Spicy sprouts, such as broccoli, arugula, or leek, give sushi rolls a delicate crunch and peppery flavor. A sushi mat makes it easy to wrap the nori and rice tightly around fillings, but it’s not necessary.
Though still debated, Tucson is generally credited as the original home of the chimichanga (fried "burro", as we call them, stuffed with meat, onions and chilies). I've combined several recipes into this one, and it's fairly authentic.
In this adaptation of a Philadelphia favorite, created at McNally's Tavern in Chestnut Hill, roast beef and griddled salami are stacked on a kaiser roll with cheese, tomato, and onion.
Look for caper berries near the olives in the supermarket; they should be next to the capers, but they're much bigger and have a stem. In a pinch, substitute about a tablespoon of chopped capers. Japanese eggplants have thinner skins than typical globe eggplants, so you can leave the peel on. The light purple color is pretty, too.
Mexican food was never a regular part of my life until Ben also became a regular. See, my family's choice restaurant and food was Italian as I was growing up.
