Ann Arbor, Michigan...a true epicurean delight.

Ann Arbor is nestled comfortably in Southeast Michigan, approximately 45 min from America's eleventh largest metropolis, Detroit. It is the home of the University of Michigan, one of the most prestigious Big Ten schools. With its bustling downtown Ann Arbor, or A2, is the home many restaurants and art galleries. Among the best places to get a drink are: Rush Street, a swank martini bar, Cafe Habana, a Latin watering hole known for its sangria, and Connor O'Neills, a traditional Irish pub. Of course there are many more to accompany them. Good places to eat include: Prickly Pear Cafe, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, and Blue Nile. Ann Arbor is also the home to many fine delicatessens and high end grocers like Zingerman's, Trader Joe's , Whole Food's, and Plum Market. The list just keeps on going. It was only a matter of time before Ann Arbor made the blog. Look for more in the future.

The Only Recipe You Need: Carbonara

This is a simple and tasty carbonara recipe that I've had fun making this summer and it never gets old. Here's the recipe from Rachel Ray:

1 pound rigatoni
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 pound pancetta (Italian bacon) chopped
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2-4 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup dry, white cooking wine
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
flat-leaf parsley optional garnish

Check it out:

Some of the essentials

Crisping the pancetta in red pepper flakes, olive oil, garlic and white wine

The rigatoni cooked al dente

Two egg yolks with 1/2 cup of water from the pot of pasta

Spread the egg and water over the pasta with the Romano cheese. Mix slowly but don't scramble the egg!


So easy...enjoy! Who said good cooking had to be hard!

Chocolate Amaretti Cake (Giada De Laurentiis)

This is a wonderful desert containing Italian cookies, semisweet chocolate chips, and orange zest, that can be jazzed up with some chocolate syrup for the ultimate chocolate lover. Recipe coming soon...

Pork Chops alla Pizzaiola (Giada De Laurentiis)

Frittata with Potato and Prosciutto (Giada De Laurentiis)

This Giada De Laurentiis recipe is delicious way to start your day. Recipe coming soon...

Italian cooking hits the big screen...

After enjoying our marinated chicken breasts with provolone served on a organic ciabatta roll, my friend and I popped in "Big Night" (1996). Big night is an excellent movie starring Stanley Tucci, Minnie Driver, and a very young and unassuming Marc Anthony, all of whom find themselves dancing the night away to "Mambo Italiano" thanks to some Italian grappa. Big Night is the comical story of two brothers and their attempt to save a failing restuarant. It is fun flick that is definitely worth checking out.
-M

Marinated Chicken Pizza with Sun Dried Tomatoes

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast

My marinade:
-1/3 cup EVOO
-2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
-2 teaspoons Frank's hot sauce
-1 tablespoon Montreal grill seasoning blend
-1 teaspoon chili powder

Pizza basics:
-1 large Meijer pre-made pizza crust
-1 small can of Contadina tomato sauce with Italian herbs
-1-2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
-Oregano and spice to taste
-Pepper flakes (of course!)



Our chicken pizza paired well with Le Bocce, a classic Italian Chianti (a dry red table wine).

UC Davis Aroma Wheel

Ann Noble an Enologist at UC Davis created the wine aroma wheel in 1984 to help wine enthusiasts identify the flavors they experience while drinking a glass of wine. The primary aromas found in a glass of wine might include chemical, pungent, oxidized, microbiological, floral, spicy, fruity, vegetative, nutty, caramelized, woody, and earthy. Look to the wine aroma wheel to help you describe the flavor profile you experience in your next glass of wine...Cheers!
-M

Louis Jadot Vino...

Louis Jadot, a French winery, offers many flavorful wines including a tasty Pinot Noir.

South American Flavor in the CU

Cono Sur es un vino chileno muy bueno utilizado por jefe de cocina mejor paraguayo de Champaign, HLN. Debajo de usted encontrará uno de platos más finos de Horacio, los ravioles atún con guisantes. ¡Fue delicioso!
-M

Out in the garden...

Recent rains and rich soil have helped my market garden "play catch up" this week. This year my garden was planted very late because of repeated heavy rainfalls and cool temperatures this spring. Now everything seems to be growing well and is completely disease free...so far. This is my second year having a garden at the Orchard Downs community gardens located off Race street in Urbana, IL. 'Hercules' pumpkins, 'Early Girl' tomatoes, Vadalia sweet onions, and many other varieties, many of which came from Johnny's Select Seeds.
-M

Welcome!

Welcome to the CU Epicurean dedicated to all things food in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. I am currently a graduate student studying crop sciences at the University of Illinois. As crop scientists, we are looking for more sustainable methods of producing food that is of the highest quality and safety. In this blog I intend to integrate the production side of agriculture with fine dining. Furthermore, the cities of Champaign and Urbana are a gold mine of restaurants, bars, and other epicurean delights. It is my intention to explore these establishments, and ultimately share them on my blog along with my gardening and cooking experiences. Enjoy!
-M