With summer rapidly approaching, I wanted to share one of my all-time favorite recipes. BBQ Ribs may not be in keeping with my new healthy lifestyle, but they are the kind of occasional indulgence that make life worth living. If you treat yourself to something truly decadent every once in a while, you will enjoy [...]
During my years as a cooking instructor, I spent a lot more time than the average person in the grocery store, and I became very observant about the things that other shoppers purchased. It always saddened me to see a young mother pushing a cart filled with Twinkies, Spagetti-O’s, and Hot Pockets. I always got [...]
On September 13th of last year, my wife and I were celebrating our anniversary with a fabulous meal in our favorite local restaurant. She was enjoying it, and I was trying my best to put on a good show. The fact of the matter is that I was miserable during what should have been a [...]
If you read my post on the arduous process of making demi-glace, you’ll understand that I’m the kind of cook who doesn’t believe in taking shortcuts. Some dishes are simply worth the extra effort required, and this is definitely one of them. If you don’t have homemade demi-glace, you can leave it out, but your [...]
There are only a couple of things that I really miss about operating a cooking school. The 3000 square foot commercial kitchen was definitely nice, but I’m getting used to working in the cramped quarters at home. What I haven’t gotten used to is no longer having access to a wide range of ingredients that [...]
Pork tenderloin is one of my favorite cuts of meat. In addition to being lean, healthy and very tender, it is ideally suited for cooking with a variety of marinades or glazes. This one combines the sweet flavor of dried apricots with the fiery heat of red pepper flakes. This glaze can also be used [...]
Who needs a recipe for French Toast you might ask? Well, if your idea of French Toast is a piece of Wonder Bread dipped in egg and slathered with Aunt Jemima syrup, then you do. A couple of simple variations on the basic theme are all it takes to turn something ordinary into something remarkable.
Ingredients
8 [...]
For the most part, I am a self-taught cook, but I also had the unique opportunity to learn from a number of very talented people who worked for me as guest instructors at Foodies. One of those people was Nancy Maurelli, who is one of the most imaginative cooks I’ve ever met. What sets her [...]
I love soup in the winter time, especially the thick hearty types that are substantial enough for a full meal. This one is an original recipe that combines several of my favorite flavors. The spicy Italian sausage blends beautifully with the flavors of roasted peppers, caramelized onions and butternut squash. The preparation is a little [...]
Here’s a simple one pot meal your whole family will enjoy. You can also double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd for a casual gathering. I usually top mine off with some shredded cheddar-jack cheese or a dollop of fresh guacamole. A cold Corona Extra with a lime wedge is the perfect accompaniment. [...]