The Gravy Train

in seattle, a battle begins

There's a regular list of must-dos whenever we hit Seattle (that doesn't always involve visiting Matsutake Joe.)  We visit our relatives.  We catch up with old friends.  We enjoy the weather, if it cooperates (a balmy Seattle summer day rivals no other, but they're few and far between.)

Naturally, I also have mandatory food stops.  In almost every visit to Seattle over the years, I like to have a sandwich at the family deli, Bakeman's.  My family's tried-and-true turkey sandwich hasn't changed in over 30 years, and it's wickedly good.  The turkey is roasted in-house, the bread is freshly baked, and the apple pie is flaky, with just the right amount of cinnamon.  Then there's the requisite stocking up on Beecher's cheese, a healthy of portion of which has to be eaten standing straight up in my aunt's kitchen.  If we have time, I like to load up on Salumi cured meats, but if there's not, then I'll take some thin sliced Salumi pepperoni on a tasty slice of Pagliacci pizza.  I've also love Fran's gray salt caramels, pictured above, and it's fun that I share that in common with President Obama.  The combination of salt, bittersweet chocolate, and smooth caramel really make these confections worth every bite.

waiting for matsutake joe, and why i'm like this

Matsutake madness

"I'd like to go to Whole Foods today, and then I want to go pick up some mushrooms," my Aunt Jenny told me one morning earlier this week.

This has been our routine for the few weeks I've been back in the States.  I've been helping her out by driving around town, running errands for my grandmother and her. When she relayed her request to me, in Chinese, I thought that maybe I'd misunderstood her, that she wanted to go to Whole Foods and buy mushrooms there.  Sometimes my language skills skip a beat, and I hoped I'd caught the gist of her meaning.

I wholeheartedly agreed to take her there.  Ever since living in Austin, home to the one of the largest Whole Foods markets in the country, I'm always eager for a trip there.  It feels like coming home.  Plus, I really like mushrooms.

things i've missed about america

Dad's cooking.  Especially these clams (manila, to be exact) in his spicy basil sauce. 

Pizza.  Even better with amazing cured meat from Salumi, the famous Seattle deli belonging to Mario Batali's family.

Fall.  Nothing beats the crisp air, vibrant colors, and warm clothes to bundle yourself into.

(Yes, sometimes I think about things other than food.)