Dining, Food & Wine Article |
The Secrets of the Chefs
Where do the city’s ultimate experts eat, drink, and shop? What are their confidential kitchen shortcuts? How do they entertain at the holidays? Here's an exclusive tour with Boston’s top chefs, who teach you how to cook and dine like a p
By Jane Black and Erin Byers
MING TSAI
Whether he’s serving up Occidental-meets-Asian cuisine at Blue Ginger or inspiring home chefs by the millions on his public television and Fine Living Network shows, star chef (and general good guy) Ming Tsai has encouraged us—nay, commanded us—to expand our palates beyond borders.
WHERE TO SHOP
Chin Enterprises "This is where serious Chinese cooks shop for Chinese gadgets. You'll find traditional iron woks, giant Chinese cleavers, tongs, spoons, strainers, and steamers, all at half the price they cost elsewhere." [33 Harrison Ave., Boston, 617-423-1725]
WHERE TO EAT
Sapporo Ramen "Order the miso butter noodles. The bowl is twice the size of my head." [1815 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-876-4805]
Noodle Alcove "It's unbelievable to watch the noodle guy roll, twist, fold, and pull noodles into long strands. The best way to eat the noodles is in soup, because you want to savor the texture. Chinese noodles are not al dente. They have jing jier, or bounciness. They're not mushy, not hard, not soft, but still tender." [10 Tyler St., Boston, 617-542-5857]
Chinatown Café "I always stop on the way home from Logan to get a whole red roast duck, pork belly, or the stir-fry noodles for dinner." [262 Harrison Ave., Boston, 617-695-9888]
Silvertone Bar & Grill "This is not a place to 'be seen.' But on a cold night there's nothing better than a cocktail and a bowl of their phenomenal mac and cheese." [69 Bromfield St., Boston, 617-338-7887]
SECRET WEAPON
Mandoline "If you're not handy with a knife, this slicer is the answer. It has interchangeable blades to cut vegetables to any size." [From $29.99. Available at Bed Bath & Beyond, 401 Park Dr., Boston, 617-536-1090, and other locations; bedbathandbeyond.com.]
GUILTY PLEASURE
Japonaise Bakery "Ken Oringer introduced me to this Atkins Diet nightmare. The adzuki-filled doughnuts, dusted with powdered sugar, are to die for." [Porter Exchange Building, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-547-5531; 1020 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-566-7730]
HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING TRICK
Super 88 "This amazing supermarket has 15 to 20 kinds of dim sum—fully cooked. All you have to do is re-steam or re-sear it at home. At around 50 cents apiece, it's the cheapest, fastest way to throw an impromptu party." [73-79 Essex St., Boston, 617-423-3749; 50 Herald St., Boston, 617-423-1688; other locations; super88market.com]
CHEAT SHEET
Asian Ingredients, by Bruce Cost "It's okay to look like a nerd. This book has a picture of every kind of soy sauce and condiment and tells you what to use it for. Bring it with you when you shop." [Morrow Cookbooks, $18]
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