tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-275287372012-01-22T22:05:18.696-06:00Food blog in Champaign-Urbana, IL. Reviews of restaurants in Champaign, recipes, and reports on local groceries, farmers markets, and foodie happenings in and around C-U.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.comBlogger6881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-74490540665088135772011-09-25T12:33:00.019-05:002011-09-25T13:26:56.553-05:00

I'm not sure whether it's the seemingly endless summer I spent hobbled by a broken foot and in rather intense pain, or the fact that I simply want to turn my attention to other things. I think it's a bit of both, actually. Either way, I'm here to tell you that after 5 years I'm taking a lengthier hiatus from publishing this blog and may not return to writing it at all. But don't cry for me,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-336743405214851002011-06-21T06:31:00.004-05:002011-06-21T06:42:38.138-05:00

Last month, all of us here at the Champaign Taste worldwide headquarters realized that we have been publishing this weblog virtually nonstop for five solid years. We sat in stunned silence for several minutes, absorbing that information, and then we shouted, almost in unison, "For the love of all things food in C-U, let's take a freaking break!" Thus was the executive decision made: We will take

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-68182782164962336642011-06-16T05:33:00.003-05:002011-06-16T07:37:44.500-05:00

I'm reposting my report on last year's Taste of Champaign-Urbana, below, in case you haven't been before and want to see what goes on. This year marks the 41st Taste of C-U; I can't believe the event has been going that long. Some pertinent details for 2011: Tickets will be 8 for $5 this year, instead of 6 for $5 as it was last year. Many of the same restaurants and catering operations will be

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-59871984985843122912011-06-12T18:50:00.000-05:002011-06-12T18:47:40.683-05:00

I'm reposting my report on last year's crawfish boil at Crane Alley, because this year's boil—the 3rd annual—is coming up on Sunday, June 19, 2011. If this looks like something you want in on, you can register your intention to attend on the relevant Facebook page and stop by the bar this week to buy a ticket. Advance tickets for the all-you-can-eat extravaganza are $15; if you wait and buy in on

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-78831133000145716992011-06-03T05:02:00.027-05:002011-06-03T08:32:44.323-05:00

If you're a lover of great tasting, inexpensive eats and treats, make a point of stopping by the corner of Prospect and Bradley in north-central Champaign sometime soon. This is the same corner where last fall you could find Lord and Lacy barbecue. I don't know what happened to that operation, but it has been replaced by the Mas Amigos taco truck and, more recently, the Hawaiian Ice trailer as

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-35953537599101040592011-05-24T06:07:00.003-05:002011-05-24T12:53:04.900-05:00

Driving down Green Street the other day, this is what I saw. THE ZORBA'S SIGN IS BACK! And it looks like work is being done inside! As you may know, a raging fire engulfed the building in which the gyros palace-cum-jazz club was housed—what? A couple of months ago? Afterward, in an article in the News-Gazette, the owner expressed uncertainty about whether or not Zorba's would be able to reopen,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-71106365261546799792011-05-16T05:23:00.025-05:002011-05-18T07:40:34.032-05:00

News flash: It's not only little girls that are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Did you know you can purchase the rub that the smoke masters at the Black Dog in Urbana use to make their tasty barbecue, and thereby replicate that 'cue in your own backyard? It's true. Just ask your waitperson or the bartender for it next time you're at the BD, fork over six bucks (a decent price for

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-86895718498481707042011-05-11T06:20:00.009-05:002011-08-28T12:18:46.593-05:00

Update: I'm sorry to report that Holy Land is no more. The restaurant closed in the summer of 2011—not long after this post appeared. -Lisa Though summer doesn't officially start for a month and a half, we're getting quite a sneak preview now, aren't we? A very nice thing for hot and humid days is this salad from Holy Land on Neil Street. The base is HL's house salad, which the menu says is

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-39196435960368111252011-05-06T06:20:00.005-05:002011-05-06T14:23:22.125-05:00

Since C-U hosted a marathon last weekend, and thus we're all feeling like, "hey, with the proper training and motivation, I could do that," I think it's an appropriate time to tell you about a new iPhone app called Nancy Clark's Recipes for Athletes. Because whether you're thinking marathon, half-marathon, 10K, or 5K—or whether you'd just like to work up to taking yourself out for a walk every

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-84761250611855541242011-04-25T07:26:00.006-05:002011-04-26T14:44:00.958-05:00

On Tuesday, April 26, you can donate money to organizations that help people (and animals, in the case of the Champaign County Humane Society) in need. And you won't feel a thing. That's because six restaurants in Champaign-Urbana have generously agreed to donate 20 to 30 percent of their profits on that day to charitable organizations. All you have to do is go out to eat—it's that simple.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-58704782414973536722011-04-15T13:04:00.001-05:002011-04-15T13:52:03.473-05:00

So, OK, this book is not HOT off the Press anymore, but I wanted to republish this post anyway, because let's face it, hunting the wild mushroom never goes out of style. This post was originally published on April 15, 2009, and has been revised slightly. -Lisa Did you know that the humble fungi is responsible for the lived-in look of your favorite stone-washed jeans? It's true. According to Joe

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-57952731213645074792011-04-14T06:56:00.001-05:002011-04-14T07:09:39.230-05:00

We've done haiku contests and a limerick contest in the past on this blog, but last week we inaugurated a new one: Your charge was to identify a food establishment (restaurant or bar that serves food) based on a photo of a salient detail of the place—in this case, the artwork you see to the right. I think the inaugural edition of the contest was maybe too easy; there were 74 entries, and 59

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-4572387355731383652011-04-10T10:30:00.028-05:002011-04-10T16:29:26.479-05:00

You know it's been a long winter when a little patch of chives in a patio pot gets you excited. But I love those chives. Dependable, loyal, and the first to arrive at the spring party (they've been up for what—a month now?), their vibrant green is something to hold onto after a long, almost colorless season. A friend had given us a dozen eggs from her very own chickens—more to be grateful for

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-26353456861768735012011-04-06T06:38:00.013-05:002011-04-06T14:53:10.008-05:00

Let's have a little fun, shall we? I'm going to put up a photo taken at a local food establishment (and by that I mean a restaurant, or a bar that serves food). You tell me which establishment the photo was taken at, and you could win a $25 gift certificate to the place in question. If more than one person identifies the correct venue, we'll put the names into a hat and draw one lucky winner.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-24167703366866315132011-04-04T06:51:00.000-05:002011-04-04T07:57:07.453-05:00

Having gone to Shuchi's cooking class yesterday afternoon at the ARC and learned how to make traditional Indian samosas, I have the filled pastries on the brain this morning. So I thought I'd bring this post from 2007 out of the archives. Thanks to Shuchi for the great class; looking forward to the next one, which is tentatively scheduled for next month (I'll keep you posted). Check out Shuchi's

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-16564404458124486322011-03-28T05:20:00.042-05:002011-03-28T08:31:28.347-05:00

My grueling search for the best Cuban sandwich in Champaign-Urbana continues. In the past, I've tried (and written about) the Cubans at Aroma Cafe, the Black Dog, Escobar's, and Radio Maria. This time around, I'll tell you about the one I ate recently at Pekara. The bread was definitely the best thing about the Pekara Cuban sandwich—it was really wonderful. Nothing like the traditional bread

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-24242341690456288182011-03-25T06:13:00.006-05:002011-03-31T10:10:41.903-05:00

UPDATE 3-31-11: If you want to attend this class, there are still a few spots open. But you need to let the Asha coordinator know today that you'll be going (e-mail him), so that he can get a list to the folks at the ARC (normally there's a fee to get into the ARC, but there won't be for class-goers; thus, the list). Do you love the Indian snack called samosa? Want to learn how to make your own?

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-4364572824181138262011-03-23T06:15:00.000-05:002011-03-23T08:20:11.055-05:00

OK, so instead of lying on a sunny beach or sampling Cajun and Creole delicacies in NOLA (you know who you are!), some of us are stoically toiling away here in C-U during spring break. I felt we needed something to cheer us up, so I went to local bakery Cakes on Walnut to try concocting a sweet treat that I just recently found out about. It's called affogato, which in Italian means "drowned." Is

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-23790190675965746732011-03-18T06:40:00.022-05:002011-03-18T09:18:17.116-05:00

I can still smell the fragrant spices in this dish. It's a kind of hash that, if you make it Cuban style, includes cinnamon, cumin, oregano, and clove. I've read that it's a very popular dish not only in Cuba but in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines as well. Although traditionally made with ground beef, I used half beef and half pork. There are also onions, bell peppers,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-91424879774518613922011-03-14T06:45:00.003-05:002011-03-16T17:42:35.962-05:00

St. Patrick's Day is coming up (Thursday), so I'm reposting this from the archives, in case you'd like to try a fabulous "Irish" fondue recipe. See the bottom of this post for info on which area restaurants will be serving corned beef and cabbage this week. Despite the fact that Saint Patrick never drank a green beer or ate corned beef in his life, Keith and I nevertheless upheld the customary

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-61447928002661435462011-03-11T05:53:00.028-06:002011-03-12T10:15:30.629-06:00

Brunch offerings—Crepes, omelets, quiche, sandwiches, fondues, and more Location—Campus (just south of Krannert Center) Average prices—Crepes: $7.50, omelets: $8.00, sandwiches: $8.50, fondue (for two): $14.50 Atmosphere best for—Tête à têtes or smallish groups Child friendly—Possibly Service—Can be slow Outdoor seating—Yes, in season there's a great sidewalk-cafe setup Reservations—Accepted, but

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-42924416331376652282011-03-07T06:16:00.030-06:002011-03-07T08:36:08.177-06:00

I got a great cookbook from the Champaign Public Library recently, and I wanted to tell you about it. It's called Simply Ming One-Pot Meals, and it's brand-new. Do you know the chef Ming Tsai? I used to watch his show on WILL-TV when it aired on Saturdays, and I always enjoyed seeing him whip up his "East-West" specialties. Anyway, I was raving to Keith about what a beautiful book One-Pot Meals

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-1153485733283583412011-03-04T06:26:00.000-06:002011-03-04T07:54:42.579-06:00

Hey, everyone—it's March, and you know what that means, right? A sweet harbinger of the coming spring and summer, Jarling's will reopen for the season TODAY, March 4, at noon. So it's rainy—never mind. The temperature is supposed to be in the high 50s, which, after what we've been through this winter, will feel like a heat wave. Perfect weather for an ice cream! As mentioned below, my favorite

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-51630020403230078562011-02-24T05:31:00.001-06:002011-02-24T06:46:33.980-06:00

A quick post to tell you about a very tasty sandwich I had at the newish Cocina Real on University Avenue. The restaurant is located where, most recently, a second Dos Reales was for a while. I can't recall what the place(s) just before Dos were, but years ago the building housed a pub-like joint called Trito's (don't admit to remembering Trito's unless you want to betray your advanced age).

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-25048536422091032682011-02-20T11:32:00.004-06:002011-02-20T13:03:50.040-06:00

For this edition of Novel Food, I'm doing my book and food report on World and Town, the latest novel by Gish Jen. The story is set in a small town in New England; a town, the narrator tells us, that "dates to before the Revolution. A town that was American before America was America." The narrator's name is Hattie Kong, and she's "half half"; that is, half Chinese and half American (her mother

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-43532434025141875922011-02-15T06:53:00.004-06:002011-02-15T08:23:59.032-06:00

Check it out. This Saturday, a local cook, teacher, and food blogger is holding a class where you can learn some basics of Indian cuisine. All proceeds from the class will benefit Asha, a charitable organization that does great work with underprivileged children in India. You can find out more about the UIUC chapter of Asha (and the special monthly benefit dinners the chapter runs at the Red

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-60862543786830379102011-02-14T06:25:00.002-06:002011-02-15T09:45:36.848-06:00

Update: I was just alerted to the fact that there's free stuff to be had around town today—coffee at Pekara Bakery and Caribou Coffee, tiramisu ice cream at Marble Slab, cookies at Subway, and even a free entree (at IHOP). See the deals at chambanamoms.com.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-42408464563695507302011-02-11T05:43:00.002-06:002011-02-11T10:54:08.579-06:00

When it's so cold outside your very brain seems frozen and you can hardly remember your name, thaw that gray matter by treating yourself to a steaming bowl of soup at one of our local restaurants. Here are some comforting concoctions that should have you feeling warmer from the inside out in no time. Note that this is NOT meant to be an exhaustive list, only a mention of some of my favorite

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-14062805015378419012011-02-09T06:29:00.003-06:002011-02-11T15:37:47.553-06:00

If you're planning on taking your main squeeze out for the evening meal on V Day, I've got a recommendation for you. Black Dog Smoke and Ale House Menu for February 14 Starter: Smoked oysters* Entree:Smoked leg of lamb or prime rib* Smoked lobster tail*Choice of two sides Dessert:Pots de crème Each course is accompanied by a glass of wine from the Corkscrew $50 per person Seatings at 6 and 8

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-69734001230259326032011-02-03T06:01:00.001-06:002011-02-07T15:41:05.306-06:00

I can't believe I haven't posted this recipe in the almost 5 years I've been writing this blog, because it's a favorite. But sometimes there are inexplicable lapses. Here it is now. If you have a taste for crunchy, raw-vegetable dishes, I think you will love this salad. Puerto Rican Cabbage Salad From American Wholefoods Cuisine, by Nikki and David Goldbeck Authors' headnote to the recipe: "We

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-89292462897508490572011-01-31T07:24:00.003-06:002011-02-07T15:51:50.690-06:00

I'd pulled into the parking lot and was running around peering into all the windows at the new location of El Toro Mexican restaurant on Neil Street when I noticed that I was being watched by two fellas at the far end of the lot. Recognizing one of them, I waved, and he waved back. That fella turned out to be Victor Fuentes, one of the owners of the El Toro chain. A little embarrassed, I got back

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-46402252278101301812011-01-27T05:43:00.001-06:002011-01-27T06:31:08.421-06:00

For $6.99, you have your choice of teriyaki chicken, steak, salmon, or calamari; a small lettuce salad; several pieces of vegetable tempura; two slices of a California roll; rice; miso soup; an amuse-bouche-size noodle and cucumber salad; and hot tea (if you ask for it). Yes, you read that correctly. The tasty morsels in the bento's five compartments plus noodle salad bite plus miso soup and hot

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-92171394084858302002011-01-25T05:54:00.007-06:002011-01-25T07:33:45.775-06:00

I kid you not. There really is a Pork Crock-Star, and she lives in Mahomet. Linda Cifuentes competed in an event called Crocktoberfest in New York City last month, and her recipe took top honors. Competitors' recipes had to come together in 30 minutes or less and could include a maximum of eight ingredients. And of course, since the event was cosponsored by the company that makes Crock-Pots and

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-14363251696401547172011-01-16T07:53:00.033-06:002011-01-16T15:01:32.649-06:00

For several years now, Simona Carini (whose "pizza beans" were the inspiration for my last post) and I have been partners in an online event that we call Novel Food. We started the event after Simona introduced me to the mystery novels of Andrea Camilleri, because Sicilian food is described so lusciously in those books that we thought it would be fun to try to recreate some of the dishes

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-66408299628410634132011-01-12T05:47:00.015-06:002011-01-12T13:10:05.364-06:00

There was a cute piece in the News-Gazette a week or so ago; children were asked something like "Why do you look forward to being an adult?" One of the replies was "so I don't have to eat disgusting food!" Which reminded me of an article that fellow blogger and friend Simona Carini recently wrote for The Journal, a newspaper out of Humboldt, California. In the article Simona recalls that her

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-70646527354205329712011-01-07T06:26:00.001-06:002011-01-07T06:39:59.830-06:00

I'm bursting with excitement over my discovery that a new food-truck venture is in the works. It's called The Crave Truck, and it's going to serve one food item only: Belgian "street waffles." These waffles, as explained on the Crave Truck Web site, are quite different from the American variety: they're made from a yeast dough rather than a baking powder batter, so they're reportedly both thicker

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-81016091068892654782011-01-03T05:46:00.006-06:002011-01-04T18:08:50.078-06:00

If you've resolved to branch out and try new things, and maybe meet new people this year, I've got an idea for you. The Urbana Adult Ed Center is offering cooking classes starting next month. The classes are a one-evening affair, usually lasting a couple of hours, and here's some of what's on the buffet. The cost is $30 for each one-evening session, and you have to be hungry when you go, because

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-4897884817867923802010-12-29T14:29:00.004-06:002010-12-30T13:14:31.187-06:00

Update 12/30/10: I've added a couple of new restaurants to the list; see Buttitta's and Luna, below. ~Lisa This is very late, but in case you still haven't made up your mind about where to go on NYE, here's some info. Note that the prices listed below do not include tax, tip, or beverages (except wine pairings at additional cost where applicable). bacaro How does smoked sablefish grab you?

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-6720684246557374592010-12-26T11:29:00.012-06:002010-12-27T07:35:56.311-06:00

On this blog I've often mentioned my Sicilian-American mother and her cooking and have shared recipes for Italian (or Italian-American) dishes. For Christmas this year, I thought I'd honor my father's side of the family. My dad's ancestry was mainly English (I have a family tree documenting that ancestry, and it goes back to the 1600s), on his father's side. His mother, my paternal grandmother,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-46621710280726660992010-12-23T06:39:00.007-06:002010-12-24T14:39:53.452-06:00

People have been asking me if I know of any restaurants around Champaign-Urbana that will be open on Christmas day. After having done some research, and with helpful input from Laura of chambanamoms, here's what I've got. Though the list isn't super long, there are more places open than I thought there would be. The following restaurants will be OPEN on Saturday, December 25: American Grill in

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-24011177446183577002010-12-20T06:10:00.000-06:002010-12-20T07:44:50.004-06:00

Here's one from the archives, as the holidays seem like a good time to bring it back. This is a great spread to have around at get-togethers. I think it's especially good stuffed in celery, because the lightness and crunch of the celery perfectly complements the heaviness and sharpness of the cheese, but it's also delish on crackers or in sandwiches. Note that it's best served at room

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-62436907458568135972010-12-15T06:43:00.022-06:002010-12-15T08:23:16.135-06:00

I reported on the beef-noodle soup at Xinh Xinh Cafe almost two years ago, when the cafe first opened, and last summer I talked up the salad-like noodle bowls. This time I must tell you about the chicken-noodle soup. Pho ga, that is. The broth is fragrant with ginger and star anise, it's piping hot and filled with rice noodles and chunks of tender chicken, and I highly recommend it at this frigid

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-74477457706532098782010-12-13T07:07:00.003-06:002010-12-13T09:17:05.290-06:00

We took some food to a friend's birthday celebration Saturday night, and it all went over so well I wanted to share a couple of recipes with you in case you'd like to try them. Plus I have a few party-food tips that may come in handy if you're having company and you don't want to cook. First off: sun-dried tomato dip. This is a delectable concoction that, as Ina Garten says in the headnote to the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-31320725596737719462010-12-10T05:52:00.026-06:002010-12-10T10:09:06.367-06:00

Food—Korean fusion Drink—Pepsi products Location—Campus Average price for an entree—$7; tacos are $2 each Atmosphere—Fast-food Service—Counter only Patio seating—No Vegetarian-friendly—No; you can get bi-bim-bap with no meat, but that's it as far as I could see Child-friendly—Perhaps; it was crowded and loud the day I visited This Korean fusion restaurant opened on Green Street just last month.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-66704122783716928502010-12-07T06:57:00.016-06:002010-12-07T07:50:56.821-06:00

Another tantalizing treat from Jaffrey's World Vegetarian. Last time it was the curried lentil soup, and now here's a quick and easy stir-fry. Look, only three main ingredients: cauliflower, ginger, and cilantro. Very warming and aromatic. I must buy that book! I got it from the library and had to return it, but I really want it on my bookshelf. Cauliflower Stir-Fried with Ginger and Cilantro

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-7548943084794547212010-12-03T05:56:00.004-06:002010-12-03T09:00:44.331-06:00

Have you ever heard of this 1950s-style, automotive-themed restaurant? Thanks to my friend JB, I found out about it. It's about 40 minutes from Champaign-Urbana—kind of a nice drive if the weather cooperates. A couple of friends and I made the trip earlier this fall. You can take I-72 part of the way, or just head west on Springfield Ave. until it turns into IL-10, which takes you into Clinton,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-20581182220414945322010-12-01T05:20:00.013-06:002010-12-01T08:40:57.653-06:00

Get out the candles and the dreidels—the first night of Chanukah starts at sundown. If you don't celebrate this holiday, you may not know that it begins tonight and runs for eight nights. Because I had a lot of Jewish friends growing up, I was always aware of the holiday even though I'm not Jewish myself (and, incidentally, the Jewish kids in the public schools I went to in Los Angeles were

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-91776565284639200352010-11-29T05:47:00.001-06:002010-11-29T07:12:50.402-06:00

Wonderfully simple, blessedly inexpensive (chuck roast), totally scrumptious—an absolute keeper if you're an omnivore. And perfect for a chilly evening. On the side we had sauteed kale dressed with olive oil and lemon juice, and a bottle of Valpolicella! Oven-Braised Beef with Tomato Sauce and Garlic From The Gourmet Cookbook, edited by Ruth Reichl From the headnote to the recipe: "When you

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-49685584389152394302010-11-26T06:58:00.006-06:002010-11-28T12:07:59.242-06:00

A person cannot live on day-old pumpkin pie alone. Thus, in honor of the day after Thanksgiving, I'm dusting off a few of the recipes involving leftover turkey that I've had on this blog, and I've got links to some other sites where you'll find MANY more. From the Southern United States to Mexico to Italy and India, these recipes span the globe. Hope you see (and eat) something you like. This

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-66238108907763206162010-11-24T07:32:00.002-06:002010-11-24T10:05:31.168-06:00

I'm re-posting this from the archives (it's originally from 2007), because it has Thanksgiving ideas and recipes in it that you may be interested in. Plus, I like to look back and remember. I've added some updates and photos to the post from this year's event, which I'm getting a head start on.  Once again in 2010, we got a turkey from Triple S Farm (but only a 12-pounder). It's funny, because

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-40611718026544060332010-11-22T05:31:00.002-06:002010-11-22T07:15:58.601-06:00

Turkey day is almost upon us, and I know what you're probably thinking about: Should I roast, grill, or fry the bird? Should I stuff it or bake the dressing on the side? Does everyone have to be subjected to Auntie M's Cranberry Surprise, or can I tell her I'll make the cranberry sauce this year?! How many pies should I make? Do I have enough serving dishes? Or perhaps there are other things on

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-29828250213927785772010-11-18T07:17:00.003-06:002010-11-18T07:27:27.908-06:00

Seems like people either love blue cheese or they hate it; if you're a lover, I think you'll appreciate this recipe, which comes from the book New Recipes from Moosewood Restaurant. What I like about it is that it doesn't have mayonnaise in it like some other recipes I've seen do. Although I love mayo, I think that it can bog down a blue-cheese dressing. This Moosewood version is light and fresh

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-50557561636978519942010-11-15T06:18:00.002-06:002010-11-15T12:12:07.329-06:00

The Courier Cafe in downtown Urbana is celebrating 30 years in operation this week. I've been meaning to do a write-up on it for ages and have taken numerous photos there over the past couple of years, but I never got a post together. When I saw the anniversary announcement I realized it had to be done now. The Courier serves lunch and dinner as well as breakfast, but the morning meal is what

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-54946664968546376082010-11-12T06:03:00.007-06:002010-11-15T12:11:32.463-06:00

[Update 11/15/10: The Serious Eats article The United States of Pizza: Illinois (Beyond Chicago Edition) has been published; C-U and CT are in it. Thanks, Daniel!] Daniel Zemans, who writes for Serious Eats and is putting together a piece on the best pizzas in Illinois (there's already a Chicago edition; he's going to do the rest of the state next), asked me the other day where I like to go for

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-15639449059717283902010-11-08T06:05:00.014-06:002010-11-19T07:34:26.257-06:00

If you detect the aroma of something delicious frying near the corner of First and Green streets, that's because it is. Yes, friends: Derald's, up to now mostly mobile purveyors of fine grilled and fried foods, has opened a stationary eatery in the space formerly occupied by Ye Olde Doughnut Shoppe and Noe's BBQ. Though officially within the boundaries of Campustown, and thus handy for UI

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-33401301357751679832010-11-03T06:18:00.003-05:002011-01-14T10:21:07.227-06:00

Food—Chinese, with Taiwanese specialties Drink—Tea, sodas Location—Just south of downtown Champaign Average price for an entree—$10 Atmosphere—Very bright and open, almost cafeteria-like Service—Helpful Patio seating—No Vegetarian-friendly—Yes Child-friendly—Yes Reservations—Accepted This review has been a long time in coming. The reason for that is that I really found it difficult to get my

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-39398915429826490952010-10-28T05:43:00.002-05:002011-09-26T15:57:40.905-05:00

Do you like honey? What's not to, right? It's gooey, it's fragrant, it's nourishing, and those amazing little creatures known as honey bees make it. I recently received a copy of our own University of Illinois Press's new book filled with honey lore and recipes (it's really a cookbook), so naturally, I wanted to try a recipe from the book and share. The book's subtitle is "sweet treats from the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-16801166982446534692010-10-23T10:01:00.023-05:002011-06-09T12:34:22.765-05:00

UPDATE 6/9/2011: Look below—Lord and Lacy are at a new location this summer. Plus, they'll be serving their BBQ at the North First Street farmers' market on Thursdays. -Lisa I'm excited to tell you that there's a new kid on the BBQ block. Yep, there's wood-fired barbecue going on in Champaign that you probably don't know about. Thanks to my friends J and D, I got the lowdown yesterday and went

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-62577119112424694552010-10-21T06:02:00.002-05:002010-10-21T06:46:12.625-05:00

When I think of pot roast, I usually think chuck, but this recipe called for a round roast—which was lucky, because that's what I had on hand. The recipe comes from those mavens of 80s cuisine and builders of the Silver Palate empire, Sheila Lukins and Julee Rosso. The dish is quite fitting for these cooler fall evenings. Pot Roast Pasta From The New Basics Cookbook, by Julee Rosso and Sheila

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-50885899483323509572010-10-18T05:50:00.008-05:002010-10-18T07:01:56.258-05:00

If you're interested in starting or continuing to buy locally raised, organic meat and poultry, even after the market closes for the season, talk to Stan Schutte of Triple S Farm at the Urbana Farmers' Market one of these Saturdays, but don't wait too long—he'll be there only through October. His stand is located along the Illinois Street side of the market, near Vine Street. We've bought all of

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-61891850977516970732010-10-12T05:41:00.002-05:002010-10-12T18:08:21.912-05:00

Food—Indian, with Chettinad and other South Indian specialties Drink—Lassis (plain and mango), chai, lime juice (sweet or salt) Location—The Crossing, corner of Windsor and Duncan Average prices—Appetizer: $4.50; Dosas: $5; Main dishes: $9 Atmosphere—Casual, comfortable Child friendly—Yes Vegetarian friendly—Big YES Service—Eager Outdoor seating—No The first time that I ever tasted authentic

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-3897548255794528872010-10-10T10:11:00.016-05:002010-10-10T12:19:33.427-05:00

I picked up the thick tome titled Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian at the Champaign library last week. Coming in at around 750 pages, this cookbook's length rivals but doesn't quite best that of my old copy of Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking (almost 800 pages). With more than 650 recipes, and sections on dried beans, peas, and lentils; vegetables (of course!); grains

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-64436173816338855792010-10-04T06:37:00.002-05:002010-10-04T08:13:38.001-05:00

So many things are going on around town this month—and these are just the food-related events that I know about—that I thought I'd better put all of the information in one place for you. Note that all of the following are benefits for local organizations, so you can eat, drink, have fun, and do some good, too. Eastern Illinois Food Bank Food for Families Fund Drive When: October 2 through 16

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-54082968558069822192010-10-01T06:01:00.001-05:002010-10-01T11:17:59.625-05:00

I'm re-posting this report from last year, seeing as how Oktoberfest is upon us once again. Here's the 2010 info on Bayern Stube. You can also celebrate Oktoberfest right here in town, at 88 Broadway and at Das Cafe in Urbana (Das Cafe was formerly called La Gourmandise Bistro on Main). Check the links for more info on the happenings at both of those venues. Have you been to Bayern Stube, the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-60555079826362601372010-09-28T06:06:00.004-05:002010-09-28T12:43:15.634-05:00

Brunch offerings—French toast, Benedicts, omelets, potato skillets, roesti, sandwiches, entrées Drink specials—Mimosa, Bloody Mary Location—Downtown Champaign Price range—$3 to $16, with most meals averaging around $9 Atmosphere—French bistro Child friendly—I'd say yes Vegetarian-friendly—Yes Service—Knowledgeable and fun Outdoor seating—Yes Reservations—Accepted, but generally not needed for

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-31663132523749104432010-09-22T06:05:00.018-05:002010-09-24T08:18:12.282-05:00

According to an article that appeared in Gourmet magazine in January 2009, "when Salvatore Lupo opened the Central Grocery in 1906, the downriver end of the French Quarter was referred to as Little Palermo," because thousands of Sicilians had settled in New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries—and a whole lot of them opened small groceries. The Central Grocery, the most famous of the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-59008814531589786802010-09-19T11:55:00.005-05:002010-09-19T16:45:28.811-05:00

Here's one for the farmers. Many thanks to poet Charles Goodrich for his poems and for allowing me to republish this one. Wild Geese I’m picking beans when the geese fly over, Blue Lake pole beans I figure to blanch and freeze. Maybe pickle some dilly beans. And there will be more beans to give to the neighbors, forcibly if necessary. The geese come over so low I can hear their wings creak

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-75241526651720416052010-09-14T06:17:00.027-05:002010-09-14T09:36:09.965-05:00

Lovely weather we've been having, yes? Great for a drive in the country. Well, okay, going to Curtis Orchard doesn't really qualify as a drive in the country—it's so close by. But that's the beauty of CO; you feel like you're in the country, but you don't have to go far out of town at all to get to it. If you've never been, the orchard is on Duncan Road, just south of Curtis Road. The

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-52722150228072733252010-09-08T06:15:00.001-05:002010-09-08T08:40:42.011-05:00

Sorry for the late notice, but I only just registered the fact that the Common Ground Food Co-op (CGFC) is holding their third annual fundraiser for the local food bank tomorrow. We've attended these cookouts before; they're nice events for the whole family, and a fun way to both help the food bank give to people in need and meet the farmers who provide us with so much good food here in

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-46278666135270958752010-09-06T13:17:00.007-05:002010-09-06T17:36:32.486-05:00

I got the largest tortillas you've ever seen in your life the other day at El Charro, the Mexican grocery/taqueria on Green St. They're 13 inches in diameter, for heaven's sake! Seeing only small corn and flour tortillas in the case, I asked the proprietor if he had any large flour ones, and this is what he brought out: And yes, that is duct tape along one edge of the bag; yours truly didn't

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-14636898608200091182010-08-30T06:52:00.014-05:002010-08-30T08:41:08.896-05:00

Have you ever eaten a dosa? If not: A dosa is a South Indian dish. It's a very thin pancake, similar in a way to the French crêpe except that the batter is made from finely ground rice and lentils instead of wheat flour. The ones they're making at Mirsung are really something, don't you think? I had never seen such a dosa before—quite a dramatic presentation, and it had actually flattened

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-34288297047075385002010-08-27T06:30:00.002-05:002010-09-06T11:56:17.606-05:00

Food—Thai and Chinese Drink—Thai iced tea and coffee, soft drinks Location—Just north of campus and near downtown Champaign Average price for an entree—$7.00 Atmosphere—Quaint fast-foodish Service—Courteous and quick Patio seating—No Vegetarian-friendly—Yes Child-friendly—Yes It's easy to miss Golden Wok, tucked away as it is between a get-cash-now joint and an apartment building that dwarfs it.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-7824486094283927942010-08-23T06:45:00.005-05:002010-09-03T14:12:58.427-05:00

When I saw that Simona, my partner in the semiannual Novel Food events, was hosting an event called My Legume Love Affair, I knew I wanted to join in. Actually, I've been meaning to cook a dish for the event since forever; it was started by Susan of The Well-Seasoned Cook quite a while ago and is wildly popular. MLLA is a great event that you'll want to look into if you are a bean and legume

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-24957110347452399882010-08-20T06:55:00.004-05:002010-08-20T09:35:46.988-05:00

Apparently, it is no longer summer. That was fast. I know that school is back in session, but I'm making no concessions until the equinox. You know, the autumnal equinox, which occurs on September 22, which is the auspicious day on which Simona, my partner in the semi-annual Novel Food event, and I plan to publish the roundups for the event. What is Novel Food, you ask. If you haven't seen one

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-59931269590818714102010-08-19T06:21:00.001-05:002010-08-20T08:05:37.864-05:00

Update: As of yesterday afternoon, the road work is finished and Springfield Avenue is open again. So this post is already out of date. But you should still go to Mas, anyway. And now you won't have any trouble getting to its parking lot. ~Lisa A quick note to let you know that Mas Amigos, the Mexican restaurant on Springfield Avenue (next to the old Euro-Mart, just east of the Neil Street

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-47803768792693169082010-08-15T07:33:00.005-05:002010-08-16T08:10:54.377-05:00

Julia Child would have been 98 years old today (she died in 2004, at 92). On this, her birthday, I've been watching episodes from The Way to Cook DVDs, which are companions to the book of the same title. Book and DVDs were produced in 1985, so Julia was in her 70s at that point. She's a different Julia from the one who appeared in The French Chef, her first video series, which premiered on

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-47605930472434624972010-08-13T05:06:00.002-05:002010-08-13T07:24:05.549-05:00

This summer is like a bad winter, isn't it? In the sense that it's so unpleasant to do anything outdoors that cabin fever is striking and driving you (OK, me) just the tiniest bit batty? And it's so dense and hot that you can hardly remember your name or when you last had the windows of your house or your car open? I could go on, but instead I'll tell you about a nice salad dressing that will

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-14943190406728600812010-08-10T06:17:00.006-05:002010-08-10T09:20:11.819-05:00

I suddenly realized that the anniversary of Julia Child's birth is coming up on SUNDAY (August 15). It kind of got by me this year. As you may know, for the past four years I've hosted a celebration of Mrs. Child's life and work on this blog; it's super-late to announce the event at this point, but I'm doing it anyway. What with the late notice and all, I don't expect anyone to join in; however,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-15100596053566105232010-08-06T08:40:00.006-05:002010-08-06T12:21:15.977-05:00

It doesn't often happen that a highly anticipated event lives up to one's expectations, does it? There's so often disappointment. In the case of one highly anticipated meal in Flagstaff, Arizona, though, I was thrilled to discover that sometimes the experience actually exceeds expectations, and in a big way. Driving to Utah last week, we made it into New Mexico and then the Grand Canyon State,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-28943085238929796882010-07-30T09:41:00.011-05:002010-08-03T11:28:09.332-05:00

Greetings from Park City, Utah, where my only niece is getting married today. In honor of her wedding I'm republishing one of Jason Tandon's fabulous poems, which I thought was fitting for this Very Special Edition of Food Poetry. Many thanks to Jason for the poem and for letting me use it. Congratulations, Lisa and Joshua; may you celebrate many a happy anniversary in the years to come. For

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-1711663184175189712010-07-24T20:38:00.003-05:002010-07-24T20:53:55.775-05:00

Hi, all. We're on the road to points west, specifically the Grand Canyon and then my niece's wedding in Park City, Utah. After a sketchy day yesterday and the day from hell today (involving changing a blown-out tire on the side of the Interstate with one semi truck after another whizzing by in 100-degree heat), the dinner we had tonight in Amarillo, we're hoping, signals that the worst is over

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-55370273950594122872010-07-19T05:48:00.020-05:002010-07-19T07:41:01.826-05:00

Have you ever had paella? I like to think of it as the Spanish jambalaya: rice with seafood and/or meats and sometimes vegetables. The version I had at V. Picasso was "mixed"; that is, it included seafood (shrimp and mussels), chicken, chorizo sausage, and green beans. The paella was served in a traditional two-handled metal pan, and it was a very large portion (I took half of it home, having

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-57844385061617907472010-07-16T06:27:00.002-05:002010-07-16T07:52:42.266-05:00

This is a great party dip. I've made onion dips before—there was the Carmelized Onion Dip last September, which had goat cheese in it, and of course we've all made the Lipton Soup variety. I'm pronouncing this version The Best of All. The only thing that takes any time is the browning of the onions, and that does require about 20 minutes of cooking time. But it's worth it. This is the way the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-42554615730440942402010-07-14T06:32:00.005-05:002010-07-14T11:00:29.585-05:00

This post is from last summer; I'm putting it back up because the noodle bowls are such a great hot-weather dish, and Shai is offering a special this summer: five different bowls for FIVE BUCKS each at lunch time. All of the bowls come with a chopped (fried) veggie spring roll, and then you can have your choice of grilled beef, pork, or chicken (or, for a veggie version, you can have double the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-83080307784201325812010-07-12T05:36:00.000-05:002010-07-12T08:04:14.150-05:00

I just have to share this recipe with you, because it's great! Saw it on CHOW; the pulled pork was an ingredient in a delicious-sounding recipe for nachos. First I'm going to give you the recipe as it appeared on the CHOW site; afterward, I'll tell you how I made it even easier. Beer-Braised Pulled Pork From CHOW 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon ground chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-56142828870859697562010-07-06T06:24:00.004-05:002010-07-06T08:05:59.167-05:00

If you sampled the Caribbean Grill's food at the Taste of Champaign event recently and it left you wanting more, I have good news. Your next chance to eat some of their tasty offerings is coming right up. Next Saturday, July 10, Caribbean Grill will be one of the food vendors at a fair and walk-a-thon sponsored by local organizations and businesses including radio stations Q96 and WGKC, the U of

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-66318658038625574392010-07-02T06:28:00.007-05:002010-07-02T13:04:49.563-05:00

I love a Cuban sandwich. I mean, ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, and dill pickles layered  between slices of fresh bread and then grilled until warm and melty—if you're a meat eater, what's not to like? In my quest to try all of the Cuban sandwiches offered around C-U, I recently sampled the version made at Radio Maria in downtown Champaign. It was a good sandwich. It contained all of the

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-65455123099839549382010-06-30T05:41:00.001-05:002010-06-30T06:41:33.662-05:00

The limerick contest deadline was Monday night. The judges were deep in deliberations yesterday, and it was a very tough call to narrow our favorite limericks down to just three. But we persevered, and we finally came to a consensus. Here are the winners. First place goes to Jay's all-about-barbeque-in-CU poem: When you want tasty 'que with your grog you should try Famous Dave's for some hog

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-20217902426926489702010-06-28T05:56:00.003-05:002010-06-28T08:25:12.871-05:00

This is a tasty dish to make if you have leftover rice. I first learned about it from some French friends while serving in the Peace Corps; they told me it was a standard pique-nique dish. The "recipe" is very flexible; you take cooked rice, mix it with whatever vegetables you have on hand, and toss the rice and veggies with a simple vinaigrette. I'll tell you how I made it last night. French

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-30042256166397998242010-06-25T06:07:00.042-05:002010-06-25T08:33:03.384-05:00

Thad Morrow, owner of bacaro restaurant and wine bar in downtown Champaign, wants to cook with the freshest ingredients possible and to use the vegetables, fruits, meats, and poultry that our local farmers produce. Thus, every Monday night throughout the summer and into the fall, he's running Market Monday dinners at the restaurant. The local-food-focused tasting menu, consisting of five courses

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-14397829060081226612010-06-22T06:20:00.008-05:002010-06-22T10:43:30.568-05:00

I guess we're all Louisiana, all the time here these days. There was the crawfish boil, and that same weekend, by coincidence, my esteemed partner had decided to try his hand at red beans and rice. Laissez les bons temps rouler, chér. I'd recently purchased John Besh's book My New Orleans, so of course we used Chef Besh's recipe. Only we added sausage as well as ham. And not just any sausage,

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-74319364215357699602010-06-14T05:38:00.011-05:002010-06-29T07:30:46.883-05:00

6/29/10: Because the contest has ended, the comments for this post have been closed. Thanks so much to everyone who left a limerick! ~Lisa You know how we love poetry around here at CT. And how we love to have contests. Well, once again we're merging our two loves, and this time, your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to write a LIMERICK. A food-related limerick, of course. The

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-57809245640373363272010-06-08T06:37:00.001-05:002010-06-21T09:15:22.814-05:00

I had a couple of pork tenderloins from Triple S Farm, and as I thought about what I wanted to do with them, the fact that I also had orange juice in the fridge, a can of chipotle salsa in the cupboard, and a new container of honey from the farmers' market came to mind. This Cuban-inspired dish is very quick and easy, except that you have to allow for the marinating time. This is the salsa I

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-81231392567754805842010-06-01T06:13:00.002-05:002010-06-01T07:48:14.469-05:00

Please welcome Vern Fein, a guest contributor this week. Vern is on the board of the organization Salt & Light, which provides emergency food aid to people who need it. Thanks, Vern, for the information about this fund drive. ~Lisa If you patronize restaurants and other food establishments in and around C-U, here's a chance to help people in need at the same time. Beginning today, June 1, and

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-15169755627562010312010-05-29T11:59:00.019-05:002010-05-29T15:56:14.283-05:00

The Urbana farmers' market is in full swing in the Lincoln Square parking lot. And this was an extra-good day for it: sunny, breezy, not too hot. Very pleasant. Thought you might like to take a little stroll with me and peruse some of the offerings. As you may know, two mainstays of spring, produce-wise, are strawberries and asparagus. Both were abundantly available this week. The strawberries

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-46875482895258347102010-05-24T05:58:00.040-05:002010-05-24T08:07:25.047-05:00

My niece and her fiancé visited C-U over graduation weekend; they drove down from Chicago bearing flavorful gifts from Ream's Market in Elburn, IL. Boy, we were happy to see them, ho ho. I had never heard of the market before—have you? Ream's is a meat market in rural Kane County that's been in operation since 1904. The family-owned business produces award-winning sausages and smoked meats. (

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-55072405114228060062010-05-21T06:36:00.003-05:002010-06-01T08:12:44.690-05:00

UPDATE 5/23/2010: The restaurant is now open, Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Phone number is 217-398-8988. Credit and debit cards are now accepted. Look for my review in the near future. ~Lisa Just a quick one to let you know that I stopped by Golden Harbor last evening, and this is the note I saw in the window:

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-1147627276214791002010-05-17T06:57:00.000-05:002010-05-17T12:16:21.389-05:00

Here's one from the archives. From the very same day in May of 2006, as it happens. I made the stew again this weekend, and coincidentally, it was rainy and cold, as it apparently was when I made the stew in '06. Guess that goes to show that neither my cooking habits nor weather patterns change very much over time. One sad note is that back when I wrote this post, we still had our three cats;

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-51177519919013176272010-05-13T06:04:00.002-05:002010-05-13T14:47:00.033-05:00

If you happen to have people coming into town for graduation weekend, as we do, Escobar's is one of the restaurants I'd recommend taking them to for lunch or dinner. Look at the great shrimp po' boy I had there recently at lunchtime. There were many crispy-fried shrimp—on a large bun, not a long roll or baguette, because this po' boy is actually a torta—with black-bean and corn relish and a tasty

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27528737.post-24349636367643692732010-05-10T06:32:00.003-05:002010-05-10T08:05:26.917-05:00

Mmm, scrambled eggs fried with pieces of corn tortillas; scrambled eggs fried with chorizo sausage, sporting a sprinkling of cotija cheese; fresh corn tortillas fried and smothered with green sauce; all accompanied by mounds of flavored rice and pools of cheese-topped refried beans. A couple of friends and I were lucky enough to have sampled all of the above last week at Taco Loco in Champaign.

Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01970997615781244805noreply@blogger.com5