I’m trying to use up the food in my pantry so I finally got around to cooking my box of soybean pasta. A co-worker made some a while back and brought in the leftovers and I didn’t taste that much of a difference in her dish (though she used a strong pesto sauce), but did notice that this pasta has a much chewier consistency than regular pasta.

I made up a quick pot of tomato sauce with garlic and basil and some turkey meatballs. I cooked the pasta even longer than suggested and it was still quite chewy. After letting it sit in the fridge for a day in the tomato sauce it softened a bit, but still a slightly chewier consistency (and slightly different flavor - hints of artichoke as well as a subtle nutty flavor) than the typical pasta. And I’ve been eating whole wheat pasta for a while now. Overall, I like the fact that it has 23 grams of protein, but would suggest you make it a day ahead and let is ‘marinade’ in you sauce of choice before serving.

I’m going to try it again, but this time toss it with roasted vegetables and a little Parmesan, as I think that might make a better flavor pairing.

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Prosecco, Dom Bertiol. It’s official - I’m moving to San Francisco next month and the booze makes the packing go quicker.

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I add 2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder to boxed chocolate cake mix and prepare as usual.

Chocolate frosting:
1 cup butter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons cream

In mixer: cream butter, sugar and cocoa until blended. Add cream and vanilla and whip until smooth.
Piped with an 823 star pastry tip

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NPR ran a piece today about the famous Iberico Ham. It’s available now in the US, though the acorn fed variety, Iberico de Bellota, is not scheduled to be in the US until this summer at an estimated price of about $90 -120/lb.

I haven’t seen any in Providence, then again I haven’t been looking. I’ll have to try Russo’s in Watertown, as it’s not too far from the office.

If anyone in New England has spotted this treat, drop me a line!

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Last night at the Whole Foods Market in Providence I spotted a display of cutely packaged Jo’s  Peanut Butter Crunch candies at the register. In my bag the twosome went along with my sushi dinner and Eden Soy soy milk.

The chocolate treat was my mid-morning snack. I’ve heard good things about Jo’s candy but found the overall flavor of the peanut butter lacking. The chocolate quality was good, smooth and melty, but again, was a weak tasting milk chocolate. Overall it was ok, but really lacked much flavor.

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