Archive for June, 2009
Spicy Guacamole
I’m totally guilty of having guacamole for dinner. Not the most well-balanced meal, I know, but I don’t do it that often. (And hey, I do usually dip veggies and rice crackers in it, as well as chips!) When we’re in a pinch and don’t feel like cooking, chances are I’ll grab a few avocados and go to town.
Classic Whoopie Pies
This recipe makes the quintessential whoopie pie. The cake is moist, chocolate-y, and dense. The filling is creamy, fluffy, and decadently sweet. If our friend D. Bunnyhunter hadn’t stopped by and taken it when he did, The Angry Chef and I may have come to blows over the last one. (Phew! Thanks, man!)
Homemade Garlic Mayonnaise (a.k.a. Aioli)
I have another confession to make. When I was a little mouse, one of my absolute favorite treats was a mayonnaise sandwich. Yep, you heard right. A big dollop of Hellmann’s spread on a slice of white bread, then folded in half. (Jam sandwiches, a la Paddington Bear, were a close second.) These days, I still love my mayo. Here are step-by-step instructions for how to make my version of aioli, Miss. Mayonnaise’s sophisticated French cousin.
Peppery BLT with Prosciutto
What’s better than a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich? How about a BLT loaded with thick-cut bacon, paper-thin prosciutto and peppery watercress—then slathered with thick, tangy homemade mayonnaise? Here’s how to build a nice, fat sandwich that not only tastes great, but is designed to stay together when you eat it.
Steakhouse-Style Pan-Roasted Sirloin Steaks
If you go to any of the big steakhouses in the U.S., chances are that this is how they cook a lot of their meat. Fast and furiously on top of the stove to create that handsome, flavorful crust—then into the gentler, indirect heat of the oven to finish cooking. Here’s a step-by-step guide to replicate those steakhouse steaks at home.
Garlic Scape Pesto from The Garlic Farm in West Granby
Recently, my mom and I took a little road trip around the countryside in Northern Connecticut. When we happened across The Garlic Farm in West Granby, we knew we had to pull in and investigate. Here’s a photo tour of the farm, a bunch of info on garlic scapes (including how to cook them), plus a super simple recipe for some of the most garlicky, mouthwatering pesto you’ve ever had.
Lamb Sliders with Rosemary & Mint
Yum. You know how I love miniature food. Don’t ask me why, but I do. Most of the time, I’d rather nibble on a bunch of different things than have one big meal. These sliders combine all the traditional seasonings that go so well with lamb—rosemary, mint, garlic—in one tiny burger that’s packed with flavor.
Port Wine Macerated Strawberries & A Trip To Wilhelm Farmstand
Granby, CT is a sleepy little farm town with a handful of hidden culinary gems. Wilhelm Farm’s roadside stand is one of them. When we passed by, we knew had to stop and sniff around a little. Here’s a peek at the farmstand—plus a quick recipe for strawberries macerated in port wine.
Hot & Spicy Candied Bacon
So, this is bacon…covered in jam and dotted with chili flakes…baked in the oven until caramelized and crunchy. This is swoon inducing food. Vegetarians aside, I dare you to say otherwise.
Best Ever Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Dotted with relatively colossal chunks of chocolate, these cookies are soft, chewy, just a wee bit cakey—and wickedly addictive. Among other ingredients, half a pound of butter + a pound of chocolate = pure bliss, in baked form.
