My food history sense is getting better. I try to listen, read, and learn about everything edible as a way not only to learn where the food came from but how it has morphed through the years. But sometimes it is damn easy to learn something new, someone just tells you. A friend told me last night that the wonderfuly simple dish Falafel is made with Fava beans in other countries. Wow!! I didn't know that. The venerable chickpea fried food that I know and love doesn't even always have chickpeas in it. It makes sense really. The consitency is very close and they both fry up well. Recently at Otto I had Favetta Bruschetta - tasted a lot like hummus.
Using the wonderful google you find that the original Falafels were probely made in Eygpt and were called (and still are ) Ta'miyya. And these are made with - fava beans. I think I might need to get over my deep-fry-at-home phobia and try this recipe.
Luckily yesterday My co-workers and I had no idea where to go for lunch. They decided on BB Sandwidch bar. I pride myself on at least knowing about all the restaurants near where I work and live, especially when it is a "knowen" place. But I had never even heard of BB's. And now I can't stop craving it.
About 2-3 years ago, every single magazine in new york wrote about this place. They serve one thing. An upscale cheesesteak really. Tender beef on a kaiser roll topped with a good amount of high fat white American cheese and 8-hour marinated onions make up the BB sandwidch. Then you say spicey or not - and some extra ketchup or a spicy ketchup based sauce is added. Thats it!! All this for $4 bucks. And it was damn good. It doesn't fill you up beyond belief but hey if you really are adventurous get two. I just know I will find myself walking to West 3rd this weekend and accidentaly running into BB Sandwidch Bar - "oops I guess I will just have to stop in and get one".