I muttered this question to myself as I clicked through reviews of nearby restaurants and markets in my little neighborhood of Fox Point, Providence. There are a lot of places boasting authentic Portuguese cuisine, along with bread and pastry or a wide variety of madeira. While I miss so much about living in Washington, D.C., Providence has surpassed my expectations related to food offerings. One of the greatest surprises has been getting to know Portuguese cuisine, and seeing how embedded this culture is within the area. Immigrants from Portugal heavily settled Fox Point at the beginning of the 20th century, drawn here for manufacturing and waterfront employment opportunities. I recently learned that thirty-two percent of residents claim Portuguese ancestry in our neighborhood.

October 18, 2016October 28, 2016 by KD

Pumpkin Orzo

Oh boy, the Halloween decorations are already giving way to Thanksgiving wreaths in the craft store aisles. There are strings of plastic maple leaves and spooky carved candles … but most importantly, there are real, live PUMPKINS!

Uinta’s Baba Black [Lager] Beer… Have You Any?

Oh yes, the title game is on point today. Whether you were drawn to this review out of appreciation for nursery rhyme puns, or a sincere interest in what beers the Cursory Cook recommends, today will be a good day for you. The verdict is in, and you should definitely give Uinta’s Baba Black Lager a try.

October 4, 2016May 2, 2017 by KD

Magical Mirepoix (and Other Such Groupings)

Just in time for soup and stew season, today we’re talking about the building blocks of a great recipe. You (hopefully) wouldn’t build a skyscraper without a foundation, just as you shouldn’t make a stew without a mirepoix. Pronounced “meer-pwah”, this combination of finely diced vegetables roasted or sauteed at the start of a recipe is a crucial element to enhancing and balancing savory flavors. It’s also a great term to drop into conversation with no context because it sounds French.

September 20, 2016October 28, 2016 by KD

Eggplant Parmesan, and Why the Days Get Shorter

Eggplant is the best nightshade (sorry, tomatoes). Inventory of eggplant is starting to dwindle on grocery store shelves, and it is BECAUSE of this lack of eggplant that the sun doesn’t want to wake up as early or stay out as late, and we all have to suffer the dark and cold. It’s science!

September 13, 2016May 2, 2017 by KD

Search for the Great Pumpkin [Beer]: Part 2

Welcome to round two of the search for the best pumpkin beer! Last week I sampled some ales and decided that Dogfish Head’s 2016 Punkin Ale was the best of that batch. This week it’s time to test a few imperial pumpkin ales and a pumpkin IPA. So who’s the winner in this second sampling? That would be…

September 8, 2016May 2, 2017 by KD

Search for the Great Pumpkin [Beer]: Part 1

Pumpkin beer is a harbinger of the fall season, and with the micro- and nano-brewery boom in the last 5-10 years, there are a ton of different brands to choose from. I have been ambivalent about pumpkin beers in the past, my impressions ranging from “meh” to “ew this is disgusting”, but I knew there had to be at least one type out there that could be a trusty go-to during this season. As a public service, only out of my concern for your beer-drinking welfare, I sampled about ten different types and brands, and wrote about them so maybe you can find a great pumpkin beer to match your tastes, too. Read more “Search for the Great Pumpkin [Beer]: Part 1” →

September 3, 2016October 28, 2016 by KD

Labor Day Feast: A Real One This Time

In case you weren’t aware, it is Labor Day weekend, prime time for cook-outs and celebrating the last days of summertime fun (sorry if that’s a depressing thought). For a lot of kids, this means heading back to school; for a lot of adults, this means it’s time for some pumpkin beer. If you’re hosting a huge gathering this weekend or just spending some time in the company of friends or family, I have some suggestions for your Labor Day Feast!

August 9, 2016May 2, 2017 by KD

Port City Derecho Common

Who doesn’t love a good summer storm? We experience a lot of them during these months in D.C., but there is one that stands out in recent history. The windstorm that swept through the region in 2012 is notable not only because tens of thousands were left without power for days, but also because we got a great locally-brewed beer out of it: Port City’s Derecho Common. Read more “Port City Derecho Common” →

July 21, 2016October 13, 2016 by KD

Dogfish Head’s Bier de Provance

The summer solstice has come and gone, but I know you’re still looking for a way to retain a sense of this sweet season’s bounty, Lillith. May I recommend Dogfish Head’s Limited Release Bière de Provence? While it’s flavor profile may seem complex, riddled with too many summer herbs and floral notes, the results are undeniably refreshing. Read more “Dogfish Head’s Bier de Provance” →

July 19, 2016May 2, 2017 by KD

Pho; an exercise in

I am a relatively recent convert to the comfort food du jour, pho (pronounced fuh). Whether you’re hungover, ill with the flu, or just need a pick me-up, this Vietnamese beef stock and rice noodle soup is exactly what the doctor ordered. The perfect bowl of pho requires hours of simmering a stock with exotic spices and beef bones, as well as access to an array of imported condiments. Read more “Pho; an exercise in” →

the cursory cook.

What Is Portuguese Cuisine?