A couple of weeks ago I bought some frozen duck legs with the intention of making confit. I don’t use the traditional method of cooking them in duck fat, I cheat a bit by slowly cooking the legs in olive oil. It achieves basically the same result, some preserved duck legs you can pull outContinue reading “What’s for Sunday Dinner: Caramelized Onion and Duck Tart”
Author Archives: Peter - The Roaming GastroGnome
Born and raised in the beautiful Mid-Hudson Valley of New York State, moved to DC for a job, stayed way longer than I thought, got married and moved to Chicago for her job. It's an awesome city!
Grilling Season in Chicago Already? Add Some Acid: Chimichurri
Can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted! Very busy this past week, which has also seen some record-setting temperatures here in Chicago. 70s and 80s. In March. Now that’s my kind of Chicago winter. Of course we’ll probably get some snow at Easter now. Oh well, what can you do? It’s pretty awesomeContinue reading “Grilling Season in Chicago Already? Add Some Acid: Chimichurri”
What’s for Sunday Dinner: Braised Pork Ribs with Apple-Curry Sauce
Yesterday was a beautiful day in Chicago. The sun was shining, temperature was in the mid-60s, and everyone was out soaking it all up. It reminded me of something I read once about Calvados, the French apple brandy, being like a glass of summer sunshine. That description has always stuck with me and I thinkContinue reading “What’s for Sunday Dinner: Braised Pork Ribs with Apple-Curry Sauce”
Fettucine with Bay Scallops in a Saffron Cream Sauce
Fridays in Lent can be tough for Roman Catholics, especially when you have some leftover meatloaf and osso bucco in the fridge. Bad for me, good for Cheryl who’s one of those rebellious Protestants. Well it’s not really that tough, but we like to try to convince everyone it’s difficult. It usually doesn’t work thoughContinue reading “Fettucine with Bay Scallops in a Saffron Cream Sauce”
Lunching in the Loop: 3 Places You Should Try!
Cheryl works down inside the Loop, as do many Chicagoans. Occasionally I have to leave the friendly confines of Wrigleyville and travel there for meetings or showings. In a couple of weeks I have to venture south for some continuing education classes (ah real estate license requirements!) and I find myself looking forward to havingContinue reading “Lunching in the Loop: 3 Places You Should Try!”
Roaming in New Orleans! Things to Do In the Crescent City Other Than Bartering Beads For Breasts
Hard to believe but I’d never been to New Orleans before last weekend. Always wanted to go but just never got around to it. Last month my father suggested meeting there in February and we jumped at it. Flights looked pretty open for flying stand-by so we decided to go the weekend after Mardi GrasContinue reading “Roaming in New Orleans! Things to Do In the Crescent City Other Than Bartering Beads For Breasts”
Top Chef – Finally! The Finale!
If you’ve been following my Top Chef posts you know I feel it’s been a long, uneventful, and trying season for the show and me. Our Facebook status would be “it’s complicated.” As the season progressed I was more and more disappointed in the challenges. Looking back I feel the show’s producers should bear muchContinue reading “Top Chef – Finally! The Finale!”
Pureed Potato and Leek Soup (and a Kitchen Essential!)
So after a weekend in New Orleans we needed something a little, um, well, less larger than life which could be heated up quickly for the many (many) gym nights we’re going to need this week. The cupboards were looking a little bare, not quite Old Mother Hubbardish, but I did have a big bagContinue reading “Pureed Potato and Leek Soup (and a Kitchen Essential!)”
Béchamel Sauce – Creamy Truffled Cauliflower Gratin
In the Top Chef Texas season there was a challenge where the chefs had to rework Escoffier’s “mother” sauces, one of which is béchamel. This is an awesome, versatile, easy sauce for the home cook. Once you learn to make this preparation you can make all sorts of creamy, gooey, cheesy things. It’s perfect forContinue reading “Béchamel Sauce – Creamy Truffled Cauliflower Gratin”
Top Chef Episode 16 – Will This Season Ever End?
I’m beginning to think it won’t. Man, this season has really dragged on. Much like my time spent at O’Hare this morning while waiting for a flight to New Orleans. We had a snow storm move through Chicago last night and while it didn’t dump much snow it mucked up travel nonetheless. So, while waitingContinue reading “Top Chef Episode 16 – Will This Season Ever End?”
The Roaming GastroGnome 