FOOD: Potato Latkes from Argia’s Adam Roth

By Kathleen Nixon

Falls Church Times Staff

December 23, 2011

Our final installment of local chef’s favorite holiday recipes comes from Adam Roth, co-owner of Argia’s with Aimee Suyehiro and co-owner of Red, White and Bleu with his brother James Roth.  Adam mentioned one evening that his favorite traditional holiday meal was with potato latkes.  “As a kid, they would smell up the whole house, so you knew presents were coming,” shares Adam.  His recipe is a take-off on his Mom’s latke recipe. “Latkes (or potato pancakes) are traditionally served during the Hanukkah holiday celebration commemorating the “miracle” where one day’s amount of oil in the Holy Temple burned and lasted for eight days. This is why we eat things fried in oil,” says Adam.

Latkes
1-1/2 pounds russet potatoes peeled
1/4 cup finely chopped white onions or shallots
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons flour (or more) or matzo meal (during Passover)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt and freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying

In a food processor grate the potatoes or if by hand use the largest grate holes. Place grated potatoes in a seive to drain excess liquid over a bowl. Let mixture drain for 15 minutes. Pour off liquid from the bowl but leave the white potato starch that settles in the bottom of the bowl.

To that starch add onions, eggs, flour, 1-1/2 teaspoons of salt and freshly ground pepper. Return drained potatoes to this mixture and toss to combine.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line a baking pan with paper towels. When you are ready to eat, in a large skillet heat 1/4 inch of oil over medium high heat until hot.

Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of potato mixture and cook for 3 to 4 minutes a side; latkes should be golden and crisp on both sides. Eat right away or keep warm in oven.

Serve with applesauce or sour cream, chopped chives or cottage cheese mixed with sour cream.

Argia’s

124 North Washington Street

Falls Church, VA 22046

(703) 534-1033

www.Argias.com

 

TUESDAY 12/20: City of Falls Church Stormwater Survey Deadline Extended

Click here for a link to the survey

The stormwater management survey deadline has been extended to Tuesday, Dec. 20. In November, the City of Falls Church Department of Public Works mailed a survey about stormwater management to every single-family detached home in the City. The survey is a result of the October 17 Town Hall Meeting regarding stormwater and flooding issues. Survey responses will help the Department of Public Works gain a better understanding of the drainage issues facing City residents. So far 26 percent of single-family homes have replied.

Instructions for completing the paper or online versions of the survey are included in the mailing. Respondents will need the individual Real Property Code provided in the letter in order to complete either version of the survey. Residents of single-family homes who did not receive the letter and survey should contact Allison Lohrenz, 703-248-5456, or alohrenz@fallschurchva.gov. The online version of the survey can be accessed via Survey Monkey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DPWFallsChurch.

The Department of Public Works plans to send a similar survey to townhomes in early 2012.

SATURDAY 12/17: Final Weekend of Troop 895′s Winter Fundraiser

Boy Scout Troop 895 is in the final weekend of their Winter Fundraiser. Wreathes, White House Ornaments, Citrus and Maple Syrup will be available for purchase Saturday, Dec 17 and Sunday, Dec 18 from 10 AM to 3 PM in the parking lot of Falls Church Presbyterian Church at 225 East Broad Street. As part of giving back to the community, the Scouts will also be caroling at Sunrise Senior Living Community next Monday evening.

FOOD: My Favorite Things – Local Chef’s Holiday Recipes

Today we share a holiday recipe and memory from Chris Nye, the Executive Chef from Pizzeria Orso.  Chris frequents the Falls Church Farmers Market each week to gain inspiration for his weekly featured menu and to maintain his wonderful connection with our local farming community.

Chris shared that he made this dish for his wife in our small apartment when we were living in Manhattan during a cold November. She loved it so much that we ate the leftovers for the next few days. It goes great with a fried egg. Read more

An Indoor Farmers’ Market Opens on Broad

By STEPHEN SIEGEL
Falls Church Times Staff

December 14, 2011

So you couldn’t make it to the popular Falls Church Farmers’ Market at City Hall last weekend? Or it was cold and you decided to drink another cup of coffee instead?

Now you can get some of your Farmer’s Market favorites and other local treats seven days a week — and with better parking to boot.

The Local Market, 246 West Broad, was opened recently by Tom Coates, who decided to open the store when he couldn’t make the Farmer’s Market one Saturday morning because of his Little League coaching responsibilities.

“That’s how I came up with the idea,” he says.

While it’s not exactly the same, there are many similarities: at least 12 Farmers’ Market vendors sell their wares at Mr. Coates’ store, and everything he sells is grown, raised, or produced within 100 miles, in an effort to appeal to the locavores among us, who try to eat food that isn’t trucked or transported across the country or the globe.

There are items from Lovettsville and Mount Jackson, Va., and products from Baguette Republic, the Northern Virginia bakery. Several local coffee roasters sell their whole beans, and the store also sells crafts produced by City artisans.

There’s a large section of organic products — including milk, eggs, yogurt and cheese. Local products include tomatoes, apples and pasta, which is produced by Cavanna Pasta in Richmond — which Mr. Coates concedes is just beyond the 100 mile cutoff — as well as dairy products from Blue Ridge Dairy in Leesburg.

“It’s exceeded my expectations” so far, says Mr. Coates, who formerly worked as an electrician in Vienna.

City residents Mary Kearns and Heidi Cahill have their wares for sale in the store. Ms. Kearns has a company called Herban Lifestyle, which offers natural bath and body products, and Ms. Cahill’s business is called re*architect and offers handmade napkins, and tablecloths, among other items.

The Local Market is open seven days a week from 9 am to 8 pm.

School Board Chair Riccards Resigns

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF
December 14, 2011

Falls Church City School Board Chairman Pat Riccards announced his resignation last night to become Chief Executive Officer of ConnCAN, a Connecticut education reform organization.  

Riccards was elected to a four-year term on the School Board in May, 2010.  A special election will be held to fill the remainder of his term. 

Susan Kearney currently holds the position of School Board Vice Chairman.

City Council Increases Financial Buffers

By CITY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
December 13, 2011

The Falls Church City Council adopted a resolution last night to increase the City’s fund balance from 12 to 17 percent and to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the General Fund and the Utility Funds to provide for continued investment in capital infrastructure. 

“These actions are part of the City’s efforts to develop more robust long range financial planning capability,” said Finance Director Richard LaCondrè.   “These fiscal policies are developed to guide both short-term and long-term fiscal strategies.” 

The City Council last adopted fiscal policies in January 2009.  Until FY2008 the City maintained an undesignated fund balance well above the policy target which enabled the City to use that excess funding to support the Capital Improvement Program.  Due to the recent economic downturn and revenue shortfalls, the fund balance was drawn down below policy levels and resulted in a significant curtailment of the Capital Improvement Program.    The new fund balance level of 17 percent represents approximately two months of expenditures. This action will mitigate the impact of revenue shortfalls and economic downturns affecting assessed real estate values and other local tax revenues.

Establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund for the General Fund and the Utility Funds will provide for continued investment in capital infrastructure. The current policy of using surplus fund balance to fund “pay as you go” capital projects makes those projects a lower priority than other items in the operating budget. This new policy establishes a minimum level of effort utilizing both current revenues as well as fund balance appropriations to address both “pay as you go” and debt service funding. This type of policy will also make absorption of new debt service for capital projects less difficult.

For more information, contact CFO Richard LaCondrè rlacondre@fallschurchva.gov or 703-248-5092.

Mason Boys Basketball Conquers Avalon

Special to the FALLS CHURCH TIMES
December 12, 2011

Nate Ogle scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Mason to a 60-41 win over The Avalon School Friday at Mary Ellen Henderson’s gym.  Noel Obusan added 12 points and dished out a team-high 8 assists as GM (3-1) overcame a half-time deficit to shake off a pesky Black Knight squad for the victory.

GM was on fire out of the gate Friday as Philippe Griffiths (9 points) nailed three first quarter triples, with Ogle adding one of his own, staking the hosts to a 16-7 lead after one quarter.  Avalon took advantage of some sloppy play by Mason in the second however, and coupled with Griffiths third personal foul of the half, took a 23-22 lead into the locker room at the break.  The third quarter and first four minutes of the fourth were all Mason though, with the Stangs going on a 26-6 run bridging the two periods to put the game away.  Junior Will Nunley had a breakout game for GM, scoring 9 points, and classmate Nick Bourbeau was a sparkplug off the bench, dishing out 4 assists to go along with 3 steals.

Mason travels to Madison County Tuesday night (12/13) to take on the Mountaineers in the Bull Run District opener for both teams before hosting Clarke County Thursday (12/15) at Mary Ellen Henderson.  Game time is 7:45 for both contests.

Photo credit: Brendan Reals

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