Momentary Musings

[culturebean]

Five minutes in the garden means string beans for dinner! #urbangarden #farmtotable #fresh #yummy #stringbeans

[culturebean]

Who says there's no wildlife in the city? #meandmymadone #morning #morningride #bicycling #bambi (at Evanston, Illinois)

[culturebean]

While in Israel, I fell hard in light very either the Jerusalem salad. My garden has been gifting me a reason to make it for breakfast or lunch several times a week recently. This is yesterday's lunch, drizzled with tahini and topped with labneh. #urbangarden #farmtotable #jerusalemsalad #tomatoes #peppers #cucumbers #yummy #healthyfood #mediterraneanfood #poolsidetreats (at Ravenswood Manor Historic District)

[culturebean]

Eggplant Parmesan, all from the garden (tomato, eggplant, basil, rosemary) plus a little Pomi and, of course, cheese. Recipe by my Roman friend--so totally authentic! #summer #farmtotable #urbangarden #eggplant #tomato #noleftovers (at Ravenswood Manor Historic District)

[culturebean]

Black plums arrived at the Lincoln Square farmers market this week!! I've been waiting for them since last year. Why? To see if the Marion Burros plum torte is as good as we remember, and it's easy to make. What a sweet way to usher in our Sabbath Black plums arrived at the Lincoln Square farmers market this week. I've been waiting for them since last year. Why? To see if the Marion Burros plum torte is as good as we remember, and it's easy to make. What a sweet way to usher in our Shabbat, with the recipe created by my parents' dear friend, and once baked with love by my father, whose memory as always for a blessing. #summer #farmtotable #nytimescooking #farmersmarket #lincolnsquarefarmersmarket #shabbatshalom

[culturebean]

Lynn Margherio, Founder & CEO of @cradlestocrayons has inspired me since before I met her. She proves that ione person with a great idea can connect and build community to make things happen to improve lives everywhere. Thank you, Lynn, for being a role model and leader. Having Cradles to Crayons in Chicago it's a blessing, both for the children we have, and for our philanthropic community. #BackpackAThon #backpackathon2017 @c2cchicago #helpingkids

[culturebean]

So proud to be volunteering at the 2017 Backpackathon for @c2cchicago! Helping 17,000 Chicago school kids get ready for school! #backpackathon #cradlestocrayons #chicago #readyforschool @c2cchicago

[culturebean]

Sitting in my favorite bookstore, reading about memoir writing counts, right? This post for everyone who has ever told me "you really ought to write a book." The gift is a favorite book (@juliaclaibornej guess which book?) for a favorite niece. I have four favorite nieces! @bookcellarchicago #bookslut #books #writing #reading #somanybookssolittletime #procrastinating #memoir #independantbooksellers #doitwhileyoucan (at The Book Cellar)

[culturebean]

Me & my Madone, reunited after a broken ankle, travel, and a slow-starting summer. Kept it short and sweet today to test my courage. And my ankle. #bicycle #trekbikes #madone45 #summer #morningride #feelingstrong #doitwhileyoucan #shadowselfie (at North Shore Channel)

[culturebean]

Jalapeños are plentiful in my garden. Instead of freezing then, I'm experimenting with spicy tomato jam. This is @markbittman recipe. Delicious on bread from @laboulangeriewilson with Brie. May try it with less sugar. May not. #yummy #farmtotable #urbangarden #jam #nytimesfood #gonnamakemore #canning #food #foodpreservation (at Ravenswood Manor Historic District)

[culturebean]

Kitchen math: Kale from friend's CSA + cookbook on loan from @art_en_object + malfunctioning (brand new) fridge + a quick trip to @paulinameatmarket = Portuguese kale and sausage soup for dinner. Big & Little we're big fans, though she didn't like the sausage topping. #familydinner #yummy #urbangarden #CSA #kale #linguisa #themediterraneantable #soup #summersoup (at Ravenswood Manor Historic District)

[culturebean]

It's that time of year again. My garden cucumbers are ripening faster than we can pick them, and the arugula is bolting. My friends CSA gifted me the most beautiful and delicious watermelon. So, what's a girl to do? A late, light lunch riffing on @chefjgv watermelon salad, among others. #yummy #farmtotable #urbangarden #watermelon #inspiredbysummer #lunch #lunchforone (at Ravenswood, Chicago)

[culturebean]

First trouchia of the summer. What's la trouchia you ask? A Provençal Swiss chard and herb omelette. Though it's traditionally finished with a gamely flip, I chose the broiler. Herbs & chard from my garden, and Kara's. Next time maybe I'll get the eggs from @montnici ! Heaven on a plate and do fresh tasting. We added parsley and basil plus gruyere and shallots. #farmtotable #urbangarden #breakfastfortwo #mediterraneanfood #mediterraneandiet #chard #swisschard #herbs #breakfast #yummy (at Ravenswood Manor Historic District)

[culturebean]

When your friend asks you to take her CSA box for a week and the lake and herbs in your own garden are plentiful, what do you do? You make chilled beet soup & quinoa salad with beer greens, avocado, kale and herbs. Soup was a little too sweet for me, and I realize now that it's because I forgot to top it with the Sorrel sauce! Thanks to Debra Madison for the excellent recipes. #vegetableliteracy #urbangarden #farmtotable #beets #avocado #kale #herbs #familydinner #yummy #forgotsomething #summer #bountiful

[culturebean]

The view from here. Back from travels to find the garden in full bloom. Will be picking raspberries for days. Let the jam and pie making begin! #urbangarden #backyard #raspberries #farmtotable #summerharvest #bountiful (at Ravenswood Manor Historic District)

[culturebean]

Some highlights of great Viennese food and drink. Ended on a high note with trout on a horseradish sauce with cabbage & potatoes. Lots of coffee, Radler, Hugo (great cocktail) and Almdudler (herbal soda). #vienna #austria #prater #familyvacation #food #yum #cafesperl #cafeleopold

[culturebean]

Open sandwiches at the 100-year-old Trzesniewski. So good. Next time will have the mini-beer with our mini-sandwiches. #trzesniewski #wien #vienna #dorotheergasse #familyvacation #snacktime #yum #pictureperfect #sandwich (at TRZEŚNIEWSKI)