November 2007 Archives
Here's a hot way to rebel against the cold Chicago winter that looms. Throw a party, Latin style!
Tastybeat wants you to meet Venezuelan-Chicagoan Maritza Castillo. When you talk with Maritza, you find she is the embodiment of the cuisine she loves: a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy. Fifteen years ago, Maritza came to Chicago from Portuguesa, Venezuela, and she has been cooking up a storm for discerning customers ever since. Indeed, she is the caterer of choice for many in-the-know Chicagoans who crave authentic Latin-American cuisine. And when you want to turn up the heat even more on your fiesta, Maritza can hook you up with her friends, the group Araguaney. Araguaney plays upbeat, traditional Venezuelan music for parties small and large.
When you're ready to plan your menu, keep these specialties in mind:
- Pan de Jamon - Maritza's favorite, a Venezuelan treat traditionally served on Christmas Eve; a combination of plump raisins, pimento-stuffed olives, and juicy ham rolled together in a lightly sweetened dough; both sweet and savory
- Tostones - fried green plantains paired with a variety of Maritza's special salsas, including her outstanding garlic and cilantro blend
- Empanadas - small corn pockets filled with tasty black beans or your choice of chicken, beef or pork
- Hallacas - Venezuelan-style tamales filled with an assortment of meats or vegetables
- Tres Leches - a traditional yellow cake soaked in a trio of creamy milks; rich in flavor
- Quesillo - Tastybeat's top pick, a Venezuelan flan; a touch of rum takes this flan to another level: out of this world!
You can contact Maritza Castillo at 773-744-7341 or maritzacast1@sbcglobal.net
Buen Probecho!
Tastybeat
This gem arrives in plenty of time for your holiday giving! City Olive, a beautiful new boutique in Andersonville, is flowing with over 40 varieties of olive oil from 10 different countries. Owner Karen Rose prides herself on the relationships she has formed with small, award-winning olive oil producers and distributors from all over the world. After a trip to Europe, Karen's appreciation for olive oils intensified. She learned about the differences among oils from various regions as well as which foods to pair different oils with, for delicious results.
Most of the oils (and vinegars) in City Olive are open for you to taste. When you do, be sure to try the 
Persian Lime olive oil together with the Framboise vinegar. This delightful combination is a Tastybeat favorite. And here's a tasty tip for any olive oil devotee--the first press oils of the season from Tuscany and California hit the City Olive shelves in mid-December. Call now to reserve your bottle...they go fast!
If you're looking for a short list, here are three delicious olive oils Karen recommends:
- Augello - a gold medal Sicilian olive oil that comes from a small farm of under 20 acres. This oil is made from a blend of olives and has a grassy, unfiltered taste. A nice finishing oil that pairs well with arugula and shaved parmesan.
- Biolea - an organic Greek olive oil using Koroneiki olives. This oil is very fruity with a strong, but not bitter, olive flavor. Pairs nicely with a salad of greens or roasted vegetables.
- Quinta Vale de Lobos - a Portuguese oil from a region north of Lisbon where olive oil has been produced since the 18th century. This oil, from a family-owned estate, offers a blend of Arbequina and Cobrancosa olives that yield mild and fruity oil with a peppery finish. It pairs very nicely with fish.
Karen and her staff package their oils and vinegars beautifully. They are sure to be a welcomed gift for anyone on your list this season, including you!
Happy Eating,
Tastybeat
City Olive
5408 North Clark Street (map)
Chicago, IL 60640
773.878 5408
www.cityolive.com
Store Hours
Sunday: Noon to 6pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Thursday: 11am - 6:30pm
Friday: 11am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 10am - 8pm
Update: Come and get cheese at the Great American Cheese Company Warehouse for the New Year!
We are at it again. Every other Saturday. Our warehouse is open to you. Learn more...
If you love cheese, you're going to love this Tastybeat gem: Giles Schnierle of the Great American Cheese Company.
Giles is the cheese man of Chicago. Well-respected by some of the most distinguished chefs in the Chicago area, Giles provides his quality American artisan cheeses to fine restaurants including Sepia, Blackbird, Green Zebra, and Tru. Giles is not only an expert on cheese; he is also quite passionate about the small cheese producers he represents. Artisan cheeses are made by hand in small batches, and very often, they are unique to a region. Talk to an enthusiast like Giles about artisan cheeses, and you'll find it's near impossible not to develop an appreciation for artisan cheese production.
On three Saturdays this holiday season, the cheese man offers a rare and tasty opportunity. Giles' warehouse will be open for you to taste and purchase over 200 artisan cheeses made in the USA. You'll discover farmstead and organic cheeses, raw-milk, fresh, and aged cheeses. You'll taste cheeses from the milk of cows, goats, and sheep. All made by small producers, and many of them seasonal, the artisan cheese selection at the warehouse sale is guaranteed to open your taste buds to the distinctiveness of American artisan cheeses.
Giles will be on hand to share his expertise and enthusiasm, offering tips on what to buy, and how to store, serve and maintain the special cheeses you select. Giles will even help you plan a holiday cheese flight with wine and food pairings. It's worth going to the warehouse sale for this special advice alone. Some of the offerings you can expect to find include:
- St Olga - an aged, semi-firm goat milk cheese with a washed, yeast rind; slightly assertive, fresh clean, meaty; creamy mouth-feel; long finish
- Vermont Blue - a double cream Holstein cow milk cheese; earthy, musty, pungent; big flavors and a huge finish
- Rapture - a Jersey cow milk soft cheese; washed rind and then wrapped in grape leaves
- St George - a Portuguese style semi-hard Holstein cow milk cheese; nicely aged with layers of flavors but still creamy on the palate
- Pennsylvania Noble Mature - an Amish cheddar made in the style of French Cantal; organic, green, farmstead
Happy Cheese Eating,
Tastybeat
Warehouse Sale Details:
When: Sat. Nov. 24, Sat. Dec. 8, and Sat. Dec. 22
Time: 8AM to Noon
Where: Warehouse
4727 S. Talman, Chicago (between Western & California Avenues) map
773-519-5055
www.greatamericancheese.com
Parking: Lots of free street parking
During this season of thanks, Mr. Syed is happy to transform your fresh turkey into a tandoori delight. He soaks your bird for three days in a special marinade that includes ginger, garlic, lemon, chile, turmeric, and a few secret touches. Next, he roasts your turkey--stuffed with a fresh mixed vegetable and basmati rice briani--in a sizzling hot tandoori oven. In a word: succulent.
This is how it works:
- Call by November 15th to save your turkey's place in the tandoori oven.
- Buy your turkey. It must be fresh--not frozen--and weigh 18 pounds maximum.
- Drop off your bird at Bhabi's Kitchen no later than November 18.
- Schedule your pick up for Wednesday, November 21st or Thanksgiving Day the 22nd between 12pm and 9pm.
- This special tandoori preparation is $95.00.
And one more tasty note: Bhabi's Kitchen is well worth a visit to the Devon Avenue neighborhood for an excellent Indian meal. Tastybeat favors the day-long simmered eggplant dish with sesame, peanuts, coconut and a special spice mixture Mr. Syed guards closely. Coupled with his unique pistachio naan, this meal is out of this world! A must-try!
Bhabi's Kitchen
6352 N. Oakley Ave. (Devon and Oakley) view map
Chicago, IL 60659
773-764-7007
Hours: 12pm-10pm Wednesday-Monday; 5pm-10pm Tuesday
www.bhabikitchen.com
Happy feasting and enjoy a very Tasty Thanksgiving!
Tastybeat
