The Charleston Gazette - Food & Dining

Food Notes May 22, 2013

( ) — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Berry good Hartley Farms in Cottageville will have freshly picked strawberries for sale at Capitol Market May 24-26 and will continue to offer them throughout the production season on the weekends only. Strawb...

Strawberry fields are not forever

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Usher in summer with local strawberries, which are hitting the markets and ripening in "you-pick" farms now. The narrow window to enjoy fresh, locally...

Vines & Vittles: The Italian influence

(John Brown) — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I have often suggested to friends that my obsession with wine and food can be attributed to at least one-half of my genetic composition -- the Italian half. I suppose I should credit the other half (Irish) with my penchant for expos...

Remake pasta carbonara as a summer salad

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

Pasta carbonara -- richly cheesy, creamy and studded with crisped pancetta -- is easily one of the most comforting of pasta dishes. The only trouble is, with the onset of warmer weather we tend to crave salads more than steaming bowls of pasta. So for th...

Culinary SOS: Bakery makes delicious quinoa salad

(Los Angeles Times) — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

LOS ANGELES -- Dear SOS: I recently visited the beautiful little town of Capitola, next to Santa Cruz on the California coast. Gayles Bakery & Rosticceria is a special place. Along with mouth-watering baked goods, I enjoyed two delicious dishes: a ka...

FestivALL, Pies & Pints among Peoples Choice winners

(Staff reports) — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:57:01 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charlestonians have voted, and the winners of the first Peoples Choice Awards from the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau are not too surprising: Mountain Stage is their favorite attraction, FestivALL their favorite event and ...

Food Notes May 15, 2013

( ) — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Local favorites The Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau announced the winners in the Tourism Peoples Choice Awards competition among Charleston restaurants and attractions. The winners were selected by ...

Charleston Chopped

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:54:20 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I had the pleasure Monday evening to sit down with a crack culinary team of mostly media people who selected a winner in Charleston Chopped, a Food Network-inspired event sponsored by the Charleston Convention and Visit...

Pair shrimp and spinach for a nutritious meal

(Detroit Free Press) — Sat, 11 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

When I saw todays recipe for Shrimp Francese in the April issue of Food Network magazine, it was the spinach and tomatoes that caught my eye. Several recipes in recent food magazines feature grape or cherry tomatoes and spinach. Many make use of cooked ...

Glazing is amazing

(Los Angeles Times) — Sat, 11 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

So many home cooks are obsessed with making dishes just like the professionals do. They buy hand-forged Japanese chefs knives, seek out $50 bottles of olive oil and spend hours preparing elaborately composed dishes from "The French Laundry Cookbook&...

Food Notes May 8, 2013

( ) — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Greek to the east A cafe lunch-only version of Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille recently opened in Boulevard Tower, 1018 Kanawha Blvd. E. Eli Stanley, n...

The real dill: fresh herbs punch up everyday dishes

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As outdoor temperatures rise safely past the frost and freeze risks, its time to set out fresh herbs. Id just purchased some small pots of herbs to add to my kitchen garden, when a timely book came across my desk. ...

Eggs are a versatile morning favorite

(Star Tribune (Minneapolis)) — Sat, 04 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

You can fry them, shirr them, scramble or roll them up. Is there a more versatile food at your fingertips. Its that incredible egg, long on the upswing after its battering on the health front. But everyday eggs can be so, well, everyday, always pleasant...

Beers to You: Well-crafted beers, too little salt, at Charleston Brewing Co.

(Rich Ireland) — Sat, 04 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Charleston Brewing Co. opened softly to friends and family a few weeks ago, and then quickly ramped up to a full opening just a few nights later. I wrote a quick blog posting of my first experiences, but now I am ready to do a de...

Kroger lowers prices, stops doubling coupons

(Megan Workman) — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:23:34 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va.- West Virginias Kroger stores rolled out a new price campaign during the weekend that will offset the termination of doubling coupons, a spokesman said Wednesday. The Mid-Atlantic Division of Kroger, which includes Virginia, North Caroli...

Food notes: May 1, 2013

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:02:17 -0400

Pepperoni roll contest Taste-of-All Charleston is compiling a recipe eBook of the official state food, the pepperoni roll, in honor of West Virginias 150th birthday. Submissions will be accepted from the public or from restaurants around ...

Bridge Road Bistro dream lives on

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:29:32 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Bridge Road Bistros launch of a food truck last week marked another step on the restaurants journey to further the vision of its late owner, Chef Rob...

WV 63 tomato seeds given away this weekend

(Staff reports) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:01:13 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Kanawha County WVU Extension Service will give away tomato seedlings of the famed West Virginia 63 tomato, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at the West Virginia Vandalia Heritage Garden Festival at the Culture Center. A maximum of tw...

Vines & Vittles: Keep leftover wine fresh (as possible)

(John Brown) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- From time to time, friends ask me how to keep wine not consumed at one sitting fresh for later drinking. I must admit this is not a situation I have ever personally experienced, but I do have some suggestions. Wine is usually bottle...

Culinary SOS: Brown-butter cookies will go fast

(Los Angeles Times) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

LOS ANGELES -- Dear SOS: I was wondering if you would be able to get the recipe for the irresistible brown-butter cookie at the newly opened and darling Bittersweet Treats on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, Calif. This cookie is chewy, d...

Brown butter adds nutty, toasty flavor

(Atlanta Journal-Constitution) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

Butter has to be one of the hardest-working ingredients in the Western larder. It makes cakes tender and sauces silken. Its a splendid spread all by itself. Its a reliable fat for pan-frying foods that cook quickly. But heat it too long, and its milk pro...

Its all homemade at Hometown Restaurant in Peterstown

earle@wvgazette.com (Rosalie Earle) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

PETERSTOWN, W.Va. -- Everythings homemade at Linda Foxs restaurant -- even the croutons. What else would you expect from a place named Hometown Restaurant. "Its like Grandmas house here -- thats what I call it," Fox said of the food shes serve...

In Short: April 25-May 1, 2013

(Staff reports) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:16:35 -0400

Home Run extends stay "Home Run" will stay at Nitro Stadium 12 through at least May 2. The faith-based drama about a pro baseball player with a substance abuse program was brought to town by a local chapter of Celebrate Reco...

Food Notes April 24, 2013

( ) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Tops in town Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau encourages voters to help choose Charlestons best of the best in restaurant, attraction, lodging, retail shop or boutique, dish, drink and event categories. ...

Marvelous morels emerge for a brief appearance

( ) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Last week Gazette photographer Kenny Kemp mentioned that hed spotted some morel mushrooms on the grounds of his Mink Shoals home. His timely comment came as I was facing my weekly dilemma of what to feature in the next food column....

W.Va. schools aim to improve meal programs

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:36:20 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In Mason County, children walk to the cafeteria together so they can start the days lessons with a side of whole grain waffles, cereal, fruit and milk. Here, among the coal mines and farms so familiar across Appalachia, the old adag...

Whats for Dinner. New parents appreciate quick, healthy meals

(Beverly Glaze) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Last week, I became a grandmommy for the first time. I had somewhat forgotten how much time a newborn takes once they are home. Mom and Dad are a little overwhelmed and need to be able to cook affordable, easy and quick meals. This ...

Culinary SOS: Shrimp and grits is a plateful of heaven

(Los Angeles Times) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

LOS ANGELES -- Dear SOS: We ate at Bar/Kitchen on Flower Street in Los Angeles after a theater matinee. Plenty of great dishes, but the shrimp and grits was amazing -- shrimp laid on top of grits that must have been flavored with a shrimp stock and speck...

Food Notes April 17, 2013

( ) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Wine tasting The Wine Shop at Capitol Market is hosting a "Staff Picks" wine tasting at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Weather permitting, the event will be held at the Capitol Gardens Potter Pavilion, but will mo...

Soup & sandwiches

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:44:27 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Drivers sometimes do a double take when they turn onto D Street behind the mound in South Charleston and come across not one, but two, Vietnamese restaurants. Pho Vinh Long and Yens Sandwiches stand across the...

One to grow on: Chia seeds very nutritious

(Detroit Free Press) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

What if you could get a good amount of nutrition and feel satisfied all from a tiny seed. Think ch-ch-ch-chia. Most of us remember that jingle advertising the terracotta planters in the shape of pets. Once you soaked the seeds and slathered the gooey m...

Opening of Charleston brewpub delayed

(Staff reports) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:34:01 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston Brewing Co. will not open its doors on Monday, but owner Ann Saville said the citys first brewpub will "definitely open next week."

Saville said...

Local church fills backpacks and bellies

flipside@wvgazette.com (Lindsay Jones, Hurricane High School) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:56:04 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Imagine being a child and not having anything to eat from lunch on Friday to breakfast on Monday. It may be impossible to imagine for some people, but for others, it is a harsh reality. The only food some kids get is breakfast and l...

Food notes: April 10, 2013

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:38:59 -0400

Hot diggity The pepperoni roll has captured legislative attention this session, but the West Virginia Hot Dog was recently declared the winner in the National Hot Dog and Sausage Councils March Madness Bracket. The fifth seed on the ei...

Taste of Jewish Cuisine features favorites

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:49:37 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Theyve taken a few years off, but the women of Hadassah will again dish up brisket, kugel, latkes, challah and matzo ball soup April 21 at the Taste of Jewish Cuisine. They last hosted the event in 2004 and served hundreds of pla...

W.Va.-style hot dog wins national competition

(Staff reports) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:16:16 -0400

WASHINGTON -- The West Virginia hot dog, featuring a chili sauce topping and mustard and cole slaw condiments atop a steamed bun, bested challenges from wieners served in the regional styles of Georgia, New York and Michigan to reign supreme as the Natio...

W.Va. handcrafted beer business growing

(Megan Workman) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 22:00:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Lauren Sandberg isnt a brewmaster at Morgantown Brewing Co., but she has helped carry bags of grain, stirred the mashed grains in barrels and still physically felt her hard work three days later. The marketing director at ...

Raising the bar: Easy-to-make granola bars

(McClatchy-Tribune News Service) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

MODESTO, Calif. -- Making granola bars is easier than making cookies. Theres no butter and sugar to cream, so theres no need for a mixer or bringing butter and eggs to room temperature. Homemade granola bars have no additives, no preservatives, no artif...

Whats for Dinner. Fold up a quick and easy dinner

(Beverly Glaze) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- What is more fun than camping out and cooking over a fire. Although this weeks dinners dont require a campfire, they will certainly make your family feel like they are eating a meal cooked over one. Each dish uses foil to create ...

Bridge Road Bistro is goin mobile

(Megan Workman) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:04:26 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va.-- Bridge Road Bistro has gone mobile. The South Hills restaurant is unveiling its first food truck, which hungry patrons will be able to locate on a phone application. The Bistro Black Truck will make its debut Monday night at the West...

Food Notes: April 3, 2013

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:34:11 -0400

Spring at the market Capitol Market has begun its spring hours, which are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Some outdoor vendors have set up shop, offering mostly bedding plants and shrub...

Great grains: The truth about kernels

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:44:45 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Overheard in the bread aisle: "I dont know what were supposed to be eating now. Whats makes a healthy bread." Indeed, what should the health-minded seek on bread labels: "whole grain" or "whole wheat." An...

Beers to You: Expecting the best from Charlestons new brewpub

(Rich Ireland) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:00:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I have been counting, first the months, then the weeks, and now literally days. Charleston Brewing Co. is set to open April 6. Its already been a surreal experience walking downtown and inhaling the aroma of fresh barley mash wafting...

Beer muffins have great depth of flavor

( Newsday) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:00:00 -0400

Beer and muffins -- now there are two words you dont often see in the same sentence, let alone in the same recipe. Most muffin batters, even savory ones, are moistened with milk or buttermilk. But beer will do the same job, adding flavor and bubbly lift....

Culinary SOS: Ham and beans is a classic combo

(Los Angeles Times) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:00:00 -0400

Dear SOS: I recently was in Aspen, Colo., on a trip through the Rocky Mountains. The ham and bean soup at the Creperie du Village was wonderful. Is there any way you might be able to get the recipe. -- Barry Kob, Palm Desert, Cal...

Vines & Vittles: Ignore the weather and fire up the grill

(John Brown) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:00:00 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Two weeks ago, when it was 75 degrees outside, I was grilling animal flesh over charcoal and toasting the emergence of spring with a flagon of purple elixir. Now its late March, 32 degrees and there is snow on the ground. What happe...

Sizzling salsa success prompts owner to write book

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:46:21 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Maggie Cooks basic salsa recipe is pretty simple -- fresh Roma tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, lime juice, cilantro and a special secret ingredient. Its processed and p...

Simple, stunning tarts are an Easter treat

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 23:00:00 -0400
Easter dinner isnt generally the sort of meal we try to rush. The whole point is to savor the meal, not sprint through it the way we do most weeknights. But that doesnt mean we dont appreciate the easy, time-saving trick here and there. In this case, Iv...

Lemon meringue pie is a heavenly sweet-tart combo

(Star Tribune (Minneapolis)) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 23:00:00 -0400
It just takes a little planning and patience to pull off. Comparing meringue to a cloud is a cliche. Yet pondering the whorls and curlicues of a meringue-topped pie is like seeing shapes in the clouds. A pinwheel. A surfers wave. Its texture is as ...

Whats for Dinner. Celebrate spring with light recipes

(Beverly Glaze) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 23:00:00 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With the official first day of spring checked off the calendar, warm weather cant be far behind. This weeks recipes are light and refreshing and full of flavor. Roasted Tomato and Spinach Pasta Makes 4 servings...