Archive for May 2016
Overworked ground meat">Overworked ground meat
Hello!! I am throwing a little party on Saturday and made a spicy mix of ground beef/lamb for meatballs. I've made this before, but this time I unfortunately overworked the meat (because I did taste tests and had to mix in more spices...). The mix is currently sitting the fridge as I...
Read morePao de Queijo recipe">Pao de Queijo recipe
Hi everyone, I've been using the Yoki Pan de Queso bread mix and got it so perfect the first time, delicate, to the point where you had to be careful taking it out of the oven to ensure the roundness of it stayed in tact, to now every single batch...
Read moreFree ebook 1878 cookbook - 25 Cent Dinners for Families of 6">Free ebook 1878 cookbook - 25 Cent Dinners for Families of 6
I don't know what drove me to download this 1878 cookbook to my Kindle, but I am enjoying reading it. From the revision preface: "In this edition an additional chapter has been devoted to the preparation of fruit for dessert, with special reference to the needs of American housewives. Most American...
Read moreIs it really so simple and easy to make Chocolate Babka?">Is it really so simple and easy to make Chocolate Babka?
For all of you who have experience making Chocolate Babka, is it really as simple and easy as it seems to make here: http://www.businessinsider.com/breads-bakery-best-babka-bread-nyc-2015-11 Reading More May Cause Envy...
Read moreOnion Fun--NOT">Onion Fun--NOT
I bought some "Mayan Sweets." Roughly chopped and added to a toss of cubed fresh tomatoes and sliced English cucumber; dressed with red wine vinegar, light olive oil, salt and pepper. Ugh. Onion was so bitter I had to trash said quick salad. Is this typical or is my...
Read moreHow to cut a whole brisket?">How to cut a whole brisket?
I bought a whole brisket today, with a plan of doing it in the smoker next week. It turned out to be quite a bit bigger than I expected - 14 lbs - so I would like to cut it into 2 pieces and freeze some for a future purpose....
Read moreJune 2016 Cookbook of the Month Cocktail Companion Nominations">June 2016 Cookbook of the Month Cocktail Companion Nominations
It's time, once again, to get our drink on, COTM style! In June, we're adding a cocktail compendium as a companion to the main COTM. What counts as a compendium? It should have a plentiful and wide-ranging assortment of recipes and information on how to make great drinks. Beyond that,...
Read moreAzuki Filling for Cupcakes?">Azuki Filling for Cupcakes?
I'm making a large amount (~120) of cupcakes for a party next week. The plan is for a matcha cake with a red bean filling, topped with a cream cheese icing, however I'm concerned that the azuki paste is too dense on its own to pipe into the cupcakes....
Read moreChocolate pie with toffee sauce & coffee cream">Chocolate pie with toffee sauce & coffee cream
SERVES 10-12 PREP 25 mins plus at least 2 hrs chilling COOK 25 mins 350g/12oz graham crackers 140g/5oz butter, melted 50g/2oz desiccated coconut 200g/7oz milk chocolate, chopped 200g/7oz dark chocolate, chopped 250ml/9fl oz milk 300ml/1/2pt double cream 6 egg yolks 3 tbsp cornflour 100g/4oz light soft brown sugar 50g/2oz hazelnuts, chopped FOR THE TOFFEE SAUCE 300g/11oz golden caster sugar 100g/4oz butter, diced 200ml/7fl oz double cream FOR THE...
Read moreLeftover Chicken Casserole">Leftover Chicken Casserole
I made a cheesy chicken casserole last night for dinner. I left it out to coo and then covered it with foil to put in the refrigerator. I went to bed without putting it in the refrigerator. If I reheat it in the over before eating it or put it...
Read moreAbout Me
I love food. Unfortunately, I can't cook worth a damn. I've been known to even burn water.
When I watch chefs and good cooks on tv, I'm so envious of their skills. This blog is the closest I get to cooking, other than the microwave ;)
Try not to drool!
John, New Englander turned Cali dude