A Pinch Of Pie Process

I hate to admit that it’s already mid-May and I have yet to actually go watch a Phillies game at the stadium. Safe to say there have been many groans and moans at the television already this season (shoutout to my parents — Mom — for raising me this way). Soon enough I’ll be in the stands with a beverage and whatever food journey I decide on for those nine innings.

What’s Cookin’

Let’s jump right into it! Some good ones this week – a mix of weeknight recipes and a process of a dessert that was well worth it.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Delish

I needed a crunch of lettuce for some healthy feelings in a meal last week. So in an effort to keep things quick and simple, I went for a lettuce wrap. Now I can’t say a P.F. Changs copycat recipe is labeled as very healthy, but that’s besides the point.

I filled a full plate, expecting to have to pack some up for the leftovers. Nope. Clean plate club. And the leftovers the next day were just as good.

Smash Burgers

My stove top has a griddle, and I needed to put it to use. I’d say this was a damn good secondary option if I can’t grill! Tis the season for some burgers. These went perfectly with watching a Phillies win.

Vietnamese Shaking Beef (Bò Lúc Lắc) by Jimmy Ly

My dad was in charge of Mother’s Day dinner. So when this meal looked good one morning as my parents watched Jimmy Ly on the Today Show, my dad ran with it. And I’m glad he did! This meal was packed with flavor, and pretty easy all said and done.

We used soy sauce instead of the called for Maggi sauce and didn’t go with a runny egg, but maybe something for next time. The side of grilled eggplant was a perfect option to round it out.

Lemon Meringue Ice Cream Pie

Now this was my Mother’s Day treat brain working. One of my mom’s favorite desserts is that by the same name from Four Dogs Tavern in West Chester, worth sharing again for reference:

Now I knew this was going to be a tall order (ha ha). And of course, just a lemon meringue pie would be too straightforward and not the same. I knew this would be a first attempt, but certainly one that my mom would be a good judge of. So I looked at a few recipes, and decided this one was good to start from.

Without telling her, she figured it out when I started to make some meringue after making lemon curd and pressing ice cream into a separate pie dish than the one I used for Biscoff pie crust. (Confused by that? It was a process.)

Using a torch was a fun part to round out the prep, and while cutting into the pie was nerve-racking, it turned out very very well… phew! Excited to try this one again. Plenty of notes for next time.

International Guides and Maps Maps Maps

Did you know that the Michelin restaurant guide has never come to Philly? So not one Michelin-recognized restaurants in Philly. Soon enough that’ll change! Allegedly, the Michelin “anonymous inspectors” are already perusing the Philly streets and good eats to make their selections.

And as we all know, the quality of cuisine in the Philly area is long overdue to be recognized by the international guide. I’d also double down on knowledge, predicting that there will be many great spots not included during the first go-around.

So where else may you look? Well of course, you’ve already saved it before, but how about the A Pinch Of Favorites Map! I’ve added some new highlights since I first shared:

Spots I’ve Eaten at

Whether these are new, or just ones that I forgot before, here are some of the new additions:

• Mahalo Hawaiian BBQ

• Royal Tavern

• Dear Daphni

Spots I’m excited to try

🚨 New Category Alert 🚨 – many more additions likely still forgotten:

• Suprette

• Pop’s Bun Shop

• Casablanca Mediterranean Grill

• Murph’s Bar (this one hurts to admit, but I will be there this summer – an Irish Bar known for its damn good Italian food)

Speaking of Italian… raise your hand if you’re an Italian in the market for a two-day festival? ✋ Whether you’re Italian or not, the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival is this weekend, one of Philly’s biggest festivals. I fear the amount of cannolis, pork sandwiches and Peronis I may consume… and that’s the shortlist. And if you see me climbing the greased pole, no you didn’t.

Have a great week 🤘