Foods. An array of goodies was laid out before us. My teenage daughter whispered in my ear “Mom, why did we eat dinner before we left?” Goodness what a selection!

As Bonnie Frechette, the Marketing Director stated, this evening’s focus was on affordable Holiday entertaining. Items you can pick up at the shop, already prepared, or creative things to make and do yourself.

Each department had a delectable offering or two.

Seafood had some delicious blinis topped with Whitefish and Salmon Caviar, another great thought for New Year’s.

My favorite of the night was the amazing “Cheesecake” made from Humboldt Fog, Truffle Tremor & Bonhomme Brie cheeses. GORGEOUS! Andrew cut it open and shared with all. Heaven on a cracker. Having a large shindig? You can order one or even “Build your own Brie”! A simpler idea is ordering a Party Pack Cheese Platter for $29.00, all set and ready to go.

Shauna, the Prepared Foods Team Leader made some awesome chutneys that are now available for purchase at  the University Heights store in small mason jars. Perfect for a last-minute hostess gift or a great topping for your Holiday roast. She made, Ginger Pear Chutney, Balsamic Fig Chutney and Mango Apple Chutney. I am dreaming of a Roast Turkey sandwich topped with a little Dijon, stuffing, balsamic fig chutney and cheddar cheese. YUMM.

The Meat Dept. has scrumptious stuffed mushrooms already prepared and ready to go. Just heat and serve! My fave was the Goat Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Shrooms. BACON!

As the violinist played, we floated over to Kate in Bakery and spied a scrumptious Holiday Black & White Cake, festive cupcakes, mini pastry platters(13 items for $15!) and a luscious vanilla cheesecake with a caramel whip cream!

Relax, don’t worry, all will be well.  Head over to your local Whole Foods if you need a little help. There are some great recipe ideas in their Real Deal flyer, their Holiday Magazine(available in the North Atlantic area only) and direct in the stores! Their Party packs are a great deal. Call your local store for hours leading up to Christmas and New Year’s.

Blinis topped with Caviar

 

Produce had some lovely Stuffed dates w/Roquefort & Dark Chocolate