Chicago…a tangy, cheesy inspiration
We spent a long weekend in Chicago, arriving on the heels of a gigantic storm that ripped up ancient trees and downed power lines. Although Friday afternoon was steamy and hot, Saturday and Sunday were clear and sunny. This is the view from the apartment we stayed in, thanks to the gracious kindness of GH’s sister… it was great!
On a walk down Astor Place we passed this secret garden, locked up tight, but the view was free for the taking. Check out the little aqueduct that flows past a pair of sphinx.
I love to take photos of ornamental stonework…this sandstone example reminds me of thistle leaves.
We browsed a farmers’ market on Divison between State and N. Clark. There were lots of peaches for sale but I wasn’t buying…I didn’t want to carry them all day. I have yet to eat a peach this season but I hope to fix that situation this week.
We ate so many fabulous meals …excellent sushi, an absolutely perfect brioche french toast with mascarpone chese, chicago hot dogs, lobster rolls, cannollis. Saturday night we went to Second City to see Pratfall of Civilization. It was a hilarious revue of our crazy culture and I laughed so hard at the comedy terriorist skit (they tell jokes that bomb) that I had tears in my eyes. Before the show we ate a delightful middle eastern meal at Old Jerusalem. They serve a salad of tomatoes, cucumber, and onions dressed with yogurt, lemon juice, and feta cheese. It was good at the restaurant and when I got home today I saw all the ingredients (except cucmbers) sitting in my refrigerator waiting for me to recreate it’s fabulousness. So after a few hours of pulling gigantic weeds from my flower garden I went inside and prepared a quick dinner of leftover curry with jasmine rice and a side salad ala Old Jerusalem. It’s tangy and cheesy…I love it.
Old Jerusalem Salad
4 small tomatoes
1 small onion
handful of basil
1/3 cup of plain yogurt
juice of one lemon
1/3 feta cheese, grated
Chop the tomatoes and onion in a large dice, salt lightly. Mix the yogurt, lemon juice, and feta in a bowl. Add the tomatoes and onions. Stir and top with the chopped basil.
Click here for the recipe.
7 Responses to “Chicago…a tangy, cheesy inspiration”
1 Valli 27 August 2007 @ 5:26 am
Glad you enjoyed your trip to the “windy city”. Unfortunately as reported on the news they had hurricane force winds. I will have to try the Jerusalem Salad..I have all the ingredients necessary.
2 Maxine 27 August 2007 @ 6:48 am
You were right in my neighborhood - I live right across from Old Jerusalem and it’s one of my favorite falafel spots! I haven’t had the Jerusalem Salad, but I’ll definitely have to try it. There’s lots of fantastic eating in Chicago, but I’m so glad you sampled our most important fare: hot dogs! :)
3 vanessa 27 August 2007 @ 12:41 pm
Maxine, we had hot dogs at The Weiner’s Circle…I wasn’t so crazy about them…I’m a Portillos girl or maybe Luke’s out on the Harlem and Irving Park. GH grew up there and his mom still lives there. Way too much delicious food to cram into a long weekend.
4 Katiez 27 August 2007 @ 1:49 pm
It’s been years since I’ve been in Chicago! (I don’t count O’Hare) I always rather liked that city. I love the salad - dressed with yogurt… delicious!
5 Claire N 27 August 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Oh, I’m so sorry that you haven’t had peaches this year! They’ve been great here. Did you go to a Cubs game in Chicago? I definitely would have done that. This salad looks delicious…I’m tagging it to try! Thanks!
6 leena! 28 August 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Wow. Thank you so much for this. I moved away from Chicago in February to get my Masters in food writing in Australia, and I woke up this morning severely missing my old city and most importantly, the food. You were staying in my old neighborhood! And you went to the farmers market I went to, and ate my favorite restaurant, Old Jerusalem, which in my mind makes the best hummos on the planet. Oh, and I used to take classes and perform at Second City. And eat chicago-style hot dogs twice a week. Sigh. Thanks for that little slice of home!
7 vanessa 29 August 2007 @ 7:13 am
Katiez, ORD is certainly a level of hell best avoided.
Claire N, no cubbie game…we’re not really sporty people. We did hit many bookstores and of course the Jass Record Mart.
lenna, so glad you enjoyed it.
Maxine, as per the GH Luke’s is at Belmont and Harlem…oh those details, they’ll be my downfall yet.
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