Author Archive for Jessie
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.
The Angry Chef’s Spicy Buffalo Burgers with Cumin-Dusted Grilled Zucchini
Nothing says summer like burgers on the barbecue. This twist on standard grilled fare is made with ground buffalo—a healthier and higher protein alternative to beef—and is loaded with spicy, Asian flavors. For those folks on a high-protein/low-carb diet like Atkins, we’ve included a second version that’s encrusted with black sesame seeds and served with grilled zucchini slices (and no bun).
Quick Fresh Pickles
These crisp pickles are high on my list of nibbles and noshes to take on a picnic or a barbecue. They’re the perfect cool companion to spicy barbecue or lunch-counter favorites like a thick pastrami on rye. And while pickling can seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. You can make these crunchy spears overnight with a handful of pickling cukes. The best part? No canning required.
Sesame Noodles
These noodles are one of my favorite things to bring to a picnic. They’re a little salty, a little sweet, and only get better once they sit in the fridge overnight. They’re super simple to make, and will keep for about week in the fridge. They have an excellent balance of salt (from soy sauce), sweetness (from sugar) and heat (from fresh ginger and Sriracha chili sauce).
