Gingerbread Crouton Fall Panzanella
The inspiration for this Gingerbread Crouton Fall Panzanella comes from a spread I saw in a Williams-Sonoma catalog! quite some time ago, and I must say, I’ve never made the recipe as it’s written. I served it as the salad course on my Caribbean Thanksgiving Menu and it’s so good, it’s made it into my... Read More→
Rice and Peas Thanksgiving Style
Rice and Peas Thanksgiving Style was one of the recipes that while based on a standard, needed a lot of tweaking before it was ready for my Caribbean Thanksgiving Menu. Most Rice and Peas recipes use a traditional sofrito that has tomatoes in it, and truth told, the tomatoes were too distracting and didn’t pair... Read More→
Spicy Jerk Turkey Drumsticks
Even if I hadn’t printed the menu and been teasing about it forever, you probably could have guessed that the main dish would be some version of Spicy Jerk Turkey Drumsticks. This is a Caribbean Thanksgiving Menu after all and jerk chicken is about as Caribbean as it gets. I had to keep things interesting... Read More→
Lima Bean Gratin
Sometimes the Thanksgiving dish that really blows you away is what you were least expecting, like this Lima Bean Gratin did on my Caribbean Thanksgiving Menu. I often make a gratin for Thanksgiving, but it rarely steals the show. Gratins are great make ahead dishes, and this Lima Bean Gratin is no different in that... Read More→
Chili Chocolate Buttercream Cupcakes
I’m going to be honest, no matter how good Chili Chocolate Buttercream Cupcakes sound, the star of the dessert section of Caribbean Thanksgiving Menu was definitely the Pumpkin Butterscotch Pie with Cashew Crust. I knew it would be, so when it was time to pick the second dessert, I wanted a dessert that would be... Read More→
Five Squash Soup and Lime Caramel Corn
Five Squash Soup and Lime Caramel Corn is probably the most playful dish I have ever made, and that’s a compliment, to be clear. I have to say, that I am quite proud of this one from a design perspective; after years of enjoying meals made magic by chefs like Wylie Dufresne who really play... Read More→
Lime Dark Rum Cranberry Relish
I love cranberry relish, and no matter my theme, it’s going to be at my Thanksgiving table in some form or the other. So when I took on a Caribbean menu, there was no doubt that I would still make a cranberry relish no matter how foreign cranberries may be to the Caribbean and that... Read More→
Pumpkin Butterscotch Pie with Gluten Free Cashew Crust
My Pumpkin Butterscotch Pie with Gluten Free Cashew Crust was a knock it out of the park sort of recipe. It was also a perfect fit for my Caribbean influenced 2013 menu with the funky curry fennel crust. I can’t say enough about how good this pie is. Loads and loads of complementary flavors and... Read More→
Baked Goat Cheese and Homemade Pepper Jelly
Baked Goat Cheese and Homemade Pepper Jelly is one of those dishes that was absolutely inspired by the hosting skills of others. Some friends of mine have a lovely Christmukkah party annually that often includes the crowd-pleasing cream cheese with pepper jelly appetizer. In fact, they always have lots of fun old school apps and... Read More→
Sweet Potatoes Cranberry Glaze
Tis’ the season when Dirty Laundry Kitchen turns into Thanksgiving central starting off with this recipe for Sweet Potatoes Cranberry Glaze. I can’t take credit for this recipe, it’s one that I use almost as written by Marcia Miesel for Food and Wine. It’s one of the Thanksgiving recipes that I’ve made more than once,... Read More→
Canlis Parsnip Soup Hazelnut Gremolata
This lovely Canlis Parsnip Soup Hazelnut Gremolata came from, you guessed it, Canlis Restaurant in Seattle. It also came with a lovely story. I was first exposed to Canlis a few years ago now, when my dear friend Andrea was married in Seattle. It was a gorgeous October weekend with fall leaves, sunshine, and lots... Read More→
Maple Nutty Brown Ale Acorn Squash
When your sister is a winemaker, people often ask about what winemakers drink. And the truth of the matter is that a lot of the time, winemakers drink beer. Especially during times of heavy tasting, it’s important to keep their palette focused and fresh and aside from the fatigue of constant tasting, too much wine... Read More→
Sour Cherry Apple Cider Caramels
“Seriously Barrett, Sour Cherry Apple Cider Caramels?” I know, I know, I’m always figuring out dishes in which to stick sour cherries, as well as their juice. But it’s for good reason- they’re that good. Recently, I found one more such dish. I’ve been making soft caramels as party favors for years, but recently, I’ve... Read More→
Smoked Salmon on a Potato Pancake
Cooking with Cedar Kitchenette: Smoked Salmon on a Potato Pancake came about when a mutual friend introduced me to a fellow Philly blogger Laura of Cedar Kitchenette. She’s an accomplished baker and still in high school- so cool. We decided to meet up, make brunch and talk tricks of the trade. Laura let me pick... Read More→
Hair of the Dog Breakfast Margarita
This Hair of the Dog Breakfast Margarita is one of those “you’ll just have to trust me and try it” recipes, because it sounds a little wacky. But I promise you’ll like it. It’s really nice as a breakfast drink as it’s a little savory. Think a Bloody Mary replacement… I suppose the cat’s out... Read More→
Fall Kale Salad with Spicy Garbanzos
I’m back on the kale salad band wagon, but this time, I’ve taken a decidedly Autumn turn with my Fall Kale Salad with Spicy Garbanzos. This salad is definitely hearty enough to eat for dinner and it’s great vegetarian or with the bacon. When I make it vegetarian, I double the garbanzo bean part of... Read More→
Fall Centerpieces in Blues and Rusts
One of my favorite things about flower arrangement, is letting the vase impact the shape and scope of the piece. Last Friday, I staged a photo shoot for my Thanksgiving Pie Project, (more to come on that SOON!) and in the process purchased bunches of flowers in blues and rusts. Because I wanted lots of... Read More→
Let’s Fix it: Reheating Pizza
Here’s another quick and easy Let’s Fix it! tip for you: Let’s Fix it: Reheating Pizza. It’s taken me years to figure out the best way to reheat pizza. Maybe not all pizza, because some you eat cold for breakfast. But really good pizza… Homemade stuff; that fancy Brick oven pizza. Believe it or not... Read More→
Guanciale Béchamel Runny Egg Pizza
Guanciale Béchamel Runny Egg Pizza is my knockoff of the Uova Pizza da Barbuzzo Restaurant in Philadelphia. Barbuzzo is one of my favorite restaurants in Philly, and the Uova Pizza is one of my favorite pizzas. They don’t make it year ‘round though; come springtime, quite seasonably reasonably, Brussels leaves give way to shave asparagus,... Read More→
Tomatoes on a Fence
I’ve now had the pleasure of dining at Blue Hill in New York a couple of times. Last fall, I took my parents when they were in town visiting, and it was the catalyst for these beautiful photographs. Of course the whole meal was wonderful, but to my dad, who is a master craftsman when... Read More→