Commuting to Boston for work during the week can be a challenge. It certainly makes for some very long days, but the upside is that I can take advantage of the shops and markets in not one but two cities.
I was delighted to stumble upon the Boston Public Market in Dewey Square last Thursday evening on my way to South Station, and while I didn’t bring anything home with me that day, I made plans to head over on Tuesday during my lunch break to see what good things would be available. And there were many.
Among the things I picked up: strawberries from C.N. Smith Farm for Mike’s mixological tinkering, green garlic and a bouquet of radishes from Kimball Fruit Farm, and a package of smoked pork loin chops from Spring Brook Farm.
While Mike grilled the chops and a bundle of Simmons Farm asparagus, I got some potatoes boiling indoors and prepped the ingredients for a quick sauce for the chops. We had a few fresh morels to use up, which I sauteed in butter with chopped shallot and plenty of flowering thyme. I added a splash of vermouth, some dijon mustard, and I finished the sauce with a dollop of creme fraiche just before serving. Not bad for a quick weeknight dinner.
Last Night’s Dinner® 
Oh my, the sauce on that chop has my mouth watering. Sorry your commute is so rough, but this looks nearly worth it?
I am all over that heavenly sauce!
I haven’t been over to that market yet this spring but your photos and the kick in the tush I needed!
Jen,
Hard to believe you commute all that way and still have time to cook!
You are amazing!
maggie – oh, it’s definitely worth it!
dawn – thanks!
Spike – definitely check it out. It’s small but has a great selection of wonderful things! I was definitely impressed.
Stacey – Aw,thank you. It’s a great way to unwind 😀
omg grilled asparagus. I feel like one of my cats when I begin to open their cat food cats at their dinnertime.
Grilled asparagus dipped in honey mustard dressing omg omg omg aiee thud.
The upside of commuting to Boston for work looks delicious. The flowering thyme looks pretty on the plate.
{sigh} I am missing asparagus already — it’s done for the year, here.
And I agree with everyone else: That sauce is screen-lickable!
I’m going to be in Boston for a long July 4th weekend (first time visit). Any suggestions for non-touristy food experiences? Ethnic? Cheap? Typical Boston? Know a good Portuguese restaurant?
Gordon – something magical happens to asparagus when it meets a hot grill, I think 😉
Curry – thanks! I love the flowering thyme, too. Need to pick up more this weekend.
Anita – Thank you! I can’t believe your season is over already. I need to eat more asparagus while we’ve still got it!
Joan – Let me think about it and I’ll send you an email!
Joan- There isn’t any particularly amazing Portuguese in Boston or Cambridge, but if you have access to a car, a trip to Fall River or New Bedford isn’t that far and will get you some GREAT Portuguese food. I suggest Antonio’s in New Bedford. It’s regarded as some of the best Portuguese food in the country.
But the long and short of it is that if you show up in areas with lots of restaurants (right outside of colleges and/or popular T stops- ie Harvard Square, Chinatown) most restaurants have to be good to stay open.