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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Hot Chicago condiments to buy over and over again: Sauces that are regulars in our food reporter's fridge
I believe that hot sauces ought not to be measured in mere Scoville units, but in how they pair with food and company. After chasing heartburn through my 20s, I try to keep the heat reasonable, unlike enthusiasts with fridges overflowing with tongue-in-cheek names designed to scare, Radioactive Emission or Beezlebub's Stomach Evacuator or Da Bomb Beyond Insanity (only that last one is real). I keep my rotation slim, local and versatile, maxing out at around habanero and Scotch bonnet spice levels with an occasional foray into ghost peppers. In Chicago, small-batch makers are producing some of my favorite sauces right now — I bring them out when I host and I frequently end up sending guests home with a spare bottle and the sauce's story. Chi-racha was the first to mark my Chicago sauce era, a clever take on a versatile red sauce. 'Chi-racha is an homage to some of the ingredients that are in a Chicago-style hot dog,' said Mike Bancroft, founder of Co-Op Sauce, which produces Chi-racha at Sauce and Bread Kitchen. 'It's like Chicago and Sriracha and the hot dog had a baby.' If you can believe it, it's somehow more than the sum of its parts. The core taste comes from fermented, locally grown red jalapeno peppers, which, having aged more, are both sweeter and spicier than their green counterparts. Originally, Bancroft was in education, running after-school programs; the peppers came from community gardens. 'My culinary background is that I was running arts programs with the kids and the kids were eating garbage,' Bancroft said. 'I could only talk so much trash about that before offering other food items.' That work led him down the path to Co-Op Sauce, which eventually took over his life. It's now been operational for over 20 years and has a number of other sauces worth trying as well, with Chi-racha having been around for over a decade. Many Chicago sauce makers fell into the craft by accident or necessity. Brian Greene, the eponymous Pickled Prince, was a chef with reduced work hours due to the pandemic; his nascent mobile pickle business with partner Alex Skrzypczyk soon expanded to hot sauces using seasonal produce and ingredients. In addition to sauces, Pickled Prince sells pickles, giardiniera and kimchi at farmers markets, alongside a funky-looking pickle mascot. 'I just love the idea of preservation out of season,' Greene said. 'When we get to those cold, dreary January through February and March months, (it allows you to) enjoy the season's bounty that you pickled, preserved or hot-sauced.' Green sauces often feel same-samey, but Greene's sauce in particular pickled my fancy. Using their own cucumber pickles, fresh dill and hot serranos, it tastes like how you'd hope a pickle hot sauce would. But perhaps his most genius sauce is the seasonal kumquat habanero. The kumquats are sourced from San Gabriel Ranch in California. Unlike most fruity orange sauces, the Pickled Prince version isn't sugar-forward — kumquats have the perfect mixture of sweet punch and pucker to complement the habanero. 'It's bright, spicy and zippy,' Greene said. The whole pith and skin contribute heartily. For something earthier and with inspiration far from the Midwest, there's Tasting India's Bombay Chili Crunch, which brings Indian cooking into conversation with Chinese chili oils. Jean Banchet-nominated chef Jasmine Sheth adopted Chicago as a new home in 2017, but her native Mumbai inspired many of the tasting menus and meals she made. 'I really wanted to pay homage to the place I grew up in, the city that was bursting with flavors no matter where you ate,' Sheth said. At first, this meant meal kits that highlighted regional Indian food. Bombay Chili Crunch originated as one of Sheth's sauces during her recipe development. It's a clever take that avoids many pitfalls I've encountered with other 'Indian-inspired' hot sauces. South Asian food may be hot, but hot sauces are not all too common. However, using hot oil to bloom spices is a foundational culinary technique across regions. To make a condiment that could function like a chili oil but had the flavors of India just required some thoughtful edits. Sheth uses three famous varietals of dried chilis sourced from India — Kashmiri, Byadgi and Sivathei — as well as crispy garlic and shallots. She said the 'hero' of the crisp may be the curry leaf, which is unmistakably desi. And the crunch brings to mind the crispy, chatpata street and packaged snacks of Mumbai. I use it anywhere I would chili crisp, and might add it to my next batch of popcorn. For other Chicago-made takes on spicy, oil-based condiments, Chilee oil from couple James Lee and Sufei Zhang uses Korean red chilis and sesame seeds for a smoky, textured sauce that combines Chinese and Korean flavors. It's a natural combination with steamed short-grain rice. Tierra Negra, made by Pilsen's Ivan Gutierrez, is robust and sensually dark, made in the style of salsa macha but without the nuts. Pasilla, guajillo and arbol chilis are sauteed and blended to produce a richness that is easily enjoyed on chips and chilaquiles, but might also work well as a basis for pasta sauce, a burger topping and much more. Finally, I've looked long and hard for a giardiniera that might be a staple recommendation for those looking for the popular Italian beef condiment. What I settled on was an idea so self-evident, so convenient and so flexible that it feels like it should have existed for years. And that's Giardonnaise. It's mayo and giardiniera mixed together in one squeezy tube. It's as good as it sounds; and if you're trying to hook your out-of-town folks on Chicago flavors, it's a very charming introduction. 7 Chicago sauces worth trying (Prices and availability may vary) Where to buy: Sauce and Bread Kitchen, Price: $5 (5 oz.) Can be used like: Sriracha, Valentina, CrystalWhere to buy: Pickled Prince pop-ups weekends at Lincoln Park High School and Wicker Park Farmers Market, The Eco Flamingo, Price: $10 (5 oz.) Can be used like: El Yucateco Green, Small Axe Peppers Bronx Sauce Where to buy: Agora Marketplace, Can be used like: Fly by Jing Chili Crisp Price: $7.99 (about 4 oz.) Where to buy: Pickled Prince pop-ups weekends at Lincoln Park High School and Wicker Park Farmers Market, The Eco Flamingo, Price: $10 (5 oz.) Can be used like: Queen Majesty's Habanero Sauce, Caribbean-style sauces Where to buy: Price: $15 (8 oz., vegetable oil), $20 (8 oz., avocado oil) Can be used like: Lao Gan MaWhere to buy: Andale Market, Price: $15 (8 oz.) Can be used like: Salsa macha Where to buy: Andale Market, Price: $30 (2 12-oz. bottles, available in mild, medium or hot) Can be used like: Kewpie mayo, spicy mayo, giardiniera and mayo
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
For these seniors, co-housing offers autonomy rarely found in long-term care homes
Brian Fernandes recalls growing up in India surrounded by kin. 'We lived with extended families – grandmother, grandfather, uncles, auntie, all in the home.' Now, the 57-year-old Torontonian is planning to replicate that collective life for his own retirement. Single and childless, in 2015 he bought a 17-acre property near Bancroft, Ont., with the dream of turning it into a home for 40 other LGBTQ seniors. 'Co-housing is where people of all different backgrounds come together and see how we can age well together and how we can support each other,' Fernandes said. In a culture that assumes the companionship of living with a roommate is only for the young, researchers and residents of collective housing have found it offers seniors a sense of belonging that can lead to higher life satisfaction. Why finding the right retirement home means asking the right questions Fernandes worked for years as a facilities supervisor in long-term care and learned how lonely those spaces can be without visitors. He worries in particular about LGBTQ seniors. 'Who's going to take care of this whole group of LGBT2SL people because they don't have their children to take care of them?' he asked. Despite the drawbacks of institutions, 'a lot of people get pushed into that because they don't have nowhere to go. There's no social network.' In planning for his Bancroft property, Fernandes took inspiration from other co-housing projects across Canada, such as WindSong, a multigenerational community launched in Langley, B.C., in 1996. Another is set to open in Langley in 2026, and similar places are popping up across the country. Two seniors' co-housing projects, Harbourside and West Wind Harbour, have opened in Sooke, B.C., over the past 10 years, while Vancouver Cohousing opened in 2016. A co-housing community focused on sustainability, Treehouse Village Ecohousing, opened in Bridgewater, N.S. in 2023. Fernandes connected with OCAD University professor Sarah Tranum to imagine options for the Bancroft compound. Together with some other members of LGBTQ outdoor social club Out and Out, they assembled a working group to explore what living arrangements would make sense for them as they age. The group collaborated with Tranum's participatory design students last fall to fill in speculative details for Fernandes's vision. Tranum said her students, accustomed to the inclusive environment of OCAD and the acceptance of their own generation, were surprised to encounter the fears of their older working group collaborators, who remember fighting more severe homophobia than most Toronto students today have witnessed. This retirement home is redefining what it means to grow old Many LGBTQ elders fear that living in nursing homes could send them back to those days, Tranum explained. 'I've lived this whole life out. I want to make sure I'm in a space where I'm not just safe, but I'm celebrated for the diversity and community I've created,' she said, describing the perspective of many of the working group members. For her, such concerns strike close to home. She and her partner opted not to have children and are now caring for their own elderly relatives. 'Our succession plan is going to look very different than what we've been doing for our parents,' she said. 'What does a nursing home look like for a lesbian couple?' She explains that the social design of co-housing projects is as crucial to their success as their architecture. They need to be built with a shared understanding that people are free to grow and change within the group – that they have autonomy within the collective setting – and that takes thought and planning. Such communal life may prolong seniors' healthy years, according to Simon Fraser University social epidemiologist Kiffer Card. He explained that people feel best when 'they exist within social networks that support their autonomy.' In a 2022 brief, Card and his colleagues concluded that seniors on their own become frail more quickly. Yet care homes, because of the nature of their services, don't always offer the feeling of independence that residents still need and crave. Unlike living alone or in long-term care, collective housing can offer elders some healthy social churn, particularly, Card said, when the roommates 'are interested in supporting each other's autonomy and belonging needs.' Feeling part of a group can actually increase your sense of independence, Card realized: 'When you have more autonomy, you also have more belonging and vice versa.' With co-housing, Fernandes said, 'this is friends taking care of friends,' where chosen families are looking ahead to becoming caregiving families, too.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Analysts' Top Healthcare Picks: Nurix Therapeutics (NRIX), Disc Medicine (IRON)
There's a lot to be optimistic about in the Healthcare sector as 3 analysts just weighed in on Nurix Therapeutics (NRIX – Research Report), Disc Medicine (IRON – Research Report) and Silence Therapeutics (SLN – Research Report) with bullish sentiments. Confident Investing Starts Here: Nurix Therapeutics (NRIX) In a report released yesterday, Derek Archila from Wells Fargo maintained a Buy rating on Nurix Therapeutics, with a price target of $25.00. The company's shares closed last Thursday at $11.96, close to its 52-week low of $11.90. According to Archila is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 9.3% and a 50.6% success rate. Archila covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Monte Rosa Therapeutics, and Apellis Pharmaceuticals. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating for Nurix Therapeutics with a $29.43 average price target, a 137.9% upside from current levels. In a report issued on June 2, Needham also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $27.00 price target. Disc Medicine (IRON) In a report released today, Tara Bancroft from TD Cowen maintained a Buy rating on Disc Medicine. The company's shares closed last Thursday at $52.71. According to Bancroft is currently ranked with 0 stars on a 0-5 stars ranking scale, with an average return of -9.9% and a 37.1% success rate. Bancroft covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Protagonist Therapeutics, and Whitehawk Therapeutics. The word on The Street in general, suggests a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating for Disc Medicine with a $99.10 average price target, implying a 95.9% upside from current levels. In a report issued on June 10, Raymond James also initiated coverage with a Buy rating on the stock with a $89.00 price target. Silence Therapeutics (SLN) In a report released today, Myles Minter from William Blair reiterated a Buy rating on Silence Therapeutics. The company's shares closed last Thursday at $5.59, close to its 52-week low of $3.19. According to Minter is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 6.9% and a 47.1% success rate. Minter covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as CAMP4 Therapeutics Corporation, Neumora Therapeutics, Inc., and Entrada Therapeutics Inc.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
OPP charge 15-year-old after sexually explicit video of minor circulates in Bancroft, Ont.
An Ontario Provincial Police crest is pictured on an officer's uniform. (Supplied) Ontario Provincial Police say a young person is facing a serious charge in connection with the sharing of a sexually explicit video of another young person in Bancroft. OPP say an investigation began in March into a video that was circulating in the community. Police said the video involved another person under the age of 18, and that it was being shared without that person's knowledge or consent. As a result of the investigation, a 15-year-old has been charged with distribution of child pornography. The accused cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. 'The OPP is reminding all members of the public, particularly youth and caregivers, that sharing intimate images without consent is a serious criminal offence. These actions can cause significant emotional harm and carry lifelong legal consequences,' police said. Under the Criminal Code, a conviction of distribution of child pornography can lead to a jail sentence of up to 14 years. 'Parents and guardians are encouraged to speak with young people about safe online behaviour and the importance of consent in all interactions.' OPP say you have been impacted by the sharing of private images or suspect unlawful activity, contact police or a trusted adult.
CBS News
29-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Minneapolis to spend $1 million to combat copper wire theft
Jennie Kappenman had been wondering, what's with all the exposed wire right outside her sister's house in the Bancroft neighborhood of Minneapolis? She soon found out why the lights were out on the block, after her sister called the city. "Lo and behold, we just discovered what was going on, some tomfoolery," said Kappenman. The outages are right outside nearby Bancroft Elementary School. "Sometimes there's a lot of after-school programs that go pretty late into the evening, like after 10 p.m., so it's unfortunate that a lot of the families didn't have the safety of the light to get to their vehicles to cross the street," said Kappenman. "You need lights in a city to make sure that people are safe and feel safe, both the reality and the perception of safety," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. The outage in Bancroft represents just a few of the 450 city street lights the city said are now dark due to copper wire theft. "That's incredible. That is really slippery behavior on the people that are doing the work, eliminating the wire from the lights," said Kappenman. On Thursday, Minneapolis city leaders announced $1 million from the city's contingency funds will be used to hopefully help fix the problem. The money will go toward hiring more electricians and more material for repairs. The city is in the process of switching lights from copper wire to aluminum to deter theft. As of Thursday, Bryan Dodds, deputy director of public works for Minneapolis, said lights are still out around the lake. "We've received very little theft of the aluminum wires. Sometimes they'll open up the bases, they might even cut them, but then they realize this is aluminum, this is very little scrap value," said Dodds. Officials said they are also looking into making the bases of the lights harder to get into. As for Bancroft, city officials said they hope to restore the lights there within a few weeks. "I hope those people can have access to employment training and maybe get a job with the city actually helping lay wire instead of taking wire," said Kappenman. Crews are working as quickly as possible, with the hope to get through the entire backlog of copper wire thefts by November, according to the city.
