Archive for October 2016
Butternut Squash Soup! Great, but what's the main dish?">Butternut Squash Soup! Great, but what's the main dish?
I was inspired to make a butternut squash soup. I am going to serve it as a starter/side dish for Sunday dinner. What can I pair with it? We do not eat pork. Reading More May Cause Envy...
Read moreBest dried herbs?">Best dried herbs?
Am about to fulfill old New Year resolution of throwing out old dried herbs and buying new. I seem to remember that Cooks Illustrated once tested various brands of dried herbs and spices but I can't find a ranking there or anywhere else. Has anyone compared died herb...
Read moreCan you overcook Oxtail by simmering too long?">Can you overcook Oxtail by simmering too long?
Hi all, I'm using oxtail as the cut of beef for a Genovese Ragu (beef and onion pasta sauce) tomorrow. My question is: can I overcook the oxtail by simmering it for too long? I know this cut requires long cooking time to break down and become tender. Fortunately, I...
Read moreHow do I know if salmon is sushi grade?">How do I know if salmon is sushi grade?
I have just moved into a new neighbourhood. The local fish market says that they carry sushi-grade salmon and tuna. How do I know that it is sushi grade and not just salmon that has been frozen for a while? Can anyone share? Reading More May Cause...
Read moreCherry tree. Can I use for BBQ Smoke">Cherry tree. Can I use for BBQ Smoke
Looks like a fine tree for smokin' to me. People are always a little concerned when it comes to cherry wood as it relates to hydrogen cyanide, but there is no need to worry. http://smokingmeatgeeks.com/smoking-cherry-wood/ Reading More May Cause Envy...
Read moreGrandma's Stuffed Cabbage Came Out Delish - Here's the Recipe">Grandma's Stuffed Cabbage Came Out Delish - Here's the Recipe
Wonderful recipe....but I have a better twist for you to try. In between your layers of cabbage rolls, use "FRESH" SAUERKRAUT that comes from the deli or meat section of grocery store (not canned sauerkraut). Put a thick layer of sauerkraut sprinkled with pepper, between each layer of...
Read moreIdeas for an item to serve with seafood salad">Ideas for an item to serve with seafood salad
Soup would be nice if you want a hot dish. Tomato basil, tomato curry, butternut squash, black bean. I tasted some good pumpkin pesto soup recently. Reading More May Cause Envy...
Read moreIdeas for an item to with seafood salad">Ideas for an item to with seafood salad
Hello Everyone, I'm having seafood salad made with tri-color pasta, shrimp, crab meat, mayo, celery, some seasonings and onion. I may possibly have imitation crab meat as well, not sure at the moment. My question is what else can I serve with the salad other than crackers that will fill...
Read moreKombu Dashi (Brady Williams, Canlis, Seattle)">Kombu Dashi (Brady Williams, Canlis, Seattle)
My search for the perfect dashi took me many places, not least to "Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art" by Shizuo and Yoshiki Tsuji, which is an encyclopedic, recently-updated tome. But I always suspected that kombu and katsuobushi might extract best at different temperatures, and my search finally brought me back to...
Read moreCreole Cajun Cookbook">Creole Cajun Cookbook
This is the bible: https://www.amazon.com/River-Road-Recipes-Textbook-Louisiana/dp/0961302682 Reading More May Cause Envy...
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