Twist on a Classic: Grilled Cheese with Apples & Arugula

Grilled cheese...toasty bread hugging warm layers of melted cheese all wrapped in the perfect hand-held delivery vehicle. Some might say, “Don’t mess with the classic…don’t be puttin’ any fruit in my grilled cheese,” but the newest member of 51 Porter and I decided to experiment with the latest local New England ingredient…the apple. A classic grilled cheese at heart, mixed with a classic fruit/cheese combination in the middle…give this sweet & savory twist a try!

Three Pastas and a Pizza..."Take a moment"

An unplanned venture exploring the South of France took four friends to three towns: Biot, St. Paul, and Vence. The journey started off in Biot, a small hillside town known for its glass blowing artists and an awesome golf-cart driving tour-guide named Ghee. From there we made our way to Vence, another hillside town outside of Nice, with a small-town allure and some big-flavor cuisine. The final stop was perhaps one of the most beautiful hilltop towns I have ever seen: St. Paul. Resting atop a small peak offering views of the Mediterranean and a sounds laughing families in the moonlit windows, St. Paul would have been the day’s highlight….had it not been show-stopped by a meal so delicious it could only have included… 3 pastas and a pizza.

Some beautiful scenery, some amazing food, and some beautiful company… to my fellow travelers…it was a pleasure and once again let's "take a moment…”

Le Menu

-Pasta Carbonara

-Aubergines Siciliennes (Eggplant Sicilian)

-Spaghetti aux tomates

-Pizza Quatre Formage avec du miel (Four Cheese Pizza with Honey)

I will attempt to recreate these dishes back at 51 Porter… "take a moment” to check the progress.

Poached eggs in white wine, ricotta tomato sauce

Like eggs? Like cheese? Like tomato sauce? Like bread?

Try this budget-friendly, flavor-packed meal. Finish poaching eggs by simmering in a sweet bath of white wine tomato sauce mixed with creamy ricotta cheese. Serve atop crunchy baguette slices with a drizzle of pesto.

Chocolate Éclair Cake

Formally known as Chocolate Eclair Cake, but colloquially (i.e., Dumke fam) referred to as Icebox Cake, this family favorite is sure to please the palate. Simple and classic ingredients combine to form soft, creamy pudding layers topped with a silky chocolate ganache. Shout out to my Aunt Joan for taking your ordinary ingredients - graham crakers, cool whip, cream cheese, pudding, chocolate - and making something that's anything but colloquial.