Tag: appetizers

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Best Bites Chicago

2014 Best Bite #15: Breadsticks and goat cheese, Homeslice

For the third year in a row, I’m using each day in December to celebrate the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2014, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at year-end Best Bites from 2012 and 2013.

Breadsticks and goat cheese, Homeslice
Beer-basted breadsticks with goat cheese marinara sauce for dipping

Why it’s another 2014 Best Bite: For some reason, I usually have ended up at Homeslice when I’m not hungry enough for an entire pizza (their specialty), and instead opt for more of a snack on the restaurant’s cheerful back patio. These beer-basted, pleasantly chewy breadsticks always fit the bill, with enough goat cheese–laden marinara sauce for frequent dunking.

The details: Homeslice, 938 W. Webster Ave., Chicago.

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Best Bites

2012 Best Bite #27: Popcorn cookies and deviled eggs, The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Popcorn cookies
Popcorn cookies
Deviled eggs
Deviled eggs

Why it’s a Best Bite: These were the first two recipes I made from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, the October debut from one of the very best food bloggers out there, Deb Perelman of SmittenKitchen.com. Her superbly written blog is my go-to when I don’t know what to cook, and she’s taught me the virtues of brown butter and fritters, among other delicious lessons. I made the deviled eggs for a holiday party, and loved the Spanish twist of smoked paprika and marcona almonds (though I admit that I used the bacon I had on hand instead of fancy Spanish ham). And while they may sound strange at first, the popcorn cookies made such a satisfying salty-sweet snack, especially from underbaking a little to leave the dough chewy. I was fortunate enough to meet Deb at a book signing and tell her in person how much I adored these cookies and her work.

The details: Check out the Smitten Kitchen blog, and buy the cookbook on Amazon.

Categories
Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #8: Ricotta and honeycomb vasi, Davanti Enoteca

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Ricotta and honeycomb
Ricotta and honeycomb vasi

Why it’s a Best Bite: I love Davanti’s Italian small-plates concept, and it’s appetizers like these that make it so successful. The restaurant devotes a section of its menu to vasi, toast and spreads served in miniature mason jars. The dish is a lesson in simplicity: just impossibly creamy ricotta, delicate honey, and crusty bread.

The details: Davanti Enoteca, 1359 W Taylor St., Chicago.