The Fork and The Road

A Pittsburgher's Ultimate Resource for Food Adventures

Aug 30 2010

Tomato Overload

Bedford County / Pittsburgh / Westmoreland County - 4 days ago - Mary

How many tomatoes can one girl eat?  A lot.

Especially when there are so many farm stands and festivals to visit.

On Saturday, it was the Heirloom Tomato Festival in Scottdale, Pennsylvania. On Sunday, it was the Sustainable Feast, sponsored by the Rachel Carson Homestead,  on the Ninth Street Bridge in Pittsburgh. Today, it was my kitchen, loaded with tomatoes from Harvest Valley Farm in Valencia.   My first visit to the Heirloom Tomato Festival, on the grounds of the West Overton Museum will not be my last.  For me, the best part was the tasting table.  Many types of tomatoes that I have never seen before. Heaven on a plate.

Cooking demos, crafters and museum-ish folks like a blacksmith were also a part of the festival. My overflowing dish of tomatoes got the pump primed for more, so  I came home and made a yellow tomato gazpacho, one of the recipes from Chef Matt Finarelli’s cooking class at LIFeSTYLE in Bedford last week. Then on Sunday it was time for the enviro-fest in downtown Pittsburgh.  The cost of admission included some generous sized samples of cutting edge cuisine ( like tiny red sorrel leaves on top of a wild mushroom mousse of some sort from the soon to open Salt of the Earth.) My favorite tomato-y dish was an heirloom tomato salad with little bits of black pepper bacon, tiny croutons and creamy light green pesto aioli  from Corporate Chef Bill Fuller, of the big Burrito group. The basil scented aioli was as good as it gets.  After we came home, I ate two more tomatoes from my kitchen counter. And today, my plum and yellow love apples (I’m getting tired of typing tomato) were just at that point where they neded to be eaten .. .today .  . .  right now . . . so I sliced them up and had them as an afternoon snack.  By dinnertime, the fresh tomatoes were gone, but not forgotten.  But have no fear, I always have a spare jar of Stepped in What? tomato sauce in my pantry. Canned in  the Brandywine Valley, this sauce has just the right amount of herbs and garlic.  Tossed some in with a bit of sauteed zucchini .. and I’ll call it a (tomato) day.

2 comments

Aug 26 2010

Italian Cooking Class in Bedford, Pennsylvania

Bedford County - 9 days ago - Mary

Last Sunday afternoon,  I dragged my friend Debbi to Bedford, Pennsylvania for a cooking class at one of my favorite little food shops this side of New York City. Okay,  there’s nothing but water on the other side of NYC, but I just want to emphasize how much  I love this store.  LIFeSTYLE, located on the main street in the little mountain town of Bedford, is, by day – or on most days – a store that sells beautiful Italian linens, first class and hard to find Italian meats and cheese and other carefully chosen items from the owner’s homeland.

Italian Goodies for Sale!

Then, every Saturday night, they host trattoria style dinners for about 20 lucky people who have signed up ahead of time. ( I’ve been itching to get to one of these, as I hear they are terrific.)  And once every few weeks on Sunday afternoons they offer cooking classes.  Our class was taught by Chef Matt Finarelli, who teaches cooking ( and other talents, too) in the DC area.

Squid Ink Pasta with Tarragon Butter and Roasted Prosciutto

The group learned how to prepare a sumptuous tarragon butter squid ink pasta, bright and fresh yellow (and fat free) tomato gazpacho, a baked mushroom/rabbit entree that I never would’ve  tried on my own (basically because it’s a bunny) and a dessert of warm, sweet, fried dough ribbons. Matt is a first class instructor. We learned a lot, and had fun, too.  I already try to arrange my Turnpike trips to coincide with LIFeSTYLE’s hours and now I going to factor Matt’s classes into my plans, too.

8 comments

Aug 22 2010

Pittsburgh Food Tours

Bloomfield / Pittsburgh - 13 days ago - Mary

Mural depicting Bloomfield's immigrant history.

Even though I’ve wandered through the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh for many years either on the way home from my day job in Oakland or while waiting for my kids during their orthodontist appointments, I knew there had to things I’d been missing. Those little neighborhood gems. Local secrets.  So I signed up myself and my younger daughter for a tour with Sylvia McCoy’s company, ‘Burgh Bits and Bites. McCoy and her crew takes folks on walking tours though interesting ( and sometimes intimidating to newbies) Pittsburgh neighborhoods like Lawrenceville, Bloomfield and the Strip District.  Filled with bits of history and bites (mostly big bites) of food,  these tours are my idea of how to fill a few hours for natives and visitors alike. Not only did we go inside and get samples at some old time Italian stores and eateries, but we also got to meet many of the colorful owners and hear their stories. These characters are who make the neighborhood special.   I can’t really pick a favorite stop on the tour, but a highlight was certainly the short lesson in Pittsburgh history – the bridges, the nearby Allegheny Cemetery – by a young and hip frozen confection expert at Grasso Roberto Cafe. And my cherry straciatella gelato there was pretty darn good, too.

Cherry Straciatella Gelato

These new finds will certainly be on my new “go to” list in Bloomfield.  I’m going to sign up for the Lawrenceville tour next.  Can’t wait to see what I’ve been missing there!

3 comments

Aug 15 2010

Pittsburgh Food Events

Pittsburgh - 3 weeks ago - Mary

Can't wait until Thursday!

This week is a biggie for anyone in the area who loves ethnic food, dancing, and general hoopla.  Yes, I am so excited,  because it’s not only the week of International Village at Renzie Park near McKeesport, but it’s also the week of  the Ypapanti Festival at  Olympia Hall in East Pittsburgh. If you have a large enough belly capacity, you can actually hit both events on the same trip – they’re not that far from each other, although it might be an uncomfortable ride home.  Back to my excitement.  So not only do I get that amazing  barbecued lamb with onions at the Croatia booth, but I also get my favorite apricot baklava (yes, apricot  . . and it is delicious) from the ladies in East Pittsburgh. I wait all summer for this week.  International Village , a food festival complete with lots of dancing  demonstrations and plenty of homemade gifts, doesn’t seem to have a website, but all the basic info . . .as well as the mouth watering menu for the Hungarian booth . . . can be found here. This isn’t a fancy, upscale “fair in the park” kind of thing. It’s just regular folks – a lot of church ladies – who make their favorite recipes from their respective ethnic backgrounds and set up booths to sell their goodies, all to benefit their churches or organizations. Those places that have kept the Mon Valley strong through many rough times. It’s a great way to spend an evening.  I love it. The Greek festival also has lots of food, dancing and beautiful gift items but in this case, everything is of the Hellenic persuasion.  Buy your dinner there, purchase some cookies to take home and then sit outside watching the Greek dancers.  These are the kind of events that make Pittsburgh such a great place.   Enjoy.

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Aug 6 2010

Mallo Cups, Marshmallows and Zero Willpower

Altoona - 4 weeks ago - Mary

I love marshmallow. I know, I know. It’s overly sweet and often contains “bad” ingredients like corn syrup and  artificial this ‘n that, but there’s something about that white fluffy heaven that makes it irresistible to me. So imagine my excitement to find that one of my childhood favorites, the Mallo Cup, is made only a few hours away in Altoona, Pennsylvania! It got me thinking about my favorite  marshmallow-y foods.

1.  First, the Mallo Cup. A little blob of runny marshmallow enclosed in a chocolate/coconut shell. Okay, so it might not be  made from single estate chocolate or natural cane sugar, but one bite of this brings me right back to Halloween night in the 60s, when I would sort my candy   – give the Clark bars to my dad and save all the Mallo cups for myself. I love them. The factory store in Altoona sells all sorts of Boyer brand candy and other related gifts, as well as large boxes of seconds.

They might be seconds, but my mouth doesn't know the difference!

They don’t do factory tours, but in the factory store you can watch a video of the production that aired on the Food Network’s Unwrapped show a few years ago.

2.  The homemade (store-made, actually) chocolate covered marshmallows at Rauhauser’s Candies in Ocean City, New Jersey. Tender and creamy marshmallow coated with a thin coating of chocolate, these squares are better than the usual beach treats of salt water taffy to me.  I like their crunchy version and the chocolate-caramel ones, too. Once I tasted these, chocolate dipped supermarket marshmallows just didn’t cut it.

3.  Marshmallow Fluff. Nothing else needs to be said. Except that in college, we would dip a spoon in the fluff, then in peanut butter then in mini chocolate chips. The Freshman 15 explained in just a few bites!

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

4.  Next come the toasted coconut marshmallows from Make A Cake on Rochester Road in the North Hills section of Pittsburgh.  Wandering around a cake supply store is my idea of fun and just think of my joy when I came across these.  When the marshmallow is “in season” ( I think success of making it is weather dependent.) I buy a few pieces, tell myself I’ll wait until I get home to eat it, and then proceed to devour the entire bag even before I get out of the parking lot.

There's Make A Cake's Toasted Coconut Marshmallow on the right.

5.  Lastly,  when I’m in an epicurean mood,  I need Little Flower Candy Company’s marshmallows. Cut into big squares, they come in chocolate, cinnamon, coffee and vanilla. I  buy them at Mon Aimee Chocolat in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.  These marshmallows  make  elegant dippers for chocolate fondue and are pretty in hot chocolate.Their texture is more solid than Mallo Cup marshmallow or Marshmallow Fluff.

Sometimes I just want to look at pictures of marshmallows. Then I pull out Marshmallows: Homemade Gourmet Treats by Eileen Talanian and dream of happy marshmallow filled days.

4 comments

Aug 3 2010

The Compass Inn

Laurel Highlands / Pittsburgh - 5 weeks ago - Mary

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Outdoor Cookhouse at the Compass Inn

For years, my friend Annette has been telling me about a great little museum near Ligonier, PA, called the Compass Inn. I finally got there over the weekend. What a hidden gem!!!!  My daughter and I were practically the only folks there and so we had the docents to ourselves.  Not a historical site gone wild, this old stagecoach stop is filled with original memorabilia  and lots of history. I loved it. All of the rooms had treasures like the owner’s own beaver top hat, bone eating utensils and even  an old stagecoach.

The dining table in the Common Room.

My favorite stops on the tour were the Common Room with its giant fireplace and both the inside and outside kitchens. The beehive oven in the outside cooking house is a bakers dream. Can you imagine the breads, pizzas and roasted chickens that could come out of that? Our docent mentioned special living history weekends where donuts and other goodies are made in the kitchens.  At the end of August, they are having a brewmaster on site for demos.  This museum is really a find. I’ve lived in the Pittsburgh area all my life and never even knew it was there until my friend who grew up in a nearby town kindly spilled the beans.  They only take cash and checks, so don’t arrive penniless (or practically penniless)  like we did because you won’t be able to buy all of the history and recipe packed little books in the gift shop. This place is real treasure.

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Aug 1 2010

Kansas City Barbecue

Kansas City - 5 weeks ago - Mary

It is  usually my food blogging spouse who gets to experience  and report on interesting dining experiences,  but when she heard that I was going to go to a famous barbecue joint in Kansas City, she offered for me to be a “guest blogger” for The Fork and the Road.  Since I’m a guest blogger,  I get to break the rule about destinations that are a day’s drive from Pittsburgh, and, being a guest,  I was also threatened with non-acceptance of my blog if doesn’t rise to “Fork” standards.

The setting was a weekend trip to Kansas City, MO to visit friends, do some biking, and take in some local color and cuisine.  Long time Kansas City residents recommended Oklahoma Joe’s as a great place to experience  the best of Kansas City barbecue.

The Not So Fancy Front of Oklahoma Joe's

While I was expecting a steak house type of setting with things like reservations, sitting on chairs, wait staff, etc,  that’s not how you get to experience Oklahoma Joe’s barbecue.  Listed as one of Anthony Bourdain’s  “13 Places to eat before you die”  this restaurant is literally housed in a structure that is part gas station, part convenience store and part cafeteria style/ take out/ sit down food joint.  If the old adage that you can tell how good a restaurant is by how many cars are parked outside, then the full hour of waiting in line to order  (and not during peak dinner time mind you) vouches for the fame and popularity of Oklahoma Joe’s.  I was just happy that our part of the line made it inside the building before the afternoon downpour hit.

The aroma upon entering caused our mouths to start watering like one of Pavlov’s dogs, and the longer we stood in line, the bigger our order became.  We eventually decided that it was only proper to have some of just about everything on the menu.   This meant amounts measured in racks and pounds of beef ribs, beef brisket, and pulled pork.  Four or five side dishes like red beans and rice were added to round out the survey.   We also decided in the line to take the food back to our host’s home  rather than try to vie for one of the scarce tables –  the local ground rules for nabbing a table were clearly posted, but we chose not to compete.

Complimented perfectly by the local brew, Boulevard Wheat Ale, I can honestly say this was just about the best barbecue I have ever tasted.    The ribs were moist, smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet.  The brisket (everyone’s favorite) was thin sliced, tender, and lean.  I hesitate to say too much about the pulled pork as I have several friends who consider themselves experts on this subject.  The sides were not just the standard baked beans, French fries, and creamy cole slaw, but unique stand alone taste treats.  I’m not sure if the calories expended on the bike ride negated the trip to Oklahoma Joe’s (who am I kidding? ) but it was one of those places that was more than worth it.

2 comments

Jul 28 2010

Ice cream, movies and radio talk shows.

Philadelphia / Pittsburgh - 5 weeks ago - Mary

I’ve had enough of this hot summer. I know that in January I’ll be whining about the cold, but does it have to be 85 degrees and above every single day??  I’ve come up with a few ways to beat the heat and thought I’d share.

My first attempt at homemade banana ice cream.

1.  Make some ice cream or gelato. I’ve been craving Blood Orange Sorbetto ever since I had it at Anthony’s in the Italian Market in South Philly earlier this summer. So, a few weeks ago, I bought an ice cream maker so I could make it myself at home. With the never ending heat, it is the perfect summer for icy treats. Not sure what to make?  Go to the library and check out some of my fave resources for ice cream – The Ciao Bella Book of Gelato & Sorbetto, The Ice Cream Bible, and 500 Ice Creams, Sorbettos & Gelatos. Make a quick stop at the supermarket for ingredients and you’re set.  If you don’t have an ice cream maker, a blender or processor will do, too.

My hot weather friend. Sad, but true.

2.  Stay inside and watch some foodie movies ( ideally, with a big bowl of your homemade ice cream.) My recommendations?  Ratatouille, Chocolat, Tampopo, Big Night, Like Water for Chocolate and Babette’s Feast.

Radio host and author, Lorraine Ranalli. Photo courtesy of The Cape May County Herald

3.  Take an hour to relax and enjoy a radio show. I’m kinda tired of staring at the reruns on daytime TV. How about you?  So grab a glass of iced tea, sit back and listen to the radio (either a real radio or live-stream from your computer or other device.)  A  month or so ago, a  newish friend of mine, Lorraine Ranalli,  began a radio talk show based out of the eastern part of Pennsylvania. Called Cucina Chatter (also the  name of her blog,) the one hour long show is on www.wbcb1490.com every Tuesday from 1 until 2 PM.  The show is a mix of cooking and food stuff, humor, coupon tips, and various other bits and pieces.  It’s informative and entertaining.  Lorraine is a well known Philadelphia radio personality and also the author of Gravy Wars | South Philly Foods, Feuds & Attytudes (2009 Folger Ross Publications) a fun read about  Italian-American culture (and she includes some great recipes.). Put Lorraine’s show on your calendar for next Tuesday at 1 PM.

Stay cool and enjoy my ideas for taking a break from the heat!

2 comments

Jul 24 2010

Homestead, Steel Mills and Vegetarian Food

Pittsburgh - 6 weeks ago - Mary

Back in the Sixties, local steel mill towns like Homestead, Duquesne and McKeesport were bustling with activity. Stores, restaurants, churches. We got dressed up in fancy clothes and nice shoes to go into town to the bank or to have lunch. These days, many storefronts are boarded up and the streets are almost deserted. But something exciting is happening on the main drag in Homestead in the form of The Tin Front Cafe.

I first stepped into this hip eatery  last spring for a cup of coffee after purchasing a new kitchen  knife at the old Walnut Street institution, Annex Cookery,  next door. After hearing recommendations from a few friends about the good food, my younger daughter (currently a vegetarian) and I stopped in for lunch.  I ordered a black bean, corn risotto burger and my daughter had a grilled zucchini sandwich. Both came with a side salad of mixed greens topped with fresh blueberries. Fresh and tasty.  The Tin Front (which by the way, is now the home of the beautiful wooden bar from the gone but not forgotten Chiodo’s Tavern) has all sorts of fun things going on during their happy hour and in the evenings. Quirky things that I love like Craft Night and an evening with some a capella Appalachian singers.    Check their Facebook page for all the details.  This place is so close to the Waterfront  that there’s no reason to eat some mediocre mall food when you can walk or drive up a block and have some really great food. If you’re a fan of public transportation, the good ol’ 61C  stops right nearby. Oh, and  one more thing. For more info about Pittsburgh steel mill history, including tours of the area, click here. I picked up a map of historic Homestead and as soon as the weather cools down, I’m taking myself on a tour of this old, yet new steel town. Go Homestead!

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Jul 20 2010

St. Mary’s Ukrainian Festival

Pittsburgh - 7 weeks ago - Mary

You can get these and more at St Mary's Festival!!

I love church festivals, especially ones that have the word Croatian, Greek or Ukrainian in the name because I know there will be fantastic food for sale.  Have you had Croatian barbecued lamb?  Handmade Ukrainian pierogies?  Honey drenched baklava, each piece painstakingly made by hand?  A really good festival is coming up, so mark your calendars for July 28 through 31st for the annual St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church Festival in the Bottoms of McKees Rocks. I can’t wait!

For more details about the festival, go to my  blog  published by the PA Tourism Office.   I know I’ve mentioned the pierogies before, but the festival is supposed to be great ( Father Tim promised) and I wanted to let everyone know about it.  Click here to access the info and also to read about what other folks in the state are doing for fun this summer.

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