Recipe: James Beard's Huckleberry Cake

by jbfauthor on May 22, 2009

An Oregon native, James Beard was fond of the many types of wild berries that dot the Pacific Northwestern landscape. In Delights and Prejudices he recounts the springtime berry-picking excursions he took as a child with his family, searching for fruits to use in baked goods and jams. The holy grail of these outings was the huckleberry, which typically grows on mountain slopes and is difficult to reach. When the Beards had the good fortune to stumble upon an elusive patch, they gathered huckleberries to put in pies, clafoutis, or this simple but fantastic cake, a recipe from a family friend. Huckleberry cultivation is rare, so you usually won't see them at grocery stores or farmers' markets. Blueberries, which are similar in flavor and will be available soon, are an excellent substitute.

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Eye Candy: Beard House

by jbfauthor on May 21, 2009

Pizza topped with smoked mozzarella, fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic vinaegar, and basil—one of the many pies prepared by Mark Bello at his artisanal pizza workshop.

May 2, 2009, The Beard House, NYC

(Photo by Annabel Braithwaite)

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Eat this Word: Watermelon Radish

by jbfauthor on May 21, 2009

WHAT? A radish by any other name... Also known as Rose Heart, Beauty Heart, Shinrimei, Misato, Asian Red Meat, or Xin Li Mei, this mild, slightly sweet radish is deceptive. The root’s dull greenish-white exterior belies its vibrant interior—at its heart, this baby boasts bright magenta flesh. When you slice into the greenish outer rind to reveal the pink center, it’s clear how this blushing bulb got its Western name, watermelon radish. But don’t let the name and size (they can grow to be the size of a grapefruit) scare you—this is no genetically engineered melon-radish hybrid, it’s an heirloom variety of daikon radish. During watermelon radish season (from spring into summer), you’ll find them adding color and crunch to salads and sandwiches. WHERE? Brian Lewis's Beard House dinner WHEN?

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Recipe: Juanita Dean’s Southern Fried Chicken

by jbfauthor on May 20, 2009

It may only be Wednesday, but we're already thinking about what to pack for our Memorial Day picnic. Sure burgers and dogs are great, but nothing is quite the same as a great piece of crispy fried chicken. Perfect hot or cold, this Southern fried chicken is a guaranteed crowd pleaser—no buns or condiments required. This version of the classic comes to us from JBF Associate member Dr. Nathan Goldstein. While growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, Juanita Dean’s fried chicken was one of his family’s favorite snacks. Dean learned the “recipe” from her mother, who probably learned it from her mother. Recipe is in quotation marks because, of course, nothing was ever measured.

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