Twenty-one Troop 707 Boy Scouts manned 21 tables as Columbians streamed into the warmth of Calvary Episcopal Church’s Parish Hall. The 27-degree weather did not deter them. Heaps of steaming pancakes and savory sausages cooked by troop parents waited to be served. The Boy Scouts, ages 11 to 17, greeted their guests, took their drink orders and delivered breakfast for dinner at the troop’s 50th Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Feb. 9.
Range Free is the first allergen-free bakery and café in Columbia
When Anna Meyer was diagnosed with 24 food allergies in 2009, she had to figure out an alternative diet. The journey wasn’t easy. Although many friends and family supported Meyer, others didn’t understand that certain foods could make her gravely ill. At restaurants, Meyer had to ask servers lots of questions and trust that kitchens weren’t cross-contaminating the food by using utensils that had been in contact with products she was allergic to.
Baklava is a traditional Middle Eastern pastry made of thin phyllo dough, honey and walnuts. Coffee Zone Manager Issan Yanis says the restaurant used to make homemade baklava until it got too time-consuming to make on site, but he continues to make it at home for his family. He describes it as a “crunchy, sweet dessert filled with nuts.”
The standard recipe Yanis uses requires individually stacked layers of phyllo dough, each brushed with melted butter. Then a filling mixture of finely crushed nuts, sugar and cinnamon is added before repeating the process on top. Baklava is pre-sliced before going into the oven at 350 degrees and baked until golden brown. A honey drizzle tops the dish to create a sweet, sticky finish.
When baked, the phyllo dough puffs up and becomes delicate and crispy. Honey and crushed nuts add a candy-like sweetness similar to peanut brittle or toffee. Make sure to sit down and enjoy your baklava, as each bite comes with a sea of phyllo flakes. You’ll want to keep some napkins on hand.
Osama Yanis, Coffee Zone owner and Issan’s brother, says he likes to eat baklava in the morning with a cup of coffee.
— Claire Lardizabal
Walnut Baklava | Coffee Zone | 449-8215 | 11 N. 9th St. | $2.80
Whether you’re craving a grilled cheese or looking to step it up a notch with Cuban-inspired fare, Big Cheeze and Miami Bites food trucks have you covered.
In the past two weeks, two new food trucks have entered the food scene in Columbia. Cuban-inspired Miami Bites and Big Cheeze’s traditional grilled cheese with a twist can be found on a corner near you.
clairelardizabal.com 