Yearly Archives: 2010
Graced by Hiroko’s Visit
August 31, 2010 | 
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Bret’s Table was honored to have Hiroko Shimbo visit for a few days recently. She was in town to teach classes at Cooks of Crocus Hill. During her visit, I had a chance to talk to her about growing up in Japan. She gives her mother much of the credit for her love of cooking [...]
Posted in General Blog, Ingredients 2 Comments
More Please …
August 15, 2010 | Print
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During my visit to La Pitchoune this past spring, Kathie and I had many conversations about French culture and their love affair with food. It was delightful to hear that children in France are able to name the various varieties of, say, strawberries and know the difference, for example, between an early season Gariguette or [...]
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L’étude du français à Bret’s Table
August 12, 2010 | Print
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What better way to learn the beautiful language of France than to immerse yourself in the language itself? This fall, you can do just that at Bret’s Table. Mme Carolynn Johnson and I will be leading a six-week class for beginning students who desire to learn French in a conversational setting. Each week, we’ll participate [...]
Posted in Cooking Classes, General Blog, Travel 3 Comments
Summertime on a Plate
August 10, 2010 | Print
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We are in the height of tomato season. These nightshades, with so many flavors, colors, and sizes, can now be found at your neighborhood market, often grown locally. Even better, seek them out at a farm stand, farmer’s market, or, if you are lucky enough, plucked from your own garden. Unlike many of our friends, [...]
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Ruby Orbs! (Beet Recipe)
August 2, 2010 | Print
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Beet season is in full swing. This still baffles me, as I was always under the impression that beets were harvested in the autumn along with parsnips, turnips, and Brussels sprouts. Has the beet season changed, now prolonged due to global warming, or have I just been sleeping in the field all these years? Regardless, [...]
Posted in General Blog, Recipes, Sides 2 Comments
Lecture with Hiroko Shimbo: Umami, The Fifth Taste Sensation
July 25, 2010 | Print
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Umami, the flavor enhancer and fifth taste sensation after sweet, salty, sour and bitter, is now an often heard word in our culinary conversations, but it so often lacks a clear definition and a clear understanding in the cooking community. Though Umami is an attribute of many foods, not necessarily Japanese, it is in the [...]
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Piccolo, On Key?
July 17, 2010 | Print
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Recently, three friends and I met at Piccolo, Doug Flicker’s new baby. Or rather ,I suppose, his toddler in restaurant years, as it has now been open for several months at 43rd and Bryant, Minneapolis. I’d heard mixed reviews, including one example where someone had an $8 meatball as part of their recent dinner. Really, [...]
Posted in General Blog, Restaurant Reviews 2 Comments
Savoring the Japanese Kitchen