Laurie Constantino

Laurie Constantino on TV: Salmon with Rosemary Honey

Laurie Constantino — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:17:21 +0000

Recipe(s) in this post:
Mandarin Oranges with Rosemary Honey

Good Morning Alaska (GMAK) is ABC Alaska’s newest production. Eventually GMAK will be a stand-alone show. For now, it’s aired during Good Morning America. (Just before the hour and half-hour, GMAK runs 5 minute segments of local content.) Today’s show is the first in a series of cooking segments I’ll be doing for GMAK. Click the above picture to go to GMAK’s website and watch the video. Although there wasn’t time to film everything, I’d prepared enough Rosemary Honey to drizzle over feta or serve with blue cheese, fruit, and walnuts for quick appetizers or desserts. For true luxurious deliciousness, roll pieces of high quality feta in 2 layers of filo, bake for 20-30 minutes at 350°F, remove from oven, and drizzle with Rosemary Honey. Seriously, you won’t want to eat just one. Enjoy the show!

Cooking Lesson 1: Anchorage Ethnic Markets (Part 4 of 4)

Laurie Constantino — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:37:26 +0000

Recipe(s) in this post:
Spicy Beans and Tomatoes Politika with Soutzouki (Πολίτικα Φασολάδα με Σουτζούκι)

By Laurie Constantino and Nora Morse For Cooking Lesson #1, I took Nora Morse to some of my favorite Anchorage ethnic stores. Since April 1, Nora and I have been chatting about the stores we visited. Lesson #1 (all 4 parts) is the first of a series of columns Nora and I are writing about her cooking lessons. Lesson #2: Knife Skills is scheduled to run next. Eastern European Store & Deli Nora: Our last stop was at the Eastern European Store & Deli on the north side of W. 36th Street between C Street and Arctic Boulevard. Laurie: The first Eastern European Store & Deli opened in Wasilla 6 years ago. The Anchorage store has been open 4 years. Maria Melnick, the owner, and Anastasia Natekina, who works at the Anchorage store, are from Rostov-on-Don, a large port city in Southern Russia. Anastasia speaks English well and is happy to interpret labels or explain how to use unfamiliar products. Nora, I wish you’d been with me when I went back for the interview. Anastasia was really interesting. She’s one of 16 children: “one mother, one father, no twins.” She likes her job and it shows. The two … Continue reading →

Cooking Lesson 1: Anchorage Ethnic Markets (Part 3 of 4)

Laurie Constantino — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 08:51:03 +0000

By Laurie Constantino and Nora Morse Last week, for Cooking Lesson #1, I took Nora Morse to some of my favorite Anchorage ethnic stores. Starting April 1, Nora and I chat about stores we visited. Lesson #1 (all 4 parts) is the first of a series of columns Nora and I are writing about her cooking lessons. Lesson #2: Knife Skills is scheduled to run next week. APA Asian Market Nora: The final Asian market we went to was simply called Asian Market. It was a new market for both of us. It was significantly smaller than the other two, but had by far the best produce of them all! The people were also super friendly and helpful! Laurie: Despite the outdoor sign, turns out the store’s name is actually APA Asian Market (APA stands for Asian Produce of Alaska). It’s owned by Sammi and Gary Hudson and has been open for over 30 years in the same strip mall. The mall is on the southwest corner of C Street and 36th Avenue (300 W 36th Ave # 6) and the store’s entrance is inside the mall. Sammi is Cambodian. her brothers, both of whom are named Sam … Continue reading →

Cooking Lesson 1: Anchorage Ethnic Markets (Part 2 of 4)

Laurie Constantino — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 05:32:38 +0000

By Laurie Constantino and Nora Morse Last week, for Cooking Lesson #1, I took Nora Morse to some of my favorite Anchorage ethnic stores. Starting April 1, Nora and I chat about stores we visited. Lesson #1 (all 4 parts) is the first of a series of columns Nora and I are writing about her cooking lessons. Lesson #2: Knife Skills is next on the schedule. Lucky Market Nora: Next, we were off to Lucky Market. Right off the bat, Lucky Market felt open, less cluttered, and very clean. Not that the other markets weren’t clean; they were! It’s just that Lucky Market gives off a clean feeling the minute you walk inside. Laurie: Barry Yu, a native of Hong Kong who’s lived in Alaska since 1976, owns Lucky Market. Barry opened Lucky Market 6 years ago at 5011 Arctic Boulevard. The store is open from 11 am to 8 pm daily. Since opening Lucky Market, Barry has remodeled it many times, continuously adding square-footage and improving efficiency. So far, Barry has added a storage room, sales space, an Asian Deli, and a more spacious produce section. The store is brightly lit, with wide aisles and shiny freezer compartments. Lucky … Continue reading →

Cooking Lesson 1: Anchorage Ethnic Markets (Part 1 of 4)

Laurie Constantino — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 09:42:01 +0000

by Laurie Constantino and Nora Morse Laurie: To cook well, high quality ingredients are essential, as is being able to source ingredients locally. As a result, no matter where they live, dedicated cooks are intimately familiar with locally available ingredients and regularly troll stores for new products. In other words, good cooks don’t dodge the lodge!** Check out every aisle; often you’ll find something new and inspirational. In Alaska, finding quality ingredients can be a challenge. Costco, Sagaya, Natural Pantry, Fromagio’s Artisan Cheese, C&J Meats, Teddy’s Tasty Meats, and Mr. Prime Beef are all great stores, but for many specialty, unusual, or ethnic ingredients, Anchorage cooks must rely on ethnic markets. Luckily, the ethnic store owners where I shop are friendly, helpful, and willing to explain the products on their shelves. Last week, for Cooking Lesson #1, I took Nora Morse to some of my favorite Anchorage stores. Starting today, April 1, and continuing through next week, Nora and I will chat about the stores we visited. Lesson #1 (all 5 parts) is the first of a series of columns Nora (and I) are writing about her cooking lessons. Lesson #2: Knife Skills is scheduled to run next. Nora: I’ve … Continue reading →