Author Archive for Jessie
Restaurant-Style Prime Rib Roast
Prime Rib: It’s not just for Christmas dinner. I’ll make this whenever I can get my paws on one at a good price (or the rare super sale). It’s a great excuse to have a party. In fact, if you’re sick of ham on Easter, consider giving Roast Beast it’s day in the (springtime) sun. This is a restaurant technique that’s practically guaranteed to produce a moist, juicy, evenly cooked roast beast. And it couldn’t be simpler.
Simple Spinach Salad with Toasted Walnuts & Gorgonzola
So, a handful of years ago, I worked out of my house full-time as a freelance writer and editor. When business was slow, I’d fill in behind the counter at Priscilla’s, a little catering/gourmet take-out joint owned by a friend of mine. Priscilla’s was a ton of fun. And you know how I love food: [...]
Poached Pears with Spiced Caramel
If you know me, you know that I’m not a huge fan of making fussy desserts. Creamy. Buttery. Rich. Yes. But fussy, not my speed. (Don’t get me wrong, I love fancy pastry, but life’s too short to make certain things at home…) This dessert is actually the best of both worlds: It *seems* fussy, [...]
Lunch at Boston’s Sel de la Terre
Sel de la Terre, Boston’s bastion of Provencal cuisine, is infamous for its rosemary pomme frites. With good reason. They’re cut thin as shoestrings, fried perfectly (crisp not greasy), and seasoned well with salt and rosemary. Believe me, my picture doesn’t do them justice. I hit Sel de la Terre the other day for lunch [...]
Brown vs. White Eggs: What’s the difference?
What’s the difference between brown eggs and white eggs? Ask your grandmother, and I almost guarantee that she’ll make a strong case for one—or the other. But honestly? Aside from shell color, there’s not really much difference, at least when it comes to cooking. Nutritionally, all eggs are created (almost) equal. When a recipe calls [...]
Roasted Scallops Wrapped in Prosciutto
I’m pretty sure I’d be tempted to eat almost anything if you wrapped it in bacon or prosciutto. This is my take on the classic appetizer, bacon wrapped scallops. This recipe swaps in prosciutto, bacon’s paper thin, salty cousin, which practically guarantees that your scallops will always come out of the oven wearing a crisp little coat.
Shrimp Cocktail
I get a lot of questions about how to properly cook shrimp and seafood. In a lot of cases, fresh seafood is at its best when it’s prepared simply, enhanced by a few ingredients and spices—not masked by a ton of flavors and heavy sauces. In my mind, the most important thing to know about [...]
Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie
Here’s my favorite pumpkin pie recipe (plus a tribute to one of the handiest cookbooks ever). This pie is easy enough to bust out on a weeknight.
Baked Brie with Walnuts and Preserves
Baked Brie should win some kind of prize for Most Impressive Looking Appetizer that Took Almost No Work to Prepare. This is a great appetizer to throw together when you have unexpected guests. Once you have a wheel of brie (the little ones are just fine), you can put it together with stuff from the pantry (frozen puff pastry, nuts, jam).
A New Year’s Eve Surf & Turf Feast (Plus a Holiday Giveaway!)
Here’s our take on the classic feast, kicked up Mouse-House style. This combination of seafood and meat is a great way to go if you’re planning on throwing a glamorous dinner party this New Year’s season. (Plus, enter to win a 14-piece set of Cuisinart cookware!)
