Browsing Category

GOING BIG WITH THE PIG

NOT YOUR AVERAGE MEATBALL

The old adage holds true for just about everything – unquestionable nothing is created equal. That couldn’t be more evident that in the realm of the culinary “ball’. They are participants in stews, soups and that fall back classic – spaghetti and meatballs. Neophytes may think “elementary my dear Watson” when it comes to their preparation. NOT. There’s always a method to the madness and it’s no different here. Be sure to follow these techniques on Balls 101 to ensure…

Continue Reading →

UNLEASH YOUR TOMATILLO

shrimp street tacos

UNLEASH YOUR TOMATILLO We’ve been catapulted into 2022 after plowing through the holidays. You’re done wrestling with that turkey, and you can’t possibly think of any more ways of making leftovers sexy. Many of us are now revising the a-typical new year’s resolutions, which probably include shedding a few unwanted pounds and welcoming back a svelte figure. We’re always looking for new recipes incorporating freshness, where we can inject umami flavors into healthy dishes and food preparation should never be…

Continue Reading →

WHITE BEAN HAM SOUP WITH CHORIZO

WHITE BEANS WITH HAM AND CHORIZO STEW

The holidays are formally over with the ringing of the new year.   After vast consumptions of high caloric foods, which were officially launched at Thanksgiving, a mountain of sweets later and the invariable intake of more than our fair share of cocktails, wine and bubbly, we’re riddled with usual post-festivities-guilt over the number of calories ingested.  The typical diet favored resolutions come into play, along with that extra hour at the gym.  Yet some of us need some hearty fare to counter…

Continue Reading →

BANH MI VIETNAMESE PORK SANDWICH

SANDWICH BANH MI

The food truck craze has taken the world by storm. There is a food truck for every cuisine, prevalent in every city, in most every street corner and food-truck assemblies so their disciples can pinpoint their location. BANH MI– Vietnamese deliciousness that can be complicated or easy in preparation, because anything done with passion is a labor of love.  There’s a plethora of different interpretations of BANH MI from food trucks and restaurants alike, each have compiled trendy and traditional takes…

Continue Reading →

INTRODUCING TONNATO – VERSATILE TUNA SAUCE

PORK LOIN TONNATO

For those unfamiliar with tonnato, it’s a creamy, mayonnaise-like sauce made with tuna.  The most infamous use of tonnato is served over cold veal slices. Yes, you heard right.  You’re probably recoiling in horror and revulsion right now.  However, as with many things in the epicurean world, certain flavor profiles sound outlandish and abysmal, but are truly extraordinary.  Meet, vitello tonnato, a dish originating from the Piedmontese region – these two perfect strangers, veal and tuna, meet and the result is…

Continue Reading →

PULLED PORK SANDWICH WITH MANGO BBQ SAUCE

PULLED PORK SANDWICH

When you talk about pulled pork sandwiches, this one is a serious contender to add to your recipe arsenal.  It delivers not only sensational flavors that your tastes buds will rejoice, but your audience will realize the amount of pride and love you’ve injected into the preparation.  There are a few steps which can become laborious, so you may want to prepare this at your leisure over a weekend.  But since this pork-a-liscious taste sensation that will have your guests…

Continue Reading →

A WEEKLONG CELEBRATING BOURDAIN

macau style pork chop bourdain

Many of us are still reeling from Bourdain’s passing last week on June 8th, myself included as he was my mentor and good personal friend.  After posting my last article Remembering Anthony Bourdain it may seem trite, but I decided to pay homage to his legacy by creating Bourdain’s culinary week.  These are some of his recipes that he shared with me and I’ve prepared countless times. It’s hard to comprehend the inner demons that push someone to take their own life;…

Continue Reading →

GOING BIG WITH THE PIG

FILET OF PORK

For some folks, pork poses a genuine conundrum, which is rather mystifying since it’s such a versatile product to work with, a veritable white canvas.  Yes, chicken characteristically is the undisputed hero, achieving the utmost affection and notoriety everywhere around the globe. Nonetheless, pork is the other white meat and it’s large and in charge. Nothing is more garishly boring than conveniently falling back to that same go-to recipe for a roast, chops or anything else for that matter.  No doubt,…

Continue Reading →

PORK FILET WITH GREEN PEPPERCORN AND MARSALA SAUCE – DOWNTON ABBEY

FILET OF PORK

In the pre-war days with kitchens cooking for the upper class, there was scarcely a shortage for venison, duck, pheasant or goose.  At Downton, Mrs. Padmore directed her kitchen staff with the typical stalwartness of a cook in those days, presenting mouthwatering dishes to the well dressed awaiting in the upstairs, opulent dining room. However, acquiring venison filet nowadays might prove somewhat challenging, so in this case I am substituting with a gorgeous pork tenderloin.  The sauce is very Steak…

Continue Reading →

SPANISH MEATBALLS IN ALMOND SAUCE

SPANISH MEATBALLS

SPANISH MEATBALLS IN ALMOST SAUCE – ALBONDIGAS EN SALSA DE ALMENDRAS Another dish that derives from ancestral Spanish culinary archives, passed down in generations from grandmothers, mothers and daughters. It showcases the lovely simplicity of rustic farmhouse Spanish cuisine. This humble, but succulent meatball recipe is from the southern part of Spain, Andalusia to be precise. Typically, I don’t add raw ingredients into ground meats – such as meatloaf of meatballs, however in this case the garlic has been passed…

Continue Reading →

CHILI – A MEXICAN STANDOFF

By Nanette Hebdige There are so many infallible ideas and rituals surrounding chili, it defies logic. When you talk chili – it’s personal because everyone has bragging rights! Chili is a national craving, a preoccupation and a passion, shared by makers and consumers alike. And since the exact date when it originated is a mystery, one of the most convincing stories regarding chili revolves around the chuckwagon cooks on cattle drives, who prepared food for hundreds of starving, dog-tired, sweaty…

Continue Reading →

Pantry Rat