An enlightening article, including original photos.

Readers only get a taste of Gourmet Grub editor Rebbeca Zandstein from her articles, so with this Q and A I was aiming to serve up a hearty portion of Becca. As our conversation progressed, I learned plenty about my fellow JVPer that I didn’t know, so much so that a single piece simply will not suffice. Luckily, Becca’s the sort of writer that can be counted on to provide her fair share of articles, so I wouldn’t be surprised if some of what we talked about ends up inspiring future pieces. Until then, bon appetit!

Unfortunately I could never truly appreciate Korean culture due to my severe allergy to sesame, Koreans’ most used ingredient in all of their dishes. Whenever I am at a Korean restaurant the servers and chefs become confused and embarrassed because I cannot indulge in any of their signature dishes. Most of the time authentic restaurants take offense to my allergy (what person who’s allergic to sesame would try to order Korean food?) and, disbelievingly, bring out dishes marinated in sesame oil and covered in sesame seeds.

I’m a Jersey girl – this is a matter of fact, not something I willingly admit – of Irish American heritage. My family loves to eat, but the food I have grown up with has not always had the stamp of quality. In Jersey most people spend their adolescence and years of college cruising in a car and pillaging for food to alleviate boredom.

When the heat takes over, most people don’t think of drowning themselves in food, but rather cold beer and mixed drinks. This summer, through sweat and an unstuffed wallet, I discovered the best of the best of food and drinks.
Mac ‘n Cheese:
My mother’s mac ‘n cheese, which I nicknamed “birthday pasta” over a decade ago, will always be superior to all others, but E.A.T. Café’s (1064 Madison Avenue) is easily one of my next favorites. Despite the price tag of an outstanding sixteen dollars, the dish is worthwhile. The macaroni …

I never realized that New York City was home to a Koreatown. Though it might be a block long, it left me more satisfied than the entire length of Canal Street. While I was strolling down West 32nd St, the center of Koreatown, I skipped in and out of a Korean market, and peered into all of the noodle and Korean barbecue shops. Thankfully, I found a small “hole-in-the-wall” shop that makes beautiful, delicious, large, and cheap kimbab.

There is one type of cuisine that New Jersey, along with the rest of the Northeat, lacks and that is barbeque. One cannot drive too far down the street without spotting a diner, an Italian bistro, or a bar with superior finger food. However, when barbeque can be found in Jersey one must question how authentic and fresh it is. For me, the most crucial factor is how much love has gone into it. I recently moved back to South Jersey where BBQ is pretty sparse but not impossible to …

Polpettes, or meatballs, are one of the easiest dishes to make, enjoy and modify. You can put just about anything, and I do mean everything, into them. Turkey & Sausage Meatballs with carrots or Baked Pierogi Meatball Bruschetta are two of Sayani’s creations that are will make your mouth water just reading along with the simple directions and heavenly photographs.

As a “carbaholic” and one who loves Morningstar Farms, minus the products with sesame oil, I find that making a quick sandwich stuffed with protein, veggies, and sauce is a tasty way to reenergize myself. Though, I must admit, that most vegetarian and vegan products that are “mock-meat” are loaded with salt. Consuming one or two servings set me back to nearly 50% of my daily value of sodium. Unfortunately, one of many reasons for so much salt is because that is what Americans love in their food.
Recently, I have …

For an easy, healthy, and hearty dish follow Stacey as she creates a beautiful medley of vegetables. This recipe is great to play around with and can be eaten numerous ways: as a chili, a dip, a burrito, or anything else you desire!