Melon Salad with Grilled Halloumi. What’s Halloumi? Lucky us; there’s a cheese you can grill and it pairs perfectly with fruit. This is a good thing since this time of year I’m the one buying all the fruits and vegetables I’ve never heard of and trying them out, you know, for the sake of science […]
Continue reading
This Prosciutto Melon Salad is perfectly simple. And why shouldn’t it be? After all, it’s that time of year. Food in general is so perfect right now that the best cooks know to just leave it alone. Perhaps add a little salt? And this salad is capitalizing on the innate Italian knowledge of that reality. […]
Continue reading
This Peach Caprése Salad is more of an idea than a recipe, but, it’s a really good idea- one definitely worthy of its own post. Now that stone fruit season is fully upon us, I’m eating A LOT of peaches. Most recently, sliced and stacked on top of the tomato just before the mozzarella. It turns […]
Continue reading
This Chilled Peach Soup recipe is based on an appetizer I used to have at the Inn at Kristofer’s in Sister Bay, Wisconsin. The restaurant was one of my early exposures to fine dining. I’ve modified it a little to suit my taste, but it’s basically the same as what they used to serve in a […]
Continue reading
Watermelon Radish Tea Sandwiches with Mint Butter are perfect for afternoon tea with the ladies or an afternoon cocktail party leading up to the races. They definitely make my list for must have dishes at a Derby Party. Not only are tea sandwiches a Derby tradition, but these Watermelon Radish Tea Sandwiches with Mint Butter […]
Continue reading
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches with Spinach Basil Mascarpone are sliced, stacked and ready to be enjoyed, because one type of tea sandwich just isn’t enough for my Kentucky Derby Party! These Cucumber Tea Sandwiches with Spinach Basil Mascarpone are cool and refreshing and a nice contrast to the slightly spicy Radish and Mint Butter Tea Sandwich. […]
Continue reading
Of course, everyone already knows how to make Deviled Eggs. Why would you possibly need a recipe? The truth is that most of us need a recipe, or at least some new techniques. In fact, it’s possible (or probable) that this should have been a pantry tips/ let’s fix it post. Because everyone knows how […]
Continue reading
These Dangerous! (Cocktail) Nuts! are for dangerous cocktails, just like the Aviation and Old Fashioned cocktails I have featured on my Madmen Premier Party Menu. I finally perfected this recipe, and not to rub it in your face, but they’ve been so popular that I’m sorry to say I’m going to have to keep you […]
Continue readingWhen it came time to make Oysters with Tropical Mignonette for my Mad Men Party, the oysters went a lot easier than the clams with the help of this nifty video. Perhaps because oysters are more willing to be eaten? Or because I’ve done more oyster shucking? I’m not sure. Anyway. I used this really […]
Continue reading
This may be one of those projects that should really say, “Don’t try this at home.” No really. Every time I shuck oysters and clams it makes me really appreciate how cheap they are at restaurants. You heard me right, raw oysters in fancy restaurants are a bargain! This is seriously hard work, especially when […]
Continue readingCaponata is a Sicilian dish that’s old enough and it’s history murky enough that I can call this dish Caponata too. Most recipes and histories of the dish agree on eggplants and capers being included in the relish. And that’s where I started. Lots of eggplants. Then I balanced it out with lots of other […]
Continue readingOne of the reasons I like to make big batches of soups, sauces and dishes like pulled pork is for the leftovers. I love quick but tasty weeknight meals and leftover doesn’t have to mean tired and boring. These pulled pork quesadillas make the pulled pork I made last weekend seem brand new. Some store […]
Continue reading