Recipe: Cornbread a la Hungry Mother Restaurant

I picked up a few boxes of 365 Organic Cornbread mix yesterday to try my hand at making cornbread like I had at Hungry Mother restaurant in Cambridge, MA.

The result: Way better cornbread than I've ever made. No way near as good as Hungry Mother.

• Mixed up batter according to instructions
• Pre-heated 12" cast iron pan in 400 degree convection oven
• Melted 3T butter in pan
• Added batter and baked for 14 minutes (3 minutes less than recommended)

The bottom was slightly crispy; brown but not crunchy enough. The top was nice, but not crisp at all. I popped out of the pan (came out no problem) and sliced it up. I think next time, I'll try baking a little longer, maybe getting the butter a little hotter, and to get the top more crispy add some butte on the top once it sets and broil.

Recipe: Asian Ginger Scallion Chicken Thighs

The thrifty-wifey picked up a jumbo pack of chicken thighs yesterday for $4. I thought I'd try to get down what makes the best soy-sugar sauce (that is to say – the one kids eat without complaining). Here's what I did this morning:

• 3 lbs. bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 bunch scallions chopped (green and white)
• about 1" fresh ginger grated very fine
• 6T soy sauce
• 4t sugar
• 2T mirin

I put the chicken in a ziplock and dumped the sauce on and tossed it back in the fridge. We also use garlic sometimes and I like some Chinese wine, but I was out so I used the mirin instead.

The result: I grilled these up outside on the gas grill. The kids liked them (after complaining that they didn't like chicken). The sugar burned a little on the grill – rather than caramelizing as it does under the broiler. I think overnight an overnight marinade would make it better.

New Trader Joe's at Fresh Pond in Cambridge MA?

There's been some speculation that there is a new Trader Joe's grocery store opening across the street from Whole Foods at Fresh Pond in Cambridge. A few weeks ago I bumped into an old friend at Whole Foods who is well connected with a well known university, and the rumor is apparently true.

From the looks of it, there will be a new store opening by this summer. I'm looking forward to less expensive cheese and a few of my TJ's favorites:

• Frozen Gyoza Potstickers – I make up a sauce of half soy and half rice vinegar with grated fresh ginger
• Rice crackers – a family favorite
• The frozen petite peas and white corn
  

Restaurant Review: Hungry Mother in Cambridge, MA

We visited Hungry Mother restaurant in Cambridge a few weeks back with our old neighbors Titi and Julie to celebrate a birthday.

The one thing I keep thinking about is the cornbread. At $4 a plate, it's a steal and I had no idea it could taste so good. It's cooked in a cast iron mold that is filled with melted butter making it crisp (almost fried) on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. It's coated with a sweet melted butter before it is served. Yum.

The rest of the meal offered Southern inspired dishes including a fried catfish, mushroom gnocchi, steak with B-1 sauce, and an amazing crispy chicken. All were worth returning for.

Jaime Oliver Launches New Magazine

Just back from the UK and my wife picked up a copy of the second edition of the Jaime Oliver magazine. It's got beautiful production – nice pictures, paper and layout – and some nice looking recipes.