Too cool: seven cold soups for summer

Soup doesn’t have to be relegated to cold weather. Here are seven chilled soups from the Blue Kitchen archives.

Sweet Potato Vichyssoise

We took a quick road trip to upstate New York last weekend. There was a practical reason for the trip, helping one of our daughters move, but there was also plenty of pleasure, much of it food-based. (I know you’re surprised.) And even though we’re in the thick of summer, soups were part of that pleasure. Continue reading “Too cool: seven cold soups for summer”

Sautéed Tofu with Ginger and Garlic, and thoughts of a semi-reformed carnivore

Soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and aromatics dial up the umami in this sautéed tofu main course. Recipe below.

Sautéed Tofu with Ginger and Garlic

Our friend Carolyn recently shared a meme on Facebook about preparing tofu. It said this: Step 1: Throw it in the Trash. Step 2: Grill some Meat. Not that long ago, I would have laughed even harder than I did. Continue reading “Sautéed Tofu with Ginger and Garlic, and thoughts of a semi-reformed carnivore”

The need for farmers markets: Potato Salad with Garlic Scapes and Bacon

Garlic scapes replace green onions in this potato salad, adding a mild garlicky kick. Bacon and lemon juice also play key roles. Recipe below.

Potato Salad with Garlic Scapes and Bacon

For being such a great food town, Chicago comes up short in the farmers market department. Yes, we’ve got neighborhood farmers markets that pop up in parks and plazas every weekend from mid-May to late October, full of organic, locally sourced produce, eggs, meats and more. But as exciting as these are, there’s still something missing. Continue reading “The need for farmers markets: Potato Salad with Garlic Scapes and Bacon”

Make a double batch—you’ll want leftovers: Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Tarragon, shallots, herbes de Provence and panko breadcrumbs give Meatballs in Tomato Sauce a nicely complex finish. Recipe below.

Meatballs in Tomato and Spinach Sauce

I did not grow up in a meatball-eating household. We ate plenty of ground meat, of course—in countless meatloafs, in burgers cooked until my mom or grandma were sure they were dead, in giant pots of chili or spaghetti sauce (the word pasta was never used in our house). But never as meatballs. Continue reading “Make a double batch—you’ll want leftovers: Meatballs in Tomato Sauce”

Bar bites elevated: Blistered Shishito Peppers

Shishito peppers, sautéed until blistered in spots and tossed with lemon juice and salt, are a popular Japanese bar food. Recipe below.

Shishito Peppers

Once again, I am late to the culinary party. Last week, I happened across an article about a 27-year-old becoming the shishito pepper baron of New York. My immediate question was “what’s a shishito pepper?” The short answer is they’re apparently a thing—and have been for a few years now. Continue reading “Bar bites elevated: Blistered Shishito Peppers”