The indigo bird crap that streaks our house and the tie-dyed sidewalk mean only one thing — mulberry season!
Mulberries are sweeter, more oblong, and more intense than blackberries. They are pit-less and have a hint of blueberry flavor. I’ve walked past these berries rotting on the ground since I was a kid in St. Louis, but this is the first year I’ve made use of them. Looking down underfoot is the easiest way to locate a mulberry tree at peak picking season.
I’ve been in the mood for fried rice lately. Maybe it’s the cold, wet, and seattle-ish Spring weather we have or the Chinese New Year that just passed. Nevertheless, it’s one of my ethnic comfort foods that fills me right up. It’s no wonder that fried rice is one of the most popular dishes in the world. Simple pearls of vegetable, rice, egg, and meat meld together with salty soy sauce in what can be described as a Chinese casserole.
The beauty of fried rice is that it is highly adaptable. I rarely make it the same way twice. The recipe is more dependent on what’s in my fridge than what a recipe calls for. It might as well be called the clean out your refrigerator meal. Take morsels of frozen vegetables, shredded egg, day old rice and you are well on your way. Continue reading
Filed under Chinese Food, Main dish, Recipe
Arlington’s economic development agency will be holding a boot camp of sorts for aspiring food cart operators.
The event, “Food Carts: Regulations and Best Practices 2011,” will be held between 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. on March 9 at the Central Library auditorium (1015 North Quincy Street). Registration is free.
Among the featured speakers will be District Taco owner Osiris Hoil, who “will share his insight on how he used his food cart business to secure a retail lease in Arlington County.” Representatives from the Arlington’s health department, police department and tax office will also be on hand.
“Are you interested in learning the legal aspects of opening this type of business in Arlington County from local regulators?” Arlington Economic Development asked in its email flier for the event. “During these tough economic times, small businesses throughout the United States are launching food carts at record rates as alternatives to leasing commercial retail space.”
The event is sponsored by BizLaunch and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. [Source: arlnow.com]
Filed under Happenings
Taste of Arlington is Arlington’s biggest eating event of the year with more than 15,000 attendees. This is like speed dating for your taste buds with more than 40 of Arlington’s favorite eatiers featured. Sip spring offerings from Virginia’s vineyards while rocking out to local muscians. There will also be lively arts and crafts, children’s activities, beer & wine.
The event will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22. Admission is free but tickets are required to sample the food and grog.
Eight advance tickets purchased online cost $20, versus $25 on the day of the event. Food samples cost one ticket, while beer and wine cost two.
Proceeds from the event will benefit several local charities and non-profits.
Flickr pool photo by: David Sachs
Filed under Event
Have you ever wished that we had our own Arlington Food Network Channel? A show that focused on all the things you can’t find on Yelp.com or Zagat? I’m talking about places that your friends don’t even know about?
Our friends over at Arlington Virginia Network (AVN) have you covered. Food For Thought is Arlington’s very own Emmy nominated show that showcases “the places you love, the diverse food in our area, and why you should see what’s in your neighborhood. ” You can expect to see these videos pop up here on arlingtonEATS.org just as fast as they crank ‘em out.
Check out Margarets Soul Food and let us know what you think of her cooking and AVN’s videos!
Filed under BBQ, South Arlington, Video
This dish is similar to a Moroccan tagine but comes with something extra: A pearl couscous side dish cooks along with the vegetables and chicken in one pot. Ras el hanout, a Middle Eastern spice blend gives the chicken a flavor that will fill your mouth from around the world. Ras el hanout spice blend is available at specialty shops, or you can make your own; see NOTE below.
MAKE AHEAD: The casserole can be assembled 1 day in advance and refrigerated.
Congratulations, you’ve found Arlington’s inside scoop on all things food.
Arlington is where we live, work, and EAT. It is quickly becoming a food lovers paradise.
We are Arlovores, food advocates of all things local, sustainable, tasty, and fun.
Stick with us and you will gain a perspective and inside tip that can’t be found elsewhere. Read along, connect with your food and the cultures in our community, try new recipes and restaurants in Arlington.
DISCLAIMER: arlingtonEATS.org cooks with reckless abondon and, on occasion, total disregard for caloric intake.
Filed under Uncategorized
