A Selection of Photos (and Outtakes) from "Raw Beauty" in the Improper Bostonian Summer Dining Issue

IMG_1685

Summer is most certainly here. No doubt about it. All I'm craving right now are things that don't involve the stove.

I recently photographed this spread of raw dishes from local restaurants for our alternative magazine, the Improper Bostonian. I wish I could take credit for the beauty of these images, but all of that goes to the talented chefs who prepared them: Will Gilson of Puritan (vegetable crudités), Rachel Klein of Liquid Art House (hamachi), Robert Sisca of Bistro du Midi (lamb tartar), Todd Winer of Pastoral (albacore crudo), Cassie Piuma of Sarma (Tunisian steak tartar), Leo Asaro of Tico (razor clam ceviche).

Click here to read the full article, "Raw Beauty".

Photos from Improper Bostonian Summer Dining Article - A Thought For Food

IMG_2282

IMG_2143

IMG_1891

IMG_3850

Cornmeal Pancakes + Blueberry-Rhubarb Compote

ArepasRhubarb7

No fear. That's what I tell myself as I go in with the spatula to give the pancake a flip. No fear. I don't know why it makes me so nervous. Is it the possibility that it won't land gracefully? That it'll splatter and become misshapen? I have to psych myself up.

You can do it Brian! It'll be ok! Just go for it!  I take a deep breath. Flip. Minimal splatter. Slightly misshapen. I grab one that's been cooling on a plate and dunk it in the pot of simmering rhubarb and berries. One bite and I no longer care if they look perfect. They taste perfect. That's all that matters.

Cornmeal Pancakes + Blueberry-Rhubarb Compote
Cornmeal Pancakes + Blueberry-Rhubarb Compote
GILT_KINGSTON STATION-9979
Cornmeal Pancakes + Blueberry-Rhubarb Compote

Cornmeal Pancakes + Blueberry-Rhubarb Compote

Servings 4-6 servings

Ingredients

For the cornmeal pancakes1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup finely ground cornmeal 1 tsp salt 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon sugar 2 eggs 4 tablespoons melted butter, cooled 1 1/2 cups whole milk 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the blueberry-rhubarb compote 1 pint blueberries, rinsed and stems (if any) removed 3/4 lb rhubarb, chopped 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup sugar Juice of half a lemon

Instructions 

To make the compote 1. In a pot, combine blueberries, chopped rhubarb, water, lemon juice and sugar.  Set over medium-high heat. When it reaches a boil, reduce heat to low and let cook for an additional 5 minutes.

2. At this point, the fruit should have softened. Gently mash the fruit with a wooden spoon. Once some of the bigger pieces are gone, let cook for an additional 5 minutes.

3. Set the compote aside.

To make the pancakes 1. In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and then give them a quick whisk.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.

2. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and whisk to combine (lumpy batter is ok)

3. Lightly oil (or use non-stick spray) a non-stick pan.  Set pan over medium heat.  Once heated, your pan will be ready for the pancake batter.

4. For each pancake, spoon 1/4 tablespoons of batter into the hot pan. You should be able to fit at least two in the pan. Let cook on one side until bubbles start to form on top.  At this point, flip the pancake over (have no fear!) and cook for another couple minutes, until browned.

5. Serve pancakes with butter and blueberry-rhubarb compote.

Silent Sunday: Night Shift Brewery (Everett, MA)

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

IMG_9622

IMG_9592

NightShiftDuo4

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery

 87 Santilli Hwy

Everett, MA 02149

www.nightshiftbrewing.com

Some notes from Michael Oxton, Co-founder of Night Shift Brewing:

  • "We began business in March 2012 at our previous location in Everett. Started with 3 beers - Trifecta, Taza Stout, and Bee Tea. Added Viva Habanera to the lineup soon after."
  • "We produced 350 barrels in 2012, over 700 barrels in 2013, and are on pace for 1500+ this year. Hoping to hit at least 2000 next year."
  • "Our most popular beer and the one we produce most regularly is our rye ale with habanero peppers, Viva Habanera. Our most popular beer at the taproom right now is Ever Weisse, a berliner weisse style sour ale with strawberries, kiwis, and hibiscus."
  • "I think the Viva Habanera might fall into most eccentric, actually. It's at least up there. We have a whole series of beers, the"Art Series" dedicated to pure experimentation. Some are test batches that might become larger production beers, some are one-time experimentals. It's all about achieving balance and producing a high-quality beer, and hopefully having fun in the process."

Note:

This post comes out of an organized tour through the 

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

to showcase breweries and seafood restaurants throughout the North Shore.