BostonZest

Lamb Burgers from Our New Meat Grinder

After breaking in a our new LEM Electric Meat Grinder making a batch of raw food for our puppy, its second outing was all for us as we turned a piece of lamb into lamb burgers.

(Note: With our tiny kitchen we opted for a smaller, lighter grinder not suited to grinding bones for dog food. We have the bone portion of Poppy's food – chicken backs and necks – ground at Mayflower Poultry where they can grind up whatever you like for your dog's or cat's Bones and Raw Food or B.A.R.F. diet.)

 

We decided to go with a coarse grind so the burgers would have more bite to them. And, I had trimmed the meat fairly lean because I'm not always a fan of the flavor of lamb fat. 

 

A drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper prepared them for cooking.

Then, into a pan where some onions, garlic, and rosemary had been cooked. There the patties quickly turned into wonderful, sizzling, crusty lamb burgers – freshly ground at home and safe to enjoy medium rare the way Ed likes his. 

We'll try to get finished product photos the next time because the aroma distracted us and bites were taken before hands could be cleaned and cameras focused. 

Next project? Lets just say we already have sausage casings on hand.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

A Sprinkle of Urfa Pepper...

Urfa Biber or Urfa pepper is one of those spices I kept seeing in Turkish recipes. Then I noticed it on Formaggio Kitchen's website. That made sense because owner Ihsan Gurdhal is from Istanbul and an expert in Turkish cuisine. In her book, Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean, Chef Ana Sortum of Oleana says he's the one who introduced her to it.  

When I saw a  bag of it at Arax Market in Watertown, I knew I had to give it a try. I gave part of my supply to a cooking friend so we could both play with it and compare notes. "They are simultaneously bitter like coffee or chocolate and sweet like molasses, and they lend a wonderful, deep, smoky aroma to sauces," Chef Sortum writes.

It looks a bit like rich, oily coffee grounds with a rusty red tint. It is an afterburner chili giving you a mild introduction with a kick on the finish. It is wonderful with eggplant. A spinkle will add a lift to a tray of roasted root vegetables. And, I added a dash to some leftover pork for a second night supper. 

In Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean, Chef Sortum features Urfa as one of her favorite chili peppers, along with Aleppo pepper and paprika. 

Urfa Tip:

Notice that my work board is protected with a piece of parchment and my Urfa is in a glass jar. This is a spice, like tumeric, that could be used as a dye. It will stain your counter, clothing, or hands. It even left stains on a small aluminum scoop I was using with it. And the natural scallop shell in the first photo now has an orangy interior. Use it with this caution in mind.

If you try Urfa pepper, be sure to let us know how you like it and what recipes you explored.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

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The Statue of Science at the BPL in Copley Square

The toes in yesterday's clue are on the allegorical sculpture of Science at the entrance to the Boston Public Library. It is the work of Boston sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt, who was a teacher at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. When his mentor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, could not complete the commissioned artwork for this area, Pratt was selected to create two statues representing Art and Science.

From the Boston Public Library's Collection here is Bella Pratt's reduced clay model for the work. I have not found any early photo showing that the lamps were ever installed.

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

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Where Would You Find These Toes?

As you walk around Boston, you can play our game of "Attention to Detail" by looking for our clues or trying to recall where you've seen them. These toes must be pretty cold about now. 

In addition to playing it here from time to time, Penny has two newspaper columns in the Back Bay Sun and Beacon Hill Times where readers are given a photo of a detail of a building each week. The following week they learn where it's located and a bit about that detail or that building.

We won't make you wait a week for the answer here. Check back tomorrow for the solution. 

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Words: Penny  Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Sunday Dog Oliver – Tree Inspector!

It’s not easy being a tree inspector, but Sunday Dog Oliver is a natural. At only 1 ½ years old this youngster is already considered an expert. It’s a job that takes a certain temperament, an incredible ability to concentrate, and the visual acuity that not many of us possess.



However, the most important qualification for this line of work is a phenomenal sense of smell. Oliver is able to detect the overall condition of a city tree simply by sniffing its bark!



But to get a more complete diagnosis, he told us, “you can’t ignore the roots!”

Of course, the profession also requires a well-rounded personality and Oliver easily has that covered.



His person told us that Oliver is “a very happy boy. When he gets excited, he smiles a lot and wiggles his bum.” This chocolate Lab “loves to play, swim, and eat – and naturally, his favorite words are treat and walk.”

And, we weren’t at all surprised to learn that this amazing pup is “very loyal and friendly and loves to say ‘hi’ to people and dogs in the neighborhood.”


 
Wow! It’s not everyday that we come across a Sunday Dog with so much to offer. Oliver, you’re quite a guy!

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.


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Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Ed & Penny Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

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Sweet Eye Candy Wears White - BMW 550i

While Eye Candy can come in any color, this BMW 550i is extra sweet in white! The color shows off all of the car’s lines, creases, and hardware yet still manages to be an equal part of the whole.



There’s a flow to the design, even at the corners, where a not-so-subtle tail light can both alert and complement.



It’s a canvas of white onto which functional design elements are artfully positioned for maximum utility and beauty.



I know from experience that keeping a white car clean, especially in winter, can be a challenge. This German beauty was pristine enough to reflect some of its other city onlookers.



The BMW 5-series current design, a merciful change from its last incarnation, often catches my eye. This sedan now has a body worthy of its performance and heritage. Nicely done!  


Related Posts:

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 Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

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Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List

Our Friday Link today is Boston Tweet's list of, "Late Night Dining in Boston & Cambridge."

This is also a Follow Friday recommendation on Twitter, @BostonTweet.

 

When an event runs late, you have the late night munchies, you work the late shift, or you're a nightowl, Boston Tweet (AKA Tom O’Keefe) has you covered with a list of places to dine in Boston and Cambridge. 

Thanks Tom! We've saved the link to our phones and will consult it often when we're wandering the city late at night.

Read more about this resourceful Bostonian over on BostInno. 

The Guy Behind the Guy: Who is @BostonTweet?

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

 Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.